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CORE reveals retro-inspired Nissan livery for 2019 IMSA season
The proliferation of retro color schemes to honor the start of IMSA’s 50th season continues with CORE autosport running the colors of one of the IMSA Prototype greats – the Nissan GTP ZX-Turbo.
The ZX-Turbo won three straight manufacturers titles for Nissan 1989-’91 and earned its principal ace Geoff Brabham four straight drivers’ titles, beating the TWR Jaguars and hordes of well-run Porsche teams.
Its replacement, the Nissan R91CP – also running the red-white-blue livery – then went on to conquer the Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona, in the hands of Masahiro Hasemi, Kazuyoshi Hoshino and Toshio Suzuki.
For the 2019 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season, CORE will ditch its traditional orange, gray and white for these retro colors, as the team moves into the DPi class for the first time to run the Nissan-powered prototype.
“Knowing that 2019 was a celebration of IMSA’s 50th season we knew we wanted to do something special with our livery to recognize that milestone,” said team owner and driver Jon Bennett, who will share the car at Daytona with Colin Braun, Romain Dumas and Loic Duval.
“Once we knew we’d be racing the Nissan this year, there wasn’t even a question about what throwback livery we’d use; it’d have to be the legendary red, white and blue of the GTP era. Seeing fans requesting that very concept on social media made it clear we’d made the right choice.”
The legendary Nissan GTP ZX-Turbo
Photo by: Nissan
BMW “in the hunt” for Rolex 24 victory, says Rahal
Starworks Audi R8 to run in classic 90 quattro retro livery


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FRESCO, the new Freight Rate Exchange for Shipping Containers, raises the bar in competitive purchasing and sales for the freight forwarding sector and buyers of freight services (shippers).
The service has been launched by Linescape and builds on the success of the company’s online search engine for container sailing schedules, hosting schedules from more than 120 shipping lines.
FRESCO connects the two main groups of visitors in Linescape’s user base, giving each immediate and easy access to each other for initiating bookings and a business relationship.
“We bring together shippers and forwarders, requesting and offering freight rate quotations, all seamlessly tied in to our sailing schedule search engine,” said Linescape’s co-founder Dimitrios Sogas.
“Users can now leverage the huge user base Linescape has assembled and simplify the task of gathering quotes or finding new customers,” he said. “With just a few simple steps, a shipper can request quotes from a much larger group of forwarders than would previously have been feasible. And similarly, forwarders can reach a much wider customer base, all made possible by the broad appeal of Linescape’s simple and powerful sailing schedules search engine.”
FRESCO users seeking to book a shipment on a specific route can seek a quotation from many logistics providers at one time with just one request, ensuring the users receive the most competitive prices.
“Since FRESCO does not represent either party, users can be sure that they are getting the best possible offer, directly from the logistics provider,” said Sogas.
Freight forwarders and other logistics providers establish a FRESCO membership, select the nations from where they wish to offer quotations, and then start receiving rate requests by email. An added benefit for forwarders is that their company contact details are included in Linescape’s directory and appear in Linescape search results, increasing their visibility to thousands of potential new customers.
For more information, visit www.linescape.com.

domain: news


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In most states you can legally buy guns online without a background check, and online transactions account for forty per cent of US gun sails.
Here’s what you can get for that hunter friend that likes Bambi puree, and wants to bring that sucker down from the comfort of their home.
From the National Journal – the captions are theirs:
Barrett M82 50-Caliber Sniper Rifle
An NBC News undercover investigation into legal online gun sales conducted a transaction for this 50-caliber sniper rifle, calling it “the most powerful gun legally sold in the U.S.: bullet range 5 miles. It can pierce armored vehicles, even bring down a helicopter.”
The NRA claims 50-caliber sniper rifles have not been used in crimes, but the Violence Policy Center, a nonprofit working to reduce gun violence, refutes that assertion with a long list of criminal activities in which the 50-caliber sniper rifle was the weapon of choice.
M134 General Electric Minigun
The minigun is one of the most dangerous weapons ever designed, with the capacity to fire up to 166 bullets per second. Amazingly, it is currently legal in the U.S. to own this military-grade machine gun because the Firearm Owners Protection Act of 1986 stated that any fully automatic weapon constructed before that year was legal to own.


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Cuomo once again forbids indoor dining in New York City
Yet restaurants account for tiny share of case numbers, according to governor’s data
The Facts Inside Our Reporter’s Notebook
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Friday ordered New York City restaurants to shut down indoor dining, even though his office’s own data indicate that positive COVID-19 tests linked to restaurants account for a tiny share of the overall caseload in the state.
Indoor dining is “too high of a risk,” Cuomo said in a Friday tweet, citing “a rising infection rate and NYC’s density.” The governor said he would still permit takeout, delivery and outdoor dining options for city residents.
Controversially, the ban comes as the governor’s own COVID-19 data indicate that positive tests linked to restaurants constitute a very small share of New York’s overall caseload.
At a Friday press conference, Cuomo revealed that restaurants and bars comprise just 1.43% of the state’s COVID-19 sources. He grouped that source of spread as among those of “small numbers,” he said in the press conference.
Cuomo’s decision in light of that data received some pushback following his announcement on Friday.
“They are basically shutting down an industry and throwing thousands of people out of work because restaurants were linked to 1.4 percent of cases? It is criminal,” one restaurant owner told Eater.


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If you're a fan of video game art, then you're in the right place. Today’s innovations and improvements in game art design and development have been shaped by the first steps that were taken in the past. Today, video games are considered more...
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adam&eveDDB - Great Western Railway
Great Western Railway is launching a new brand campaign that aims to re-ignite people’s love of rail travel by reminding them that adventures start as soon as they step onto a GWR train. The animated...
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Faith Goldy Is Reportedly Selling Illegal Clothing Online And People Are Actually Buying It
Faith Goldy launches line of overpriced Canadian heritage merch, which is reportedly illegal.
In the wake of her failed lawsuit against Bell Media last month, Faith Goldy - third runner-up in Toronto's mayoral election - has launched a line of overpriced Canadian heritage merch to supplement her cash flow. Following her loss, that it wouldn't be the last Toronto will be seeing of her. Now, it seems that she's proving that to be true - but, for all the wrong reasons.
A report by Canadaland reveals that Goldy has started selling t-shirts, sweatshirts and mugs with the Canadian Coat of Arms emblem printed on them, on eCommerce platform GearBubble. As Canadaland points out, Canada's federal regulation regarding the commercial use of Canadian symbols makes this practice illegal.
The Government of Canada states that "The Coat of Arms and National Flag of Canada are protected by the Trade-marks Act against unauthorized use for commercial purposes."
According to their website, "No person shall adopt in connection with a business, as a trade mark or otherwise, any mark consisting of, or so nearly resembling as to be likely to be mistaken for... e) the arms, crest or flag".
Goldy revealed on Twitter this week that she is "super excited" about the launch of the clothing line. The description reads, "Canada has a proud history, worthy of honour. In order to know where we're heading, we have a duty to acknowledge where we came from. Faith Goldy's Canadian Heritage Line employs traditional Canadian symbols which illustrate our European heritage and deep desire for a better nation!"
Goldy was once at the centre of attention for referencing a fourteen-word slogan made popular by white supremacist David Lane, on a podcast. Not only did she refuse to apologize for publicly reciting the words, but she also defended herself for it. Which led to websites like Patreon and PayPal disabling her accounts, barring her from receiving cash donations from her supporters.
Even so, Goldy's clothing line has made sales. GearBubble indicates that 5 mugs, 13 hoodies and 6 t-shirts have already been sold. Clearly, there are people out there who love Goldy enough to shell out $15 on a ceramic mug which, as Goldy describes, is "to be filled with communist tears and motivation to make your country better, every day!"
Will Goldy's clothing line fail as miserably as her attempt to sue Bell Media? Only time will tell.


