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Amazon Sumerian gives “everyman” an opportunity to create AR and VR experiences–for a price.
Amazon already moved into the video game space with Lumberyard as now used by the infamously gorgeous and crowdfunded game Star Citizen. The shift into a VR player or offering VR videos comes as no surprise. What is surprising, however, are the implications of these new Amazon offers.
How could the new AWS media suite spell trouble for streaming platforms like YouTube?#Amazon VR Media Suite Could Disrupt StreamingClick To Tweet
Sumerian is Only the Beginning
Sumerian is a browser-based tool that, as listed on the official website, “lets you create and run virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and 3D applications quickly and easily without requiring any specialized programming or 3D graphics expertise.” These creations will work across HTC Vive, iOS devices, Oculus, and, soon, Android devices.
What also comes with this announcement is a slew of media services Amazon offers. The entire package includes the following components:
This AWS Elemental Media suite allows you to compress and format offline video for the transition to TV or connected devices with MediaConvert. It also enables you to encode content for live broadcasting using MediaLive.
MediaPackage allows for more cost-effective distribution of video and MediaTailor adds scalability for adding targeted ads to streaming content. You can also personalize the content to potentially increase monetization and engagement efforts.
The MediaStore is exactly what it sounds like: an online home for media with promised low latency and high performance. Amazon lists this service available for “predictable pay-as-you-go” pricing.
This sounds an effective way to democratize individual media creation. This could be a place for users to upload content ranging from video essays to beauty tutorials to vine compilations.
It sounds like it could become the next YouTube.
An Answer to Monetization Woes or Just a VR Player?
As some of you may know, Google has been criticized for altering ToS agreements for creators on YouTube with specific attention to monetization and what qualifies as “adult content.” Many LGBTQIA creators had their content flagged as inappropriate by simply sharing their stories.
Other YouTubers grew angry when Google revoked monetization due to strong language or other actions considered problematic for brand sponsorship.
Beyond that, YouTube also disallows monetization for channels with fewer than 10,000 views now.
While many find ways around this using Patreon or similar services, the new AWS Elemental Media Suite could prove useful for them.
Conversely, it could also prove useful for network broadcasting channels looking to expand their content pools. CNN could create online exclusive content hosted via Amazon, but would it be subject to CNN’s regulations, Amazon’s, or both?
VR videos in a 24-hour news cycle could become taxing once the novelty wears off…
Moreover, what about streaming platforms like Twitch? Their latest content channel “IRL” has gained traction over the last year. Would Amazon’s new media suite supplant that or streaming apps like Periscope?
The Future of VR Videos & Desktops PCs
The final question the Edgy Labs team has about this latest update about Amazon offers is: could it eliminate the need for personal desktop PCs?
Or rather, is this where we stop owning our own devices? Will we pay a subscription just for computing power soon?
While interconnectivity is useful, requiring constant internet access and a subscription to use certain programs is inherently problematic. “Always on DRM” was a huge concern of gamers around the launches of the Xbox One and the game Diablo 3. Now consider that, but for apps like Adobe® Photoshop.
If it lives on the Amazon cloud as Sumerian might, do you lose access if you lose internet? Furthermore, can you ever really “own” the software or are you just on a permanent lease as with subscriptions programs available for Microsoft and Adobe products now?
Totally Immersive VR Experiences on Permanent Lease
Regardless of these concerns, the possibility for ultra enhanced VR detail is great with Sumerian.
As in the above video, a Sumerian “host” walks you through the capabilities of the robust browser tool. You can integrate text-to-speech, use language translation, create virtual classrooms–there’s a host of possibilities. No pun intended.
While it is a browser-based tool, Sumerian is compatible with iOS devices and will soon be compatible with Android devices.
Streaming powerful and fully immersive VR worlds to a headset via your smartphone could reduce the need for a robust PC. However, “pay to play” becomes a very significant concern, too, since all of this would be proprietary to Amazon.


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TikTok and Yunus Social Business (YSB), have announced a $1.5 million partnership, aiming to financially invest in selected social enterprises while providing others with training and mentorship on brand building, sales/e-commerce, and leveraging digital platforms for business success.
According to research conducted by YSB in 2021, micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) play a pivotal role in Kenya’s economy, making up 98% of all businesses and employing 90% of the workforce.
Social businesses – a small subset of MSMEs – focus on social mission at their core, and work to benefit low-income and disadvantaged populations.
The research further suggests that data points to these types of businesses having the potential to contribute 50% of the GDP over the next three years, with social businesses on their own having the potential to employ more than 400,000 people by 2030 with the right support.
However, over a third of these social businesses face significant challenges in growth and sustainability, including raising financial capital and receiving non-financial support such as digital marketing skills training.
In support of social businesses in Kenya, alongside the announcement of this partnership with YSB, TikTok announced its first investment in BURN Manufacturing with an injection of $450,000. The clean cookstoves produced by BURN use less fuel, cook faster, produce less fumes, and save families $150 per year. It is the only modern cookstove manufacturing facility in Africa that reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 80% and has already reached over 22.5 million people.
The $450,000 cheque was handed over by the Cabinet Secretary of the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy, and Sports Hon. Ababu Namwamba, EGH, who was the Chief Guest at the launch event. In his remarks, he highlighted the important role TikTok has played in the lives of users across Kenya: “TikTok has had an impact that extends beyond entertainment and social interaction; it has influenced various aspects of society, education, and philanthropy, positioning itself as an impact organization by providing a platform for individuals from diverse backgrounds to share their stories, talents, and creativity. It has also empowered creators to express themselves, build communities, and find their voices, fostering inclusivity and diversity”.
Hon. Ababu Namwamba also reiterated the impact of the partnership in Kenya and the region: “The collaboration between TikTok and Yunus Social Business (YSB) represents a pivotal effort to leverage business solutions for social good; it will help address the “missing middle” problem for entrepreneurs by providing long-term, low-interest loans and growth support to social businesses, small and medium enterprises in Kenya and the wider East Africa region. With the $1.5M partnership between TikTok and YSB, we trust our entrepreneurs will continue to use platforms such as TikTok positively, encouraging innovation and economic growth”.
Other social enterprises to benefit from this partnership include Ndivisi Enterprises and ED Partners Africa amongst others; they will get access to digital skills training, resources, and brand-building mentorship as part of the offering.
“This #TikTokEmpower partnership with YSB represents a transformative opportunity to empower entrepreneurs, address social challenges, and drive sustainable economic growth in Kenya and East Africa. We have seen the profound impact and real-world opportunity that TikTok brings to small businesses around the world, and we are proud to foster this entrepreneurial spirit and digital innovation in Africa. The creative economy is a key priority for Kenya and this is the time to amplify these opportunities as we celebrate Kenya@60”, said Fortune Mgwili-Sibanda, Director of Government Relations & Public Policy at TikTok in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Yunus Social Business’s Regional Director for East Africa, Susan Ngalawa notes that while the organization has a strong legacy in social entrepreneurship models, this partnership signifies a strategic shift towards embracing digital innovation to empower aspiring entrepreneurs. “We believe that social businesses hold solutions to some of the most pressing problems of our time, but they cannot deliver or scale those solutions alone. This collaboration with TikTok is designed to help overcome specific social business challenges. For example, by providing them with direct financial support, upskilling their teams in digital marketing to strengthen their position in the digital economy, and giving them access to markets so that as the social businesses grow, their impact can grow as well. We look forward to this opportunity.”
This partnership stands as a testament to TikTok’s commitment to supporting Africa’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, creating opportunities for individuals to make a difference in their communities. TikTok and Yunus Social Business are united in paving the way for a new generation of social entrepreneurs, leveraging the power of technology to drive positive change and sustainable economic growth in Kenya and East Africa.
TikTok will also be showcasing at the 2023 Youth Konnect Africa Summit hosted at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre between 8 – 12 December 2023.
Read Also: Here Is How To Make Money On TikTok In Kenya

domain: news


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HTC's great Indian adventure continues with more new releases for all your hardcore HTC fans. As of today, HTC has officially unveiled not one, but two new smartphones for the Indian market -- dubbed HTC Desire 210 and HTC Desire 816.
In addition to launching the massively anticipated One (M8) handset in India, the company has removed the curtains off the Desire 210 and Desire 816 in India.
While the HTC Desire 816 is a mid-range Android smartphone that has been priced at Rs. 23,990, its low end counterpart the 210 comes around with a price tag of Rs. 8,700. HTC today unveiled its latest budget Android smartphones at a press event in New Delhi.
Speaking about the new HTC Desire 210, Jack Yang, President of HTC South Asia, commented: "It is a phone that everyone will want, with amazing technology at the entry-level market space."
"This latest HTC Desire range phone combines, fast dual-core speeds, premium features, at an affordable price offering for users with the best experience in this category," he added.
HTC Desire 210: Highlighted Specifications
The new HTC Desire 210 is a dual-SIM smartphone which comes with a 4-inch WVGA display, assisted via a 1GHz dual-core MediaTek MT6572M processor and 512 MB of RAM.
Apart from that, the phone packs a 5MP rear camera, VGA front camera, dual SIM support and expandable storage, 4GB of internal storage and a 1300 mAh battery. The HTC Desire 210 has been priced at Rs. 8,700 and will go on sale in the Indian market in April-end.
HTC Desire 816: Highlighted Specifications
The HTC Desire 816, on the other hand, sports a greater 5.5-inch 720p display, while being powered by a Snapdragon 400 quad-core processor clocked at 1.6GHz and also paired with 1.5GB of RAM.
Other features of the phone include a 13-megapixel rear camera, 5-megapixel front camera, 8GB of internal storage which can later be expanded using a microSD card, alongside a 2,600mAh battery.
Apart from that, connectivity options for the device include dual-SIM card slots, 3G support, Wi-Fi, NFC and Bluetooth, while running on Android that's slapped under HTC Sense. The HTC Desire 816 has been priced at Rs. 23,990.


