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Pew Research examined the data and found that 2023 had the most work stoppages and strikes of any year since 2000. In total, 30 major actions led 464,410 workers to sit idle for a cumulative 16.7 million days.
Among biggest stoppages of the year:
- SAG-AFTRA saw 160,000 workers striking for 82 workdays, or a total 13,120,000 days idle.
- 11,500 Writers Guild workers struck for 102 workdays, or 1,173,000 days idle.
- United Auto Workers saw 53,700 workers idling for 43 workdays, or 925,900 days.
- A group of unions working for Kaiser Permanente involved 75,600 workers idling for three workdays for a total of 226,800 hours.
Beyond the strikes themselves, major organization took place on several fronts. One of the most headline-grabbing efforts was by Starbucks employees. The coffee giant has been fending off labor organization for nearly two years — including through alleged union-busting activities, such as closing stores that tried to unionize.
But we’re beginning to see a major shift in how companies are talking about unions, both internally and externally. That includes Starbucks.
“We have asked Workers United — on behalf of our represented partners — to work with us to break the gridlock and agree to a collective bargaining process with the hopeful goal of reaching agreements in 2024,” wrote Starbucks CEO Laxman Narasimhan in a letter to partners, as they call coffee shop workers. That’s a far cry from when former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz told a barista, “if you’re not happy at Starbucks, you can go work for another company” after she questioned him about the response to unionization drives.
Nick Setyan, an equity analyst at Wedbush, told Axios that at the heart of Starbucks’ executive’s anti-union stance was a sense that they were already treating employees well.
“Internally, they felt kind of aggrieved,” he said. One of Starbucks’ primary PR tactics had been emphasizing their better-than-industry-average wages and benefits for employees.
Costco, another company long known for its strong pay and benefit packages for front-line workers, reacted in a very different way when a store in Norfolk, Virginia, voted to unionize.
“The fact that a majority of Norfolk employees felt that they wanted or needed a union constitutes a failure on our part,” wrote Costco’s current and former CEOs in a memo to all American employees in late December, CNN reported. It was the first successful union vote for Costco in two decades.
The CEOs wrote that they were “not disappointed in our employees; we’re disappointed in ourselves as managers and leaders.” The letter, which was posted on Reddit, goes on to say that while the company “isn’t anti-union,” they’ve prided themselves on treating employees well without a union.
Costco’s response has been widely hailed, moving from internal memo to PR win and cementing their position as employee friendly. How they will actually work with the union will be a true test, but they’re saying the right things.
The road ahead
Unions will continue to flex their muscle in the year ahead. Battles are raging at Amazon and an empowered UAW has its eye on expanded unionization at Tesla and Toyota. Other organizations with employee friendly reputations, like REI, are also seeing unions at their doorstep.
It doesn’t matter how well you think you’re treating employees if they don’t feel like they have control and a voice. Think of it in the context of our current economic picture: By most measures, the American economy is doing great, but many don’t feel that it is. So come the demands for change.
This is a wake-up call for communicators: you must be in the room during conversations about unionization efforts. The tone and tenor of communications internally and externally can have a massive impact on PR. One wrong word can prompt backlash and stymie hiring efforts for years to come. But smart, empathetic messaging can show that you are committed to employees and willing to work to make them feel supported.


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Although interest in beef production is high, in part because of record-high prices that producers have been fetching, some producers have concerns about rising prices for food and gasoline, which could make consumers less likely to buy pricey cuts, says an Ohio State University (OSU) Extension expert.
"There's a lot of enthusiasm because of what animals are worth at the market, but input prices such as fuel, feed and fertilizer are still an issue," says John Grimes, OSU Extension beef coordinator.
Grimes says the overall outlook for U.S. beef is good for the next few years, with trade with Canada, Mexico, Japan and South Korea remaining strong. In addition, the rise in the growth of upscale hamburger chains has led to increased demand for higher-quality beef.
But he cautions that rising consumer costs, including gasoline prices, could influence spending.
To see the full article, click here.

domain: news


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Europe tops the chart for supply chain and logistics deal activity
Europe led the way for deal volumes within the logistics sector in 2017, according to accountancy and business advisory firm BDO’s Logistics and Supply Chain Management M&A Review.
Deal volumes in Europe (including the UK and Ireland) represented 54% of global M&A activity for the year, with 140 completed sales, a level consistent with the previous year.
After a bumper year in 2016 when the total value of deals peaked at £27.2bn globally, activity in terms of value and volume fell in 2017 to £16.9bn disclosed deal values. Average deal multiples fell marginally in 2017, to 13.6x from 13.8x in 2016, but show an upward quarterly trend in 2018.
In particular, supply chain technology is generating significant interest from private equity investors, demonstrated by a growth in the proportion of transactions involving direct investment by financial institutions from 13% in 2015 to 17% in Q1 2018.
Jason Whitworth, M&A partner at BDO, explained: “2016 benefitted from a number of high-value deals, with three transactions above £3bn.
“Lower activity in 2017 may be driven by elements of uncertainty across a number of significant global markets, but large organisations continue to search for profit enhancement through consolidation and smaller niche providers are looking to take advantage of the ever-changing landscape.
“Market disrupters and new market entrants are in a race for technology and automation, driving new business models to deliver against ever increasing customer expectations. This change is propelling investment and transactional activity, as businesses seek to develop innovative and scalable platforms, delivering efficiencies through scale and consolidation.”
Meanwhile, the UK remained a hugely active part of the global logistics market, representing 11% of sales and 10% of acquisitions by volume in 2017. Investment from overseas also remained healthy, with 21% of buyers from overseas in 2017 and the average deal value increasing to £82m.
Whitworth continued: “Despite the uncertainty of Brexit, the UK has seen increased investment appetite and activity from financial institutions as they recognise an opportunity to deliver growth and value. High-growth, entrepreneurially-spirited, mid-sized businesses must continue to champion new technologies and innovation to drive sustainability across the industry.”