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Foreign acquisitions helped boost second-quarter profits at Telefonos de Mexico by 42 per cent, but not enough to offset eroding domestic earnings.
Telmex, owned by Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim, reported late on Tuesday a net profit of 6.53bn pesos ($606m) for the April-June period with profit margins rising to 16.3 per cent from 14.5 per cent. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (ebitda) rose 8 per cent to 16.9bn pesos, and operating profit was 9 per cent higher at 10.9bn pesos. Higher costs, however, ate into its ebitda margin, which slipped to 42.3 per cent from 49.6 per cent in the second quarter of 2004, and its operating margin declined to 27.3 per cent from 31.8 per cent.
The company has used its dominance in Mexico's fixed-line business to fund an acquisitions spree in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia and Peru countries all seeing increased sales. Mr Slim's America Movil operates Mexico's main Telcel mobile phone company and has also been snapping up Latin American telecoms.
Telmex shares fell 1.7 per cent to 10.25 pesos, reflecting rising costs and slipping business at home. “The thrust of the Telmex story continues to be slow, but apparently inexorable, revenue decline in the core incumbent businesses in Mexico, compensated partly by growth of broadband and other data revenue,” wrote UBS analysts Stephen Graham and Pedro Gonzalez.
Telmex posted second-quarter sales of 40.2bn pesos, up 26.7 per cent from the same period last year, after including the operations of Brazil's Embratel, purchased last year and consolidated in the third quarter. Embratel has been losing share in long-distance and data markets.
However, domestic sales in Mexico declined 4 per cent over the past year to 29.9bn pesos, as increased data services failed to make up for lower voice traffic. During the quarter, Telmex added 316,000 new lines in its home market, where its 17.9m lines saw a 6 per cent drop in local calling revenue. Domestic long-distance sales fell 1 per cent and international calls fell 7 per cent.
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Wesfarmers is on the hunt for more battery minerals mines as it reaches a crucial stage in work on the $1.9 billion Mt Holland lithium project in Western Australia.
The Perth-based conglomerate wants mining and processing assets beyond lithium and is assessing both exploration opportunities and project acquisitions.
Wesfarmers is looking to expand its mining footprint because, despite the company’s expertise in chemical processing, it doubts Australia will ever move far enough downstream to produce electric vehicle batteries in the absence of a local car manufacturing industry.
Its multi-mine ambitions in battery minerals were spelled out with Wesfarmers deep in lithium off-take negotiations with Elon Musk’s Tesla, Mitsui and LG.
Wesfarmers and its partner in Mt Holland, global lithium giant Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile (SQM), are on track to start producing lithium hydroxide from a plant under construction at Kwinana, south of Perth, in the second half of calendar 2024.
However, they are almost certain to start selling spodumene concentrate as soon as the Mt Holland mine is in production rather than waiting for the hydroxide plant to come online given the sky-high prices spodumene is fetching on global markets.
Wesfarmers managing director of chemicals, energy and fertilisers (WesCEF) Ian Hansen, who steered the division to record earnings of $540 million in 2021-22, said there were two key factors at play in the company’s battery minerals strategy.
“One is how do we get involved further in this thematic of battery minerals, and obviously Australia, in particular, is blessed with a number of key components for electric vehicles and batteries in terms of minerals,” he said.
“The second component of going further downstream into battery manufacture is, I think, a lot more challenging in Australia given there is ... no car manufacturing in Australia.
“The more we learn about the battery sector, the more we see the battery manufacturers having very close relationships with the individual car manufacturers, the OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) because the batteries really dictate the car’s performance.
“The design of the batteries, the nuance of batteries both the chemistry and packaging reflect the performance of the car and so individual OEMs want to have their battery suppliers very close to them, so they can rapidly enhance, modify, change the battery design or packaging design to optimise the vehicle design.
“I think the prospect of a battery manufacturing sector in Australia is a little bit more challenging than us getting involved in further minerals opportunities.”
Mr Hansen said work on the mine and concentrator at Mt Holland, near Southern Cross in WA, was going well, but delivery of some key equipment had been delayed by the lockdowns in Shanghai earlier this year.
Wesfarmers is sticking to its January 2021 capital expenditure estimate of $950 million, its half share alongside $950 million from SQM. However, labour shortages, COVID disruption and supply chain issues have eaten into the contingency buffer in the original costings and Wesfarmers concedes that with the spike in inflation the figure is likely to end up higher than it was in 2021 dollars.
Rob Scott-led Wesfarmers and its shareholders are already counting the cost of a couple of cold feet moments on battery and critical minerals in 2019 and 2020 that followed the company’s exit from thermal coal mining.
Wesfarmers delayed a final investment decision on Mt Holland by a year, after paying $776 million to acquire Kidman Resources and its half share in the project in 2019 just as the lithium market took a turn for the worse. Lithium prices have soared in the past 18 months with producers reporting record profits for 2021-22 and Wesfarmers 12 months behind where it might have been in terms of first production.
The Kidman acquisition came soon after Wesfarmers withdrew a stalled $1.5 billion takeover tilt at rare earths producer Lynas pitched at $2.25 a share. The Lynas share price closed at $9.03 on Friday after the now $8 billion company reported record profit and revenue for 2021-22.
Wesfarmers is not looking in the rearview mirror and has bolstered the geology team that came with the Kidman acquisition in the pursuit of new minerals assets and has not ruled anything out, including rare earths, nickel and copper.
“They are very busy looking for other opportunities in the battery minerals space, particularly in Australia,” Mr Hansen said of the geology team.
Asked if Wesfarmers was eying greenfields projects or project acquisitions as happened in the case of Kidman, Mr Hansen said it would look at both and that its interest was across a range of minerals required in de-carbonisation of the economy.
Wesfarmers views Mt Holland, run with SQM through joint venture vehicle Covalent Lithium, as an investment in chemical processing more so than mining given the associated hydroxide plant.
The project is expected to reach a peak in terms of the construction workforce in the next few months with WA miners already complaining of severe labour shortages.
There are about 500 workers on site at Mt Holland, which is the limit of the accommodation village there, and more than 300 working on the hydroxide plant at Kwinana.
Mr Hansen said the numbers at Kwinana could hit 500-600 in the next six months as the overall construction workforce peaked at about 1000.
Wesfarmers and SQM are already studying options to upsize the mine and concentrator but will likely hold fire on any expansion of the hydroxide plant currently slated to produce 50,000 tonnes a year.
“There aren’t too many of these refineries outside of China,” Mr Hansen said. “We want to see how it operates before we commit more capital to a refinery.
That’s not to say we suspect there’s going to be issues but given that not many operate we want to take the learnings from what we have got if we are going to design another train.”
One of the few such plants outside China sits next door to Wesfarmers at Kwinana. It was built by Chinese company Tianqi and is ramping up after producing its first lithium hydroxide in May, but only after long construction and commissioning delays and big cost blowouts.
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Here are your Apple rumors and AAPL news items for today:
Timing: According to a report from a Chinese news source, Apple (AAPL) is planning to debut its long-rumored, much-anticipated smartwatch later this year, DigiTimes notes. The Economic Daily News claims that Quanta Computer is producing the iWatch for Apple, which will launch the device during the third calendar quarter of this year. The report indicated that the iWatch’s touchscreen would be produced by TPK, while Taiwan’s Richtek would also provide components for the smartwatch. Suppliers are to begin delivering products to Apple in August. Quanta will reportedly manufacture 65 million iWatch units for shipment in 2014. The report also notes that Samsung will produce the Apple-designed chip that powers the iWatch. In recent months, Apple has hired a number of executives with experience in apparel and consumer products, implying that it plans to move strongly into the wearable computer category. A number of analysts have predicted that Apple would launch its entry into the smartwatch market before the end of this year. Recent reports suggest that the iWatch will incorporate various sensors to monitor a users’ health. DigiTimes has a mixed record when it comes to reports of upcoming Apple products.
Chosen: Developers lucky enough to win the chance to buy tickets to Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) were notified by email on Monday, AppleInsider notes. Apple will hold this year’s WWDC between June 2 and June 6 at San Francisco’s Moscone West Center. Last year, tickets to the event sold out in less than an hour, prompting the imposition of a lottery system this year. Developers who won the chance to buy tickets to the WWDC — at $1,599 per ticket — have a one week deadline to actually buy their tickets. Winners were chosen by random selection. Apple will also provide scholarships to allow 200 students to attend the 2014 WWDC. Apple typically debuts new products and gives previews of coming technology at the WWDC.
Switch: Apple has poached a top Amazon (AMZN) executive, 9to5Mac notes. Benoit Dupin has departed Amazon A9 Search Technology, where he had served as vice president, to join Apple. Dupin will become a Director at Apple in April. At Amazon A9, Dupin helped developed the e-commerce giant’s online search functions. He had worked at Amazon A9 since 2007. His prior experience includes roles Hewlett-Packard (HPQ), Canon (CAJ) and Easyplanet. In 2012, Apple recruited Amazon A9’s then-CEO Bill Stasior, who left A9 to lead work on Apple’s voice assistant, Siri.
For more about the company, check out our previous Apple Rumors stories.


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The NRA just helped deal a one-two economic punch to anti-gunners today–we’re talking tens of millions of dollars worth of economic punches.
In case you missed it back in January, Reed Exhibitions sponsored the Eastern Sport & Outdoor Show (ESOS) in Harrisburg every year and managed to generate upwards of $74 million in a local economic impact and in support of the non-profits that raise money and sign up memberships at the ESOS. However, Reed suddenly banned the display of modern sporting rifles this year and the backlash of their attack on our community cost them so many vendors and customer refund requests that they had to “postpone” the show. The show has never been rescheduled by the company and the entire situation was handled so poorly by Reed that some lawmakers publicly indicated that they hoped Reed would never be allowed to host the show again.
All of that meant that Harrisburg-area tourism groups and Farm Show Complex organizers went shopping for a new host to a sporting show for the region.Â Conveniently,Â NRA already hosts a smaller scale show just 70 miles down the road in Maryland right around the same time of year.
It was announced today that NRA has been selected as the vendor to run a much larger scale Great American Outdoor Show in Harrisburg during the traditional time of the ESOS going forward. NRA members who attended the NRA Annual Meeting & Exhibits in Pittsburgh in 2004 or 2011 know that the organization has great experience running massive shows in Pennsylvania. We look forward to the addition of this annual show drawing in gun owners from around the region.
Maryland, after pushing extreme anti-gun legislation, now loses the economic impact of that show and Pennsylvania gets a new vendor for the sportsmen’s show that doesn’t turn on the hunters & shooters who support the show. To top it off, Reed forever loses the multi-million dollar show they once hosted. Anti-gunners from Reed & the Maryland legislature lose big opportunities and Pennsylvania wins with a better exhibition host and added dollars into the economy.


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Tax-free weekend is here
Published 8:07 am Thursday, July 20, 2017
By: Shayla Terry
With a new school year around the corner, parents and children statewide will get a jump on savings with the 12th annual tax-free holiday this weekend.
The holiday is held earlier than usual this year due to the Alabama Department of Revenue wishing to give shoppers more time to buy supplies before the school year gets under way. The sale will begin at 12:01 a.m. on Friday night and end of the midnight following Sunday.
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“This is certainly an opportunity for county retailers to see a few more a customers and for citizens to enjoy a tax-free weekend on school supplies,” said Crenshaw County chamber of commerce president Donald Nix.
The weekend’s purpose it to give residents a break on school shopping, so not everything will be tax-free merchandise. Clothing articles that are priced at $100 or less will be tax-free. Unusual items that fall into that category are gloves, raincoats and pajamas. Almost all normal articles of clothing will be tax-free.
Computers, computer software and school computer supplies will also be tax-free as long as they carry a single purchase price of $750 or less. Computer accessories such as a mouse and keyboard must be sold as a package with the computer. Otherwise, individual purchases will not fall under tax-free privileges. School computer supplies are USB storage devices, compact disks, printers and tablets. Cell phones are not included. Books are also tax-free as long as they carry a $30 or less price tag and feature an ISBN number. Traditional school supplies will all be tax-free.
“Many of our local retailers will be having other back to school specials to entice shoppers to enjoy discounts on their purchases in addition to the tax-free weekend,” Nix said.
The Factory Connection in Luverne will be one of the stores participating with special savings.
“We have the denim sale going on,” said manager Alice Stroud. “If you buy one pair, you can get a second pair for 50 percent off.”
For shoppers who have clothes on layaway at the Factory Connection, there will be no taxes on the purchase, if it is taken out during the weekend.
Rite Aid of Luverne has an aisle dedicated to back to school supplies.
“Our seasonal aisle is aisle six,” manager Adam Hughes said. “We have lunch boxes, backpacks, and everything for the classroom. We don’t just have supplies just for elementary, middle school and high school students. We also have supplies for college students like furniture and lamps.”
You won’t have to worry about Rite Aide running out of supplies, Hughes says their back stock is plentiful.
All stores within Crenshaw County will participate in the holiday weekend, except those in the city of Brantley.