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Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) survey: Industries struggle amidst the pandemic
Part of: GS Prelims and GS-III – Industries
- Companies were surveyed recently regarding the difficulties being faced by them due to the lockdown which was imposed to contain the spread of COVID-19 pandemic.
- Almost half of the industries which have been allowed to reopen still face hurdles in obtaining permits to function and passes for employees.
- 60% of surveyed companies faced disruption in the movement of inputs and finished goods.
- Only 15% of them said that movement of raw materials and finished goods was taking place smoothly.
- 23% said such movement was not taking place at all.
- 19% of companies said permits were not available to them.
- 27% said they had faced delays.
- 67% said the daily commute was problematic.
- Only 10% of plants were functioning at more than 50% of their full capacity.
- Only 9% of firms have more than half their workers back on site.
- CII demanded that businesses should be allowed to function without need of permits in non-containment areas.
- Also, workers should be allowed to commute to work in their own vehicles on the basis of a letter issued by the employer without need of a government pass.
Important value additions:
Confederation of Indian Industry (CII)
- CII is a non-government, not-for-profit, industry-led and industry-managed organization.
- Founded in 1895, it works with the Government on policy issues.
Image source: Click here


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Fast Five Sponsor Highlight
Main Session Hall
Lowering emissions is about reducing empty truck trips during both inbound and outbound product/pallet flows. Collaboration is key in finding the right opportunities in the supply chain to tackle these issues. Jeff Doman from CHEP Canada will highlight how retailers are trimming these unnecessary trips, streamlining operations and going greener.


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2018 Accord Named North American Car Of The Year
America’s Best Sedan for 2018 (Car&Driver) was just named the 2018 North American Car Of The Year! The 2018 Honda Accord was just recently completely re-designed from the ground up with a brand new turbocharged engine. The Accord beat out the Kia Stinger and the new Toyota Camry that was also just recently re-designed. “There’s still millions of cars and sedans sold in the United States, they’re very popular, and Honda’s been very successful selling sedans so we see a bright future with sedans as we do CUVs as well,” Arcangeli said. During the judgement of the 2018 North American Car Of The Year, they based everything off of safety, technology, innovation, design, value, and performance, and the Accord got every check mark. The Accord has also received 2018 Car and Driver’s 10Best award for the 32nd time this year! Its safe to say that the Accord is dominating the Automotive industry in its class.
*2018 North American Car of the Year- North American International Show
*Car and Driver’s 10best- Car and Driver, January 2018
*Car and Driver, January 2018


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Entries are now being accepted in the 18th annual, 2014 Scovie Awards Competition for excellence in the Fiery Foods and Barbecue industries.
Albuquerque, New Mexico (PRWEB) June 27, 2013
Now in their 18th year, the Scovie Awards are the largest and most prestigious industry recognition for excellence in the Fiery Foods and Barbecue Industries. More than 700 products from all over the world are entered in 70 categories and are judged by food professionals in a blind tasting. Many companies use their wins in the Scovies to promote their products nationally.The awards are named after pharmacologist Wilbur Scoville, who invented the chile pepper heat scale in 1912.
Last year, about 90 judges tasted about 770 products from companies around the world in two sessions. The judging is done in a blind tasting from coded cups by food professionals.
Judging forms insure that the products are rated in a number of different categories, including appearance, aroma, texture, use of chile heat, and the most important of all, flavor. Again this year, a superhot category has been added.
2014 Scovie Award entries are being accepted through September 6, 2013.


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The company said that it had been contacted by Vantiv, a rival payments company based in Cincinnati, and by the banking powerhouse JPMorgan Chase.
NYS Entity Status
NYS Filing Date
SEPTEMBER 20, 2013
NYS DOS ID#
NYS Entity Type
FOREIGN LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY
2013 - JOURNEY TRAINING INSTITUTE, LLC.
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Garage 1A, Lot 3, Lot 3A, and Champions Garage are available for purchase on a first come-first served basis on Saints game days.
Jordan Morris 5.
We are having people invest in the company.
According to YouGov, McDonald’s came out on top among Americans with 32% identifying the brand as an official sponsor of the event.
Among companies that invest primarily or heavily in sports marketing and sponsorship alliances, Nike outspent rival adidas by about $80 million; U.S.
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To assist with traffic ingress, any guests with D, E, or F parking passes will be directed to the second entrance of each garage to bypass the vehicle screening.
Two new alliances were unveiled today , one with Woods and the other with his Tiger Woods Foundation.
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Nine of the ten had spending increases, led by automotive, where category spend was $3 billion, up 7% versus 2013.
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Affordable Mail Alliance Forms to Fight Major Postal Service Rate Hikes Announced Today
(Press Release) WASHINGTON, D.C. – July 6, 2010 – The Affordable Mail Alliance, an unprecedented coalition of Postal customers, is today calling on the Postal Regulatory Commission to reject the United States Postal Service's new proposal to increase postal rates by ten times the rate permissible by law. The new coalition includes charities, large and small businesses, American household names and the customers who use the Post Office every day - customers that will suffer if USPS successfully raises rates again.
"This proposed rate increase amounts to another tax imposed on Americans at a time when the economy can least afford it," said Tony Conway, Executive Director of the Alliance of Nonprofit Mailers and Spokesperson for the Affordable Mail Alliance. "Consumers everywhere will pay more for the letters and packages they need to send; struggling businesses - large and small - will suffer and even more jobs will be lost."
The Postal Service claims that a rate increase is essential to maintaining its solvency. However, USPS has done little to improve its business model. For example, the average USPS employee is paid substantially more than comparable private sector jobs. In 2009, USPS volume went down 13%, but labor costs only went down 1%. Because of work force issues, many USPS employees are under-used or sit idly, forcing consumers to subsidize them.
This rate increase will decrease mail volume, making the USPS' economic situation even worse through declining number of customers. And that, in turn, will be multiplied into job losses to publishers, printers, paper manufacturers, marketers - jobs that can hardly afford to be lost in this economy.
While the USPS retained consulting companies to create a plan to tackle the crisis, little has been done to implement the cost saving recommendations. For example, facility consolidation is moving at a glacial pace.
"The first rule of business is if you're in the hole, stop digging," said Conway. "Increasing rates won't put the Postal Service back on track - it will just drive more customers away, making their situation even worse. USPS needs to stop avoiding the difficult decisions and stop taking out their problems on the customers they desperately need."
"Rather than gouging its customers with ten times the rate permissible by law, USPS should be eliminating its costs; inflation in postal costs was over 6% in 2009," said Jerry Cerasale, Senior Vice President, Government Affairs and Spokesperson for the Affordable Mail Alliance. "They should be making the hard business decisions and not raising rates."
The Postal Service is asking the five-person Postal Regulatory Commission to waive a rule requiring that postal rate increases stay in line with inflation - a law designed to protect Americans from just this kind of rate hike. The Affordable Mail Alliance is calling on Postal Regulatory Commissioners not to exploit a legal loophole to let the USPS make egregious rate hikes.


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- A leak appears to have revealed the Sony Xperia 10 III.
- It should stick with a familiar design, including the headphone jack and front stereo speakers.
- You may hear more about the phone in the next few weeks.
Sometimes, it’s what a company doesn’t change about a phone that may prove the most exciting. Steve Hemmerstoffer (aka OnLeaks) has shared what he says are images and details of the Sony Xperia 10 III, a subtle evolution of the 10 II that keeps features that appear to be dying on flagship devices.
Most notably, the Xperia 10 III will reportedly keep the 3.5mm headphone jack and front-facing stereo speakers — Sony might not make you give up your favorite earbuds, or ask you to hold your phone gingerly while you watch a video. While it’s true that Sony also revived the jack for last year’s Xperia 1 II, it’s doubtful people will complain about more options.
Read more: The best phones with a headphone jack
You can also expect the 21:9 6-inch display to return, with no hole punches or notches in sight. Details aren’t available for the triple rear camera setup, but rumors have suggested the Xperia 10 III will have a 12MP primary camera as well as 8MP telephoto and ultra-wide sensors. It won’t rival mid-range devices in some areas, then (a device like the OnePlus Nord has a higher-resolution camera), but the continued existence of a telephoto camera could give it an edge.
Sony is also expected to preserve the side-mounted fingerprint reader and otherwise stick to a familiar aesthetic. While internal specs aren’t available, the Xperia 10 II used a Snapdragon 665. We’d expect the Xperia 10 III to offer similar processing power, although it’s not certain that Sony will leap to the Snapdragon 690 and its built-in 5G.
If history is any indication, Sony could debut the Xperia 10 III sometime in February. It won’t be a radical departure for the company, but it could stand out in a field where competitors are scaling back features that customers once took for granted.
This article is auto-generated by Algorithm Source: www.androidauthority.com


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LIST OF CRUELTY-FREE BRANDS
Copyrights © 2015-2021 ethical elephant. All Rights Reserved.
guide to living your best cruelty-free & vegan life
Think that buying vegan beauty products doesn’t matter or doesn’t make a difference? Think again!
Australia became the latest country to ban animal testing for cosmetics. The ban will come into force at the end of 2018.
At the end of every month, I do a round-up of what’s up and what’s new in the cruelty-free community!…
Some of the biggest cruelty-free brands acquired by Estee Lauder and Unilever. China accepts non-animal tests and more!
Keep up with the latest cruelty-free news this month! Too Faced acquired by Estee Lauder; China to Approve First Non-Animal Test Method and More!
Keep up with the latest cruelty-free news this month! BECCA now owned by Estee Lauder; Taiwan moves to ban animal testing; and more!
Keep up with the latest cruelty-free news this month! Burt’s Bees confirms selling in China; Unilever acquires Seventh Generation and Honest
Help urge the Canadian government to support the Cruelty Free Cosmetics Act!
See what’s up in the news for cruelty-free beauty!
ethical elephant is a cruelty-free and vegan lifestyle blog inspiring you to live your best ethical life!
Here you will find vegan product + shopping guides, our best tips and tricks to living ethically, and what's new in the cruelty-free/vegan space!


