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Price-conscious consumers took advantage of a declining gold price to boost Q3 demand. Demand for jewellery increased by 6% y-o-y, to 535.7t. India, China and several South-East Asian markets saw respectable y-o-y increases, while demand in Iran, Turkey and the UAE fell significantly.
After two consecutive quarters of y-o-y declines, Q3 saw jewellery demand in India grow by 10% to 148.8t. While demand was firm during the quarter – virtually in line with the five-year quarterly average of 147.5t – the y-o-y growth should be viewed in comparison to a relatively weak Q3’17. Demand suffered in the third quarter last year, as some purchases were brought forward into Q2 in anticipation of the new pan-India Goods & Services Tax. And in August 2017, gold jewellery retailers grappled with the extension of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and its application to the gems and jewellery sector.1
Q3’18 demand was boosted in early August when the local gold price dipped below Rs29,700/10g – the lowest level since January. This attracted bargain-hunting consumers who had been waiting for a good time to enter the market. Mid-August saw a sharp rise in the local gold price as the rupee depreciated against the US dollar. Outside the traditional festival and wedding season, demand eased towards the end of the month and into September. Jewellery demand was further dampened by the inauspicious period of Shraaddh (also known as Pitru Paksha), a time when gold purchases are put on hold.2
Q3 Kerala jewellery demand was impacted only marginally by floods. Heavy floods in the important gold-buying centre of Kerala during July and August negatively impacted gold demand; jewellers in the region reported muted sales during Onam.3 But demand was buoyed by marriages during the quarter, helping to offset the impact.
While the price dip in August was a helpful boost to the industry, it highlighted a structural challenge jewellers faces. Retailers’ main strategy to generating sales has been to compete on price. For example, offering price discounts or attractive gold-for-gold exchange programmes during festivals. While a few large, organised retailers have developed brands, little effort has been put into tailored marketing campaigns. As consumer tastes change, and competition from other product categories intensifies, the industry needs to ensure it develops products and marketing campaigns which meets potential consumers’ desires.
Chinese jewellery demand totalled 174.2t in Q3, a 10% increase over Q3’17. Demand benefitted from the Qixi and Mid-Autumn festivals that took place during the quarter but sales were lacklustre during the National Holiday week as people chose travel over shopping, especially those in tier 1 and 2 cities.
Jewellery sales during the Qixi festival (China’s equivalent of Valentine’s Day) were strong. Over recent years, retailers across all product categories have developed this festival as a buying occasion, a strategy that has proved especially effective amongst younger consumers. And despite the major annual jewellery fairs in Shenzhen and Hong Kong being slightly disrupted by Typhoon Mangkhut, several manufacturers reported healthy sales growth.
Extending the recent trend, retailers are becoming more adept at developing innovative products. 3D hard gold products again outperformed all other product segments. These appeal to retailers and consumers alike, providing high-margins to the former and contemporary designs to the latter. 24-carat demand – still the largest segment of the market – also saw a notable rise thanks to an evolving product mix, with a shift towards more premium pieces.4 Ultra-high purity products such as 9999s and 99999s (99.99% and 99.999% pure gold respectively) performed well, although demand appears to be limited.
Middle East and Turkey
Middle Eastern jewellery demand remained under pressure in the face of geopolitical stress, down 12% y-o-y to 37.7t. Iranian jewellery demand saw the largest fall in the region for the second consecutive quarter, down almost 60% y-o-y in Q3. Y-t-d, demand has shrunk by 36%, suffering under renewed economic sanctions and the steep decline in the rial. By contrast, VAT-exempt bars and coins benefited from a flight to safety. Please see the investment section for more detail.
A rising and volatile gold price during Q3 saw demand in Turkey slump 31% y-o-y. The trajectory of the gold price during the quarter, set against a backdrop of political and economic uncertainty, convinced consumers to remain on the sidelines. After spiking earlier in the year, local prices again jumped in mid-August to an intra-day high of TL273/g, when the lira fell to an all-time low against the US dollar . This prompted a wave of recycling rather than fresh jewellery (and investment) purchases. As high price volatility continued throughout Q3, jewellery buyers shied away from spending decisions.
Egypt stood out from the crowd with a 17% y-o-y rise in jewellery demand. This marked the third consecutive quarter of growth for a market that has struggled in recent years, although this is in comparison to a low base period. The increase in jewellery buying was due to continued improvements in the country’s economic situation. Stabilisation of the Egyptian pound – after a fall of over 1.5% in May – and consumers now accustomed to higher gold prices (which eased slightly in Q3), also benefitted gold.
Jewellery demand in the UAE and Saudi Arabia saw contrasting fortunes. In the UAE, jewellery demand fell to 6t (-13% y-o-y) as the market continued to feel the impact of the 5% VAT introduced last year, as well as a general economic downturn and fears over job security. Depreciation of the Indian rupee also affected demand from the important Indian expat community. The direction of jewellery demand in the UAE remains under question, particularly as some retailers registered losses for the first time. In Saudi Arabia, jewellery demand rose 7% y-o-y to 11.9t. As the riyal is pegged to the US dollar, local consumers were able to benefit fully from the falling gold price, while rising oil prices boosted their confidence.
Gold jewellery demand in the US remained buoyant, growing 4% to 28.3t in Q3. Economic confidence was high throughout the quarter, with the S&P 500 index rising by over 7%. This has helped boost discretionary spending on gold jewellery, especially plain yellow gold pieces. Retailers such as Tiffany’s and Signet have reported positive results in recent months, supporting a more optimistic outlook for the US jewellery market.
Europe-wide jewellery demand was little changed in the quarter, up 1% y-o-y to 12.7t. But a more mixed picture emerges at country-level. Both France and Italy experienced economic sluggishness, and the distraction of the World Cup in the former weighed on jewellery demand. In the UK, uncertainty around Brexit remained a drag on demand.
An uplift in jewellery demand was seen across east and south-east Asia. Growth in jewellery demand across all key Asian markets was a direct result of lower local gold prices during the quarter.
In Thailand, fears of further currency depreciation as well as a dip in the international gold price attracted bargain-hungry consumers, increasing jewellery demand by 12% to 3.1t. Gold buying was boosted by fears of further devaluation in the local currency, despite a small recovery in recent months. Jewellery demand grew 11% y-o-y in both Indonesia and Malaysia, driven principally by lower local gold prices, while fears of further falls in the rupiah supported safe-haven buying in Indonesia. In Vietnam, jewellery demand benefitted from lower gold prices, strong domestic growth and currency depreciation, rising 10% y-o-y.


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The latest sales figures for Apple and Samsung have been released, and they reveal some interesting trends in the smartphone market. According to the data, Apple sold 39.9 million iPhones in the second quarter of 2018, while Samsung sold 12.7 million smartphones year-over-year (YoY). In this article, we will take a closer look at these figures and what they mean for the two tech giants.
Apple’s Strong Performance
Apple’s sales figures for the second quarter of 2018 are impressive, with the company selling 39.9 million iPhones. This represents a 1% increase over the same period last year. The iPhone X was the best-selling model, with 16 million units sold, followed by the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus.
One of the reasons for Apple’s strong performance is the popularity of its higher-end models. The iPhone X, which starts at $999, has been a hit with consumers despite its high price tag. This suggests that consumers are willing to pay a premium for a high-quality smartphone with advanced features.
Another factor contributing to Apple’s success is its strong brand image. Apple has built a reputation for producing high-quality products that are reliable and easy to use. This has helped the company to build a loyal customer base that is willing to stick with the brand even when there are cheaper alternatives available.
Samsung’s sales figures, on the other hand, paint a different picture. The company sold 12.7 million smartphones YoY, which represents a 22% decline in sales. This is a significant drop, and it suggests that Samsung is struggling to compete in the smartphone market.
One of the reasons for Samsung’s decline in sales is increased competition from Chinese smartphone makers such as Huawei and Xiaomi. These companies are producing high-quality smartphones at lower prices, which is putting pressure on Samsung to lower its prices to remain competitive.
Another factor contributing to Samsung’s struggles is the lack of innovation in its recent smartphone releases. The Galaxy S9, which was released earlier this year, was criticized for being too similar to its predecessor, the Galaxy S8. This lack of innovation has made it difficult for Samsung to differentiate itself from its competitors and attract new customers.swedish 500m 650m september
The Importance of Innovation
The sales figures for Apple and Samsung highlight the importance of innovation in the smartphone market. Apple’s success can be attributed to its ability to innovate and introduce new features that set its products apart from the competition. The iPhone X, with its facial recognition technology and edge-to-edge display, is a prime example of this.
Samsung, on the other hand, has struggled to innovate in recent years. The Galaxy S9 was criticized for being too similar to the Galaxy S8, and the company has yet to introduce any groundbreaking new features that would set its products apart from the competition.
Innovation is crucial in the smartphone market because it allows companies to differentiate themselves from their competitors and attract new customers. Consumers are always looking for the latest and greatest technology, and companies that can deliver innovative products are more likely to succeed.
The Future of Apple and Samsung
The sales figures for Apple and Samsung suggest that both companies are facing different challenges in the smartphone market. Apple’s strong performance can be attributed to its ability to innovate and build a strong brand image, while Samsung’s struggles can be attributed to increased competition and a lack of innovation.
Looking ahead, it will be interesting to see how both companies respond to these challenges. Apple will need to continue to innovate and introduce new features to maintain its position as a market leader, while Samsung will need to find ways to differentiate itself from its competitors and attract new customers.
Overall, the smartphone market is highly competitive, and companies that can innovate and build strong brand images are more likely to succeed. Apple and Samsung are two of the biggest players in the market, and their sales figures provide valuable insights into the trends and challenges facing the industry.