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- GCL-Poly and Wuxi Shangji Automation have announced a joint venture agreement to produce granular polysilicon
- The plan is to invest RMB 18 billion to bring online 300,000 MT granular silicon in Inner Mongolia, China
- Initially agreed terms show the project is to come online in 3 phases with 60,000 MT planned under phase I for RMB 3.6 billion
Chinese polysilicon producer GCL-Poly Energy Holdings Limited has announced it is entering a joint venture with PV production equipment maker and mono-wafer company Wuxi Shangji Automation to develop and produce 300,000 MT granular silicon.
The joint venture will be owned by GCL-Poly and Wuxi Shangji under 65:35 shareholding, respectively, as per initial terms agreed upon by both the parties. GCL-Poly has entered the agreement with its FBR polysilicon arm Jiangsu Zhongneng Polysilicon Technology Development Co.
Under the strategic cooperation framework agreement signed, the project will be located in Inner Mongolia of China for an estimated investment of RMB 18 billion ($2.78 billion). It will be implemented in 3 phases, with 60,000 MT planned to come online under phase I with an investment of RMB 3.6 billion ($556 million).
The stock exchange filing in which GCL-Poly has made the revelation does not specify the timeline for this capacity to come online.
“The cooperation demonstrates good recognition of the quality and application of granular silicon by reputable downstream manufacturers of the industrial chain, facilitating the increase in market shares of granular silicon and is important to the marketing of granular silicon,” explained GCL-Poly the rationale behind the decision to launch the joint venture.
It added that the 2 aim to fully leverage their respective strengths and resources to create mutual benefits and achieve a win-win situation as an equal priority. “Such positive engagement between the parties shall consolidate and improve their respective industry position in the photovoltaic industry,” according to the statement.
Wuxi Shangji has been entering long term deals with polysilicon suppliers to secure smooth access to polysilicon for its wafer business. In September 2020, it signed up to receive 16,700 MT polysilicon from Jiangsu Zhongneng Silicon Technology Development and Xinjiang GCL New Energy Material Technology, after it had already contracted Daqo to supply the up to 32,000 MT (see China PV News Snippets: Shangji, Cybrid, DZS Solar).
It is an interesting to note that all recent capacity additions for polysilicon are to come up outside of Xinjiang—the stronghold of polysilicon supply chain globally—that’s been in news for reported forced labor practices at polysilicon fabs. About half of today’s global production is coming from Xinjiang province.
GCL-Poly recently increased its FBR based granular silicon production capacity to 10,000 MT annually in February 2021 bringing it online in Wutongqiao district of Sichuan province, and secured long term deals with LONGi Green Energy and Tianjin Zhonghuan Semiconductor (see GCL-Poly Cracks Polysilicon Deals With LONGi & TZS).
In February 2021, another polysilicon supplier Xinte Energy entered an investment framework agreement with Baotou City of China to build a high-purity polysilicon fab with 200,000 MT annual production capacity (see Xinte Energy To Build 200,000 Tons Polysilicon Fab).
Considering the GCL-Poly and Wuxi Shangji plans do come to fruition as announced, it should be a welcome news at a time the industry is facing short supply of several raw and processing materials for solar modules. According to a recent BloombergNEF report, polysilicon is likely to remain a bottleneck in the near term, but with new projects being announced, there should be adequate supply of glass and polysilicon as these fabs come online (see BloombergNEF Forecasts 160 GW New Solar PV Build In 2021).


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Military Families LunchThanks for joining us at Texas Roadhouse in Hunt Valley!
Win A Visit From Sole Healing-- Right In Your Office!Want a real treat? Enjoy the relaxation of reflexology during your workday!
Win Tickets All Weekend To Cine'BistroTake a look at our virtual video tour of Baltimore's newest dining experience and theater!
What To Expect At The 2017 Academy Awards“La La Land” is expected to dominate Oscar night after receiving 14 nominations.
"The Voice" Is Holding Auditions In Baltimore SaturdayOpen call auditions are scheduled to be held Saturday at the Baltimore Convention Center via the Charles Street lobby.
Michelle Branch Released First Video In 14 YearsMichelle Branch has released a music video for her new single “Hopeless Romantic,” and it’s her first video in 14 years.
Watch One of Katy Perry's Little Houses Fall Offstage at Brit AwardsThe performance was reminiscent of Perry's display at the 2017 GRAMMYs, during which the singer wore a white pantsuit similar to one worn by Hillary Clinton and an armband that read "persist."
Watch Chris Martin Duet with George MichaelThe two traded verses and sang the chorus together, creating a stirring real-time duet.
McDonald's To Offer $1 Sodas And $2 ShakesMcDonald's is hoping their new offer of $1 sodas can help draw more customers back into its stores in the U.S. as it fights to reverse four years of declining visits.
Ocean City Ranks In TripAdvisor’s Top 10 Beaches ListOcean City, Maryland has ranked #10 in the 2017 Travelers’ Choice list of the top 25 beaches in the United States!
Waking Up The Same Time Every Night Could Really Mean SomethingWaking up at a certain time of night is actually a signal from your body about something going on inside.
Amazon Will Take $8.62 Off Your $50 Purchase TodayAmazon's offering a discount of $8.62 on $50 or more all day today, a savings of 17 percent.


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Wine is among the products with the greatest sales potential in the Chinese market through e-commerce, according to a study by the European Commission.
Also included in this category are foods with a protected geographical indication – on all dairy products and processed meat- health foods, child products and animal food.
The report concludes that China, the largest online market in the world and the third destination for European food exports, offers interesting opportunities to companies in the sector.
“The growing middle class in the Asian country is asking for more and more products of greater quality and those coming from the western countries are more popular among consumers of the Z generation and the millennials”, says the document.
Other categories with “promising prospects” for online sales include food supplements and “superfoods”, vitamins and energy bars, cereals and breakfast products, olive oil, coffee, among others.
According to the study, the need for localization and promotion and the different technological landscape in China raises the frequency of challenges for EU exports. Another obstacle could be the shipment of products at economically attractive rates, the level of competition in the market or the protection of intellectual property rights.


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Xiaomi might be known better for its smartphones, tablets or other electronic stuff like wearable for now, but its product portfolio is set to expand to accommodate an unlikely candidate – drones.
The Chinese company had earlier shot to instant stardom on the back of products that are high on style and quality comparable to the best in business – read flagship offerings from Apple or Samsung – while still costing much less than the competitors. Needless to say, it might play the price card with its drone offering as well, deciding the prices competitively while offering best in class components and features.
While specific details are missing, unofficial sources have stated Xiaomi plans to price its drone 20 percent lower than comparable drones from the market leader, SZ DJI Technology Co.
It comes to around $610, which is much less than the Phantom 3 4K drone that is listed on the DJI website for $799. Also, much like its DJI counterpart, Xiaomi’s drone that is made by third-party Chinese manufacturer FIMI Technology will also be equipped with a high-resolution camera capable of shooting 4K videos. No other specifications are available at the moment though that shouldn’t be much of an issue considering the drone is set to be unveiled on May 25 itself.
Stepping out of its comfort zone, Xiaomi drones will also enjoy close integration with its smartphone range which no doubt will make things more exciting.
See Also: Intel testing drones over AT&T LTE Networks
The drone business is in its nascent stage with annual sales expected to hit 4 million this year. The same is forecasted to reach 16 million by 2020 and Xiaomi clearly wants to position itself to take on the lead later on. It again makes a lot of sense considering the drone business expected to be worth an impressive $4.19 billion by 2024, as Grand View Research has forecasted.
There have been many issues governing the free use of drones that again can impact its growth in the long run. For instance, drones are often accused of a threat to not only individual privacy but to the overall state security as well. Several countries have banned the use of drone around sensitive regions such as airports while specific use cases, such as that of Amazon employing drones to deliver products too has been turned down in certain countries.
Unlike smartphones or wearables, drones will likely come in use as hobby items that again runs the risks of going against the law or for government-backed purposes such as land mapping, disaster management and such. However, there is no denying the efficacy of drones, and Xiaomi is indeed aiming to have an early lead on this.


