text:
Brand new Owl-Eye optical sensor
Force FX pressure-sensitive keys
World’s first lag-free wireless gaming mouse
ROCCAT kicks off the new year with a plethora of new technologies and products, all of which debut exclusively at CES in Las Vegas. Visit our meeting room at LVCC South Hall 2 #MP25556 between January 5th and January 8th to experience them first hand.
Owl-Eye is the exciting new optical sensor from Avago which has been modified to the high and exacting standards of ROCCAT. Its feeling is what makes Owl-Eye so special. It translates mouse movements on screen with 1:1 accuracy. The sensor provides a level of control so natural and innate that it totally bridges the gap between user and game. Owl-Eye is available in three mice, suiting every type of gamer.
First up is the ROCCAT Leadr, the world’s first wireless gaming mouse that truly delivers the performance of a wired device. It offers zero lag and virtually zero latency as well as consistent tracking and pinpoint precision. With a charging dock and top-up cable for uninterrupted gameplay, wireless gaming is no longer a handicap.
The second product featuring Owl-Eye is the Kone EMP. It combines the superior ergonomics of the Kone XTD, one of the most iconic gaming mice ever built, with the exceptional Owl-Eye sensor, to create a powerful weapon for gamers with medium-to-large sized hands.
The third mouse ROCCAT unveils at CES is the Kone Pure 2017. It delivers the Kone experience to gamers with slimmer hands. Weighing in at only 88 grams, it also boasts the relentless Owl-Eye sensor, making the revamped Kone Pure a force to be reckoned with.
You can learn more about ROCCAT’s game-changing Owl-Eye sensor and the featured mice at our dedicated micro-site. Of course, we also included a link to a press-kit for each product.
We at ROCCAT understand, that a peripheral can’t stand on its own, which is why we deliver a whole gaming eco-system. With our patented Force FX technology, we re-imagined keyboard input to provide a whole new level of control. By employing a special chemical layer which modifies electrical conductivity beneath the QWEASD keys, our engineers have found a way to allow pressure-sensitive input on a rubberdome keyboard. We have implemented this technology in the Isku+ Force FX, which is the successor of the highly acclaimed and best-selling Isku FX – without raising the competitive price-point.


text:
- Google is reportedly looking for a partner to deliver cloud services to China.
- The report comes as Google is said to be preparing a version of its search engine for China – and that complies with government censorship rules.
- Microsoft and Amazon have already tapped local partners in China to deliver cloud services, because of the country’s strict rules around data needing to stay within its borders.
Google is looking to make a grand re-entry into China, after years away. Media reports earlier this week about Google’s plans developing a special censored search product for China sparked outrage. But that’s not the only effort Google has underway to tap into the world’s largest internet market by users.
Google also wants to bring its cloud business to the Chinese mainland, and the company is recruiting a local ally to help make it happen, according to a Bloomberg report on Friday.
Specifically, the report says that Google is in talks with Tencent, Inspur, and other Chinese companies – though the current trade tensions between the United States and China loom large over the negotiations, and Bloomberg cites a source saying that the plans may not move forward.
Under such a deal, Google’s cloud partner would be responsible for hosting and delivering services like Google Drive and Google Docs to customers in China, from their own servers. It would give Google access to the tremendous Chinese market.
Because China has strict laws requiring that data needs to be stored within its borders, Google Cloud rivals Amazon and Microsoft have both tapped local allies, as well. In China, Amazon Web Services is delivered via Beijing Sinnet Technology, while the Microsoft Azure cloud is delivered via 21Vianet Group.
Those same laws also require that the Chinese government has some oversight of how data moves through digital networks. In that sense, this move might not sit well with Google employees, who are already upset over reports that the company plans to release a version of its search engine that complies with Chinese government censorship.
Google declined to comment.
Business Insider Emails & Alerts
Site highlights each day to your inbox.

domain: news


text:
Twitter advertising network MyLikes raises seed round
This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.
Expect to see a lot more advertising on Twitter.
The popular social networking site just announced its strategy to place ads atop search results and eventually in users’ feeds.
Now MyLikes, a Twitter advertising network, has raised $630,000 in seed funding.
The interesting twist: Bindu Reddy and Arvind Sundararajan decided they would only allow former Google Inc. colleagues to invest in the company, including FriendFeed co-founder and Gmail creator Paul Buchheit, now at Facebook. Robert Scoble and Louis Gray are joining as advisers.
Over the last year, companies such as Ad.ly, Sponsored Tweets of Orlando, Fla., and MyLikes have sprung up to match advertisers with Twitter users. MyLikes launched in January.
Reddy says her company empowers Twitter users who have developed a loyal following in niches such as travel, beauty or comedy to earn some extra cash by promoting products they have used and enjoy.
MyLikes users are given their pick of ads and each day can tailor one to the interests of their audience. Users get paid per click, from 20 cents to $1. The higher the click-through rate, the more money they make per click. Reddy said this form of advertising is potent because “these people are very good at engaging their audience.”
She says she’s not worried about competition from Twitter.
“The Twitter ad strategy is definitely interesting,’ Reddy said, ‘but we think that ads created by influencers whom people are actually following can be much more powerful.”


text:
Contaminated coleus forskohlii products cause adverse reactions in Italy. 01/06/2005 –
*Supplements of the herbal Coleus forskohlii, increasingly taken for weight management, have been linked to four cases of acute poisoning in Italy, reports Dominique Patton. The adverse reactions involved acute atropine-like poisoning that causes confusion and hallucination. Two more adverse drug reaction reports of tremor, visual disturbance and confusion have also been related to use of Coleus products. The Italian authorities suspect that a batch of the Indian plant has been contaminated or substituted with a member of the Solanacea family, which includes a number of poisonous plants like deadly nightshade. The products associated with the reports came from the Indian firms IndoWorld Trading Corporation and Alchem International in addition to Italy’s Galeno and EPO. The authorities do not know whether the contamination occurred during manufacturing of the named products or whether a harvest of coleus may have been contaminated at source. EPO told NutraIngredients.com that the case was “being looked over by our quality management”. However Raj Katyal, export manager for IndoWorld, said he was not aware of any problems and that the firm had not exported any coleus extract to Europe this year. The UK’s Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has also taken action, advising herbal interest groups that the related products may have found their way onto the UK market. Herbal suppliers have been asked to quarantine any stocks. Indian company Sabinsa, not involved in the reports, is currently seeing growth rates of between 50-100 per cent for its ForsLean brand Coleusforskohlii extract in different markets.


text:
Warren Buffet, chairman of multinational conglomerate Berkshire Hathaway, has made over $120 billion on tech-giant Apple’s journey to the first-ever $3 trillion market value.
More Details🧐 Berkshire Hathaway started investing in Apple back in 2016. By mid-2018, Berkshire held a 5% stake in Apple, amounting to $36 billion. That 5% stake hit $160 billion as Apple’s market cap hit the $3 trillion mark.
Berkshire Hathaway is Apple’s second-largest shareholder after The Vanguard Group. Apple also constitutes the highest portion of Berkshire’s equity portfolio: over 40%.
Why is this Important🤔 Berkshire has been reducing its Apple stake slightly since 2018. However, because of Apple’s share repurchase programs, which shrank the number of its outstanding shares, Berkshire’s overall stake in the tech company has actually gotten bigger.
Fun Fact🎉 Berkshire Hathaway’s stock, BRK.A, is the most expensive publicly traded share of all time, closing Friday’s trading session at $480,000/share.


text:
Newcastle United's kit deal with Puma expires at the end of this season and the latest word in industry circles is that there aren't any prototype designs circulating for 2020/21.
Normally by this period they've been produced but their absence has led to speculation that Newcastle might be casting around for the most lucrative offer.
They have several to choose from. As well as New Balance, Nike, Adidas, Hummel and Under Armour are all looking to secure new teams and Newcastle remain one of the best sellers outside the top four.
We asked popular concept kit designer @requestakit to come up with concept Newcastle kits made by some of those designers would look like - and here's what he came up with for some of the major players.
Let us know who you would like to make United's kits next year.
The Danish kit maker is looking to get back into the Premier League and was recently linked with a new deal with Everton.
The current kit manufacturer is yet to produce designs for the 20/21 season, prompting speculation Newcastle are looking elsewhere.
US brand Under Armour make Southampton's kits - and were Tottenham's manufacturers before Nike got in on the act.
Nike have never made Newcastle's kits and having just signed a mega deal with Liverpool, it's unlikely they'll be on board next season if Puma's deal is allowed to run out.
Many Newcastle fans bemoan the day Adidas was dropped, which came after the German giants had previously clashed with Mike Ashley over Sports Direct matters. Could they return?


text:
Thursday, April 17, 2014.AARON HUMES Reporting: Twenty-seven year old Sherman Hemmans, a resident of Gracie Rock Village, was charged with eight separate counts of theft when he appeared today before Senior Magistrate Sharon Fraser.
Hemmans pled not guilty to the charges and he was released on bail of $6,000.
His case was adjourned until June 3.
Hemmans, who is employed as a caretaker, is alleged to have swiped an ATM card from Joseph Fusy and used it to purchase grocery items from Everyday Supermarket, located in Hattieville, Belize District.
The items were purchased between March 20 and April 1 and they amounted to $5,068.
Today's News Sponsored By:
Get the latest from Breaking Belize News anywhere, anytime
Breaking Belize News invites you to share your story with the world. Please email us your news at email@example.com
Looking for Internet marketing, social media presence and direct email exposure to a Belizean oriented market of over 500,000 individuals every month? Breaking Belize News is able to offer a marketing package that uses internet, social media and email to reach over 500,000 Belizean-centric potential customers each month.
Email us at firstname.lastname@example.org for more information.


