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One click away on One Drive
Microsoft made a terrible PR decision to roll back the free storage space from original 15GB to 5GB and has "sort of"changed its mind and told users there is a way to keep the free space.
Updatad: The next generation
Micron has promised to launch a new kind of memory that is twice the speed of mainstreams GDDR5 . This will be released during 2016 and will be company's answer to HBM.
Exclusive: Highest end are HBM 2.0, GDDR6, GDDR5X
AMD over-hyped the new High Bandwidth Memory standard and now the second generation HBM 2.0 is coming in 2016. However it looks like most of GPUs shipped in this year will still rely on the older GDDR5.
Exclusive: Spring launch
Intel will be under the bonnet of the next generation iPhone C with its modem design. The company won't score the big iPhone 7 as this is in the safe hands of Qualcomm, Fudzilla can reveal.
AMD held a Radeon Technology group summit last week in Sonoma California and the company shared its cunning plans.
Oculus VR has convinced Ubisoft to develop its Eagle Flight VR for its platform.
HTC has been working with Valve in order to get its VR glasses to market for a while now, and it looks like the new launch date has been delayed until April 2016.
Exclusive: Quietly working behind the scenes
The Fruity cargo cult Apple has been quietly working behind the scenes to create its own GPU, Fudzilla can reveal.
Hands on Review: Two days, two setups testing
Fudzilla had a chance to try the HTC Vive in two sets of demos in two different environments.


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Toyota confirms fast-changing market following CeMAT 2018
3 May 2018
Reflecting on five intensive days at Hannover Messe and CeMAT 2018, Toyota Material Handling Europe confirms that the pace of change towards new technologies is increasing. Visitors showed strong interest in Toyota’s approach to automation, connectivity and the company’s commitment to lean logistics.
“We set out to focus on the future at CeMAT this year, and to share our longer-term thinking with visitors,” explained Axel Wahle, Marketing Director of Toyota Material Handling Europe and architect of the Toyota presentation at the event. “Of course we also showed our hardware, including traditional forklifts, but we recognised that most people come to an event like this to learn about the options that are becoming available to plan future operations.”
Toyota used its central pavilion area to focus on automation, connectivity and ‘lean-thinking’ – based on the company’s proven Toyota Production System. “We have some clear learning from our work in the development of manufacturing systems”, explains Wahle “and these include the need to eliminate waste, to ensure continuous flow, and to add value at every stage of a process. That’s what drives our approach to developing products and services, and the way we want to work with our customers.”
Part of the focus on elimination of waste was the company’s announcement that telematics will be integrated into all warehouse trucks from autumn 2018, allowing all customers to focus on increasing utilisation and reducing damage. Other steps such as the introduction of modular lithium-ion battery systems that optimise energy capacities were also announced.
“We were particularly pleased with the response to the presentations in our Logiconomi Forum. Visitors clearly welcomed the expertise shared by our collaborating companies, such as Microsoft and Heineken, as well as the unique chance to hear from Toyota’s own TPS expert, Sam Nomura.”
Toyota was also working with Microsoft in Hall 7 of the Hannover Messe, demonstrating how the two companies are collaborating on artificial intelligence for future autonomous logistics solutions. “We were overwhelmed by the level of interest that this generated,” confirmed Axel Wahle.
Source: Toyota Material Handling Europe

domain: news


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Chat bots that are always online for sex
Feel free to if it is not listed on Erotic or visit our for hundreds of other chatbots, virtual agents and chatterbots.hristopher Russell owned a small bar in Chesapeake Beach, Maryland, but, like a lot people these days, figured he had better odds hooking up online.
A whopping 59 percent of all online traffic — not just dating sites — is generated by bots, according to the tech analyst firm, Are You a Human. Spammers are using them to lure victims on Tinder, according to multiple studies by Symantec, the computer security firm.
Whether you know it or not, odds are you've encountered one. "The majority of the matches are often bots," says Satnam Narang, Symantec’s senior response manager. Keeping the automated personalities at bay has become a central challenge for software developers.
"If I wanted to boost our revenue and move to the Cayman Islands, we could probably double our revenue simply by using bots," he says.
"And our bots would kick ass." he fact that AI con artists are up to such tricks isn't surprising or new.
But what's truly phenomenal is the durability of this online hustle, and the millions of saps still falling for it.
"A lot of people think this only happens to dumb people, and they can tell if they're talking to a bot," says Steve Baker, a lead investigator for the Federal Trade Commission tells me. The people running these scams are professionals, they do this for a living." The scam starts with creating a chat bot, which is easier than you'd think. The Artificial Linguistic Internet Computer Entity, or ALICE, which generates scripts for chatterbots, has been around for decades.
A hacker group called The Impact Team leaked internal memos from Ashley Madison's parent company, Avid Life, which revealed the widespread use of sexbots — artificially-intelligent programs, posing as real people, intended to seduce lonely hearts like Russell into paying for premium service. The strangers hitting you up for likes on Facebook? And, like many online trends, this one's rising up from the steamier corners of the web.
Bloggers poured over the data, estimating that of the 5.5 million female profiles on the site, as few as 12,000 were real women — allegations that Ashley Madison denied. Bots are infiltrating just about every dating service.
"' Let me go ahead and put in my credit card information.'" Russell paid 0 for 1,000 credits, which he could spend on sending replies or virtual gifts. After a few months of rejection, he didn't bother to log back on Ashley Madison again.Tags: Adult Dating, affair dating, sex dating


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The winners, who needed to follow @netbetbrasil and comment on the promotion photo on social networks and register on the website br.netbet.com, competed among more than 6 thousand comments and thousands of participants. In addition to the experience of inaugurating the training field playing football, they received an official TC shirt with shorts and training socks, kit with backpack, mask and alcohol gel.
"NetBet is more than a bookmaker. We believe that the experiences lived by our users are fundamental for strengthening the relationship between all those involved. Our goal is to bring more emotion to the sport," comments Marsio Schneider, NetBet Marketing Manager Brazil.
"An unforgettable event, a dream come true," comments Luan Lima, one of the winners of the promotion, who could not believe how lucky he was to be there on such an important day in the history of his club.
"Being part of Vasco's history and being one of the first goalkeepers to play in the TC football goal was an experience that will stay for life," says Roberto de Freitas Junior.
NetBet has been intensifying its brand in the Brazilian betting market. The company is constantly upgrading to ensure reliability, diversification, fun and a lot of emotion for users, while also providing easy access, investment, and possibilities of gains.
With sponsorship with football clubs, in addition to believing in sports, athletes and fans, the brand expands its visibility by being present in uniforms, stadiums and the media on the pitch. In this way, the company is personally strong in the sports universe, in addition to being recognized in the bookmaker market, with its website and app.
According to data from Netshoes, which operates the Vasco da Gama sales website, in 2020 the club became the biggest seller of jerseys on the first day after the launch. The vast majority of Vasco’s fans have opted for the shirt with the NetBet logo, produced by Kappa.


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Lose up to 14 pounds a year by cutting back on soda, new report says
Consumer Reports shows what impact soda can have on your diet in a new report.
— -- Eliminating just one soda a day can have a dramatic impact on your weight and health, according to study published today by Consumer Reports.
Dr. Jennifer Ashton, ABC News' chief women's health correspondent, said that by eliminating one 20 ounce soda per day, which is approximately 119 cups of sugar in a year, an average sized person can potentially eliminate up to 52 pounds of added sugar in their diet a year.
Too much sugar, Ashton said, can lead to "inflammation, oxidative stress, and it affects the blood vessels in our body, literally every organ system from the brain to the heart to the kidneys," Ashton said.
But the new report proposes alternatives to soda to help people lose weight and reduce their sugar consumption.
3 Soda Swaps to lose weight
Replace the soda with a sports drinks to lose approximately 6 lbs. in a year
Replace the soda with ice coffee to lose approximately 9 lbs. in a year
Replace the soda with water to lose approximately 14 lbs. in a year
"Don't drink your calories," she encouraged. "In general, you want to eat your calories."
Benefits of Water
In a statement, the American Beverage Association said, "Reducing the same amount of calories from any food or beverage would lead to a similar weight loss. It's well known that we need to look at everything we eat and drink to maintain balance –- not single out sugar-sweetened beverages, which account for less than seven percent of the calories we get. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans put out by the federal government affirm that these beverages can be part of a balanced diet. America's beverage companies have been greatly expanding their low and no-calorie options and smaller portion sizes to the point where 48% of all beverages sold today are zero-calorie. Additionally, we have made a commitment to reduce the calories consumed from our beverages nationally by 20 percent by 2025. We are for good health, and we want to help people reduce the sugar they get from beverages."
For its part, the Sugar Association said in a statement, "Sugar plays many roles in a healthy, balanced diet by making nutritious foods (like dairy products and whole grains) more palatable, serving important functional and safety purposes, and being part of the enjoyment of life through foods and beverages that are considered treats. Depending on calorie needs, weight goals and physical activity level, people's treat allowances can vary greatly. The Sugar Association supports dietary advice recommending treats that contain few nutrients be consumed in moderation and in the context of personal nutrition needs."
"The Sugar Association is the scientific voice of the U.S. sugar industry, making a difference by continuously supporting scientific research and sharing our knowledge of sugar to increase consumer understanding and confidence in the role that sugar plays in a nutritious, balanced and enjoyable diet," the statement added.
A former funeral home owner has been arrested after a corpse lay in a hearse for 2 years
- Feb 23, 12:26 PM
ABC News Live
24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events