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A BIRKDALE shop owner says he will close his business if Sefton Council force him to remove metal shutters from his windows.
Dave and Sue White have owned the Birkdale Cycles on Liverpool Road since 1995 and decided to get shutters after a break-in two years ago.
The burglars smashed the window and stole bikes, causing £3,500 worth of damage.
Mr White, 62, said: “Some of the damage was covered by insurance but we have a lot of stock here we want to protect.
“We also live above the shop so for our own peace of mind and safety we decided to put up shutters.
“My wife was affected by the break-in and I want her to feel safe, she is extremely nervous about that sort of thing happening again.
“We had a complaint about the shutters so council officers came out to look at them. The complaint did not come from any of the neighbours, we have put together a petition, signed by them all, in support of us keeping the shutters.
“If we have to take them down we will not feel safe so we will have to close the shop.
“In Bootle, lots of shops have shutters, so this is not a Sefton-wide policy. We want the shutters on the outside of the shop to protect the window.”
The issue will be raised at a planning meting on February 11. Also on the agenda is the renewal of Sefton Council’s policy on roller shutters.
The report recommends to councillors that, in areas such as Birkdale, where there is a special character to a village, there should be no security shutters fitted outside a shop, no solid shutters even if painted, and if shutters are fitted they should fit in with the design of the shop.
The report advises shopkeepers use removable wrought iron bars on the inside or outside of the shop window, with a sympathetic design and colour. It also suggests the use of laminated glass.
It states: “Any shutters should be fitted inside your shop. Open lattice shutters, combined with strengthened or laminated glass, provide excellent protection.
“We will allow shutters to be outside shops only in exceptional circumstances.”
Sefton Council defends shop shutter ban
CONTROVERSIAL planning decisions which have seen roller shutters all but banned from Southport shops have been defended by Sefton Council.
In a report to go before councillors on February 11, planning boss Andy Wallis seeks to justify the 90% failure rate of appeals against shutter applications that have been turned down.
In recent months, shopkeepers across the borough have been outraged by a series of decisions taken by the planning committee – headed by Cllr Ian Moncur – to ban them from installing roller-blinds to protect their shops from damage.
Mr Wallis defends the council’s policy, but acknowledges that the issue is fast becoming a hot potato.
In the report he said: “In recent months the council’s planning decisions and enforcement action with regard to external shutters have been the subject of publicity in the local press and complaints from members of the public.”
Despite this Mr Wallis advises councillors to continue with their current policy.
Citing conservation area concerns and the availability of other security solutions Mr Wallis said that the council is trying to maintain Southport’s “Classic Resort” charm.
He said: “Whilst I recognise financial and insurance implications may lead to a demand for external shutters, this must always be balanced against wider environmental issues.”


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HTC has released their quarterly earnings, and the trend that has plagued them for the better part of this year is still happening: the company is losing revenue. This quarter HTC had revenue equal to $2.4 billion dollars with a net profit of only $137 million. That number is down almost 50% from last quarter when the company had about $250 million in profit.
Here follows the official press release:
HTC RELEASES UNAUDITED RESULTS FOR 3Q 2012
Taoyuan, Taiwan–Octoboer 8, 2012: HTC Corporation (TWSE: 2498), a global leader in mobile innovation and design, today announces unaudited consolidated results for 3Q 2012. For the third quarter of 2012, total revenues reached NT$70.2 billion. Unaudited operating income was NT$4.9 billion, net income before tax was NT$4.0 billion, net income after tax, excluding minority interest, was NT$3.9 billion, and unaudited earnings per share after tax were NT$4.70 based on 831,227 thousand weighted average number of shares.


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In California, A Tesla Has Now Been Bought with BitcoinSubmitted by Apple on Thu, 12/05/2013 - 21:54
I’ve been waiting for this headline. It was just a matter of time before the exchange of BTC for a Tesla happened. The purchase took place at Lamborghini Newport Beach in California, and this isn’t just a one time gimmick. The dealership has announced that:
Lamborghini Newport Beach in California is proud to announce that we are fully capable of accepting Bitcoin as payment for vehicles. We are excited to be opening the door to this new currency.


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A new report from Future Market Insights called the Digital Twin Technology Market analyses the use of digital twins in a variety of sectors and acknowledges the importance of its development within the transportation and automotive sectors.
According to the report, the global digital twin technology market currently stands at US$9.5bn and is expected to reach US$72.65bn by the year 2032, at a robust compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 22.6% from 2022 to 2032.
Twin technology is inclusive of extended reality (XR), The Cloud, the Internet of Things (IoT), and artificial intelligence (AI). Digital twins are widely used for digitally representing real-time data. In other words, they help in building predictive models and gauging the probability of success of various physical prototypes before they are rolled out. In the post-Covid-era, digital twin technology is being used for several applications, including telecoms, healthcare, real estate and retail.
Organizations using digital twins can easily access behavioral data from the connected products (IoT, in particular), which helps the product engineers as well as designers in identifying future iterations of the problems. The product performance, overall, could be improved.
The transportation and automotive sector holds the largest market share in the digital twin technology market due to rising utilization for simulation, designing, MRO (maintenance, repair, and overhaul), manufacturing, and aftermath. Digital twin technology does facilitate visualizing a race car engine to gauge the importance of maintaining components that are at risk of being damaged or burnt out. Digital twins could also be used aftermath to collect feedback.
- The transportation and automotive sector holds more than 15% of the market share due to the growing demand for automobiles. This could be reasoned by the growing adoption of EVs all across.
- The Asia-Pacific is expected to grow at a whopping CAGR of ~40% in the digital twin technology market, led by South Korea, Japan, India, and China.
- North America and Europe are at the matured stage of the digital twin technology market.
- Microsoft Corporation, in May 2021, entered into collaboration with Aera Technology for integrating the latter’s cognitive operating system with the former’s twin technology for creating virtual representation in the automation process.
- IBM Corporation entered into a long-term partnership with Siemens AG in June 2020 for announcing the availability of advanced solutions combining the elements of the former’s Maximo portfolio with the latter’s Xcelerator. The purpose of this solution is that of enhancing the SLM (service lifecycle management) assets to tabling a digital thread amongst equipment manufacturers, project owners, and product design for increasing manufacturing capacity.
- ANSYS, Inc. in March 2021, entered into collaboration with ENGIE so that the latter for developing a high-fidelity platform for delivering 3D CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) results in real-time use of the former’s twin technology.
- Dassault Systems, in April 2021, renewed its partnership with Bouygues Construction for powering the construction industry by making use of a 3D experience platform for increasing productivity.
- Autodesk Inc., in April 2021, launched Autodesk Tandem (a virtual twin tool) for streamlining the flow of real-time data amongst AEC (architectural, engineering, and contracting) teams and project owners. The ultimate result would be a twin technology model.
- Microsoft, in March 2022, announced its strategic partnership with Newcrest for adopting Azure as the preferred cloud provider at the global scale and working on the digital twins with the sustainability data model.
- Google Cloud, in January 2022, tabled a supply chain digital twin for providing manufacturers and distributors with precise visibility of the operations.
Images: Adobe Stock


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Apple has delayed its controversial image scanning feature following negative feedback.
The company updated its briefing page on the technology, explaining it was delaying the feature based on the response it received from customers and privacy advocates.
“Based on feedback from customers, advocacy groups, researchers, and others, we have decided to take additional time over the coming months to collect input and make improvements before releasing these critically important child safety features,” the company said.
The feature, announced in August, would have allowed Apple to scan photos uploaded to iCloud. The photos would be scanned on user devices and compared against a set of hashes known as Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) images.
This database was originally supposed to come from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), but Apple later explained it would only scan images that also appeared in clearing houses across multiple countries.
Apple also said it would only trigger a human review if it found 30 CSAM matches using this method.
The company also announced a second feature that would scan images sent to children in its iMessage app to detect nudes and notify parents.
Both plans provoked concerns from global privacy groups. They were concerned Apple’s scanning technology could be used to scan for other kinds of imagery, opening users up to government surveillance. The company vowed not to allow government requests for expanded searches.
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The organization pointed out that the technology breaks the end-to-end encryption functionality Apple has touted in its operating systems.
“Apple’s surveillance plans don’t account for abusive parents, much less authoritarian governments that will push to expand it. Don’t let Apple betray its users,” it added.
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See the original article here: ITPro


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Verizon will roll out their VoLTE service later this fall, and the 2nd generation Motorola Moto X will be one of the first to use it. Advanced Calling 1.0 is the name of the service, including VoLTE, HD Voice calling and more.
Waiting to get the new Moto X on Verizon? You may not have to wait long! The latest rumor brings us a release date and pricing details.
Verizon wants to sell 12,000-15,000 cell towers for cash.
The Note 4 is now up for pre-order through Verizon and AT&T, setting you back $299 with a two-year contract.
Verizon rolled out VoLTE service to those using the Samsung Galaxy S5 and LG G2.
Last week, Motorola introduced their newest flagship device, the new Moto X. The Motorola website however did not offer details about the price tag or where you could go to place an order.
Since... then, AT&T has been accepting Moto X pre-orders with the device shipping to customers starting on September 23rd and being available in AT&T stores beginning September 26th. Rumors also exist about Veriz...
According to a new report, the upcoming Verizon Droid Turbo will arrive in October with fast charging in tow.
Verizon plans to offer an Internet TV service in mid-2015.
A boy attacked his mother when she turned off his computer.
Come November 11th, Verizon will begin shipping out metal-banded Moto 360 watches to those who pre-ordered the watch. Verizon’s pre-order page is live now.


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NILES, Ohio (WKBN) — The newest place to eat at the Eastwood Mall Complex is now open for business at the Eastwood Mall complex in Niles.
McAlister’s Deli celebrated its grand opening Monday in the Eastwood Shops.
People stood in a long line waiting to get inside. The first 150 people who purchased an entre received free tea for a year.
“We have quite a presence now in Ohio and some good partnerships in the community. We are really looking forward to being a part of the community over here in Niles,” said Kito Cody. COO of Southern Rock Restaurants.
McAlister’s has 549 locations across the U.S., including 18 in Ohio and 3 in Pennsylvania. The menu features sandwiches, salads, soups, teas and more.


