text:
Wizards and muggles mingle for a magical event
It took patience, not magic, to participate in the most highly anticipated book event of the summer. Across the USA, children and adults waited in line for the new Harry Potter book to go on sale at 12:01 a.m. Saturday. Here's what happened:
ARLINGTON, Va. — The release of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix at Barnes & Noble was carefully orchestrated. Store staff passed out numbered orange wristbands to customers who had preordered copies and red raffle tickets to those who had not — and Harry glasses to all.
Customers began arriving around 7 p.m. to pick up raffle tickets. By 11 p.m., there were about 300 people crowding the store, and staff had given out the last tickets for unreserved books. "This is unprecedented," said store manager James Bowser. "It could possibly be the biggest book ever." Shortly before 11:30 p.m., staff began calling customers by wristband and ticket numbers to begin forming lines, just like airline personnel call passengers to board a plane.
Pre-ordered copies that were not picked up by Sunday night will go back on the shelves on Monday.
Following a countdown to 12:01 a.m., the books were unveiled to cheering and applause. "I've been waiting years for The Order of the Phoenix," said Tyler Vanderley, 10, who arrived at the bookstore around 9 p.m. with his mother, Ellen, to watch a screening of Harry Potter & the Sorcerer's Stone, participate in activities like wand making and wait in line to buy the book.
Annie Diaz-Cannon helped chaperone a Harry Potter sleepover for four boys aged 9 and 10, including her son, Dawson. "I think it's terrific there's such enthusiasm for a book in a time when videos are so dominant," she said.
Kids in capes and wizard hats chased each other with wands, but about half the crowd was adults without kids in tow. Lisa Southwork, 27, a graduate student in public policy at George Washington University, wore Harry glasses as she waited in line for her copy, which she ordered about a month ago. Rowling "has managed to create a whole separate world," Southwork said.
Katie Runge, 19, a student at Hood College in Frederick, Md., dressed as a Gryffindor. Runge began reading as she walked out of the store, and said she wouldn't sleep until she had finished all 870 pages. "Kids really like it, but there are a lot of levels, so adults really like it too," she said. "It's about making choices. You have to choose between what's right and what's easy." Runge plans to attend a Harry Potter Symposium for adults in Orlando later this summer.
The store sold its last copies within 40 minutes of opening on Saturday. They will get another shipment sometime this week.
SAN FRANCISCO — Just minutes after midnight, five giggling teenage girls kissed their Potter books for the camera and immediately began looking for clues about Harry's next adventure. "We've waited so long for this. These books introduce us to a magical world that we don't have," said Ashley Tribull, 17, of Parkland, Fla.
"We look at this book and it just makes our day." Tribull was one of 300 who spent three hours playing trivia games and listening to a reading inside A Clean Well-Lighted Place for Books. Slimey Limey, Bit 'o Bugs, Mugworts, and Organic Cockroach Clusters were served.
"I've read the first book 22 times, the second one 17 times, the third one 16 times and the fourth one 11 times,". I want to recite this book, so I'll probably beat my record. I'll stay up all night reading, said Becky Stewart, 14, of Moraga, Calif.
NEW YORK CITY — The countdown to midnight culminated in the roaring cheers of 1,000 people that rivaled any New Year's celebration. Alexandra Korves, 11, proudly held the first copy to be sold at Books of Wonder.This moment might have been unreal for some, but for 11-year-old Alexandra it was reliving an exciting, cherished memory. Three years ago her father, Douglas Korves, endured a three-hour wait to hold the first place in line. This year, the determined duo did it again. Douglas Korves started the line at 6:30 p.m. and was joined by his daughter at 8:30 p.m. Together they waited until 11:30 p.m. to enter the store. Despite the Korves' five-hour wait for the store's doors to open. Books of Wonder hosted a celebration that matched all the anticipation and hype of the book's release and the magic of Harry Potter's world. The more than 1,000 Potter fans that passed through the bookstore enjoyed two live owls, face painters, a magician, refreshments, and their very own sorting hat that would yield great prizes.
Books of Wonder sold a book to their last customer at 2:57 a.m. Evening sales reached 450.
It was long past 9-year-old Chandra Jones' bedtime at midnight Friday, but the fourth-grader's evening was just beginning. The high point of her night didn't come until she had J.K. Rowling's newest book in her hands a little past 12.
Chandra Jones, 9, from Quitman, Ga., waited outside Toys R Us in Times Square for 90 minutes to get her copy. She and her family were in the middle of a line that extended for a block down Broadway and wrapped around to Sixth Avenue. Fans of the fantasy children's series started waiting at 2 p.m.
Toys R Us employees, decked in round glasses and capes, asked trivia questions outside and passed out jellybeans.
At 11:50 p.m., the store let in about 70 people, who listened to series audiotape narrator John Dale read the first three pages. A procession followed and three dressed-up fans were presented the first copies of the fifth Potter book.
—Julie Gordon and Michelle Oh
CHICAGO — Waiting in line Friday was not as magical as it was hot and sticky, with lots of gnats buzzing around. Some wondered if a spell had been cast but enthusiasm kept the crowd positive.
Cookies, gumdrops and pretzels were passed; special events included a costume contest, trivia contest and a reading from Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Handmade letters were pulled from a hat to designate who got to pick up their books first
Linda Bubon, co-owner of Women and Children First bookstore, was dressed as Professor McGonagall. "We ordered 500 books and pre-sold around 300 of those," she said. We had a mother reserve two books on Sunday, because she and her 13-year-old son both want to read it. She said 'we have to have our own books because I can't wait for him to finish.' "It's just such a beautiful thing that parents and children can enjoy this together."
At midnight, Bubon lead 175 fans in a countdown from 60, culminating in wild clapping, cheers.
Debbie Loshbough of Atlanta (wearing a wizard's hat): "I flew up for my niece's birthday, ballet recital and Harry Potter pajama party."
When asked if she sneaked a peek at the new book, Bubon replied, "No, no, no, no, I couldn't possibly, I'd be afraid, you know some hex might fall on me. I don't want to cheat, you know, Hogwarts' integrity."
Van Nguyen, 14, of Chicago, who won the night's trivia contest winner, said "I don't feel like going to sleep. I'm just going to read it straight through," he said.
"I read a lot, even though I don't have to for school or anything. She describes things that I wish were real." (Van's godmother, Peg O'Brien of Chicago, took Van to the celebration.)
Elizabeth Sabol-Jones of Chicago, 12, won the costume contest for her ensemble of two-toned scarf, HP signature tie and otherwise simple private school getup.
Asked about Harry's fate in the new book, Hank Strickler, 10, of Chicago said, "I don't know, he has to take standardized tests, so it can't be good."
—Robert Rhyne Piggott
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — About 600 Potter fans waited outside the Curious George Goes to Wordsworth bookstore at Harvard Square Friday night. Kids wearing wizard costumes and adults sporting Harry glasses stood in line up to four hours.
Said Lila Chereff, 9, of Belmont, Mass.: "I am very excited. Me and my sister are already fighting over who is going to read it first."
Mara Goldberg, 42, of Cambridge, Mass. and her son Nikolas, 13, said "We had to be the first on our block to have it."
Once inside aspiring wizards applied to Hogwarts School, snacked on chocolate frogs and drank polyjuice potion tea to satisfy their thirst for all things Potter.
Employee Delia Greve, 25, decked out in a Hogwarts hat, black robe and magic wand said the celebration had been in the works for six months.
Said Natalie Paine, 18, of Medford, Mass.: "As soon as we go home I am going to start reading. I'll probably stay up and finish it tonight."
Manager Dave MacLennan said 900 books sold in the first 90 minutes — compared with 600 copies of Goblet three years ago. He originally ordered 3,000. Another 1,000 arrive Tuesday.
Hopefully we will last until the end of the week. We got whatever we could," said Wordsworth general manager Sanj Karbanda.
FORT WORTH —The night was balmy and warm, but the scene outside Brystone Children's Books looked more like Halloween than a summer night in June. Children, many in costumes, eagerly waited in line for the chance to be one of the first to buy the latest Potter book. Despite sardine-like conditions, the crowd of 200 was cheerful when the doors opened. Susan Green and son, Trevor, 9 and niece, Pressley, 12, of Keller, Texas, were among them. Said Green: "We have been waiting and waiting and we are so excited." Pressley excitedly chimed in, "I really like the Harry Potter books, they're different from all the other books that I read. They have a lot of adventure in them."


text:
Apple's CEO Steve Jobs says the company's upcoming products are "the best he has ever seen in his life". He also told Apple's shareholders that the transition to Intel CPUs will pay off in the long run.
Jobs, Chief Financial Officer Peter Oppenheimer, and Senior Vice President of Worldwide Product Marketing Phil Schiller answered investors’ questions Thursday during Apple’s annual shareholder meeting at its Cupertino campus.
During the session, the three executives remained typically tight-lipped about Apple’s future product plans. When pressed by one shareholder about what product releases to expect in the future, Jobs simply said, “I can’t tell you.”
Another shareholder requested that the company make “the ultimate media center,” a personal video recorder that could record television programs and share media on his computer.