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Jovian Mandagie's bold ideas for modest fashion
Top Malaysian designer Jovian Mandagie's boutique here will feature 'unique' casual wear collection
His couture outfits have been worn by celebrities and royalty in Malaysia, but he knew that to make money, a ready-to-wear line was the way to go.
Malaysia's top designer Jovian Mandagie was a pioneer in the region's modest fashion scene five years ago, when he launched his first ready-to-wear collection.
Drawing on his celebrity designer status and reputation for ornate fabrics and embellishments, his debut in mass fashion drew large crowds even before the doors opened at First Lady outlets in Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Selangor and Singapore.
Singapore is very much part of his plans even as he looks to build a fashion empire beyond the region, Mr Jovian, 31, told The New Paper after his first show at this year's Singapore Fashion Week (SFW)on Oct 28.
A boutique, JStore, is scheduled to open at Haji Lane by early next year - his sixth store and the only one outside Malaysia.
His collections have also been sold on online shopping portal Zalora since 2013.
Mr Jovian, who has over 500,000 followers on Instagram, hinted that customers at JStore can expect a "unique" casual wear collection that is sophisticated and feminine.
"Singapore's style is still very much influenced by the Malaysian designs and style because most Malay Singaporeans go to Kuala Lumpur or Johor Baru to shop. I am trying to bring changes," he added, pointing out that his collection at SFW, which showcased fur capes and sequinned denim, was "daring" compared with the other modest fashion designers.
His move is well-timed as the modest fashion market is expected to boom.
According to the "State of the Global Islamic Economy Report", Muslim consumers spent an estimated US$243 billion (S$331 billion) on clothing in 2015, a figure expected to reach US$368 billion by 2021 - a 51 per cent jump.
In terms of modest wear, purchases by Muslim women were estimated to be at US$44 billion in 2015, or nearly one-fifth of the total amount of consumer spending on clothes.
And modest wear, which can also be described as clothes that are not revealing, is making its way into the mainstream.
Popular modest fashion designers in the region, such as Indonesia's Dian Pelangi, made their debut at this year's SFW in collaboration with local modest fashion online shopping platform MODESTyle.
There were three modest fashion shows, each featuring five designers.
In February, London hosted its first Modest Fashion Week, and well-known brands such as DKNY and Nike have also started including modest designs in their collections.
I believe if you want to shine in fashion, you just have to be crazy, so I became a crazy designerDesigner Jovian Mandagie
Mr Timothy Chen, founder of MODESTyle, which was established last year, said modest fashion wear is increasingly being embraced beyond the Malay Muslim community in different territories, including Singapore.
"In the past, there was an impression that modest wear is about covering up, but this is not a representation of modest fashion," he said.
Mr Jovian came to mind when Mr Chen was looking for a headliner for SFW.
"He is prolific, and he stands out because he is daring but without crossing the boundaries," Mr Chen told TNP.
Mr Jovian, who first made a splash in the Malaysian fashion scene when he was 23, agreed that his bold ideas are a key reason for his success.
Whipping out his phone, he showed TNP a photo from his 2011 runway collection, which featured a model walking with a "cage" surrounding her.
Counting the late Alexander McQueen as his "biggest idol", Mr Jovian said: "You cannot always be doing the same things or you will not shine. I believe that if you want to shine in fashion, you just have to be crazy, so I became a crazy designer."
Mr Jovian, who is married to Malaysian entrepreneur and socialite Nina Sabrina Ismail Sabri, 30, described her and his mother as his inspirations.
His wife, who recently gave birth to their first child, is his most honest critic.
"I always go back and (ask) her what she thinks of every single collection that I produce, and I listen to her input because she knows what works for the modern women," he said.
His mother, a celebrity beautician, initially opposed his switch from architecture to fashion design.
Mr Jovian, who now has a team of 150, said: "Ten years ago, it was not the best career to pursue as the fashion industry was not that big in Asia.
"My mum was afraid that I would turn into a girl.
"(But) she saw my enthusiasm and that I was tenacious about doing fashion. She eventually became very supportive, and she has always been my biggest cheerleader."
Singaporean image and brand consultant Wahyu Rahman thinks that Mr Jovian's entry into the mass market five years ago was a "brilliant move".
She recalled how people "went crazy" when he launched his ready-to-wear line in 2012 just in time for Hari Raya.
"I knew people who would carry a second outfit during visiting, just in case they ran into someone who was also wearing a Jovian," she said.
Despite his status, Mr Jovian is well aware of the increasingly tough competition.
He said: "I still love couture, and I think it is the only way you can express your creativity through fashion, but ready-to-wear is the only way to make money out of fashion, so I keep (both businesses) balanced.
"Fashion is about human bodies, it has to be put on a person and fit their personalities."


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New Delhi, Jan 19 (PTI) Digital wealth manager Scripbox on Wednesday said it has raised USD 21 million (about Rs 150 crore) in a combination of equity and debt through Series-D funding led by Accel Partners.
The funding round also saw participation from Transpose Platform, DMI Alternative Investment Fund – The Sparkle Fund, InnoVen Capital, Trifecta Capital, KPB Family Trust, LetsVenture, Kube VC, and YY Capital LLC.
The newly raised funds will be used for expanded product roll-outs, brand building and customer acquisition, and the IFA partnership strategy, Scripbox said in a statement.
The company has grown aggressively through the COVID period, and its assets under management (AUM) stand at close to Rs 5,000 crore, with cumulative transactions exceeding 8.1 million to date.
“This investment will accelerate our next phase of growth, further strengthening our market position,” said Atul Shinghal, founder and CEO, Scripbox.
Subrata Mitra, Partner at Accel, said, “We have backed Scripbox since its inception, and continue to be super excited about their prospects. Digitisation of wealth management in India is well on its way, and Scripbox, with a powerful yet simple product, is becoming a de facto leader in the category”. PTI SP BAL BAL
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An old church that Nike converted into a culture and sports center for kids took the top nod in Industry Craft at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity this week. The honor rewards artistry, talent and skill that goes into bringing a creative idea to life.
The “Just Do It HQ at the Church" provided a safe space for Chicago youth to play and train off the streets. It was created out of Momentum Worldwide New York and Momentum Canada.
Trevor Robinson, founder and executive creative director at Quiet Storm in the U.K., said that this, too, was a unanimous decision. “It was bigger than just an idea that wins awards. It was very close to a lot of our hearts. With the amount of violence we have around the world, this was a real statement.”
While the design of the space was expertly done, with exquisite stained glass, “what we were really impressed with was that Nike didn’t try to splash logos all over it,” he said. “It became a haven for these kids—if you grow up in a tough area, to find a place where you can escape the world and be kids for a moment—this is an amazing thing for Nike to have done. It was so tastefully done and emotionally it blew us all away.”
Read about the other Cannes Lions Craft Grand Prix winners here.


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The flotations of companies such as Admiral, the insurer, and Premier Foods, as well as a raft of secondary buyouts — when one private-equity firm sells to another — have combined to produce a stunning year for the industry, according to figures published today by the Centre for Management Buyout Research.
Mark Pacitti, private-equity partner at the accountant Deloitte, said firms were benefiting from “the increased acceptance of secondary buyouts” and “improved” stock-market conditions. There have been 63 secondary buyouts and 21 floats this year.
Tom Lamb, managing director of Barclays Private Equity, said that there remains a “surprisingly large number of un- exited, mid-market and small deals within private-equity portfolios”.
It has been an especially good year for Alchemy Partners, which last week held…


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Whether it’s flying cars or human-like artificial intelligence, people often wonder what the future holds for humanity.
Now, some experts are predicting what Christmas dinner might be like in 2050 – saying robot-harvested foods and insect-based dishes could be included in traditional menus.
Christmas dinner in 2050 could look drastically different than this yearPhoto credit: Getty
Insect-based dishes could enrich your dining tablePhoto credit: Getty
Scientists, food tech startups and restaurateurs have been experimenting with food in recent years to create dishes that are more sustainable in the face of climate change threats to agriculture.
In particular, many are turning to non-traditional foods to fill expected shortages of meat and other key food groups.
Here are the top 5 wild food trends you might see on your Christmas table in the future.
Insect based dishes
Experts have repeatedly warned in recent years that food and meat production will have to increase drastically in order to keep up with global consumption and a growing world population.
While some are turning to plant-based proteins, others are looking for bugs that also pack a big protein punch.
Illegal Oats, which makes cereal with mealworms, says the bugs are 56% protein.
“This means that we no longer have to eat meat as the main source of protein in our diet, but can replace it with insects.”
Dror Tamir, co-founder and CEO of Hargol FoodTech, has also touted the use of insects as a protein.
Tamir recently told reporters that locusts are naturally “72% complete protein” and “rich in essential nutrients,” according to the Jerusalem Post.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), billions of people already include insects in their diet.
The Pieminister restaurant in Bristol, England, also integrates Käfer into its menu.
In 2017, according to the Bristol Post, the restaurant launched its cricket pie in hopes of raising awareness of sustainable sourcing in food production.
Families could also see machine-harvested cropsPhoto credit: Getty
Scientists have made tremendous technological advances in the development of artificial intelligence in recent years.
Now some are turning to robots to help with algae and seaweed production.
According to the BBC, SPoke (Standardized Production of Kelp) used a robot to attach the threads of the seaweed seedlings or harvest the plant.
Another machine called the “algae spinner” simply focused on winding the juvenile menaces onto lines.
Over the years, kelp has been consistently cited as the latest “food trend” and could likely find its way back into people’s diets for years to come.
Another trend that could be coming to the family table is soilless plants.
In recent years, many farmers have used hydroponic systems.
This means the plants are grown in trays and fed by a “constant flow of nutrient solution” according to Maximum Yield.
A wide variety of crops can be grown in these systems, including beets, radishes, lettuce, herbs, cucumbers, tomatoes, chili, and other vegetables.
A 2020 review of soilless cultivation by the Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry found several benefits of the system, including year-round production, higher and more consistent quality, insect management, and reduced resource consumption.
“Soilless cultivation has enormous potential to become popular in the coming generation,” the magazine predicted.
“These advanced technologies and techniques associated with soilless vegetable cultivation can be called next-generation plant science, therefore they can open a door to establish a new civilization in space.”
In 2020, Finnish scientists announced they were working to create a protein “from scratch” that could compete with soy – a protein made from soybeans – within the next decade.
The protein flour – called solein – tastes like nothing and would serve as a neutral additive to foods like cakes, ice cream, bread or even cultured meats, according to the BBC.
It’s made by feeding hydrogen, which is broken down from water and carbon dioxide from the air, to bacteria, according to the outlet.
While it could be years before the protein could meet global supply and demand, the scientists say it could be grown with nearly zero greenhouse gas emissions using only solar and wind power.
Plant-based meats are already very popular in the United States and other western countries.
Companies like popular producer Beyond Meat have garnered the support of top celebrities and their products can be found in almost every major grocery store across America.
According to a survey by the International Food Information Council, 22% of people in the United States are already eating plant-based nuggets and burgers every day.
Meanwhile, a recent study by Deloitte found that 46% of consumers would be willing to pay a premium for plant-based meat, and 60% said they believe it’s generally healthier than fresh meat.