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Our Say: Franchot's Report Dispels Myths of Shipping Wine
Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot brought a little cheer to wine enthusiasts this Christmas with his report that may finally open the door to out-of-state shipments of wine.
The report concludes that an end to this state's prohibition of wine shipments will not result in financial disaster to wholesalers and retailers and it will help Maryland wine producers.
The report now goes to the General Assembly for consideration.
While we are appreciative of Franchot's initiative, we are angry that it has taken this long to sort out the well-known truth in this battle between consumers and legislators who have been bullied for years by the liquor industry. Legislators, including county delegation chair Maryann Love, have swallowed the improbable predictions of liquor lobbyists who put the selfish business interests of their clients over the needs of Maryland consumers.
In fact, as the comptroller's study shows, competition would be negligible. The recommendation is to limit consumers to 12 cases a year and only include wine that comes directly from wine producers - out-of-state retailers still would be prohibited from shipping wine directly to consumers. Unfortunately, this prevents Maryland consumers from joining wine-of-the-month clubs, which are considered retailers. But the major benefactor are the consumers who visit wine regions, like Napa Valley, and want to ship back wines they can't find in Maryland - and there are many.
Franchot's report dispels the nagging myth that out-of-state wine shipments would put alcohol in the hands of minors. As we have argued countless times before, minors aren't interested in ordering wine and waiting at their doorsteps for days for it to arrive.
In fact, the report found that nearly 80 percent of serious underage drinkers prefer beer and that the average price of a shipped wine is $36. The conclusion in the report is an understatement: "Underage drinkers do not seem to fit the profile of a directed wine shipment customer."
Among the primary benefactors of change would be the struggling Maryland wine producers who also have been unable to ship their wines to customers in and out of the state.
Thirty-seven states allow wines to be shipped into their jurisdictions and for years Maryland consumers have had to send their wines for pick-up to friends and businesses in Washington and Virginia. These jurisdictions, according to the report, have not experienced the problems predicted by Maryland's liquor lobbyists nor have they seen any serious erosion in in-state sales or taxes. In short, this is not a big deal to the industry - but it is a big deal to consumers who have been unable to legally ship favorite wines.
With these myths now dispelled and the facts documented by the comptroller, we hope 2011 is the year this law is finally relaxed by the legislature. It's time for the consumers to win this argument.


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As the Olympic games in Rio this summer come to a close, we can reflect on a brilliant summer of sport, especially for team GB. But it isn’t just athletes competing for medals this summer.
Clear Books is delighted to have competed in the GetApp 2016 SaaS (software as a service) Summer Games.
GetApp describe the games as:
“The 2016 SaaS Summer Games pits the top players in the world of cloud business software against each other in a fight to the finish. The aim is to find out which is the strongest software in a series of different categories – or ‘events’ as we’re calling them. We’ll also discover which countries produce the greatest SaaS software, based on the average rating given by GetApp’s users.”
The idea is to celebrate the top vendors in the SaaS industry and give software buyers an insight into the most popular choices. Clear Books competed in the “Accounting Software” category.
We are excited to announce that we took the Accounting Software gold medal! Take a look at the article below:
We would like to thank all of the SME’s and accountants that use our software. Without your support and positive feedback, we wouldn’t have been nominated for the gold medal.
GetApp’s users have cheered on their favorite software and trash talked their least favorite solutions to help these Summer Games come together. So a big shout out should go to the fans, as well as all of the vendors who competed.


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The new cell phones of the series Mate 30 of Huawei, the company's flagship models, will be announced on September 18, but they may not have the Android operating system not even with its app store, Google Play, according to a spokesman for Google to the Reuters agency.
After the blockades and the complicated situation with the United States, Huawei could not have received the Google license to offer the official version of Android and its apps like Gmail, Google Maps and Google Photos.
[The batteries of the Huawei Mate 30 will be the most powerful of the company]
MVILES | How much has the user experience changed in the EMUI of Huawei?
A few days ago, the President's Government Donald Trump postpones the veto against the Chinese company for 90 days, which meant that it can continue doing business with American companies until November 19.
However, said postponement does not apply to new products, so the Huawei Mate 30 and Mate 30 Pro cannot be sold with Android.
Google may have requested a license from the Commerce Department so that the new equipment was exempt from the ban, but until now it is unknown that the request has been made.
Despite this, Huawei He is ready to present his models on September 18 in Munich, Germany, according to Reuters. However, It is unknown when they will go on sale and if they will carry the operating system that the manufacturer has been preparing: Harmony OS.
On the other hand, there is the possibility that Huawei You can use an open source version of Android without violating the US ban. Although this method will only apply to Europe upon payment of license. There is no license fee outside the old continent.
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- Shares of Industrial Finance Corporation of India (IFCI) plunged on Friday after the government exercised the option to convert Rs 923 crore worth of debentures into equity with immediate effect. Atul Kumar Rai, MD and CEO, IFCI, told NDTV Profit that the
German auto major Volkswagen today said it has appointed ex-Hyundai Motor India marketing and sales head Arvind Saxena as its Managing Director of passenger cars business in India.
Saxena will be based out of Mumbai and will be heading the Volkswagen Brand with responsibility for sales, after sales and marketing, the company said in a statement.
Commenting on the appointment, Volkswagen Group Sales India Pvt Ltd President and Managing Director Gerry Dorizas said Saxena's extensive experience in the Indian automotive sector will contribute towards the growth of the Brand.
Before joining Volkswagen, Saxena was heading the Sales and Marketing operations at Hyundai Motor India Ltd. he has nearly 30 years of experience in the automobile industry.


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It’s no secret that the fashion industry is in a state of flux. With so many brands struggling to stay afloat, it’s no wonder that startups are popping up left and right to try and help. One Austin-based startup, Daiwear, is doing just that – and they’ve recently raised $8 million to support their efforts. Daiwear is a platform that helps fashion brands connect with manufacturers, designers, and other service providers. In a time when so many brands are struggling to find their footing, Daiwear offers a much-needed lifeline. And with their recent injection of funding, they’re poised to make even more of an impact in the industry. In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at Daiwear and what they’re doing to support the fashion industry. From their funding to their platform and beyond, read on to learn more about this Austin-based startup
Austin-based startup raises $8 million to support the fashion industry
Fashion is one of the most important industries in the world. It is an $1.2 trillion industry that employs over 300 million people worldwide. The fashion industry is also one of the most polluting industries in the world, responsible for 10% of global carbon emissions.
As the fashion industry continues to grow, so does its impact on the environment. With this in mind, a group of entrepreneurs in Austin, Texas have started a new company that aims to help the fashion industry become more sustainable.
The company, called Sustainable Fashion Technologies, has raised $8 million from investors to support its mission. The company plans to use the money to develop new technologies that will help the fashion industry reduce its environmental impact.
Some of the technologies that Sustainable Fashion Technologies is working on include fabric made from recycled plastic bottles and a process for dying fabrics using less water and energy. The company is also working on a way to recycle textile waste back into usable fibers.
The goal of Sustainable Fashion Technologies is to make sustainable fashion more affordable and accessible to everyone. The company plans to do this by working with major retailers and brands to adopt its technologies.
So far, Sustainable Fashion Technologies has received support from some major players in the fashion industry, including VF Corporation (the parent company of North Face, JanSport, and Timberland) and PVH Corp (the parent company of Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger).
The startup’s goal is to make fashion more sustainable
As the fashion industry continues to grow, so does the need for sustainable practices. Austin-based startup Dazl is working to make fashion more sustainable by providing a platform for designers and brands to sell their products directly to consumers.
Dazl was founded in 2016 by former fashion industry insiders who saw the need for a more sustainable approach to fashion. The startup’s goal is to reduce waste and increase transparency in the fashion industry. To do this, they offer a marketplace for designers and brands to sell their products directly to consumers.
Dazl is one of several startups working to make the fashion industry more sustainable. Others include Fashion Revolution, an online platform that connects consumers with ethical brands, and Everlane, an online retailer that offers only ethically sourced products.
The need for sustainable fashion is only going to increase as the industry continues to grow. These startups are leading the way in making fashion more sustainable for everyone involved.
The money will be used to invest in new technology and create jobs
The money raised will be used to invest in new technology and create jobs within the fashion industry. This will include investing in new software that can help to streamline the design process, as well as investing in research and development of new fabrics and materials. In addition, the money will be used to create new jobs within the company, including positions in customer service, marketing, and product development.
What do they plan to do with the money?
Austin-based startup raises $ million to support the fashion industry. The company plans to use the money to expand its operations and continue its mission of helping people look their best Founded in 2014, Austin-based startup, DazieMa, is on a mission to help people look their best. The company has raised $ million to support the fashion industry. DazieMa plans to use the money to expand its operations and continue its mission. DazieMa is an online platform that helps people discover and buy clothing and accessories from independent designers and boutiques. The company offers a personal styling service, which includes a free online stylist consultation, and provides access to exclusive sales and discounts.
With the new funding, DazieMa plans to expand its team of stylists, add new features to its platform, and grow its customer base. The company will also continue to invest in its technology infrastructure and data science capabilities.DazieMa’s ultimate goal is to become the go-to destination for people who want to shop for unique, stylish clothing and accessories. By expanding its operations and continuing its mission, the company hopes to make a positive impact on the fashion industry as a whole.
What does this mean for the fashion industry?
In recent years, the fashion industry has experienced a major shift. With the rise of fast fashion, many brands have been forced to move away from traditional methods of production and move towards a more mass-produced, fast-paced model in order to keep up with consumer demand. However, this has come at the expense of quality, as well as the environment and the workers who are employed by these brands.
Now, Austin-based startup Rivet is looking to change all that. The company has just raised $8 million in seed funding to support its mission of helping fashion brands move away from fast fashion and back towards sustainable methods of production. Rivet does this by providing software that helps brands track their supply chains, communicate with suppliers, and manage their inventory. In other words, it makes sustainable fashion easier for brands to produce and for consumers to buy.
This is a welcome development for the fashion industry, which has been struggling to find its footing in recent years. With Rivet’s help, hopefully more brands will be able to make the switch to sustainable practices and begin to reverse the damage that has been done by fast fashion.
This is good news for the Austin startup scene and for the fashion industry as a whole. With this new infusion of cash, the company will be able to continue its mission of supporting fashion designers and helping them grow their businesses. We’re excited to see what they’ll do next and we’ll be following their progress closely.