domain: news


text:
FRANKFURT--General Motors Co. GM, -2.45% chief executive Dan Akerson assured staff at its loss-making European Adam Opel unit that the U.S. auto maker views the brand as integral part of its global operations and rejected calls for a sale, adding that the alliance with PSA Peugeot-Citroen SA (UG.FR) will lead to the economies of scale Opel has so far lacked in Europe.
"Our protracted losses have even prompted some analysts to argue that we should sell Opel or simply close up shop and leave car sales in the region to others - I'm not about to do that," Mr. Akerson told staff at Opel's headquarters outside Frankfurt.
"Recommendations that we 'cut and run' show you that some people simply do not see how important Opel is to our success," he said.
GM's European division is set to lose between $1.5 billion and $1.8 billion this year depending on the level of restructuring in the fourth quarter. Last year it lost $747 million. The region isn't expected to return to break-even on an operating basis until the middle of the decade.
New-car sales in Europe have been shrinking for almost five years amid high unemployment and tough austerity measures in many countries to tackle bloated sovereign debt. Declining demand and chronic overcapacity are causing steep losses in the European mass-market segment, which is forcing car companies to cut thousands of jobs and consider costly plant closures.
GM will cut 2,600 jobs in Europe this year and reduce fixed costs by $300 million. It wants to lower costs by another $500 million between 2013 and 2015 and will continue to reduce headcount as well. Opel employed around 40,000 staff across Europe at the end of last year, with Germany accounting for 22,000 staff.
"Like most auto companies, we expect that the weakness in Europe will continue to impact our business and the industry for the next several years," Mr. Akerson said. "But unlike some forecasts, ours is built around conservative volume and revenue assumptions.
"In other words, we're counting on our own hard work - not an economic recovery - to drive the business forward," he said.
GM forged an alliance with Peugeot-Citroen in February to share costs in the fields of vehicle development, purchasing, logistics and potentially other areas as well. However, several media reports published over the last days suggest cooperation talks have come to a grinding halt or collapsed altogether.
Mr. Akerson didn't comment specifically on the reports, but confirmed that following the recent logistics agreement the company is now "close to finalizing a joint purchasing agreement with PSA" as a next step.
"These initiatives will give us economies of scale that we lack today," he said. GM took a 7% stake in PSA to cement the alliance.
Opel and PSA are among the weaker players in the European car industry as they don't have a significant footprint in dynamic foreign markets and rely heavily on sales in Europe.
PSA has been battered by a series of credit downgrades. Last month, Moody's Investors Service threatened to tip its banking arm into junk territory, which prompted France's government to throw Banque PSA Finance a lifeline of EUR7 billion in guarantees for future borrowing, to limit the damage to Peugeot's financing costs and to the loan rates it can offer car buyers. French prime minister Jean-Marc Ayrault has stressed, however, that he expects Peugeot to scale down plans for job cuts in return for the state aid.
Write to Christoph Rauwald at firstname.lastname@example.org
Subscribe to WSJ: http://online.wsj.com?mod=djnwires


text:
In response to the state’s recent regional Stay-at-Home order, which restricts outdoor dining, the City of Garden Grove has expanded its JOBS 1st program to add a new JOBS 1st To-Go, which aims to assist local food and drink establishments with access to grants of up to $1,500. Qualifying local establishments can now apply for the JOBS 1stTo-Go program by visiting ggcity.org/businesses.
“For many local businesses, shifting operations entirely to delivery and take-out comes with challenges,” said Assistant City Manager and Community and Economic Development Director Lisa Kim. “The new grant program aims to augment a portion of operational costs, support the shop local initiative, while promoting local job retention.”
The new JOBS 1st To-Go program will provide approximately 75 eligible businesses with $1,000 grant funding for the purchase of goods, such as containers, plates, cups, and silverware. In addition, the grant will subsidize third party fees from companies offering food delivery, including Uber Eats, DoorDash, and Postmates.
To qualify, food and/or drink establishments must be located in Garden Grove; have been open for at least one year; possess valid operating licenses, permits, and be in good-standing with the City; and show a minimum of 25 percent decrease in revenue due to COVID-19.
The JOBS 1st To-Go program is part of the Garden Grove Business Resource and Resiliency Plan, designed to assist local businesses, stimulate growth and job creation, while improving Garden Grove’s economic vitality.
In addition, the city is offering the JOBS 1st program, which provides zero-interest loans of up to $50,000 and grants of up to $25,000 to eligible businesses for the creation and retention of jobs.
The Accessible Businesses program, allowing establishments to expand operations outside, is temporarily on hold until the state’s regional Stay-at-Home order is lifted.
Local businesses are also encouraged to utilize additional resources provided by the county and state:
- Main Street Hiring Tax Credit provides financial relief to qualified small businesses for the economic disruptions resulting in loss of jobs. To apply, visit taxcredit.cdtfa.ca.gov.
- California Rebuilding Fund helps small businesses rebuild with the assistance from flexible short-term loans. For details, visit connect2capital.com/p/californiarebuildingfund.
- America’s Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) offers businesses valuable new and current resources. For information, visit ociesmallbusiness.org/covid-resources.
For more information on Garden Grove’s business programs and to apply for assistance, visit ggcity.org/businesses or call the city’s Office of Economic Development at (714) 741-5130.
Categories: Garden Grove


text:
Ted Baker PLC (TED.L)
19 Mar 2018
British retailers are giving updates on the key Christmas trading period stretching from "Black Friday" on Nov. 24 to clearance sales in early January.
British online fashion group Boohoo.com Plc raised its full-year sales forecast for the third time after bucking a trend of slowing sales among British retailers.
* Online retailers appear insulated from UK pressures (Adds details, background)
Jan 10 British fashion retailer Ted Baker Plc on Wednesday reported higher sales in the key Christmas period, as online purchases surged, sending its shares to a near one-year high.
Jan 10 Britain's FTSE 100 index is seen opening down 4 points on Wednesday, according to financial bookmakers, with futures down 0.07 percent ahead of the cash market open.
* SAYS GROSS MARGINS WERE IN LINE WITH OUR EXPECTATIONS AND WE EXPECT TO END YEAR WITH A CLEAN STOCK POSITION
Jan 10 British fashion retailer Ted Baker Plc on Wednesday reported higher retail sales in the key Christmas period, helped by a surge in online sales.
Nov 16 British fashion retailer Ted Baker said on Thursday revenue for the 13 weeks to November 11 had risen by 7.3 percent, helped by strong sales in its online business.
* Group revenue increased by 7.3% (8.0% in constant currency) for 13 week period from 13 August 2017 to 11 November 2017
* HY GROUP REVENUE UP 14.0% (9.5% IN CONSTANT CURRENCY) TO £295.7M


text:
With its Right to Deploy option, Actian is turning the traditional software licensing model on its head.
The licensing of enterprise software applications has always been overly complex. In general, application vendors have opted to license software based on the number of processors being used or the amount of data being consumed. Both approaches are becoming increasingly problematic from a cost perspective.
Given the increase in the number of processors organizations run these days thanks to the rise of multicore processors, the number of processors on a server doesn’t really correlate anymore to the business value of the software. At the same time, the Big Data era means organizations now are saving every piece of data they have in case they need it for an analytics application layer on. In both cases, archaic approaches to software licensing based on hardware metrics wind up actually being an inhibitor of software adoption.
One of the first software vendors to take this issue head on is Actian, a provider of Big Data analytics and data integration software. This week it added a Right to Deploy option to its business model that gives customers license to unlimited consumption of the company’s software over a specific period of time, along with the right to continue using what has been deployed in perpetuity.
Formed via the amalgamation of Ingres, Versant and Pervasive Software, Actian is trying to combine advanced database and data integration software with Hadoop to serve emerging demand for Big Data analytics applications that need to run in real time.
In pursuit of that opportunity, John Santaferraro, vice president of Marketing for the Actian Analytics Platform, contends that complex licensing models involving hardware metrics have become a disservice to customers and vendors alike. Existing licensing models wind up doing more to inhibit adoption of emerging technologies than actually promote them, he said.
Like a lot of software vendors, Actian is trying to expand its customer base in the face of stiff competition. To that end, Actian joined a pantheon of software vendors offering a free community edition of its software in the form of an Express Edition of its platform. The goal is to give customers a taste of the Actian platform before having to financially commit, said Santaferraro.
By adjusting its licensing schemes and making its software more accessible from a total cost of initial acquisition perspective, Actian proactively is trying to expand the available market for a Big Data analytics platform that combines Hadoop with vector processing and massively parallel processing (MPP) engines that enable Big Data analytics to delivered in real time.
As a provider of what is clearly a set of emerging technologies, Actian is trying to make more accessible what is admittedly a complex set of products to deploy and master. For solution providers, that kind of approach to licensing is critical at a time when most customers need to grow into Big Data analytics over an extended period of time.
Of course, none of this means Actian is about to take the Big Data analytics market by storm. But it does mean that from both a customer and channel perspective, Actian has a much better chance of ultimately succeeding in this category than it did the week before.


text:
Brazilian fintech PicPay brought the buzz to the crypto world this week by announcing that they will not only implement their own exchange but the company will also launch a stablecoin pegged to Brazil’s official currency (Real), to be called Brazilian Real Coin (BRC).
The announcement was made in the blog Neofeed where PicPay’s co-founder, Anderson Chamon, shared more details about this new phase the fintech is going to embark on.
According to Chamon, the idea is, to begin with, the exchange around next month, supporting the trade and hold of Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and stablecoin Pax Dollar (USDP). Later on, the aim is to support more than 100 cryptocurrencies around the end of the year.
“PicPay is getting into this world strong. It won’t be an accessory product, it will be a very important business line”, said Chamon to Neofeed. This business line already has its own unity inside PicPay in the new ‘Crypto and Web3’ department.
The Neofeed blog also highlights that PicPay will charge a fee for small transactions and in big volumes it’ll charge percentages, varying from R$0,39 to R$1,2 per transaction.
After the launch of the exchange, PicPay will direct its energies to launch the stablecoin that will be pegged with Brazilian’s Real, the BRC.
“It’ll be a 1:1 parity”, Chamon stated. “It has the characteristics of a decentralized coin that allows the user to send it from side to side, creating the disintermediation of banks, credit cards’ flags, and acquisitions”.
By the end of the year, all cryptos supported by PicPay will be available for any kind of payment in Brazil through their app.
Another interesting aspect is that not only Brazilians will be able to use it, but also foreigners that eventually come to the country and wish to trade this stablecoin in the Brazilian market.
“It won’t be mandatory to be a PicPay user in order to use that stablecoin. You can be a tourist coming to Brazil, open PayPal or any other digital wallet, buy BRC in exchange and use it in the Brazilian market”, confirms Chamon.
PicPay wishes to target crypto audiences for the next months, including plans for an NFT Marketplace as well.


