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The fintech industry has experienced tremendous growth in the past five years, largely fueled by venture capital investment. Fintech venture investment grew from less than $1 billion in 2010 to more than $14 billion over 12 months in 2015, according to venture capital research firm CB Insights.
We gathered insights from a group of noted fintech venture capitalists to discuss key trends that they expect to play out within the sector in 2016.
Consumer-focused firms will expand their ecosystem
Among the most recognized and successful direct-to-consumer sectors in fintech, a sizable number of marketplace lenders, payment companies and robo-advisory firms have attracted a major proportion of VC startup and later-stage funding. These industries have begun to mature somewhat and have had early winners emerge, such as marketplace lenders Prosper Marketplace, Inc. and Lending Club, online payment processors Stripe, and robo-advisors Wealthfront Inc. and Betterment LLC.
Investment within these areas was one of the hottest trends over the past 12 months, according to Michael Walsh, general partner of San Francisco-based Green Visor Capital.
“We believe these groups probably garnered more attention and investment over a short period of time than made sense, relative to other fintech opportunities. Looking ahead to 2016, while we remain positive on these groups long term, we do believe they may take a back seat to some other areas, such as security, info services, and back and middle office automation,” Walsh says. “We expect to see some consolidation over the short- to medium-term.”
While these main categories may come under pressure in 2016, David Jegen, partner at Boston-based F-Prime Capital, believes there will still be options within the space and expects to see derivative opportunities created expanding their ecosystem.
“For one, companies are extending this business model into new areas, like real estate and insurance, but you will also get some interesting second-order plays,” Jegen offers. “For example, a company like Even Financial is addressing the lead generation problem for these platforms, and a company like Orchard Platform is helping investors access lending platforms. During 2016 and beyond we expect to see startups serving that ecosystem in a broader sense.”
Blockchain technology still poised to dominate
Venture investment is expected to continue to flow to companies engaged in blockchain technologies during this year and beyond. Two important segments sure to attract investment are capital markets and insurance.
“Blockchain tech will be applied to capital markets to enable improved clearing and settlement of various asset classes. Enhanced distribution channels and better decisioning via the application of advanced data analytics will help the insurance industry,” states Pascal Bouvier, fintech expert, venture partner with Santander InnoVentures and past general partner with Route 66 Ventures.
Enterprise companies to focus on leveraging big data Enterprise companies in the financial services space are looking more to automation and data to address costs, improve processes and open new areas of business. Many are focused on improving and leveraging their ability to handle large data sets utilizing Artificial Intelligence, machine learning, natural language processing, micro-targeting and micro-analysis.
This focus will continue to attract venture investment in 2016, according to Karl Antle, partner at New York-based ValueStream Labs.
“One of our favorite spaces is enterprise tech, and we love data and analytics. Not just tools, but proprietary sources of data,” Antle offers. “One emerging segment we're keeping a close eye on is marketplace lending infrastructure. Everyone is servicing in house and there are very few data companies in the space. There are no third parties doing processing or clearing – the infrastructure behind the industry just doesn’t exist, which we view as a tremendous opportunity.”
Facing the twin headwinds of possible consolidation and questions of valuation, coupled with the likelihood of increased regulation it won’t be surprising if 2016 fails to match the growth achieved in years recent — especially that seen over the past 12 months.
As for Xignite, we envision a few things; the Asian fintech gold rush has officially started and some major players will pop up in this space; the robo-advisor platforms will manage 25 percent of retail investable assets within five years; and large financial services companies will finally begin to adapt to technological innovation and invest in the cloud.
This is an exciting time for VC firms in the fintech space as the industry is facing incredible speed of innovation and change for years to come.
Stephane Dubois is the CEO and founder of Xignite. He founded Xignite as a wealth management software company but pivoted the company when he could not find any easy market data APIs to power his solution. Now, Xignite provides financial market data APIS to more than 1000 clients in 55 countries — many of them fintech startups in their own right. Before starting Xignite, Dubois was vice president of product management for Advent Software and product manager at Oracle. He has an MBA from the MIT Sloan School.


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The senators' concern followed reporting from The Wall Street Journal in August that more than 4,000 items for sale on Amazon.com had been declared unsafe by federal agencies, banned by Amazon or were deceptively labeled.
Amazon responded on Friday to the letter sent to its CEO Jeff Bezos by Democratic Sens. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, Ed Markey of Massachusetts and Bob Menendez of New Jersey in late August.
In the letter, Amazon said that "bad actors are constantly attempting to evade our automatic tools and review procedures," but the company immediately responds to violations like incorrect listings.
"We then provide information about evasive listings to our automatic tools to improve detection of similar listings in the future," Amazon said.
"It's hard to take Amazon's claim that 'safety is a top priority' seriously when thousands of unsafe and deceptive product listings make it onto their site," Blumenthal told FOX Business in a statement. "Unquestionably, Amazon's monitoring and enforcement procedures are inadequate — and this response gives me no hope that the company is taking the actions necessary to protect consumers or prioritize safety over profits."
"The safety and quality of products should be the top priority for massive online retailers like Amazon, especially when products are labeled as their preferred choice," Sen. Menendez told FOX Business in a statement. "Having policies in place is not enough if there's no enforcement. I hope Amazon can focus more resources into addressing this issue, before we read another report in the media. It's time to put the consumer's safety ahead of profits once and for all."
Amazon also reminded the senators that its sellers agree to operate within U.S. laws and regulations and are also violating Amazon policy when they offer recalled products.
Blumenthal has said he would seek congressional hearings following Amazon's response, The Wall Street Journal reported in August.
FOX Business' inquiries to Amazon and Markey's office were not returned at the time of publication.

domain: news


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According to the Wine Analytics Report (WA) released July 15, 2020, consumer spending on domestic wine in June was $3.4 billion and wine spending for the 12 months ending in June reached $70 billion. But according to bw166, the numbers represent a 5% drop from the same period in 2019.
As expected, on-premise wine sales were off over the past six months; in June those sales were 69% down from June of 2019. WA predicts limited on-premise wine sales for the remainder of 2020.
The off-premise world looks quite different. According to Nielsen, at the end of June 27, 2020, off-premise wine sales increased almost 18% over the same period in 2019, to almost $1 billion.
At about 88% of the market, glass wine packaging remains the dominant container, boxed wines ranked second, accounting for 9% of wines sold. At just $163 million, canned wines captured the smallest portion of sales—still, it is the fastest-growing packaging type, which increased sales 79% over the 52 weeks ending in June 2020. Canned wines commanded an average of $8.60 per 750ml, while wines in glass packaging averaged $9.04 per 750ml.
Consumers are spending more on Direct-to-Consumer (DtC) shipments—up 30% in June 2020 over a year ago. According to WA/Sovos ShipCompliant, DtC “…shipments increased 40% to 550,355 cases. The activity boosted shipment value in the first six months of 2020 to almost $1.7 billion, 15% above a year ago.”
One particular company Founder and CEO, Anish Patel noticed the DtC trend. He operates Tinto Amorío in cans. Patel says in 2019 the brand rolled out to almost 350 Alberstons, Vons and Pavilion stores in Southern California. Near the end of that year his brand was going into Young’s/Republic National Distributing.
At the beginning of 2020 Patel was poised to take a new branding approach that focused introduing Tinto Amorio wine spritz into all of Southern California stores—then, the pandemic arrived.
Says Patel, “Grocers stopped taking submissions for new products, our new [wine] spritz was delayed at production, and our marketing in-stores was no longer an option. In-store tastings, placements, trade promotions, and merchandising were either no longer available…or preference was sometimes given to big brands with large volumes.”
Even with low cash reserves, Patel’s company donated to food banks to support local communities, but something needed to change, and fast.
Patel says, “Through the first months of quarantine…We saw a 3000% increase in Instagram [messages] and emails inquiring about buying our product online.”
At less than 2% of sales, e-commerce was never a large portion of Tinto Amorio’s business. It was apparent to Patel that the DtC channel needed more attention.
Patel says, “We always knew that there are ways to bypass the 3-tiers, specific to wineries, to ship direct to customers without the use of a distributor, retailer, or vendor. However, we had never gone out and applied for the licenses and permits required in each state because we didn’t need them in the past and retail was going so well.”
Patel’s company has applied for those licenses. He says, “We also have placed a heavy emphasis on building strong digital content as well as partnering with e-commerce trailblazers to make our platform optimized and innovative…we can control the brand positioning and don’t have to compete with 80 plus SKUs on the shelf, and it allows for sales expansion…
“… a lot of wine and spirits brands still use relatively antiquated websites and are built on templates that make them all feel somewhat homogenous and stale…Many of these online stores are not optimized for shopping (our current set-up through the third-party isn’t, either). There’s only a handful of alcohol brands—all of them startups—that I can point to that excite me when it comes to DtC execution and so, it’s another channel ripe for disruption, even though it already accounts for billions in sales annually.”
Patel adds, “The ability to control brand positioning is particularly exciting, because we don’t have to be notched directly into canned wine. We aren’t purely that, we are more closely aligned to a space between Sangria or an Aperol Spritz.” And, he says, “…designing packaging for the shelf, we have to think about how to make it stand out while also being informative…a well thought out website can often inform really well and highlight the brand…packaging can be innovated with simplicity in mind.”
Patel is convinced DtC is the future. Considering that off-premise sales have buoyed overall wine sales lately, and DtC grows, he’s certainly onto something.
- Posted by support
- On July 21, 2020
- 0 Comment