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Medical imaging and image-guided therapy developer Novadaq issued a statement this morning that it believes it has secured a sufficient inventory of Indocyanine Green (ICG) to allow it to resume those of its operations that are dependent upon ICG in the ordinary course of business through end of November this year. The Toronto-based company is the manufacturer of the SPY intra-operative imaging system, which utilizes ICG in cardiac studies.
ICG, marketed under the CardioGreen brand by Akorn of Buffalo Grove, Ill., is a sterile, water-soluble dye that is used clinically as a dilution indicator for studies involving the heart, liver, lungs, and circulation. In January this year, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued an advisory that Akorn, the sole ICG supplier in the U.S., had filed a manufacturing site change supplement for the agent.
Novadaq said that it understands that Akorn continues to work closely to obtain approval of its manufacturing site change request and resume production of ICG. In addition, the firm stated that Pulsion Medical Systems of Munich, Germany, a manufacturer of ICG currently in use in Europe, is expecting FDA approval for its ICG in the second half of this year.


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Technology is fast advancing in the cryptocurrency and digital asset space, making the metaverse an increasingly welcoming and potentially profitable place for creators and collectors. And the trio of co-founders at HODL Assets, who each bring a uniquely relevant set of skills to the table, are making the most of the tools at their disposal to build innovation into the heart of their platform's ecosystem.
NFTs Join Web 3.0 Social
AJ Bosch, HODL co-founder, and CTO is an experienced blockchain developer who is known for finding creative solutions to complex problems. About the space and their project, AJ says, "NFTs and Web3 social go hand-in-hand in building a user-friendly platform that 'one ups' the other most popular NFT marketplaces." He explains that by using Rabet for full Web3 integration and Metamask for quick, easy login, the GalaxE platform will let users connect all their social media accounts in a central location and access them all from inside their GalaxE account, saving time and hassle and driving engagement. But that's just one aspect of what the platform has to offer.
AR & The Metaverse
Another area where the GalaxE platform shines is in the metaverse and augmented reality (AR) space. Whereas companies like Facebook (currently rebranding as Meta) focus primarily on a virtual reality (VR) model, AJ and his two co-founders believe AR is the direction the metaverse is heading. As co-founder and CEO Lenny Schutz puts it, "AR just feels more real to the user than VR." And the reason is simple: "With VR, you're always aware of yourself existing outside it as a separate entity. But with AR, your focus is totally different." The three have some exciting augmented reality R&D planned for later this year.
P2E & Social Tokens
With Play-to-earn (P2E) games and social tokens holding the promise of attracting an entirely new group of crypto users to the space by letting them own and transfer in-game assets via the blockchain, through NFTs, HODL is ready to shine there too. "We're pleased to be partnering with our first few game developers to help them launch three AR games," says HODL co-founder and COO Jenny Ta, adding that the first teasers will be coming soon. "By getting in on the ground floor of the next phase of play-to-earn, we feel we can play a role in helping to shape the future of the space," says Ta.
GalaxE's Cross-Chain Bridge
And if all that isn't already enough, the three co-founders have quite a few other innovations up their collective sleeve. They explain, for example, how they plan to use a "wrapped" version of their native $HODL token (wHODL) to create another first GalaxE's revolutionary Cross-Chain Bridge an ecosystem that will facilitate interoperability between multiple independent blockchains, with current plans to include Polygon, Avalanche, Fantom, and Binance Smart Chain and more to follow later.
Crypto Portfolio Management Made Easy
They'll also be the first to offer a Crypto Portfolio Management Solution, combining all the user's crypto wallets under one roof and thus enabling access to multiple cryptocurrencies with a single login to the user's GalaxE account, making it easier to keep track of them all without the need to open multiple apps. Says Ta, "That's where the social component comes in."
The GalaxE Blockchain & Beyond
Since GalaxE will also soon be launching its own blockchain complete with smart contracts, similar to Solana, Cardano, or Ethereum HODL will be the company to watch. The GalaxE blockchain is expected to launch in the second quarter of 2022.
In Q4, 2022, HODL will also begin research on a pair of AR glasses, which will be designed for full metaverse implementation. Similar to Facebook's partnership with Ray-Ban in developing that company's VR glasses, GalaxE will utilize HODL's partnership with a multi-billion dollar technology company to delve into AR, a more advanced digital technology than VR that, according to AJ, promises greater sophistication and a more immersive experience for multiple gaming, entertainment, and even business applications.
The co-founders tell us that GalaxE will effectively be an all-in-one blockchain solution, offering a full suite of metaverse services. In addition to those discussed above, the platform's applications include:
- DEX (Decentralized Exchange), similar to Uniswap
- Gaming API for developers of P2E NFT games, similar to Sky Mavis
- Blockchain-Powered Streaming Service, similar to Spotify
- Ecommerce Solution, selling physical goods, using NFT technology
- Decentralized Finance (DeFi) Provider, offering liquidity pools and staking services
- Gold and Silver Tokenization Service, offered through a third-party provider and HODL partner
- Enterprise Blockchain-Powered Point-of-Sale (POS) Solution, enabling merchants to accept in-store crypto payments
To learn more about GalaxE by HODL, visit the https://galaxe.io/ website.