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Substack made email newsletters buzzy — and controversial. Then Twitter bought a Substack competitor and launched its own version. Now it’s Facebook’s turn: The social network is prepping its take on subscription newsletters with something called Bulletin. It’s aiming for a launch at the end of June.
Like its competitors, Bulletin is a simple proposition: Find a writer you like who covers something you’re interested in, sign up and receive a regular stream of content in your inbox. Some version of it will be free, and there will also be a paid option at some point.
And the Facebook twist on the product is … Facebook. Specifically, Facebook’s massive reach, with 2.85 billion users worldwide, and its ability to target and segment people who might be receptive to reading and paying for a newsletter that covers topics they’re interested in.
“They are pitching their ability to find communities at scale,” says a writer who has talked to Facebook about joining Bulletin. A Facebook rep declined to comment.
But while Facebook will use Facebook to market Bulletin, the product itself will live outside of Facebook. If you click on a Bulletin link while you’re on Facebook’s app, you’ll open up a new browser window where you can read the story or sign up for the newsletter.
People working on the project say that design is partially an attempt to distinguish Bulletin’s brand from Facebook — particularly at a time when readers and writers may distrust the company — and partially an effort to evade the 30 percent tax that Apple and Google levy on in-app subscription sign-ups and other transactions.
Bulletin is also, for now, an attempt to prove that people want to read stuff they don’t or can’t find on Facebook. At launch, at least, Bulletin will be limited to dozens of writers Facebook is recruiting and paying (we stopped debating whether Facebook is a media company a long time ago, but just in case you were wondering, hiring journalists to write news is something a media company does). And Facebook is deliberately trying to avoid political (read: divisive and popular) writers and subjects on Bulletin.
It’s a clear distinction between Substack, which is often associated with bomb-throwers like Glenn Greenwald, and Facebook itself, where conservative provocateurs like Ben Shapiro, Dan Bongino, and Sean Hannity thrive.
Instead, the first batch of Bulletin writers will include people covering topics like sports, fashion, and the environment, as well as a group of writers covering local news. Facebook has previously said it would steer at least $5 million to “support local journalists interested in starting or continuing their work” on Bulletin.
Facebook knows that convincing writers to join a Facebook news project in 2021 isn’t a slam dunk — not after Facebook has built a track record for starting news initiatives, then moving on from them (see: Instant Articles, Facebook Live, etc.). So it is offering writers two-year deals — with an option for the writer to opt out after the first year — to convince them that it’s serious about this effort. Substack, by comparison, offers some writers a “Substack Pro” advance that covers their first year on the platform.
I don’t know if Facebook is offering writers the chance to make money from subscription sales on top of the payouts it’s offering, but the company has previously suggested that it wouldn’t take a cut of subscription revenue writers generate. Substack takes 10 percent of its writers’ subscription fees, and Twitter’s Revue takes 5 percent. All three companies are telling writers they can take their list of email subscribers with them if they leave.
In any event, even if this project really does take off, it won’t be material for Facebook, which still makes almost all of its money from ads, and generated $9.5 billion in profit in the first 3 months of 2021 alone. But it is putting some resources — a lot for a normal company, not so much for one worth more than $900 billion — into the launch. One source familiar with the company tells me it paid more than $6 million to purchase the Bulletin.com URL this year.
Bulletin does sync with CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s new and public interest in supporting the “creator economy,” which he talked about when he unveiled Facebook’s plans to build out a suite of audio products, including a podcast player and a Clubhouse clone. Facebook may eventually tie all of those together with Bulletin, so a writer could add members-only recordings or live events to their subscription offerings. (Worth noting: Facebook’s Instagram is now mulling its own subscription business.)
And if Bulletin — and Substack, and other versions of newsletters run by individuals or small groups of writers — takes off and sticks around, it will give journalists another way to make a living. And how you view that prospect may depend on the way you view established news outlets, which are trying to figure out how to sustain their businesses and retain their most promising journalists: It’s either a threat or an inevitability.
Facebook’s date with Europe
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Facebook buys studio behind Roblox-like Crayta gaming platform
Facebook has been making plenty of one-off virtual reality studio acquisitions lately, but today the company announced that they’re buying something with wider ambitions — a Roblox-like game creation platform.
Facebook shared that they’re buying Unit 2 Games, which builds a platform called Crayta. Like some other platforms out there, it builds on top of the Unreal Engine and gives users a more simple creation interface teamed with discovery and community features. Crayta has cornered its own niche pushing monetization paths like Battle Pass seasons, giving the platform a more Fortnite-like vibe as well.
Unit 2 has been around for just over three years, and Crayta launched just last July. Its audience has likely been limited by the studio’s deal to exclusively launch on Google’s cloud-streaming platform Stadia, though it’s also available on the Epic Games Store as of March.
The title feels designed for the lightweight nature of cloud-gaming platforms, with users able to share access to games just by linking other users, and Facebook seems keen to use Crayta to push forward their own efforts in the gaming sphere.
“Crayta has maximized current cloud-streaming technology to make game creation more accessible and easy to use. We plan to integrate Crayta’s creation toolset into Facebook Gaming’s cloud platform to instantly deliver new experiences on Facebook,” Facebook Gaming VP Vivek Sharma wrote in an announcement post.
The entire team will be coming on as part of the acquisition, though financial terms of the deal weren’t shared.
Facebook Ready to Commit to Clear Advertisement Data Access for Partners: French Watchdog
US social media giant Facebook has offered to commit to providing its partners with clear and objective conditions of access to advertising inventories and advertisement campaign data, France’s antitrust authority said on Thursday following an investigation.
Facebook’s proposed commitments followed a complaint by French online advertising group Criteo, which pointed to its withdrawal from the Facebook Marketing Partner (FMP) scheme in 2018 and alleged the US giant’s practices constituted denigrating conduct.
FMPs are part of a group of more than 100 technology providers that offer advertisers services to improve their online advertisement campaigns, the watchdog said.
To obtain FMP status, companies undergo a selection process and are compelled to abide by certain rules. In return, Facebook allows them to use some of its services.
The watchdog’s investigation found that Facebook’s practices were “likely” to impair access to advertising inventories and advertisement campaign data on Facebook.
It also underlined a lack of transparency and objectivity in the way applications to become an FMP are treated.
In response to this early probe, Facebook offered to maintain objectivity, clarity, and non-discrimination around the performance criteria required of FMPs, and offer regular compliance training to sales teams, the watchdog said.
Facebook is ready to make these commitments, which the antitrust authority submitted for public consultation until July 5, for a three-year period. The commitments only apply to companies that target French users of Facebook and Instagram.
Facebook did not immediately reply to a request seeking comment.
Criteo said it would review Facebook’s commitments over coming weeks.
“We are encouraged by Facebook’s commitments around maintaining an objective and non-discriminatory partner programme,” it said.
© Thomson Reuters 2021