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Don't Take Our Word For It.
See what others are saying about press release service provider PRWeb.
Since 1997, PRWeb has been reinventing the press release by offering enhancements enabling companies to maximize their PR capabilities online. They were the first to develop an SEO press release distribution strategy based on direct-to-consumer communication, and they continue to offer new tools to help companies communicate their news.
The PRWeb press releases really moved Havard's video views, and his story, to a whole new level.
It is definitely THE most cost-effective online distribution service that allows you to search-optimize your releases with keyword embedded links, attached files, images and more -- ensuring they'll be found in Google News and Yahoo News. And they can be found not only by media but also prospects and other buying influencers.
$200 press release remains one of the most inexpensive approaches to search engine optimization.
PRWeb is the perfect tool for small businesses and one I recommend in my book. It’s a social media press release without the high price tag or monthly fees. They’ll get your press release into search engines and on top news sites like Google News. You’ll reach journalists and bloggers. Best of all you pay once and the link is maintained on PRWeb forever.
We were contacted by both the FOX and the CBS affiliates... and were on the front page of the Chicago Tribune. PRWeb got us in the media within one day.
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As a result of our campaign, we have been featured on just about every automotive related blog as well as classic and performance car sites. We also generated coverage in some of the biggest industry magazines including Popular Mechanics and Hot Rod and created consumer buzz about the Corvette boat that is still going on.
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With PRWeb we are able to reach thousands of customers as well as the media. We even received an inquiry from the Tonight Show.
Rachel McLennan, PETCO


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Between March 15 and 17, the Holiday World Tourism Fair took place in Prague – one of the largest events of this type in the Czech Republic. Last year’s edition was attended by over 300 exhibitors from 26 countries
The Foreign Center of the Polish Tourism Organisation in Prague organized workshops with the participation of the Polish tourism industry, which took place on the first day of the fair. A large group of Polish exhibitors and 40 representatives of Czech travel agencies took part in them.
Together with our members: Art Hotel Wrocław, Hotel HP Park Plaza Wrocław, Hydropolis and Vertigo Jazz Club & Restaurant – we presented the attractive offer of Wrocław.
Organizing workshops is another form of promoting Poland on the Czech market, which has been gaining importance as a source market in recent years.
We would like to thank the Foreign Center of the Polish Tourism Organisation in Prague for their constant support and commitment.
Some of the photos come from ZOPOT Praga


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AutoGuide News Blog
The AutoGuide News Blog is your source for breaking stories from the auto industry. Delivering news immediately, the AutoGuide Blog is constantly updated with the latest information, photos and video from manufacturers, auto shows, the aftermarket and professional racing.
It comes as no surprise to hear that Toyota is working to generate more power for its popular 86 model, known as the Scion FR-S in America. The latest report does, however, contradict past rumors of a turbocharged engine, instead pointing towards something larger under the hood.
The annual SEMA Show is an exciting time for car tuners and enthusiast worldwide, as the aftermarket gets ready to unleash all of its newest products for today’s hottest cars. And what car is hotter this year than the Scion FR-S?


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Digital TV News: Viu
Top 5 metros account for more than half of OTT subscribers in India
Jun 18, 2020 – According to Counterpoint Research, the Top 5 metro cities account for 55% of OTT video platform users, while Tier I cities account for another 36% of users in India. Hotstar leads the Indian OTT video content market.
News categories: Counterpoint, Hanish Bhatia, Digital TV, India, Market Research, OTT
Viu top major video streaming platform in Southeast Asia
Jun 15, 2020 – Viu (SEHK:0008), with more than 41 million monthly active users, has announced findings from a report covering Q1 2020 from AMPD Research, a subsidiary of Media Partners Asia (MPA).
News categories: Viu, AMPD Research, Janice Lee, Asia, Digital TV, Indonesia, Market Research, OTT
Telekom Malaysia selects Skyworth as 4K Android TV Operator Tier partner
Jun 2, 2020 – Skyworth Digital and Unifi, the consumer brand for Telekom Malaysia, have celebrated the launch of the Unifi Plus Box – Unifi’s first 4K Android-based set-top box, providing access to all of Unifi’s digital entertainment services.
News categories: Skyworth, Telekom Malaysia, Moharmustaqeem Mohammed, Android TV, Digital TV, IPTV, Malaysia, Semiconductor, Set Top Box
Viu reaches 41.4 million monthly active users
Feb 17, 2020 – Viu (SEHK:0008) has announced that it reached 41.4 million monthly active users at the end of 2019, representing an increase of 35% over 2018. Additionally, video views grew 69% to 5.7 billion year-over-year, supporting growth in its video segment revenue.
News categories: Viu, Janice Lee, Africa, Asia, Digital TV, Middle-East, OTT, Results, Subscribers
63% of Indonesians access streaming piracy websites or torrent sites
Dec 20, 2019 – A study of online content viewing behavior commissioned by the Asia Video Industry Association has revealed that 63% of online Indonesian consumers have accessed streaming piracy sites to access content without paying subscription fees.
News categories: Asia Video Industry Association, Neil Gane, Chand Parwez, Hendy Lim, Djonny Sjafruddin, Edwin Nazir, Content Protection, Digital TV, Indonesia, Market Research, OTT
Maxis launches PAYG passes for VOD streaming
Nov 6, 2019 – Maxis has launched Maxis TV, a video entertainment service that offers premium video content that is affordable and flexible for everyone. VOD passes start from RM3/day bundled with data and include content choices that cover all the favourites.
News categories: Maxis, Navin Manian, Apps, Digital TV, Malaysia, OTT
Dialog Axiata introduces Cloud TV service powered by Kaltura
Sep 3, 2019 – Kaltura has announced that Dialog Axiata has selected Kaltura to power ViU, its cross-screen Cloud TV service. ViU is now available to the operator’s existing subscribers as well as every mobile user in Sri Lanka, regardless of the network.
News categories: Kaltura, Dialog Axiata, Ron Yekutiel, Dr. Rainer Deutschmann, Android TV, Content Distribution, Digital TV, OTT, Set Top Box, Sri Lanka
Vindicia report sees massive global growth in OTT subscription revenue
Sep 13, 2018 – Vindicia (NASDAQ: DOX) has released a research report that explores the prospects and development of premium OTT services across four regions: Western Europe, USA, Latin America and Asia Pacific.
News categories: Vindicia, MTM, Kris Nagel, Nick Thomas, Asia, Digital TV, Europe, Latin America, Market Research, OTT, USA
Dialog Axiata adds Eros Now to its ViU OTT app in Sri Lanka
Jun 28, 2018 – Dialog Axiata has announced a partnership with Eros International to launch its premier Video Over The Top (OTT) platform, Eros Now. The deal allows users in Sri Lanka to browse through over 20,000 hours of original Indian content in over 10 languages.
News categories: Eros International, Dialog Axiata, Rishika Lulla Singh, Mangala Hettiarachchi, Apps, Digital TV, OTT, Sri Lanka
- MediaKind first to deploy latest You.i TV video experience SDK
- TVSquared and Blockgraph partner on TV and cross-channel measurement
- PlayStation 5 launches this November
- BrightLine launches connected TV ad solution
- FIH and NAGRA launch Watch.Hockey app
- Gracenote enables cross-platform search and discovery for sports content
- VR headset market expected to grow despite short-term decline
- Pay TV in Portugal grows 4.1% YoY in 1H 2020
- Liberty Puerto Rico launches Hub TV powered by TiVo
- Verizon Media offers header bidding-like solution for OTT publishers
- Watch Brasil launches SVOD Smart TV app with Accedo
- ViacomCBS global streaming service to be called Paramount+
- TV3 to trial 5G immersive sport at Superbike World Championship
- Finns prefer to watch streaming services on the TV
- Proximus Pickx Android TV service goes live with 3SS
- Disney+ launches in eight more European countries
- Orange delivers 1.75bn multi-DRM licenses with Viaccess-Orca
- Dotscreen renews metadata deal with Red Bee Media
- Broadpeak powers NPVR service for Orange France
- ZEASN announces Smart TV App Store v3.0


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United Natural Foods Inc. opened a refrigerated distribution center in New Hampshire, to expand its capacity across the Northeast while relieving pressure on neighboring facilities in New Hampshire and Connecticut, the company said last week.
The 125,000-square-foot Londonderry site is expected to facilitate growth across UNFI’s New England market, in part to support the culinary business of one of its major customers, according to the release. The distribution center completed its first outbound shipments to customers Oct. 3.
“The opening of our new Londonderry facility acts as a complement to other regional distribution centers enhancing our ability to deliver improved service levels to our customers,” UNFI Chief Supply Chain Officer Mark Bushway said in the release.
The expansion follows the announcement of a partnership with technology company Symbotic to deploy an end-to-end automated system in five of its warehouses, as UNFI ramps up efforts to optimize its network of 59 distribution centers.
Symbotic’s system will enable the food wholesaler to improve order accuracy and storage capacity, which UNFI highlighted as critical components in the growth strategy it introduced last year.
As part of this plan, UNFI on Thursday named Erin Horvath its chief supply chain transformation officer, a new role designed to build out the company’s future capabilities, drive profits and improve customer and supplier experience.
Horvath will oversee the development of UNFI’s fulfillment network and lead automation efforts, such as the Symbotic agreement, according to the release.
Horvath joins UNFI after 17 years at AmerisourceBergen, where she served as chief transformation officer and, previously, distribution services president. She devised a five-year operations strategy, created a warehouse automation team and led construction of distribution centers for the pharmaceutical wholesaler, the release said.
“The food industry, like many industries, is experiencing a significant change,” Horvath said. “UNFI’s focus on, and investment in, advancing technologies and transforming operations is a testament to leadership’s commitment to a long-term strategy that will best support customers and suppliers within this evolving landscape.”