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Umami Burger locations will be integrated into AccorHotels international properties
In 2019, Roll On in began franchising with the help of Emerging Franchises. So far, to date, they have already sold 5 units and are to expand into North Carolina and Atlanta, GA and add units in Ohio.
Opens 26 new restaurants and accelerates expansion across the U.S.
The International Association of Women Chefs & Restaurateurs (WCR) announces a singular culinary event, curated for International Women's Day, featuring top first-generation immigrant chefs.
Applebees Fourth Quarter Same-Restaurant Sales Increase 3.5% – IHOP Fourth Quarter Same-Restaurant Sales Increase 3.0%
Earnings from continuing operations were $31.1 million, or $1.19 per diluted share, for the first quarter of fiscal 2019 compared with $12.9 million, or $0.43 per diluted share, for the first quarter of fiscal 2018.
Total revenues were $585.2 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018 compared to $571.8 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017. Net income and diluted net income per share were $16.2 million and $0.35, respectively, in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018.
Kitchen United yesterday announced a series of executive team hires to support its national rollout and expansion plans.
Brand Invites Guests to Savor the Flavor of the South, Texas Style
Expands Burger King Acquisition Right of First Refusal, Adds Popeyes Right of First Refusal Company Pre-Releases Select 2018 Financial Results


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A George Street clothing store’s unrepentant sale of fox and racoon fur items has sparked off a petition and a series of protests. The unrepentant retailer Escale France has not answered Aberdeen Voice’s request for comment on its choosing to sell items featuring the pelts of animals which would have suffered immensely in their brief, unnatural lives confined to cages before an eventual electrocution, drowning or bludgeoning to death.
As Escale France can neither find any words in defence of its position (if such is possible) or is unwilling to speak to the press, the press speaks to animal welfare groups, individuals, fashion experts – and children – as to what is wrong with the fur trade. By Suzanne Kelly
Fur is making something of a comeback; a comeback among people who by default are lacking in compassion and empathy.
Horrific existences in small wire pens, torture, suffering and eventual terrifying deaths await fur bearing mammals that exist in the fur industry.
There is no excuse that their meat can be used to feed the hungry.
Depending on the animal, dozens of animas will be skinned (sometimes alive) to create a single garment. Escale France is not bothered.
Here are quotes from some of the protestors who attended legal demonstrations on Thursday 15 and Saturday 18 September (more demonstrations are planned).
Christine Arnold Solomon, fashion lecturer who is opposed to the use of animal fur, told Aberdeen Voice:
“Stella McCartney has built a whole designer empire built on not using any animal products in anything including perfume; she uses lots of beautiful faux furs and gets the same aesthetic.”
Fiona Melvin said:
“How the animals are raised; they grow up in a cage and the doors never open until it’s time for them to die.
“They are anally electrocuted when they are often still alive – they are shocked, terrorised beyond belief.”
Kairhys, a young man, said:
“It is murder. I have a dog, two rabbits, two rats, 3 cats… they all have feelings; they can get scared.”
The demonstrators had informed the police of their plans in advance; the police who attended were found to be very helpful by the protestors. Signs and placards, chanted slogans and discussions with passers by took place.
Many people were shocked to find a store in Aberdeen selling real fur; one such piece for sale is a dead racoon’s pelt dyed a pink colour – which further begs the question as to why fake fur was not used – should any argument be in the first place – a fake pink fur could have sufficed without the animal destruction.
A petition for those against this store’s use of fur can be found here:
Anyone wishing to join the peaceful protest group can leave a comment on this article, asking to join the closed Facebook group. A further protest is planned for Saturday 24 September at Escale France from noon until 3pm, close to John Lewis.
- Comments enabled – see comments box below. Note, all comments will be moderated.


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Law & Regulation data for Italy
Legal publications to ItalyBack to Italy
Related business reports to Italy
Italian payments firm Nexi prepares for IPO
Italian payments firm Nexi kicked off proceedings on Monday (18 March) for an initial public offering on the Milan stock exchange, a move that will represent one of Europe’s biggest listings this year.
Italian private equity buyouts reach record heights with €15.6bn deal values
Italy’s private equity buyouts have seen record activity this year, with buyout deal values hitting €15.8 billion compared to just €8.2 billion in 2017, a new report by Mergermarket shows.
Michael Kors makes fashion statement with $2.2 billion Versace buy
Michael Kors has agreed to buy luxury designer Versace for €1.83 billion (£1.67 billion pounds) including debt today (25 September), as the US fashion group positions itself to take on larger European rivals.
Aston Martin files for landmark London listing
Aston Martin, the British automaker best known for being James Bond’s car brand of choice, announced yesterday (29 August) of plans to list on the London Stock Exchange, a float reportedly valuing the luxury car maker at £5 billion.
Nick Clegg on the “sorry saga” of Brexit, the rise of European populism, and overcoming the financial crisis
Former British deputy prime minister Nick Clegg has warned Theresa May’s government to overcome its internal difficulties or risk “paralysing” post-Brexit trading arrangements with the European Union (EU).


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- Silicon Valley's 19 Coolest Places to Work
- Is Windows 8 Development Worth the Trouble?
- 8 Books Every IT Leader Should Read This Year
- 10 Hot Hadoop Startups to Watch
Network World - The PaaS-abilities are endless. Industry analysts are saying that now is the right time for developers to look to Platform-as-a-service as a viable option.
Gartner has estimated that the worldwide PaaS market will reach $927.3 million this year. “We went from prototyping on 30 machines to a full deployment on 3,000 machines in just eight weeks,” says Raj Kushwaha, global CIO at medical manufacturer Zimmer.
Bullhorn Inc. is another business that took to PaaS. The provider of front office staffing and recruiting software chose PaaS to help with distribution and development to its 2,500 customers and 25,000 users in 35 countries. In the past year the company implemented more than 60 customized applications using the cloud-based platform.
Download this PDF (free registration is required) to learn more about PaaS, such as tips for a successful rollout, who are the main players in the market and learn if community cloud services are the next big thing.
Read more about cloud computing in Network World's Cloud Computing section.


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Citroen announced on Tuesday (18) who will present the new compact C1 during the next edition of the Geneva Motor Show, with public opening scheduled for March 6. The model had already been caught by our spies last year, camouflaged in tests.
Toyota announced on Tuesday (4) the introduction of the Hybrid Camry SE Limited Edition in the North American market. The model arrives in showrooms next month and the starting price was set at $ 27,845.
Technology should be, once again, one of the mottos of the next Geneva Motor Show. The nanoFLOWCELL AG announced on Wednesday (29) two images-teaser-QUANT and Sportlimousine, described by the manufacturer as "a very special research vehicle".


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Nokia has decided to pull the plug from its mobile money business, two years after it launched the service in India. The Finnish handset maker has taken the decision to focus on core key areas.
The company had embedded the ‘mobile money’ application in 2010 across all its handsets aiming to drive financial inclusion through mobile devices, across the country. It had entered into a partnership with Yes Bank and Union bank for services like bill payments and money transfer.
Around 2 lakh Indian subscribers will hence forth fail to do transactions like ill payment, money transfer, prepaid SIM top-up, account management and cash withdrawal from cash-out outlets (registered Nokia stores) and ATMs through their handsets.
In total, there are about 1.2 million subscribers using the Nokia service across all three platforms. Apart from India, Nokia had launched the service, based on Obopay's mobile payment platform, in other countries, including Pakistan.
According to a report by Research and Market, Gross transaction value of mobile payments in India is expected to rise to $8 billion in 2016.
Nokia’s move comes even as the mobile payment is gaining currency in India and in other parts of the world. Different player like HDFC, MasterCard and Visa have also entered the mobile payment services over the past month along with Airtel.
Currently, mobile operator Bharti Airtel, after the success of ‘Airtel Money’ service’s first phase of launch in Delhi NCR and Chennai in 2011 launched first of its kind mobile wallet service in Maharashtra and Goa circle recently. The service, which allows subscribers to pay for groceries, bills and other dues through their mobile phones, is used by 50,000 subscribers within the first 10 days of its roll out in Maharashtra and Goa circle.
The Reserve Bank is looking to use mobile phones as a medium for taking banking facilities to the remote and far flung areas for achieving financial inclusion.
The potential of mobile telephony could be gauged from the fact that there is an over 82 crore mobile subscriber base in the country.
According to Tavess Research, mobile money in emerging markets of the Middle East, Asia, and Africa is expected to cross 1 billion users by 2015, with India accounting for over 100 million subscribers.
April 22, 2013, 5:55 am UTC
April 4, 2013, 5:21 am UTC
March 29, 2013, 4:57 am UTC
March 15, 2013, 7:02 am UTC