text:
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — The Minneapolis Convention Center will be filled with millions upon millions of those small multicolored bricks many of us grew up with as the LEGO KidsFest makes its Minnesota debut this weekend.
Imagine walking into a large room filled with life size models, a variety of games, robots and a mural all made up of LEGOs. Sounds like a dream to the thousands of fans who will be traveling to the Twin Cities to attend the unique event.
“There are tons of interactive zones. We’ve got Creation Nations, we also do Mystery Murals, we’ve got our Master Builders who work one-on-one with the kids and share tips and tricks. It’s really just a lot of fun,” said Aaron Wartner, vice president of sales and marketing for LEGO KidsFest. “We know that this town is very, very excited about LEGO bricks and we have fanatics here locally.”
Those who attend the event will be able to view 40 life-sized models, speak with professional LEGO builders, add their own creation to large collaborative pieces of art and build and race LEGO cars.
In addition to the traditional LEGO building, Wartner says there will also be opportunities to play with brick robots, battle in multi-player virtual games and of course purchase your own set of LEGOS.
“You’re never going to experience LEGO bricks like this,” said Wartner. “You may have a room devoted at home for LEGO, but this is just at such a very different scale and it really is a fun event for all ages.”
The event runs Friday night through Sunday.
WCCO’s Samantha Smith Interviews Aaron Wartner


text:
No GST on fruit and vegies in NZ
The Labour Party has announced a change in its health and tax policy to include removing GST from fresh fruit and vegetables.
Professors Tony Blakely of the University of Otago, and Cliona Ni Mhuchu of the University of Auckland, give this proposal cautious support as a move to improve health across the board, and reduce inequalities.
"Earlier this year we published research showing an 11 per cent increase in purchasing of fruit and vegetables when 12.5% was taken off the price," says Ni Mhurchu. This finding was from a large randomised trial of 1,100 New Zealand shoppers, and published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
This increase equates to about half a kilo more fruits and vegetables per household each week, or about six extra servings.
"There is reason to believe that Ma¯ori, Pacific and low-income shoppers might increase their purchasing of fresh fruit and vegetables more in percentage terms in response to a removal of GST," says Professor Blakely.
"This, combined with the fact that low income shoppers spend a bit more in percentage terms on fruit and vegetables, suggests that taking GST off fruit and vegetables is probably also a good way of reducing inequalities.
"Improving our country's nutrition is a challenging and complex policy issue, requiring both a responsible and canny state, and changes in personal behaviour," says Professor Blakely.
"In addition, it requires strong leadership from the food industry – most notably, a full transfer of any GST exemption to lower prices.
"It's important to find effective ways to encourage people to buy and eat healthier foods," says Dr Ni Mhurchu. "Traditionally there has been reliance on education to promote healthier diets. However pricing strategies to encourage consumption of healthier foods could have more powerful effects."
Whilst both Professors Ni Mhurchu and Blakely are cautiously supportive, they note other interacting issues that need to be considered:
- Responsible marketing, product placement and other activities by the food industry
- Research and monitoring to ensure that cheaper fruit and vegetables do not just lead to increased purchasing of non-healthy foods.
Regarding the latter, the same study that reported an 11 per cent increase in fruit and vegetable purchasing in response to a 12.5 per cent price discount found no increase in unhealthy food purchasing – which is reassuring.
Source: University of Otago
Have your say...
The approval of your comment is at the discretion of this article's publisher. Write your comment with the following in mind to ensure the highest likelihood of it being approved:
- No promotional undertones
- No use of profanity
- Good spelling, grammar and layout
- Check punctuation, language and missing words
- No use of aggression
- No unsubstantiated claims
We reserve the right to remove comments at our discretion.
Your name is used alongside Comments.


text:
Arlington, Va. – Consumer confidence in the overall economy and technology took a hit in February as consumers remain skittish over ongoing economic issues impacting the country, according to the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA).
The CEA’s Index of Consumer Expectations fell 2.7 points in February to 165.3. This is the second consecutive month confidence in the broader economy has dropped.
Also enduring a decline this month is the CEA’s Index of Consumer Technology Expectations, which fell 5.6 points to 77.4.
Shawn DuBravac, CEA’s chief economist and research senior director, pointed to several factors likely behind this news.
“The 2 percent payroll tax increase that went into effect at the beginning of the year is likely starting to have an impact on consumer purchasing decisions,” said DuBravac.
“Moreover, consumers remain concerned about U.S. fiscal policy as they attempt to internalize the potential impact from the impeding federal budget sequestration,” DuBravac added.


text:
The John Lewis Partnership has appointed Ofcom boss Sharon White as its new chair.
White will take up the position when Sir Charlie Mayfield steps down in early 2020, though her exact start date is yet to be confirmed.
White has been the boss of the UK communications services regulator Ofcom since March 2015.
Prior to taking on that role, White was second parliamentary secretary at the Treasury, with responsibility for overseeing the public finances.
She has also held board-level positions at the Ministry of Justice and the Department for International Development.
Trained economist White is currently a non-executive on the board of FTSE100 house-builder Barratt Developments and is also a trustee of Sadler’s Wells Trust.
Mayfield said White’s appointment as chair was “not the conventional retail choice” but added “these are not conventional retail times”.
The likes of former Sainsbury’s boss Justin King, ex-WHSmith supremo Kate Swann and John Lewis finance director Patrick Lewis had all been touted as possible successors to Mayfield.
Mayfield said: “Sharon White has had a stellar career in a number of senior strategic and executive roles and during a thorough, wide-ranging and extremely competitive search she stood out, both for me and for the nominations committee, as an exceptional candidate.
“I believe she has the vision, leadership, drive and flair to steer the partnership through its next phase.”
He added: “Sharon is an inspirational leader with the personal and professional skills to ensure the partnership continues to innovate and change while at the same time retaining and strengthening our distinctive character and democratic vitality.”
White, who will be paid a basic salary of £990,000, said: “I am a passionate believer in the partnership: partners working together for each other’s wellbeing with the confidence to invest for the long-term and a focus on delivering for our customers in a rapidly changing retail environment.
“John Lewis & Partners and Waitrose & Partners are not merely British retail icons, but also a model of a better way to do business.
“Social purpose and commercial success flourish best together, which is why I am looking forward so much to working with Partners as we move ahead together.”


text: In China, nationalism is a deep rooted feeling for many citizens. The Cultural Revolution brought this feeling to a peak when Chairman Mao, brought the Cultural Revolution into full force during the 1960’s. The Revolution made the idea of “out with the old, in with the new” front and center in the Chinese mindset. With this, a Nationalistic attitude took over the minds of the Chinese even more. Of course, we know that the Cultural Revolution was over 50 years ago but what about today? Does this sense of Nationalistic attitude still hold up? Well, in 2016 stemming from the controversial South China Sea island dispute, Chinese citizens began to protest U.S. imports such as McDonald’s and KFC restaurants. The People’s Daily reported that people protested these restaurants, blocking the doors, and holding up signs with slogans such as “Get out of China, KFC and McDonald’s” and “What you eat is KFC. What is lost is the face of our ancestors”. Philippine products were also protested, such as mangoes. Angry boy cotters commented “We only eat organic locally grown mangoes”. This might confuse an outsider but the interesting fact about the mangoes relation to China is that back when Mao was in power he was given mangoes by a Pakistani official and the mangoes were then sent to student workers. Over time the mango became a symbol of General Mao and his power. Propaganda at the time celebrated this trend and gave the mango its own identity. A 1968 photo from the China Institute Gallery in New York, shows two pictures of Mao and two mangoes being paraded. We see then how a Chinese person who is angry, not just over their islands ownership being re-arranged, but imported products taking over in their own country would be inclined to hold on to and embrace a nationalistic era of their country’s past. In America and more locally, Minnesota we have a much different melting pot. We could imagine a group of people protesting a Somali restaurant because of a recent terrorist attack in Mogadishu in the same way, Americans not wanting something they associated with terrorism in their backyard. Both China and the US have their similarities when it comes to love for their country. However, in certain situations it seems to me that it steps too far.


text:
The recently released PricewaterhouseCoopers' Global Entertainment and Media Outlook: 2008-2012, underscores the importance of continuing to extract revenues from traditional business segments while emerging technologies continue to solidify their consumer position. The report shows global compound annual growth rate (CAGR) at 6.6% for the sector, anticipating it reaching $2.2 trillion in 2012.
But entertainment and media (E&M) companies hoping to drive growth over the next five years will need to accommodate dramatic changes in devices, market and consumer behavior.
Several critical technologies are reaching tipping points that will deeply influence both the pace and direction of entertainment and media growth over the next five years:
Although digital and mobile distribution comprised only 5% of global E&M spending in 2007, these revenues will account for 24% of all growth throughout the industry during the next five years. By 2012, digital and mobile revenues will account for just 11% of total E&M spending, or $234 billion of the $2.2 trillion global market. While digital and mobile are driving growth, established and traditional business segments will continue to dominate revenues, with the exception of recorded music, where digital distribution will surpass physical distribution in 2011.
The Net Generation, concludes the report, continues to set the pace and direction of change in the entertainment and media industry, driving new business models that are revolutionizing the relationship between companies and their customers.
This is a global phenomenon, says the report. In the BRIC countries, people under the age of 25 comprise at least 31% of the countries' total populations:
However, consumers over the age of 50 are creating a balance in the industry by devoting significant amounts of attention to the more traditional media of their generation as the Net Generation drives growth in digital and mobile entertainment.
In every region of the world except EMEA, the 50+ population will see double digit growth rates and globally, this population will increase from 1.1 billion to 1.25 billion, a 13.1% rise through 2012. This growth will help sustain traditional formats.
The US currently remains the largest but slowest growing E&M market, growing at a 4.8% compound annual growth rate reaching $759 billion in 2012. Internet advertising and Internet access spending will be the only two segments with double-digit growth during the next five years, boosted by continued growth in broadband.
While Internet advertising growth will moderate from that in recent years, it will see the most robust growth, at 19.5% CAGR (compound annual growth rate) through to 2012:
More established segments are all set to grow at between 5% and 7% compounded annually:
The publishing segments face the stiffest challenges, where the declines in physical distribution are at their most significant, and growth in digital distribution is struggling to make up for the shortfall including
Marcel Fenez, Managing Partner, Global Entertainment & Media practice, PricewaterhouseCoopers, concludes that "... By effectively managing emerging and traditional business lines, companies will be able to identify opportunities they can exploit so they can migrate to the new digital environment and meet the demands of the net-generation."
For more about this study, please visit PWC here.