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Last Updated: Wednesday, July 16, 2014, 20:55
Delhi HC sought a response from three civic bodies on a plea seeking quashing of a notification to ban sale of edibles and beverages in the open on unlicensed shops.
Last Updated: Tuesday, July 08, 2014, 15:02
To check inflation and rise in prices of essential commodities, Rajasthan CM Vasundhara Raje has asked the officials to come out with a plan to sell onion, potato and pulses through PDS at low price in the state.
Last Updated: Tuesday, July 08, 2014, 15:00
Last Updated: Saturday, June 21, 2014, 08:57
Dozens of men crowd shops in central Baghdad, perusing military equipment including helmets, boots and camouflage uniforms that they will need after volunteering to fight against a major militant offensive.
Last Updated: Sunday, June 08, 2014, 22:11
Five shops were on Sunday gutted in a fire that broke out in a high-rise at south Delhi`s Nehru Place, fire officials said.
Last Updated: Tuesday, May 20, 2014, 10:06
Singer-actress Rita Ora is planning to open her own horticulture shops as she finds flower arranging relaxing. The `Fifty Shades of Grey` star, 23, was delighted about the new project, reportedly.
Last Updated: Monday, March 10, 2014, 15:13
In the wake of upcoming elections, Ganjam district administration in Odisha has ordered all liquor shops, bars and bhatis to install CCTV cameras in next two to three days.
Last Updated: Monday, February 10, 2014, 22:42
With an aim to strengthen his bond with the people of Bihar, BJP Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi will interact with people assembled at 36 tea shops across the state on Wednesday, party`s state unit chief Mangal Pandey said on Monday.
Last Updated: Wednesday, February 05, 2014, 04:57
English-Irish band One Direction will reportedly open a chain of coffee shops in a bid to expand their empire.
Last Updated: Wednesday, December 11, 2013, 01:53
Two shops in NH 5 Market of the district were gutted in a fire on Tuesday.
Last Updated: Wednesday, November 27, 2013, 20:55
Zimbabwe will press ahead with controversial plans to ban foreigners from owning bakeries, barber shops, estate agencies and a host of other businesses, officials said today.
Last Updated: Wednesday, October 30, 2013, 19:17
Hindustan Motors, maker of the iconic Ambassador car, Wednesday said its board has approved plans to sell the forge and foundry shops at its Uttarpara plant in West Bengal.
more videos >>


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National NewsBeef recalled in 33 states
OMAHA, Neb. -- More than half a million pounds of ground beef in 33 states, including Florida, have been recalled because the meat might contain a deadly strain of E. coli.
No illnesses have been reported by customers who ate the meat, said Gary Mickelson, a spokesman for the meatpacking giant IBP Inc.
IBP officials said Wednesday a sample of beef taken Oct. 22 from its Dakota City plant was tested by a distributor before being sent to a supermarket and found to be tainted with E. coli O157:H7.
Complications associated with the O157:H7 strain can lead to kidney failure, severe anemia, clotting problems and, in some cases, coma and death.
Mickelson said 71 retail, food service and distribution customers bought the fine and coarsely ground beef, sold in vacuum-packaged tubes. The recall does not include any prepackaged fresh or frozen beef patties.
About 7 percent went directly to consumers, sold in generic retail tubes labeled ''Ground Beef (20 percent fat)'' or ''Ground Beef (27 percent fat)'' with the product code: EST 245C SELL/FREEZE BY NOV 09 B.
''The vast majority of this product is further processed by restaurants and grocers before it's sold to consumers,'' Mickelson said today.
Although the U.S. Department of Agriculture was still testing the meat, the company decided Wednesday afternoon to recall 556,226 pounds ''out of an abundance of caution,'' Mickelson said.
Mickelson declined to specify which restaurants or distributors were affected. IBP said the bacteria presented no danger as long as the meat was thoroughly cooked.
A USDA spokesman said meat samples were being tested today and that a formal recall notification was expected.
Affected states are Alabama, California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia and email@example.com
©1998 The News Chief
AP materials ©1998 Associated Press. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.


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SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- Internet stocks got off to a mostly higher start Wednesday, with the Dow Jones Internet Index dji_djinet adding 0.4% to reach 102.76 in the day's opening moments. Shares of e-commerce services provider GSI Commerce Inc. gsic shed 3.1% to fall $17.19, even though the day before it reported better-than-expected earnings. Meanwhile, shares of Expedia.com Inc. EXPE, -2.34% were flat, at $21.64, as investors gird for its fourth-quarter report to come on Thursday. Among the bellwethers, shares of Google Inc. GOOG, -0.30% were up 0.4% to $460.85, after it made its Gmail email service open to anyone, after being invite only, and Google began testing an advertising feature in which businesses target ads to appear on certain Web sites, and are then charged each time someone clicks on the ads. Shares of Yahoo Inc. yhoo were up 1.3% to $29.95 following news that two more senior executives have left its Yahoo Media Group. Meanwhile, shares of Monster Worldwide Inc. MNST, +0.85% which owns the popular Monster.com help wanted Web site, added 0.8% to reach $53.13 after disclosing its entered into a pact with the New York Times.
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The Maggi ban had resulted in a 17% year-on-year drop in the annual revenues in 2015 to ₹8,175 crore
To be sure, Nestlé India fared relatively well in the recently concluded June quarter clocking 11% year-on-year growth
The Chinese use two brush strokes to write the word ‘crisis’. One brush stroke stands for danger; the other for opportunity. In a crisis, be aware of the danger—but recognize the opportunity," John F. Kennedy had said.
Nestlé India Ltd appears to have taken inspiration from that rather earnestly in recent years. After all, its shares have doubled since the Maggi noodles ban in 2015, suggesting the company navigated the crisis well.
In fact, after the ban on Maggi noodles sales in June 2015, the company’s stock had settled at ₹5,828 by the end of December 2015. Since then, the stock has risen at a compound annual growth rate ( CAGR) of as much as 24%.
The Maggi ban had resulted in a 17% year-on-year drop in the annual revenues in 2015 to ₹8,175 crore. Nestlé India follows a January to December fiscal year. For perspective: If one annualizes revenues for the half-year ended 30 June 2019, the company is set to earn revenue worth about ₹12,000 crore for 2019. This represents an average annual growth of 10%.
What’s more, analysts seem pleased with the company’s strategy amid the current slowdown. “Nestlé’s narrative at its analyst meet was marked for a forthright constructiveness, especially the ‘no point bemoaning the (tough) macro’ bit at a time when several companies in the consumer packaged goods’ (CPG) space are doing just that," said analysts from Kotak Institutional Equities in a report on 11 August.
To be sure, Nestlé India fared relatively well in the recently concluded June quarter clocking 11% year-on-year growth. The company’s higher urban exposure helps at a time when the rural market is growing at a relatively slower pace.
Additionally, commenting on the performance for the half-year ended 30 June, analysts at SBICAP Securities Ltd point out: “Growth outperformance has been driven by multiple factors including thrust on expanding penetration, mix improvement, 61 launches since CY16, of which 70% have been successful (compared to the industry’s 5-7% success rate)." CY stands for calendar year.
Last week, Nestlé India stock rose by about 4%, helped by the news that it will be included in the Nifty 50 index. Of course, given how pricey valuations are right now, it will be interesting to watch whether the good run continues on the bourses.
“The stock is currently valued at a price-to-earnings ratio of 61 times for CY20, which calls for sustained, healthy double-digit earnings growth (like in CY01-CY12, when earnings grew 20%)," wrote SBICAP analysts in a report on 6 August. The broker, however, sees revenue and earnings CAGR at about 11% each over CY18-21.
Having said that, if financial performance remains consistent, Nestlé India’s valuations could well find a reason to sustain, even at these levels.
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The cognitive patient concierge will initially assist patients with non-clinical questions in a bid to make the hospital experience more personalised.
The platform has been designed with home IoT device connectivity and broadband demands in mind.
The firm's bid to strengthen its hold in the virtual reality market now includes live action sports and music streaming.
The local arm of the IT giant made AU$11.49 million in net profit for the 12 months to January 2017.
British Airways' CEO has blamed a local power supply issue rather than outsourcing tech to TCS, which should be a big relief for Indian IT.
NASA is taking consumer-grade virtual reality gear and using it to train astronauts.
Common IoT use cases focus on various kinds of location tracking. But companies need to create a strategy that links IoT data to their central resources to turn that data into valuable information.
Amid claims from RSPs that NBN's CVC pricing is too expensive to offer consumers 1Gbps services, Launtel has switched on gigabit speeds for Launceston businesses for approximately AU$1,000 per month.
Third annual report educates security awareness professionals on how time, the right talent, and good communications make for the best, most effective programs.
When 12 drives failed, it took down a system of over 800 disk drives, and a taxation agency with it.
New research from Telsyte has found that six in 10 businesses with more than 20 employees in Australia and New Zealand are already using or thinking about deploying robotic process automation.