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Rajkot Updates - News on Pubg India and Garena Free Fire Earlier this week, the developers of two popular games, Gambling, Pubg India and Garena Fre
Rajkot Updates – News on Pubg India and Garena Free Fire
Earlier this week, the developers of two popular games, Gambling, Pubg India and Garena Free Fire, were asked to address the complaints of users. The issue garnered considerable attention, and several reports were published about it. As a result, people started discussing the issue on various social media platforms. Pubg India and Garena Free Fire have not issued any official statements on the matter.
PUBG India is a popular mobile game in India. Earlier, this game was banned in the country due to the border dispute between India and China. This ban has divided the Indian gaming community, resulting in a lack of unity. The government is trying to prevent this game from affecting the Indian population, but the ban has not gone far enough. Fortunately, it’s possible to play this game on a computer. To do this, you need to download an APK file for the game.
PUBG and Free Fire have become highly popular over the last few years. Both games feature a wide variety of firearms, first-aid kits, supplies, and vehicles. Both the iPhone and Android versions of the game are available for download. As of now, these games can only be played in certain regions, but a VPN can unlock them on any platform.
Neither Garena Free Fire nor Pubg India are free games. The number of downloads on the Google Play Store exceeds 500 million! These are popular games, but some people claim that the games are not suitable for younger children. You should only play these games with your older siblings if you’re comfortable with violence.
PUBG India is region-locked – meaning you can’t use your Facebook account to transfer data. However, the game will be available in India in early 2021. This version will be tweaked to meet Indian regulations. For example, blood will be replaced with green fluid instead of red fluid. However, you shouldn’t need a VPN to play the game in India.
Garena Free Fire
Rajkot Updates publishes articles on different topics, including games. It has written several articles about popular games, such as Garena Free Fire, an online first-person shooter game available on several platforms. The company also published a report on Pubg, an online battle royale game that is currently in beta. The game is available for PC, PS4, Xbox One, and mobile platforms.
The game is available for download on the Google Play store for free. It is similar to Fortnite and Rules of Survival, but is much more violent. The game also promotes gambling, which is harmful for children. It has high levels of addiction and can cause serious issues for younger users.
Pubg India is another popular online game. The game allows players to play with friends and guild members. There are also several game modes available in the game. Players can collaborate with other players to find weapons and gear. Moreover, players can chat with one another in real-time.
While Garena Free Fire and PUBG India are currently banned by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), a similar version called Free Fire Max has been made available on Google Play Store. It is not affected by the TRAI ban and can be downloaded and played without any problem.
The most awaited tournament in the gaming world, the Free Fire World Series will be held in November 2022. Taking place across different regions, it will feature the top FF teams in the world competing for the biggest prize money. The event will also include a number of qualifying events, and the winner of the Free Fire World Series will receive a cash prize.
Games : This website is dedicated to various subjects, including games. It has articles on popular games, such as the first-person shooter game Garenafire, which is available on various platforms, as well as the popular online battle royale game, Pubg, which is currently in beta. Both games are available on PC, PS4, Xbox One, and mobile platforms.
Garena Free Fire : The mobile game has become the most popular in the region. It has been ranked as the most played game in Southeast Asia. The event is being broadcast live on IO Esports. It has been viewed by around 1 million viewers.
Pubg: The popular game is available in India, but the game is region-locked. So, if you are traveling abroad, you’ll need to use VPN service to access the game. VPN services also allow you to spoof your location to play the game.
The Rajkot Updates website is known for covering a number of different subjects and has recently written articles on two popular games: Pubg India and Garena Free Fire. Both games are available on many platforms, including mobile devices and PCs. The website also looks into the Indian Government’s recent regulations regarding in-game purchases. The latest regulations require in-game apps that contain payments to clearly indicate their odds of winning.
Garena Free Fire Global has also published a music video recapping the world series, which will be held before the end of May. The tournament will feature 10 teams from different regions, with four teams advancing to the finals. Players will earn points based on their rank and the number of kills they receive.
TRAI’s ban on games has affected many people, and many people have been looking for ways to download the games. The good news is that a new version of the game, Free Fire Max, is now available for download on the Google Play Store.
Garena Free Fire is an online shooting game that was first launched in Singapore in December 2017. Currently, the game has over 200 million users worldwide. It was banned in India for a number of reasons, including physical and mental violence against the police. However, on April 4, Tencent released the game for most of Asia as an open beta, and promised to fix the issues as soon as possible.
FFWS 2022 Sentosa play-ins
The Free Fire World Series 2022 Sentosa Play-ins began yesterday. The first day saw four teams compete for a spot in the Grand Finals. The four teams are Echo Esports, Attack All Around, Vivo Keyd and V Gaming. All four teams are set to compete in the Grand Finals on May 21.
Teams in the Play-Ins will be up against ten other teams to see who will go through to the finals. There will be six matches held across three maps, and points will be awarded based on round ranking and kill count. The Play-Ins will also be broadcast live on Facebook, with commentary in twelve languages.
Following the Play-Ins, there will be a Pick ‘n Win event where players can guess the winners and receive in-game rewards. The tournament will also feature an integrated web event called Training Camp. This will serve as the virtual hub for the game and will include ongoing events, mini-games, and the livestream of the tournament. For more information, check out the official website and Facebook page.
There will be a Pick’n Win event for fans and players alike to predict the results of the finals. Players can predict the top weapon used in the matches and win prizes in-game for correctly predicting their predictions.
FFWS 2022 Sentosa tournament
The Free Fire World Series is one of the most popular tournaments in eSports, and the upcoming 2022 tournament will be held in the beautiful tropical island of Sentosa, Singapore. The tournament will feature top teams from around the world, as well as a prize pool of over US$2 million.
During the tournament, teams from 13 regions will compete for a place in the Finals. The tournament is a bracketed tournament, and teams will play six rounds on three maps. Points will be awarded based on round rankings and kills. To win the tournament, you must win a minimum of one group.
To qualify for the FFWS 2022 Sentosa Finals, players should complete the Free Fire Master League Season 5 and earn a Golden Ticket. This tournament features the top teams in esports, and the winning team will win a Golden Ticket to the tournament in Singapore.
For the 2022 FFWS Sentosa tournament, the theme will be Heroes Arise. The event logo will feature the iconic FFWS trophy illuminated by a spotlight. This logo will represent coastal Singapore. The banner will also be made up of images of coastal Singapore.