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US: PVH says may exceed earnings outlook
Apparel maker PVH Corp today (21 June) reaffirmed its second-quarter and full-year guidance and said it might exceed its earlier outlook if current business trends continue.
The New York based clothing firm raised its full-year forecast last month after posting a 61% surge in first quarter earnings thanks to strong global demand for its Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger brands.
The company said both brands performed above expectations despite cost pressures and economic headwinds in Europe - and are likely to continue this momentum despite the uncertain macroeconomic environment in both the US and Europe.
First quarter net income rose to $93.1m, while revenue increased 4% to $1.43bn.
PVH expects full-year earnings per share in the range of $6.15 to $6.25, an increase of 14% to 16% over the prior year's $5.38, with sales increasing by 1% to 2%.
In the second quarter, earnings are seen rising 10-12% over the previous year to between $1.18 and $1.20, with revenues staying flat.
From toxic T-shirts to virtual fitting rooms, defamatory garments and compostable shoes, the clothing and textiles industry in 2012 was anything but dull....
Weak consumer spending, difficulties in securing credit, competition from China and the Far East resulted in factory closures and subsequent layoffs in 2012. But ramping up labour and sustainability s...
Since when did garment making become a matter of life and death? And why, despite the huge amounts of time, effort and resources that have gone into corporate social responsibility, factory inspection...
The CEO of apparel giant PVH has backed Warnaco's plans to turn around the Calvin Klein Jeans and underwear businesses, a company it is set to take over next year in a deal worth US$2.9bn....
Levi Strauss, the world's largest jeans manufacturer, has pledged to phase out hazardous chemicals from its supply chain by 2020, following pressure from environmental group Greenpeace....
Women's wear maker G-III Apparel Group has inked a licence agreement with fashion model and businesswoman Ivanka Trump to develop sportswear, dresses, suits, suit separates, sleepwear, activewear, jea...
PVH saw third quarter net income rise as sales of its Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger brands compensated for a decline in demand for its heritage brands. ...
- Speed to market key to Adidas 2020 growth plan
- SuperGroup to adapt sourcing model for speed
- GAFTI gears up for change in apparel auditing
- Fast Retailing ramps up sustainability efforts
- FOCUS: Topshop suffers a setback in Japan
- Transparency call for German apparel firms
- Strike at Adidas and Nike shoe factory in Vietnam
- Lululemon Athletica on “strong growth” track
- Myanmar garments to benefit from export strategy
- H&M and Kering trial recycling technology
- Myanmar's Garment Sector - Opportunities & Challenges in 2015
- Global market review of workwear - forecasts to 2019
- Management briefing: Outlook 2015: Apparel industry issues in the year ahead
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- Apparel Retail: Top 5 Emerging Markets Industry Guide


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City should encourage more residents, not guests
I am surprised by the indifference to downtown citizens shown in your June 14 editorial ("Short-term vacation rentals: City must do its homework first") and in Ann Sheils' letter to the letter ("STVR owners are not 'greedy monsters'") about STVRs in the historic district.
Both expositions ignored the crucial issue. My block in Crawford Ward has 20 adjacent dwelling units and as of now there are five full-time residents left on a street of 20 dwelling units. Three units are owner-occupied and two units are for long-term tenants. The rest are all vacation rentals.
The problem with Short Term Vacation Rentals (STVRs) when thrown into the current mix of uses in the downtown area is that guests are replacing residents. The three STVR units that were on our block of East Perry Street on Crawford Square five years ago are now 15. The 17 full-time residential units are now reduced to five. The south side of the same block of McDonough has had every unit become a STVR. That is a dramatic shift in the nature of a once-residential block. Neighbors help decorate the square, protect deliveries on the porch, water plants, monitor unusual activity in the park, look for a lost pet and greet me when I walk down the street or wonder where I have been. We rely on each other to form a social unit and a level of interaction that may not be intimate but is essential to urban living.
I am not making allegations about greed or impugning legitimate businesses. Tourism is a vital industry. I simply ask the City Council to look at the way in which this use changes the city and its ability to provide a variety of residential choices. This discussion has been going on in the open for years. Both the letter-writer and the editorial imply ill-intentioned and nefarious forces are at work behind the scenes. Lobbyists and a bank of lawyers, including Robert McCorkle III, have been hired to make sure that business interests are represented. It is easy to discern their arguments and statistics in the tenor of the SMN editorial and also easy to hear the "I don't live there but I know" undercurrent of the letter-writer. Some of us do live here and understand your concerns but please listen to ours as well.
Simply put the current STVR model makes neighborhoods less safe and less viable because it takes away neighbors and replaces them with guests. Neighbors and guests can both be good, bad or indifferent but only neighbors can participate in making a better, safer place to live. We need to encourage residency balanced with tourism or we will become the social deserts that are the French Quarter in New Orleans and the historic center of St. Augustine. We are asking the City of Savannah to protect Savannah's Landmark District for everyone's benefit.
DANIEL E. SMITH
Johnson: Best-prepared, well-spoken, alderman
Regarding Robert K. Golden's letter to the editor on June 13 ("Alderman Johnson's lucidity questioned") I have to question Mr. Golden's lucidity. Alderman Van Johnson is consistently one of the best-prepared and well-spoken members of the Savannah City Council. Anyone that has ever heard Alderman Johnson speak anywhere knows that he has no problem expressing himself or articulating his views in a clear, concise and professional manner.
City councils should take a stand on Paris Accord
President Trump's decision to withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement precipitated a flood of disagreement around the country, with many cities, states and universities electing to continue the Agreement's principles on their own.
According to Medium.com, 23 cities in Florida, including Miami, Tampa and Orlando, are among those that have decided to continue fighting climate change as they would if the U.S. was still under the Paris Agreement. Twelve cities in North Carolina are doing this as well. This movement spans across much of the country as state and local governments make it known they wish to propel their citizens and economy into a cleaner future. According to news.wabe.org, thus far, only three cities and three universities in Georgia have followed this precedent, a disappointing statistic compared to other Southern states.
Now is an opportunity to show the nation and the world that Georgia is a state with a knowledgeable electorate that is ready to embrace the future rather than remaining in the past. I urge every citizen who wants not only future generations, but current generations, to be protected from the adverse effects of climate change to contact their local government representatives with their opinion on the matter. Savannah can help Georgia become a leader in this next step toward a more healthy and energy-efficient world.
Store closure reports miss bigger picture
Recent reports from firms such as Credit Suisse which predict increased vacancies in retail shopping centers have clouded the reality of 2017 store closures. The fact is that most companies announce store closures in the first few months of the year, as retailers examine their portfolios based on the holiday selling season and future forecasts. Taking the monthly average of the first four months of store closure numbers and multiplying it by 12 is a far too simplistic method for forecasting annual closings and one not supported by historical data. What's more, this analysis overlooks store openings, as well as the significant shifts taking place in the marketplace and how the retail real estate industry is responding to these changes.
The health of the industry can best be measured by occupancy rates, which stand at roughly 92 percent. This is because while some retailers are shutting their doors, others such as Dollar General, Ulta Beauty and TJMaxx are opening locations or expanding their footprints. It is also a result of redevelopment and new uses being found for brick and mortar storefronts. Recently, I noticed a former Radio Shack store being transformed into a T-Mobile store; stores are continuously finding new meaning and purpose.
In fact, in the metro Atlanta market, we are seeing many new retailers opening stores in new construction such as Avalon and in redevelopment projects like Colony Square and the Beltline.
There are many reasons why a store closes. The good news is that there is interest in available space from a wide array of businesses focused on meeting consumer demand. With consumers driving the need for customization, personalization and experience, what was once a big box or department store is now becoming a high-quality eating establishment, fitness facility, urgent care center or entertainment area. As technology, economic and demographic shifts impact our industry, we are seeing retail real estate constantly evolving to better serve their communities and meet consumer demand.
JOHN J. WILES


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Presidential candidate Donald Trump responds to Barry Diller comments via Twitter.» Read More
Single people with incomes above $85,000 and married couples with more than $170,000 will pay more for Medicare Part B and Part D coverage.
An environmentally friendly promotion from Ikea is letting customers turn old catalogs into pillows.
Dunkin' Donuts' Korea unit has taken cues from the Islands for one of its latest donut creations.
Yahoo chief executive Marissa Mayer delivered a piece of personal news on Tuesday: She's pregnant with twins.
Markus Persson bemoaned the loneliness, isolation and lack of motivation that large wealth can create.
'When I travel I don't pack clothes. I only pack Benjamins,' boxing champ Floyd "Money" Mayweather said on Monday.
Total spend in the 2016 presidential race could hit $10 billion due to a rise in Silicon Valley contributions, Recode reports.
A report released on Monday by the Airports Council International lists the busiest airports in the world in 2014.
While athletic shoes remain popular, so-called fashion footwear is starting to gain traction, with a kick from the once-lowly sneaker.
Some of the hottest trucks in the country were in Dallas to compete in Overdrive’s Pride & Polish truck beauty championship.
The Kremlin has released pictures of Russian President Vladimir Putin working out at the gym with Prime Minister Dmitrty Medvedev.
Commuters in Rochester, New York saw heavy delays on Monday after a truck carrying heads of cabbage overturned on Interstate 490.
Saudi Arabia derives 80 percent of its revenue from oil and has a budgetary "break-even" point almost double the current per-barrel price of $40.
Despite gloomy predictions, analysts have struck a fairly sanguine tone over China's acceleration in the selling of its U.S debt reserves.
Puerto Rico faces three major debt-related deadlines next week, all with potentially severe monetary consequences.
The New Orleans levees are better than they were when Katrina struck, but preparing for hurricanes is riddled with uncertainty.
Ten years after Hurricane Katrina, photographer Mario Tama revisited locations that he captured in 2005.
Diner en Blanc draws thousands of guests to a pop up picnic where they bring all of their own items, but perhaps most importantly, their phone.
Kanye West, no stranger to headline-grabbing antics at MTV's annual Video Music Awards, has upped the ante. And Twitter loves it.
Target date funds are a popular default option in many retirement plan investment schemes, but are they a good fit for younger, millennial investors? CNBC Senior Personal Finance correspondent Sharon Epperson discusses target date funds with certified financial planners Tim Maurer, of The BAM Alliance; Amanda Lott, of Regent Atlantic Capital; and Douglas Boneparth, CFP Board Ambassador New York.