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Developers at Blizzard Entertainment are targeting a July release for Curse of Naxxramas; a major update to Hearthstone that adds new cards, a new game board and, for the first time, a narrative-led single player campaign.
Players can obtain thirty new cards if they play through the Naxxramas campaign mode, wherein they will come up against numerous foes such as "the oversized arachnid Maexxna, the fungal horror Loatheb, and the shambling abomination Patchwerk".
Beating these bosses will make small batches of cards "immediately available" to the player, which is a slight breakaway from Hearthstone's custom of offering new cards via purchases of random packs.
The Curse of Naxxramas campaign will be spaced over several updates, the first of which is expected to arrive in July.
"Just wanted to give everyone a head's up that we are currently targeting to release Curse of Naxxramas during the month of July," a spokesperson for Blizzard said on the company's forums.
"Unfortunately, we still have a lot of implementing and bug fixing to get through, so please stay tuned!"
Blizzard previously said the first chapter would be free, and is expected to reveal prices for the other chapters next week.
The new cards tend to be a little more elaborate than existing sets, with an emphasis on deathrattle and stealth tactics. Many of these new cards have already been revealed and are showcased below:


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Streaming has become a staple of US media-viewing habits. Streaming video, however, still comes with a variety of pesky frustrations that viewers are becoming less and less tolerant of. Meanwhile, viewers are increasingly excited about features that mitigate playback issues, such as mobile video download.
In fact, 53% of people surveyed said they’re more likely to subscribe to a service that offers a download option, while 67% said they would pay a premium for a download feature.
Download this report to uncover:
- How users react when they experience video streaming issues
- Which issues frustrate users the most, and how to combat those issues
- How adding a download feature to your streaming app can increase revenue and customer loyalty


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latest news releases from the newsroom
Impact E-Solutions Corporation
Impact E-Solutions Announces Gary Kirk as Chief Executive Officer
TORONTO, Dec. 20, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Impact E-Solutions Corporation (Pink Sheets:IESO) is pleased to announce that Gary Kirk has been named President & Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. In addition to his role as Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Kirk will serve on the Company's Board of Directors. Prior to his appointment as Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Kirk has been an advisor to the Company since early 2007.
Descartes Systems Group
Descartes Acquires RouteView Technologies
WATERLOO, Ontario, Dec. 20, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Descartes Systems Group (TSX:DSG) (Nasdaq:DSGX), a global on-demand software-as-a-service (SaaS) logistics solutions provider, announced that it has acquired privately-held Burnsville, Minnesota-based RouteView Technologies, Inc.
Magma Design Automation
Sigma Designs Adopts Suite of Magma Software for Complex SoC Designs
SAN JOSE, Calif., Dec. 20, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Magma(r) Design Automation Inc. (Nasdaq:LAVA), a provider of semiconductor design software, and Sigma Designs (Nasdaq:SIGM), a leader in digital media processing systems on a chip (SoCs) for consumer electronics, today announced that Sigma Designs is adopting a suite of Magma products -- including design implementation, physical verification and circuit simulation -- for Sigma Designs' complex, next-generation designs. This multiyear agreement includes licensing for Magma's Talus(r) Design and Talus Vortex automated IC implementation, Quartz DRC and Quartz(tm) LVS physical verification and FineSim(tm) SPICE circuit simulation software.


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Middleton-based Romac Logistics has added 10 new 4×2 IVECO S-WAY CNG tractors to its 220-strong fleet, with plans to add a further ten of them later this year. The company said the addition of the ten CNG-powered trucks have already attracted new enquiries, thanks to their ability to cut CO2 emissions substantially. Each truck is expected to cover around 160,000kms per year and will deliver CO2 emission cuts of around 125 tonnes per vehicle per year. The ten trucks, supplied […]
Three quarters of delivery drivers are willing to switch to zero-emission electric LCVs to reduce pollution, according to a survey carried out on behalf of LeasePlan UK.
Iveco has launched new software to help customers get the best out of its expanding range of services.
The Covid-19 pandemic is widely expected to give the government’s net zero carbon emissions strategy a big boost, and the new Commercial Motor Show virtual conference will take a look at the options for decarbonising heavy road transport.


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Two years ago, undercover agents went to David James Lister’s apartment in Redfield and bought meth. Authorities then got a search warrant, opened a safe in the apartment and found 1.5 pounds of meth, plus $2,000 in cash. Lister admitted the money came from drug sales. Authorities also found a cache of guns in Lister’s storage unit.
Lister told investigators he typically spent $20,000 every two weeks to buy two pounds of meth from his supplier and he’d sell it to 12 to 15 customers in the Redfield area. He said some of his customers gave him the guns as trade rather than cash for the meth.


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USA – Kellogg’s, an American multinational snack and cereal company has launched a new range of non-HFSS (high in fat, salt, and sugar) Coco Pops for the second time this year with the introduction of new Coco Pops Loops and Coco Pops Mega Pops.
The milestone comes after losing its 2022 court case against the UK Government’s HFSS guidelines where the court dismissed Kellogg’s argument that cereals should be exempt from the HFSS restrictions since they are usually consumed with milk.
During the ruling, the court nullified the petition stating that ‘the addition of milk does not alter the nutritional profile of the products themselves’.
According to the breakfast cereal giant, the new offering assures the best-selling kids’ cereal brand with more HFSS-compliant introductions, coming as part of Kellogg’s efforts to lower sugar within its kids’ cereal portfolio.
In 2017, the sugar content in Coco Pops cereal dropped by 40% (from 30g per 100g to 17g), while Rice Krispies saw a 20% reduction and Rice Krispies Multi-Grain Shapes a 30% reduction in sugar per serving.
In 2021, the company launched a limited-edition Strawberry & White Choc Flavour Coco Pops – which it claimed contained 30% less sugar than other chocolate-flavored toasted rice cereals – following this up with a similarly low-sugar limited edition Hazelnut Choco Flavour Coco Pops.
Earlier this year, it launched non-HFSS Coco Pops Chocos, which features 6.6g of sugar and 0.3g of saturated fat per 30g serving.
During the launch, Kellogg highlighted that the new breakfast cereal contained no artificial colors or flavors and has the same chocolatey taste as Original Coco Pops.
For the Coco Pops range – Kellogg’s biggest kids’ cereal seller and the third biggest brand in its portfolio according to IRI sales data – Kellogg reports that the brand is now seeing even more excitement with the introduction of Coco Pops Loops and Coco Pops Mega Pops.
The two have the same iconic ‘chocolatey’ taste as Original Coco Pops but both offer new crunchy shapes and textures to add variety to the breakfast table.
Seanain Mcguigan, activation brand manager at Kellogg’s UK said that Coco Pops is the number one selling kids’ cereal brand, adding that it’s great to continue with the innovation of the range.
“We’ve worked hard to make sure both Coco Pops Loops and Coco Pops Mega Pops add something exciting to people’s mornings while keeping the rich chocolate flavor that the brand is known for.”
Coco Pops Loops are available now in Morrisons with Asda and Sainsbury’s to follow, at an RRP of £2 for a 285g pack. They are also available in Morrisons with Tesco and Sainsbury’s to follow, at an RRP of £3.29 for a 365g pack.


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The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) has expressed confidence that American firms, which have poured in over P400 billion in investments in the local economic zones are going to expand their operations as both countries continue to harness their bilateral economic ties.
At the virtual PEZA Global Biz featuring the USA, Director General Charito B. Plaza noted that Americans continue to be one of the top three biggest contributors of investments in the Philippines under PEZA.
“Stronger bilateral ties between the USA and Philippines are [indeed] vital in facilitating our mutual trade and investment agenda,” said Plaza.
According to the PEZA chief, there are 420 American enterprises registered with PEZA as of the 3rd quarter of 2021. These firms invest P400.668 billion, $6.761 billion of exports, and employ 330,906 workers.
These investments came from major industries in the country such as the business process outsourcing (BPO), call center operations, software development, and exports in machinery, electrical, and IT-related equipment.
Meantime, Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel G. Romualdez said “The Philippines is ready to do more business with the United States. Our celebration of 75 years of Philippine-US relations this year culminates today’s Global Biz with PEZA as the most opportune time for the Philippines and the United States to engage in more economic partnerships with the participation of both our countries’ dynamic business community.”
On potential American companies in the Philippines, the Philippine Ambassador highlighted, “There are very good indications that e-commerce in the country will only continue to grow and with this growth, come the opportunities for investors [to come and invest] in the Philippines.”
With the US economy advancing to other pressing economic priorities, Ambassador Romualdez is encouraging the country to also do the same. He said, “With ecozones already providing necessary infrastructure and incentives, the Philippines can engage in climate-ready investments and infrastructure, supply chain resilience, technology advancements, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity.”
As the Philippines shows good signs of recovery with expected GDP growth of 5.1 percent this 2022 and with the increasing vaccination rate, Ambassador Romualdez said, “These have allowed for the gradual reopening of the economy in the third and fourth quarters of 2021. Economic activities have been up and running.”
Meanwhile, Charge D’Affaires of the United States of America to the Philippines Honorable Heather Variava shared that the United States government has facilitated the donation of over 65 million vaccines through the COVAX facility, including almost 25 million vaccines in direct U.S. donations.
Variava said, “The rapid spread of Omicron variant has reinforced the importance of vaccines. In total, the Philippines has received over a hundred million doses of US-branded vaccines.”
For long-term investment planning, Variava suggests that “investments in health and manufacturing sectors are areas where American firms and investors may have expertise to offer. We know the Philippines is looking for additional investment across the board, especially in 5G, internet, clean energy, health, and health security areas.”
Further, US-Philippine Society Executive Director Mr. Hank Hendrickson has assured PEZA and its partner investors that the Philippines and the US governments will remain active on trade investment promotion and facilitation.
Hendrickson said, “PEZA’s success and commitment to quality and transparency are making a positive impact on Philippine practices outside the ecozones that serve the growing domestic market and will need to meet ever-higher expectations as the Philippine middle-class and its purchasing power expand.”
Ambassador Romualdez also mentioned, “The Philippines is looking to improve its interconnectivity infrastructure to address the current demand and sustain the growth of our digital economy in the foreseeable future. We have amended our laws to attract more foreign investments in the country that will allow fair competition and better economic activity.”