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The Iowa legislature late last week adopted a bill that sponsors say guarantees the right of local retailers to sell ethanol and biodiesel blends of their choice.
Renewable energy advocates contend the oil industry is improperly protecting the petroleum share of the transportation fuels market by restricting the ability of local filling stations to offer fuel blends beyond the traditional E10 (10 percent ethanol gasoline) and B5 (5 percent biodiesel).
The legislation, which is based on a similar law enacted in South Dakota in 2011, is aimed at specific provisions in refiner supply agreements that sponsors say are anticompetitive. The Iowa measure prohibits supply agreement restrictions on fuels from other suppliers, the installation of blender pumps, the use of current equipment to distribute higher ethanol and biodiesel blends, the advertisement of ethanol or biodiesel blends and the locations on retail sites where higher blends can be offered. The legislation also prohibits suppliers from insisting retailers can accept only cash for higher blends.
The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) says the measure offers retailers a "bill of rights" that protects against "Big Oil efforts to restrict competition" and assures the sale of E15, E85 and B20.
“This legislation represents a solid step forward for higher ethanol blends, consumer choice, and the federal Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS),” said IRFA President Rick Schwarck. “I find it ironic that Big Oil consistently claims that retailers don’t want to sell higher ethanol blends like E15, yet they use every trick in the book to prevent retailers from offering E15.”
He said the oil industry’s principal trade group, the American Petroleum Institute, “fought tooth and nail to try to keep these retailer protections out of the bill. This bill tears down one part of Big Oil’s bogus blend wall in Iowa.”
“One supplier should not be allowed to dictate to local retailers what they can and cannot do with products from other suppliers,” continued Schwarck. “More freedom for retailers to offer the fuels they choose often means more ethanol and biodiesel blends, which benefits consumers by increasing competition at the pump. And it also means more RINs will be generated for use in complying with the federal RFS.”
The Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Stores of Iowa (PMCI) also lauded the measure, noting that fuel distributors and retailers led lobbying efforts to pass the new law to ensure they can blend ethanol and biodiesel products manufactured in Iowa.
“This legislation helps Iowa farmers, Iowa businesses and Iowa consumers by maintaining competitive fuel prices and promoting the state’s leadership position in biofuel production,” said Dawn Carlson, president of PMCI.
Iowa leads the country in the production of ethanol and biodiesel. The state has 41 ethanol refineries capable of producing more than 3.7 billion gallons annually and 12 biodiesel facilities with the capacity to produce nearly 315 million gallons each year. The state also has one wet mill and two cellulosic ethanol facilities currently under construction
For more news, visit: www.Agri-Pulse.com


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April 6, 2018
Fangirl fashion company Her Universe has released a collection of Darth Vader jewelry.
Designed at the Sparkle Factory, the line of necklaces, bracelets and earrings features the Dark Lord of the Sith.
“The Star Wars jewelry is what I like to call affordable luxury," says Ashley Eckstein, founder, Her Universe. "All of the collectible pieces will not break the bank but will last the test of time."
Her Universe has also created an R2-D2 My Hero collection of necklaces, bracelets, earrings, rings and a hair clip adorned with crystals and pearls. Both lines are available now at HerUniverse.com.
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The top March 2018 branding ideas see a number of companies offering a range of better-for-you products, as well as launching campaigns that push for positive societal change.
Millennial pink beverages, better-for-you ice cream and sparkling beverages are some of the must-have food and beverage products of the moment, making these categories highly competitive. LaCroix is a leader in the sparkling water market, but PepsiCo recently launched 'Bubly' as a refreshing alternative. Similarly, many brands are hoping to see the same success as Halo Top by launching their own iterations of low-calorie, high-protein frozen desserts.
Brands like CoverGirl, Lush Cosmetics and Absolut Vodka recently launched conversation-sparking campaigns to push for greater inclusivity, diversity and transparency within advertising. In an effort to celebrate love in and support the LGBTQ community, Suitsupply launched its 'Find Your Perfect Fit' campaign, which was met by an expected amount of backlash—ultimately helping the brand better connect with consumers who are aligned with its beliefs.
Top 100 Branding Ideas in March
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Cadbury, the world's biggest confectionery maker, reported a drop in first-half profitability amid rising dairy prices and said the sale of its North American soft drinks business was still in the balance.
Shares in the maker of Dairy Milk chocolate and Trident gum Hfell as much as 6.5% in early Wednesday trading.
Cadbury said last week it was postponing the sale of its North American soft drinks business, whose brands include Dr Pepper, 7UP and Snapple, because of turbulent debt markets.
The British firm said on Wednesday that a sale was still its preferred option and that interest from potential buyers remained strong, but that it was also now "fully prepared" to demerge the business if debt market conditions do not improve.
Cadbury unveiled plans in March to split in two and focus on confectionery and said last month it would axe 7,500 jobs as part of a cost-cutting drive to lift profit margins towards those of its U.S. confectionary rivals.
The firm declined to say how long it would wait before pursuing a demerger of its North American drinks unit, but analysts said hopes were fading the business would fetch initial estimates of as high as 8 billion pounds ($16.3 billion).
"Protracted uncertainty is not great news for the share price," Panmure analyst Graham Jones wrote in a research note, adding that forecasts for the drinks sale had now fallen to around 7 billion pounds.
"The drinks process is a concern," said another analyst, who declined to be named. "But I think the new thing today is the margins. I was expecting flat (underlying) margins and they've come in down 30 basis points."
Cadbury said margins were hit by heavy investment behind its entry into the U.K. chewing gum market, as well as a recent rise of about 20% in the cost of dairy products.
Chief Financial Officer Ken Hanna said rising dairy prices could add 30-40 million pounds of costs this financial year, but that Cadbury was suffering less than rivals that use milk powder, whose price has risen about 50% in recent weeks.
Chief Executive Todd Stitzer told reporters that Cadbury's investment drive was bearing fruit.
"I'm delighted with the (U.K.) gum launch which has exceeded our expectations," he said on a conference call, adding that juice-centered Trident Splash and long-lasting Trident Soft had captured over 10% of a fast-growing UK gum market.
However, he said margins were unlikely to improve in the second half of the year.
Cadbury said underlying operating profit fell 6% to 180 million pounds ($366 million) in the six months to June 30 as a weaker U.S. dollar offset a 6% rise in revenues.
Forecasts ranged from 176 million to 205 million pounds in a Reuters poll of seven analysts.
The figure excludes the North American drinks business, which Cadbury said was trading in line with its expectations.
Industry sources have said the auction of the North American drinks unit has attracted two private equity teams -- Blackstone Group, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts and Lion Capital on the one hand, and Bain Capital Partners, Thomas H. Lee Partners and TPG on the other.


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A food safety factory shutdown has Americans hunting for baby formula. Readying themselves for a covid-19 lockdown, Chinese in Beijing emptied store shelves. Emerging from lockdown, some in Shanghai are visiting well-provisioned markets. U.S.-China agricultural trade is booming, but many are still being left hungry. Food security, sustainability and safety remain issues.
The pandemic has young people (and not so young people) in China and the U.S. rethinking their career and life aims. With international labor day and China's youth day just around the corner, we look at trends in job seeking and wages.
Tensions evident in the recent European Union-China virtual summit reflect the increasing skepticism in Europe toward China and the worries over Ukraine and economic ties as well as human rights and environmental issues.


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SAP Business One to receive multi-tenant cloud-savvy upgradePartners will now be able to sell a multi-tenant version of the ERP (enterprise resource planning) software for small companiesMulti-tenancy is a software architecture commonly used by SaaS (software-as-a-service) vendors, wherein multiple customers share the same instance of an application, but with their corporate data locked away from each other. This allows for operational cost savings over traditional hosting, and provides the ability to apply general product upgrades to many customers at once.
"It's great to see that SAP realises that multi-tenancy is an important part of a cloud solution," said analyst Ray Wang, CEO of Constellation Research. "True multi-tenancy gives customers the lowest-cost delivery model and the quickest way to consume innovation."
SAP rolling out cloud-savvy version of Business One Oracle releases Exalytics in-memory database to rival SAP HANA.
SAP partners have already been selling Business One in hosted form. Last year, SAP instituted a policy change that made it easier for those companies to offer hosted Business One via subscription pricing. SAP is encouraging partners to sell Business One OnDemand by subscription as well, according to a statement.
The engineering work on the multi-tenant version is complete, and it will become available from partners in the second quarter, according to SAP spokeswoman Angelika Pfahler. It will initially be offered in 18 countries, including the US, UK, France, Germany, Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, China, Czech Republic, Hungary, Italy, Mexico, the Netherlands, Singapore, South Africa, Spain and Switzerland.
Only SAP-certified hosting partners will be able to offer the application directly, although resellers that lack such qualifications can subcontract with a certified company, SAP said.
Business One will continue to be available through traditional hosting and in on-premises form, under perpetual licence agreements.
SAP also announced a version of its Business ByDesign cloud ERP suite, which is aimed at small and mid-sized companies and more recently, divisions of enterprises. SAP announced a version of ByDesign that includes industry-specific functionality for manufacturing, distribution and professional services companies.