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The crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic has continuously driven the growth of the number of users of social media applications, which are becoming the main channel for interaction between consumers while maintaining social distancing, and which result in a large amount of consumer information rapidly flowing onto the Internet. There have been instances where consumer information has been used without permission to seek business opportunities or where lawsuits were able to be filed due to nuisance caused, but since the technology has continuously evolved along with the expansion of social media businesses to a wide range of countries, it as provided an opportunity for such business operators to easily encroach on behavioral data and personal information. For this reason, data security, consumer data protection issues (data security), and confidence levels of consumer data protection laws in each country have thus become the main factor affecting the growth of the social media industry.
Currently, there are cases where foreign social media applications are banned by the US with an order issued from the President to prohibit American companies from doing business with those social media companies. KResearch views that the primary cause of banning foreign social media applications is likely primarily due to the concern of data security stemming from the different processes that give access to consumer data. In the US, the issue of national security must be addressed if the government wants to access consumer data, and the government has to submit a case to the court for approval. This has made the US more familiar with the due diligence process that counterbalances the government’s power to access consumer data. Regarding the country that has been reported to be banned from providing social media services in the US, it is deemed that the US considers the role of public and private sectors of the country to be unclear, since if the government wants to access consumer information from a database of social media operators, such operators are likely to cooperate without inspection or the approval of other administrative sectors. It reflects that the US may be concerned that such government has absolute power over the private sector. Therefore, although countries providing social media services are equipped with standardized consumer data protection laws and recognized consumer data retention systems, due to the ambiguity issue between public and private roles, the US is uncertain about social media applications originating from that country. Different perspectives and acceptance levels of the process of accessing consumer data has caused the US to be uncertain and led to the introduction of preventive measures through the blocking of social media services. The US has also requested foreign social media companies to accept the proposal of big US tech companies to purchase the relevant social media platforms in order to operate them independently in the US.
However, the implementation of such guidelines in the US will affect foreign social media companies, regardless of whether they accept the proposal or not. This is because if such a proposal is accepted, the US will meet the needs of information leakage prevention during the migration of the US consumer database in that country back to the US, and it will also strengthen the business potential of US operators by gaining more share in the social media market. In the meantime, if foreign social media operators reject that offer, the US is likely to impede their services, which will reduce the number of market participants and benefit major US social media operators. For this reason, KResearch views that data security in respect of the geopolitical issues resulting from the different rules surrounding consumer data access of each country may become a major factor for international social media operators in planning their expansion into other countries.
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Fisker Automotive's new chief executive, Tom LaSorda, said the luxury electric-vehicle company is looking at alternatives to building its second model in a former General Motors Co. plant in Delaware, raising the possibility of abandoning a plan that had financial backing from the Obama administration.
Mr. LaSorda also said Fisker is looking for strategic partners as part of its effort to raise new funds to replace a federal loan that was frozen earlier this year.
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Kenneth Cole reported a net loss of $3.7 million for the quarter ended June 30, compared with income of $0.6 million in the year-earlier period. At 40.6 percent, gross profit as a percentage of revenues was unchanged.
Net revenues went down to $97.3 million from $102.2 million the previous year. Wholesale revenues decreased by 3.3 percent to $50.3 million, primarily from private label footwear and Reaction handbags. Consumer-direct revenues decreased by 6.1 percent to $37.2 million, due to the closure of two stores and a comparable store sales decline of 2.7 percent. Licensing revenues declined by 7.8 percent to $9.8 million.
Operating costs rose from 39.6 percent to 44.9 percent of revenues. In the quarter, the company incurred charges for transition costs to a new distribution center as a result of the insolvency of one of its third-party logistics operators, as well as professional service costs in connection with the proposed acquisition of the company by a group led by its designer, Kenneth D. Cole. Excluding these items, adjusted SG&A in the second quarter was $39.7 million, or 40.8 percent of revenues.


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The industry gasped when Ford announced earlier this year it would shed every single passenger car from its lineup, save for the Mustang. Ford also had an $11 billion restructuring plan in the works. Ford appeared one step ahead of its rivals.
Until GM dropped its own bombshell.
The automaker said the cuts it announced this past Monday will help open up $6 billion in savings in the next few years. The cuts include the end of production for numerous passenger cars (Chevrolet Impala, Cruze, Volt, Buick LaCrosse, and Cadillac CT6), and a 25 percent reduction to its corporate workforce. Thousands of production workers will be laid off as GM moves to idle four U.S. plants, too.
Ford, meanwhile, hasn’t announced much with reference to its reorganization. Jobs cuts at Ford have also been expected, but CEO Jim Hackett hasn’t delivered an announcement thus far. While the GM cuts sent its stock prices up by 5 percent, Ford shares reached their lowest point since 2009 this past October. Company bonds are quickly approaching junk bond status, too.
Both automakers have moved to transform their traditional businesses as the market moves away from sedans, into more utility vehicles, and combs through plans to introduce self-driving car technology and electric vehicles. GM has, arguably, been ahead of Ford in these regards, too. GM plans for 20 new electric cars by 2023 and has its Cruise Automation subsidiary to handle autonomous car development. Ford has handled all of these projects in-house with side investments. Its electrification roadmap is also fuzzier.
Perhaps news of Ford’s restructuring has dropped because of a potential major deal in the works. Ford has reportedly cozied up to Germany’s VW in recent months as the two explore synergies. What began as a potential partnership on commercial trucks may expand into a full-blown tie-up to save costs in budding segments such as EVs and automation.


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Context: CDW rolled its Technoliner into Canadian territory this week, launching its Canada tour with a debut performance in Toronto’s downtown lakefront district. Built by West Coast Customs and CDW, the 48 foot bus has been fitted out with IT solutions and supporting infrastructure to bring CDW’s vision of latest tech development to customers and prospects. The Technoliner is a “connected vehicle,” featuring a dynamic, synchronized video system, high-density Wi-Fi network technology, a retractable 14-foot video wall — and a BBQ/Microsoft Xbox gaming entertainment centre.
CDW is looking to reposition as a solution provider. One of the largest resellers in Canada, CDW is hoping to build brand awareness as a provider of technology solutions that extend across the stack. According to Daniel Reio, director of marketing, CDW Canada continues to rely on the sale of device hardware — PCs, laptops, tablets and other peripherals — as an entre to new accounts, and this activity continues to account for a healthy portion of the company’s Canadian business. However, like most other channel organizations, the company is building the resources needed to move up the value chain to solution sales, and currently has 23 solution architects on staff to support customer implementations in emerging solution areas, such as mobility and collaboration. Many of these advanced technologies were on display in the Technoliner.
Vendor neutral is a state of pockets. As part of its mandate to provide best-of-breed solutions to customers, CDW positions its solutions as vendor neutral. Reio noted, for example, that CDW is HP Canada’s largest reseller, a fact that appeared in stark contrast to the Technoliner line up. Essentially a showcase for one vendor, the bus implementation featured Cisco StadiumVision display control technology, Cisco WiFi, including access points and LAN controller, its Adaptive security appliance, as well as Cisco media and mobile solutions — running on the UCS and Cisco Nexus and Catalyst switches and routers. Other technologies represented in the bus included VMware’s vSphere and NetApp’s ExpressPod, components of the VCE block preconfigured infrastructure solutions, as well as a smattering of products not marketed by Cisco such as Apple iPad and Mac mini workstations, Electro audio systems, Elo touch monitors, Axis cameras, Thomson DirectTV content, Tripp Lite UPSes, Samsung displays and the crowning glory, a six-display, high resolution Planar video wall. And for anyone that feels the urge to print, there is an HP printer.
This Cisco-specific focus likely came at a price. Vendor-sponsored channel marketing activities are becoming a major factor in defining the messages that are delivered to SMB buyers. InsightaaS principal analyst Michael O’Neil estimates that total spending on these types of programs in Canada is likely in excess of $35 million annually.
Cisco is looking to position UCS at the solution centre. Cisco is master at creating use cases that run on its core networking products, and at building the partner ecosystems needed to provide the missing hardware/software links. The Technoliner is a good example of this approach: as the accompanying video shows, the bus functions as a showcase for Cisco technology but also as a demo of how resellers can use Technoliner solutions to reach out to their clients. On the bus, pride of place was given to UCS, an indication of Cisco’s intent to focus on server markets, an area that the networking vendor now claims top spot (in terms of North American x86 blade shipments for Q1, 2014 at least).
The bottom line:
CDW’s desire to develop solutions profile is not unique, a fact that challenges the organization to seek new engagements that can help differentiate it in the market. The Technoliner is just one example of the kind of joint vendor-channel promotional initiatives that we can expect to see more of as Cisco and its chief server technology competitors (HP, Dell) are forced to respond to a coming realignment in the server marketplace that will result from Lenovo’s acquisition of IBM’s server business.