text:
Ryder System, Inc., a leader in commercial transportation and supply chain management solutions, joins an elite group of 10 SmartWay® Affiliates recognized today by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Ryder was selected as a top honoree for the 2014 SmartWay Affiliate Challenge award, which recognizes organizations for supporting policies and practices that reduce truck emissions and improve freight efficiency.
“Ryder plays an important role in advancing the environmental sustainability of commercial transportation and logistics,” said Ryder Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Robert Sanchez. “When companies outsource their transportation and logistics operations to us, they not only get cost efficiency, but also the benefits of our environmental expertise, infrastructure, and industry leading partnerships.”
The SmartWay Affiliate Challenge, which was open to all SmartWay affiliates, is a national challenge developed by EPA to acknowledge organizations that participate in SmartWay and do an exceptional job supporting the partnership’s freight sustainability goals. SmartWay Affiliate Honorees have initiated and executed recruiting, promotional, and marketing activities that raise awareness and encourage their members to address the issue of air pollution resulting from freight activities. These affiliates serve as role models for other SmartWay affiliates and partners.
“I commend Ryder for its level of commitment, enthusiasm, and creativity in promoting EPA’s SmartWay program and sustainable transportation,” said Chris Grundler, Director of EPA’s Office of Transportation and Air Quality. “Ryder’s work in this arena brings us all closer to achieving the shared goals of clean freight and clean air.”
Participating organizations submitted an application and supporting materials describing the various endorsements, commitments, and contributions made to the SmartWay Partnership during the period of March 1, 2013 to March 1, 2014. Ryder was recognized as a SmartWay Affiliate Challenge top honoree for going above and beyond to promote the SmartWay partnership on its website and social media sites, and for sharing the benefits of the SmartWay program with customers.
As part of its Earth Day activities, EPA SmartWay, which celebrates its 10-year anniversary this year, has recognized its affiliates on its website, in its e-newsletter, and in industry trade publications.
Ryder has been a SmartWay partner since 2004 and was honored with a SmartWay® Excellence Award in the Logistics Management, Large Carrier category in 2013.
EPA launched SmartWay in 2004 to help business improve the sustainability of their freight supply chains. Today the Partnership consists of nearly 3,000 Partners, representing a cross section of the freight supply chain industry. As of today, SmartWay Partners have saved 65 million barrels of oil. This is equivalent to taking over 5 million cars off the road for an entire year. SmartWay’s clean air achievements (28 million metric tons of carbon dioxide so far) help protect the health and well-being of citizens while contributing to our nation’s economic and energy security.
More information on SmartWay in general: http://www.epa.gov/smartway/


text:
25 Days of Data - Day 20 - Nike’s Colin Kaepernick Campaign
How does social drive earned media for a brand?
Earlier this year Kantar Media analysed social media posts to determine the earned media impact of one the stand-out campaigns of the year: Nike’s partnership NFL star Colin Kaepernick. In this blog post we explored the dramatic increase in Nike’s social traffic across the world and the difference in sentiment among older & younger demographics.
Our experts at Kantar Media analysed data across social media platforms, forums & blogs to uncover the impact of the story among social media users and gauge its earned media performance.
Dominating the social news cycle
When news of the signing broke on 3rd September, Nike were mentioned in more than 1.7m social media posts globally. As the debate grew, so did the posts, rising to almost 4 million daily posts – seven times more mentions than Nike would experience on a typical day.
For each of the next seven days, Nike were mentioned in more than one million posts as the story trended worldwide and Nike’s TV commercials were broadcast around the opening weekend of the NFL season.
Below you can see the spike in Nike’s online mentions as news of the announcement broke.
A Global Story
While the US accounted for the majority of social media posts, social platforms in many other countries were taken over by the story. In the UK, mentions of Nike increased more than five times in the week following the announcement. In France, Nike’s mentions doubled with a similar impact in India, Brazil & Germany.
Kaepernick’s following rockets
The quarterback and originator of the ‘take a knee’ protest has seen his social media following dramatically increase upon news of the partnership with Nike. So far this month, he has gained 850,000 followers across Twitter, Instagram & Facebook, generating an additional 6 million interactions – including video views of the commercial.
Data from Kantar Media’s official social valuation partner, Hookit, estimate Kaepernick’s social presence to have delivered $7.6M in earned media value for Nike.
A Polarising Campaign
The tables below show Nike’s average sentiment scores in the week before and after the campaign announcement. While overall positive sentiment remains steady, negative sentiment increases at the expense of neutral posts – reflecting the difference of opinion between those supporting Kaepernick with #imwithkap and those encouraging boycotts of Nike products.
27th Aug – 2nd Sep
3rd Sep – 9th Sep
Older demographics more likely to be negative
While the over 35s typically account for 25% of Nike’s social mentions, this group are responsible for 54% of all posts that have a negative sentiment – suggesting that older social users are more likely to dislike the campaign.
In addition – our data found that more of these comments from 35+ were posted on Twitter, than any other platform. Instagram was the platform with the most positive sentiment towards the Nike campaign.
Kantar Media’s social media solutions provide deep insights into social media users – their posts, their sentiment and their level of influence. To learn more about our expertise and how we can help you to better understand social media audiences, get in touch.


text:
11:28 PMApple's next iPhone occasion will occur on September tenth
Apple has conveyed solicitations for its yearly iPhone occasion on September tenth, where the organization is broadly expected to declare the iPhone 11. The occasion will happen at the organization's Apple Park base camp in Cupertino, California.
In spite of the fact that Apple's welcome doesn't unequivocally say what the organization intends to report at the occasion, the bits of gossip recommend we'll see three new iPhone models, and these will go about as successors to the iPhone XR, XS, and XS Max. Two of these telephones are relied upon to include Apple's first triple-camera framework on the back of the gadget, and the successor to the XS could likewise have a marginally greater 6.1-inch show (up from 5.8 crawls on the present model).
Another rumor suggests that these iPhones could support bidirectional wireless charging, allowing them to charge AirPods when used with their new wireless charging case. Upgrades to battery life and Face ID biometric security, as well as the use of new shatter-resistance technology have also been suggested.
Apple rarely keeps its launch events focused on just a single category of products, however. Last year, it announced the Apple Watch Series 4 as well as a software update for the HomePod, alongside its new iPhones. However, as it currently stands, the main products that Apple is rumored to be planning for the end of this year — an all-new 16-inch MacBook Pro, an update its existing non-Touch Bar 13-inch model, and a new iPad and iPad Pro — are the kinds of devices that it doesn’t normally announce alongside its phones. We’ll be surprised if Apple didn’t have some news to share about the range of services it’s currently in the process of launching, though, and there’s a chance we could see new titanium and ceramic cases for the Apple Watch.
Normally, The Verge will be in participation to present to you the most recent news and declarations from California. Make certain to inquire for our live blog and subtleties on how you can watch the occasion yourself.
P.S. Do you see any clues covered in Apple's welcome picture above? The organization frequently incorporates a trace or the like, and we have a couple of thoughts: possibly it's the reputed return of Apple's rainbow logo to the backs of its telephones, or perhaps it's the released lively shades of the cutting edge iPhone XR. Or on the other hand possibly we're taking a gander at a craftsman's elucidation of what a MicroLED screen resembles very close. It's difficult to state without a doubt.
|Total comments: 0|


text:
“There’s only one area of growing interest among consumers right now, and that’s a growing interest in protein,” David Sheluga, consumer insights director for marketing at Ardent Mills, told BakeryandSnacks.com.
Online searches for ‘protein’ were up 50% from early 2011, he said, and in addition more consumers were checking the label for protein.
“That’s the only nutrition fact that’s on the labeled product that consumers are showing an increased interest in.” All other elements on the nutrition facts panel – cholesterol, carbs, calories etc. – were losing or had flat interest, he said.
Weight management and satiety opportunities
Protein had morphed from its traditional roots of muscle building into an ingredient that aided weight loss through satiety, Sheluga said. “That’s a place where grain-based foods could play, but they have to move more swiftly to get there.”
Most of the interesting high-protein products could be found in the dairy category, he said, although there were protein and granola bars. However, he said the broader grains category had yet to fully tap into protein.
“The grain-based products are late in the game here, and they need to catch up.”
Asked if Ardent Mills had commenced work on developing protein-rich products, he said: “I’ll say yes, but we’re only at the beginning of it.”
Beyond soy and whey
Sheluga said for grain-based products, protein promise existed in plant-based proteins like bean, pea or quinoa. The latter in particular, he said, had great promise when used as a concentrated protein in snack chips, snack bars or tortillas.
“There’s emerging opportunities in simple, enlightened foods that, although aren’t big enough now to be part of [Ardent Mills’] analysis, look like where the strong growth is,” he said. ‘Free from’ products, for example, or those with added protein, he said.
Ardent Mills wheat trends research had identified three grain-based categories in growth: ‘sweets and snacks’ such as waffles, donuts and cupcakes; ‘super convenient’ such as frozen handheld sandwiches and toaster pastries; and ‘ethnic’ products like pita, naan and bagel thins.


text:
Opera Touch is now available on iOS, and to mark the occasion, Opera has decided to have a little fun at Apple’s expense.
Touch launched on Android back in April, and its main draw is that it’s optimised for one-handed use.
Read more: Best web browser
As Opera explains: “The new [6.5-inch] iPhone XS Max has nearly twice the display size of the original iPhone that premiered in 2007. We believe that this shift in size calls for big changes in browser design.
“With Opera Touch we made it faster and easier to browse the web when on the go. This is especially useful when you’re using a smartphone with a large display.”
Its killer feature is the Fast Action Button, a circular menu that pops up at the bottom of the screen to provide easy access to your most recent tabs and search.
There’s also a built-in ad blocker, protection from cryptojacking (which is becoming a common problem), and Flow, which makes it easier to switch from mobile to desktop browsing.
The company is making no secret of the fact it thinks Touch is a far better option than Safari, and it has created a couple of short videos to drill home the point.
“According to data from StatCounter, only five out of every 100 iOS users in the US currently choose to divert from their device’s default browser, Safari,” said Opera.
Read more: iPhone XR vs iPhone XS Max vs iPhone XS
“We’ve witnessed this situation before with a web browser reaching a dominant market position. This slows a web browser’s progress.
“That’s precisely why we want to propose something new: a carefully designed browser that gives iPhone users a better web experience on their beautiful phones.” You can download Opera Touch for iOS here.
Do you prefer Opera Touch to Safari? Why? Share your thoughts with us on Twitter @TrustedReviews.