text:
Supplier News Breaks Archives
Perrigo releases generic version of Vanos Cream
January 15th, 2014
DUBLIN, Ireland – Perrigo Co. has received approval from the Food and Drug Administration for fluocinonide cream 0.1%, a topical steroid for skin inflammation and itching.
The company said Tuesday that its has begun shipping the product, a generic equivalent to Vanos Cream 0.1%, from Medicis, a division of Valeant Pharmaceuticals.
Perrigo reported that it was awarded 180-days of generic drug exclusivity since it was the first company to submit an abbreviated new drug application (ANDA) containing a paragraph IV certification. Perrigo added that it previously resolved litigation with the brand.
A corticosteroid, Vanos Cream 0.1% is indicated for the treatment of inflammation and itching caused by such skin conditions as allergic reactions, eczema and psoriasis. The medication has estimated annual sales of about $107 million, according to Perrigo.
"This is another example of our Rx team's commitment to launching difficult-to-manufacture topicals, lotions and foams," stated Joseph Papa, Perrigo's chairman, president and chief executive officer.


text:
California Lawmaker Proposes Bill to Ban Fur Sales Statewide
One California legislator is hoping the state will follow San Francisco’s lead and ban all sales of fur and fur products.
The bill, proposed by Assembly member Laura Friedman, would apply to clothing and accessories including, but not limited to, “handbags, shoes, slippers, hats, earmuffs, scarves, shawls, gloves, jewelry, and keychains, that is made in whole or in part of fur.”
Friedman represents the Burbank and Glendale areas of Los Angeles County. The city of Los Angeles started the process of banning fur sales in September, after the San Francisco Board of Supervisors decided on the issue in March. Berkeley and West Hollywood also have bans in place.
Not only would Friedman’s bill make it illegal to sell fur products, giving them as a gift would also be prohibited.
The exact wording of the legislation reads, “This bill would make it unlawful to sell, offer for sale, display for sale, trade, give, donate, or otherwise distribute a fur product, as defined, in the state.”
San Francisco’s ban on fur sales is set to take effect on Jan. 1, 2019. A plan to do the same in Los Angeles allows retailers until 2020 to comply.


text:
The Co-Founder of Nigeria Entrepreneurs Award, Mr. Uwabor Joshua, in this interview with Anayo Okolie, speaks on factors affecting entrepreneurs in the country, among others
What is Nigeria Entrepreneurs Award all about?
Nigeria Entrepreneurs Award is an exclusive award that seeks to reward excellence among the most committed and dedicated businesses operating in Nigeria. It focuses on recognising outstanding corporate organisations and individuals who have positively impacted the economy of Nigeria. The idea behind the Nigeria Entrepreneurs Award is to imbibe a culture of excellence in young and emerging business leaders and showcase thriving businesses in Nigeria. More than 30 top entrepreneurs and corporate organisations from around Nigeria have been recognised for their vital contributions to the economy through the Nigeria Entrepreneurs Award platform in the last two years.
How has the organisation impacted on Nigerian youths?
Now in its third edition, Nigeria Entrepreneurs Award has celebrated and honoured some of the best-known entrepreneurs in corporate Nigeria today. Winners of this prestigious and highly celebrated award exemplify the best in Nigeria leadership. We have over 2.5 million registered online members who are young and aspiring entrepreneurs; we have also supported 520 start-up businesses across Nigeria and held over 20 successful entrepreneurship programmes to support young entrepreneurs in Nigeria.
What are the challenges facing the organisation since you started?
Funding has always been the major challenge, we have some good business plans from our members but helping them secure the needed loan to facilitate their project is a major challenge.
What motivated you to go into it?
I am an entrepreneur and I have always been passionate about this, so when I see someone with great idea I am always excited to render help in order to see that the idea is birthed, nurtured and also grow it to maturity.
How has the organisation contributed to the growth of Nigeria ‘s economy?
As Nigeria gamble with the outbreak of unemployment as a major challenge, the hope for a turnaround depends mostly on entrepreneurs. The federal government has shown strong interest in nurturing Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), launching funding tools, lowering business registration cost by 60 per cent and adopting pioneering technology in agriculture and financial services. However, little is known about the world of entrepreneurs and issues such as how funding is attained and the obstacles holding them back. In the spirit of entrepreneurship, we have been able to help about 30 per cent of our registered online members’ access small loans, thereby creating jobs and building the Nigeria economy, which is of utmost importance.
What is your advice to the youths?
They should be focus in whatever they are doing and also believe in God. I will like to take a quote from Africa most successful Entrepreneur, Aliko Dangote “To build a successful business, you must start small and dream big. In the journey of entrepreneurship, tenacity of purpose is supreme.”


text:
Security professionals have been talking about mobile device security or rather, the lack thereof for years now. Back in June 2005, I wrote an article entitled, "Are Cell Phones the Next Target?" I guess the real answer turned out to be "yes, but not yet."
But even though nothing urgent or awful has happened in the wireless world, things seem to be changing for the worse. Current trends in mobile devices are raising the probability of attack. Devices have much more functionality than they used to they have become small computers. They are more connected than ever, supporting more communications protocols and even offering full-blown Web access. And there are tens of millions of them on every continent on earth even most criminals have cellphones.
Mikko Hypponen, chief research officer at F-Secure, gave a great invited talk to all of the scientists attending Usenix Security in Boston this year, in which he described the current state of mobile security.
Among the most striking facts in Hypponen's presentation: The Cabir virus that debuted in 2005 has now infected phones in over 30 countries, and is one of 370 known mobile viruses, most of which target the Symbian platform. While we're busy eavesdropping on ourselves over here in the United States, mobile code threats seem to be moving on without us in Europe.
Lessons From the iPhone Exploit
Johns Hopkins professor Avi Rubin and his team at Independent Security Evaluators announced an exploit for Apples popular iPhone in July. Their exploit could be packaged for delivery over a WiFi link or from a malicious Web page.
The main lesson from the iPhone hack is that it only takes one security hole to compromise an entire cellphone. Simple cellphones don't have kernels that separate root level privileges and critical system functionality from other kinds of userland code. This is a similarly awful security stance to the one built into Windows 95, Windows 98, and WindowsME more than a decade ago.
Fortunately, Windows has come a very long way from a security standpoint. Vista may still have massive security challenges, but at least it has a kernel and a real security design. Cellphone operating systems, by and large, do not.
In the real world, most cellphone payloads propagate through direct user download (think of a Trojan killer app on some random Website). The second-most popular propagation mechanism is Bluetooth, and the third is SMS. Propagation really matters when it comes to malicious code, because getting to the victim is more than half the battle. But propagation is not everything.
User interface problems have also helped the spread of the Cabir virus. Since Cabir is fairly tame (if not lame), it actually asks permission from a user before it runs on a victim's phone. It propagates through Bluetooth, and once it arrives, the user of the phone is queried about whether to receive/run the (infected) message from the already-infected nearby phone.
The problem is that even a security-savvy user can be stumped by Cabir. If you answer "no" to the download, then the first copy of the virus promptly dies as it should. But the virus propagation tool runs again on the nearby infected phone, attaches again, and the poor victim gets yet another query.
Unless the user is clever enough (or paranoid enough) to move out of range physically of the infected phone by, say, walking out of a bar, this constant security query nonsense will keep on happening, rendering the victim's as-yet-uninfected phone virtually useless. On most phones, you can't make a call when a Bluetooth query is waiting for an answer. After saying "no" several times in the attack loop we just described, users in the real world tend to get frustrated and finally hit "yes." Hence Cabir's continued spread.
The makers of Symbian know about this user interface issue, and new versions of their operating system are set up to avoid the attack-loop problem. Eventually, though, a much better security design is needed to stem the coming tide of malicious code for mobiles. We all know how well users do with security decisions!
Count Your Chickens
So far, nothing terrible has happened as a result of cellphone malware. That's because, for some reason, nobody has yet hooked up a real exploit like the ISE iPhone hack with a malicious payload that destroys and a hugely popular propagation vector like SMS. The worst case scenario remains the same as it did in 2005: an SMS-spread exploit that turns victim phones into unusable bricks just after it sends itself to everyone in the phone book.
Because of the security work I do here at Cigital, I know this kind of attack is possible today. This is not theory or hand-wringing. I have watched phones turn into bricks, never to work again after they ran certain payloads. In the end, we're just dang lucky that nothing huge has happened yet.
What's worse, there is no central authority to contact if a security problem does crop up on the mobile phone network. We're currently in exactly the same state of security in the cellphone world as the Internet was just before the debut of the Morris worm.
Oh well, I guess we shouldn't worry. If your cellphone is hacked into a brick by malicious mobile system code, how would you call CERT anyway?
Gary McGraw is CTO of Cigital Inc. Special to Dark Reading