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The Santa Clara, Calif.-based chipmaker released desktop Pentium 4 chips running at 2.8GHz, 2.66GHz, 2.6GHz and 2.5GHz, and those chips will be incorporated into new PCs from Dell Computer, IBM and others. Gateway, for example, is using the 2.8GHz and 2.6GHz processors in its newline of computers with a built-in flat-panel monitor, which debuted Monday.
The new chips also kicked off stage one of a price reduction, something Intel hasn't done for its desktop line since June. The 2.8GHz chip will sell for $508 in 1,000-unit quantities, while the 2.66GHz and 2.6GHz will sell for $401 in volume quantities. The 2.5GHz chip will sell for $243.
With the release, the existing 2.53GHz Pentium 4 will drop from $637 to $253. Intel is expected to cut prices for the rest of the Pentium 4 line as well as the Celeron line on Sept. 1, according to sources. The discounting has already been implemented in part--dealers and distributors have been selling Intel chips at arecently to get rid of excess inventories during the summer sales doldrums.
The new chips come amid a desperate race between Intel and longtime rival Advanced Micro Devices. With the downturn in the PC market, the two companies are cutting prices and raising the speed of their microprocessors to gain as much market share as possible and curtail revenue declines. Last quarter, Intelsix points of market share, on a year-to-year basis, partly through price cuts.
Last week, Sunnyvale, Calif.-based AMD cut prices and announced that two new chips, the Athlon XP 2400+ and the 2600+, would hit store shelves in September. In recent months, AMD has fallen behind Intel in terms of overall performance, according to several analysts. The 2400+ processor had also been delayed from itstime in the second quarter.
AMD, however, redesigned elements of the Athlon, and the upcoming chips will substantially eradicate any performance differences.
"(AMD) had fallen behind, but they have closed the gap to a certain degree," said Nathan Brookwood, an analyst at Insight 64.
The 2.8GHz and 2.66 chips come with a 533MHz bus, a data path that connects the processor to main memory, a feature also found on the 2.53GHz chip released in June. The 2.6GHz and 2.5GHz chips, meanwhile, come with a 400MHz bus. Typically, a faster bus boosts performance.
A 3GHz Pentium 4 will arrive in thequarter, while AMD will begin to ship its much-anticipated "Hammer" chip to manufacturers at the same time.


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Friday, February 18, 2011
Atheros Communications, Inc.introduced two new Wi-Fi solutions for cellular phones, tablets, eReaders, gaming devices and other handheld consumer electronic (CE) products. Atheros is raising the performance bar with a 2-stream mobile 802.11n solution for devices that need the higher speed of XSPAN® Wi-Fi capabilities for media applications. Atheros is also delivering the world’s smallest and most energy efficient 1-stream 802.11n solution, which brings the performance and enhanced software features of Align® Wi-Fi to even the sleekest feature phones. You'll find out Xtensa processor inside, of course.
Posted by Tensilica at 9:53 AM


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Two brand new designs for fine-dining applications will be introduced at this year’s C.M.A.A.World Conference on Club Management and Club Business Expo, coming up in New Orleans on February 26-27, 2012. The chair in the photo is our newest stacking chair, the Louis. We will also be introducing a new Captain’s chair, designed specifically for the grill room. Come see us at booth #301.
January 24, 2012


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Summer's all but over, but it's no less important to stay hydrated. According to the CDC 43 percent of Americans drink fewer than four glasses of water a day, and while the actual amount you should drink varies from person to person, four glasses probably doesn't cut it.That's where Caktus, a neat Finnish hardware startup that presented at TechLaunch's second New Jersey demo day, comes into play. Their mission? To fix that dearth of drinking with an app and a curious sensor that straps onto your water bottle.
Shadow is an app for people to record their dreams. Currently seeking Kickstarter funding, it will incorporate an escalating alarm clock designed to wake sleepers gradually, to improve the ability to recall their dreams. Once awake, it will prompt them to record their dream story -- either by typing or speaking it. Shadow's ultimate vision is to build a real-time global dream database.
With APIs from the likes of Twilio (and emerging Layer) fuelling a new concept of how cloud-based archictecture can be applied to the worlds of telephony and communications, UK startup NewVoiceMedia is today announcing a new round of $35 million to build out its business applying this idea to the world of call centers.
Posthaven, the blogging platform co-created by Y Combinator partner Garry Tan after his previous startup Posterous was bought and shut down by Twitter, has reached financial sustainability. They’re also launching the feature that effectively made Posterous a serious competitor against Tumblr in the early days of micro-blogging — e-mail-to-post. Posthaven is a basic blogging platform that’s meant to last forever. That’s because it is member-supported at a cost of $5 a month and not venture backed. The product is a labor of love that Tan and his old co-founder Brett Gibs
At long last, iOS 7 has just arrived. That is, it just arrived for everyone who didn't say "Developer? Oh, yeah, I'm totally a developer. Cough." and wiggle into the Beta months ago.iOS 7 can be confusing, but we're here to help. Here are some of our favorite nifty little power user tricks that we've heard about along the way.
Just about two months after it announced the developer preview of Internet Explorer 11 for Windows 7, Microsoft today launched an updated beta version of its browser. The so-called "release preview" will likely be the last beta version of IE11 for Windows 7 before the full release later this fall.
FutureLearn, a U.K.-led MOOCs alliance, has launched its first set of free courses, nine months after announcing its intention to jump into the Massively Open Online Courses space. FutureLearn has grown in size and scope during that pre-launch phase. It now describes itself as "U.K.-led" MOOCs provider, having adding two international HE institutions to its partner list.
Apple is launching two new iPhones, the iPhone 5c and the iPhone 5s, and the big question for many is going to be which is worth their hard-earned clams. Both present attractive packages, as detailed in our reviews, but is there a strong reason to choose one over the other? Here's a breakdown of the main considerations for those facing that choice.


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NEW YORK and GREENWICH, Conn. – Kettlebell Kitchen, a meal prep and delivery service aimed at helping consumers reach their fitness goals, closed a $26.7 million series B funding round led by North Castle Partners, a private equity firm.
Kettlebell Kitchen specializes in meals developed by nutritionists and dietitians and prepared by chefs. The meals are designed to conform to standards of various dietary regimens such as paleo, vegetarian, low- carb, protein-forward, ketogenic, Whole30, and more. Additionally, the meals are gluten-free, and free of wheat, dairy, soy, GMOs, artificial ingredients and sweeteners and processed oils, according to the company. Kettlebell delivers meals to consumers’ homes or to gyms that are part of the company’s partner network.
“Kettlebell Kitchen is one of the most attractive and innovative businesses we have seen in the meal delivery industry,” said Jon Canarick, North Castle managing director. “The company’s high quality and nutrient-dense meals, brand positioning, unique distribution model, and goal driven, solution-based approach, differentiates its prospects in a crowded category.”
Joe Lopez-Gallego, Greg Grossman and Andy Lopez-Gallego started Kettlebell Kitchen in 2013. Since then, the company launched nationwide delivery in 2017 and later opened a production facility in Los Angeles.
“We look forward to leveraging the firm's knowledge, experience and strong network of nutrition and fitness industry experts on our mission to functionally enhance our customers’ lives through high-quality, goal-focused meal plans and nutrition,” Grossman said. “We believe North Castle’s vast network across the weight loss, nutrition and fitness industries will be an invaluable resource as we continue our rapid growth trajectory. It has been a pleasure working with the North Castle team thus far, and we are excited for an incredible partnership.”


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Apogee revenues up 18 percent in third quarter
Company plans to exit automotive market
As a result of strong third quarter results, officials from Minneapolis-based Apogee boosted its 2007 earnings outlook to a range of 98 cents to $1.04 per share, up from the earlier guidance of 92 cents to 98 cents per share.
Third quarter results for the comapnybrought in higher numbers than even company officials could anticipate, according to Apogee’s Dec. 20 earnings report.
Revenues for the company increased 18 percent compared to the same period last year, reaching $209.8 million. Operating incomes increase 61 percent year-over-year, and earnings per share reached 35 cents, up 9 percent from the 32 cents of last year, according to the Apogee announcement.
The company’s architectural segment that includes glass fabricator Viracon, of Owatonna, Minn., helped drive revenues for the quarter. Revenues for the segment increased 24 percent and operating income more than double last year, according to the release.
However, steep declines from the company’s automotive replacement business countered the strong performance on the architectural side. Revenues fell 33 percent year-over year for the automotive segment, leading Apogee officials to exit the business, according to a Dec. 22 article from financial publication, The Motley Fool in Alexandria, Va.
Several of the company’s automotive facilities will be transferred over to the architectural segment, according to the article.
To view the whole Apogee release, click here.