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Deals Digest: Companies raise $802 mn this week; LeadSquared enters unicorn club
Companies raised $802 million in venture capital (VC) and private equity (PE) funding this week, nearly 27% more than last ......
Neobanking startup StashFin raises $270 mn; valuation tops $700 mn
Neobanking startup StashFin has raised $270 million (around Rs 2,079 crore) in a mixture of debt and equity in a ......
Fintech FlexiLoans raises $90 mn from Fasanara Capital, MAJ Invest, others
MSME fintech lender FlexiLoans Technologies Pvt. Ltd has raised $90 million (around Rs 693 crore) in a Series B funding ......
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A recent report has shown that Whatsapp has replaced Facebook as the leading social messaging service on mobile platform.
The report consisted of a survey conducted on nearly 4,000 smartphone users across five countries by On Device. It was found that 44 percent of the participants in the survey use Whatsapp at least once a week, while just 35 percent use Facebook messenger. The research also found that Snapchat's largest user base include 16-24 year olds in the US. It also suggests that apps such as WeChat, Twitter, BBM and Skype are popular and dominant methods of communication.
It was also found that 86 percent use social messaging on a daily basis; 73 percent use phones for voice calls; 75 percent use SMS and 60 percent communicate via email.
The study was conducted in the US, Brazil, South Africa and China and is based on the responses of the 3,759 smartphone users, between October and November this year.
The Telegraph reported Whatsapp's chief executive Jan Koum as saying that Whatsapp has more users than Twitter and carries more messages than Facebook. Whatsapp is believed to carry almost 20 billion messages per day, which is double the traffic Facebook generates.
Koum went on to say that Whatsapp will not follow Facebook and Twitter in carrying advertisements and will continue charging a nominal subscription fee of 99 cents annually on Android and other smartphone platforms.
"We do have a manifesto opposing advertising. We're so bombarded with ads so much in our daily lives and we felt that smartphones aren't the place for that. Our phones are so intimately connected to us, to our lives", said Koum.
In August, Whatsapp was made even more attractive with the inclusion of a voice messaging service.


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You have searched for Raymond Atteveld
LAST UPDATED : 16 Dec 2016, 15:55 IST
- Congress protests Khadi sale through Raymonds showrooms
JAIPUR: Balkrishna Khinchi of the Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee issued a press release on Friday condemning the memorandum of understanding between the Khadi and Village Industries Commission and Raymonds, allowing sale of material sourced from 2,300 clusters that produce Khadi products. Raymond has agreed to a guaranteed initial procurement of a substantial amount of Khadi fabrics. Economic Times had reported that the move was aimed at entering the same market that Fabindia currently operates in. In his press release, the Rajasthan Congress leader said Khadi was not merely a fabric, but a way of life and a manner of thinking that is considered Mahatma Gandhi’s gift to the country. The MoU between Raymond and the Centre is likely to pave the way for making Khadi far too expensive for the poor, the Congress leader said. Khinchi expressed concern that while the private Raymond, known for its suiting fabrics, would benefit from this MoU, poor workers who produce Khadi may not get any benefits.
- Raymonds to downsize,cut close to 10,000 jobs in 3 years
Chennai: Apparel giant Raymonds to cut about 10,000 jobs in its manufacturing centres in the next three years, replacing them with robots and technology, said Sanjay Behl, CEO, Raymonds. Speaking at an event at Great Lakes Institute of Management, Behl said that the industry being manpower-intensive, Raymonds employs over 30,000 staff in their 16 manufacturing plants in the country. “Roughly 2,000 work in each plant. Through technological intervention we are looking to scale down the number of jobs to 20,000, through multiple initiatives in technology. One robot could replace around 100 workers. While it is happening in China at present, it will also happen in India,” he said. He added that a closely monitored team is working on this technology implementation models. Behl added that the company is looking to open a plant in Africa.
- Raymond’s charity drive which may boost its sales too
Raymond Limited has come up with a charity drive which may also end up increasing sales at its retail counters. Under the plan, customers can walk into stores with a pair of old trousers which will be given away for charity. In turn, the company is offering free stitching services for a new pair.
- Raymonds partners with Goonj, offers free stitching for trousers in exchange of used ones
Raymonds in association with Goonj foundation on Monday announced an initiative that offers free stitching of trousers in exchange for used ones . The used trousers would be distributed to the needy, through the foundation.
- Raymond Limited to sell 20% in branded apparel
Raymond has been in textile manufacturing and retailing business since 1925 but despite being one of the early entrants in branded apparel retail, it has grown slower than the competition. Behl has taken several steps to resuscitate the apparel business since he joined Raymond in 2010.
- CM hopes Raymond unit brings prosperity to region
Amravati: Laying the foundation stone of a multi-speciality textile and garment manufacturing unit of Raymond here at the Nandgoanpeth industrial estate on Saturday, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis hoped it was the first step towards transforming the region from suicide epicentre to island of prosperity. He said the textile park coming here could well be the missing link in the cotton economy that had gone awry as lack of value addition had made growing the white gold unsustainable. “Sugar cane growers are better off and not suicide prone like cotton farmers because they have sugar factories in their area. Henceforth, cotton farmers will get similar support and Nandgaopeth textile park would serve as a model,” said Fadnavis. Raymond is to invest 1400 crore at Nangaonpeth where linen, denim, cotton shirting and garmenting facilities would come, providing at least 8,000 jobs.The factory spread on 200 hectares would come up in phases and the first unit is likely to start operations by March next. “Our government has introduced a policy of value addition of every agro-product so that farmers get good remunerative prices for their produce and unemployed youths of the area get jobs,” he said and added that his government is developing 10 textile parks in all cotton-producing regions of Vidarbha, Marathwada and North Maharashtra. Besides this, orange processing units in orange-growing areas and edible oil units in soyabean-producing regions are being set up to bring value addition of the products. He said that such steps would prevent farm-suicide in the region. Amravati will soon be booming textile city and no longer be the suicide capital of farmers," said the chief minister. He also inaugurated Siyaram's textile unit in a separate function on Saturday. Fadnavis said the Nandgaonpeth five star MIDC area, spread over about 2,800 kms, was developed 15 years ago. However, it failed to attract a single industrial unit there. “But our sincere efforts to promote industrial growth has paid off. Today, there is a race among investors to get land here.” Lauding the assurance by Raymond that it will start production by March next year, Fadanvis said Raymond has a unit in Yavatmal and the cotton growers will be greatly benefited by the second unit in Amravati. He hailed the Raymond’s holistic approach in setting up a housing complex with an international standard school and the company's proposal to help set up an apparel and fashion zone here. Raymond had agreed to set up its second unit after Yavatmal in Amravati in the month of February early this year during the “Make in India” event in presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and within a span of two months the bhoomipujan of the project was performed. On the occasion, Gautam Hari Singhania, the CMD of Raymond, said that along with generation of multiple employment opportunities it will contribute substantially to the overall development of the region. Industries minister Subhash Desai said he was happy that Raymond kept pace with the government's fast clearances for the project and started work here in record time. Guardian minister Pravin Pote, minister of state for home Ranjit Patil, MP Anandrao Adsul and MLAs Sunil Deshmukh, Anil Bonde, Yashomati Thakur and Ashish Deshmukh were present.
- Bhoomipuja of Raymond plant today
Amravati: Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis will perform the bhoomipuja of the proposed Raymonds Mill at the textile park at Nandgaonpeth MIDC on Saturday. Though the official programme is yet to be released, brisk preparations are afoot for the function, which is also expected to be attended by Raymonds’ top brass. Guardian Minister Pravin Pote and home minister Ranjit Patil will also be present. Centre sanctions Rs105.27 cr for housing scheme The Housing and Poverty Alleviation department of the central government has approved Amravati Municipal Corporation’s plan to provide 860 flats and 6158 gharkuls to beneficiaries and sanctioned a fund of Rs105.27 crore for the same. A press release from AMC stated the state government would contribute Rs70 lakh for the project. AMC will build 1BHK flats on its 14 sites, funds will be provided to 6,158 beneficiaries for building gharkuls on their own plots. The release said the civic body would soon issue tenders for construction of flats while MoUs had been signed with 18 architects for preparing gharkul plans.
- 'Everybody Loves Raymond' star Doris Roberts dies at 90
Roberts picked up best supporting actress four times in the early 2000s for her portrayal of Marie Barone, the mother of Ray Romano's sportswriter character in the show, which ran for nine seasons. She appeared in 34 films over more than half a century.


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Rockstar Games, the renowned developer behind the Grand Theft Auto (GTA) series, made a surprising announcement on November 8, unveiling Grand Theft Auto 6 (GTA 6) after nearly a decade of anticipation. While Rockstar has remained tight-lipped about the game’s release date, a trailer is set to drop next month, coinciding with the 25th anniversary of Rockstar Games. While many aspects of GTA 6 have been discussed, one intriguing facet yet to be explored is the role of artificial intelligence (AI).
AI’s potential impact on NPCs
The world of gaming is evolving, and AI is playing an increasingly significant role. Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick believes that AI, particularly generative AI, could revolutionize the way players interact with non-playable characters (NPCs) in GTA 6. In a recent interview with Inverse, Zelnick noted, “Everyone’s working on that. You’re a playable character, you’re interacting with the non-playable character. That interaction is currently scripted. And the non-playable characters are generally not very interesting. You could imagine all the NPCs becoming really interesting and fun.”
Enhanced NPC interactions
Reports suggest that GTA 6 could introduce a fresh level of dynamism to NPC interactions, thanks to generative AI. Instead of static NPCs, players may encounter characters with daily routines and engaging conversations, mirroring the immersive NPC experience seen in Red Dead Redemption 2.
Another intriguing aspect of GTA 6’s rumored AI integration involves two playable protagonists, Jason and Lucia. When players control one of them, the other is expected to autonomously navigate the game world rather than mindlessly tailing the player. This potential use of AI could introduce a new layer of realism and complexity to the game’s narrative.
Realistic traffic movement
AI’s impact may not be limited to NPC interactions alone. Reports suggest that AI could also influence traffic patterns within the game. In GTA 6, vehicles might navigate the city sensibly, adhering to logical routes, rather than aimlessly driving around. This enhancement could contribute to a more immersive gaming experience.
Speculation and leaks
It is important to emphasize that the information provided is speculative and rooted in a significant GTA 6 leak from early this year. The true details of GTA 6 will only be unveiled with the official release of the trailer and the game itself. While anticipation is building for a potential December release, gamers should remain cautious and await Rockstar Games’ official announcements for the most reliable information.
As the gaming world eagerly awaits the release of GTA 6, the integration of AI technology promises to reshape NPC interactions, introduce autonomous protagonists, and enhance in-game traffic dynamics. These rumored innovations underscore the ever-evolving nature of the gaming industry and its embrace of AI-driven advancements. However, it’s crucial to remember that these details remain speculative until Rockstar Games unveils the official trailer and the highly anticipated game itself. Gamers and enthusiasts will need to exercise patience until the official announcements provide concrete insights into the AI-driven future of GTA 6.