text:
Roborock, a smart home appliance manufacturer who makes popular robotic vacuum cleaners, today announced the new S7 MaxV Ultra vacuum at CES 2022. The new cleaner builds off of the excellent S7 from last year which happened to win one of my Best of CES 2021 awards.
The biggest difference between the S7 and S7 MaxV Ultra is the inclusion of a new Empty Wash Fill Dock which further reduces the need for manual input. According to Roborock, the dock can clean the device’s mopping mechanism during and after cleaning sessions, as well as keep the dock automatically muck-free. A new auto-refill function allows the S7 MaxV Ultra to mop up to 300 square meters (50 percent more than its predecessors) and up to 7 weeks worth of dirt and dust.
The new vacuum also includes Roborock’s updated ReactiveAI 2.0 Obstacle Avoidance System, an upgrade over what’s on the S6 MaxV Ultra. The new system relies on an RGB camera, 3D structured light, and a new neural processing unit (NPU) to recognize objects in its path with better accuracy and move around them. It’ll show you where it’s detected different objects like furniture and different rooms within your house in the app to let you clean certain areas on demand.
Roborock also says the cleaner comes with its VibraRise mopping technology, as found on the older S7, for a more consistent clean across contrasting surfaces.
According to the company, the S7 MaxV Ultra will go on sale in the United States in the second quarter of 2022 for $1,399.99.
You must log in to post a comment.


text:
Indians abroad usually get to taste only a few popular mango varieties such as Alphonso, Kesar and Banganapalli. But over the last couple of years, they have begun to relish on other popular varieties such as Sendura, Imam Pasand, Malgova, Kalapadi, Suvarna Rekha, Mallika, Rasalu, Cheruku Rasam, thanks to Chennai-based MangoPoint.
Incorporated in 2018, MangoPoint launched its commercial operations in 2020 through what could be termed as a “trial by fire” as the Covid pandemic struck even as it got the European Union certification for its mangoes.
“Covid struck when we were focussing on how to send the mangoes abroad. Our packaging house was all set when this happened. But when one door shut, another opened. We took our mangoes to high-rise buildings on Chennai’s Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR). Some 2,000 kg of mangoes got sold out in no time,” says Manjula Gandhi Rooban, co-founder and Managing Director of MangoPoint.
Turning disappointment into biz
For the first time, many of the mango eaters were tasting the fruit that was not ripened using carbide. “The mangoes left consumers with a lingering taste that we began to get 600-700 phone calls daily. We were unable to manage,” says Manjula, who set up the company along with her husband Prasanna Venkatarathnam, who is the company’s Director and Finance Head.
Manjula Gandhi Rooban and Prasanna Venkatarathnam, Founders, MangoPoint
Manjula, an ex-serviceman’s daughter, and Prasanna, whose family was in mango trading, are both software engineers who began their journey together in the US. “We used to explore the US during the mango season and were disappointed not to find varieties from South India,” Manjula said.
On the one side, the couple saw demand and, on the other, there was wastage. “We began looking at the background on how to get these mangoes into the US and other countries. We quit our jobs and began exploring how to export mangoes, how to treat them,” she said.
MangoPoint registered its integrated packaging house in 2018 and was all set by March 2020 to begin shipping when Covid struck. “Apart from selling at high-rise buildings on OMR, we started an online platform. Our USP is that the mangoes are 100 per cent naturally ripened and free of any chemical,” the company’s founder said. The platform has over 25,000 satisfied users.
Today, MangoPoint provides a sustainable integrated value chain for mangoes with single origin, carbide-free, chemical-free fresh mangoes and processed mango products through sustainable farming, eco-friendly processing and packaging.
In 2021, MangoPoint began modern trade by offering it to companies such as WayCool, Ninjakart and other such firms besides expanding domestically. Last year, the company shipped mangoes to the US, European Union, West Asia and Singapore. “This year, we have exported 15 varieties of mangoes to over 20 countries, including the US, South Korea, EU, UK and West Asia. We see that we can send mangoes on a large scale to Singapore,” Manjula said.
The company is able to export to these countries as it meets fruit export standards and regulations offering pest and disease-free mangoes.
The company has shipped out about 50 tonnes of mangoes, while selling another 500 tonnes in the domestic market. MangoPoint sources mangoes from the Karnataka-Andhra Pradesh-Tamil Nadu triangle cluster of Kolar, Chittoor and Thiruvallur regions. It processes them at its packaging house in Thiruvalangadu, about 70 km from Chennai.
While exporting mangoes, MangoPoint has expanded its presence in over 500 retail outlets. Since the company had a solar dehydration machine, it began to process and grade mangoes.
This has led to value addition of another 500 tonnes of mangoes. The company set up a research and development unit in 2021 and began initial testing in 2022 based on consumer feedback. “This has helped us go for pulp, pickles and dry mango powder, which we soft launched. We looked at the feedback and began offering jam. It is one of the top 12 better-selling jams in the country,” she said.
Other value-added products
MangoPoint, bootstrapped by the founders’ family and friends to the tune of ₹1.83 crore, has also begun producing iron-fortified mango bars. The company, which plans to expand its presence to 2,500 stores before the year-end, plans to produce dried mangoes, cut mango slices besides using mangoes for essence and aroma. “Sun-dried mango is a powerful antioxidant. We are exploring every bit of mango which has a huge potential,” Manjula said.
The company is tapping mango skin that can be used as pectin that can be used in medicines besides cooking and baking. It is planning to convert mango seed into powder after drying it. This can cure stomach ailments.
Also on the cards are probiotic mango bars, mango sauces, Mexican mango-based salsa, mango sweet-and-sour ketchup and mango mayonnaise. The company has set up an agri-clinic which is licensed to sell bio-fertilizers and bio inputs for mango plants.
MangoPoint has begun backward integration by helping farmer producer organisations (FPOs) to cultivate pest-free mangoes and get maximum yield through modern surveillance. “We have a 6-7 member team working with FPOs giving them training in packhouses besides providing these organisations market linkage,” she said.
MangoPoint, which has about 30 employees, has got another packaged house from the government at Sunguvarchatram, where it will train these FPOs to handle the fruit on their own. “We also have a buyback arrangement with the FPOs,” Manjula said.
Web Title – A ‘trial by fire’ helps Chennai-based mango firm export popular varieties


text:
* VW now holds 55.9 percent of MAN voting rights
* VW was aiming for a 35-40 percent stake
* Outcome paves way for cooperation between MAN, Scania
* MAN shares fall 1.8 pct, VW gains 0.5 pct
(Adds market data)
FRANKFURT, July 4 (Reuters) - Volkswagen AG (VOWG_p.DE) clinched a 55.9 percent stake in Munich-based truckmaker MAN SE , clearing the way for the carmaker to start building its European truck empire.
Volkswagen’s majority stake allows it to determine seats on the supervisory board, a way to accelerate cooperation between MAN and VW’s Swedish brand Scania SCVb.ST.
“Volkswagen is more than pleased with the result,” Volkswagen Chief Executive Martin Winterkorn said in a statement on Monday. “As a result, our objective of realizing substantial synergies between MAN, Scania and Volkswagen in the interest of all shareholders, employees and customers is moving closer.”
VW’s influential Chairman Ferdinand Piech has been itching to create Europe’s biggest truckmaker to compete with rivals such as Volvo (VOLVb.ST) and Daimler (DAIGn.DE) and expand the reach of Volkswagen’s sphere.
Scania and MAN between them produced 172,000 trucks above six tonnes in weight last year, compared with Daimler’s 274,000 units, with the latter accounting for about 10 percent of global truck output, data from IHS Global Insight showed. With 171,000 units, Volvo accounted for 6.2 percent.
MAN, which loses its independence after 253 years in business, welcomed the fact that it now belongs to the VW family. A spokesman said: “The cooperation with Volkswagen and Scania now enters a new, offensive stage.”
Shares in MAN were among the strongest decliners in Germany’s blue chip DAX index , falling 1.8 percent to 93.581 euros by 1028 GMT, while VW shares edged up 0.49 percent.
The acceptance of VW’s offer was stronger than expected, said DZ Bank analyst Michael Punzet.
“We expect ongoing rumours of additional buying of MAN shares by VW and a possible domination agreement in the coming month despite the fact, that without the closing of the offer, it does not really make sense for VW to by additional MAN shares directly,” he added.
VW launched a low-ball bid valuing MAN at about 13.8 billion euros ($20.07 billion) in May, aiming to raise its stake in the truckmaker to 35-40 percent.
Sources told Reuters on Friday that Europe’s largest auto maker had clinched a majority stake in MAN. ($1=.6876 Euro) (Reporting by Edward Taylor, Eva Kuehnen and Andreas Kroener; Additional reporting by Christoph Steitz; Editing by Jon Loades-Carter and Hans-Juergen Peters)


text:
Two months ago, a new variant of the Flashback Trojan started exploiting a security hole in Java to silently infect Mac OS X machines. Apple has since patched Java, but this was only yesterday. As of today, more than 600,000 Macs are currently infected with the Flashback Trojan, which steals your user names and passwords to popular websites by monitoring your network traffic.I've been saying for a long while that this sort of thing was inevitable, and have been saying that Apple is pathetic in how slowly they patch security holes in Java - Microsoft patched this weeks and weeks ago.
If you run Mac OS X, you can find details on uninfesting your machine here. And remember that this is no longer operative:


text:
Bluink has won a contract to look at putting government ID on mobile phones.
Criminals are using some interesting tools to compromise iCloud accounts and wipe clean stolen iOS devices.
Apple’s facial recognition system on iPhone X seems to present some accidental privacy issues.
Quebec’s automobile insurance board has teamed up with Laval University’s basketball teams for the new ad.
The latest partnership between Apple and Nike serves up a stealthy colour scheme.
The Apple supplier expects future smart speakers to include facial and image recognition capabilities.
Three new iPhones are expected to release next year.
These tips will help you reduce the OLED display’s power consumption, and extend the time needed between charges.
Liang Chen has published a full video showing the iPhone X jailbreak in action.
A simple iOS feature adds virtual home button on your screen that you can drag wherever you want.
The mask combines a 3D-printed frame with makeup, a silicone nose and 2D images with “special processing” in select areas.
Just Mobile’s ‘ShutterGrip’ promises to take your smartphone photography to a whole new level.


text:
Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba is working on facial recognition software that would let you pay for purchases just by looking at a screen.
Alibaba is calling the service “Smile to Pay,” according to CNBC. CEO Jack Ma demonstrated a beta version of the technology Sunday at CeBit, a major annual international technology conference in Hanover, Germany.
Several top technology companies, including Apple, Google and Samsung, are all trying to crack mobile payment problems. Most of the options currently available are phone or wearable-based, with customers holding a gadget near a retailer’s register to complete transactions.
Alibaba is experimenting with several measures to improve the security of its system, including the use of a trigger phrase or scanning some unique element of a shopper’s body, like a tattoo.
There’s no release date for the service yet.
Alibaba reported revenue of $4.22 billion in January, a 40% hike but below analysts’ expectations of $4.45 billion. The company has also come under pressure from Chinese state regulators to deal with what they say are illegal transactions on the company’s eBay-like platform.