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Jesse Litvak kicked off a widespread investigation into the opaque world of bond trading by accidentally sending a client a spreadsheet detailing how he was allegedly ripping ..
WASHINGTON (AP) — Months of intense focus on the Republican race — and front-runner Donald Trump — have reverberated through the Democratic field, prompting front-runner Hilla ..
Americans appear less inclined to buy new homes as the year ends. Sales improved in November only because fewer people bought new homes in October than initially reported. The ..
Pep Boys - Manny Moe & Jack said investor Carl Icahn was willing to pay as much as $1 billion for the U.S. auto parts retailer to keep rival bidder Japanese tire maker Bri ..
New U.S. single-family home sales in November rose less than expected and the prior month's increase was revised down, suggesting some loss of momentum in the housing mar ..
The iPhone maker in a filing said a shareholder who owns at least three percent of its outstanding shares continuously for at least three years were eligible to nominate direc ..
After an E. coli outbreak that sickened more than 50 people, Chipotle is tweaking its cooking methods. Onions will be dipped in boiling water to kill germs before they're ..
Forget the financial fortress of London, anyone looking for Britain's best stock-picker this year should have hopped on a train north to Manchester. Based out of a nondes ..
U.S. consumer spending rebounded in November after a weak showing in October, while a key inflation gauge posted the fastest year-over-year increase in 11 months. Spending inc ..
A gauge of U.S. business investment plans fell in November and the prior month's increase was revised sharply lower as the drag on manufacturing from a strong dollar and ..


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Redmi Note 11 Pro 2023 – Redmi Note 11 Pro 2023 revealed very important details about the phone before its launch
Redmi is working on a new device called “Redmi Note 11 Pro 2023” Redmi Note 11 Pro 2023. The device has already appeared on FCC, EEC and Google Play Console databases. Now, the device has also appeared on SIRIM.
The database entry reveals that the Redmi Note 11 Pro 2023 will come with the model number 2209116AG. It does not disclose any other details. However, it confirms that the device will arrive in Malaysia. We have previously reported that this upcoming device will not be launched in the Indian markets.
Redmi Note 11 Pro 2023 Specifications Predictions
Let’s take a look at what is known about the device so far. There are many rumors claiming that the Redmi Note 11 Pro 2023 will not differ significantly from the Redmi Note 10 Pro, which was released last year.
Powered by a Snapdragon 732G CPU, the Redmi Note 10 Pro features a 6.67-inch FHD+ AMOLED display that offers a 120Hz refresh rate.
It has 128 GB of UFS 2.2 storage and 8 GB of LPDDR4x RAM. The phone has a 5020mAh battery that supports 33W fast charging.
Read also: Redmi Pad The most prominent features that push you to buy the economical tablet
A fingerprint sensor is included. The back of the phone has a quad-camera system of 108MP, 8MP, 5MP (macro) and 2MP (depth). The device has a 16-megapixel front camera.
And a previous Google Play Console listing has already confirmed that the Redmi Note 11 Pro 2023 will repeat many of these specifications.
What are your expectations for the Redmi Note 11 Pro 2023?


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Dark mode is coming to Google Translator, both on Android and iPhone. What changes and how to activate the mode
Dark mode strikes again: the expansion of the feature among the most popular apps on both Android and iOS continues. The latest app to receive the dark theme is Google Translator, in both Android and iOS versions. But with some differences.
Dark mode at the operating system level, on Apple devices and smartphones running Android 10, is a new feature introduced at the software level. To activate it, you need to go into Settings and select Dark Theme. Google Translator supports dark mode starting with version 6.5.0, released on February 5. Aside from a minor bug fix, the "Dark Mode" (as Google calls it) is the only new feature in this version, which suggests that Google has updated the app to make this feature available to everyone.
How to activate Dark Mode in Google Translator
Enabling Dark Mode in Google Translator for iOS is very easy: just tap on Settings and you'll find a new item called "Dark Mode". We'll be able to activate or deactivate it in a few seconds, according to our needs or preferences. However, this is not a 100% dark mode: not everything is black, the dominant color is in fact dark gray. But that's not a defect, because this color makes the text much more readable and doesn't strain your eyes with an excessive contrast between black and white.
On Android, however, the procedure is different. You don't have to select any Dark mode, but the activation of the dark mode is done directly on the server side. For the moment it has been made available to some users in the United States and in the next few days it will also arrive in Italy. The work done on Android, however, is not good: the black blends with the color of the various features making it almost impossible to use Google Translator. There will surely be a fix to fix the work done.


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I’ve been advertising for feature 3D Touch as the water is next that will change the way we interact with our smartphones, but it’s safe to say that there is probably a small number of iPhone users who might have forgotten that this feature exists. It now appears that Apple may think about giving up this feature in one of its smart phones next three this year, at least.
According to the famous Chinese Ming-Chi Kuo is saying that Apple will apparently feature a 3D Touch in the iPhone, which will be provided with LCD screen that would look the size of 6.1 inch. This is not the first time that analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicts such a scenario, it is still not clear why would you tell Apple to abandon this feature, but maybe she decided to do this to keep costs low, or it could be the reason for the unpopularity of this feature.
However, says analyst Ming-Chi Kuo also that Apple will use a new technique called is the name of the ” Glass Cover Sensor “. What it do is that it is the purification of the touchpad in the iPhone from the screen to the glass surface. The end result is that the screen of iPhone becomes lighter and more resistant to falls. The downside is that it can make the screen more expensive by around 15%, says that this is one of the reasons that prompted Apple to feature 3D Touch to keep costs low.
He adds that he is expected to say Apple, using the technique of Cover Glass Sensor on the iPhone of the future with screens OLED coming next year, which means that it is likely to be permanently get rid of the 3D Touch in the next year. It is possible that the company Apple choose the iPhone cheaper this year to test the market reaction, but what do you think, would you want to feature 3D Touch it?
The post iPhone killer this year with the LCD display won’t support 3D Touch, according to a new report appeared first on electronic.


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Tricky Fish, a costal and Cajun restaurant, is opening in Fort Worth’s Waterside on Aug. 13.
The 4,200 square-foot restaurant will seat 145 guests inside. The modern, industrial space will offer plenty of natural light and feature a bar area, polished concrete floors, wood accents and a hues of blue and orange. A patio area will seat up to 50 people.
“We are excited to be part of the vibrant Waterside community,” said Chris Degan, president of Tricky Fish. “We jumped at the opportunity to join this great mix of retail and restaurants tenants. It’s the perfect spot for our first location in Fort Worth.”
Tricky Fish opened its first location in Richardson last fall. The Fort Worth restaurant, the first in Tarrant County, will offer menu items such as Cajun gumbo, po’boys with fried or blackened catfish, and fresh seafood dishes like grilled salmon and lemon pepper shrimp tacos. Tricky Fish will have a weekday happy hour from 3 to 7 p.m., as well as daily drink specials Sundays through Thursdays. The drink menu will include seasonal cocktails, craft beers, wines by the bottle and glass, and sipping whiskies.
On the weekends, Tricky Fish will serve brunch with a mimosa bar from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dishes range from the NOLA Benedict with andouille sausage and a Creole mustard hollandaise to praline pancakes topped with a praline-whisky syrup.
James Petty, a 30-year veteran of the hospitality industry, will serve as the general manager of Tricky Fish. He spent 15 years in New York City honing his craft as a bartender at top spots owned by restaurateurs such as Wolfgang Puck before moving to Fort Worth to open two gourmet sandwich shops. He joined Tricky Fish’s parent company in 2012.
The Waterside location will be open 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. on weekends.
For more information, visit watersidefw.com and tricky-fish.com


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Border trade values ending on September 22 this fiscal year have reached over US$3.399 billion (4.629 trillion kyat), but the amount has fallen by over $8 million compared to the same period of last year, according to trade data from the Ministry of Commerce.
To engage in border trade, Myanmar has opened Muse, Lwejal, Chinshwehaw and Kanpaiktee trade camps on the border with China; Tachilek, Kengtung, Myawady, Kawthoung, Myeik, Nabule/Htikhi and Mawtaung trade camps on the border with Thailand; Sittway and Maungdaw trade camps on the border with Bangladesh; and Tamu and Reed trade camps on the border with India.
Among them, Muse trade camp has the largest trade volume with the largest export of agricultural products from Myanmar.
From April 1 to September 22, trade values totalled almost $2.35 billion at Muse, $257.5 million at Chinshwehaw, $93.7 million at Lwejal and $407.2 million at Myawady.
Some 80 per cent of foreign trade involving Myanmar passes through maritime routes, with the remaining 20 per cent through land borders.
Exports exceed imports in border trade


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Confectionery giant Mars Wrigley has unveiled a new eco-centric chocolate, CO2COA, in a partnership with animal-free dairy protein innovator Perfect Day. Made with certified cocoa in addition to Perfect Day’s cow-free ingredient, CO2COA shall maintain the silky-smooth taste consumers expect while leaning into the flexitarian dietary trends today’s conscious consumers are embracing. The product launch is an extension to the range of snacks and sweets that includes M&M’s, Snickers, Skittles and Extra Gum.
The company details, that the name CO2COA is a “thoughtful and playful” way to pay homage to its Rainforest Alliance-certified cocoa and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions (CO2) in product sourcing. The innovation shall provide consumers with a delicious earth-friendly, animal-free, and lactose-free chocolate experience.
US-based Perfect Day’s proteins are identical to those found in cow’s milk. However, instead of being sourced from the animal, the dairy proteins are created through a fermentation process similar to the manufacture of vitamins and amino acids. By adding genes essential to producing milk protein to trichoderma – a type of microflora – the dairy flora ferments plant sugar into whey and casein.
Perfect Day’s ingredient is marketed as the “world’s first nature-identical dairy protein, without any animal inputs”. The company’s whey protein from Perfect Day is free of lactose, hormones, antibiotics and cholesterol. In addition, it contains 25 % more protein, 75 % less sugar and less saturated fat. Since Mars’ CO2COA uses Perfect Day animal-free dairy protein, it is entirely free from lactose and cholesterol. It is also wrapped in paper-based packaging.