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German discounter Aldi has announced that it is introducing a range of sandwiches with vegan tuna alternatives at the end of October, under the 'BettaF!sh TU-NAH' brand.
The sandwiches will be available from 25 October in Aldi Nord stores and 29 October in Aldi Süd outlets, priced at €2.49 and available in classic, sweet chilli, and 'sweet corn + pepper' variants.
The vegan tuna is sourced from the start-up BettaF!sh, which was funded by the retailer as part of its TechFounders accelerator programme.
Dr Nora Verfürth, director of corporate responsibility at Aldi Nord, commented, "We are pleased that we were able to support the start-up with our know-how to bring its product to market maturity. The result speaks for itself."
Sourcing Vegan Tuna
The vegan tuna is made from European organic seaweed that can be cultivated in the open sea without fresh water, arable land, or fertiliser.
In addition, natural vegetable extracts such as beetroot and paprika go into the making of the product, as well as proteins from organic fava bean.
BettaF!sh co-founder Deniz Ficicioglu, said, "By establishing seaweed in our food culture, we want to increase the demand for these unique seafood products and, in the long term, build a sustainable as well as regenerative alternative to fishing throughout Europe."
Tuna is one of the most consumed fish species worldwide and many stocks are now endangered.
The founders of BettaF!sh, Deniz Ficicioglu and Jacob von Manteuffel, have dedicated themselves to searching for sustainable fish alternatives for many years with their start-up.
With a range of around 400 SKUs labelled as vegan, Aldi Nord and Aldi Süd offer a wide range of products for vegans and anyone who wants to reduce the consumption of animal products.
'An Interesting Addition To Plant-Based Diet'
Dr Julia Adou, director of corporate responsibility at Aldi Süd, said, "With the 'BettaF!sh TU-NAH' sandwich, [we can] offer our customers even more variety in our vegan product selection. Vegan fish substitutes are an interesting addition to a purely plant-based diet and are currently on the rise for this reason."
In 2020, Aldi received the Vegan Food Award from the animal rights organisation PETA in the category 'Vegan Friendliest Supermarket', for its extensive product range.
Aldi Nord and Aldi Süd are actively involved in launching innovative products from start-ups under their own brand 'WHAT'S NEXT', to enable young entrepreneurs to enter the food retail sector and expand cooperation with start-ups.
As part of the start-up promotion with the Accelerator TechFounders, Aldi supports sustainable ideas from young founders - from the initial idea to implementation.
Earlier this year, the retailer announced a new collaboration with vegan influencer Philipp Steuer as part of its influencer marketing strategy.
In July, Aldi Süd introduced a new range of certified vegan cosmetics under its Biocura Nature private-label brand as part of a trial project. [Image Courtesy: Aldi Süd]


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In times past, we've seen Google add new countries to its list of supported territories for Google Maps Navigation shortly before we see the update itself rollout. Today, there's been a pretty huge change to that document that added 10 new nations including Bulgaria, Estonia, Ghana, Iceland, Ivory Coast, Latvia, Lebanon, Lithuania, Senegal and Slovakia (for some reason Singapore appears to have been added to the list, even though that nation already has Navigation).
Just one week after bringing Play Music to France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the UK, Google has reached a major licensing deal with Armonia, a music licensing initiative that represents an alliance of publishers from across Europe. The deal will give Play customers access to Armonia's 5.5 million musical works licensed across over 30 countries.
One of the coolest features of Google Maps is the ability to show live traffic patterns on major roadways. Now, Google is rolling out this feature to seven new countries, as well as expanding coverage in 19 others. The new countries in the inner circle are Belarus, Estonia, Latvia, Mexico, Peru, Romania and South Africa. Exciting!
As users of the service are no doubt aware, having your country or city covered doesn't necessarily mean every street is covered.
While Android users in Czech, Israel, Poland, and Mexico have been happily buying apps from Google Play for some time now, up till today, devs in these countries haven't been quite so lucky. In fact, they haven't been able to publish any apps, unless they were free.
Today, however, all that changes - Google has decided to expand its list of supported foreign merchants, and Polish, Israel, Mexican, and Czech developers are now included!
One of the Android Market's biggest downsides has always been the inability to buy/sell apps in certain areas of the world. It looks like Google has been hard at work tackling this issue, though, as the reach of Android app purchases is extending to 99 more countries, for a total of 131.
This is probably some of the biggest Market-related news to come out of I/O this year, especially for citizens of the affected countries.
Late last night, the Android team pushed out a set of changes to the Android app publishing interface that developers use to upload and maintain their apps. The new features, while completely invisible to the end-users, are absolutely fascinating to app developers.
Each app now has a Statistics link, which consists of the following:
- a Google Finance-style Flash chart of all installs, the time period for which you can adjust as you see fit
- Android versions (conveniently placed side-by-side with the same stats for all apps in the Market)
- specific device models
- countries where your app is downloaded from (also side-by-side with countries for all apps in the Market)
- languages used on the phones with your app on them (also compared to the global stats)
Have a look at some screenshots, then, if you are a developer, hurry to your own publishing console and check out those sexy stats for yourself.
A guest post by Eric Chu just went live over at the Android Developers blog, officially announcing the expansion of the Android market to 20 new countries. While we can't exactly say we didn't see this coming (and have an idea what countries it was coming to), it's nice to see nonetheless. It looks like Distimo's estimation was pretty dead-on, too: 11 of the 13 countries they listed are confirmed by Mr.
If reports of an Asian release date in June are accurate, this probably means that you’ll be able to get your hands on the Galaxy S in the next few weeks, regardless of whereabouts in the world you are.


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Augmented truth glasses maker Nreal has actually protected $60 million in a financing round led by e-commerce giant Alibaba. The Chinese start-up company revealed on Wednesday that the newest funds will transport to research study improvement and advancement as well as speedup growth into brand-new areas this year, China. Nreal has offered its items in a couple of markets so far, consisting of South Korea, Japan, Spain, and the United States.
Nreal likewise exposed that the most current money injection would use to deepen the existing collaborations with designers and partners “to provide a larger variety of material and experiences” to users.
Augmented truth innovation enforces digital images over the genuine world. Users can gain access to AR apps such as videogames and films by using one of Nreal’s 2 eyeglasses items, the Light or the Air. The Beijing-based company is among a couple of staying companies from the early wave of AR glasses makers. The business likewise released the second-generation Nreal Air glasses with considerable developments last year.
According to Nreal, its aim is to speed up the leading edge of the innovation by establishing many generations of items to settle on the ‘right one’ the AR market takes off. The business is pitching the gadget as a “portable motion picture theater.”
The Beijing-based start-up has likewise created brand-new glasses for particular applications, consisting of streaming TELEVISION reveals and playing mobile videogames.
Chi Xu, the creator of the business, informed press reporters that, because of the launching of Nreal Light, AR innovation has innovated and as a result, enhanced truth innovation can make smaller sized and more compact.
Xu included that the business looks to produce an immersive experience in a kind aspect that is various from daily sunglasses. Although Nreal hasn’t exposed all the technical information, the business declares that the Nreal Air has the finest screen of any AR gizmo on the market, capable of forecasting up to a (simulated) 201-inch virtual screen when seen from a range of 6 meters, which is perfect for enjoying multimedia material.
Alibaba’s most current financial investment has actually called an effort to get in on the metaverse action. The business has currently revealed preparing to launch enhanced truth glasses this year for virtual conferences.
Nreal established in 2017 by Magic Leap veteran Chi Xu and has through the years drawn in many noteworthy financiers. Amongst its partners consists of Chinese electrical automobile upstart Nio, Kuaishou, a brief video app and competitor to Tik Tok in China, and Baidu-backed video streaming platform IQIYI.
Nreal revealed a $100 million financing round back in September last year and called Nio Capital, the financial investment arm of electrical carmaker Nio, and try capital company Sequoia Capital China, among its financiers. Although the business did not reveal an evaluation after Alibaba’s financial investments, many reports valued it at $700 million.


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The popular MarketStreet shopping center in Lynnfield, Massachusetts, is tightening up restrictions on younger shoppers as coronavirus cases continue to spike.
Anyone under 18 will no longer be allowed on the property after 6 p.m. unless they're with an adult. The curfew was initially 8 p.m. when it was initiated two weeks ago, but it has been moved up.
"He's 17, he has a driver's license. If he's old enough to drive, why can't he go shopping without his mother?" asked shopper Lori Federico, who thinks her son should be able to go to MarketStreet without a chaperone.
More on coronavirus in Massachusetts
"We have seen a significant increase in unaccompanied minors on property who have failed to comply with COVID guidelines and challenged our ability to create a place that's compliant with the direction of local and state health authorities," MarketStreet said in a statement.
"I think, hopefully, it will be helpful to MarketStreet and the area to prevent COVID," said shopper Jessica Tylicki. "I've been noticing a lot of packs of teenagers at MarketStreet without any parents, without any masks."
Liz Coombs, who works at a business at MarketStreet, worries younger shoppers may spend their money elsewhere.
"There's other opportunities for them to go to other locations," said Coombs. "MarketStreet is making a big mistake."