text:
Noida, India, February 3, 2015: HCL Technologies (HCL), a global IT services provider, today announced the opening of a new service delivery centre in Oslo, to support its ongoing growth in the Nordics. The new centre will enhance HCL’s delivery capabilities and serve as a hub to provide transformational IT infrastructure and application services to its customers in the region. This is HCL’s third delivery centre in the Nordics besides Espoo (Finland) and Stavanger (Norway). Located in the heart of Oslo’s BARCODE business area the new centre will support more than 100 seats.
DNB, Norway’s largest financial services group, will be among the first to benefit from the opening of HCL’s Oslo service delivery centre. “The proximity of HCL’s new service delivery centre to DNB’s headquarters will be a significant benefit in supporting our strategic business needs,” said Liv Fiksdahl, COO of DNB. “We take great pride as the most customer-focused bank in the Nordics. In today’s digital service economy, our vision is heavily reliant on the availability of stable, reliable and state-of-the-art IT services. As such, HCL is a core, strategic partner for DNB. Having HCL’s experts in such close proximity to our own operations is therefore a major advantage; making it much easier to discuss our needs and work closely together to identify how IT can best serve those needs.”
C Vijay Kumar, Corporate Vice President & Global Head of Infrastructure Services Delivery, HCL Technologies, said “The new centre will bolster our delivery and solution capabilities in the region and enable closer collaboration with our customers and partners . In the region, HCL is focusing on co-innovation that is driving digitalisation and enabling our customers to stay competitive in the new connected world.”
The Oslo delivery centre will harness the local multi-skilled talent to enable our next generation services like Service Integration & Management (SIAM), Next Gen Data Centre and Workplace Services to our customers in the Nordics. It will also support the “Digital Agenda Norway” that is aligned with the Norwegian Government’s vision of a “Simpler Norway” using smart public services. The centre will also help us meet local compliance and data regulation requirements.
“The new global delivery centre in Oslo will be a strategic asset for our business and is a key milestone in our continuing dominance in the Nordics,” said Ashish Kumar Gupta, Executive Vice President & Head – EMEA, Infrastructure Services, HCL Technologies.
HCL has a number of existing customers and partners in the Nordics. HCL’s innovative delivery model provides significant savings and operational benefits to customers through a highly flexible, transparent and collaborative approach.


text:
Companies should focus on social processes and greater collaboration with business partners to bring widespread improvements to the supply chain, according to a recent report from Enterprise Irregulars.
Organizations are constantly on the lookout for ways to improve efficiency and streamline the manufacturing process. According to the report, both can be achieved by integrating social processes into supply chain community management practices.
"This process of social business transformation will require both advances in social technology ... as well as changes to the way we do business," contributor Dion Hinchcliffe wrote for the news provider.
"Fortunately, one of the great attributes of the larger social business community is that it generally focuses as much on the business and cultural changes as it does the enabling technology."
"Social" has been a buzzword in the enterprise this year. Companies are attempting to leverage the ideas of a wider user base in order to lend more value to certain business processes and inject new ways of thinking into the organization. The trend has been especially prevalent for the use of business intelligence.
The same hasn't been said of supply chain management, Hinchcliffe said.
"In my workshops at Enterprise 2.0 Conference in years past, I’ve had manufacturers and assembly line managers come up to me to say that social tools have been moving into their area of the business, but it’s mostly been horizontal tools or very focused niche solutions," he said.
But that's no longer the case. As collaborative technology creeps deeper into the organization, it appears that supply chains are getting a taste of the social life, according to the report.
However, a true focus on social capabilities will require widespread change both within the organization and across the entire supply chain. All aspects of the process will have to buy into a renewed focus on social initiatives for them to be as effective as possible, Derek Singleton wrote for the Software Advice blog. Hinchcliffe cited Singleton's post in exploring the social side of the supply chain.
A report from IDC Manufacturing Insights published in August offered similar praise for social technology within the supply chain. According to the research firm, social platforms will allow a company to engage users in open dialogue in order to share insights and ideas on certain projects or aspects of the manufacturing line. A dedicated platform will make the practice much more efficient, the report added.


text:
SOI sales surge
What do Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Sony's PlayStation 3 have in common with the latest multiprocessor servers from IBM, Sun and Dell, and with networking systems used in Mercedes, BMW and other automobiles?
All of them use chips made with silicon on insulator (SOI) technology.
Chips built on SOI wafers—which have a thin insulating layer of glass or silicon oxide embedded beneath their silicon surface—offer faster switching speeds, lower energy use and less current leakage, allowing their components to be packed together more densely. Although higher costs have thus far limited SOI's use mainly to those willing to pay a premium for high performance or lower power use, the technology is gaining wider acceptance, especially for leading-edge chip designs. Why? Because SOI wafers let chip designers squeeze more circuits into less area, resulting in more chips per wafer.
"SOI is moving into the mainstream. For 90-nanometer circuits and below, it is becoming really the technology of choice," contends André-Jacques Auberton-Hervé, CEO of France's Soitec Group, which supplies nearly 80 percent of the world's SOI wafers. As evidence, he points to Soitec's soaring SOI wafer sales, which grew 90 percent, to $310 million, for the year ended March 31. Soitec aims to keep up with industry demand by building a $420 million factory capable of making another 1 million 12-inch SOI wafers yearly by 2008.
Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International (SEMI) estimates that worldwide SOI wafer sales almost doubled to $405 million during 2005, from the previous year's $234 million. Semico Research expects sales to more than double again by 2009, to $911 million. Yet SEMI estimates that SOI wafers accounted for less than 5 percent of worldwide wafer sales last year and only about 1 percent of the total silicon area shipped.
That's largely because SOI wafers, which require extra manufacturing steps, cost up to four times more than conventional, or "bulk silicon," wafers. That cost disadvantage is shrinking, however, as chip makers shift more of their production from 8-inch wafers to more efficient 12-inch wafers, and to chips with increasingly small circuitry.
Semico analyst Joanne Itow calculates that when all manufacturing expenses are considered, including packaging and testing, SOI adds only about 5 percent to per-chip costs. "[SOI's cost] really gets diluted when you look at all the other costs that are loaded onto those chips," she says. And when designs are optimized to take advantage of SOI's density advantages, she adds, SOI actually can cost up to 40 percent less than bulk silicon, especially for chips with 90nm or smaller features.
IBM has been using SOI in its microprocessors since about 2000, says IBM Fellow Ghavam Shahidi. Today, he says, a majority of the company's processors and game chips (including those made for Microsoft and Sony) use SOI.
Another early SOI user, Freescale Semiconductor, is developing its fifth generation of SOI technology for use in 45nm chips. Suresh Venkatesan, Freescale's director of silicon technology solutions, says SOI typically lets his company build chips that are 15 percent faster and 20 percent more power efficient, the equivalent of about half a generation of new chip technology.
Semico's Itow says SOI technology has given early adopters a competitive advantage, but she expects their edge to diminish as the tools and techniques for designing SOI chips become more widespread. "It will catch on quickly," she says. "In this industry everyone is a fast learner."


text:
Warner Bros. has found a new cash cow in its worldwide retail division and will be opening 25-30 stores nationwide in ’93, according to Peter Starrett, division prez.
In anticipation of the expansion from its current 21 stores, three exex — Dennis Adomaitis, Barry Gilbert and Linda Gillen Postell — who have been with the retail division since its inception in 1990, have been promoted to senior veepees, effective immediately.
WB opened four stores in ’91 and 17 stores in ’92, each with about 30 employees. Starrett says the division’s instant profitability will lead to hiring another 750-900 employees for the new stores.
Starrett acknowledges that the marketing angle is important but that the financial returns are what guarantees the division’s future. “It’s a great marketing tool for the studios and a profitable new division, but if we didn’t have the latter we wouldn’t do it.”


text:
If you've played any Super Smash Bros. game, you've seen it well enough by now. "Edge-hogging" has been a part of the gameplay in the series since its inception, where one player will attempt to hang off the edge of the platform/level and keep the other player from climbing back on after they were thrown or smashed off.
But that's all about to change if series creator and director of the upcoming Super Smash Bros for Wii U and 3DS Masahiro Sakurai has anything to say about it. According to a new post from the developer on Miiverse, "new changes are being made to attack and defense options for for grabbing edges."
In the latest image of the game shared on Smashbros.com (and pictured at the top right in this article), Sakurai reveals that Link's grab is actually trumping Mario's in this instance. Another change he addressed involved the period of invincibility that hanging off a ledge can give and that air time and damage will help determine that. In addition, grab controls are no longer going to be affected by whether a player's damage is above or below 100% damage.
Both Sakurai and Namco Bandai really seem to be going all-out to fine-tune all of these details, which is really great to see, and especially so since edge-hogging has been an annoying tactic for so long.
Super Smash Bros. for Wii U and 3DS is currently scheduled for release in 2014.


text:
Amazon.com Inc. is promising to entertain children with a device that spits out knock-knock jokes on demand and will also teach them good manners.
The company will release new kid-focused skills for its Alexa digital assistant on May 9, along with an $80 Echo Dot voice-controlled speaker designed for children.
The gadget comes with "FreeTime on Alexa," which lets parents turn off voice purchasing, filter songs with bad words that their children might stream and set time limits to stop kids chatting to Alexa late into the night.
Children can say, "Alexa, I'm bored," to get an age-appropriate suggestion, or ask for a song or knock-knock joke. A new "Magic Word" feature encourages kids to say 'please' when asking Alexa questions. Those paying $3 a month get more, like Audible children's books and kid-friendly music stations.
The Echo Dot Kids Edition includes a two-year guarantee.
Echo speakers can be used to set alarms, thermostats and dim lights via voice command, as well as shop. The company is also creating new subscriptions to boost revenue. More than 100 million Prime members already pay yearly or monthly fees in exchange for fast shipping, video and music streaming.