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When it comes to reviving drowned cellphones, kiosks may hold the answer.
From prosthetic limbs to organ replacement, the possibilities for 3-D printers seem endless, yet one area 3-D printing is about to explode is in the manufacturing business. This is particularly true in toy manufacturing with PieceMakers’ new 3-D printing kiosk called the PieceMaker Factory.
Paul Price, CEO of marketing technology company Creative Realities, will offer ICX Summit attendees his expert insights and real-world examples for putting the 'wow factor' into the customer experience.
Dispensing bills greatly increases the complexity of the device and the logic required by your kiosk application in order to gracefully complete a cash transaction.
From beacons to bitcoin, these technologies are poised to make a major impact on self-service in the coming months.
In the second part of this two-part series I'll cover a couple of cool options for persistent local storage in the Web browser. In part one I covered the benefits of caching data locally on a kiosk, the sort of data you'll want to cache and some helpful tips for caching.
In the first part of this two-part series we'll cover the benefits of caching data locally on a kiosk, the sort of data you'll want to cache and some helpful tips.
Is there a way to strike a balance – a way to effectively utilize new technology and enhance the consumer experience, all the while blazing a technological trail?
Scalable design doesn't happen by accident -- it requires careful planning and an upfront time investment.
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How kiosks have enabled the Halle Heart Children’s Museum in Tempe, Arizona, to open wide its doors to the public.
Touchscreen digital signage provider FlatFrog demonstrated at this year's InfoComm in Orlando, Florida, what it says is "the world's first" mass production commercially ready InGlass Touch for large-format displays (23-110 inches), according to the company's website.
Audio and video solutions and accessories provider Peerless‐AV showcased a wide variety of its products at this year's InfoComm in Orlando, Florida, at its Daytona 500‐themed booth.
Touch-sensor developer visualplanet has released its latest touchfoil, which will allow manufacturers to create multitouch screens for kiosks.
SanDisk Corp., a global provider of flash storage solutions, has introduced its new SanDisk Z400s SSD, a cost-effective solid-state drive designed to replace hard-disk drives in computing platforms and embedded applications such as digital signage.
New range of kiosks aimed at providing range of benefits, from enhancing customer shopping experiences to increasing operational efficiencies in the supply chain.
Digital signage kiosk is designed to be rugged enough for deployment in busy public settings such as malls, larger retailers, airports, campuses and convention centers, with a Corning Gorilla Glass protective face, IP66 waterproofing and rugged structural materials, the company said.
Brightbox Inc., platform provider of secure mobile device recharging solutions, has rolled out its Mark3 charging stations at British Airways' Galleries Lounge in Terminal 7 at JFK Airport in New York City.
Oti, a near field communication provider, has released their CONNECT 3000 which will allow kiosk operators to easily communicate from machine to machine.
Hughes Network Systems LLC, a global provider of broadband satellite solutions and services, has been awarded a contract by the Texas Department of Information Resources for data communications and networking equipment and related services, including digital signage and touchscreen kiosks.
The strategic partnership will offer US consumers quick, easy and safe bill pay options at kiosks nationwide, the companies say.
The FES8680 contains a Mini-ITX motherboard that utilizes the fourth-generation Haswell processor, according to the company, and is designed to consume very little power.
Bitcoin ATM company Robocoin has released a software development kit that it says allows any ATM or kiosk to be modified to accept and dispense bitcoins.
Digital signage, kiosk and POS computing technology provider AOPEN's new Media Engine MEP320 media player has been certified by digital signage software vendor Telelogos, according to an announcement from AOPEN.
The Fuel Rewards kiosks, rolling out in participating Shell stations nationwide, allow Shell customers to join the Fuel Rewards program and activate their Fuel Rewards cards quickly and easily.
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Merkur Spielbanken exclusively chose JCM printers for its new casino in Sachsen-Anhalt, Germany. Additionally, JCM will also install its iVIZION bill validator.


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The successful Trade Related Assistance and Quality Enabling Programme (TRAQUE) implemented by the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MOTI) and funded by the European Union (EU) has ended amid pomp and pageantry at commemoration event in Accra.
The Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry Designate, Hon. Robert Ahomka Lindsay was full of praise for the European Union with their support and urged all the various institutions and beneficiaries of the TRAQUE Programme to make good of the support they have received.
Since its inception in 2011, the TRAQUE Programme has undertaken various interventions in strengthening the trade and quality sector in Ghana. With a mandate of supporting the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MOTI) in private sector development, trade facilitation and capacity building; the success of the Programme has seen it veer into provision of support for safety and quality institutions as well.
Over the past 5 years, state institutions under the auspices of the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Ministry of Food and Agriculture and the Ministry of Health have received assistance from the Programme. These beneficiaries presented success stories and the impact of the various grants and equipment TRAQUE supplied them
TRAQUE chalked numerous successes like:
• TRAQUE refurbished the Physico-Chemical Laboratory of the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) and supplied it with state-of-the-art equipment. Tests for mycotoxins in food, Sudan dyes in palm oils and veterinary drug residues in meat products have increased at the laboratory after the support
• TRAQUE funded the Crops Services Directorate of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) to develop a farmers’ manual on the Green Label Certification Scheme. This support also included training of 400 fruit and vegetable farmers in the Eastern and Greater Accra Regions of Ghana to improve their knowledge on the correct use of pesticides, traceability and waste management.
• TRAQUE has supported the National Board for Small Scale Industries (NBSSI) in addressing basic food safety and quality in the production process of Small and Medium scale Enterprises in order to make them competitive. This has increased the opportunity for the products of some of these SMEs to be accepted by formal institutions and supermarkets in Ghana.
• TRAQUE has supported the Metrology Department at the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) with equipment worth 3 million Euros to improve calibration in the country. Similar support has also been given to the Institute of Industrial Research (IIR). TRAQUE identifies the importance of calibration therefore its support in ensuring that measurements in the country are accurate and traceable to international standards; the ultimate result is that products and services in the country shall be of high quality.
• TRAQUE has provided training support to the Plant Protection and Regulatory Services Directorate (PPRSD) to improve their knowledge on modern trends on European Union (EU) plant health regime. The Directorate has also been supplied with equipment for pest and disease diagnosis in order to help lift the ban on some vegetables exports place by the EU.
• TRAQUE has trained 200 mango farmers in the Northern, Upper East, Brong Ahafo and the Ashanti Regions of Ghana on Good Agricultural Practices in order to facilitate their access to international markets. These trainings have improved their knowledge on modern handling of pests and diseases, irrigation, crop management and pruning in mango farming.
• TRAQUE has supported the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MOTI) to develop a National Quality Policy for Ghana. This will strengthen Ghana’s ability to establish and continually improve the quality of goods and services produced in the country. It will enhance the capabilities of Ghanaian firms to effectively trade both in the domestic and international market.
• TRAQUE funded the Foreign Relations Division at the Ministry of Trade and Industry to draft an Accompanying Measures Strategy for the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA). It identifies and prioritizes projects and programmes which best enable Ghana to maximize the EPA benefits.


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- In December 2018, Plus Products finalized the acquisition of GOOD CO-OP to further cement its leadership position within the California cannabis-infused edibles field
- Through the acquisition, Plus will gain quick access to the baked edibles market – one of the most rapidly growing niches in the space
- The CAGR of cannabis-infused baked goods for the coming five years is forecast at 14.12 percent, and the overall edibles market is expected to exceed $3 billion
Plus Products Inc. (CSE: PLUS) announced in December 2018 that it had finalized the acquisition of GOOD CO-OP Inc. – a California-based cannabis-infused baked goods brand. This acquisition is expected to enable Plus to solidify its top position in the edibles field (http://nnw.fm/572iG).
The acquisition is valued at approximately C$2.03 million and will be satisfied through the issuance of 357,464 restricted subordinate voting shares of Plus.
Currently, Plus ranks as the leading edibles brand in California, and its primary focus is within one of the largest edibles categories – gummies. Through the acquisition of GOOD CO-OP, Plus gains a strategic advantage in that it can enter a second rapidly-growing category, that of baked goods.
In 2018, the baked goods category accounted for approximately 13 percent of the cannabis-infused edibles market. Cannabis-infused edibles represent the most rapidly-evolving product category in the cannabis field. The market is projected to reach volumes ranging from $3 billion-$5 billion in the next five years, which would represent an overall increase of 130 percent (http://nnw.fm/4OIhe).
The five-year CAGR of baked goods is one of the highest in the industry at 14.12 percent. Sugar candies and gummies are also projected to grow significantly over the coming five years, at a CAGR of 15.94 percent.
Plus Products already has a well-established market position that could promote fast growth in the years to come. In Q3 2018, the company ranked as the number one edible brand in California (http://nnw.fm/oZd1k). According to the ranking, the two best-selling branded products are PLUS Sour Watermelon Gummies and PLUS Blackberry and Lemon Gummies, according to BDS Analytics and Headset retail sales data analysis. These two products have scored top positions across all categories in California, including flower, vaporizer, edible and topical products.
“We grew PLUS into the top edibles company in California by leading with our product. We have focused on manufacturing consistent, high quality edibles that resonate with consumers,” Plus CEO Jake Heimark said in a news release. The year of 2018 was a big one for Plus, and the company continues to strive to expand its portfolio and broaden its geographic reach moving forward, Heimark added.
In his words, the acquisition of GOOD CO-OP accelerates the company’s entry into the baked edibles field. It will help solidify the company’s market position even further. According to Heimark, Plus is committed to becoming the largest edibles brand across all legal jurisdictions.
GOOD CO-OP is a premium edibles brand that focuses predominantly on the creation of delicious cannabis-infused brownies and other baked goods. Taste and flavor profiles are two of the brand’s primary concerns, which is why GOOD CO-OP does not use additives or preservatives.
The GOOD CO-OP product portfolio includes bite-size brownies and pumpkin spice blondies, among other products. These have been featured in various reputable media like Vice Magazine, Fortune and Eater.
For more information, visit the company’s website at www.PlusProducts.com
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Dealership chain Lithia Motors Inc. has stopped selling Infinitis at its Johnston, IA, outlet near Des Moines.
Nissan North America Inc.'s Infiniti luxury division wanted the dealership to invest about $2 million for a facility expansion. Lithia declined.
“It came down to a business decision,” general manager Brad Pietzsch tells the Des Moines Register.
The dealership sold about 240 Infinitis a year. It also sells Acura, Volkswagen and Audi brands. Medford, OR-based Lithia bought the store last year from Jordan Motors.
Infiniti is expected to find another dealership in the Des Moines area.


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CADBURY has been blasted over an Easter egg packed with more sugar than a child should eat in 17 days.
The Dairy Milk Crunchie Ultimate Chocolate (570 grams) contains 330g of sugar.
Public Health England says four to six year olds should have up to 19g a day.
Those aged seven to ten should only eat 24g and adults less than 30g.
A Maltesers Crunchy Egg (496g) and its treats contain 272g of sugar.
A third of under-15s are overweight or obese.
The National Obesity Forum said: “These eggs are a real risk to health.”
The British Obesity Society said consumption advice on the products was aimed at male adults.
Cadbury owner Mondelez and Mars Wrigley, which makes the Maltesers egg, said both were intended for sharing and to be eaten over time.