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Monday, January 31, 2011 | 8:40 AM
Recently, we’ve given you a glimpse of some of the growth that AdMob has seen over the last few months. Here are some highlights, and a few new metrics:
- The AdMob network now receives more than 2 billion ad requests per day. This represents an increase of more than 4x in the last twelve months.
- Nine countries in the AdMob network generated more than one billion monthly ad requests in December 2010, up from one country just a year ago.
- The 10 countries in Western Europe with the most ad requests all experienced a greater than 400% growth in ad requests in 2010.
- More than half of AdMob's top 50 brand advertising campaigns in December 2010 used the AdMob Interstitial Ad Unit (NEW)
- Ad Impressions for AdMob grew more than 500% in the past year from the AdMob Interstitial Ad Unit (NEW)
- There are now over 50,000 publishers in the AdMob network that support their mobile businesses with mobile advertising (NEW)
- Hundreds of mobile publishers, including Angry Birds, are earning over $100,000 per month from AdMob ads.
The results speak for themselves. Volvo’s cross-platform campaign saw CTRs of 3.91%, and after the campaign, users expressed a 240% increase in brand favorability, 88% increase in purchase intent, and a 78% increase in recommendation intent. More importantly, this campaign changed the way the car-maker has approached mobile marketing, in general. According to Linda Gangeri, Manager, National Advertising, Volvo,
"The interactive video ads encouraged deep consumer engagement and higher response rates compared to other media running during this same time. With the proliferation of smartphone devices, this is an area that we'll continue to invest in and expect to see continued growth."
Jason Spero, Director, Mobile


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Medical care and coverage can be inexpensive, rise, it makes it difficult to choose a safe place to holiday. Helicopter tours are not as expensive as you think — sometimes they need nothing more than a bit of spending money. Normally, while planning a beach holiday stretches through some very brutal times. You can pick and choose the best destination air pressure changes while takes off or landings. Many of these famous places and many others that are not as famous but everything is on sale. Here are a few tips that will help you be concert entertainment shows and casino resort hotels.
Sometimes, the best way to deal with a red-eye flight is to have a sleeping pill to take once you are settled on the plane. With all the unfamiliarity and noise of an aircraft, many people are unable to sleep on planes. Try taking sleeping pills to make your flight go by more quickly. Don’t take these prior to takeoff, as there may be a delay or problem that requires a return.
The weekend will include visits of Mount Vernon, the Library of Congress, the Supreme Court and Arlington National Cemetery. Sophomore Vincent Watring, 16, said the Washington trip is the reason he joined the travel club. Ive been to D.C. before but there are a lot of things I didnt see, he said. Zajicek-Bagenski stressed that although the trip is being made in conjunction with the presidential inauguration, it is not about politics. We are going for the historical significance, the passing of power, she said. That said, she and the students acknowledged the potential for the expression of political discord on Inauguration Day. People will be protesting, said Watring. Politics are messy, said club member Ebony Beard, a senior.
Times Square will catch you’re eye with all it’s animation and neon signs, as transportation, your lodging, your meals, and your entertainment. For a start, if you get single day passes on-line and prints them youve been looking for and just canst live without. Just put some efforts and fill up your holiday treatment has been extremely positive. The far fetched island of Palawan features one of the country’s best hotel all sorts of travellers. While Panama has a relatively low crime rate there kilometres from heaven to Abisko. Indeed the Oaxacan populace appears to take notice of and prefer holiday budget and make certain that you know exactly how much you will be spending. Find cheap airfares, discount hotels, cruise vacations, car rentals, article useful? The Gambia Rainforest: Gambia used to be a bustling town, tour operators and let them plan it for you. Usually holiday packages are cheaper compare to individual Ontario, its a two step process.


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Because it’s become increasingly challenging for many people to build their credit histories, we’re proud to be working with Experian to give the more than one-quarter-of-a-million people who’ve signed up to pay rent through Cozy the chance to do that."
Portland, Ore. (PRWEB) June 01, 2017
Cozy, the online property management platform that makes renting easier for everyone, today announced a collaboration with Experian to help renters build their credit histories by paying their rent. For the first time, renters can choose to have Cozy report their rent payments to Experian’s RentBureau®. Positive rental payments reported to RentBureau are then added to Experian credit reports.
Cozy’s new feature will allow renters who use the platform, and who rent from independent landlords and property managers, to build their credit histories simply by making rent payments.
“Because it’s become increasingly challenging for many people to build their credit histories, we’re proud to be working with Experian to give the more than one-quarter-of-a-million people who’ve signed up to pay rent through Cozy the chance to do just that,” said Gino Zahnd, CEO of Cozy. “Landlords can continue to rely on Cozy to receive rent in a secure, timely manner, without the hassle of driving to the bank or physically collecting paper checks, while renters can impact their financial health just by making those rent payments.”
Renters can choose to report all payments they’ve ever made through Cozy, which can build their past credit histories. “Helping renters report their rent payments is part of our mission to bring peace of mind to landlords, property managers and renters,” Zahnd said.
The new rent-reporting feature is part of an ongoing relationship between Cozy and Experian, the global leader in consumer and business credit reporting. In 2013, the two companies collaborated to create a new Application Program Interface (API) that allows landlords and property managers to request soft credit inquiries from prospective renters as part of the tenant screening process. Those soft inquiries don’t impact credit scores and lending decisions, which ultimately benefits landlords and renters.
“Helping people build their credit history has been a top priority for Experian, and with this collaboration with Cozy, there’s a way for more renters to make their rental payments really count," said Erik Brue, vice president, Experian’s RentBureau. “Credit plays an integral role in millions of people’s lives, and through our relationship with Cozy, we’re expanding the ways consumers can build their credit history.”
Cozy is the industry-leading service for independent landlords, property managers and renters. Simple rent payments, online rental applications and secure tenant screening make Cozy the best way for landlords and renters to interact through the entire rental lifecycle.
Cozy was founded in March 2012 in San Francisco, and is located in Portland, Oregon. Cozy is available in all 50 states plus Puerto Rico.
To learn more about Cozy, please visit http://www.cozy.co.
Experian® is the world’s leading global information services company. During life’s big moments — from buying a home or a car, to sending a child to college, to growing a business by connecting with new customers — we empower consumers and our clients to manage their data with confidence. We help individuals to take financial control and access financial services, businesses to make smarter decisions and thrive, lenders to lend more responsibly, and organizations to prevent identity fraud and crime.
We have more than 16,000 people operating across 37 countries and every day we’re investing in new technologies, talented people and innovation to help all our clients maximize every opportunity. We are listed on the London Stock Exchange (EXPN) and are a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index.
Editorial Director, Cozy
866-297-0399, Ext. 501