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May 10 (Reuters) – Alphabet Inc (GOOGL.O) is rolling out more artificial intelligence to its core search product, hoping to create some of the same consumer excitement generated by Microsoft Corp’s (MSFT.O) update of rival search engine Bing in recent months. .
At its annual I/O conference in Mountain View, California, on Wednesday, Google showed off a new version of its engine of the same name. Dubbed the Generative Search Experience, Google’s revamp can craft responses to open queries while maintaining a recognizable list of links to the web.
“We’re reimagining all of our core products, including search,” Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai said after taking the stage at the event.
He said Google is integrating AI into search as well as products like Gmail, which can create draft messages, and Google Photos, which can make changes to images such as centering shapes and coloring in blank space.
Alphabet shares rose 4% on Wednesday. It’s up 26% so far this year, compared to an 8% rise in the S&P 500 in the same time frame.
Vice President Cathy Edwards said in an interview that American consumers will get access to the generative search experience in the coming weeks through a waiting list, a beta phase during which Google will monitor the quality, speed, and cost of search results.
Google’s foray into what’s known as generative AI comes after startup OpenAI introduced ChatGPT, the chatbot beloved in Silicon Valley that set off a furious race for funding among potential rivals. Generative AI can, using past data, generate entirely new content such as complete text, images, and program code.
OpenAI, backed by billions of dollars from Microsoft and now integrated into Bing search, has become for many the default version of generative AI, helping users prepare term papers, contracts, travel itineraries and even entire novels.
For years, the premier gateway to the Internet, Google has found its own niche in the question since competitors have begun to exploit the technology. At stake is Google’s slice of the massive online advertising pie that research firm MAGNA estimated at $286 billion this year.
“Artificial intelligence can provide insight,” Edwards said. “But what people fundamentally want at the end of the day is to be connected to information from real people and organizations, knowing, for example, that this health information comes from the World Health Organization, or WHO.
Speaking about how Amnesty International publishes incorrect information, Edwards said the company prioritized accuracy and cited reliable sources.
Google will also mark up the images you create with AI and make it easier for people to check the authenticity of the image.
“Google’s vision makes a strong argument that search is evolving, not fading away, and that Google is here to stay,” said Kingsley Crane, an analyst at Canaccord Genety.
What is the appropriate outfit to wear?
With built-in artificial intelligence, Google still looks and behaves like the familiar blank search bar.
But while a search for “San Francisco weather” would normally direct the user to an eight-day forecast, a query asking what outfit they should wear in the California city calls up a drawn-out response generated by artificial intelligence, according to a Reuters demonstration earlier this year. week.
The challenge of relying on such artificial intelligence, known as large language models, is the high cost. Edwards said, “We and others are working on a variety of different ways to bring cost down over time.”
Edwards said ads will remain key. “We only get paid when there is a click.”
BARD for 180 countries
“The company shows a willingness and ability to reinvent and disrupt itself, which I feel will be positively received by investors,” said Michael Ashley Schulman, chief investment officer at Running Point Capital Advisors.
In recent years, Google’s competitors have made their own search breakthroughs and have worked with them in products, bypassing their inventor.
ChatGPT came about after Google revealed its AI platform in 2017. The speed at which the chatbot grew — faster than any consumer app in history — encouraged Google’s often rambling gossip to get employees to speed up projects.
In February, Google announced its competing chatbot called Bard. A promotional video that month, which showed Bard incorrectly answering a question, prompted a discounted $100 billion stock slice of Google’s market capitalization.
The company said Wednesday that Bard will be multimedia like OpenAI’s GPT-4, and will make the chatbot available to people in more than 180 countries and regions.
This means that customers will be able to ask the Bard for photos, not just text messages — for example, asking the chatbot to write a comment on a photo it hands it to.
Behind Bard is also a more powerful AI model that Google announced called PaLM 2, which it said could solve tougher problems. Pichai also said that one of the PaLM 2 models is lightweight enough to run on smartphones.
In more news for I/O, Google Cloud CEO Thomas Kurian told Reuters that the division is lining up customers to test its latest technology, among them Deutsche Bank AG (DBKGn.DE) and Uber Technologies Inc (UBER.N).
In addition, Google has released a new foldable Pixel smartphone that allows consumers to use the company’s artificial intelligence. To start, the phone will be priced at $1,799 and will come with a free Pixel Watch. Google also unveiled a $499 phone dubbed the Pixel 7A, available to order starting Wednesday.
(Reporting by Jeffrey Dustin in San Francisco); Additional reporting by Sheela Dang. Editing by David Gregorio
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Star Wars: KOTOR II ‘Sith Lords’ DLC has been canceled for Nintendo Switch
Nintendo announces its first Switch-Party game without any fanfare
Sonos is slashing the prices of its soundbar and soundbar ahead of Father’s Day


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Microsoft buys Bethesda Software for £5.85bn
Microsoft has announced the acquisition of Bethesda Software – the video games company behind blockbuster titles including The Elder Scrolls, Fallout, DOOM, Quake, Wolfenstein, and Dishonored, among others.
The global tech giant is paying £5.85bn for Bethesda Software’s parent ZeniMax Media.
Microsoft, the owners of Xbox, revealed that the acquisitions’ franchises would be added to its Game Pass subscription package for its consoles and PCs. The move could help make the imminent arrival of the Xbox Series X more attractive than the PlayStation 5 to some players – as the ‘console wars’ look set to start again for the next generation in November.
Satya Nadella, CEO, Microsoft said: “Gaming is the most expansive category in the entertainment industry, as people everywhere turn to gaming to connect, socialize and play with their friends. Quality differentiated content is the engine behind the growth and value of Xbox Game Pass—from Minecraft to Flight Simulator. As a proven game developer and publisher, Bethesda has seen success across every category of games, and together, we will further our ambition to empower the more than three billion gamers worldwide.
“This is an awesome time to be an Xbox fan. In the last 10 days alone, we’ve released details on our two new consoles which go on pre-order tomorrow, launched cloud gaming in Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, and now we’re making another investment in the most critical part of our strategy: the games,” said Phil Spencer, executive vice president, Gaming at Microsoft. “Generations of gamers have been captivated by the renowned franchises in the Bethesda portfolio and will continue to be so for years to come as part of Xbox.”
The planned acquisition includes publishing offices and development studios spanning the globe with over 2,300 employees, including Bethesda Softworks, Bethesda Game Studios, id Software, ZeniMax Online Studios, Arkane, MachineGames, Tango Gameworks, Alpha Dog, and Roundhouse Studios. Bethesda’s critically acclaimed and best-selling franchises include The Elder Scrolls, Fallout, DOOM, Quake, Wolfenstein, and Dishonored, among others.
Bethesda parent company ZeniMax Media was founded in 1999 by Chairman and CEO Robert A. Altman; Bethesda’s structure and leadership will remain in place.
He said: “This is a thrilling day for this company, our employees, and our fans. We have enjoyed a close partnership with Microsoft for decades, and this deal is a natural progression of those years working together. The big winners today are our fans. We are continuing to develop our slate of AAA games, but now with Microsoft’s scale and entire Game Stack, our games can only get better.”
The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and completion of regulatory review, however, Microsoft expects the acquisition to close in the second half of fiscal year 2021.


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Total retail footfall in the three months to the end of October fell 0.4% against last year as the town centre vacancy level in October hit 11.3%, the highest figure in more than a year.
The town centre vacancy rate hit 11.3% in October, the highest figure in more than a year, according to figures from the British Retail Consortium-Springboard monitor.
Total retail footfall in the three months to the end of October fell 0.4%, which although while down it has improved from the 3.3% decline in the previous quarter.
The monitor showed high streets were hit the worst as footfall slumped 0.9% in the quarter from August to October, despite a boost from the Olympics in August which delivered increased footfall.
Both out-of-town and shopping centre sites recorded increased footfall of 0.2% and 0.1% respectively.
The hardest hit locations across the country in the period were the east, where footfall dropped 4.1%, the south-west where footfall fell 4% and Scotland where it dropped 3.9%.
Northern Ireland, the West Midlands and Greater London were the only regions where footfall increased by 14.1%, 4.2% and 1.3% respectively.
Springboard said the decline in footfall could have resulted in the low vacancy rate.
BRC director general Stephen Robertson said the new low in empty shops “sets alarm bells ringing”.
He added: “Many retailers are battling stagnating sales and rising costs, and next year’s threatened business rates increase can only make matters worse. If the Government wants to breathe life back into our town centres and ensure the retail industry can play its full role in job creation it needs to freeze rates in 2013.”
Retail Week and the BRC are currently lobbying Government to halt the planned rise in business rates next year in the Fair Rates for Retail Campaign, to ease the burden on retailers who have already suffered two years of onerous rates rises.
Springboard chief executive Steve Booth said: “There is no doubt that October had the most detrimental impact on retail footfall over the past quarter.
“Traditionally October is a difficult month for retailers, as school holidays are over and winter weather sets in, however the year-on-year drop in high street footfall this October was significantly better than the drop a year earlier.
“Though the pace has slowed, the continued decline in footfall could be a factor leading to the 0.4 percentage point increase in vacancy rates. Temporary lets over the festive season may positively affect this figure in November and December and the awareness of increasing vacancy rates has encouraged landlords to become more flexible to try and alleviate this issue, as the heavy rate burden is an ongoing concern for retailers.”


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Met Gala Cockroach Crashes Red Carpet — But Its Fashion Dreams Were Squashed
View Source | May 2, 2023 11:22 am
Click to read full article
- Amid a sea of the world’s most glamorous A-list celebs, it was a lowly vermin that stole the show: A cockroach undoubtedly solidified its spot atop the pantheon of famous New York Pests after it was spotted scurrying down the aisle at this year’s Met Gala.
- A Twitter video, posted by Variety, showed the uninvited pest darting across the red carpet after circumventing security at the annual fashion bash, where tickets cost a staggering $50,000 per head.
- Celebrity onlookers could be heard gasping in delight as the bug — sporting its trademark brown and white tux — scuttled up the stairs of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.
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New car registrations rose for the first time in six months in August, bringing some stability to the troubled industry.
Registrations were up 1.2% in August compared with August 2021, with 68,858 new cars registered in what is a traditionally quiet pre-plate change month.
The small increase is a departure from the previous five months which saw year-on-year declines. However, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders warned that last month’s performance was still the second weakest August since 2013. The only worst month was August 2021, when sales were down 22%.
The figures also revealed that for the year-to-date registrations were 10% down on 2021’s and showed a slowing in demand for electric vehicles.
Experts said that the uptick was a welcome indication that supply problems could be easing but warned that the current economic situation could see demand fall.
Mike Hawes, chief executive of the SMMT, said, “August’s new car market growth is welcome, but marginal during a low volume month. Spiralling energy costs and inflation on top of sustained supply chain challenges are piling even more pressure on the automotive industry’s post-pandemic recovery, and we urgently need the new Prime Minister to tackle these challenges and restore confidence and sustainable growth.
“With September traditionally a bumper time for new car uptake, the next month will be the true barometer of industry recovery as it accelerates the transition to zero emission mobility despite the myriad challenges.”
Slowing EV demand
The latest figures shows that despite a slowing in the number of new EV registrations, it was still battery-powered vehicles which fuelled August’s modest growth. Registrations of EVs were up 35% and petrol-powered cars up 7.5% while diesel’s decline continued - down 12% - and hybrids also fell, with plug-ins suffering a 23% decline.
However, the rate of growth in the EV market has fallen sharply, August’s figures represent a year-to-date increase of 48.8%, compared with the 102% recorded in March. Some observers believe this could be a sign of consumer concern around how rising energy costs will affect charging while others believe that demand for EVs will keep growth strong as production levels return to normal.
Ian Plummer, commercial director at Auto Trader, said: “The SMMT’s sales figures highlight just how much the industry’s ongoing supply challenges remain the key factor holding back the market. But energy price rises are beginning to bite ahead of October’s surge in the energy price cap, and our data is beginning to show early signs of a waning of appetite for electric vehicles as buyers weigh up higher charging costs against running a traditionally fuelled vehicle.
“Despite the looming rise in energy bills, electric vehicles are still much cheaper to run than petrol or diesel cars. That will still underpin demand for EVs in the longer term, despite the higher up-front costs, but there could well be some short-term impact on EV demand as the financial benefits of running EVs compared to petrol or diesel are narrowed.”
Chris Evans, head of sales at online marketplace Heycar also believes that EV interest will continue to grow despite rising running costs for many drivers: “If energy price trends continue, we estimate that EV fuel costs will reach parity with petrol and diesel within six months. However, while some car buyers will be put off by the higher running costs, we think the UK’s EV market will continue to grow as there is already a significant shortage of EV stock compared to demand. Soaring energy costs are unlikely to derail this trend in the short term.”
Industry on a precipice
Industry observers have also warned that the growing cost of living crisis could stunt any recovery in the new car market.
James Fairclough, CEO of AA Cars, said: “The improvement in sales comes amid further signs of recovery in the supply of new cars, with the number rolling off UK production lines rising for the third consecutive month.
“However, questions remain over whether buyer demand will rise to meet that increasing supply, as the cost-of-living crisis is steadily reducing disposable incomes and affecting people’s willingness to make big financial commitments.”
Jim Holder, editorial director at What Car?, said despite improvements in the supply chain, the UK car industry was “at the edge of a precipice” and motorists could face price rises.
He said: “It faces the short-term crisis of a potential recession eroding new car demand and undermining the buoyant used car market, plus the potentially longer-term impacts of rising energy and raw material costs, all at a time when it needs to be investing unprecedented amounts in new electric car technology.
“Previous estimates by the SMMT found the rise in energy prices will add another £90 million in costs for OEMs operating in the UK this year alone. A rise in costs of manufacturing is eventually passed to consumers through higher prices or offset with lower investment - neither which is ideal for the sector or the economy.”