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ECSU alumnus enjoys cybersecurity career
By Kesha Williams
If you thought you’d learned all you need to know about your smartphone, stand by. New services and features loaded on an array of mobile devices are just over the horizon.
ECSU alumnus, Dr. Timothy Summers, says we are approaching the decade when smart phones will routinely be used in place of credit cards to purchase meals, services and goods. By day, Summers is director of Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Engagement at the University of Maryland. There, he teaches courses and conducts research related to cybersecurity. Summers is also president of Summers & Company, a cyber strategy and organizational design consulting firm.
Last year, he earned a doctoral degree from the Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University. It completed a long trail of study that began with middle school age computer hacking incidents and later courses at ECSU that he fondly recalls. Fortunately, the technology boom occurred as Summers was advancing from those formative years at ECSU. From there he moved to Carnegie Mellon University where he completed a master’s degree in information security policy and management. He has served as a consultant to Fortune 500 companies worldwide. Now, he juggles a hectic schedule of teaching, researching, and steady stream of public speaking engagements. Asked if he anticipated cybersecurity becoming such a hot topic, he said yes.
“I’ve appeared on a number of networks, CNBC, FOX, a Canadian TV business news network and a few others. I’ve also been a guest speaker at large bank conferences, academic institutions and government agencies because people are still learning about the implications of sharing so much data over the internet,” Summers said. “Media allows you to interact with a general public audience but reach a very specialized group of people who speak the language of hackers and cybersecurity professionals.”
Summers often gives the general public tips on internet safety measures. Other invitations come from banks, mortgage companies and retailers who store large volumes of customer information who bare the responsibility of protecting that information. Add to the equation the 64 percent of Americans the Pew Research Center reports who use smart phones and they conduct personal financial management transactions. Whether they are exchanging email messages, images with family and friends or shopping online, data is frequently traveling across the internet. In some cases, that data is at risk of being stolen and misused by thieves. It’s all led to a sense of urgency.
“Some sense of urgency has existed since the 70s especially in the case of research institutions and government agencies who knew they had to protect their research projects,” Summers said. “People like Steve Jobs and Bill Gates are credited with commercializing computers that led to the mass public use we see today.”
Summers says people need not think this technology surge will end. Instead, he suggests we keep alert and continue learning. The public has already witnessed the development of thin mobile phones followed by larger screen phones and a return to thick body devices. All of the design changes were part of an effort to help the public become familiar with mobile devices.
He says young people who are curious and determined to learn, will find future job descriptions won’t be limited to cyber security. They will find jobs related to security system designs, software development, architecture, mathematics and data science. Summers also recommends consumers learn more about precautions that have been necessary for online merchants over the last decade.
“While individuals haven’t seen as many instances of computer hacking as healthcare companies, retailers and banks, it can happen. Realize that social networking sites capture large pools of users who are often exchanging data about themselves,” Summers said.
That information, he warned, could eventually appeal to hackers who decide to prey on individuals. In the meantime, he advises us to keep alert of new developments and never think the learning process is over.
*This feature story is one of many in a series of stories that spotlight ECSU alumni.
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A Swedish company called People of Lava came out ahead in the race to deliver the world's first fully interactive Internet TV in Europe. The "Scandinavia," as it's being called, boasts a Full-HD LED displays and runs on Google's Android platform.
"Think of it as a device that provides all the functionality that you would expect from an Android smartphone, combined with the quality and definition you demand of a high-end Full-HD LED TV set," says Christian Svantesson, co-founder and CEO of People of Lava.
The multifunctional TV set will include a variety of Android TV apps, including YouTube, Google Maps, Weather, Time, Calendar, and Internet Browser. Users will also be able to send and receive email, browse to social networking sites, and download additional apps from an upcoming app store
A 42-inch version of the Scandinavia will be available in September, with 47-inch and 55-inch models to follow.
It took three firms working together to jointly develop an LED street lamp that doesn't require electricity from the grid, instead drawing energy from the sun.
Dubbed "Super CaLeCS Toki," the street lamp generates power by using photovoltaic (PV) cells and then stores the electricity in an electric double layer capacitor (EDLC) made by Nippon Chemi-Con. The EDLC contains 240 cells with a winding structure, a rated voltage of 2.5V, and a capacitance of 2,300F. By combining the capacitor with PV cells, the company claims the street lamp can stay lit for 14 continuous hours.
Stanley Electric provided the LED unit, which is comprised of two LED lamps with a power consumption of 15W. The company also tapped into technology used for automotive headlights to enhance the weather resistant nature of the LED unit.
And a third company, Tamura, contributed a newly-developed voltage control scheme called "maximum-efficiency tracking algorithm." Tamura says its power supply controller can charge the capacitor in about two hours in clear weather conditions, or six hours in rainy or overcast skies.
Take a survey of all of your electronics, whether in the computer room or your living room, and you'll likely notice a whole bunch of blue LEDs. Now commonplace, the cost of these little lights might soon be going up.
Citing sources within the LED chip market, DigiTimes says manufacturers are thinking about increasing the ASP (average selling prices) by 10 percent. The reason? The recent surge in demand for LED backlighting has put the squeeze on upstream suppliers who are unable to ship materials on schedule.
In addition to higher prices, Lee Biing-jye, chairman of LED chip maker Epistar, says this year's worst shortage of LEDs will come in the second quarter. He didn't offer up any specific numbers, but current supply is already about 30-40 percent short of demand.
The continued shortage might also be a reason why Samsung is considering lowering its shipment goal for LED-backlit TVs.
Asus today added four new models to its Designo Series, including the MS248, MS238, MS228, and MS208. All four boast an eco-friendly, ultra-slim design with 16.5mm profiles and range in size from 20 inches to 20.3 inches.
On the lower end, the MS208 sports a 1600 x 900 screen resolution with a 5ms response time. The other three up the ante to a 1920 x 1080 resolution and a faster 2ms response time. The MS228 adds an HDMI audio-out port, while the MS238 and MS248 also include an earphone jack (for HDMI only).
Asus says all four units are easy on the environment, thanks in large part eschewing bulbs in favor of mercury-free LED backlit panels. According to Asus, the LED monitors reduce energy consumption levels by 45 percent, enough to reduce annual CO2 emissions by 23.6kg per year, the equivalent of planting 1.9 trees that can contribute two years worth of oxygen for a family of four.
Like it or not, 3D is destined for your living room, and there's a race to get there first (just ask Panasonic and Best Buy). But how much can you expect to plunk down on a fancy new 3D television set?
Samsung answered that question today by announcing the availability and pricing info for its next-generation lineup of LED HDTVs, including several 3D-capable units. The least you can expect to pay for 3D, at least for a Samsung set, is $2,000, which buys you a 40-inch HDTV. Pricing goes up from there, all the way to $7,000 for a 55-inch set due out in April.
"Our commitment to innovation has always been strong. We’re not only delivering elegant design and eco-friendly energy consumption, but we’re adding a new dimension to superior home entertainment through a broad lineup of 3D LED TVs," said John Revie, vice president of Home Entertainment for Samsung Electronics America. "We are passionate about this year’s LED TV lineup as we once again raise the bar on technology innovation by delivering a superior TV experience and leadership in the HDTV space."
While Samsung announced 27 new models in all, 8 of them will come with built-in 3D (C7000, C8000, and C9000 series). All of these include Samsung's Real240Hz refresh rate technology and are compatible with major 3D format standards, the company said.
See here for a full list of details and new models.
LED manufacturers are having a tough time keeping up with demand, says market research iSuppli, who warns that the market might be on the verge of a shortage.
"It is clear that demand is outstripping supply," said Jagdish Rebello, senior director and principal analyst for wireless research at iSuppli. "With LED market growth forecasted to rise by double-digit percentages for at least the next three years, including 2010, a drastic undersupply situation could occur this year unless additional capacity is brought online to meet the increased demand."
The shortage mostly applies to LED LCD TVs, which employ anywhere from 300 to 500 LEDs per panel. Notebooks use about 50 LEDS, while monitors require about 100 LEDs.
"On the demand side, the shortage is being spurred by strong consumer desire, given the growing popularity of LED-backlit LCD TVs due to their super-slim form factors and improvements in pictures quality," said Sweta Dash, senior director for LCD research at iSuppli.
Still, LED manufacturers have a little bit of wiggle room, but not much. Total consumption of LEDs climbed to 63 billion units in 2009, up from 57 billion in 2008, while the industry's total capacity sits at about 75 billion.
Super bright LED flashlights are already pretty awesome, but slap an integrated video recorder into the mix and it's all over, man. This might be the coolest gadget James Bond never had.
It's called the LED Spy Light HD. The HD nomenclature might be a little ambitious, but you can shoot video in 1,280 x 960 at 30fps. You can also snap photos of your nemesis' secret plans in 1,600 x 1,200, And if all that weren't enough, there's also a voice recorder tossed into the mix.
The Spy Light doesn't come with any internal memory, but you're welcome to shove your own SD/SDHC card into the Spy Light.
OLED displays are widely accepted to provide some of the best image quality money can buy. The problem is that it does take a lot of money to buy them. The current generation of manufacturing tech means that small OLEDs, like the one found on the Nexus One, are really at the upper limit of cost effectiveness. A start up called Kateeva wants to change that. They are developing a system for printing OLED displays.
Kateeva’s manufacturing process has been shown to be capable of printing 1.8 by 1.5 meter OLED displays. They estimate the costs to be roughly 60% of current methods. Don’t get too excited yet. The OLED printer is set to be tested by display manufacturers next year. Just imagine, in a few short years you may be tossing out your tired old plasma or LCD HDTV and buying an OLED version.
We love finding uses for old hardware seeing as we go through so much of it. The hard drive clock is a classic. We’ve seen it, and like it, but it’s getting old. However, one intrepid modder at the Hacked Gadgets site has reaffirmed our faith in the concept of the hard drive clock.
The modder, known as NatureTM, created a clock made from a still spinning hard drive. The hands are actually created by a single line of LEDs in the spinning platter. With mad scientist level math skills, NatureTM programmed the controller to flash at intervals to make it appear that there were moving hands on the clock. He used an open hardware prototyping platform called Arduino to control the time display.
NatureTM plans to release code at some point. So before you know it you’ll be ruining hard drives trying this yourself. Hit the jump to check out the full video.
Bill Watkins, the ex-Seagate CEO who served 12 years with the hard drive maker, jumps out of the unemployment line to serve as CEO of LED lighting company Bridgelux. Not by accident, Watkins has been researching green technologies ever since cutting ties with Seagate and became fascinated with the LED sector.
"There's a $100 billion opportunity, a whole new disruptive technology with LEDs, and an installed base that owns the market but doesn't have good solutions. You don't see that very often, but that's how new technology can make an impact," Watkins said this week.
Watkins is thinking on a global scale with his new position and said he plans to help his company grow by developing its manufacturing and expanding internationally, CNet reports.
"The whole world is basically going to embrace this technology," Watkins added.