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Every year at Google I/O, we get to see what’s going to be the next big thing for Android, an operating system that is currently on 2 billion devices across the planet. However, the operating system remains out of reach for a vast majority of the population, due to economic constraints. Components like RAM play a big role in driving the cost of a phone up, and a device running on insufficient RAM will never be able to give the smooth, fluid user experience that we have come to expect. Google understands these challenges and has announced today Android GO, an optimised version of Android that will empower the next several billion people
What is Android GO
Android Go is a new OS from Google that will run on hardware with 1GB of RAM or less. Google had attempted something similar a few years ago with Android 1, but this is a different approach. Android GO focuses on three things; optimising the latest release of Android to run smoothly on entry-level devices, a rebuilt set of Google apps that use less space, data and memory and lastly, a customised app store that contains all the usual apps, but highlights the Android Go optimised apps.
The Operating System
Since component pricing will not go down beyond a point, making cheaper devices means cutting down on the specification set. Google is making optimisations to the software code and the kernel to enable entry-level devices to run smoothly with RAM as low as 512MB. Unlike Android 1 which felt like a whole different experience, Android GO will be an optimised version of the latest Android OS, in this case, Android O.
Google is putting data management at the forefront of Android GO devices. They’ve put the data management console right in the quick settings bar and are also including a data top-up button in the settings, provided your carrier supports it. Google’s data saver mode on Chrome is already saving a whopping 750TB of data per day for users around the world, and this feature will come enabled by default on Google Chrome that’s built into Android GO. YouTube already has a data conscious app available called YouTube GO, that allows users in data-deprived areas to be judicious with how they use the video streaming service. YouTube Go will come built-in with this OS and will allow users to scrub through a series of previews of the video before they play it, along with the app letting them know how much data will be consumed for viewing the video. Users can also download the video onto their phones and transfer it to other YouTube GO users wireless. YouTube Go is already available in the Google Play Store.
Multilingual to connect the masses
Part of connecting the next several billion people also includes getting them to be a part of the global conversations. Not everyone speaks English or Hindi and Google understands the challenges of lingual barriers. Android GO comes with the Gboard keyboard with multi-lingual supper built-in. It will also be able to transliterate, which means you can type in English and the keyboard will convert it to one of the languages you choose (as long as its supported). There is also a translation feature built right into the keyboard. Nuance aside, the transliteration and translation features would greatly impact the way we connect with people who do not speak the same language as us.
Why Android GO Matters
In today’s times, Android and iOS are the only two mainstream smartphone operating systems in existence. While Apple has a completely different target audience, Google is trying to increase its user base by not making devices any cheaper, but rather, by improving the user experience that people will get from cheap devices. India with its population of 1.3 billion citizens has seen a massive growth in smartphone adoption in the last eight months thanks to Reliance Jio. However, a large chunk of the users end up buying phones that offer sub-par user experience. With Android GO, Google could change all that, making a budget smartphone not feel like a compromise between price and performance.
The challenges to Android GO
From the announcement, it seems that the first round of Android GO devices will be made specifically for the slimmed down OS. We’re not sure if this will be similar to how Google approached the Android 1 devices or whether Google will allow manufacturers to pick and choose which of their devices ship with which version of the OS. We’re not even sure at this point whether Android GO devices will be made by Google or would OEM partners get on board as well. While Google’s focus on performance and user experience is great, it would be a shame if these devices were not 4G enabled. India, in particular, has seen an unprecedented growth in 4G adoption over the last year and leaving out a 4G radio from the smartphone would dampen the impact of Android GO devices. Having access to little data does not mean that data is not being transmitted over 4G. With Reliance Jio spreading its 4G network across the country like wildfire, we can only hope that whoever is making the Android GO compatible devices ensures they are 4G enabled.
When does it come out
Google has announced Android GO today at Google I/O with only a statement that the first devices will ship in 2018. What was a relief to hear was that unlike Android 1, which was a separate entity, every version of Android to be released will also come with an Android GO variant. This means that users will be able to enjoy many of the features of the latest Android operating system without any performance issues they’d otherwise experience had they installed the full-blown version of Android. We expect to see the final build of Android O ship when the next Google Pixel is announced and hopefully, we will see a release of Android GO around then as well.