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The Confederation of All India Traders ( CAIT) said today that, ever since the lockdown was imposed on 24th March, the Indian retail sector has lost a gigantic sum of approximately 5.50 lakh crore in this period and is likely to witness at least 20% of Indian retailers collapse and wind up their businesses in the next few months.In light of the same, the CAIT has urged Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi & Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman to handhold the trading community and award a substantial package to the traders to ensure their survival.
CAIT National President Mr. B.C.Bhartia & Secretary General Mr. Praveen Khandelwal said that Covid-19 has caused a huge irreparable dent in Indian retail trade which will have a devastating effect on the whole country. They said, Indian retailers do a daily business of around 15,000 crore and the country is in a lockdown for over 40 days now that means there is a massive loss of over 5.50 lakh crore of business which is done by 7 crore traders of India from 25th March to 30th April,2020, They further added that out of these 7 crore traders, in all likelihood around 1.5 crore traders will have to permanently down the shutters in a few months and a further 75 lakh traders who are dependent on these 1.5 crore traders will fold up in the medium term.
Mr.Bhartia & Mr. Khandelwal said that at least 2.5 crore Traders in India are micro and small in nature who do not have deep pockets to sustain this severe economic catastrophe. They do not have enough capital to continue their operations in a scenario where their shops are shut for such a long period.
On the one hand they are having to pay salaries, rentals, other monthly expenses and on the other hand they will have to deal with a sharp dip in disposable income of consumers along with strict social distancing norms which will not allow business to return to normalcy for atleast 6-9 months. The Indian economy was already passing through a recessionary phase and there was significant downturn in demand across sectors, but this deadly disease has delivered the knockout punch and washed away all hopes of revival.
Both leaders expressed deep disappointment with the Central and various State Governments for completely abandoning and ignoring the plight of the traders and leaving the entire trading community of India in the most vulnerable state to die a natural death. It is quite appalling that the Governments both Centre and State have not handhold the non corporate sector which contributes more than 40% to Indiaâ€™s GDP and accounts for almost one-third of the total workforce of the nation.
Instead the Government has given diktats that all businesses will have to pay their salaries, the banks will continue to charge interest and the landlords will continue to ask for rentals. This is a complete one-way traffic where the Government only expects from traders but has offered absolutely nothing at all till date.
Mr. Bhartia & Mr. Khandelwal also said that the various notifications by the Home Ministry have not helped the situation on ground level. There is no synchronisation between the Centre and States in implementing the guidelines. The State Governments and Officers at the district level have been singing their own tune and have shown little regard for Central notifications in many cases accusing the Centre although the State Governments are the real execution agencies. This has further added to the woes of Indian Retailers due to such ambiguity in guidelines.
They further said that the Indian retail sector is literally on ventilator mode and without the immediate intervention of the Government which is by and large responsible for this chaos, the sector will suffer unprecedented damage. The economic pandemonium will be even bigger than the Corona pandemic.


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2014 Rolls-Royce Wraith Review RO HD
On 18 January 2013, calling it the "car Charles Rolls would choose to drive", Rolls-Royce announced the Wraith as a model that would "indulge a passion for innovation, engineering and adventure". Its chassis design was created by a Serbian designer, Pavle Trpinac. It has been reported that this will be the fastest and most luxurious British car to be built by Rolls-Royce.
A four-seat coupé based on the chassis of the Rolls-Royce Ghost, the vehicle was unveiled at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show, followed by luxury department store Harrods in Knightsbridge, London, Beijing Art Zone, 2013 Concorso d'Eleganza, Villa d'Este, Singapore, Moscow, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Academy in Guangzhou, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Brussels in Belgium, 2013 Goodwood Festival of Speed, Concours d'Elegance Japan 2013, Euro Motors in Bahrain, India (including New Delhi, Mumbai, Chandigarh and Hyderabad, Ahmedabad), Rocky Mountaineer Train Station in Vancouver
Deliveries are expected from 4th quarter of 2013.
Published 10 months ago
TagsI2 INTERNATIONAL INTELLIGENCE Rolls-Royce Wraith (Automobile Model) Rolls-Royce (Brand) 2014 Rolls-Royce Wraith Rolls-Royce Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Academy Pavle Trpinac Ahmedabad Rocky Mountaineer Train Station Vancouver V-12 engine Concours d'Elegance Japan Charles Rolls Beijing Art Zone Ferrari Porsche Automobile (Industry)


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What makes a red carpet look iconic?
A red carpet look becomes iconic when it has a certain uniqueness and individuality that hasn’t been seen before. Stars like Lady Gaga, Rihanna, and Billy Porter take it up a notch every year with their extravagant looks and continue to wow audiences at the meaning behind and making of the outfits.
The designers outdo themselves time and time again with looks ranging from stunning, elegant gowns to outfits made of meat and naked dresses galore.
Red carpet origin
But where does the red carpet originate from? In an interview with BBC Culture, Sonnet Stanfill, Senior Curator at the Victor & Albert museum said “In Renaissance art, red carpets and rugs appeared frequently, usually Oriental and intricately patterned in style, and were seen in paintings of deities, saints and royalty…
Red as a colour has long been associated with prestige, royalty and aristocracy.” Celebrities, limousines and the red carpet became linked to Hollywood from the 1960s onwards, becomes a place for people to snap a photo of celebrities for news outlets and ordinary members of the public to catch a glimpse.
Celebrities can take weeks to prepare themselves to be seen on the red carpet and often, the designers have spent months, if not years, ready for their looks to be showcased in from of the world thanks to social media.
For the designers, the red carpet is their chance to express themselves through their designs as fashion becomes increasingly more recognised as an art form with the expansion through social media coverage of the events.
From the Met Gala to the Grammys, here are ten of the most iconic looks of the last decade from the start.
2010 – Feeling flesh!
To start the decade, Lady Gaga stole to show at the MTV Video Music Awards by wearing a dress made entirely of meat. In an interview with Ellen DeGeneres’, she said the meat dress was tied to her protest against the military’s “Don’t ask, don’t tell” policy. She told Ellen “If we don’t stand up for what we believe in and if we don’t fight for our rights…pretty soon we’re going to have as much rights as the meat on our bones.” The meat was Argentinian and sourced from designer Franc Fernandez’s ‘go-to butcher.’
2011 – Eggy entrance…
The following year, Lady Gaga turned heads again but this time with her Grammy’s entrance. “I was in there for about 72 hours. It was a very creative experience,” she told Ryan Seacrest in a radio interview. “The creative vessel was helpful for me to stay focused. We had it backstage so that I was able to really stay in this sort of creative, embryonic incubation.”
2015 – Heavy dressing
Going on a couple years, Rihanna made an appearance at the Met Gala in her show-stopping 55-pound yellow cape dress. The designer of the dress, Geo Pei, said it wasn’t specifically made for Rihanna but had been sourced by her team. Pei had an ‘unexpected rise to fame’ because of the look, also known as the ‘omelette dress’ which ‘weighs 25kg, has a 16ft train, features over 50,000 hours’ worth of hand embroidery and took two years to make.’
2015 – Nearly nude?
At the same Met Gala, Beyonce came to steal Rihanna’s thunder with a naked dress. Beyonce has been seen at many Met Galas wearing Givenchy and this year was no different. The dress was sheer and embellished with lots of jewels. This particular event saw a couple other nearly naked celebrities with J-Lo and Kim Kardashian also joining in.
2016 – Sparkling Cinderella
In 2016, Claire Danes had all eyes on her as she wore a stunning LED dress that glowed in the dark. It made the dress look truly magical, as if Cinderella was on the red carpet. Zac Posen was the designer of this wonderful, iconic look. ‘The one-of-a-kind, hand-sewn creation was crafted from organza and fibre optics, which allowed the dress to light up in the dark.’