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A new technology with potential government applications could make computer mice and touch interfaces obsolete with the wave of a finger. Consisting of a small motion-sensing unit and software, the Leap Motion controller allows users to manipulate graphic images and other data with hand motions.
The Leap controller is the size of a smart phone and sits in front of a computer monitor where it detects hand or stylus motions in an eight cubic foot space in front of the monitor and converts them into motion in the form of manipulated graphics, game control data, robot control or many other types of interface manipulation.
The device connects to a computer via a mini-USB port and automatically calibrates with it. The controller’s software is based on proprietary math research, which is at the heart of its high level of sensitivity and accuracy, Leap Motion CEO and co-founder Michael Buckwald told Breaking Gov. The device currently does not support a wireless connection capability.
The company’s goal has been to develop motion control sensitive enough to control computers with natural hand and finger movements, Buckwald said. This capability works for the majority of the tasks that involve human interaction with a computer-work at close range using hands and fingers. To achieve this goal, the firm focused on the highest level of speed and accuracy possible.
According to Leap, potential government applications include modeling and simulation, where scientists and engineers can move through and manipulate three-dimensional images; the technology allows military and intelligence agency analysts to move and zoom in on camera and satellite imagery; and it allows military or VA doctors to access data on a computer screen during surgery without having to take their gloves off or touch the screen.
Leap’s software is compatible with a variety of devices, interfacing with existing protocols for touch, stylus and mouse interfaces. Leap supports Windows and Mac OS with support for Linux-based machines is on the horizon, Buckwald said. He added that the technology is versatile enough to be embedded in a broad range of devices-anything from smartphones to refrigerators and automobiles.
“The ability to control any computer with nuanced hand and finger movements will fundamentally transform the way people interact with computers. We envision a day in the near future when our motion control technology will be used in most consumer products-not just computers, but cars, appliances, medical devices, smartphones, tablets and more,” Buckwald said.
The technology behind Leap Motion’s device has been in the works for about four years, Buckwald said. Company co-founder and chief technology officer David Holz, was working on his PhD in mathematics at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill when he developed the algorithms that led to the development of the company’s core technology Holz left school Hill in 2010 to found Leap with Buckwald.
The company has taken care to reach out to the developer community. In the first week of its launch, Buckwald noted that more than 15,000 developers applied for a free controller to create new uses for it. As of July 23, more than 26,000 developers from 143 nations have applied. Out of those 26,000 applications, 14 percent were for gaming, 12 percent for music and video, 11 percent for art and design, eight percent for science and medicine, six percent for robotics, six percent for web and social networking applications, and four percent for education. The company has continued to issue thousands of free controllers for developers over the past several months, Buckwald said, and will be shipping its products worldwide this winter.


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Emerging Technology Trends 2021: 5 Next Big Things in Tech
Technology has recently progressed at a breakneck pace in what has been claimed to be the fourth industrial revolution – a lot to look at every year. As we prepare to welcome 2021, we expect some of the coolest technology innovations provided by the managed IT services companies. Many businesses look forward to inculcating modern technology into their organization to give themselves the most important edge in competitiveness.
AI is a highly evolving technology with engineering advancements provided to enterprises. Artificial intelligence is something that every organization should use to boost customer service and streamline its company practices. In 2021, even as people get more comfortable with operating systems that blend AI, AI-based systems’ production and implementation would remain a costly choice for most organizations.
This makes it possible to continue many AI applications by service suppliers that allow businesses to feed on the data and pay for algorithms or computing resources to hire IT consulting companies.
The mobile data network of the 5th generation drew everyone’s attention with easy download and upload speeds and overall seamless use. After seeing a welcome response in the USA and China with its costly and remote releases in 2019, the 5G transition is predicted to be the next standard for 2021 on the mobile industry and architecture.
This gives smartphones a considerable loading speed and streaming times and makes mobile devices effective on-the-go for heavy tasks. Restricted formerly to the physical limits of a home or office, this swift and secure mobile technology increases bandwidth and ensures significant data processing – contributing shortly to the possibilities of several IoT and smart gadgets. In the SpaceX proposals, about 2500 satellites have been deployed to make this feasible this year with Starlink Broadband.
Blockchain is one of the very few innovations in technology that produces a mood for its breakthrough impacts. It is a type of digital diary for logging transactions and keeping the data secure by encrypting and decentralizing it at the same time. With the help of stalwarts in the previous year’s leaders like FedEx, Mastercard, IBM, and others, this revolutionary technology will make real improvements, revolutionizing expectations for smaller contestants.
The detailed deployment of blockchain with AI, Big Data, machine learning, and many other fields would eventually solve many problems with mapping massive volumes of data. The technologies that this technology looks for will simultaneously benefit industries such as electronic commerce, the supply chain, or even government organizations.
We will see Machine Vision equipped software and technologies built for a growing range of applications as we pass into 2021. It is important to how autonomous cars visit and navigate the risk, especially. Production lines can use computer vision cameras to track faulty goods or equipment faults, and surveillance cameras will alert us to something out of the ordinary without the 24/7 supervision necessary.
Computer vision also enables facial recognition, of which we will learn a lot in 2021. In Apple’s Faced, we have already seen the technology’s utility in managing our smartphones’ access and how Dubai Airport allows a seamless consumer journey. However, as usage cases escalate in 2021, further debates will be held on restricting this technology’s use. It will erode anonymity and allow state regulations to keep a close watch on individuals, hindering their privacy.
Extended Reality Extended Reality (XR) is an all-embracing concept used to construct more realistic interactive environments with several modern and evolving technologies. It applies in particular to interactive, enhanced, and mixed reality.
Virtual reality (VR) gives you a truly digital and immersive experience of entering a computer-generated world with headsets that blend the real world. Increased reality (AR) overlays digital objects via smartphone or displays into the real world (think Snapchat filters). Mixed reality (MR) is an AR extension, meaning that users can interact in real life with digital objects (consider playing a holographic piano that you have placed into your room via an AR headset).
These developments exist for a few years now. Still, they are mostly limited to the gaming world – with Oculus Rift and Vive headsets offer state-of-the-art video games and the most prominent example of AR with smartphone applications, such as camera filters Pokémon Go-style games.
From 2021, all this will change as companies gain leverage over the abundance of exciting opportunities presented by all existing XR types. Digital and augmented reality is becoming more and more popular for training and simulation and new ways of communicating with consumers.
Although there are various debates and theories about how these technologies will end up in actual businesses and jobs, there is the hope of a better future. While most of the problems apply to the latest digital ethics collection, which will need to be developed under their respective cyber regulations, they are not distinct from the banes of science in history.
All in all, 2021 appears to be a year of hope in terms of exponential improvements in a machine, management, engineering, or even day-to-day technology, which can take longer to make its mark on the industrial and general industry.