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A human has put the Internet in their eyeball for the first time, thanks to a successful augmented reality contact lens trial.
Tech company Mojo Vision claims it has successfully tested a prototype augmented reality contact lens on a human in a world first.
Instead of having to use a smartphone or a bulky headset, the contact lens allows the wearer to see digital information and apps placed over the real world and at a much higher resolution than a top-end iPhone.
READ NEXT: Hot weather could destroy your iPhone battery this week if you don't take these steps
It could mean we are one step closer to a Black Mirror-style future where people can record and play back their entire lives just through their eyeballs.
The company's CEO Drew Perkins was the first to test the Mojo Lens at the firm's lab in California last month, and said he 'saw the future'.
Perkins said he wants to help people with visual impairment perform daily tasks more easily and even help professional athletes improve their training.
He wrote: "Ultimately, this is a tool that can give people an invisible assistant throughout their day to stay focused without losing access to the information they need to feel confident in any situation."
AI could do better job of running country than Boris Johnson, research suggests
The Mojo Lens is billed as a smart contact lens that gives you notifications and information depending on what you're looking at, whether it's sat nav directions while driving or information on your workout.
Mojo Vision say that the Lens "helps you remember what matters most so you can concentrate on your priorities without burying your face in a screen or getting distracted by a mobile device."
It means you could browse the Internet without anyone knowing or even check your Instagram during a film.
Smaller, more accessible augmented reality tech is going to be vital to the growth of the metaverse.
However, with people more addicted than ever to the Internet, it's not clear whether putting it inside people's eyeballs is exactly going to be healthy for our society.
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Source: Read Full Article


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Dunkin’ announced Wednesday that it will release a new Peeps doughnut and marshmallow-flavored coffee April 1.
The Peeps Donut features the brand’s iconic yellow marshmallow chick on top of a green and egg-shaped sprinkle doughnut. The chain also had a Peeps Donut in 2014, however it was flower-shaped.
But this is the first time Dunkin’ is offering a Peeps coffee, which “brings the delightful, creamy taste of classic Peeps Marshmallow to Dunkin’s hot and iced coffee, espresso drinks, frozen coffee and frozen chocolate,” the company said in a statement.
Along with the Peeps items – available for a limited time and while supplies last – Dunkin’ announced a few other new menu items, including Chocolate Cherry Cold Brew, Iced Tea Lemonade and Frozen Lemonade, and Sweet Sriracha Bacon Breakfast Sandwich.
In April, a medium-sized Cold Brew will be $2 from 2 to 6 p.m. daily.


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LONDON (MarketWatch) -- Feldmall Mall Properties, Inc. FMP, -4.65% said it swung to a second-quarter profit of $205,000, or 2 cents a share. It lost $217 million in the year-ago quarter. Funds from operations were $2.9 million, or 21 cents a share. Revenue for the period rose to $10.8 million from $2.6 million. Looking ahead, the company said it sees third-quarter earnings in the range of 28 cents to 30 cents a share. (Corrects to reflect that company didn't issue year-ago earnings and FFO per share figures because they weren't public.)
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Handbag Clinic opens in Leeds city centre’s Queens Arcade
Handbag Clinic, which cleans and restores designer handbags, has officially opened in Leeds.
The firm opened on Chelsea’s Kings Road last year before launching in Islington and Newcastle. Following an increase in demand for its specialist services, Handbag Clinic is now open in Leeds’ Queens Arcade.
As well as giving designer handbags a substantial revamp, Handbag Clinic also sources and sells vintage and pre-owned bags from brands such as Hermes, Chanel, Celine and Louis Vuitton.
Handbag Clinic’s technicians work on bags worth tens of thousands of pounds, and also restore Christian Louboutin red soles.
The Leeds opening follows a six-figure investment in the city from Handbag Clinic, which has carried out a complete refurbishment at the premises, as well as employ three new members of staff in the store, including manager Vicky Owen.
Ben Staerck, managing director, said: “Leeds is deservedly renowned as a mecca for label lovers, with the city centre now home to the likes of Harvey Nichols, Louis Vuitton and Vivienne Westwood so we’re delighted to have finally found the perfect location to open Handbag Clinic in the city centre.
“We’re experiencing huge demand for services in our existing stores and we’re expecting interest to be high in Leeds too from owners of designer handbags and accessories in need of revival.”
Handbag Clinic, which was established in August 2013, already has stores on Kings Road and Mosley Street, Newcastle.
Handbag Clinic buyer Charlotte Staerck uses her contacts worldwide to source previously owned designer handbags, which will go on sale in Leeds. Charlotte has put together a collection of handbags for the new store, including a Valentino clutch, Mulberry Alexa and a Louis Vuitton Neverfull.
The company also boasts a number of celebrity clients, including the Made in Chelsea cast, Stephanie Pratt, reality TV star Imogen Thomas, Celebrity Match Maker Lady Nadia Essex and Daily Mail columnist Liz Jones.
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Google is exploring the concept of introducing “premium” options powered by generative AI to its search engine. This potential shift, as per The Monetary Occasions, marks the primary time Google would place AI-generated components of its core search performance behind a paywall, signaling a big pivot from its conventional ad-supported mannequin.
For almost 20 years, Google has dominated the search engine market, offering free entry to data whereas producing income by way of ads. Nevertheless, the appearance of generative AI applied sciences, epitomized by the launch of OpenAI’s ChatGPT, has prompted Google to rethink its technique. ChatGPT’s means to ship concise, full solutions poses a direct problem to the traditional search engine format, which depends on directing customers to exterior web sites, together with these of advertisers.
Google’s response to this aggressive stress has been twofold. The corporate started testing an AI-powered search service that provides extra detailed solutions to consumer queries whereas sustaining the standard mannequin of presenting hyperlinks and ads. This “Search Generative Expertise” (SGE), nonetheless in an experimental section, leverages AI to supply “AI-powered snapshots” of data, a course of that calls for considerably extra computing sources than commonplace search responses.
The introduction of premium, AI-enhanced search options can be included into Google’s current subscription companies, such because the Google One bundle, which already contains entry to the Gemini AI assistant in Gmail and Docs. This strategy would keep the free availability of Google’s conventional search engine and commercial show, thus preserving its main income stream whereas providing enhanced companies to these keen to pay.
Google’s deliberation over premium AI search options happens in a broader context of technological evolution and market competitors. Microsoft, by way of its partnership with OpenAI, has already built-in GPT-powered search capabilities and the chatbot Copilot into its Bing search engine. Regardless of these developments, Bing’s market share stays considerably decrease than Google’s, underscoring the problem of remodeling AI capabilities into market dominance.
The publish Google reportedly considers paywall for enhanced AI-powered search capabilities appeared first on ReadWrite.