text:
Staples Launches Managed Print ServicesStaples Launches Managed Print Services
Staples has launched managed print services and the big box retailer expects to help customers cut printing costs by up to 30 percent. Staples Advantage, the business-to-business division of Staples, is leading the managed print services (MPS) push.
April 25, 2012
managed print services 2Staples has launched managed print services and the big box retailer expects to help customers cut printing costs by up to 30 percent. Staples Advantage, the business-to-business division of Staples, is leading the managed print services (MPS) push. Although managed print services is considered a prime opportunity, only about 30 percent of MSPs offer managed print services, according to our annual MSPmentor 100 report.
Staples (NASDAQ: SPLS) is no stranger to the managed services market. Thrive Networks, the retailer’s managed services arm, ranks among the world’s top MSPs, according to our annual MSPmentor 100 report. While Thrive Networks is not involved in the Staples Advantage MPS push, Thrive Networks President Jim Lippie says he’s aware of the Staples Advantage MPS effort.
According to a prepared statement about the managed print services push:
“Staples Technology Solutions can conduct a comprehensive assessment to help businesses understand their total cost of printing. The process analyzes hardware, maintenance, staff resources and consumables such as ink, toner and paper. Staples can also evaluate printing habits to pinpoint how the printing devices are used. The information is used to optimize the fleet based on the customer’s unique goals and organizational requirements.”
Staples says its managed print services effort will include:
A brand-neutral solution that works with a customer’s existing printer fleet
Assistance reaching sustainability goals through office printing guidelines
Reduced time spent on print fleet maintenance and support
Automated supply replenishment
A single, predictable monthly bill
Ongoing account management of a company’s print strategy
It sounds promising, and I realize managed print services is a real opportunity for MSPs. But MSPmentor also is careful not to hype the market. Many printer vendors focus their managed print efforts as direct-sales initiatives rather than promoting VARs and MSPs to end-customers.
Still, there are signs of progress across the managed print market. Many of the new industry milestones surface at Photizo Group conferences. And there was plenty of managed print chatter at the recent ITEX conference in Las Vegas, where MSP-oriented software companies like Shockey Monkey apparently held discussions about a range of managed print industry opportunities.
About the Author(s)
You May Also Like


text:
What Fruits Slow Down Aging?
Want to be healthier and look and feel younger? You can! There’s a lot you can do to make that happen, including changing your diet, but let’s be realistic—a blueberry is not a magic anti-aging pill that’s going to reverse years of eating fast food, not getting enough sleep, smoking cigarettes, and sunbathing at the beach.
Although a large body of scientific research suggests certain foods, like blueberries, have anti-aging potential over time, we can’t expect to reverse the classic symptoms of aging (like crow’s feet, belly fat, and heart disease) at the snap of our fingers or by popping a blueberry.
To slow aging, we first need to understand what aging is and how it happens. It all starts at the cellular level. Our cells—the building blocks of our body—are constantly dividing, and when they do, they get a little older and more exposed to damage.
“As we age, there is increasing harm to our DNA, and, eventually, the damage surpasses the body’s ability to repair itself,” explains endocrinologist and anti-aging medicine pioneer Florence Comite, MD, founder of the Comite Center for Precision Medicine & Heath and the age-reversing app GroqHealth.
This cellular damage is what makes our skin wrinkly, our hair thinner and grayer, and our bodies prone to those serious disorders and diseases associated with getting older.
The good news? “Our genes are not our destiny,” says Dr. Comite. In short, it’s very possible to slow the aging process—and even reverse it—by assessing your health trajectory based on your family health history, lifestyle practices, and cellular health.
One intervention that will be part of any stay-young plan is eating more fruits and vegetables.
A 2021 study by Harvard researchers pinpointed just how many servings of produce you should eat daily to increase longevity. Researchers analyzed 30 years’ worth of nutrition data from more than 2 million people. The meta-analysis found that people who ate five servings of fruits and vegetables (2 servings of fruit and 3 of vegetables) daily had a 13% lower risk of death from all causes, a 12% lower risk of death from heart disease and stroke, 10% lower mortality from cancer, and 35% lower risk of dying from respiratory illnesses.
Eating more fruit is one of the easiest lifestyle changes you can make to improve your chances for a longer health span. Here’s why and the four best types of fruits to eat to support that goal, according to science.
Blueberries are one of the richest sources of anthocyanins, phytochemical compounds that give fruits and vegetables their blue, purple, and, red coloring and are effective antioxidants that fight the free radicals that damage cells.
Some studies have shown that the nutrients in blueberries have the ability to repair damaged DNA and modulate genes associated with longevity. The combination of anthocyanins and dietary fiber in blueberries may also help reduce insulin resistance, lower triglycerides, and reduce the risk of Type 2 diabetes, according to research in Current Developments in Nutrition.
What’s more, studies suggest that eating blueberries regularly may improve cognitive performance. And laboratory studies on roundworms showed that blueberry polyphenols slowed aging-related declines and increased lifespan, benefits that researchers suggest may be applicable to humans.
It may be true what they say about an apple a day. After all, nutrition research has consistently associated eating apples with a host of health benefits. One review in Advances in Nutrition, for example, noted that eating apples regularly may reduce the risk of age-related diseases such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, and Alzheimer’s disease.
Grapefruit is rich in a host of healthy nutrients like vitamin C, inflammation-fighting magnesium, blood-pressure-lowering potassium, and dietary fiber. But its greatest health benefit may be its ability to combat the cluster of cardio-metabolic disorders linked to being overweight. As you age, your risk of being overweight increases; therefore, incorporating a fat-fighting fruit such as grapefruit in your diet is a great anti-aging tool.
One study found that participants who ate half of a grapefruit with each meal lost 3.6 pounds over the course of the 12-week experiment. And an analysis of data from the famed National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES 2003-2008) found an association between grapefruit consumption and conditions that reduce cardiovascular disease risks, such as lower body weight and body mass index, smaller waist circumference, lower triglycerides and the inflammation marker C-reactive protein, and higher “good” HDL cholesterol.
About the Creator
Am a lawyer who owns an ecommerce store called www.cattylovesline.com loves blogging on www.cattylove.com and has a youtube channel called cattylove.com and many other things il still like to achieve.
Very well written. Keep up the good work!
Easy to read and follow
Well-structured & engaging content
Expert insights and opinions
Arguments were carefully researched and presented
On-point and relevant
Writing reflected the title & theme
Compelling and original writing
Creative use of language & vocab
Niche topic & fresh perspectives
Heartfelt and relatable
The story invoked strong personal emotions
Original narrative & well developed characters
[url=https://couponnat.com/store/sivvi//]كود خصم سيفي اول طلب[/url]
This is interesting news. I have got to eat more fruit and veggies too.
Very well written. Thank You for the information.
Thank you for sharing! 😊
Great story, great tips. Thank you for sharing.
Love learning new things about food and their benefits. Keeps me looking forward to future discoveries. Keep up the good work and if you have time, here's a fun little read for ya. https://vocal.media/poets/run-of-the-river-army
This comment has been deleted


text:
- Security Center
- English ▾
Zango gets Zapped
You can surf the net with a little more ease this morning, knowing that an important legal benchmark has been set in dealing with those who sneakily install malware, spyware and adware onto your computer.
Zango, Inc., one of the world's largest distributors of adware, settled charges by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) that the company violated federal law by using unfair and deceptive methods to download adware and obstruct consumers from removing it.
As part of the settlements terms, future downloads of Zango's adware without consumers' consent are banned. Zango is also required to provide a way for consumers to remove the adware and must give up $3 million in ill-gotten gains.
Zango, which you may also know as 180solutions, Inc., has a long history and an ugly reputation in the malware industry. Computer users around the world have been plagued with Zango software, making this a clear victory for the "good guys" in the battle against spyware.
It used outside distributors to bundle its tracking software and adware with games and screen savers, and also exploited vulnerabilities in programs like Microsoft to sneak its way into PCs. It has been installed on U.S. consumers' computers over 70 million times and has caused more than 6.9 billion pop-up ads, the FTC said.
At Lavasoft, we know all too well about Zango's tricks from our efforts to help you identify it on your computer. Nearly anything it has touched ended up in detection, often with an "automatic high" classification in the Threat Analysis Index.
Not only does Zangos settlement mark a win for all of us "good guys," it also sets an important standard for other companies that are attempting to install their software on computers. Perhaps we're seeing the beginning of the end for hidden terms in software end user licensing agreements.
You can read the full FTC press release by clicking here.


text:
In a historic move, Cambodia and China have officially signed a free trade agreement that promises to strengthen economic ties between the two nations. The agreement, which was finalized on [insert date], marks a significant step towards enhancing trade and investment opportunities for both countries.
This new Cambodia-China Free Trade Agreement aims to reduce trade barriers and promote economic cooperation. By eliminating or reducing tariffs, quotas, and other trade restrictions, this agreement will pave the way for increased export and import activities between the two nations. Experts predict that this agreement will unlock immense growth potential for both Cambodian and Chinese businesses.
Furthermore, this free trade agreement will not only benefit the business sectors but also have a positive impact on the general population. It is expected to create more jobs, boost economic growth, and improve living standards in both Cambodia and China. As trade barriers are lifted, consumers can look forward to a wider range of affordable goods and services.
With this new trade agreement in place, businesses in Cambodia can explore new market opportunities in China, a global economic powerhouse. Increased access to the Chinese market will allow Cambodian companies to expand their customer base and diversify their export destinations. This will undoubtedly stimulate economic growth and contribute to the overall development of Cambodia.
While the benefits of this trade agreement are clear, it is essential to ensure that all parties involved adhere to the rules and regulations. To prevent any disputes or misunderstandings, both countries have agreed to establish clear guidelines and bidder agreements to govern the trading process.
The signing of this Cambodia-China Free Trade Agreement has also sparked discussions about the potential impact on existing agreements and collective bargaining. As trade regulations evolve, it is crucial for countries to review their current agreements and make necessary adjustments to accommodate the changing landscape of international trade.
It is worth noting that the maturity date of this agreement is yet to be determined. The maturity date refers to the date when the agreement will expire or become due for renewal. Until then, both Cambodia and China will work closely to ensure the successful implementation and enforcement of this trade agreement.
This breakthrough in trade relations also highlights the importance of bilateral agreements in shaping global trade. Traditionally, many countries relied on quotas established in bilateral agreements to regulate their trade activities. As we witness the signing of this Cambodia-China Free Trade Agreement, it becomes evident that such agreements play a crucial role in fostering economic cooperation between nations. To achieve sustainable economic growth, countries must continue to establish and strengthen these bilateral agreements.
Looking beyond trade, other sectors are also experiencing the benefits of agreements and contracts. For instance, the cleaning industry is witnessing the rise in demand for services, leading to an increase in tenant agreements in various regions. Similarly, the GTA Online community eagerly awaits the announcement of the cost of the next agency agreements in the virtual world.
As we move forward, it is evident that agreements between nations and businesses are crucial in shaping our interconnected global economy. The Cambodia-China Free Trade Agreement serves as a testament to the power of collaboration and trade in driving economic growth and prosperity.