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20 March 2020
According to the report Allied Market Research, the global anticoagulants market generated $26.11 billion in 2018, and is projected to generate $43.42 billion by 2025, registering a CAGR of 7.5% from 2018 to 2025.
Rise in prevalence of atrial fibrillation, stroke, and venous thromboembolism along with increase in obese population drive the global anticoagulants market. However, less demand from underdeveloped countries and expensive cost of NOACs restrain the market growth. On the other hand, untapped potential in emerging economies and rise in healthcare expenditure across the globe present new opportunities in coming years.
Based on the drug class, the NOACs segment held more than half of the total share of the global anticoagulants market in 2018, and is estimated to maintain its leadership position in terms of revenue during the forecast period. Moreover, this segment is expected to witness the highest CAGR of 8.0% from 2018 to 2025. The report also analyzes segments including heparins & LMWH, vitamin K antagonists, and others.
Based on route of administration, the oral anticoagulants segment accounted for the highest share in 2018, holding nearly two-thirds of the total share of the global anticoagulants market. Moreover, this segment is estimated to register the highest CAGR of 7.7% from 2018 to 2025. The report also discusses the injectable anticoagulants segment.
Based on application, the atrial fibrillation & heart attack segment held the largest share in 2018, accounting for more than two-fifths of the total share of the global market, and will maintain its dominant position by 2025. However, the deep vein thrombosis (DVT) segment is expected to maintain the largest growth rate with a CAGR of 8.4% during the forecast period.
Geographically, North America contributed to nearly half of the total share of the global anticoagulants market in 2018, and is expected to maintain its lead position on the basis of revenue during the forecast period. However, Asia-Pacific is estimated to witness the highest CAGR of 9.2% from 2019 to 2026.Print
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Clio Holdings closed all its operations on Jan. 3, including operations of Premier Surfaces and US Marble fabrication facilities in the Midwest and South. The 1,000+ workers didn’t receive final paychecks or health-care options. Clio then declared Chapter 7 bankruptcy on Jan. 15. Two ex-employees are seeking a class action against the company.
Cosentino Group will invest $150 million into its Silestone® quartz-surfaces production lines in Cantoria, Spain, by the end of next year. The surfacing company will add up to three more production lines, as well as dealing with environmental and workplace-safety issues.
Production at the famed Yule quarry near Marble, Colo., shut down for two months following a diesel-fuel spill. Workers contained the leak before any contamination of nearby Yule Creek.
Patrick Industries, a company mainly operating in the RV and manufactured-home markets, buys surface fabricator Topline Counters LLC of Spokane, Wash., in December. Patrick, with $2.3 billion in annual sales, will operate the three fabrication facilities of Topline, a company with an estimated $34 million in annual revenue.
Silicosis cases among engineered-stone fabricators continue to grow in Australia; the latest estimate in December is 350 cases, up 100 from September. Australia’s health ministry is reviewing an interim report on the problem.
Suba Manufacturing Inc., makers of laminate countertops for big-box stores and catalog stores for 53 years, closes in December. Owner of the Benecia, Calif.-based company cited use of marble and granite as lessening demand for its product.


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WHEN his offices had to close and clients cancelled contracts during lockdown, Steven Bartlett, who co-founded media agency Social Chain Group, reacted by focusing on new revenue streams and keeping the lines of communication open.
“Parts of the company were haemorrhaging cash so we concentrated resources on our e-commerce division to compensate,” he says. “At the same time, as a CEO I tried to appear optimistic to support and reassure my staff.”
Entrepreneurial spirit: Steven Bartlett, a judge on Dragons’ Den, co-founded Social Chain Group in 2014
Steven is one of the UK’s youngest and most successful digital entrepreneurs. He set up integrated social media marketing business Social Chain Group in 2014. The business went from one customer to a £300million valuation in just five years, with a client list that includes Spotify, Microsoft and Just Eat. His personal fortune is valued at £60m. Not bad for a “university drop out”.
Social Chain’s rapid rise was built by harnessing the power of social media to communicate brand messaging direct to its audience. Steven had originally managed a student website, Wallpark, but switched when he saw how to connect people with brands.
“There was a tremendous amount of resistance to social media when we started out,” he says. “Traditional ways of marketing were still being used and advocated. But social media was like a big wave coming into shore and we were one of the few people with a surfboard.”
Steven surrounded himself with a young team – the average age was 20 – who understood social media. Using a £300,000 initial investment he hired those with the biggest followings on social media and put them in an office in Manchester with no rules, unlimited holidays, a bar and free food.
“I ignored convention and tried to create a company where I would want to work. And that meant that people had freedom to behave how they liked,” he says. “I needed young, talented people who thought like me. And when I needed experience to sell our expertise, I hired that, too.”
Steven left Social Chain Group in December to pursue new projects. He set up private equity investment company Catena Capital to fund personal passions like biotech, space travel and mental health issues, an issue he tackles in his autobiography, Happy Sexy Millionaire.
He was also recently announced as the youngest ever member of the BBC’s Dragons’ Den investment team.
“Ten years ago I applied to go on that show and failed,” he says, “So to join as a Dragon is an incredible thing. My objective is to represent a new generation of young, black talent, and bring a new business perspective to the show.”
Fresh perspective: Steven is the voice of a new generation of young talent
Steven Bartlett’s Five Lockdown Learnings
Data is king
Data you capture about your customers and website visitors is going to become more and more important. Analytics tools will then help you interpret it all.
Social media is changing all the time. Use trial and error to find out what works. It will eventually bring you to the right answer.
Social media is about people. Understand what makes them tick, why they will share something that eventually goes viral.
Prepare for the worst
Uncertainty will postdate the pandemic. That could mean anything from cyber-attacks, clients cancelling or office break-ins. I’ve had them all. Plan accordingly.
Don’t cling romantically to your initial business idea if it doesn’t fly.
ANTHONY IMPEY MBE, BE THE BUSINESS
Tech talk: the firm helping companies jump through digital hoops
Many businesses have learnt to operate remotely during the pandemic. When he took over as CEO of business support organisation Be the Business last September, Anthony Impey, had to work with his team, partners and suppliers via video.
Nevertheless, they produced Rebuild, an entire suite of online resources designed to help businesses adopt new technology, in just two weeks.
“Technology has proved vital in helping businesses respond to new challenges and our aim has been to support and encourage them to adopt it,” he says. “The signs are positive which is important because there is a default expectation from consumers that digital transactions will be the norm.”
Anthony has spent his entire career championing digital technology. A born entrepreneur who sold stationery from a school locker, he set up his first telecoms business in his early twenties. In 2003 he founded Optimity, which pioneered affordable high-speed wireless broadband to SMEs.
“I saw that the quality of connectivity was becoming more and more important but the costs of laying fibre cable were enormous,” he says. “Today businesses can access powerful technology at much less cost and that’s important because it means smaller businesses can be very competitive.”
Anthony’s ambition for Be the Business, a Lloyds Bank partner, is to fuel the recovery.
“Government has a role to play in helping businesses find the support they need,” he says. “But just as important, if not more important, is the role that the business community can play in helping itself and helping one another.”
As for the future, Anthony foresees the need to prepare for more uncertainty.
“I think the next decade will be very volatile so businesses need to learn to innovate and using digital tools will help them do that. The great thing is there are lots of businesses that have already made the leap and are happy to share their experience for others to learn from.”
Join Steven and Anthony on July 5 for an online event on lockdown learnings and technology adoption.
Sign up at lockdownlearnings.co.uk/sun


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More and more #German #companies show their #interest for #Ukrainian #agricultural #products and #foodstuffs. To promote #bilateral #cooperation in #agricultural trade, the fourth #German-Ukrainian #Food #Forum has been recently held in Kyiv as part of the German Weeks 2017 in Ukraine.
On 13-15 November 2017, the fourth German-Ukrainian Food Forum took place in Kyiv as part of the German Weeks 2017 in Ukraine. The Forum, held in the framework of German-Ukrainian agricultural cooperation, was organised with the support of the German Embassy in Ukraine, the Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the German-Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
The event brought together representatives of 38 companies active in the German and Ukrainian food industry. Representatives of several leading German companies such as Acrobräu, Heinrichsthaler Milchwerke GmbH, Königsbauer, Landhof Konzept GmbH, Moselland and others were among attendees of the event.
More than 100 guests attended the conference with speeches addressing the situation on the food markets in Germany and Ukraine and the food fair at the Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Kyiv. At the food fair, the attendees had a chance to taste local foods from both countries. Furthermore, the representatives of businesses had an opportunity to hold B2B talks and exchange expert information first-hand.
The Food Forum shall contribute to strengthening bilateral trade between Germany and Ukraine in the agricultural and food industry. More and more German companies show their interest for Ukrainian products. In turn, Ukraine values and makes use of the opportunities of the free trade zone between the European Union and Ukraine and is paving its way toward Europe.
In 2016, German imports of agricultural products and foodstuffs from Ukraine exceeded the German exports of the same to Ukraine. In particular, exports of agricultural and food products from Ukraine to Germany in 2016 amounted to EUR 326 million. This constitutes an increase of 40.6% compared to 2015. Exports of agricultural products and foodstuffs from Germany to Ukraine amounted to EUR 267 million in 2016, which constitutes an increase of 12% compared to the previous year.
Next year, Ukrainian food producers also intend to attend international trade fairs as part of the German-Ukrainian agricultural cooperation in order to promote Ukrainian products.


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Whenever Apple releases new software, consumers rush to give it a try. Now the average Apple user wants in on pre-release software once the domain only of developers and others paid to ensure everything is in order.
There has been such interest in the changes made to iOS 7 that this so-called ‘beta’ software is being adopted at a faster pace than test versions of iOS 6, one company noted Tuesday.
More than twice as many iPhones are online with the beta version of iOS 7 than was the case when the pre-release version of iOS 6 was made available to developers, according to a company which optimizes websites for mobile users.
Why the heightened interest in software declared not ready for mass use? How is Apple responding to this trend?


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Former DDB copywriters Stefanie Digianvincenzo and Crystal Fong have created what they described as “Melbourne’s first copywriting collective” dubbed Apostrophe Copywriters.
Apostrophe has picked up work for Garnier, Adidas, Old Spice and the launch of the new Wolverine Movie with the agency set to shortly celebrate its first year.
Fong (pictured right) said Apostrophe, which already consists of 12 copywriters, was born to “meet an increasing demand for quality writers outside a big agency structure”.
“We’re here to challenge brands to push the boundaries when communicating to their audiences – whether that be on social media, billboards, radio or something more unconventional,” Fong said.
Digianvincenzo (pictured left) added: “We are a group of approachable copywriters that come to the table with a coffee in hand and a desire to work with various industries and specialists from design and digital agencies, to brand managers, PR firms and like-minded start-ups that are defining their own categories.”