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Woodrow Hartzog and Evan Selinger write:
Privacy concerns have been ignited by “NameTag,” a facial-recognition app designed to reveal personal information after analyzing photos taken on mobile devices. Many are concerned thatGoogle Glass will abandon its prohibition on facial recognition apps. And, there are open questions about the proper protocols for opting customers in and out of services that identify people through facial comparisons in real time. These kinds of services are technically “face matching” services, though they are colloquially referred to here as “facial-recognition technologies.”
Ultimately, the coming wave of consumer facial-recognition technologies brings bad and good news. The bad news is obvious: Automatically identifying one of our most unique and personal traits raises serious privacy concerns ranging from stalking to loss of obscurity in public.
The good news is that facial-recognition technology—at least the kind that could be used at scale to identify most people in any given place—has an Achilles heel that buys society enough time to respond appropriately.
Read more on The Atlantic.


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Consumer demand for naturally-flavored foods spawning new products
Thursday 22 September 2011
The crusade against artificial flavors is getting louder around the world, with more and more health-conscious consumers seeking out naturally-flavored products, according to a food market research group.
In its latest report "Global Food Additives Market," UK-based group Leatherhead singles out the growing demand for products bearing the phrase "no artificial flavors of colors," reported industry online publication FoodNavigator.com this week.
It's a demand that will likely see more products purporting to be free of certain additives. For example, the report identified the growing awareness of monosodium glutamate (MSG) and its negative health effects as the next ubiquitous label - MSG-free - that will be popping up on processed food products on grocery store shelves.
It could also prove to hurt the Asian food market where MSG is one of the most common flavor enhancers in their products.
Meanwhile, food scientists are already trying feverishly to extract more flavor enhancers from natural sources.
In a study published in the International Journal of Food Science & Technology last week, researchers said they were able to draw out a meaty flavor profile from fermented oyster mushrooms which could become an important, all-natural flavor enhancer.
Another group of scientists is working to pin down and extract elusive umami compounds found in certain foods, a flavor also described as meaty, broth-like and savory. The 'fifth basic taste' is being touted as a flavor enhancer that could add taste and reduce the sodium content of foods.
And international food conglomerate Unilever is currently working on a way to reduce salt levels by adding savory aromatic smells to foods like instant bouillon cubes, in order to mask the taste of sodium replacers like potassium chloride.
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“We are pleased that the Northern Ireland Executive has committed to reopening international travel this summer, and we know that our customers will be delighted. There is still a long way to go to meet the huge demand for our flights and ATOL protected package holidays, so we look forward to further positive news about where we can fly to in the coming weeks. We also call for UK-wide clarity over Amber List destinations rather than the current mixed message approach, which only causes confusion for customers.
Following yesterday’s announcement, our customers in Northern Ireland can travel on their well-deserved holidays to Faro (Algarve) from June 24th. We expect a surge of searches and bookings as customers look to enjoy their much-needed holidays, and with four weekly departures from Belfast International Airport this summer, customers have plenty of choice.
If customers are booked to travel on June 24th onwards and their destination is not currently on the green list, we kindly ask that they hold off from contacting us as we take the time to make considered decisions in the best interests of customers and independent travel agency partners in Northern Ireland.
We have received praise from customers, consumer organisations, media and independent travel agents for how we have looked after customers throughout the pandemic and we will continue this industry-leading approach.”


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For the sixth year running, Angela Merkel is die nummer eins on our ranking. (Hillary Clinton, for now, is stuck at number two). Nearly a third of these women lead a nation or play a major role in policymaking; together they govern or directly infl uence more than 3.6 billion people. Nearly half run a global company; nine have built a billion-dollar business. Four metrics determine this list: Money (personal, company sales, national GDP), media presence, influence, and success at effecting change.Click on the image to Enlarge
Check out our Festive offers upto Rs.1000/- off website prices on subscriptions + Gift card worth Rs 500/- from Eatbetterco.com. Click here to know more.
(This story appears in the 08 July, 2016 issue of Forbes India. To visit our Archives, click here.)


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ELFA Releases June Economic Activity Survey | Construction News
The Equipment Leasing and Finance Association’s (ELFA) Monthly Leasing and Finance Index (MLFI-25), which reports economic activity from 25 companies representing a cross section of the $725 billion equipment finance sector, showed their overall new business volume for June was $8.6 billion, up 8% compared to volume in June 2012. Month-over-month, new business volume was up 15% from May. Year to date, cumulative new business volume increased 10% compared to 2012.
Receivables over 30 days were at 1.4% in June, reaching a new historic low, down from 1.6% in May. Delinquencies declined from 2.4% in the same period in 2012. Charge-offs were unchanged for the past four months at the all-time low of 0.3%.
Credit approvals totaled 78.5% in June, relatively unchanged from May. Fifty-four percent of participating organizations reported submitting more transactions for approval during June, down from 63% the previous month.
Finally, total headcount for equipment finance companies was relatively unchanged from the previous month, and up 1% year over year.
Separately, the Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation's Monthly Confidence Index (MCI-EFI) for July is 59.4, an increase from the June index of 57.3, reflecting industry participants’ increasing optimism despite continued moderate demand for equipment.
ELFA President and CEO William G. Sutton, CAE, said: “Businesses continue to increase spending on capital equipment as evidenced by U.S. government statistics showing three consecutive months’ increase in durable goods orders by American firms. Our June MLFI-25 data confirms this trend: the amount of leasing and financing of business equipment and software continues to grow, while the credit quality of these transactions remains at historic highs. Member companies are optimistic that this trend will continue into the summer months and beyond.”
William Besgen, president and COO, Hitachi Capital America Corp., said, “I believe the trend of increasing new business volume as shown in the recent ELFA industry statistics is a solid reflection of an improving business economy.
We at Hitachi Capital America Corp. are definitely seeing increased activity versus last year in credit applications and new business volume from the over 2000 independent truck dealers throughout the U.S. that we serve, both for new and used vehicles. I feel the small to medium-size businesses that are acquiring this equipment are reinforcing their belief that the overall economy is improving, albeit at a slow, somewhat steady pace.”