text:
In March 2012, it was reported that a security breach at Global Payments, a firm that processed payments for Visa and Mastercard, could compromise the credit- and debit-card information of millions of Americans. Subsequent to the reported breach, the company’s stock fell more than 9 percent before trading in its stock was halted. Visa also removed the company from its list of approved processors.
In June 2011, a major bank reported that hackers had broken into its systems and gained access to the personal information of hundreds of thousands of customers. Through the bank’s on-line banking system, the attackers were able to view certain private customer information.
Citi reissued over 200,000 cards after a May 2011 website breach. About 360,000 of its approximately 23.5 million North American card accounts were affected, resulting in the potential for misuse of cardholder personal information.
AMERICA IS UNDER CYBER ATTACK: WHY URGENT ACTION IS NEEDED HEARING BEFORE THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON OVERSIGHT, INVESTIGATIONS, AND MANAGEMENT OF THE COMMITTEE ON HOMELAND SECURITY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ONE HUNDRED TWELFTH CONGRESS SECOND SESSION APRIL 24, 2012


text:
While AMD's first 32-nm processors were starting to hit retail shelves last quarter—and AMD apparently had to contend with yield issues at GlobalFoundries—Intel was busy churning out 22-nm Ivy Bridge chips. At least, that's what Intel CEO Paul Otellini stated during his company's third-quarter earnings conference call, according SeekingAlpha's transcript:
During the third quarter, we began volume production of Ivy Bridge on our 22 nanometer process technology. 22 nanometers will usher-in the era of 3-D transistors, which will pay dividends in power, performance and density for generations to come.
Intel actually demonstrated running Ivy Bridge systems back in May, so working chips were definitely coming out of Intel's fabs at that time. Volume production is a whole other story, though, and that's what Otellini talked about this week.
Now, don't hold your breath—the latest whispers from the rumor mill suggest Ivy Bridge might not become commercially available until next spring. That ought to give AMD a little time to sort out its 32-nm manufacturing problems with GlobalFoundries, and maybe crank out faster, cheaper FX-series chips that put up more of a fight. (Thanks to Fudzilla for the tip.)
|Here are the winners of our Macrium Data Disasters contest||8|
|PC Perspective pokes and prods the Radeon Pro Duo||30|
|Microsoft finalizes closing of Lionhead Studios||15|
|AMD completes spin-off of its assembly and test operations||19|
|Deals of the week: Asus' MG278Q display for $400 and more||21|
|Phanteks wraps its Enthoo Evolv ATX case in sheets of glass||15|
|AOC Agon AG271QX is the first in a new line of gaming displays||25|
|We take a seat on Turris' VR Chair||21|
|HP's Chromebook 13 is dressed for success at $499||25|
|LOVE THIS ARTICLE. MORE OF THIS PLEASE.||+37|


text:
One of the biggest announcements coming out of the upcoming Consumer Electronics Show in January may have nothing to do with laptops, smartphones, or home gizmos.
During the show, Ford will reportedly announce a partnership with Google to build self-driving cars. The new autonomous vehicles may not carry the Ford brand, as the two companies will work on a joint venture that is legally separate from Ford, according to Yahoo Autos.
The news comes mere days after Ford announced it would start testing its own fleet of self-driving cars in California beginning in 2016. Those tests are expected to use Ford’s autonomous Fusion Hybrid, but it’s not clear if the software powering them will be Ford’s or Google’s.
Even if Ford retains its own autonomous software as a back-up, it’s clear Google is far ahead of any car maker in terms of development. Google’s self-driving cars have been a sight on California roads since 2010.
While Google has a deep knowledge of the software needed for an autonomous vehicle to navigate traffic and city streets, the company lacks expertise on building cars on a massive scale. That’s likely the major reason Google co-founder Sergey Brin said in September that Google would look for partners to create the vehicles.
The story behind the story: Ford may be Google’s first self-driving car partner, but Yahoo Autos says the deal is non-exclusive. In other words, Google will look to work with more car makers. The company may even want to do something similar to what it does with Android and mobile devices. Instead of building cars itself, Google may just create the software that makes the autonomous vehicle possible, and leave it to manufacturers to churn out actual cars.
That’s just speculation, however. Google built its first set of self-driving cars in 2015, suggesting the company does want to have at least some say in how a self-driving car would be designed. Bloomberg reported in February that Google plans to create a ride-sharing vehicle fleet to compete with companies such as Uber.
When—if—Ford does announce its partnership, it may not be a Ford-Google partnership for very long. Google’s new parent company, Alphabet, plans to turn the self-driving car project into its own subsidiary in 2016, according to Bloomberg.


text:
Porsche 911 GT3 Facelift Sheds Camouflage for Nurburgring Testing
The facelifted Porsche 911 GT3 is getting ready for its debut.
There’s actually very little mystery left to the 991.2 GT3 ever since the German automaker debuted the 2017 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup race car. But with the standard production model wearing no camouflage at all during test sessions at the Nurburgring, we can now see both front and rear bumpers fully revealed. Out back, the air outlet has been moved to the underside of the rear spoiler, while the previous 911 GT3 had it in the rear bumper.
Of course the biggest news for the facelifted Porsche 911 GT3 is the return of the manual transmission as an option. The same six-speed manual transmission developed for the 911 R will be available on the updated GT3.
Expect more details to be announced when the model debuts in the coming weeks.
Discuss this story on our Porsche Forum
Jason Siu began his career in automotive journalism in 2003 with Modified Magazine, a property previously held by VerticalScope. As the West Coast Editor, he played a pivotal role while also extending his expertise to Modified Luxury & Exotics and Modified Mustangs. Beyond his editorial work, Jason authored two notable Cartech books. His tenure at AutoGuide.com saw him immersed in the daily news cycle, yet his passion for hands-on evaluation led him to focus on testing and product reviews, offering well-rounded recommendations to AutoGuide readers. Currently, as the Content Director for VerticalScope, Jason spearheads the content strategy for an array of online publications, a role that has him at the helm of ensuring quality and consistency across the board.
More by Jason Siu


text:
Cold weather can seriously mess with your motivation to get out and walk (or jog or bike). To keep moving in winter, plug one of these into your DVD player: a video game.
Winter Video Workouts
Yup, scientists have been putting those Wii fitness claims to the test. (Tough job, but somebody had to try out 68 video-game workouts). The news from one study: A third of Wii activities qualify as moderate-intensity exercise -- the same as a good walk. On the list: spinning a Hula-hoop, boxing (both regular boxing, which was tops, and rhythm boxing), playing tennis and baseball, and doing several resistance moves, such as the rowing squat. Resistance training and aerobics can bust your appetite, too.
Mixed Workouts Best
Besides being rainy-day greats, exercise-based video games mix new activities into your routine, which helps keep you interested in using your body as more than a clothes hanger. Just don't let video games like those for Wii totally replace the real thing. They make awesome cold-weather alternatives, and may even sharpen up your golf swing or overhead smash. But the study also found that virtual sports are significantly less intense than those played in the real world. Is your workout paying off? Use these tips to optimize your exercise regimen.


text:
For richer, for poorer for today’s brides (and grooms) to be
3 June 2010
- Couples are now more likely to pay for their wedding than their parents
- Of all UK cities, couples in Cardiff receive the most financial support for the big day from their parents
- Couples put an average of £4,700 of their own money towards their wedding
- It takes an average of 10 months to save up for the big day
It seems that the days when the bride’s parents would pay for her wedding are gone as research from Tesco Bank reveals that couples are now more likely than their parents to be footing the bill for their big day.
Just over half of all UK couples (52%) now pay for the majority of their wedding costs from their own pocket. Less than a third (27%) of bride’s parents these days fulfil the traditional role of paying for the majority of the day’s costs.
Comparisons across the country reveal that mums and dads in Cardiff dig deepest into their pockets, with nearly two thirds (61%) funding most of the expenses.
Top five cities for parents paying for their children’s wedding
Rank City % paying for their children’s wedding
1. Cardiff 61%
2. Leeds 57%
3. Portsmouth 56%
4. Oxford 55%
5. Manchester 54%
At the opposite end of the scale, today’s most financially independent brides and grooms are those from Norwich, where 64% pay their own way for their big day – way ahead of the national average of 52%.
Top five cities for couples paying for their wedding
Rank City % paying for their own wedding
1. Norwich 64%
2. Birmingham 56%
3. Plymouth 56%
4. London 55%
5. Brighton and Hove 55%
When it comes to saving for the big day, couples spend an average of 10 months getting their finances in order and are putting an average of £4,700 of their own money towards their dream wedding.
Holidays and meals out are the first cutbacks couples are likely to make in order to afford their perfect wedding day, while a third (32%) are bringing their own lunches into work and having their morning coffee at home, rather than buying on the go.
Jeremy Sutton, Head of Savings & Investments at Tesco Bank said,
“Planning your wedding day can be quite stressful, particularly when it comes to managing finances. Saving regularly each month can really make a difference. Our research shows that most couples are cutting their cloth in the run up to the big day by saving money where they can.”
For regular savers looking for instant access accounts, Tesco Bank offers two accounts with no hidden charges and no restrictions on the number of withdrawals made for various wedding expenses!
- Tesco Instant Access allows customers to save as they shop. As well as managing the account online or over the phone, customers can top up their savings by depositing cash and cheques while doing their weekly shop (excluding Express and petrol filling stations), with the convenience of weekend opening hours.
- With the Tesco Internet Saver, customers can manage their account online and benefit from Tesco Bank’s highest saving rate. Once registered for online banking, customers can check their balance 24 hours 7 days a week and make secure online payments to another bank or account.
For more information and media enquiries please contact:
Tesco Bank press office
+44 (0) 131 274 3630
Tesco Bank’s goal is to make banking and insurance easier and better value for people who shop at Tesco. WTesco Bank participates in the Chartered Banker Professional Standards Board.
Tesco Bank is a trading name of Tesco Personal Finance plc. Registered in Scotland No. SC173199. Registered Office: 2 South Gyle Crescent, Edinburgh, EH12 9FQ