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Powerball sales spike ahead of $222M jackpot
State lottery officials said Wednesday that North Carolina is averaging around $4,000 in ticket sales per minute in advance of Wednesday's night $222 million Powerball lottery.Posted — Updated
RALEIGH, N.C. — State lottery officials said Wednesday that North Carolina is averaging around $4,000 in ticket sales per minute in advance of Wednesday's night $222 million Powerball lottery.
Powerball sales have spiked at Warren Liles' convenience store on Poole Road in Raleigh, where customers bought tickets throughout the day.
Statewide, ticket sales were at 1.3 million Wednesday afternoon, and officials expected that number to grow throughout the evening. Saturday saw $2 million worth of Powerball ticket sales.
Although the odds of winning the jackpot are one in 195 million – a person's chances of being struck by lightning or becoming president of the United States are better – those dreaming of winning big said it's worth spending the extra money, even in a tough economy.
"I heard the jackpot's pretty high, and I figured, you know, who can win if you're not in," said Pam Rawlings.
Thomas Lavelle said he bought 150 Powerball tickets – a small down payment on the jackpot dream.
"I've been lucky before in the scratch-offs, so, you never know," Lavelle said.
The Powerball drawing airs at 11 p.m. on WRAL-TV.
Copyright 2023 by Capitol Broadcasting Company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


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Traditional toys will always have a place in the toy aisle, but increasingly digital products and properties are driving trends in children’s play.
Electronic Arts and Hasbro have launched two new Monopoly-branded casino game apps.
Toys ‘R’ Us has appointed Wolfgang Link as president of Toys ‘R’ Us Europe and Jacobo Caller as managing director of Toys ‘R’ Us Iberia.
Atlantyca Entertainment’s licensing partner BRB Internacional has inked a new deal with Librodivo for a line of Geronimo Stilton board games.
The Toy Industry Association will induct five new members into the Toy Industry Hall of Fame next February.
Nurture Rights has appointed Paul Lamond Games as the U.K. licensee for Dinosaur Roar! puzzles and games.
Toys ‘R’ Us U.S. has launched redesigned versions of its Toysrus.com and Babiesrus.com e-commerce sites.
Playing card company Cartamundi U.K. has made two new additions to its sales and marketing team.
Stuller and World Trade Jewelers have extended their brand collaboration agreement to include Scrabble-brand jewelry.
Toys ‘R’ Us has debuted a revamped YouTube channel designed to be the go-to destination for programming for all things toys.
Santoro has added two new licensees to the roster for its art brand Gorjuss in Europe, and unveiled new products from existing licensees in the region.
U.K. toy store The Entertainer opened its first international location in Dubai last week.
Giromax has released a new line of trading cards in the U.K. featuring Moose Toys’ collectible toy property Trash Pack.
Zodiak Kids has tapped Wonder Forge for Tickety Toc games, in a deal brokered by Established Brands.
Magic Light Pictures has signed a direct-to-retail deal with Sainsbury’s for The Gruffalo brand, in a partnership brokered by TLC.
LEGO has teamed up with Funcom for the new “LEGO Minifigures Online” game, which is set to debut in the second half of 2014.
C3 Entertainment is expanding the presence of The Three Stooges in Panini America's trading card sets.
Spin Master Games and Warner Bros. Consumer Products have teamed up to create Stratego-The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug game based on The Hobbit movie trilogy.
Pressman Toy is getting ready for The Smurfs 2 with a line of preschool games and puzzles.
©2013 ADVANSTAR COMMUNICATIONS INC. All rights reserved.


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The Search behemoth has shared four videos that feature customers explaining why they love their Google Pixel, namely the current flagship Google Pixel 3 and Google Pixel 3 XL – touching on everything from camera performance to battery life.
- Google Pixel 4 XL breaks cover (again) in the craziest leak we've seen
- Google Pixel 4 XL shown from every angle in slick new video
- Move over iPhone 11: Google Pixel 4 will launch on October 15
While the clips don't offer up any details about the Google Pixel 4 and Google Pixel 4 XL, they serve as a nice reminder of what Google has managed to achieve with the Google Pixel line and ultimately hint at what's to come with the next instalment.
At this stage, we're waiting for Google to confirm what we've heard rather than shine a light on new details. At least, that's the case with the Google Pixel 4 XL.
This is because the future flagship has leaked more times than we've had hot dinners this past month, with a render here and a hands-on video there (latest below) all coming together to form a seemingly complete picture of what's on the way.
The Google Pixel 4 XL is set to be the largest model in the upcoming Google Pixel 4 range, bundling an ultra-fluid 6.2-inch 90Hz screen, a Qualcomm-made Snapdragon 855 CPU, 6GB of RAM, a dual-camera on the front and rear and a 3700mAh battery.
It should come with Face Unlock (instead of a fingerprint reader, it seems) and Motion Sense – a gesture-based feature that will allow owners to interact with their handset without touching it, controlling music and snoozing alarms with the wave of a hand.
Plus, it will no doubt ship running Android 10 to boot.
The Google Pixel 4 and Google Pixel 4 XL will be announced on October 15.


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Warner Bros. Consumer Products and Entertainment One have tapped Delta Children to create new lines of toddler and juvenile furniture.
Entertainment One and Penguin Random House Children’s have joined forces to published a new picture book inspired by “Peppa Pig.”
Entertainment One has appointed Bruna Sawada to manage its portfolio of television properties in Brazil as top series including “Peppa Pig,” “Ben & Holly’s Little Kingdom” and “PJ Masks” build steam on shelves.
Entertainment One has partnered with a host of new licensees as well as a number of long-term partners to further expand the “Peppa Pig” brand in the U.S. and Canada.
This year's toy fair season will culminate in New York City with a remarkable lineup of blockbuster toys from the world's largest licensors and licensees.
Entertainment One has appointed a variety of licensees to develop new merchandise across a range of toy and seasonal categories for the TV series “PJ Masks” in the U.S. and Canada.
Entertainment One has partnered with Sony Pictures Television Networks’ free-to-air channel Tiny Pop to provide additional broadcast exposure for its animated series “PJ Masks.”
Entertainment One has secured a raft of new licensees for its animated preschool series “PJ Masks.”
Entertainment One has revealed its plans for the retail launch of its preschool property “Peppa Pig” in India.
Entertainment One has appointed Katie Rollings to serve as head of U.K. licensing for eOne Family and eOne Licensing.
Entertainment One has partnered with Cartoon Network in France and OUFtivi in Belgium to air the first episode of its animated comedy series “Winston Steinburger and Sir Dudley Ding Dong.”
Entertainment One has tapped Just Play to launch a toy line based on the animated preschool series “PJ Masks” exclusively at Toys ‘R’ Us.
Entertainment One has appointed Jazwares as the U.S. master toy partner for its preschool series “Ben & Holly’s Little Kingdom.”
Entertainment One is expanding its consumer products offerings for the animated series “PJ Masks” with a host of new licensees.
eOne adds new style guide based on new episodes of the animated preschool series.
Entertainment One has partnered with two new licensees to help propel its animated series “Peppa Pig” in South Korea ahead of its launch in the region next week.
©2017 UBM. All rights reserved. A UBM Company.


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Sugarcane crushing could face delay
Many sugar millers have apprehended that they may not be able to start cane crushing on time.
The representative of Pakistan Sugar Mill Association (PSMA) complained – during the last meeting of Sugar Advisory Board – that export quotas of the sugar mills, who have failed to meet them, are not being allocated to other sugar mills and there is no transparency in data transmission with respect to quota allocation seniority of sugar mills.
A copy of minutes of the meeting is available with Business Recorder.
The meeting was informed that recently Economic Co-ordination Committee (ECC) of the cabinet imposed a condition that sugar can only be exported against letters of credit whereas previously export was allowed against irrevocable letters of credit or contracts with a 10 percent margin.
The EEC of the Cabinet had also decreased time allowed to export sugar from 90 to 60 days instead of 45 days as was agreed in the meeting held on July 15 this year. It further aggravated the problems faced by the sugar industry. They maintain they cannot pay mark-up to banks on their loans and make payments to sugarcane growers at the same time.
According to minutes, the meeting was informed that although the provincial cane commissioners have reported outstanding payments to growers to be Rs 1.27 billion yet the actual figure is more than Rs 2 million. The PSMA representatives told the meeting that if this situation persists, many sugar mills will not be able to start crushing on time.
The freight subsidy on sugar export, approved by ECC, has not been paid to sugar exporters despite the fact that Rs 1 billion have been released to Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) by the finance division on this account. The sugar industry has a potential to earn US $1.7 billion foreign exchange annually by exporting sugar, ethanol and molasses but government is not facilitating the industry in this regard, the minutes contend.
The joint secretary Ministry of commerce told the meeting that ministry of commerce submitted a summary to the ECC of the cabinet in the light of decisions taken at a meeting held on 5/7/2013 in ministry of commerce. But the ECC of the cabinet imposed the condition that sugar can only be exported against L/C and decreased the time allowed to export sugar from 90 to 60 days on its own.
The meeting directed the representative of the SBP to hold a meeting with the sugar industry within a week to resolve the issues relating to sugar exports. It was also recommended with the approval of the chair that SBP may develop a software which will be displayed on its website, accessible to all the stakeholders.
The sugar mills intending to export will submit their application forms through this software, showing seniority of their application.
The representatives of PSM invited the attention of the chair to SRO.77(1)2013. According to the SRO, a 0.5 percent FED was to be charged on local sugar sales instead of 8 percent against equal quantity of sugar exported but exports through land route were excluded from this concession. It has put many sugar exporters at a disadvantage as a large quantity is exported to Afghanistan and Central Asian Republics through land routes.
The representatives from the FBR explained that SRO 77(1)2013 was issued in line with an ECC decision. The joint secretary ministry of commerce clarified that this issue would be included in the summary for ECC.
The representative of PSMA explained that around 0.6 million tons of sugar would be carried forward from 2012-13 to 2012-14 and estimated 5.8 million tons of sugar production is expected in 2013-14 with an estimated annual consumption of 4.8 million tons. In this way, 1.2 million tons of sugar will be surplus during 2013-14 which may be allowed to be exported by sugar mills.
The joint secretary of ministry of commerce objected that although there is 1.2 million tons of annual sugar export potential but any definite decision in this regard cannot be taken merely only the basis of assumptions and estimates.
The meeting recommended that 0.5 million tons of sugar may be allowed to export in such a way that 0.1 million tons may be exported every month starting from October 2013. The chair suggested that sugar export situation could be reviewed every month.
The representatives of the finance division informed the chair that no funds have been allocated for a subsidy on future exports.
Courtesy The Nation
Courtesy The Nation