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Dubbed ‘the biggest phenomenon to hit the Internet in the coming year,’ a new online platform created by a Manchester entrepreneur has netted £1m of investment.
Wakelet, based in Spinningfields, has won the approval of several high-profile backers, including the original publishers of Angry Birds.
Founded by Jamil Khalil, a former Airbus employee, Wakelet organises links to articles, videos and images into collections called Wakes.
The free visual content platform helps people, businesses and academic institutions organise their online information so it is easier to find and share content.
The latest investment will help take Wakelet to the mass market with a campaign around the theme ‘the humans are coming’, a nod to the company’s vision of empowering people to organise on-line information to make it more personal to users.
But far from trying to compete with the likes of Google, Facebook and Twitter - Wakelet claims to compliment what is already out there by allowing users to collate information.
The site allows users to create Wakes around a range of themes or topics including research, hobbies and events from revision guides to Xfactor contestant profiles.
Khalil, who studied Aerospace Business Systems at University of Salford, explains: “Wakelet starts where web search ends.
"As smart as computers and search engines might be in indexing the web, they can only ever do part of what’s needed to organise information.
"We need a better way, a way that’s focused around humans, so we created Wakelet to put control back into the hands of people who ultimately use the web.
"We empower people to organise their own personalised web in a more meaningful and visual way."
The foundations of Wakelet began in 2011 while Khalil was working for Airbus, a global leader in aerospace and defence.
He said: "I have always had this desire to lead a business. I started building this site with a few friends but it was difficult to attract investment."
Later that year he appealed to like-minded local software developers via LinkedIn to help develop Wakelet for a return in the company.
With a product built, renewed interest came from investors and three years on Wakelet has attracted thousands of users and employs 11 staff at its Manchester city centre base.
And it is starting to create a stir, having raised £1m from mainly UK based angel investors but also receiving backing in America.
Speaking of the latest investment the founder said: "I have had to fight for it for three years so it is nice to now be in this position and it is a very fair deal, but we have lots of work ahead of us.“The plan is to now make more people aware of this in Manchester, across the UK and around the world."
And the headquarters are firmly set in the region as Khalil continues to prove the UK can compete with America when it comes to digital innovation.
"We want to be based in Manchester. A lot of people have told us to leave the UK and to go to other places but we want to make it happen here. This doesn’t meant that we will not have offices in other places if everything goes to plan"
Describing his determination after growing up in Moss Side, he added: "I have always been interested in technology and I have always wanted to make a difference."
"Growing up in that area was pretty tough, but I now see it as a blessing, it has given me the drive, energy and persistence to pursue my dreams."
Now Chris Byatte and Joe Wee, original publishers of the addictive app Angry Birds have predicted big things for the Manchester company.
"Wakelet takes web and mobile organisation to an entirely new level of personalisation and collaborative sharing” says Joe, “It is genuinely useful, and the user interface is beautiful."
While Chris predicted: "Mass adoption of this disruptive platform will be the biggest phenomenon to hit the Internet in the coming year."


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There are blockchain applications in most business sectors, and financial services is increasingly becoming more involved in blockchain. At a fundamental level, the nature of banking means it is well suited to blockchain applications in terms of its core values – cross-border payments, share dealing, and providing the means for customers to buy things. Banks are also concerned with identity, security, and contracts, which are three areas that blockchain technology can also manage.
Here are just five examples of blockchain applications in financial services.
Bain & Company partners with top banks to launch Voltron
US-based, Big Three management consulting firm Bain & Company has partnered with several leading finance and technology brands to launch a new blockchain platform called Voltron.
Bain & Company says that the Voltron platform has been designed to help banks leverage commercially viable blockchain solutions that benefit their customers. The launch is also aimed at increasing the security of transactions, with the goal to make transacting letters of credit intent more efficient.
Voltron is described as an open platform for documentary trade, targeting production on R3’s Corda Enterprise blockchain platform.
It will also allow corporate customers to connect with their banks and trading partners via a single, simplified channel, allowing for both the issuance of letters of credit and presentation and the exchange of documents across an open network.
Bangkok Bank, BNP Paribas, CTBC Holding, HSBC, ING, NatWest, SEB, Standard Chartered, and CryptoBLK are partners in the development of Voltron.
Top EU banks partner with we.trade to facilitate international trade
The digital platform we.trade is built on the IBM blockchain and allows for real-time trade settlement. It features know-your-customer checks as well as smart contracts ensuring automatic payment when an agreement is completed.
It currently has 14 banking partners (it had seven in 2017) and includes heavyweights such as Deutsche Bank, HSBC, KBC, Natixis, Nordea, Rabobank, Santander, Societe Generale, and Eurobank.
Through this network, corporate customers of the banks can trade across 14 European countries.
Fujitsu launches blockchain banking initiative
Fujitsu has been selected by Japan’s largest banking association to test the use of digital currency and blockchain technology for interbank settlements.
It will be in charge of a field trial of a Collaborative Blockchain Platform developed by the Japanese Bankers Association (JBA). The trial will be conducted by the Japanese banks’ Payment Clearing Network, otherwise known as “Zengin–net”.
Major banks sign on with JPMorgan blockchain initiative
The Interbank Information Network (IIN), which JPMorgan, Royal Bank of Canada, and ANZ have been trialling for the past year, has expanded, with more than 75 banks now involved.
The IIN aims to minimise friction in the cross-border payments process. Using blockchain technology, it reduces the time correspondent banks currently spend responding to compliance and other data-related inquiries that delay payments. The IIN is powered by Quorum, a permissioned-variant of the Ethereum blockchain, developed by JPMorgan.
Japanese banks set to release Ripple-powered MoneyTap app
Japanese financial services giant SBI Holdings is gearing up to launch a Ripple-powered mobile payments application called MoneyTap.
MoneyTap is pitched as the first mobile app of its kind to be developed and used by a consortium of multiple different banks in the country. Three members of the aforementioned consortium – SBI Net Sumishin Bank, Suruga Bank, and Resona Bank – will be the first to go live during the autumn. This will be followed by a staggered roll-out to the rest of the consortium.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the author should not be considered as financial advice. We do not give advice on financial products.


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Just forty-eight years on from the launch of commercial television in the UK, the nation's fast-moving industry is reportedly on the verge of launching a dedicated marketing body.
According to Media Week, all that stands between the nascent lobbyist and its glittering launch is the little matter of choosing a name for the christening -- plus a few legal niceties.
The latter centre around the necessary reassurances to regulators (such as the Office of Fair Trading) that the bouncing babe will not act as a cartel.
Since no-one in authority is willing to make a statement about the state of play, a waiting world has no option but to settle for a few heavy hints.
Says one TV boss close to negotiations: "Things are pretty much ready to go short of the finer legal points. We can't be seen to operate as a cartel of broadcasters, which is the only sticking point remaining."
The body – just for now let's call it the General Association of Broadcasters (GAB) – will be funded by all Britain's major commercial TV companies. Research is expected to figure largely in its activities, with a key brief to demonstrate the effectiveness of the medium to advertisers and agencies.
And, of course, there will be the usual annual conference to spin a few pounds sterling and offer a platform to industry notables.
Data sourced from Media Week (UK); additional content by WARC staff


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As you know by now, you no longer need to venture South of the Border to set foot in a Nordstrom.
The beloved retailer arrived in Canada in September 2014 and continues its Canadian invasion with each new store opening.
But what you may not know is that part of its expansion into Canada includes opening locations of its discount Nordstrom Rack brand as well – ideal for those in their fake it ’til they make it phase.
Yesterday, Nordstrom announced plans to open Nordstrom Rack in Calgary, Toronto, and Vaughan, Ont. by spring 2018.
For those in the dark (we live in Canada, after all), Nordstrom Rack is part of the upscale department chain’s off-price retail division. It offers products discounted from 30 to 70 per cent of Nordstrom’s regular store prices.
The new 35,000-square-foot store would be located at the Vaughan Mills shopping centre about 30 kilometres north of Toronto (which also houses HR2, Holt Renfrew’s discount department store), while the 30,500-square-foot Calgary store will be in the Deerfoot Meadows shopping centre, located 10 kilometres south of downtown.
The Seattle-based retail giant first announced plans to expand to Canada in 2012 and has opened three full-line stores in Calgary, Ottawa and Vancouver.
Nordstrom will also open two full-line stores within the next few months: first at the Eaton Centre on Sept. 16, then at the Yorkdale Shopping Centre on Oct. 21 – both in Toronto. Another full-line location is set to open at Sherway Gardens (Toronto) in fall 2017.
Clear your credit card accordingly.