text:
Financier Nelson Peltz lost his reputation proxy fight against Disney’s board on Wednesday after shareholders voted by a “marginal margin” to reject Peltz’s suggestion that he is a veteran. Disney chief financial officer Jay Rasulo were given board seats.
Instead, Disney’s entire slate of all 12 board members were reappointed to their seats, Disney said in the announcement.
For months, Peltz and his company Trian Fund Management were to climb A major campaign against Disney’s board claims that the board is not doing its job well and that CEO Bob Iger didn’t have enough skin in the game. Peltz’s main criticism of the Disney board was that the company had messed up sequential planning for Iger and failed to establish a profitable marketing strategy. The campaign positioned Rasulo as an expert in managing parts of the juggernaut theme parks industry, which has not been a hit with investors.
The results of the vote resulted in Peltz’s landslide defeat. Before the meeting starts Reuters was broken a story Peltz had already lost. Initial reports showed that Peltz lost his vote to fill the seat of long-time mayor Maria Elena Lagomasino by three to one, while Rasulo lost his vote against the incumbent. Mastercard President Michael Froman by a majority of five to one, according to a The Hollywood Reporter.
During Peltz’s battle against the Disney board both sides engaged in media and advertising to make their case to the owners. Disney said it spent about $40 million on the advertising campaign. Meanwhile, Peltz has spent $25 million on media outlets and released a 133-page pamphlet titled “Restore the Magic,” in his own words. system which led to, among other things, Edge of “Netflix-like” streaming 15% to 20%.
During the campaign, Iger gained several major supporters including JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimona major shareholder of Disney and creator of Star Wars George Lucas (probably due to contact with his wife Mellody Hobson who sits on the board of JPMorgan), and the support of many of Walt Disney’s heirsincluding Abigail Disney, who has been openly defiant about him already. Peltz was backed by another well-known Iger hater – Elon Musk. The richest man in the world he promised buy more Disney properties if Peltz wins his seats.
With the fight behind him, Iger said he is looking forward to returning to business as usual. “With the disruptive proxy competition behind us, we are determined to focus 100% of our attention on what matters most: growth and value creation for our shareholders and consumer success,” he said in a statement.
Peltz’s camp said in the words said by a Wall Street Journal: “We are proud of what we have achieved by refocusing the company on profitability and good leadership.”
Disney shares fell 3% the day after the vote.


text:
337 days following the handset’s initial release in North America, Apple is finally introducing the iPhone 4 in India.
As you can see, Indian Apple fans have the ability to purchase an iPhone 4 “practically for free,” and can receive 100 percent of the handset’s price (Rs. 34,500 for the 16GB model and Rs. 40,900 for the 32GB model) back in monthly credits, over the course of a year – providing they pay for the iPhone 4 in full upfront.
Telecom operators Bharti airtel and Aircel today said they will start selling Apple’s iPhone 4 in India from May 27. According to Aircel :
- Following an upfront payment of Rs. 34,500 for the 16GB model and Rs. 40,900 for the 32GB model, customers will have the opportunity to recover 100 percent of their upfront iPhone cost in monthly credits on their service plan over a period of 24 months.
- “With a robust roll out of Aircel’s 3G services in 13 circles across India, the launch of iPhone 4 will allow our consumers to truly savour the 3G experience,” Aircel Director Sandip Das said in a statement.
- “With our incredible new price plans, we aim to make iPhone more affordable than ever,” Das said.


text:
German prosecutors investigate possible fraud at Wirecard - Future looks shaky for German 5G license auction - Aston Martin boss on Brexit no deal "madness"
EU roaming — the ability to use your cell around Europe at no extra charge — is seen as part of Europe's digital future. So, if Brexit ever comes, will it bring "no roaming, no future"?
Germany’s 5G spectrum auction began on Tuesday. There's been much talk about Huawei as an equipment provider for the bidders, so it’s worth looking at the Chinese company’s overall German footprint.
United Internet's mobile unit 1&1 Drillisch will apply to take part in Germany's auction of 5G licenses. The firms' billionaire CEO said he wants to shake up the existing oligopoly, but market reaction was negative.
Germany desperately needs to modernize its internet. Four companies are bidding to implement a so-called 5G network. An auction is to be held in the first quarter of this year.
© 2019 Deutsche Welle |
Legal notice |
| Mobile version


text:
Microsoft is promising that it won’t restrict access of other console makers and platforms to the Call of Duty franchise when it takes over Activision. This is to pacify the FTC or Federal Trade Commission and to get the acquisition approved.
Sony Group, which owns PlayStation, said in a statement that its video game unit "joins the global community in calling for peace in Ukraine" as it announced it had suspended operations in Russia.
Super Mario 64 was the best-selling game on the Nintendo 64 and the first to feature the Mario character in 3D, the auction house said in a statement.
In April, the auction house sold an unopened copy of Nintendo’s Super Mario Bros. that was bought in 1986 and forgotten about in a desk drawer for $660,000.
The new Switch console's battery life is claimed to be 4.5 to nine hours, similar to the base Switch model, despite the upgraded display.
Nintendo revealed new information and trailers for Tekken’s Kazuya Mishima coming to Super Smash Bros Ultimate.
Their first joint venture will involve Nintendo's lovable half-vegetable, half-animal Pikmin characters in a game expected to launch sometime this year.
Samsung might begin the production as early as June and the displays are expected to be shipped to the assemblers in July.
Two players in each game will be on the Spy team and must eliminate all others without getting caught.
Nodding Heads's action-adventure-puzzle-platformer is out on Nintendo Switch and will be releasing later this year on PC, PS4 and Xbox One
New games like Super Mario 3D All-Stars, Super Mario Bros. 35 and Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury will be released.
Games like Metroid Prime 4 and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild’s sequel might be some of the titles included in the 2021 line-up.
The role-playing game takes place shortly after the ending of The Legend of Heores: Trails of Cold Steel III.
The set includes replicas of the console, the controller, a Super Mario Bros. game cartridge and a retro-styled 1980s television set.
Pokémon Unite will be a free-to-start game on both the Nintendo Switch and mobile.
'Up to eight worlds containing a total of up to 40 courses can be combined, creating a mini Super Mario game'
While Pokémon Tower Battle is available worldwide, Medallion Battle released only in the Philippines.
The Nintendo Tokyo store will also have products from Link, Kirby, and Animal Crossing-themed oven gloves.
Mario Kart Tour currently lacks the option to race against friends, a key element of the original game.
The company's shares closed up 0.3 percent ahead of earnings; the stock has risen 32 percent this year.


text:
The demand for holidays is set to remain strong in 2018 according to a new report from ABTA – The Travel Association. Factors such as squeezed budgets, responsible travel and the desire to try new destinations are expected to impact travel trends over the next 12 months.
ABTA Travel Trends 2018, which is based on market information and consumer insights, features the trends set to influence holidaymakers’ habits in the year ahead and reveals the 12 ‘Destinations to watch’ for 2018.
The report highlights that despite wider economic issues, holidays are still a spending priority for UK consumers. New industry figures reveal that bookings for next summer are tracking 5% above last year.
Research also shows that three in ten people plan to spend an increased amount on travel next year, up 6% from last year.
Based on the best insider knowledge and market trends, ABTA has identified its 12 ‘Destinations to watch’ for 2018. These include Argentina, Malta, St Lucia, Turkey, Germany, Montenegro, and Nepal


text:
Mary Mack, CEO of consumer and small business banking (CSBB) for Wells Fargo, provided details on the structure of her organization, including the leaders of the team.
With COVID-19 cases surging and a new wave of restrictions looming, challenges persist for small business owners as they continue to weather the pandemic, according to data from the Q4 Wells Fargo/Gallup Small Business Index.
The overall score of the Q3/20 Wells Fargo/Gallup Small Business Index rose 12 points from last quarter’s historic low-water mark. However, the overall positive movement in sentiment was contrasted by the third successive quarterly decline in optimism about current business conditions.
Financial services executive Steve Troutner joined Wells Fargo as Western region bank executive. Troutner will be based in Los Angeles and report to Head of Consumer Banking Mary Mack.


text:
TPO Unveils New 4.3" TFT-LCDs Featuring Wide Viewing Angle
November 03, 2006
Taiwanese TPO, a joint venture by Toppoly Displays and Philips Electronics, recently showcased its 4.3-inch WVGA (Wide Video Graphics Array,) TFT-LCDs (Thin-Film Transistor Liquid Crystal Display) for portable devices. The company stated the new display will enter mass production in the fourth quarter of 2006. This new offering is claimed to offer unprecedented resolution, which is four times the resolution that has previous been offered.


text:
PepsiCo has entered into a deal with Vital Pharmaceuticals (VPX), the manufacturer of Bang Energy drinks, to exclusively distribute the portfolio of Bang Energy beverages in the US.
The distribution agreement forms part of PepsiCo’s energy strategy as it aims to strengthen its position in the category. It also coincides with the announcement of the closing of its $3.85 billion acquisition of Rockstar Energy Beverages.
Effective immediately, the exclusive alliance is set to significantly increase the distribution of Bang Energy beverages.
The companies claim the strategic partnership pairs the strength of PepsiCo’s vast distribution network with the fastest-growing beverage in the energy drink category.
“In the ultra-competitive energy category, Bang Energy has thrived, pioneering the performance energy segment and attracting the next-generation of energy consumers,” said PepsiCo Beverages North America CEO, Kirk Tanner.
Tanner added: “This alliance plays a central role in PepsiCo’s overall energy-beverage strategy and enables us to significantly accelerate the distribution of Bang Energy to meet rising consumer demand.”
Introduced to the market in 2012, the Bang Energy line-up is designed to provide functional benefits to the next generation of energy consumers. The portfolio includes a variety of flavours, caffeine-free options, and beverage formats.
According to PepsiCo, Bang Energy is the third-largest brand in the energy category with its portfolio currently stocked in more than 200,000 outlets in the US.
Bang Energy CEO Jack Owoc said: “The combined power of our two organisations will be a meteoric partnership – one for the beverage history books.
“Bang is committed to serving zero-calorie, highly effective innovation and exceeding our consumers’ expectations. When it comes to the category, we have invented the future by reinventing the game.”
Founded in 1993, Vital Pharmaceuticals’ mission is to make the highest quality nutritional supplements on the market, backed by scientific research.
© FoodBev Media Ltd 2024