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Neto is taking on its competitors thanks to a new partnership with Australia Post.
Best friends Rose Gallo and Marcia Cipri launched The Gift Concierge Co. Together they share how they transformed their passion into a successful startup.
Setting up a business for the first time is a daunting yet exciting adventure! These steps will help you on the track to success.
“After realising Australian brands faced so many technological, cultural and linguistic challenges when trying to communicate with Chinese-speaking consumers, I decided to quit my corporate job at 26 years old and join my business partner to begin THINK CHINA.”
Being invited to yet another conference that promises to give entrepreneurs the blue print for a successful business, I can’t help but wonder if we have a culture of snake oil entrepreneurship.
Founders Nick Shewring & Jonah Merchant believe that combining knowledge and social networks are crucial to success in the future business environment.
We spoke to Danielle Sweeney about how she runs her businesses from her home in Surrey Hills, Victoria around care for her three-year old daughter.
Moula CEO Aris Allegos shares his startup story with KBB.
The startup is now valued at more than $50 million and the site continues to experience double-digit growth month on month.


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A.P. Moller-Maersk A/S has acquired Salt Lake City-based Visible Supply Chain Management, a business-to-consumer (B2C) logistics company focused on parcel delivery and fulfillment services, for $838 million, the world’s largest container line announced Friday. Maersk also announced the intention to acquire B2C Europe Holding B.V., a B2C parcel delivery company based in the Netherlands.
“Today, customers rely on the integrated logistics approach and services which Maersk offers,” said Vincent Clerc, CEO of Maersk Ocean & Logistics. “By combining that with the operating models and value proposition of Visible SCM and B2C Europe, we will enable our customers to continue to develop their e-commerce offering, thus extending the scope and potential of our strategic partnerships. The acquisitions will provide Maersk with a strong growth platform in the rapidly evolving field of e-commerce, where our investments in digitalization and integration will create significant synergies and make a big difference for customers’ ability to sell across multiple channels effectively.”
“Integrating our company with Maersk aligns with our values and strategic goal to scale our services to reach more customers with our proven business model,” said Jared Starling, CEO of Visible. “Together we can be a trusted partner across all customers’ supply chains and bring our B2C expertise to Maersk customers with online sales fulfillment, parcel delivery and supply chain visibility in an end-to-end offering.”
B2C Europe CEO José Vega Vazquez added: “We are proud and look forward to playing a key part in enabling Maersk to enhance its integrated logistics value proposition. Bringing our expertise and competencies together will offer customers a unique opportunity to take control and drive flexibility into their B2C supply chains.”
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Coffee lovers will probably be getting their morning jolt a little cheaper in coming days, thanks to plunging futures markets and lower wholesale prices.
Earlier this month, both major coffee roasters--Procter & Gamble Co., maker of Folger`s, and General Foods Corp., maker of Maxwell House--lowered their wholesale prices 15 cents to $2.95 a pound. That decrease may take several weeks to show up on grocers` shelves.
The roasters lowered their prices as a result of lower prices in the coffee futures markets in green coffee beans, the raw material from which coffee is made.
Green coffee beans have been trading in recent days at about $1.25 a pound, down from a high of about $2 a pound in September, according to John Bierbusse, an analyst with Duff & Phelps Inc. in Chicago.
''The retailers see that drop, too, and demand lower prices (from the roasters),'' Bierbusse said.
General Foods, the White Plains, N.Y.-based subsidiary of Philip Morris Companies Inc., is the leading U.S. coffee roaster, with 38 percent of the market. Its price cuts to its grocery chain customers averaged 20 cents a pound on vacuum-packed ground coffee brands and 3 cents an ounce on instant coffees.
''The wholesale price for Maxwell House ground coffee a year ago was $3.96 a pound; now it`s down to $2.95,'' said a spokesman for General Foods.
The highest price ever charged by General Foods came in 1977, when prices soared to $4.21 a pound following a killer frost in Brazil. The company processes and markets ground, instant and decaffeinated coffees. Besides Maxwell House, its brands include Yuban, Sanka and Brim.
In the first nine months of 1986, Bierbusse said, General Foods` Maxwell House saw volume drop about 10 percent.
The General Foods spokesman said that the firm had been passing along lower prices to its wholesalers for several months by offering Maxwell House at $3.10 a pound while officially still listing it at $3.40. But General Foods recently lowered the price twice, to $3.10 and then to $2.95.
''I would expect it to take about a 30-day period to reach the consumer,'' he said.
That decrease would come on the heels of prices that have been coming down for months. Last summer, coffee prices hit their peak and have been falling ever since.
''Prices have dropped about 14 percent over the past several months,''
noted George Hartnett, owner of Belmont Food Mart, 1863 W. 107th St.
''The new decrease should come in another month.''
And that just might be a short-term harbinger of continued good news for coffee-breakers everywhere, one analyst predicted.
''Coffee prices should remain on the defensive, possibly falling back to prices unwitnessed in the past five to seven years,'' said Sandra Kaul, a coffee analyst with Shearson Lehman Brothers in New York.
Kaul said improved prospects for Brazil`s 1987-88 coffee harvest were partly responsible for lower coffee bean prices.
Just when will cheaper prices hit?
''Depending on how rapidly they (wholesalers and retailers) turn over the inventory. They purchased at higher levels, so they must work through their higher-priced inventory,'' Kaul said.
She said that coffee at the wholesale level is selling at three-year lows and approaching a five-year low.
The coffee market turned volatile about a year ago, when a drought hit Brazil and other coffee-growing areas of South America.
Brazil produces about 30 percent of the world`s coffee, and the drought cut 1985-86 Brazilian production by about two-thirds.
As a result, one industry observer noted, the big coffee roasters like General Foods and Procter & Gamble bought huge supplies of green coffee beans to protect themselves against the shortage.
The commodities market, however, overreacted, and prices soared, said an official with one of the nation`s larger grocery wholesalers.
When coffee prices jumped, consumers cut back, leaving the roasters with an oversupply.
''The market became so erratic that nobody knew what was happening. Fools became experts, and experts became fools,'' he said.
''The big guys (General Foods and Procter & Gamble) found themselves with a lot of expensive coffee and had to move it fast to reduce losses. With such an oversupply, they weren`t buying green coffee beans, and that market started dropping,'' he noted.
Meanwhile, many stores still have supplies of coffee bought when the price of green coffee beans was much higher.
Faced with adequate supplies, less demand and the improved prospects for the Brazilian crop, the likeliest outcome is that prices will continue to head downward.
But there might be a fly in the coffee.
Colombia, one of the leading exporters, has contacted other coffee-producing nations about an agreement to return to a quota system in the market because of the sharp drop in bean prices.
Jorge Cardenas Gutierrez, manager of the National Coffee-Growers Federation, said a quota system was being proposed to coffee producers and buyers.


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California Pizza Kitchen adds mobile pay-at-table option
Los Angeles-based California Pizza Kitchen (CPK) has upgraded its mobile app to consolidate payments and loyalty features, including the ability to order and pay at the table at the company’s 197 U.S. locations.
The new version of the CPK Pizza Dough Rewards app enables consumers to check into restaurants through the app, place orders for takeout or dining within the restaurant and pay within the app by linking a card, CPK said in a recent press release. The app also enables customers to calculate a tip, refer to past purchase history, and earn and track rewards.
Customers who download the app receive an immediate reward for signing up and afterward they may earn $5 in Pizza Dough Rewards for every $100 spent, along with the option to receive additional promotions and offers on their phone, according to the release.
CPK worked closely with Newton, Mass.-based Paytronix Systems Inc., which has developed loyalty programs for several restaurant chains, to develop the new app. Paytronix integrated its loyalty management program with CPK’s existing restaurant ordering and payment platforms, including NCR Aloha Cloud Connect and Aloha Table Service, according to a separate Paytronox press release.
According to Paytronix’s research, enabling consumers to pay their dining bill via their smartphone can shave an average of about 12 minutes off of the total experience, saving time for customers and improving restaurant efficiency, said Andrew Robbins, Paytronix’s president, in its release.


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Bethesda-based Marriott International Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) announced Friday it has an agreement to buy Elegant Hotels Group, which owns and operates seven hotels and a beachfront restaurant on the island of Barbados.
Per a release, Marriott’s all-cash offer values Elegant at roughly $199 million, including its $68.9 million in total net debt.
Elegant’s seven hotels total 588 rooms, making it the largest luxury hotel owner on the eastern Caribbean island. Six of the seven are located on the west coast of Barbados and the majority are operated as all-inclusive resorts, a type of destination that Marriott has increasingly tried to expand into.
“The addition of the Elegant portfolio will help us further jumpstart our expansion in the all-inclusive space, while providing more choices on the breathtaking island of Barbados for our 133 million Marriott Bonvoy members,” Arne Sorenson, Marriott president and CEO, said in a release.
An Elegant executive said the company was confident in…Read the full story from the Washington Business Journal.