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Ports need a clear vision of trade developments, equipment and staffing issues, and hinterland infrastructure in their communities.
News, data and analysis on international ports in China, the U.S., India, Europe, Latin/South America and Southeast Asia.
News & Analysis
03 Feb 2016
The precipitous drop in Russia’s container traffic last year due to its slowing economy and Western sanctions has created a shortage of containers estimated at 400,000 for Moscow shipping companies, and it could continue to grow.
02 Feb 2016
The Suez Canal posted a year-over-year drop in throughput of containers and container ships in 2015. The number of containers shipped through the canal fell 2.3 percent compared with 2014, to 41.2 million 20-foot-equivalent units, and the number of container ships that transited the Canal fell 3 percent to 5,941, according to figures from the Suez Canal Authority.
21 Jan 2016
The rate of container cargo traffic decline at Russian seaports is slowing but still remains high, with volume plummeting by 25.1 percent in the fourth quarter, according to the Russian Association of Commercial Seaports.
19 Jan 2016
Shore handling charges at the key East Africa gateway ports of Mombasa and Dar es Salaam increased in 2015 while port dwell times for cargo continued to languish well below global standards.
12 Jan 2016
A tug strike on Australia’s eastern seaboard has disrupted shipping with further nation-wide industrial action scheduled by an engineers union over the following week.
11 Jan 2016
The government of Tanzania said the $10 billion Bagamoyo Port development project, one of the largest port developments currently planned worldwide, has not been suspended and that work on the project would commence in July.
08 Jan 2016
The Egypt army said the Al-Salam bridge, which crosses the Suez Canal and is a key element in government plans to develop the area around the Canal, would reopen in a matter of days.
05 Jan 2016
Israel is forecasting throughput growth of 40 percent at the Mediterranean container ports of Haifa and Ashdod over the coming five years.
30 Dec 2015
The building of a terminal with an initial capacity of 500,000 twenty-foot-equivalent units annually in Nova Scotia inched closer to reality after a China infrastructure construction company earlier this month agreed to study the feasibility of such a project
15 Dec 2015
DP World, the new owner of Prince Rupert's container terminal, and the port authority are already considering expanding the port’s annual capacity by more than 700,000 twenty-foot equivalent units — even though the latest buildout has yet to be completed.


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I love Sony. Even when Sony is failing, I love the Japanese company because it designs some of the best consumer electronics products money can buy. Heck, even Steve Jobs admired Sony’s ethos.
But the company’s newly announced Xperia Z5 Premium Android smartphone and its world’s first 4K display is completely outrageous and virtually indistinguishable from a smartphone with a lower-resolution QuadHD or Full HD display — to the naked eye, at least.
See also: The Sony Xperia Z5 Premium is the first smartphone with a 4K display
Here’s how Sony’s press conferences at big tech trade shows like CES and IFA work: A Sony executive hops on stage and talks about all the amazing new gadgets they’re announcing. The hall is filled and hundreds of seated and standing press. If you’re a vet, you’ll know to pack your bags up right as he/she is wrapping up and make way to the curtained “hands on” areas where all the new gadgets are. Read more…
More about Android, Sony, Smartphones, 4k, and Ifa
from Tech http://ift.tt/1hUwrxl from The Blog of @graphicwheeler http://ift.tt/1Xhfygg


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There is a rise in Vishing and OTP theft attacks against Azure and other cloud platforms using SMA's toolkit.
(I cannot expand SMA, as it is likely to be censored by the system - so read it yourselves in the article.)
Great article but one should also read the article from CloudSek which is also included in the article. https://www.cloudsek.com/blog/the-rise-of-otp-bots-and-sms-senders-in-the-arsenal-of-threat-actors
Just wondering out loud here. How many folks think or feel that Security Software vendors sometimes create "malware" to sell their products?


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Latest Trump Rollback Targets Water-Saving Showerheads
Trump arrives for a news conference in the Brady Briefing Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on Aug. 12, 2020. NICHOLAS KAMM / AFP via Getty Images
The latest Department of Energy (DOE) plan follows its rollbacks on lightbulb and dishwasher standards, as well as President Donald Trump‘s repeated complaints about water-saving appliances. But consumer advocates say the changes are unnecessary, and would harm both the environment and American pocketbooks.
“Frankly it’s silly,” Appliance Standards Awareness Project Executive Director Andrew deLaski told The Associated Press. “The country faces serious problems. We’ve got a pandemic, serious long-term drought throughout much of the West. We’ve got global climate change. Showerheads aren’t one of our problems.”
The rollback targets a 1992 law mandating that showerheads can’t release more than 2.5 gallons of water per minute. The law does not allow the DOE to set less rigorous standards, but the Trump administration has found a way around that, deLaski explained in a blog post:
The trick DOE is floating here is to try to dodge the law by reinterpreting what the word “showerhead” means.
The proposal, if finalized, would allow manufacturers to make giant showerheads with several nozzles within them. DOE proposes to accomplish this through a change in the test procedure that would characterize each of those separate nozzles as a showerhead. The full device could have as many 2.5 gallon-per-minute showerheads as the manufacturer wants. Get it?
The DOE proposal reverses an Obama-administration decision that the 2.5 gallon-per-minute rule should apply to the entire showerhead device, even if it had multiple nozzles, The Associated Press explained.
The proposed regulation follows Trump’s repeated complaints about efficient appliances. Most recently, he targeted showerheads specifically in a July 16 speech on the South Lawn of the White House.
“So showerheads — you take a shower, the water doesn’t come out. You want to wash your hands, the water doesn’t come out. So what do you do? You just stand there longer or you take a shower longer? Because my hair — I don’t know about you, but it has to be perfect. Perfect,” Trump said.
The remarks built on Trump’s repeated complaints about water-saving bathroom fixtures. Late last year, he claimed Americans had to flush toilets “10 times, 15 times,” CNN pointed out.
In justifying the change, Energy Department spokeswoman Shaylyn Hynes said it would allow “Americans — not Washington bureaucrats — to choose what kind of showerheads they have in their homes.”
But consumer advocates said U.S. customers could already take satisfying showers using devices that meet current standards.
“There is absolutely no need to change current showerhead standards,” Consumer Reports vice president of advocacy David Friedman said in a statement reported by CNN. “Thanks to the standards, consumers have access to showerheads that not only score well on CR tests and achieve high levels of customer satisfaction, but also save consumers money by reducing energy and water consumption.”
DeLaski told The Associated Press that the proposed devices would end up “literally probably washing you out of the bathroom.”
The proposed changes would also worsen the impacts and causes of the climate crisis, deLaski explained in his blog post.
He pointed to an April study, which found that much of the western U.S. is experiencing the first “megadrought” caused by global heating. And he noted that more water intensive showers would also mean more greenhouse gas emissions burned to heat that water.
“The new multi-nozzle showerheads would not only needlessly waste water, exacerbating shortages caused by drought, but also boost the carbon pollution that has made long-term droughts worse,” he wrote. “No one benefits from this gimmick.”
However, Reuters pointed out that the proposal may never come to anything. Trump faces reelection in November, and is currently behind in the polls. And if the regulation is finalized, it could be challenged in court.
- Trump Makes Strange Claim About Water Efficient Toilets: 'People ...
- New Report Details Dozens of Trump Rollbacks During Pandemic - EcoWatch


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CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — ERCOT's alert asking Texas residents to conserve electricity through Friday is having an impact.
Sales of home generators have increased substantially.
There was already a big demand for these generators after February's statewide outages.
And yesterday's conservation alert from the Electric Reliability Council of Texas sent another surge of business to stores that sell generators.
"How fast they can get it,” said generator salesman Travis Burns. “They want it and they want it now. So that's the typical question.It literally has not stopped."
Local homeowner Pedro Garcia said he learned his lesson earlier this year.
“I feel like the freeze kind of woke me up again a little bit about being prepared and not relying on the system,” Garcia said.
Some Texas stores have already sold out and are telling customers if they order now, they won't get their generator until February of next year.
Generator prices run from the hundreds of dollars for small units to as much as $15,000 for generators that can power an entire home.