text:
Background of Launch of 5G in India
On July 3, 2020, India reached a significant milestone when Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the launch of 5G tech in the country. This was a major event for the 21st century India, as 5G technology promises to revolutionize how people connect and interact.
Let’s take a look at the background of this historic event.
The need for 5G in India
The need for 5G in India has arisen due to the increasing demand for high-speed internet connectivity and more robust and reliable telecommunications infrastructure.
With Prime Minister Modi’s recent launch of 5G in India, the country has taken a significant step in its technological advancement and connectivity. This launch is a historic day for India as it will significantly change how people communicate and consume media.
The introduction of 5G services will provide faster internet speeds, lower latency, and higher network capacity than 4G. It is expected to revolutionize various sectors in India, including healthcare, education, and manufacturing.
While there are few challenges associated with 5G implementation in India, such as infrastructure readiness, spectrum allocation, cybersecurity concerns, and others, the government and private sectors are rapidly addressing them.
Pro Tip: To enjoy 5G services, you’ll need a 5G-enabled device and a 5G data plan from a telecom operator. However, it may take some time for 5G services to become widely available across India.
The introduction of 5G technology has brought about a major transformation in mobile networking. Countries worldwide are rolling out 5G networks, with some already completing the process.
India, too, has been taking major steps to launch its own 5G network. In July 2021, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched India’s first-ever 5G network through a virtual platform. This was a significant milestone for India, as it is expected to facilitate major advancements in fields like healthcare, education, and agriculture.
However, there is still a long way to go before India’s 5G network is fully operational, with issues like infrastructure development and spectrum pricing still needing to be ironed out. Nonetheless, India’s launch of 5G clearly indicates the country’s digital aspirations and its determination to stay at the forefront of technological progress.
The impact of 5G on India’s economy
The launch of 5G in India is a significant milestone for the country and is expected to have a massive impact on India’s economy. With the launch of 5G, India is now set to join the ranks of developed nations regarding technological advancement and infrastructure.
With faster connectivity, higher bandwidth, and more extensive coverage, 5G is expected to revolutionize India’s digital landscape by enabling the growth of emerging technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning (ML).
This will enhance India’s capabilities to compete globally and is expected to improve India’s GDP by contributing to various sectors such as healthcare, education, manufacturing, and entertainment. In addition, implementing 5G is also expected to increase job opportunities in the country as it involves the creation of a vast digital infrastructure.
The launch of 5G in India by PM Modi on July 15, 2021, is a historic day for the country as it marks the beginning of a new era of technological development and innovation.
Pro Tip: Implementing 5G in India is just the beginning. To maximize the potential of this technology, the government and private sector must work together to create a conducive environment for investment and innovation.
Launch of 5G in India by PM Modi
On July 3, 2020, PM Narendra Modi launched 5G technology in India, making it the first country in South Asia to have the most advanced wireless technology. This launch marks a significant achievement for India, as the nation is now leading digital transformation in the region.
This article will explore the implications of this launch and its potential to revolutionise India’s digital economy.
Key takeaways from PM Modi’s speech
PM Modi’s speech on the launch of 5G in India highlighted key takeaways shaping India’s technological growth in the coming years. Some important points to note are as follows:
1. 5G will drive India’s digital transformation and unlock limitless opportunities for the country’s growth and innovation.
2. India aims to be a global leader in 5G technology and will work towards building a robust infrastructure for its implementation.
3. The launch of 5G is not just about technology, but also about empowering Indian citizens and businesses with faster, more reliable internet connectivity.
4. The government will collaborate with the private sector to ensure that the benefits of 5G reach every citizen in India, including rural areas.
5. 5G technology will revolutionize healthcare, education, and agriculture sectors, and contribute to building a self-reliant India.
Pro Tip: With the launch of 5G, India has entered a new era of technological development that offers boundless opportunities for growth and innovation.
How will 5G impact different sectors in India?
Prime Minister Modi’s launch of 5G in India is a significant milestone for the country that will profoundly impact different sectors.
Healthcare: 5G technology will significantly improve telemedicine and remote patient monitoring, making healthcare more efficient and accessible.
Education: 5G technology will enable remote learning and e-learning platforms, providing students access to high-quality education anywhere in the country.
Manufacturing: 5G technology will enhance automation and industrial IoT applications, resulting in increased productivity and efficiency in manufacturing processes.
Entertainment: 5G technology will improve streaming and gaming services while enabling the development of immersive technologies such as virtual and augmented reality.
Transportation: 5G technology will facilitate the development of autonomous vehicles and smart transportation systems, reducing traffic congestion and enhancing safety.
Overall, the launch of 5G in India has the potential to revolutionize various industries by unlocking opportunities for innovation, growth, and development.
Challenges in implementing 5G in India
Although the launch of 5G in India is a significant milestone for the country, implementing this new technology comes with challenges.
Firstly, the high costs involved in building the necessary infrastructure and acquiring the necessary spectrum licenses pose a barrier for many telecom providers.
Secondly, the fragmented nature of the telecom industry in India, with many players offering competing services, makes it difficult to coordinate the rollout of 5G across the country.
Thirdly, data privacy and security concerns must be addressed to ensure this technology’s safe and responsible use.
Finally, the availability of affordable 5G-enabled devices remains challenging, which may make adopting the technology slower than desired.
Nevertheless, the launch of 5G in India is a positive step towards the future. It is likely to significantly impact various sectors such as healthcare, transportation, and education.
Future of 5G in India
5G is all set to take India to the next level, revolutionizing how we communicate, interact and live. India is on the cusp of a digital revolution and PM Modi’s launch of 5G in the country marks a significant milestone in the country’s progress.
In this article, we’ll discuss the potential of 5G in India and how it can catalyze the country’s growth.
Role of government and private players in 5G adoption
The adoption of 5G technology in India requires a collaborative effort between the government and private players to establish a robust infrastructure to accommodate this new technology.
Governments around the globe are actively working to support the implementation of 5G, including allocating frequency spectrum and implementing policies and regulations that support the deployment of 5G infrastructure. In addition, private players, namely telecommunication companies, are investing in research and development to drive the innovation and rollout of 5G networks. As India launched 5G, it became a significant milestone for its digital growth path. Telecom operators like Jio, Airtel, and Vodafone Idea will continue to play a vital role in deploying this technology.
With 5G’s faster and reliable connectivity, India can drive innovation in various sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, transportation and make significant strides in the digital age. This collaborative approach between the government and private players is critical to ensure India can fully reap the benefits of 5G technology.
Pro Tip:Stay updated with the government’s policies and regulations regarding 5G deployment, as they can affect the cost and availability of this technology in the country.
How will 5G benefit businesses and consumers in India?
The implementation of 5G technology has great potential to benefit both businesses and consumers in India. It will bring faster download and upload speeds, lower latency, and greater network reliability.
Businesses can leverage 5G technology to transform operations and increase efficiency, especially in manufacturing, transport, and healthcare. In addition, 5G networks will enable autonomous vehicles, smart cities, and higher-quality video conferencing.
Consumers can expect faster and more reliable internet connections, enhancing their online experiences in streaming, gaming, and augmented and virtual reality.
Additionally, 5G technology will benefit rural and remote areas in India, providing them access to high-speed internet and the ability to participate in the digital economy.
It’s evident that 5G technology is a crucial milestone for India, and its successful implementation can revolutionize the country’s economy and provide opportunities for growth and development.
Potential issues with 5G implementation in India
India’s rollout of the 5G network marks a significant milestone for the country’s communication infrastructure. However, potential issues need to be addressed for a smooth implementation of 5G in India.
One of the challenges is the availability of affordable 5G devices for the Indian population. Many of India’s population is price-sensitive, and the high cost of 5G devices may hinder its mass adoption.
Another challenge is the availability of 5G infrastructure in rural areas. Unlike urban centers, rural areas do not have sufficient 4G infrastructure, making it challenging to take the technological leap to 5G.
A third potential issue is the lack of security infrastructure for 5G networks. India has faced several cyber threats and incidents recently, and with the higher stakes in 5G, data privacy and security concerns need to be addressed.
To ensure a successful rollout of 5G in India, the government must prioritize investments in affordable devices, rural penetration, and cybersecurity. Only then can India leverage the benefits of 5G and achieve its potential to become a technological superpower.
Pro-tip: Stay informed about the latest developments in 5G technology, as it presents significant opportunities for businesses and individuals.


text:
A new Indian restaurant has opened in Warwick.
Vivaanta, which is owned by Ali Ahmed, officially opened in West Street on Wednesday (February 13).
Mr Ahmed said: “I first opened a restaurant in Telford in Shropshire and now have a group of successful award- winning restaurants in, Hednesford, Derbyshire and Halesowen.
"For the past few years I’ve always wanted to open a restaurant in Warwick, the reason being I have this love for Warwick, because it’s a nice and calm town.”
Vivaanta is open seven days a week 5.30pm to 11pm.


text:
2019 has been the greatest year for games with the introduction of Battle Royale and VR games. Gaming has always been a favourite hobby for many as well as many people take so serious that it has been their whole life. We see youtubers dediated so much to gaming that they alternatively cannot forget or stop thinking about their content and fans all night. Well, let’s see the things facts and changes in 2020 that people are still unknown about the gaming industry.
1.ALL TIME FAVOURITE (PUBG) PLAYERS UNKNOWN BATTLEGROUNDS
PUBG is now the worlds best leading game that has succeeded in making 1.2billion since its release in 2019. Still in 2020, this game dominates its opponents like COD and Fortnite. This game has changed the gaming industry forever specially the Battle Royale the most played mode in the whole world.
2.THE RISE OF FEMALE GAMERS
Ultimately, female are now also seen interesed on playing video games. Whats surpirsing is that the female video gaming community grew by 19% in 2019, according to data commissioned by Google. 48% of the world’s total gaming revenue comes from Asia, almost half of whole video games revenue which is crazy. Dont you think!
3.LIVESTREAMS ARE TAKING THE WHOLE INTENRET
The rising population has helped to grow the number of people with access of internet. As a result, now more than 1billion people streams their games live on the internet every month. Latest Research shows that almost a quarter of all internet users, more than 1 billion people watch live streams of people playing games every month.
4.Xbox X And PS5 UPDATES
Xbox X and PS5 are both coming in 2020 with their new updates. It has been said that they both now offer to 4K resolution and 120 FPS. They are also going to be equipped with SSD making them more faster and powerful.
5.MOBILE GAMES DOMINATES ALL OTHER PLATFORMS
Even after the evolution of gaming consoles and VR games, mobile gamers are still on the top of the industry. Mobile games accounts for 51% of the global revenue in the whole gaming industry wheras the remaining are console and PC games comprised of 25% and 24% respetively. It has also been projected to increase by 8% in the year 2021.
WIth all these facts ,you might think 2020 has been exiciting year for gamers. However ,we should be prepared as such immensive growth in the gaming industry we dont know where the industry could go . But One thing is sure that there are a lot better developments we will get to see in this industry in the following year.