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Third-party vehicle listings sites, which helped change auto retail more than two decades ago with the advent of online auto classifieds, are again on the verge of disruption.
And the catalyst for the ongoing transformation — the Internet — will be a familiar one to dealers.
In the 1990s, vehicle marketplaces such as Cars.com and Autotrader helped usher in the era of the savvy shopper arriving at dealership lots armed with specific model, price and payment information researched on a third-party website. Today, with shopping as easy as clicking a button, experts say providing leads alone won’t be enough for these companies to stay relevant: They’re going to have to help consumers buy a car.
Some companies say they’re reinventing their businesses to help dealerships capture more online shoppers — and keep up with upstarts such as online used-vehicle retailer Carvana — with technology and software that support transactions, not just advertising.
“The consumer expectation is changing,” said Nick Gorton, vice president of product innovation at Edmunds, a company once known for printed pricing guides that now allows customers to value vehicle trade-ins and estimate payments while searching listings on its website. “You generally think that if you’re researching and sorting through results, you’re going to be able to transact.”
The evolution is happening at the same time the segment — estimated to be worth around $3 billion — faces disruption from within.
Up-and-comer CarGurus, which analysts say changed the game by allowing dealers to list vehicles for free, has pulled traffic, revenue and influence from the traditional market leaders, led by Autotrader and Cars.com.
CarGurus’ surge has led to shuffling within the vehicle listings space as companies jockey for consumers’ eyeballs — and dealers’ wallets — by trying to provide better returns to dealers pinched by compressed vehicle margins and cooling new-vehicle sales.
For their part, Cars.com and rival listings sites say they’re not threatened by what competitors are doing. Rather, they are focusing on growth and carving out different niches to help dealerships adapt to the digital disruption shaking up the car-buying process.
The shift from leads to transactions also is a way for the players to differentiate themselves in an increasingly crowded segment — one some analysts say could shrink over time.
“The marketplaces are evolving into transactional businesses, slowly but surely, and there will come a tipping point where they have to be very actively involved as transaction businesses,” said Peter Zollman, founding principal of AIM Group, which provides business intelligence and consulting related to marketplaces. “A classified site with listings in five years won’t be much left. If a site is not part of the transaction, it’s going to be left out.”
There’s only so much room for growth in core listings, and declining auto sales could mean less traffic for listings websites, said Dennis Bulgarelli, vice president for automotive at Comscore, which provides market intelligence data.
There’s movement already toward enabling vehicle purchases.
Autotrader, owned by Cox Automotive, in 2018 rolled out Accelerate, a digital retail platform allowing shoppers to build a deal while searching for a vehicle.
Cars.com CEO Alex Vetter is optimistic about Dealer Inspire, the 2018 acquisition that gave the Chicago company entry into digital retailing software, websites and other tools designed to help dealership profitability.
CarGurus also is considering jumping in. Last fall, CFO Jason Trevisan told Automotive News it planned to acquire companies to help it break into dealership technology adjacent to its main listings business. The Cambridge, Mass., company has signed with lenders to allow consumers to get financing preapprovals. It plans to expand dealership marketing tools and is enabling vehicle delivery outside of a dealership’s home market.
Last month, CarGurus bought Autolist, another listings business, which it says will boost its scale and help it get into digital retailing, for an undisclosed price.
To date, Zollman said, CarGurus has made the least progress in transactional tools among the biggest marketplace sites. “But don’t underestimate them for a second,” he added.
Branching into transactional software is not only a value proposition as more consumers seek end-to-end transactions, but it also enables transparency about pricing that could lead to higher transaction prices if consumers click a “buy now” button rather than haggle over price with a salesperson at a dealership, Zollman said.
Marvin Fong, an equity analyst at BTIG who follows some public marketplace companies, said they aim to offer dealerships the ability to sell cars entirely online — “or as close as you can get.”
“If that’s the way people want to buy cars, that’s going to mean there’s a lot fewer dealers, and that’s also going to mean less ad revenue for the online classifieds, so it’s a way to diversify their business,” Fong said.
Cars.com is reimagining itself as a provider of tools to help dealerships maximize profitability and reduce inefficiency. One of its big plays is in digital video marketing, which executives say will cut dealer spending on more expensive TV advertising. The company also is investing in website chat tools, inventory management software and technology that tracks what sites customers are visiting.
“The world doesn’t need more marketplaces,” Vetter told Automotive News. “Pricing in this industry has become hypercompetitive.”
TrueCar, a smaller player in the segment, unveiled a new customer experience this quarter as part of a rebranding campaign. It’s the company’s first new product in several years, interim CEO Mike Darrow said.
“When you go two or three years without product innovation, you tend to fall behind, and we knew at the end of  our product was less than competitive,” Darrow said. “You’re hesitant to pour a lot of marketing resources into a product that has become stale or is not optimal.”
The Santa Monica, Calif., company is working to turn around the business, which has been losing money.
AutoNation cut ties with TrueCar five years ago in a contractual dispute over access to customer data. That was a year after the nation’s largest new-vehicle retailer said it planned to scale back its use of third-party marketplaces as it built its own digital shopping presence.
Today, “the overwhelming majority” of AutoNation’s dealerships have returned to TrueCar after the company made changes to how it uses dealership data, said Marc Cannon, AutoNation’s chief marketing officer.
Third-party sites are realizing they need to support dealer profitability to succeed, he added.
“It’s a valuable part of our business,” Cannon said. Third-party sites today contribute to AutoNation a percentage of total sales in the low teens. “It’s not going to go away.”
Vetter said dealerships are turning to third-party sites as allies as they contend with the disruption to their sales model from digital upstarts such as Carvana.
“We want to help the local dealer fight for their local position in the market and maintain their profitability,” Vetter said. “A lot of dealerships historically looked at third-party marketplaces as sort of like a necessary evil. I think we want to be like their key to survival.”
Evolution in the segment also can be attributed to the rise of CarGurus, launched in 2006 by Langley Steinert, who previously led online travel site TripAdvisor.
CarGurus allows dealers to list inventory on its site for free, although for a fee they can unlock access to additional features — such as pricing tools and including dealership contact information on their CarGurus vehicle pages.
Analysts credit CarGurus with spearheading the practice of rating deals based on whether they’re a good value to consumers — a move that prompted some competitors to follow suit.
Gorton, of Edmunds, said that while the company is known for its vehicle price valuation, it made that information more visible on its website after CarGurus did so. Edmunds is transforming in a bigger way — last month it moved to eliminate 129 jobs by March and then sold a minority stake to used-vehicle giant CarMax.
Some analysts say CarGurus’ “freemium” approach has squeezed some competitors, including Cars.com, which is coming off an unsuccessful sale attempt prompted by an activist investor and a restructuring of its dealer network in 2019. Companies that charge dealers to list vehicles on their marketplace can’t easily compete with a free service without diluting their leads, analysts said.
“Over the last few years, CarGurus has been the interesting one to watch,” said Jonathan Turpin, a principal at AIM Group. But, he added: “It’s the CarGurus factor that is causing the pain within the marketplace.”
CarGurus has climbed to the top of the pack for website visits, according to Comscore. At the same time, its revenue has grown by double-digit percentages, moving it to No. 3 in the market behind longtime leaders Autotrader and Cars.com in 2018, according to AIM Group.
Trevisan told Automotive News that the company knows what its competitors say about it: that its rise is the result of an aggressive marketing budget and that it has undercut other listings companies on price. He doesn’t deny either one.
“To [grow] that quickly against competitors that have been around for 25 years, I’d say, yeah, that takes money to do that,” Trevisan said.
The company launched at a lower price to build its customer base, he said. CarGurus has more than 40,000 stores as customers, nearly 29,000 of which pay. Cars.com, by contrast, had more than 18,000 stores as of the third quarter, while Cox’s Autotrader and Kelley Blue Book count is close to 20,000.
“We believe that as it relates to consumers, it’s a winner-take-most opportunity,” Trevisan said. “As long as we’re able to keep taking share like we have been, we think it will be hard for the number of competitors that exist today to continue to thrive.”
Consolidation is possible, several analysts told Automotive News.
None of the listings companies would comment on their acquisition plans.
Vetter said he has a fiduciary responsibility to Cars.com shareholders to consider inquiries about potential tie-ups, but he is not actively shopping the company after the 10-month strategic review.
A key factor that could determine consolidation is whether companies are able to reinvent themselves to stay abreast of a digital future, several analysts said.
“The ones that keep up with the trends in technology and those kinds of things are going to be the ones that will begin to separate themselves even more from the competition,” said Bulgarelli, of Comscore.
Third-party sites are playing a more important role today than in the past to accommodate consumer interest in researching vehicles and pricing ahead of purchase, said Jessica Stafford, general manager of Autotrader and Kelley Blue Book.
The auto retail industry is still figuring out what online vehicle sales will look like, she said, but the practice will only become more prevalent. As it does, she added, “the way it integrates into third-party marketplaces is critical.”
“We have to focus on what’s the next disrupter and how do we actually disrupt ourselves, instead of waiting for it to happen to us,” Stafford told Automotive News. “Our space has continued to evolve, and I believe if you don’t stay ahead of that evolution, you become obsolete.”
Some companies say they’re reinventing their businesses with technology and software to help dealerships keep up with online used-vehicle retailers.


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In one of the quietest product updates ever from Apple, the MacBook Pro line of laptops all received minor upgrades this morning.
When Apple typically updates its products it’s accompanied by a press release and a “New” image appearing above the item on the front page of the online store, but both those markers were missing this morning as the line of high-end laptops received their second update of this calendar year. We had seen some evidence a little over a week ago that a MacBook Pro update looked to be on the way, but no one seemed to think it was going to be quite this soon.
The updates this time around are fairly minor, but they will keep the product line refreshed through the expected launch of the Intel Ivy Bridge processors in spring 2012. The biggest bumps are in speed and storage with the $1,199 13-inch MacBook Pro now coming with a 2.4GHz dual-core Core i5 processor with a 500GB hard drive. For an extra $300 you can increase that to a 2.8GHz dual-core Core i7 processor with a roomy 750GB drive.
The $1799 15-inch model now comes with a 2.2GHz quad-core Core i7 processor and an AMD Radeon HD 6750M graphics card while the $2,199 model will up the processor to a quad-core Core i7 running at 2.4GHz and the graphics to an AMD Radeon HD 6770M GPU.
For those looking for a huge screen in addition to power, the 17-inch MacBook Pro now comes with a 2.4GHz quad-core Core i7 processor and an AMD 6770M graphics card. If you want to be adventurous and up the clock speed, you can go up to a 2.5GHz quad-core Core i7.
All models come with 4GB of RAM as standard, but all are upgradeable to 8GB. There are also a slew of hard drive choices, with 512GB solid state drive being the most expensive by far.
Do you have any interest in picking up a new MacBook Pro?