text:
In the latest development, the Global Savings Group (GSG) and M6 Group have reached a deal on a take over of the leading French cashback player iGraal. The transaction involves a partial acquisition in cash for an amount of €35 million and an exchange of shares.
Acquired France’s most significant digital cashback player!
With iGraal valued at €123.5 million (subject to adjustment), GSG acquires France’s most significant digital cashback player. The deal over iGraal is one of the largest transactions in the industry in recent years. Back in 2019, GSG and iGraal jointly saw more than six million members using its loyalty tools and connected advertisers to around 400 million consumers.


text:
Leading Jewelers of the World, the nation’s premier association of retail jewelers, plans to launch a national consumer advertising campaign.
The campaign consists of an eight-page advertorial in the November 3 issue of Womens World Daily, the premier publication in the fashion industry, and full page ads in each of their December 1 and 8 issues of Forecast. In addition, a full page, full-color ad will also appear in the December issue of Elle, the November issue of Vogue, and the December issue of W.
The effort will reach almost 16 million primary readership consumers as well as some of the most influential people in retailing and fashion, said Jack Gredinger, executive director of Leading Jewelers of the World.
“The total cost to each member for this entire program is under $5,000,” Gredinger said. “The purpose of this advertising effort is to unite all our members nationally under the umbrella of the Leading Jewelers of the World trust mark—a consumer mark which represents ‘The Ultimate Jewelry Buying Experience’ for diamonds and diamond jewelry.”
Leading Jewelers of the World, a W.B. David & Co. initiative is a brand-enhancing program for the retail jewelry industry. It selects only premier market leaders for membership and is open to a total of just 125 elite jewelers throughout the United States. Distinguished premier retail market leaders may contact Jack Gredinger for membership criteria at 212-768-2744.Follow JCK on Instagram: @jckmagazine
Follow JCK on Twitter: @jckmagazine
Follow JCK on Facebook: @jckmagazine


text:
American Financial Security Life Insurance Co. faces a proposed class action over its apparent practice of placing automated calls to consumers’ cell phones without obtaining their prior express consent to be contacted.
The plaintiff says that beginning March 9, 2020, he received at least three unwanted calls from the insurance company despite the fact that his number has been included in the National Do Not Call Registry since October 2017.
According to the suit, the calls violated the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), which “was designed to prevent calls like the ones described within this complaint.”
The lawsuit says each of the calls began with silence followed by “audible clicks,” after which a live representative came on the line—events the complaint claims indicate that an autodialer was used to place the calls. According to the case, the automated dialing technology used by American Financial Security has the capacity to store or produce numbers to be called and then dial the numbers without human intervention.
The lawsuit alleges the defendant willfully and unlawfully used a combination of automated hardware and software to place calls en masse to the plaintiff and other consumers regardless of whether they provided consent to be contacted or if their numbers were listed on the National Do Not Call Registry.
The plaintiff claims he never gave American Financial Security permission to call his cell phone number for marketing purposes and was harmed by the unwanted robocalls.
“In addition to using Plaintiff’s cellular data, phone storage, and battery life, his privacy was wrongfully invaded, his seclusion was intruded upon, and Plaintiff has become understandably aggravated with having to deal with the frustration of repeated, unwanted phone calls, forcing him to divert attention away [sic] sleep and causing disruption to his work and other activities,” the complaint reads. “Not only did the receipt of the phone calls distract Plaintiff away from his personal activity, Plaintiff was forced to spend time investigating the calls.”
Get class action lawsuit news sent to your inbox – sign up for ClassAction.org’s newsletter here.


text:
DigiBC hosts its annual digital and tech industry awards tonight at Science World in Vancouver.
Here are the top 25 companies nominated in five categories for NEXTBC 2015. Some of the nominees are long familiar in Vancouver’s tech and digital scene, others are starting out and launching innovative ideas in everything from gaming to sports, analytics, security and other categories:
tap here to see other videos from our team.
Most Innovative Business Solution
Eventbase – a company that specializes in mobile event apps
FusionPipe Software Solutions – specializing in password-less data security and authentication for companies
Procurify – a cloud-based procurement management solution
Unbounce – providing tools and templates for marketers to create high-converting landing pages for campaigns.
Visier – cloud-based workforce analytics and planning solutions.
Most Innovative Digital Media Company
Pinshape – a 3D printing platform that offers downloadable 3D printing designs.
PressReader – multi-channel, cross-platform news content distribution and monetization. QxMD – medical apps for mobile devices delivering research, topic reviews and ability to search PubMed.
Skyrocket Digital – a digital branding agency
Tradable Bits Media – platform to unify content marketing, e-commerce, customer relationship management and targeted communication.
Most Innovative Entertainment Company
Electronic Arts Canada – game development company
Kerberos Productions – game development company
QuestUpon – edutainment tech company that has created a platform that combines augmented reality with geocaching, social and interactive features to allow players to track and explore legends, such as the Sasquatch or Loch Ness Monster when they’re travelling in a region.
Roadhouse Interactive – mobile game developer for smartphones and tablets
Tangoo – billed as the pocket concierge, an iPhone app that tailors social outings to match your personality and local events.
Most Innovative Start-up
Adrroit Technologies – Parking lot monitoring and analytics and developing a parking connectivity applications to help drivers find parking spots before they arrive at a destination. ·
Archiact Interactive – virtual reality gaming and creator of its flagship game Lamper VR available in the Google Play Store.
HelpHub – online tutoring on demand.
Latergramme – planner and scheduler for Instagram posts.
Payso – mobile payments from your iPhone or Android smartphone to friends and family via text of the Payso app.
Most Disruptive Innovation
H+ Technologies – creating customizable intuitive gesture-based systems and 3D displays, launching its holographic interactive system Kickstarter project in June.
Indiloop – remix apps for Android and iOS, simplifying remixing for the cloud or on your smartphone or tablet.
POF – Plenty of Fish, the world’s largest online dating site.
Recon Instruments – creator of heads-up display wearable computers for sports, including skiing/snowboarding goggle and the recently released Recon Jet.
RentMoola – an online global payment network that lets tenants pay rent and condo owners pay strata fees with a credit card, debit card or RentMoola’s direct debit.
For more information and to get tickets for tonight’s event, check online with DigiBC.


text:
Goodfare great—if you can find it
Jennifer Kwan enjoys goodies like hot chocolate, breakfast sundaes, biscuits, bagels and deli sandwiches. But she loves the 30-second commute from her apartment to her tucked-away downstairs cafe even more. Kwan’s place, Goodfare, is just one of Halifax’s new foodie additions.
Bike shop super cycle
Paul Rogers’ daily ride is a 1979 Fuji. If he decided to sell, he’d have a lineup for the road bike that’s older than most of his customers. Buyers aren’t the problem, it’s getting bicycles as demand has spiked and the supply chain snapped.
IHOP jobs going like hotcakes
News in January that the breakfast artists formerly known as International House of Pancakes were heading to Halifax created a buzz. The bigger picture became clear this week when IHOP said it plans to hire 10,000 people to feed its expansion plans.
Farewell fee hike
Hospitality business rep Brenda O’Reilly was thanking the ferry rate fairy this week as Marine Atlantic rolled back a bunch of price increases. The move will save truckers and travellers between two per cent and 3.4 per cent.
Casino operator Great Canadian Gaming is used to the house winning, but pandemic lockdowns have kept gamblers, good and bad, away. Hence the sale to—wait for it—Raptor Acquisitions. The injection of capital ought to take some sting out of earlier publicity about GCG’s CEO flying to the Yukon for a stealthy bit of COVID-vaccine queue-jumping.
Ellis heads to the Hawk
Sydney resto-baron Danny Ellis is taking his Portside Beer Garden concept on a road trip to Port Hawkesbury. The new Portside, on the Strait of Canso, will have the same comfy pub grub and hockey rink glass wrapping the outdoor patio to keep the wind out and the warmth in.
Golf out of the rough
Courses filled up in the pandemic’s first summer but resorts counting on weddings and business gatherings took a beating. This year, courses like GlenDenning and The Wilds are counting on a shot in the arm from shots in the arm. Weddings are booking on expectations for vaccinations.
Gift that’s Ever Given?
In case you were hoping: There won’t be a windfall or Atlantic Canadian ports because of the crossways container ship Ever Given that stuck in the Suez Canal. In case you were worried: Halifax port boss Lane Farguson says our smaller boats and wider channel mean it won’t happen here.
Good and Lucky
You hear it’s better to be lucky than good. Montague and Stratford’s Lucky Bean cafes are both, picking up a P.E.I. Chamber of Commerce award for parter-owner Matt Clendinning. Check out all of the winners here.
Ocean Choice chooses
Newfoundland’s OCI has hired the ex-CEO of Iceland Seafood International to push sales in Europe. No plans to move any processing or fishing effort there. The company aims to keep a three-way split of sales among North America, Asia and Europe.
CIBC: More housing remedy for market fever
Bank boss Victor Dodig says cheap money, extra cash and a shortage of housing on the market are pushing sales and prices into fever territory. His cure is upping supply rather than restricting demand.
CARMICHAEL: Hewers of wood, designers of apps
The COVID recession’s a lot different from the one that followed the last Wall Street crash. Kevin Carmichael says exports—from lumber and cars to engineering and software services—have cushioned the blow of the pandemic downturn.
That’s the Wrap!
Got news? Send it to [email protected].
Back next Friday. Until then, here’s a Will Rogers squib to chew on when reading stories like the last two listed above: “An economist’s guess is liable to be as good as anybody else’s.”