text:
Aggrenox Pay-for-Delay Lawsuit Against Boehringer, Teva Survives Dismissal Bid
A federal judge has given the go-ahead to a class action lawsuit alleging Boehringer Ingelheim and Teva conspired to put off generic competition to the antistroke drug Aggrenox.
Plaintiffs in the case, which include employee healthcare funds and Humana, allege that Boehringer paid off Teva’s Barr Laboratories subsidiary in an anticompetitive deal that forced consumers to pay inflated prices for the brand version far longer than they would have absent the arrangement.
The lawsuits stem from the drugmakers’ 2008 settlement allowing entry of generic Aggrenox (aspirin/extended-release dipyridamol) in July 2015 — before the challenged ’577 patent expires in January 2017.
The suits consolidated in this case started appearing in 2013, according to the Connecticut district court judge’s Monday ruling in In Re: Aggrenox Antitrust Litigation.
In separate dismissal bids, Boehringer and Teva had argued, among other things, that the lawsuits were brought outside the statute of limitations and that the purchasers didn’t sufficiently charge invalidity of the patent in question. While the judge ruled against most of the bids, he also dismissed many state law claims in the lawsuit — a move praised by Boehringer.
The German brandmaker vowed to fight the remaining claims.
Teva declined to comment. — Bryan Koenig


text:
As we reach the last day of Q1, we reflect on the peaks and troughs and trends, that these first three months have brought to the logistics and e-commerce industry.
January marked the beginning of post-Brexit life for Britain. Whilst the complexity of cross border trade was never going to bring with it the simplicity that was felt from previous trading arrangements, the confusion of unclear rulings was felt by consumers, fulfilment services, courier providers and merchants alike. This first month of life after the trade-deal saw a considerable plunge of more than 40% in UK goods exported to the EU. The Office for National Statistics also said goods exported to the bloc fell by £5.6bn, while imports fell by 28.8%, or £6.6bn. As the uncertainty continued so did excessive courier delays disrupting the end-to-end fulfilment over Europe. Excessive charges and tariffs left some smaller EU retailers to cease trading to UK customers, whilst other merchants continue to distribute their orders without amending their VAT.
Whilst regulations and the future of Brexit life has become marginally clearer, our very own Mark Elward is on hand to give his top three tips on how to navigate the murky waters of trading in a Post Brexit world:
The demise of the high street has been a looming cloud that shoppers and retail giants alike have seen looming over the horizon in recent years, but it wasn’t until February of this year did we see the high streets first casualties arise as the pandemic only fast-tracked those struggling businesses towards early closure.
Earlier this month 15-year-old online fashion retailer Boohoo acquired the Debenhams brand and website in a deal that cost the label £55m. The 242-year-old department store was already in the process of closing before administrators found their new buyer and marks a changing of the guard for UK retail. Two weeks later, online marketplace ASOS obtained Topshop. The high street staple fell victim to changes in consumer habits and trends. ASOS, currently worth $12.2 billion, purchased the Topshop, Topman, Miss Selfridge and HIIT brands but neglected the physical sites. The £295 million deal split between brands and stock comes after Sir Phillip Green’s retail empire, Arcadia, announced they had gone into administration last year.
March: Roadmap out of Lockdown
March marked the month that many of us in the UK have been waiting for. As of the 29th, it’s now legal to sit outside with five friends, or two households and in just two short weeks we’ll see non-essential retail stores and gyms opening their doors, as well as pubs, restaurants and cafes welcoming customers for outdoor dining.
As many of us have spent the past year, working, shopping, and socialising from home, our dependence on all fulfilling such past times relies totally on eCommerce, but as restrictions are lifted, what will happen to the habits we’ve obtained in this time?
Research conducted in October 2020 indicates that 80% of UK consumers are likely to continue shopping online, whilst 74% said they felt most comfortable with eCommerce shopping and just less than half of those asked, 41%, would feel comfortable shopping in stores again. To ensure eCommerce success in the post-pandemic future, retailers should be thinking about how they can combine their physical and digital channels to create the most beneficial omnichannel experiences for their customers.
We’ll see you in Q2!
We’re always hearing great stories about our client’s cool products and amazing brands; we’re now ready to start sharing them with all of you. With that in mind, this is an URGENT CALL TO ACTION! Please get in touch with our marketing team at email@example.com to discuss sharing your success stories via Huboo’s social channels…let us help you to rack up even more sales! From here on […]
Monday marked the 110th International Women’s Day and throughout this week the world has been coming together in a unified celebration of the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. As a fulfilment service, our client list includes some incredible female entrepreneurs, and while we can’t mention every single one of them (there’s a long list!) […]
Meet Tim As part of the SMT, Tim Spickernell has started with Huboo as our new HR Director. Tim will be working hard to set the direction of and implement the people strategy for the company. ‘As I type this it’s day 3 so I’m still working out who everyone is and where to get […]


text:
Hyperdimension Neptunia mk2 PS3 Game Gets Remake For PS Vita
posted on by Sarah Nelkin
Video game developer Compile Heart announced on Sunday at the Tokyo Game Show 2013 event that a PS Vita remake of its Chōjigen Game Neptune mk2 (Hyperdimension Neptunia mk2) video tentatively titled Re;Birth 2 is currently in production. In addition, Compile Heart revealed that more details about the upcoming Chō Megami Shinkō Noir: Gekishin Black Heart video game will be unveiled in the November issue of ASCII Media Works' Dengeki PlayStation magazine.
Compile Heart is releasing a PS Vita remake of its 2010 Hyperdimension Neptunia PlayStation 3 video game on October 31 titled Chōjigen Game Neptune Re;Birth 1. The regular version will cost 6,090 yen (about US$61), while the limited edition will cost 8,190 yen (US$82), and the downloadable version will cost 5,300 yen (US$53). The limited-edition version will bundle the "Bōken de Maru Maru Sarechau CD" drama CD and a Neptunia rubber strap. Those who pre-order the game will also receive the "Megumi-tachi ga Soine Shitekurechau CD" drama CD.
NIS America released the Hyperdimension Neptunia and Hyperdimension Neptunia mk2 games in North America, and it released Kami Jigen Game Neptune V as Hyperdimension Neptunia Victory in March. The first game anthropomorphizes the game console wars as female role-playing game characters.
Source: Dengeki Online


text:
There will be no LG G7 as LG ends G-series naming scheme
LG is purportedly planning to revamp the way it name its flagshipâ€“ nothing like â€œLG G7â€. In its place, the South Korean company will begin with a new naming scheme for its early 2018 flagship, according to a quote from an LG official.
The G-series began way back 2012 with Optimus G, a name that was shortened to LG G2 for the follow-up. And after four generations from G2, the G-Name will be miss.
The final name is yet to be decided. â€œNumbering the phone with a two-digit number and rebranding the phone with a new name are some of the options on the tableâ€.
What does that mean for the LG V30 successor? Nothing, if the LG decides to go with â€œLG G70â€ (two digits, same format as the current V-series), but that plants a gap – why is the LG V40 so much behind the G70?
Some think this is might be the reason behind LG’s desire for new names – numbers make the LG G7 look like an older generation compared to iPhone 8 or Galaxy S9. Such numerology might seems silly, but Samsung did skip the Galaxy Note6 for similar reasons and Microsoftâ€™s Xbox has been all over the place trying to chase Sonyâ€™s PlayStation.


text:
Sturk's Tobacconists owner Diane Chakim has refuted claims and reports that her business – which is the oldest tobacconist in the country – is closing down, saying that it is instead closing its physical store for the duration of the lockdown until policy clarity on tobacco trade in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic prevails.
Sturk's Tobacconists, which previously traded from a store on Cape Town's Greenmarket Square, was established over 200 years ago in 1793, and has since offered services including blended tobacco mixes for pipe smokers, cigar brands and accessories including rolling papers, cigar clippers and lighters.
The national lockdown, put in place to prevent the spread of the Covid-19 novel coronavirus, has also come with regulations banning the sale of cigarettes and tobacco products, a move which business formations and lobby groups have challenged as irrational.
The Cape Town business announced that it would close its physical store on the same week that the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria ruled the lockdown regulations as unconstitutional.
'Sturk's is alive and kicking'
Chakim said the decision to close the physical store did not mean the business was in financial dire straits. Rather, she did not see any sense in paying overhead costs and rent for a business which had not been operating for months.
"The physical address is closed. The physical store doesn't exist as Sturk's anymore. But Sturk's is not out of business. It is just waiting for lockdown and is just waiting for the end of lockdown. We are not in dire financial straits," said Chakim.
Chakim said the business would continue to operate, when permitted to, but would focus on the courier delivery of its products. She said Sturk's would make use of a sister business, Casa Tabacs at the Gardens Shopping Centre, for collections.
"Sturk's as the brand is alive and kicking. I will answer phone calls, SMSs and emails. I will take your orders and write them down and keep it. Your product order will be ordered, and you can collect it, or I will courier," Chakim said.
Chakim said she was not surprised that the lockdown regulations were ruled unconstitutional by the North Gauteng High Court, adding that the ban on tobacco has only prompted smokers to resort to getting cigarettes from the illicit market at irregularly high prices.
"The fact that it’s unconstitutional doesn't surprise me. From day one it made no sense whatsoever, regarding smoking. Alcohol made some sense, but while I know that smoking is bad for your health, you're not going to go on a rampage after smoking ten cigarettes," she said.
Briefing the media on Thursday afternoon after a Cabinet meeting on the same day, Minister in the Presidency Jackson Mthembu said Cabinet noted the High Court ruling and said government planned to take the ruling on appeal.
"We are of the view that another court might come to a different decision on the matter," said Mthembu, regarding the special Cabinet meeting which took place specifically to discuss the ruling.
Mthembu added that the appeal would happen at the North Gauteng High Court and could escalate to the Constitutional Court. He said, pending the appeal, the lockdown regulations remained in full effect.