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Courteney Cox is a Cougar
Courteney Cox and an open-shirt Josh Hopkins are filming on the set of their new show Cougar Town in Los Angeles on Wednesday (March 25).
Cox‘s husband David Arquette and musician Ben Harper just made the jump into the fashion world with their own line Propr. Apparently the idea came about because Courteney was constantly commenting on David‘s clothes so much, that he decided to just create his own.
Looks like the whole family is getting into it too. According to David, their 4-year-old daughter Coco “was at the fashion show, and she wants to be a model now.”


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CM&B was founded on the fundamental principle that a talented and dedicated group of people with a common set of values and commitment to work as a team would be successful. Over three decades later, this business model based on people working together and being inspired to reach their full potential has become the lifeblood of CM&B. Along with the next generation of leaders, the original team is still together and committed to the concept set in motion on day one. Our success points first and foremost to one thing: our people. CM&B has always been and will continue to be in the business of People. Building.
How do you convert a 100-year-old industrial building into a new dark grocery store during a pandemic in only 10 weeks?
Toilet paper hoarders, sweatpants wearers, and banana bread bakers. We sure have learned a lot about how a crisis impacts consumer behavior. Just over a year ago, The Atlantic asked, if we shop for almost everything online, why are we not on board with shopping online for food? Between consumers’
PLEASE NOTE: This event took place in January PRIOR to any COVID-19 rules or regulations. This past January, CM&B hosted a group of students from the University of Hartford’s Materials and Methods of Construction course. Little did we know that this site visit to CM&B’s Avon Town Village job site
CM&B, Inc. recently completed Millstone Medical’s 60,000-SF expansion for their new headquarters in Fall River, MA. The expansion included a 4,500-SF mechanical inspection area, upgraded office, meeting rooms and state-of-the-art warehouse with an industrial racking system. (Press Release from Millstone Medical Outsourcing – July 30, 2020) SCOPE OF WORK CMO
CM&B, Inc. recently completed a 50,000-SF addition to Fujifilm’s current 29,000-SF Warehouse in North Kingstown, RI. The expansion was necessary to support future growth of cutting-edge semiconductor materials. (Press Release from Fujifilm) SCOPE OF WORK H-2 High Hazard Building The building includes both cold and ambient temperature flammable storage Encompass
There is an impressive history at the Wollaston Golf Club that dates back to 1895 with its original location in Quincy, MA. This private, member-owned 18-hole golf club is located in beautiful Milton, Massachusetts. CM&B, Inc. was hired to complete the construction of Wollaston Golf Clubs’ new 15,000-SF golf facility


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When Netflix first took off at the beginning of the decade, it completely revolutionized the way people get their movies. And it blindsided brick-and-mortar video rental chains such as Blockbuster and Hollywood Video, who continue to weather the fallout.
Since then, entertainment providers have been looking for the next big method of movie delivery. The concept itself is pretty obvious to everyone involved: Deliver a massive library of entertainment to users without the aid of physical discs. The logistics of such an undertaking are more intricate, however. A few interesting options, such as the iTunes movie store, Vongo, and Amazon’s relatively new Unbox feature have all taken a shot at the prize, with varying amounts of success, but none have managed to become the new Netflix.
In the past week, though, both Apple and Netflix have introduced promising initiatives with unique features that will cater to different user needs.
Apple has begun offering movie rentals via iTunes, which can be delivered to HDTVs via the AppleTV (without the aide of a PC) or transferred between PCs and iPods. And Netflix compounded the appeal of its recent announcement of an LG set-top box by offering unlimited streaming of their growing library of online movies.
Today, two more big names boosted the appeal of their offerings: TiVo and HP/NEXT.TV.
This morning TiVo announced a deal with Jaman.com that will deliver a wide selection of indie movies and foreign films to users with broadband-connected TiVo Series 2 and 3 DVRs.
“By capitalizing on TiVo’s vast big-screen user experience, we’re making it even easier for people to discover, browse and enjoy our catalog of high definition, edgy and award-winning films on their TVs,” said Jaman CEO Gaurav Dhillon in a release issued this morning. “This venture cements our position as a leading online provider of movies, offering unique and original content that viewers can’t find anywhere else.”
The deal increases TiVo’s film library, which already includes selections from Amazon’s Unbox. Users will be able to rent and purchase films; rental prices begin at $1.99. A selection of shorts and full-lengths will also be offered to users for free. The new service will be available “in the coming months.”
NEXT.TV and HP, meanwhile, expanded their offerings by announcing a partnership with TV Guide. NEXT.TV, which debuted exclusively on HP notebooks late last year, will be offering TV Guide Broadband “short-form entertainment video” including interviews, entertainment news, and behind-the-scenes features. The app will also begin offering listings from TV Guide Network.
“We are excited to partner with NEXT.TV to deliver an entertainment video service that is timely, engaging and informative,” said TV Guide Broadband vice president Dmitri Ponomarev. “Our broadband service leverages TV Guide Network’s access and expertise covering Hollywood’s biggest stars and events.”
NEXT.TV is currently available as an upgrade for HP consumer notebook owners, and is set to be shipped with new HP Vista notebooks shipping after this month.


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It is not a secret that models in the high fashion industry are pressured to be extremely thin. This lifestyle is extremely unhealthy, and studies have shown that its effects are promoting eating disorders. Finally, models are using their power to call out the fashion industry.
A study was released last week stating that the fashion industry has created an epidemic with models who have eating disorders. This study reported that models are risking their health to maintain their employment in the industry.
The National Eating Disorders Association responded with an open letter to the “American Fashion Industry” asking the leaders in the industry to “prioritize health and celebrate diversity” with the start of New York Fashion Week approaching.
The NEDA has an extremely powerful social media presence that has helped promote this trending topic. Some of the most popular models in the industry have been Tweeting and posting pictures encouraging New York Fashion Week to promote diversity within the industry. Some of these models include Renee Peters, Iskra Lawrence, and Geena Rocero.
The letter from the NEDA reads as follows:
Dear Members of the American Fashion Industry,
As models, we care about each other’s health and wellbeing. As we look toward New York Fashion Week, we strongly urge you to prioritize health and celebrate diversity on the runway this season.
Concerns about the fashion industry’s promotion of extreme thinness are nothing new but a recent research study published in the International Journal of Eating Disorders confirms that unhealthy weight control practices are a serious problem in the industry. Too often, models are being pressured to jeopardize their health and safety as a prerequisite for employment.
Eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any mental health concern and survivors often suffer irreversible damage to their health. That is why we have teamed up with the Model Alliance and the National Eating Disorders Association to address this issue.
Together, we are challenging you to make a serious commitment to promoting health and diversity on the runway. Through our social media platforms, which collectively reach millions of people, we will recognize the industry leaders who step up to this challenge. Specifically, we will keep an eye out for the diversity of race, size, age, and gender status, and we hope to see diversity within and across all of those categories.
No one likes the hassle or expense of increased regulations and paperwork. However, data shows that the American fashion industry has yet to prove that it is capable of following healthy practices on its own.
Now more than ever, we have an opportunity to send the message that diversity is what makes us strong. We sincerely hope that all of you—from designers and editors to agents and casting directors—will collectively harness the industry’s creative power to be forward thinking, inclusive, and do the right thing.
This letter from the NEDA is asking for everyone to get involved. Promoting diversity is something that everyone should get involved with. The NEDA is asking supports to sign a petition to encourage the industry to promote a healthy body on the runway. Sign the petition here.


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Just Do It. Monthly.
We’ve tried for a while to convince AV integration firms about the importance of creating a recurring revenue stream for their business as we shift away from an emphasis on selling products and focus more on creating solutions for customers.
And if it’s good enough for Nike to jump into the subscription economy, you really don’t have an excuse for holding out any longer. Nike’s foray into the recurring revenue model is aimed at customers who probably aren’t even old enough to make their own footwear choices too: kids
The Nike Adventure Club will allow parents to order shoes for their kids ages 2 to 10 either on a quarterly, bimonthly or monthly basis, paying monthly fees of $20, $30 or $50, respectively.
The monthly option shaves off $10 per pair of Nike shoes purchased, with the average kids sneaker retailing for $60.
Nike’s kids business has grown more than 10 percent over the past year on a currency-neutral basis, a spokeswoman said. The spokeswoman told CNBC kids’ sneakers one of the fastest-growing categories on Nike.com.
Of course, Nike isn’t the only large company—or even the only footwear-centric company—to jump into the subscription game. Urban Outfitters and American Eagle are testing the subscription models perhaps made most famous by Apple.
“We are now building relationships with kids from 2 years old,” said Dave Cobban, general manager of Nike Adventure Club. “Hopefully they will remember us and feel strongly toward the brand.”
Isn’t that what AV integrators say all the time about their customers—that they don’t want to get involved in a series of one-off projects, but they’d rather build long-term relationships and become trusted partners with them?
Nike Adventure Club Details
Cobban said Nike has been testing this subscription platform in stealth mode for the past two years, using Facebook ads to target parents for a business called “Easy Kicks.” It amassed about 10,000 members on Easy Kicks, he said.
Nike has been working with this group to figure out what parents will want most out of Nike Adventure Club.
Each Nike Adventure Club box will have the child’s name on the outside and will include an activity guide, stickers and an additional gift like a drawstring backpack.
Nike is also creating a website for Nike Adventure Club members to find activity prompts and, of course, pick their shoes.
It will offer about 100 shoe varieties, including ones made by Converse.
Each Adventure Club shipment comes with the option to initiate a return once a box arrives. Users have the ability to immediately select a new shoe without waiting for Nike to receive the merchandise that didn’t work the first time.
“For us, the whole focus is how do we make sure the kid is in the right size shoe,” Cobban said.
Nike Mulling More Recurring Revenue Options
The company hinted there could be more types of boxes to come, for example one for runners, with people training for marathons sometimes going through a pair of sneakers every three months.
McKinsey & Co. said in a 2018 study that the subscription e-commerce market had grown by more than 100% annually since 2013, with the largest retailers in the business generating more than $2.6 billion in sales in 2016 from subscription models, up from just $57 million in 2011.
In surveying 5,000 consumers in the U.S., McKinsey found nearly 40% of e-commerce subscribers have canceled their subscriptions, and only 55% of people who’ve consider a service ultimately subscribe.
“We are working with that 2- to 10-year-old that is just getting into shoes for the first time,” said Dominique Shortell, head of retention and member experience for Nike Adventure Club. “We’re helping get them into sport and making that a daily habit.”