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Patagonia Funds 1,500 Residential Solar Installations in the US
California-based outdoor clothing company Patagonia is not new to the world of environmentalism. They donate a percentage of their sales to environmental causes, provide transparency regarding their supply chain practices, and redistribute their previously worn gear at a discounted rate. Now, they're assisting in funding residential solar installations.
Patagonia will be partnering with four other businesses, who have not yet been announced, to finance 1,500 installations. Equating up to a $35 million sum, CEO Rose Marcario felt compelled to help consumers go green. She stated, "I hope other companies that are interested in having a positive impact will look at this as a model."
This isn't the first time Patagonia has aided in clean energy implementation. In 2014, they financially assisted 1,000 homes in Hawaii with residential solar systems. They've also provided funding to environmentally-conscious start-ups.
It is unknown how the homes will be selected for funding, but recipients must reside in one of the following states: Arizona, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York.
Source: New York Times


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Shares of Tesla TSLA-Q and Twitter TWTR-N have tumbled this week as traders take care of the fallout and potential authorized points surrounding Tesla CEO Elon Musk and his $44 billion bid to purchase the social media platform.
Of the 2, Musk’s electrical automobile firm has fared worse, with its inventory down virtually 16 per cent to this point this week to $728. Twitter shares fell 9.5 per cent for the week, closing Thursday at $45.08. Each shares have taken a much bigger hit than the S&P 500, which is down 4.7 per cent for the week.
Together with malaise within the broader markets, traders have needed to weigh authorized troubles for Musk, in addition to the chance that his acquisition of Twitter may very well be a distraction from working the world’s most useful automaker.
The Wall Avenue Journal reported Wednesday that U.S. securities regulators are investigating Musk’s tardy disclosure that he had purchased greater than 5 per cent of Twitter shares. Musk now owns greater than 9 per cent of the San Francisco firm.
The SEC wouldn’t remark, and a message was left for Musk’s lawyer.
A lawsuit filed final month by some Twitter shareholders alleges that Musk’s stake hit 5 per cent on March 14, so he ought to have filed kinds with the SEC disclosing that by March 24. As an alternative, Musk didn’t make the required disclosure till April 4, hurting less-wealthy traders who bought Twitter inventory within the practically two weeks earlier than he disclosed his stake and drove up the value, the lawsuit alleges.
Additionally Wednesday, a federal choose in California handed a bunch of Tesla shareholders a significant victory, unsealing his ruling that Musk falsely and recklessly tweeted in 2018 that he had funding secured to take Tesla non-public when the deal wasn’t remaining. The tweets pushed up Tesla’s share value on the time.
The ruling signifies that jurors in a shareholder lawsuit will begin off understanding that the choose has dominated that Musk’s tweets have been false.
On the time of the Aug. 7, 2018 tweets, Musk was in talks with the Saudi Public Funding Fund about bankrolling the deal. However Decide Edward Chen decided that it wasn’t remaining when Musk tweeted: “Am contemplating taking Tesla non-public at $420. Funding secured.”
Chen wrote that there was “nothing concrete” about funding from the Public Funding Fund, and that discussions have been clearly preliminary.
“There had been no dialogue about what the acquisition value could be for a share of inventory. Nor had there been any dialogue about what share of the corporate the PIF would personal or the whole amount of cash the PIF would contribute,” Chen wrote in his ruling.
Musk’s legal professionals have requested Chen to rethink, contending that they aren’t conscious of instances wherein a courtroom has taken comparable points out of a jury’s fingers “the place the statements have been at greatest ambiguous and have been issued within the word-constrained and casual context of posts on Twitter.”
The August 2018, tweets have already got landed Musk in authorized bother. The SEC introduced a securities fraud cost, which Musk and Tesla settled in 2018. Every agreed to pay a $20 million effective and that an organization lawyer would evaluate any Musk tweets that would have an effect on the inventory value. The SEC is investigating whether or not Musk has violated that requirement.
Musk not too long ago misplaced a bid to have the settlement thrown out on grounds that it violated his First Modification free speech rights.
Since Musk made his $54.20 per share provide to purchase Twitter public on April 14, the shares are precisely the identical value – $45.08. Analysts say that’s a sign of investor skepticism that the deal will undergo despite the fact that Musk has lined up financing. Twitter shares are up 4.3 per cent 12 months to this point.
Tesla shares, nonetheless, are down 26 per cent for the reason that April 14 provide, partly on fears that Musk will turn out to be distracted as Tesla, which is headquartered in Austin, Texas, opens two new factories and offers with provide chain points. The shares have tumbled greater than 30 per cent to this point this 12 months.
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IFIAD hosted an Independent Food Systems Dialogue in Malawi, in partnership with the Malawi Irish Consortium on Gender Based Violence (MICGBV). The dialogue convened on 2nd July 2021 at Ufulu Garden Hotel in Lilongwe as part of the global preparations for the international UN Food Systems Summit to be held in September 2021. The event brought together different stakeholders such
Agribusiness incubators play a pivotal role in the ideation, start-up and scaling-up of agricultural businesses and small to medium enterprises (SMEs). But Africa’s agribusiness incubation ecosystems remain under-developed, and incubators continue to face various challenges, limiting their scale and impact. IFIAD participated in a regional workshop in Kampala, with incubators and policy makers from Malawi, Uganda, Kenya, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
IFIAD hosted the FAO Director-General H.E. QU Dongyu during his official visit to Ireland. Minister Pippa Hackett, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine joined an IFIAD roundtable chaired by Prof. Charles Spillane with Irish development aid agencies, universities and youth representatives at EPIC museum, Dublin.
We were back face-to-face this week at the IFIAD Food Systems Approach Workshop held at the UCD University Club. Herman Brouwer and Helena Posthumus from Wageningen University and Research shared some of the latest thinking on Food Systems. Some of the questions coming up for us were: What is NOT in a Food System? Do we need a common definition of a
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Recently, people have made the discovery that they look like a koala drinking from the brand’s free-sip water bottle as it covers up their nose and the lid gives the appearance of the animal.
The discovery prompted some to speculate that the appearance of users drinking the bottle is the reason behind the Koala-like name of the water bottle.
One video with over 16 million views made by @juliajoczys reads: “Apparently it’s called Owala because when you drink it you look like a koala.”
Many people went on to leave comments about how much they loved the concept. “Now I want to just walk around like this with mine,” one comment read.
Another comment agreed, writing: “Omg! Now I want one cause koalas are adorable.”
“Okay I’m obsessed with my Owala and now I’m more obsessed...” a third commenter wrote.
Other commenters joked that this would be what causes people to switch to the Owala water bottle over the popular Stanley cup.
“Me watching the Stanleys migrate to the back of the cupboard while these move in,” one comment joked.
“We’re witnessing the next Stanley,” another commenter pointed out.
Although, because Owala has not publicly confirmed whether or not this is actually where the brand name comes from, some commenters have claimed that it is only a coincidence that Owala and koala rhyme.
“I don’t think it counts as ‘finding out’ if it isn’t true in the first place,” one person wrote in the comments.
Stanley cups are the stainless steel water bottles that have taken over the world for being the direct competitor for Owala. The viral tumblers, namely its 40-ounce Quencher cup, are known for its variety of colours and knack for keeping drinks cool for 48 hours. The products have even become somewhat of a status symbol, with one mother claiming her daughter was bullied for owning an off-brand cup and another woman allegedly stealing $2,500 worth of Stanley products.
Amid the viral craze, some concerned customers have claimed on social media that drinking from a Stanley cup may pose certain health risks. In a series of posts shared to TikTok, people have said they performed at-home lead tests on their cups. TikTok user Lead Safe Mama, whose content aims to create awareness toward childhood lead poisoning prevention, shared a video of herself testing the bottom of her Stanley cup for lead, urging that “all of the lead be removed from kitchenware especially items that might be used by a child”.
Several videos of customers testing their Stanley products for lead showed mixed results, with some of their tests turning up negative while others showed a changing colour indicating the presence of lead.
Stanley clarified whether their popular products are safe to drink from in a statement to The Independent, in which a Stanley spokesperson said that lead is used in the manufacturing process of Stanley cups. However, they emphasised that the product needs to become damaged to expose the lead.
“Our manufacturing process currently employs the use of an industry standard pellet to seal the vacuum insulation at the base of our products; the sealing material includes some lead. Once sealed, this area is covered with a durable stainless steel layer, making it inaccessible to consumers,” the spokesperson said, adding that Stanley products meet all United States regulatory requirements.
The Independent has contacted Owala for comment.