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The Hendo Hoverboard made waves in the tech world last year for being what the company claimed was the world's first real working hoverboard.
Arx Pax, the company behind the Hendo Hoverboard, has also announced that its technology could be used by the likes of SpaceX for the Hyperloop, and by NASA for launching microsatellites.
Of course, the original Hendo Hoverboard wasn't really intended to be a commercial product, and Arx Pax will be the first to admit that. It was, however, a proof of concept for the company's unique magnetic field architecture, or MFA.
That proof of concept ended up making the company more than $500,000 during its Kickstarter campaign, a pretty hefty sum. The new hoverboard will be Hendo's chance to make good on its Kickstarter campaign and deliver hoverboards to backers of the campaign.
Arx Pax has some other pretty exciting real-world results to boast about as well. SpaceX will be allowing teams to use the MFA technology in its Hyperloop competition, and NASA even wants to use the technology to move microsatellites around in space, working on a scale of centimeters to move and control CubeSats.
The new Hendo Hoverboard has a number of great new features. These include an improved battery life, USB connectivity, and a stronger performance with better traction and better control. The new hoverboard also features a new design, looking a lot less like a big slab of plastic and more like a skateboard. This not only makes it look better, but it also makes it more practical and easier to maneuver.
Of course, it's important to mention that the hoverboard still cannot be used anywhere the user wants. Instead, it uses magnets to hover above a special metallic surface. A number of businesses hope to start using Arx Pax's technology, however, and these businesses will not only be getting the MFA technology, but also the copper platform that will allow the technology to work. It's possible that in the near future we could start seeing sections of skate parks designed specifically for Hendo Hoverboard's.
Via: The Verge


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STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Since work on Amazon’s last mile facility in Bloomfield was deemed essential construction during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, opening of the new warehouse will occur as planned later this month, the Advance can exclusively report.
The new facility, termed a delivery station by Amazon, will help speed up deliveries, specifically to Staten Islanders; packages will go directly from the last mile facility to residents’ homes. In fact, all packages that leave the facility will be delivered to homes and businesses within a 45 minute driving radius, according to Amazon.
“Delivery stations power the last mile of our order process and help speed up deliveries for customers. Packages are shipped to a delivery station from neighboring Amazon Fulfillment and Sortation Centers, loaded into delivery vehicles and delivered to customers,” said Hawkins.
160 NEW JOBS
With Amazon already employing more than 4,500 workers at the neighboring fulfillment center that opened in 2017, the online retail giant is the borough’s largest employer. And the new facility will add more than 160 full- and part-time jobs that pay at least $17.25 per hour to that job total, said Hawkins.
The jobs available at the last mile facility will include workers who sort and scan the packages that come in from the fulfillment centers, Amazon said.
Borough President James Oddo has been a proponent of expanding the West Shore manufacturing district, which he has dubbed “the jobs coast.”
“Here comes another 160 jobs on top of the more than 4,000 jobs previously brought to Staten Island with Amazon," said Oddo.
While Amazon couldn’t say if deliveries will occur during peak hours or cite the roadways that will be most utilized, Oddo said it won’t interfere with morning rush hour.
“Trucks that were previously coming from New Jersey over our bridges will now essentially be replaced by sprinter vans, which will be intentionally sent out after Staten Island’s morning rush so that Islanders can be serviced in an even more efficient process,” he said.
"The jobs coast will continue to yield jobs in the coming years, jobs that otherwise would be in New Jersey or some other part of the region -- all while we studiously measure and ensure a favorable balance between economic activity and demands on our infrastructure,” added Oddo.
DONATIONS TO FOOD PANTRY
In celebration of the upcoming Staten Island delivery station launch, last week Amazon presented a $10,000 donation and more than $2,000 in food and necessary essentials to Project Hospitality’s food bank.
“Communities around the world are facing the COVID-19 pandemic together and we believe Amazon has a unique role to play providing a critical service for families to get the items they need, without leaving their homes," said Hawkins. “We are partnering with food banks across the country to donate delivery services of shelf-stable groceries and pre-packaged foods to serve six million meals through the end of June, using our robust network of Amazon Flex drivers.”
HOW TO APPLY FOR A JOB
For more information about open positions at the new last mile facility, visit www.amazon.com/nycjobs.


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Absa Bank Kenya has unveiled its Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) offering saying this option will help its customers better manage their expenses. The offering is a self-service payment option available through mobile and internet banking platform and allows customers to spread the cost of their purchases over time.
This is the first BNPL product to be exclusively offered by a bank in the Kenyan market for card customers.
The bank’s credit card customers will be able choose to pay for their purchases either in full immediately or opt for a structured repayment plan over a defined period, ranging from three to 12 months.
The growing attractiveness of card-based transactions is evident in the data provided by the Central Bank of Kenya. As of March 2023, the number of card-based transactions reached 5,669,185, marking a 5.3 percent increase compared to the previous month.


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U.S. Rep. Rush Holt, D-NJ, last week said he planned to introduce federal legislation banning the distribution of unsolicited text messages to cellular phones.
The Telephone Consumer Protection Act prohibits marketers from broadcasting prerecorded voice messages to cellular phones, but no such rule exists for text messages, according to a spokesman for the Federal Communications Commission. Live-operator telemarketing calls to cellular phones also are allowed.
A spokesman for Holt said the bill had not yet been drafted and that he would probably seek additional sponsors.
The spokesman said Holt decided to introduce the bill after several of his constituents complained about receiving advertisements from a New Jersey company called Plugout.com, which markets add-on products for cellular phones, such as decorative covers.
Plugout executives could not be reached for comment.


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Smart2PayTM, the company with the world's largest coverage of online alternative payment solutions, is pleased to announce that it has recently expanded its payment card offering for US based Merchants.
Smart2PayTM has recently launched its local card processing solution for the United States, in order for its Merchants to benefit from an easy to use, secure and cost-efficient option for local US credit card processing. Using Smart2PayTM's services through these new card connections, Merchants will be able to increase their overall conversion and efficiency while keeping focus on and developing their business. With the Smart2PayTM card platform, Merchants have the option to activate real-time fraud protection to protect revenues, support growth and enhance customer experience.
Stefan Iancu, CTO of Smart2PayTM:
At a time when card payments are still so popular around the world, we are pleased to announce the expansion of our credit card processing solution for US Merchants. We are here to help Merchants by making online card payments as easy as possible for their Customers and continuously offer them innovative solutions for card payment processing across the world. Using our smart routing capabilities the Merchants benefit from the highest approval rates no matter where the cardholder is located.
Smart2PayTM offers a single API for all payment services to international Merchants, covering credit card and local payment options throughout the world! By using Smart2PayTM, you will boost your sales significantly, by offering the preferred local method of payment to your Customers!


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Target Prioritizes Employee Retention Over Seasonal Hires
The persistent labor shortage is putting already stressed retailers on edge with the busiest shopping season of the year approaching. Target is trying to stay on top of retention efforts in advance of the holidays, by announcing 5 million more hours for current store associates, adding up to more than $75 million in pay.
The company said Thursday that its goal is to hire fewer seasonal employees than in previous years and instead focus on more flexible scheduling, training, pay, and benefits for its existing team.
Target recently introduced a mobile scheduling app that makes it easy for employees to choose or swap shifts. And store managers are being instructed to regularly check in with employees on scheduling preferences and opportunities to work additional hours if desired. Target started offering back-up training a year ago on order pickup and drive up, which helps to staff in-demand posts and gives employees the option to pick up an additional 4 to 8 hours per week.
As a result of these efforts to provide store workers more stable schedules and paychecks, the Minneapolis-based retailer said employees are working nearly 15 percent more hours than they were a year ago.
“We have worked to provide our team members with more consistent schedules, which means more consistent paychecks and a more consistent way to manage their life,” Target chief human resources officer Melissa Kremer said in a statement. “Additionally, we are offering more hours to team members who want them and continuing our important investment in training and development. When we invest in and care for our team we know that guest service improves, turnover goes down and team members can more easily build rewarding careers at Target.”
Target moved to a $15 starting wage in 2020 and added a $200 “recognition bonus” for frontline hourly workers in July. Target also recently announced a comprehensive debt-free education assistance program for full and part-time employees.
Throughout the holiday season, Target will continue to staff the front-of-store with dedicated team members focused on safety and cleaning precautions. Target also plans to hire 100,000 seasonal team members at its stores across the country to supplement its current team. The retailer said many seasonal team members will have the opportunity to remain with Target following the holiday season.


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Killzone series is always well known and remembered for its graphics and unique gameplay elements. The original Killzone might not be popular but Killzone 2 really opened a lot of people’s eyes with its dazzling graphics, during its original reveal at Sony’s E3 Conference. Sure, the original reveal might not be real-time gameplay but the devs came close, and even surpassed some elements in their final retail game.
Both Killzone 2 and Killzone 3 were always talked about for pushing their graphics and technology a step further on PlayStation 3. I am sure all of us might have remembered the animated gif of a Soldier getting shot from Killzone 2. Killzone 2 and 3 are always remembered as being critically and technologically acclaimed shooters on PlayStation 3.
The focus of the game on graphics and gameplay continued with even its first proper portable entry entry i.e Killzone Mercenary. To date, Mercenary holds the record of being the best looking first person shooter on a portable hardware. Not only it utilized real-time reflections on various surfaces, it also utilized forward render instead of deferred render. There was just a lot of magic at work for Killzone Mercenary and according to Guerrilla Cambridge, who ported it o VITA, they utilized the Killzone 3 engine and changed and tweaked it according to VITA’s hardware specifications.
Now that Killzone: Shadowfall is finally going to launch on PlayStation 4. We are seeing similar pattern here. It’s original reveal at E3, which was actually real-time this time around, impressed a lot of people. Killzone: Shadowfall is one of the biggest launch title for PlayStation 4 and is always heralded as a technological masterpiece. To think that the devs actually started work on it by taking the original 4 GB RAM limitation on mind, it looks far more impressive.
Talking with VG247, Guerrilla Games Developer Eric Boltjese said that they always wanted Killzone as a launch title and hence work started on it about two and half year prior to launch of PlayStation 4.
“We knew pretty early on that we wanted to be a launch title,” Boltjes explained. “We knew it was inevitable that there was going to be a new platform, so quite early on – about two and a half years ago – we said ‘You know, we want to be a launch title. We want to be on the next-gen console.’
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“The reason for that is that Killzone is all about the graphics and gameplay, obviously [laughs]. But being able to do that on a new platform was just an amazing chance, I mean, we really wanted to get in there and we wanted to get in early.”
From this statement, we can see that even Guerrilla Games agrees that Killzone to them is all about the gameplay and graphics. We can see this in almost every entry in the series from the portable ones to the consoles.
Stay tuned to GearNuke for latest news and info on Killzone: Shadowfall.