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(IANS) Halloween is around the corner and this past month has brought a variety of spooky cyber threats that haunt our networks and devices – from malicious malware to restricting ransomware, according to cybersecurity company McAfee.
“Despite being known for tricks and treats, Halloween isn’t a time you want to be tricked when it comes to your online security. This month has brought a range of cyber threats complete with ”spooky” names. For example, this year, Ghostcat Malware has been trying to haunt consumers,” Raj Samani, Chief Scientist, and McAfee Fellow said in a statement.
“The goal is to hijack mobile browsing sessions and it begins when a user visits a particular website and faces a malicious ad. The malware then collects device information to consequently serve up a malicious URL linked to the ad.
“From this, the user is led to malicious content. To avoid a threat like this haunting networks and devices, consumers must adopt safe-surfing habits all year round,” Samani said.
Ghostcat is not the only way malware is being spread lately, as attackers have manipulated WAV audio files to spread malware and crypto miners.
By using a technique called stenography, malware authors can hide malicious code inside a file that appears normal, which allows hackers to bypass security software and firewalls.
The mysterious MedusaLocker ransomware is also slithering its way onto users” devices, encrypting files until the victim purchases a decryptor, Gary Davis, Chief Consumer Security Evangelist, McAfee, wrote in a blog post.
This strain will perform various startup routines to prep the victim’s device for encryption. Additionally, it will ensure that Windows networking is running and mapped network drives (shortcuts to a shared folder on a remote computer or server) are accessible.
Then, it will shut down security programmes, clear data duplicates so they can’t be used to restore files, remove backups made with Windows backup, and disable the Windows automatic startup repair.
“Consumers should approach unknown links with caution and remain wary of suspicious pop-ups, seasonal or otherwise. With many threats, such as Ghostcat, targeting mobile devices, you must ensure your mobile device is protected by your cybersecurity solution,” Samani said.


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Could the next version of Google Glass use … AA batteries? Unlikely, but it’s entirely possible, especially if Google’s latest patent for Glass is anything to go by.
The company filed for a patent that sees a number of pretty major changes to the design of Google Glass, not only changing the source of the device’s power, but also changing how users would control it.
As part of the newly filed patent, Google Glass would have a control panel mounted on one of the arms. The panel, according to the patent, is basically a touchpad that would house an electronic circuit and a power source. On the end of the arm would also be found another parts housing. This housing may also contain other components, such as a processor, communications devices, Bluetooth chip, and so on.
It would also provide a little more balance to the arm, shifting some of the weight off the nose and onto the ear.
Perhaps even more interesting is that the housing includes the ability to connect batteries of multiple forms — whether they be AAA, AA, or even 9-volt. The batteries can be easily replaced and recharged, so if you had multiple sets, you could potentially keep your headset going for as long as you want.
Of course, neither of these options necessarily feel like a step forward for Google in the development of Glass. It’s unlikely we’ll ever see a version of Google Glass that uses replaceable batteries — instead, hopefully Google will simply focus its efforts on developing battery tech more.
The concept of using a touchpad to control the device is an interesting one. Google Glass was a little difficult to control when it was first released, however it would be nice to see the device have more gesture control and some of the bulk of the headset removed.
- iExpand? Apple patents multiple bizarre, expandable smart ring designs
- Google Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL review
- Apple plans to release AR headset in 2022, AR glasses in 2023
- Samsung patent shows the design of an unreleased augmented reality headset
- Here’s everything we know about the PlayStation 5 so far


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What you need to know
- The HP Reverb G2 Omnicept Edition headset will launch in May with a starting price of $1,249.
- HP announced that the headset will also support HP VR Spatial Audio.
- Developers will be able to download the HP Omnicept SDK in May.
The HP Reverb G2 is already one of the best VR headsets. Soon, a new edition of the HP Reverb G2 will take everything great about the headset and add support for HP Omnicept. The upcoming HP Reverb G2 Omnicept Edition includes a comprehensive sensor system that measures muscle movement, gaze, pupil size, and heart rate.
HP initially announced the HP Reverb G2 Omnicept Edition in September 2020, but at the time, we didn't have pricing or availability details. The headset will be available starting at $1,249 on HP's website in May. Also in May, HP will make the HP Omnicept Solution SDK available for developers, allowing them to design experiences that fully utilize the new headset.
In addition to pricing information, HP announced that it is adding support for HP VR Spatial Audio to the HP Omnicept SDK. HP VR Spatial Audio uses dynamic head-related-transfer-functions (HRTFs) to create a life-like experience and personalized sound. With the feature, audio can adapt to a specific person within virtual reality. The feature works with both Unity and Unreal Engine.
HP Omnicept allows developers to create "hyper-personalized, engaging, and adaptive VR experiences for enterprises," according to HP. The sensors within the headset can measure people's responses, allowing developers to create adaptive experiences within virtual reality. These can be used for training, such as placing people in simulations of high-risk environments to measure people's responses.
HP's website for the new headset and the HP Omnicept technology outlines three key areas in which the headset can enhance applications:
Windows Mixed Reality headsets are used by engineers, medical staff, and the US military. While many of the well-known cases of Windows Mixed Reality being used are on Microsoft's own HoloLens, Microsoft is also building a platform. Our executive editor Daniel Rubino recently wrote about how Microsoft's efforts in the mixed reality space are bearing fruit.
While the HP Reverb G2 Omnicept can be used in a variety of training environments, it's also a SteamVR headset. Our Cale Hunt breaks down the non-Omnicept Edition of the headset in his HP Reverb G2 review.
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Sean Endicott brings nearly a decade of experience covering Microsoft and Windows news to Windows Central. He joined our team in 2017 as an app reviewer and now heads up our day-to-day news coverage. If you have a news tip or an app to review, hit him up at email@example.com.


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Known for its good feature phones, Nokia has once again launched its 4 feature phones with 4G technology. The company has released Nokia 110 4G and Nokia 105 4G. They have been introduced in single SIM and Dual SIM variants. Both the phones were released by the company in 2019, but are now back with 4G LTE support.
Nokia has not yet revealed the price of these phones. However, according to the report, the Nokia 110 4G could be priced at 39 39.90, which means it costs around 36 3600. And the Nokia 105 4G can be priced at 34.90 Euro, which means it costs around Rs 3100. While the Nokia 110 4G feature phone is available in black, yellow and aqua colors, the Nokia 105 4G phone is available in black, blue and red color options.
Specifications of Nokia 110 4G and Nokia 105 4G
The Nokia 110 4G and the Nokia 105 4G have a 1.8-inch display with a resolution of 120×160 pixels. These include FM radio with music support. These can expand memory up to 32GB. Both of these Nokia phones have an LED flash that acts as a flashlight. Of these, 1020 mAh battery is provided which can run your work for several days.
They have a VGA camera in them. The phone also features a 3.5mm headphone jack. It does not work on Kios, which comes with regular feature phone software. They also offer a readout help feature that reads any text or menu.
Samsung Guru Music 2 will compete
These feature phones of Nokia will compete with Samsung Guru Music 2. This Samsung phone is also included in the list of best feature phones. Samsung’s Samsung Guru Music 2 is a great option to buy in the market. This low budget phone is priced at Rs 1710. This phone has a 2-inch QVGA display, 800 mAh battery and a 208 MHz single core 208 MHz processor, you can increase its memory up to 16 GB.
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For $995 dollars, C8 Corvette buyers can take delivery of their mid-engined sports car at its spiritual home: the National Corvette Museum located across from the Bowling Green factory. Last week, Former GM CEO Dan Akerson and his wife Debbie took delivery of one of the first C8 convertibles we’ve seen leave the factory. We doubt they had to pay for the privilege however.
Akerson’s C8 Corvette is a Shadow Gray convertible, complete with a Sky Cool Gray interior and Spectra Gray Machined Trident Spoke wheels. The National Corvette Museum was happy to share the delivery on their Facebook Page, noting that it was the former executive’s first visit to the Corvette holy land. He seemed to be pretty casual about mask wearing.
Akerson served as the CEO of GM from 2010 to 2014, before announcing his retirement as his wife faced a “late stage cancer diagnosis.” The announcement came one day after the U.S. Treasury Department announced that it had sold their remaining stake in the company, which obstencillay ended the 2009 taxpayer bailout of Detroit’s automakers. At the time, Akerson was lauded for his ability to guide GM back to profitability following the economic crisis.
The move towards retirement also came just before GM faced massive scrutiny over their handling of the now infamous Switchgate scandal. GM’s current CEO Mary Barra took the helm following the sudden departure of the Carlyle Group executive and former Navy officer.
This C8 Corvette isn’t Akerson’s first foray into the brand however, as he once owned a Regal Turquoise 1958 C1 Corvette. One of just 510 in that color, Akerson sold the car at auction for $270,000, before donating the money to Habitat for Humanity in Detroit. Rick Hendrick is the one who bought the car, which now lives in his personal museum.


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July 5, 2022
Since this might soon become a necessity at your store here are five tips for a successful batch pick, pack and ship process from your store.
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