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Couple buys shed to live in – the sells it for a profit
July 18, 2022
Couple buys house to live in – sells for profit – CBS News
Nick and Megan Lucido are in debt and sell everything. Then, they decided to invest in a shed from Home Depot as their temporary home — and it paid off. The couple from Georgia renovated the shed and sold it for a profit after about a year.
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Yantian Port congestion has echoes of Suez
Virus-led port congestion in southern China is taking a toll on the country’s export capacity amid warnings the supply chain snarl-up is comparable to the blockage of the Suez Canal
Supply chain chaos at Chinese ports, the politics of China's pitch for a Hamburg terminal stake, and why shipping may not be able to swerve the new push for a global corporation tax
GROWING box congestion at China’s Yantian Port, which halted some operations after positive Covid-19 tests, has shown how local disruptions are having global ramifications, so tight is the present squeeze on shipping capacity.
The snarl-up has crippled growth in throughput at major Chinese ports and there are warnings its effects will be felt around the world, with cargo delays comparable to the more dramatic Suez Canal blockage.
Equipment shortages mean shippers should expect more blanked sailings.
Meanwhile, China’s infrastructure expansion drive continues undimmed, with Cosco Shipping’s port arm pitching for a stake in a Hamburg container terminal. Editor Richard Meade says the move is down to pragmatism, not politics.
Green tie-ups: It’s another big week in companies partnering for green R&D projects: Trafigura and Yara, to develop ammonia as fuel; Japan’s Namura Shipbuilding and NS United Kaiun Kaisha, for a wind-assisted capesize bulker; Shipbroker McQuilling and emissions trader Vertis, on carbon offsets for shipping, to list a few.
Death and soon, taxes: The US-backed push for a global corporation tax could force larger shipping companies to pay the same tax as other industries for the first time ever, experts have warned.
Nautilus International chief Mark Dickinson reckons such a deal would “help end the 70-year-plus nightmare that is the corrosive flags of convenience system”.
The Lloyd’s List View: Pleading for exemptions from world leaders is unlikely to work. It’s time for shipping to scrap secretive accounting practices that contribute to its shady reputation.
Listen Out: On the podcast, sustainability editor Anastassios Adamopoulos on what to expect from the IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee meeting, which kicks off from today.
We’ll have daily coverage of MEPC 76 through the coming week. See also: the UK’s COP26 climate head calling for more zero-emissions pledges ahead of the big UN summit.
Don’t miss: Michelle Wiese Bockmann’s scrapping investigation finds end-of-life flag registries are used for one in six ships – but little evidence European owners are using them to bypass tougher recycling laws.


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Lenovo Z5 Is What An All-Screen Phone Looks Like
Lenovo’s VP Chang Cheng teased Lenovo Z5 on Weibo. The handset comes with 95 percent screen ratio.
Smartphone makers are working hard to launch a smartphone with an all-display design. iPhone-X is one such example which has minimal bezels and many Android smartphone brands just mimicked Apple’s design but they were not able to achieve the desired screen-to-body ratio.
Lenovo’s VP Chang Cheng had recently shared a sketch of upcoming all-screen smartphone Lenovo Z5 on Weibo. He wrote that “Lenovo Z5 will have a screen ratio of 95 percent, it will include four technological breakthroughs and 18 patented technologies”.
There are a lot of smartphones already in the market which their companies claim are bezel less, which they are not. Apple has successfully made a phone without a chin because they use flexible OLED display that turns internally and it pushes the connection ribbon at the rear of the phone.
Talking about Android handsets, they have a ribbon at the bottom of the display, which connects the processor for which at least a smaller chin is necessary.
Even if the chin is gone, the notch has to be there to house the front camera and other sensors.
Interestingly, Vivo’s Apex (concept phone) has a very thin chin but doesn’t have a notch. Vivo Apex comes with a pop-selfie camera which pops out when you are clicking pictures with the front camera, this has made Vivo achieve a design for smartphones with ultra-slim bezels.
On the other, Mi Mix 2S uses the chin to house the front camera, which helps Xiaomi to achieve a 91.3 percent screen ratio.


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Specialist NHS medical supplier Braun and Co has developed a range of essential PPE to sell directly to the public for the first time, including no-contact thermometers and oximeters.
After working round the clock to supply the NHS and global healthcare market with life-saving ventilators as Covid-19 reached its peak, the family-run firm is now using its expertise and experience to launch an online shop for individual and business customers.
The range from the Barton-based team includes medical grade non-contact thermometers and oximeters, surgical masks, goggles and face shields. Also available are information signs and floor graphics.
Jamie Shepherd, director, said: “We are proud to be able to play such a vital role in this global emergency.
“Supplying life-saving products to the NHS is something we do on a daily basis, but never on this scale before.
“Now our focus is also on being able to provide essential prevention and protection equipment to businesses and individuals who are re-opening businesses, returning to work, and beginning to get back the ‘new’ normal.
“It’s vital that your PPE is fit for purpose and we can guarantee that these products are.”
The team at Braun and Co have been busier than ever since the outbreak of the pandemic, shipping ventilators, oxygen concentrators, and other essential medical supplies, to NHS hospitals.
They also provided private sector hospitals and Unicef with products from its range of over 2,000 items.
Lucy Lyon, business development director, said: “Our workforce has shown a huge amount of commitment and positivity over the last few extremely busy months, enabling us to get vital products out the door as quickly as possible. Now they’ll be helping thousands of people to feel safer as they go about their daily lives, and we’d like to thank them for all their support.
“Our suppliers have also been magnificent - a special thank you to MD Signs, a fellow Barton business, who pulled out all the stops to get the labels for the oxygen concentrators to us in record time in the early days of the lockdown when things were really challenging.”


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Huawei Pakistan Shakes Up Arab Fashion week To Avant-garde fashion and Beyond
Lahore: 17th October, 2016: At Arab Fashion Week in Dubai representing the 22 Arab countries, Huawei sets new precedent for fashion from Avant-garde to modern tailoring by innovative & dexterous Lebanese designer Rami Kadi’s technology inspired couture creations.
The thematic pieces are hand embroidered using shimmering textures made from silk, metallic threads, ribbons, sequins, and raffia to create looks that reimagine the identity of femininity and exploration.Commenting on the collaboration, Huawei Regional MEA Marketing Director Myriam Benaroya said, “As the fashion industry continually incorporates technology into the motif of their designs, this will open up new opportunities for companies to venture towards collaborative ideas, much like this one. Rami Kadi is a prime example of how fashion and technology can come together to set a new standard in design and we are so excited to present him as a Huawei designer this season.”Pakistan fashion industry has changed tremendously in the past few years following shift in lifestyle and improvement in the sociopolitical climate of the country. Kadi is famous in building bridges across cultures where East and West meet and his recent creations showcased at the Huawei lounge shall make inroads into the Pakistan’s fashion scene.Huawei Arab Fashion Week (HAFW) was honored with the presence of Deputy Genral Manager of Huawei Pakistan Mr. Fraz Malik Khan and Mr. Salman Javed (Marketing Manager). The glamorous event was attended by famous media personalities and glittering fashion icons from Pakistan; Nur Zehra Qadri, Mehak Elahi, Faria Waqas, Nimra Khokar, Maida Azmat and Umme Ammara. The third edition of the Huawei Arab Fashion Week (HAFW) was held from October 6-10, 2016 at The Meydan Hotel where ready-couture international and regional designers showcased their Spring/Summer 2017 collections.


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Coffee Tools Distributing has launched a collapsible reusable cup that ticks all the boxes for a sustainable and practical product that can be taken anywhere on-the-go. Read more
Espressology Founder Instaurator on how to navigate a competitive market and why quality will always remain the driving force behind successful coffee businesses.
Lavazza is putting social, environmental and cultural attention on the Colombian coffee producing region of Meta, with a new blend that is helping to preserve and empower the future of coffee production.
Australian milk for coffee brand Milklab has announced the long-awaited launch of its latest plant-based product, Milklab Oat. Read more
Melbourne start-up Good Edi offers a sustainable and flavourful alternative to single-use disposable coffee cups. Read more
BeanScene speaks to café owners who have ridden the wave of 2020 and come out on the other side with a renewed focus and plans to grow their business even further. Read more
Barista Mylk from Rebel Kitchen combines the best elements of different dairy alternatives to create an organic plant-based milk for coffee that not only functions but tastes like dairy milk. Read more
Latte Art Champions explain why milk cleaner is essential for delicious coffee and proper machine functionality. Read more
Emma McDougall uncovers the rise of the New Zealand Barista Championship and its impact on the specialty coffee industry over the past 20 years. Read more
People are at the heart of the coffee industry, and Paradox Coffee Roasters puts them first, from those growing and roasting its coffee to those serving and enjoying it. Read more


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Virginia Beach, VA (PRWEB) February 08, 2013
VehicleHistory.us.org is in the process of setting up a large-scale social media campaign to connect with their customers, company officials said.
“For too long, we've relied on our phone banks to communicate with people,” company spokesman Josh Fraser said. “But in this day and age, that's no longer enough. We need to be able to find ways to connect with our customers as easily as possible.”
The company said that people are often reluctant to call up a company for customer service, but are willing to engage with them through social media.
“Let's face it, ever since some companies started outsourcing their customer service overseas, phone support has had a bad name,” Fraser said. “But people have become used to engaging with companies online, and social media is often their most comfortable point of contact. So, it just makes sense for us to have a strong social media presence.”
The company will soon launch a blog, a Facebook page, a Twitter account, a Google+ account and more as part of their customer service efforts, Fraser said.
“Giving people more options is the heart of high quality customer service,” Fraser said. “Why wouldn't we move into this realm? It just makes sense for our company and for our customers.”
The new social media platforms should be up and running within the next two weeks, he said.
At VehicleHistory.us.org they take pride in providing most comprehensive vehicle history reports in United States and Canada. With hundreds of users daily, motor vehicle report availability and customer service are top priorities for VehicleHistory.us.org.