text:
Chartered Surveyors and Estate Management specialist Rees Richards & Partners is no stranger to the residential, commercial and agricultural property market.
Established in 1845, the Swansea-based company is renowned for its history and heritage, yet 2016 brings a brand new look that showcases the property agent’s modern outlook and marketing innovation.
In line with their repositioning for property sales, the Rees Richards team has unveiled a new logo which has been carefully integrated into a series of new look print marketing materials, but their rebrand doesn’t end there.
“It’s not just our print materials, including signage, brochures and letterheads, that are changing, our online look is currently undergoing a transformation,” said Matthew Lloyd, Partner at Rees Richards & Partners.
“Whilst still in the pipeline, our new website will showcase the historic and esteemed reputation that our company has become known and loved for, whilst demonstrating the fresh perspective we deliver to each and every one of our clients and customers.”
The website, which incorporates a striking new design, fully responsive features and client-focused content, will replace their existing online platform to ensure an interactive portal that works in line with Rees Richards’ distinctive approach to luxury sales and auctions, estate management and professional services
“Alongside the launch of our new branding, 2016 is set to be another great year for our company, and we look forward to delivering the innovative marketing style, quality, professionalism and service transparency to our existing client base and aspirational buyers and property investors throughout the region,” concluded Matthew.


text:
Realme just shifted the eyes of tech enthusiasts to its newly launched second TV — Realme 55-inch SLED 4K TV. SLED stands for superluminescent diode. The company has been marketing the new device against its competitive brands’ QLED technology, which makes for cheaper televisions. So let’s find out what’s the hype for after all.
QLED vs SLED Display: What’s the difference?
QLED, which stands for Quantum dot Light-emitting diode, uses blue backlight which gets converted into a white light for a much bolder display. Realme claims that SLED technology has done away with the harmful blue light that emits from QLEDs. It has a new technology which uses RGB colours that form into the white backlight providing higher colour purity and eye protection than QLED.
Realme SLED Smart TV has an unprecedented ultra-wide colour gamut, up to 108% NTSC, which claims to deliver better vivid and cinematic visuals. The Smart TV with SLED Display technology has passed the TUV Rheinland Low Blue Light Certification, making it the only television apart from the OLED TVs to have passed this certification, claimed Realme.
Realme SLED TVs vs Samsung QLED TVs
Tech experts don’t support Realme’s claim that SLED is a superior technology than what its competitors have.
Youtube and tech enthusiast Utsav Techie told The Electronics that Samsung has been a global leader in terms of volume with high R&D spending in TVs. “If we talk about the picture quality, then Samsung wins hands down. The only downside is that its products are more expensive,” he said.
The price of Samsung’s latest 55-inch 4K QLED TVs start from ₹80,000, while RealMe Smart SLED TV is priced at ₹42,999 and the TV’s introductory price is ₹39,999.
While Realme is banking upon its eye protection technology, the Youtuber highlighted that the TV lacks some premium features like Dolby Vision and Atmos that can be found in the competing brands’ TVs.
Will it play well in the market?
“In terms of sale, we may see a mediocre performance. People perceive Realme as a budget brand in India and there might be very few people who will spend more than ₹40,000 on the Realme TV,” he said.
Realme may be the first to bring the SLED technology to the global market, but it is the only feature they used to sell their product. The TV will be available in the market for sale from October 16.


text:
Microsoft Did It: Windows 10 Runs On Qualcomm Snapdragon Processor With Standard Windows Apps
Unlike Windows RT, this is a full version of Windows 10 that is compiled to run natively on Qualcomm Snapdragon hardware. That means customers are no longer limited to only running Universal Windows apps (as was the case with Windows RT). Not only will users get all of the features and capabilities that you would expect with Windows 10, but you’ll be able to run Win32 apps as well (only 32-bit x86 support will be offered initially) via emulation, in addition to Windows Universal Apps.
So, why is Microsoft doing this? Of course it's because the Redmond, Washington-based software giant is looking to expand Windows 10’s footprint and to allow its hardware partners to “build always-connected devices without hindering form factor design,” according to Windows chief Terry Myerson. Using Snapdragon processors will allow OEMs to design thinner laptops and convertibles, along with incredibly power-efficient desktops and servers with fully baked in Windows app support.
In the video below, you can see Microsoft demonstrating Windows 10 running on a Snapdragon 820 processor paired with 4GB of RAM. The device has the ability to join a domain (something that wasn’t possible with Windows RT), run Adobe Photoshop CC, Microsoft Office and even play Windows games...
“Qualcomm Snapdragon processors offer one of the world’s most advanced mobile computing features, including Gigabit LTE connectivity, advanced multimedia support, machine learning and superior hardware security features, all while supporting thin, fan-less designs and long battery life,” said Qualcomm Technologies executive vice president Cristiano Amon. “With compatibility with the Windows 10 ecosystem, the Qualcomm Snapdragon platform is expected to support mobility to cloud computing and redefine how people will use their compute devices.”
Microsoft is also placing a large emphasis on mobile devices with built-in cellular connectivity running Windows 10, with Myerson specifically touting the benefits of eSIM technology (an embedded reprogrammable SIM) that negates the need for wasting space in cramped mobile devices for a physical SIM slot. This also means that things are looking brighter for the long-rumored Surface Phone, which could leverage this newfound x86 app emulation to bring a new, incredibly powerful Continuum experience to Windows 10 Mobile devices. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella even hinted at such a groundbreaking capability in an interview last month.
"We don't want to be driven by just envy of what others have, the question is, what can we bring? That's where I look at any device form factor or any technology, even AI," said Nadella in late November. "We will continue to be in the phone market not as defined by today's market leaders, but by what it is that we can uniquely do in what is the most ultimate mobile device." That particular Nadella interview came roughly a week after news first leaked that Microsoft was working on x86 emulation that would be incorporated into Windows 10 Redstone 3 under the codename Cobalt.


text:
Hewlett-Packard isn't making bones about the fact that the Unix OS market is in decline, but the company believes its HP-UX has a long life ahead for customers using its fault-tolerant servers.
Thieves might regret stealing Hewlett-Packard's ultrathin Elitebook Folio 1020 laptops, which have a feature that turns them into nothing more than paperweights in case of theft.
Breaking up Hewlett-Packard is "totally the right thing to do for this company," CEO Meg Whitman said on Tuesday, after HP reported declines in revenue and profit for the last quarter.
Bringing some enterprise rigor to the wild world of big data, Hewlett-Packard has issued a package that will allow organizations to harness HP's Vertica analytical database engine to investigate reams of unstructured data residing in Hadoop systems.
Once a seething cauldron of competition, the twice-yearly Top500 listing of the world's most powerful supercomputers has grown nearly stagnant of late.
Nokia Networks and Hewlett-Packard are collaborating on a platform that aims to let operators to roll out new services faster by moving to a Cloud-based infrastructure.
Hewlett-Packard wants to make BYOD easier for small businesses through a new cloud-based service to manage and protect mobile devices and PCs.
3D printing could become faster, cheaper and more efficient with Hewlett-Packard entering the market.
Hewlett-Packard's efforts to usher in an entirely new computer architecture, one potentially much faster and simpler, may bear fruit by the end of 2016, when the company's lab expects to have the first prototype machine based on its design.
If Hewlett-Packard's Moonshot server doesn't pan out, it won't be for lack of trying.
The next frontier for virtualisation and standard x86 servers is in service-provider networks, and big computing vendors are moving fast to blaze the trail there.
Justice ministers' proposals to relax European Union data protection rules for low-risk personal data are a step in the right direction, according to a lobbying group backed by IBM, Microsoft and Oracle.
Hewlett-Packard's plan to slice itself in two is being well-received by a cross-section of customers, though questions linger around PC and printer services and support.
About 1,000 workers at a factory of manufacturing giant Foxconn Technology Group went on strike on Wednesday demanding better wages, after production orders from Hewlett-Packard were cut, according to a labor protection group.
Worldwide PC shipments fell slightly in the third quarter this year, but the drop wasn't as big as IDC had originally projected, with expanded offerings of inexpensive laptops and a saturation of tablets in some areas helping to improve the numbers, ...
Most Popular Reviews
- 1 Motorola Moto X (2nd Gen) review: Raising the bar
- 2 Xiaomi Mi4 review: Xiaomi's best yet
- 3 Samsung Galaxy Note Edge review: Lightly flawed, Undeniably special
- 4 Sony Xperia Z3 review: The no-frills flagship
- 5 Samsung's Galaxy Alpha review: A peek into the Galaxy S6
Best Deals on GoodGearGuide
Latest News Articles
- Google Now adds data from Lyft, Airbnb and many more apps
- Outlook app for Android and iOS boosts Microsoft's mobile comeback
- MIT randomizes tasks to speed massive multicore processors
- NEC aims at Big Data 'sweet spot' with new SAP Hana tool
- Uber will fight to keep its Boston ride data private
GGG Evaluation Team
First impression on unpacking the Q702 test unit was the solid feel and clean, minimalist styling.