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Coffee trees are planted on 688,000 ha in 12 states, mainly in southern Mexico. The main coffee-producing states are Chiapas, Oaxaca, Puebla, Veracruz and Guerrero. As we reported in an earlier post, Mexico is financing a program to gradually replace aging coffee trees. The average yields of coffee in the 2010-11 season did show a slight increase on previous years. Officials hope this is the start of a trend of higher yields as the older trees are gradually replaced. The program to replace coffee trees is being supported by Nestlé, the Swiss food corporation.
Between 2002 and 2010, more than 4,000 growers in several states benefited from Nestlé’s distribution of more than 3.9 million coffee plants as part of a nationwide plan to replace aging coffee trees. Nestlé has since announced that it plans to establish its first coffee-propagation center in Mexico, in the southern state of Chiapas, in a joint venture with Agromod, a Mexican crop technology company, and the National Forestry, Farming and Fishing Institute (Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Forestales, Agrícolas y Pecuarias, INIFAP).
The project will supply 30 million coffee plants by 2020, and mean that Nestlé will no longer need to import coffee plants to Mexico from its facility in Tours, France. As many as 20,000 coffee-growers will benefit from the project. Most of the new plants will be arabica varieties (for premium beans); the remainder will be robusta varieties (used in instant coffee blends).
- Mexico’s Fair Trade coffee faces an uncertain future
- Organic farming helps the Mam of Chiapas regain their cultural identity
- Mexico’s coffee harvest may not meet expectations this year (2011)


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11 January 2017: Hearst Magazines UK, publisher of Cosmopolitan, ELLE, Esquire, Good Housekeeping and Harper’s BAZAAR, today announced the appointment of James Wildman as President and Chief Executive Officer.
The announcement was made by Hearst President and CEO Steven R. Swartz and Hearst Magazines President David Carey. Wildman will report to Carey and replaces Anna Jones, who departs in February, having co-founded AllBright, a new funding platform for female entrepreneurs. Wildman begins in his new role on April 3.
Currently chief revenue officer at Trinity Mirror plc, Wildman has been responsible for the group’s national advertising revenue and commercial operations, transforming the company’s industry reputation and driving a turnaround performance built around digital acceleration and creativity. Previously, he was managing director and VP of sales at Yahoo UK, where he was credited with leading a successful reversal of long-term revenue decline. Prior to that, he ran ids, Virgin Media’s former television ad sales business, which won much recognition for innovation during his long tenure.
“James is entrepreneurial and has a strong track record of transforming media businesses,” Carey said. “He understands the UK, European and global marketplace, and has a clear vision of how we can continue to move our business forward. He will be a dynamic leader of Hearst Magazines UK, which we plan to expand in the years ahead.
“We also thank Anna, who has encouraged experimentation and new ideas that drive revenue,” Carey continued. “She oversaw the growth of our brands on all platforms, our partnerships with Asda and Jamie Oliver, and used our brands to develop female empowerment initiatives that will continue to be a priority. We wish her the very best in her new endeavour.”
Wildman said: “I am delighted to join Hearst Magazines, which is a strong and growing business, with dynamic brands, incredible talent and global scale. The UK is Hearst’s most important market outside the U.S., and I have been given a clear growth mandate for our existing brands in print and digital, as well as incubating ideas for new products, partnerships and acquisitions. I am very much looking forward to working closely with my new colleagues both in the UK and the U.S. as we set the agenda for 2017 and beyond.”
For more information please contact:
Lisa Quinn, Director of Communications, email@example.com
About Hearst Magazines UK
Hearst Magazines UK is the trading name of National Magazine Company Ltd, established in 1910 by William Randolph Hearst, and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hearst Corporation.
Hearst Magazines UK publishes 18 magazine brands and three pureplay digital brands including Cosmopolitan, Digital Spy, ELLE, Esquire, Good Housekeeping and Harper’s Bazaar.
It is the largest digital magazine publisher in the UK with a digital audience of 15.2 million monthly unique users and it reaches one in four UK online adults, one in three UK women and one in four UK online men. It speaks to 22 million fans and followers on social media*.
Hearst Magazines UK has interests in two joint ventures in partnership with some of the world’s best publishers:
– Hearst Rodale UK: A 50:50 joint venture with Rodale Inc, which focuses on health and wellbeing. Hearst-Rodale publishes Men’s Health, Women’s Health and Runner’s World, and their companion sites.
– COMAG: A 65:35 joint venture with Condé Nast, one of the U.K.’s largest magazine distributors.
* (TGI Clickstream Jan-Dec 2015, GA July 2016, ABC Jan-June 2016, social analytics Dec 2016.)


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With this year’s feed shortage, some beef producers are bringing their cattle to market sooner than usual instead of buying extra feed.
Local producer Heinz Reimer says personally, they are 30 to 40 percent short on feed this year. He notes because hay was such poor quality, farmers are forced to find alternatives to get them through the winter. He says some have been lucky enough to get corn silage at a decent price but for most, that is not the case. He adds they will likely be feeding some straw to their herd this winter which he indicates is not ideal.
"The protein in straw is quite a bit lower than any hay but it is a feed source," says Reimer, "we’ll probably be top dressing the straw with some liquid molasses which will make the straw more palatable and we'll add a little bit of protein to it but we’ll probably only be feeding 20 percent of our ration that will be straw."
Reimer adds they will watch their cattle closely and if they noticeably start losing energy and need some more grain in their diet, they will pay the price and put it in.
Reimer says with the price of feed so high, some farmers are just bringing their cattle to market earlier than usual as opposed to buying extra feed. "That’s part of the issue with a lot of producers that will sell their cattle off because they just can’t afford to pay," notes Reimer who says right now, they are paying double for extra feed, "It just doesn’t make sense to pay this kind of money for all your feed." He indicates it's manageable for one year but he says if you have to go through it a second year, there is potential for many producers to leave the industry.
"I’ve talked to guys at the sales barn, everybody’s saying we’re probably four weeks ahead of schedule. Cattle coming into the barn are a little bit lighter because people are short of feed and instead of buying feed, they’re just moving them on."
With that in mind, Reimer says he is surprised with how fair the prices are despite the cows not being as heavy as in previous years.
In the end, Reimer is staying positive for next year "I’ve always been optimistic, I’m not pessimistic so I’m hoping next year is going to be better."


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Telefonica announces launch plans for Firefox OS
Telefonica made the first big splash of this year’s Mobile World Congress with the announcement of the Mozilla Firefox mobile operating system
, which it will launch in Latin America and Spain from mid-2013. The company is lining up behind the open ecosystem, which it believes is the way to “bring balance back to the telco sector”, in CEO César Alierta’s words.
“[This year] marks the start of a new phase in our industry, one that will be characterized by open standards,” said Alierta. “For Telefónica and the telco sector as a whole, Firefox OS is a hugely important strategic initiative to change the prevailing value chain in the digital world.”
Sixteen other operators have also backed the new OS, including America Movil, Telenor and KDDI. The focus is currently on emerging markets, where smartphone penetration is still low – the operators are hoping that the open ecosystem will allow them to offer smartphones more cheaply, without having to subsidize expensive devices like Apple’s iPhone. In addition, the hope is that using Firefox will allow the operators to access the applications and services market that the existing ecosystems dominate.
Facebook partners with 18 operators for free access to Messenger and Every Phone
Facebook has also continued its march to dominate mobile by partnering with 18 operators, spread among 14 countries, to offer free or discounted access to its Messenger and Facebook for Every Phone services. Most of the operators are in emerging markets, such as Thailand, Bahrain or Brazil, while its partners in more developed markets such as Ireland or Italy tend to be challenger operators. This move should help it increase its reach among subscribers, and consequently generate greater revenues from advertising.
Huawei leaps from the starting blocks
Another big announcement was from Chinese handset vendor Huawei Device, which revealed that it earned global sales revenue of $7.5 billion in 2012, up 10% over the previous year, on the back of 127 million devices shipped. Smartphone shipments meanwhile grew 60% to 32 million handsets, out of a total of 52 million.
To build on this result, Huawei is also launching a global brand awareness campaign, called “Make It Possible”, marking the brand’s emergence as a competitor to other vendors such as Apple or Samsung. It will be rolled out around the world throughout 2013, and builds on Huawei’s activities in 2012, which saw it establish over 5,000 retail counters in more than 45 countries.
Samsung partners with Visa for NFC payments
Handset vendor Samsung announced an agreement that will see it introduce Visa’s payment technology on its next generation of handsets, and speed the growth of NFC payments worldwide. Samsung will offer banks the ability to load payment account information over the air to a chip embedded on its devices, using Visa’s Mobile Provisioning Service. Samsung will also preload Visa’s PayWave applet onto selected NFC-enabled devices, which will allow consumers to add their Visa payment account information more easily. The pairing between the world’s leading handset vendor and the leading credit card provider should help speed the uptake of mobile payments via NFC-enabled devices, a market that is forecast to reach nearly 2 billion devices by 2017.
WAC comes back from the dead in a new guise, but is it doomed to fail again?
Full marks for persistence, but zero for execution, should be the verdict so far on operator efforts to roll out cross-network APIs to allow developers to access services such as billing and SMS on a one-stop-shop basis. First there was the OneAPI initiative to come up with a common standard for creating network APIs, which only got as far as rolling out in Canada. Then there was WAC, which tried to provide an aggregation point for OneAPI-compliant APIs, but was wound down last year and its assets sold to API-platform provider Apigee.
Now today we’ve heard that WAC is going to come back to life in the guise of the OneAPI Exchange, powered by Apigee. This later incarnation will be a bit more pragmatic realistic and will work with whichever APIs operators have rolled out, regardless of whether they are OneAPI-compliant or not. But it is currently in the working-proof-of-concept stage. It is planning to launch an identity API in 2Q13 and a payment API later in the year. It is still unclear how many networks will be on board with these initial rollouts. Meanwhile, some operators are seeking to offer cross-network APIs within their territories by tying up with aggregators that are already connected to all local networks for things like SMS and payments. In the face of operator inability to get fully behind multilateral initiatives like WAC, taking such shortcuts seems like the only feasible option for cross-network rollouts right now.
Francesco Radicati is a research analyst with Informa Telecoms and Media. For more information, visit www.informatandm.com/
MORE COVERAGE OF MOBILE WORLD CONGRESS


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In April last year, Apple splashed a big message across the back pages of newspapers and magazines around the world. You may remember: “There are some ideas we want every company to copy.”
The full-colour, full-page image accompanying these words was not the latest funky Apple product. It was a solar farm, a vast one, stretching off into a sunlit hinterland. Apple had announced a campaign to power its data centres 100% with renewables…. Read the post.