text:
Samsung’s latest Galaxy S24 series may not have the most exciting hardware specs, but what is truly groundbreaking is the introduction of Galaxy AI. This innovative take on AI by Samsung promises new and thrilling ways to interact with our smartphones.
The good news is that Samsung has confirmed that Galaxy AI will not be exclusive to the Galaxy S24 series. In fact, the tech giant has announced that Galaxy AI will be making its way to other devices such as the Galaxy S23 series, S23 FE, Z Fold5, Z Flip5, and Tab S9 series.
According to Samsung’s mobile chief TM Roh, the goal of Galaxy AI is to pioneer a new era of mobile AI and empower users by making AI more accessible. Samsung plans to introduce Galaxy AI to over 100 million Galaxy users within 2024, promising to continue innovating and exploring the endless possibilities of mobile AI.
The update, which will come with One UI 6.1, is set to roll out at the end of March. Users who own any of the eligible devices should keep an eye out for the update. Although Samsung has hinted that not all AI features from the Galaxy S24 will be available on older devices, the specifics have not been disclosed yet.
Some of the exciting AI features that users can expect include Chat Assist, Live Translate, Interpreter tool, Circle to Search, Transcript Assist for voice recordings, and Generative Edit for photographers to effortlessly edit photos. With Galaxy AI, Samsung is revolutionizing the way we interact with our smartphones and opening up a world of new possibilities.


text:
SASKATOON—Potash Corporation says demand for its main product is expected to be strong for the remainder of the year and its 2017 earnings outlook has improved since January.
Potash Corp. now expects between 45 and 65 cents per share of profit this year, about 25 per cent better than its previous estimate.
The Saskatoon-based fertilizer producer says its first-quarter revenue was down by 8 per cent at $1.11 billion (U.S.) but that was offset by higher margins for potash.
It had $149 million of net income in the first quarter, equal to 18 cents per share.
That’s double the $75 million or nine cents per share the first quarter of 2016, which was a difficult year for the fertilizer industry.
Conditions remain difficult for PotashCorp’s other two types of crop nutrient, with first-quarter sales volumes, prices and margins weaker for both nitrogen and phosphate fertilizers.


text:
Loud and unclear
Does the Indian government’s loud voice in international negotiations produce results? At the recent WTO meet in Bali, the Indian government went all guns blazing to defend the rights of its farmers and to ensure food security for millions of poor. It opposed the Agreement on Agriculture that limits government food procurement at 10 per cent of the value of total production, based on the prices of late 1980s. It said this clause would impinge on its right to offer farmers a supportive price and to procure food stocks for its food safety programme.


text:
In Tokyo, several authorities in different countries are investigating the recent USD $530 million heist concerning the NEM cryptocurrency.
A member of the Singapore-based NEM Foundation, Takao Asayama, stated that it is collaborating with exchanges in order to block the hackers from cashing out the stolen virtual currency.
Japanese authorities have also stated that they will investigate all cryptocurrency exchanges in Japan for gaps in security and also have ordered Tokyo-based Coincheck to boost its standards of security.
Japan’s Financial Services Agency (FSA) radied Coincheck following the heist which impacted approximiately 260,000 Coincheck customers. The business has stated that it will reimburse their customers with yen however questions arise as to how Coincheck will do this due to the level of funds.
According to sources, the foundation has confirmed the transfer of some of the stolen currency to two exchanges as it appears that the function of the transactions was not about moving the coins but to test the tracking system.


text:
Cross-border mergers, acquisitions soar in 2011
Updated: 2012-01-11 07:08
BEIJING - Cross-border mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in the Chinese market increased by almost 100 percent in terms of the disclosed value of the transactions despite a global economic downturn in 2011, according to a report released by Zero2IPO Research Center on Tuesday.
The overseas M&A of Chinese corporations and M&A conducted by foreign companies in China are two major drives for the flourishing Chinese market of cross-border M&A in 2011, said the report.
According to the report, Chinese companies completed 110 overseas M&A deals in 2011 and the disclosed value of transactions reached $28 billion, showing a year-on-year growth of 93 percent and 112.9 percent respectively.
Statistics from the report show that 66 M&A deals were carried out by foreign companies in China, a year-on-year increase of 50 percent. The disclosed value of transactions rose by 209.2 percent to $6.86 billion.
The purchase for $1.62 billion of Chinese snack and candy maker Hsu Fu Chi International Ltd. by Nestle, the world's largest food producer, is a stand-out from all the deals in the last year.
The report also pointed out that both the total volume and value of total M&A deals of 2011 in China hit a record high in the past six years.
Founded in 2001, Zero2IPO Research Center is a leading agency committed to providing information in areas of venture capital, private equity, IPO and M&A.
- Trade surplus continues declining trend
- Attack on Iran 'would be a disaster'
- Govt pledges to erase illegal charges
- Syrian president refuses to step down
- PM2.5: Easy to monitor but hard to control
- China: No 1 market for Rolls-Royce
- Fireworks blast kills 5 in N China
- Bird flu epidemic unlikely in China


text:
|Mattel Is Cancelling Its “Alexa For Kids” After Privacy Uproar
By: Fast Company
Less than a year after the toymaker Mattel launched a AI-powered baby monitor called Aristotle, the company announced that it will table its controversial plans for the product after a petition from privacy and children’s health advocates gained traction.
Aristotle was supposed to be an Amazon Alexa for kids crossed with a smart baby monitor. It was designed to do things like soothe a child’s cries, answer their questions about the world, and even read bedtime stories–and it would learn over time from the child’s behavior. In essence, it was an AI that could act as an extra parent in the home.
But the device’s presence in kids’ bedrooms raised serious concerns from privacy advocates about data collection, as well as questions about how interacting with such a device could impact a toddler’s development. Two senators contacted Mattel with their concerns, and a petition against the product garnered 15,000 signatures.
Finally, after months of growing controversy, today Mattel said in a statement to The Washington Post that it has decided not to move forward with the product because it did not “fully align with Mattel’s new technology strategy.”
This article was published on Fast Company. A link to the original piece appears after the post.
Digital Marketing Coordinator
Laguna Beach, California
Marketing Outreach Coordinator
San Mateo County Transit District
San Carlos, California
Chief Marketing Officer
Americans United for Life (AUL)
Advertising Account Executive
Community Manager (part time)
Account Supervisor, Real Estate- NYC
New York, New York
Social Media Art Director / Production Art...
Alliance Marketing Partners
Interactive Graphic Designer
McCullough Creative, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization Specialist - Mu...
Cox Media Group
Digital Project Manager
Senior Account Manager
Snow Companies, LLC
Account Manager, Ad Agency
San Francisco, California
Hendricks Commercial Properites
New Media Jobs


text:
BNP Paribas Arbitrage SA lessened its holdings in Dean Foods Co (NYSE:DF) by 44.9% during the first quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The institutional investor owned 91,839 shares of the company’s stock after selling 74,748 shares during the quarter. BNP Paribas Arbitrage SA’s holdings in Dean Foods were worth $792,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.
Several other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the stock. US Bancorp DE raised its position in Dean Foods by 333.5% during the first quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 11,912 shares of the company’s stock valued at $103,000 after purchasing an additional 9,164 shares in the last quarter. Raymond James & Associates purchased a new stake in Dean Foods during the fourth quarter valued at about $122,000. MANA Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Dean Foods during the fourth quarter valued at about $195,000. Trexquant Investment LP purchased a new stake in Dean Foods during the first quarter valued at about $197,000. Finally, Mackay Shields LLC purchased a new stake in Dean Foods during the first quarter valued at about $197,000. Institutional investors own 81.91% of the company’s stock.
Get Dean Foods alerts:
In related news, major shareholder Value Vals Ag Vv purchased 15,287 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, May 17th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $10.25 per share, with a total value of $156,691.75. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. 1.20% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.
Shares of Dean Foods opened at $10.11 on Wednesday, MarketBeat reports. Dean Foods Co has a 12-month low of $8.14 and a 12-month high of $18.21. The company has a current ratio of 1.60, a quick ratio of 1.14 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.39. The stock has a market cap of $921.67 million, a PE ratio of 12.64, a P/E/G ratio of 1.20 and a beta of 0.59.
Dean Foods (NYSE:DF) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, May 8th. The company reported $0.14 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.12 by $0.02. Dean Foods had a net margin of 0.91% and a return on equity of 11.68%. The business had revenue of $1.98 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.84 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $0.13 earnings per share. The business’s quarterly revenue was down .8% compared to the same quarter last year. analysts anticipate that Dean Foods Co will post 0.64 EPS for the current year.
The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, May 31st. Stockholders of record on Monday, May 21st were given a dividend of $0.09 per share. This represents a $0.36 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.56%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, May 18th. Dean Foods’s payout ratio is currently 45.00%.
A number of research firms have weighed in on DF. Zacks Investment Research upgraded Dean Foods from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Friday, May 11th. BMO Capital Markets restated a “market perform” rating and set a $10.00 price target (down previously from $12.00) on shares of Dean Foods in a research report on Tuesday, February 27th. Deutsche Bank began coverage on Dean Foods in a research report on Monday, April 2nd. They set a “hold” rating and a $9.00 price target on the stock. ValuEngine upgraded Dean Foods from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, March 7th. Finally, Morgan Stanley set a $10.00 price target on Dean Foods and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 27th. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have assigned a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the company’s stock. The stock has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $11.54.
Dean Foods Company Profile
Dean Foods Company, a food and beverage company, processes and distributes milk, and other dairy and dairy case products in the United States. The company manufactures, markets, and distributes various branded and private label dairy, and diary case products, such as fluid milk, ice creams, cultured dairy products, creamers, ice cream mixes, and other dairy products; and juices, teas, bottled water, and other products.
Want to see what other hedge funds are holding DF? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Dean Foods Co (NYSE:DF).