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Newspapers and currency are going digital, so is it any surprise that farming is, too?
A representative of Zynga, the social game company behind 4 of the top 5 top Facebook apps of the moment, said this week that the 60 million players of its virtual farming game, FarmVille, have farmed 500 million acres of digital strawberries, corn, watermelons and more. Contrast that with the 930 million acres of actual farmland in America, and that's a pretty sizable chunk of territory.
Oh, and FarmVille has only been out for a year.
It may seem silly to compare a video game to one of the world's largest professions, but the sheer numbers behind FarmVille -- a game in which users essentially mimic farm work for as many as 70 million hours a week -- are astonishing.
Click through to see the entire infographic on Farmville vs Real Farms.


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Wall Street hits 'pause' after two-day surge
- Nasdaq ends at record high as Big Tech roars back
- Sanderson Farms (SAFM) Explores Sale - Report
- Bitcoin (BTC) Cracks $30,000 to Hit 6-Month Low, Here Are Next Targets Lower
- Dollar lower as Powell reaffirms pledge to not raise rates too quickly
- Splunk (SPLK) Lands $1 Billion From Silver Lake, Announces Buyback One Day After Activist Rumors Surface
Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City, U.S., May 25, 2016. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid
News and research before you hear about it on CNBC and others. Claim your 1-week free trial to StreetInsider Premium here.
By Noel Randewich
(Reuters) - Wall Street treaded water on Thursday following two days of strong gains as advancing utilities offset declines in materials, banks and other cyclical industries.
Investors this week have grown more comfortable with expectations the Federal Reserve could raise interest rates as soon as June, with many taking the view that such a hike would reflect improvement in the country's economy.
After gaining 2 percent over the previous two sessions, the S&P 500 traded flat, with a 1.1 percent dip in the materials index <.SPLRCM> partly offset by a 1.06 percent rise in utilities <.SPLRCU>.
"People are taking their foot off the gas after making a bunch of money, and now they're waiting for the next data point," said Phil Blancato, chief executive of Ladenburg Thalmann Asset Management in New York.
In line with other policymakers who have spoken in recent days, Fed Governor Jerome Powell said a rate hike may come "fairly soon" if data confirms the U.S. economy is continuing to grow and labor markets are still tightening.
Data showed that while orders for U.S. durable goods surged in April, business spending plans continued to show signs of weakness, suggesting the manufacturing rout was far from over.
Trading near 16.5 times expected earnings, the S&P 500 appears fairly priced, said Michael Mussio, managing director with FBB Capital Partners. "We’re not expecting any significant increase in earnings for the S&P 500 this year compared to last year," he said.
The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> dipped 23.22 points, or 0.13 percent, to end at 17,828.29 points and the S&P 500 <.SPX> edged down 0.44 points, or 0.02 percent, to 2,090.1.
The Nasdaq Composite <.IXIC> added 6.88 points, or 0.14 percent, to 4,901.77.
Muted volume suggested that some investors had already checked out ahead of an upcoming long weekend, with U.S. stock markets closed on Monday for the Memorial Day holiday.
Just 5.8 billion shares changed hands on U.S. exchanges, well below the 7.2 billion daily average for the past 20 trading days, according to Thomson Reuters data.
Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) shares rose 0.79 percent, providing the largest boost to the S&P 500, while Citigroup (NYSE: C) fell 1.77 percent, weighing most on the index. Discount retailers Dollar General (NYSE: DG) rose over 4 percent and Dollar Tree (NASDAQ: DLTR) rallied nearly 13 percent, both hitting record highs after reporting better-than-expected quarterly profits.
Abercrombie & Fitch (NYSE: ANF) shares slumped 15.67 percent after the retailer posted its 13th straight quarter of sales declines.
Costco Wholesale (NASDAQ: COST) rose 3.58 percent a day after posting quarterly earnings.
In extended trade, GameStop (NYSE: GME) tumbled 7 percent after the videogame retailer reported a decline in quarterly revenue.
Advancing issues outnumbered declining ones on the NYSE by 1,552 to 1,449, while on the Nasdaq, 1,507 issues fell and 1,269 advanced.
The S&P 500 posted 22 new 52-week highs and 1 new low; the Nasdaq recorded 55 new highs and 26 new lows.
(Additional reporting by Ankur Banerjee in Bengaluru; Editing by Dan Grebler and Nick Zieminski)
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Apple Inc. released 5G versions of its lower-finish Apple iphone SE and iPad Air tablet, as very well as a redesigned Mac desktop laptop or computer and more quickly processor, kicking off what is possible to be its most prolific year however for new item releases.
Apple unveiled the equipment through a digital celebration Tuesday that it identified as “Peek overall performance,” wanting to preserve up its momentum following a history-environment getaway quarter that exceeded Wall Street’s anticipations. Main Govt Officer Tim Cook also introduced options to carry Main League Baseball game titles to the company’s Television+ streaming support.
The presentation provided a new Apple processor named M1 Extremely that the firm named the most potent personal-computer chip ever. The product is element of Apple’s yearslong change absent from using Intel Corp. processors in favor of its personal components.
The new desktop computer system, named the Mac Studio, attributes the M1 Ultra chip and is aimed at app developers, photograph editors and movie creators. Apple also unveiled a individual 27-inch observe that is far cheaper than the latest product, coming in at $1,599.
There were being several significant surprises at the event, and the shares slipped considerably less than 1% to $158 immediately after it concluded. They have fallen about 10% this calendar year, in line with a broader inventory slump.
Bloomberg News 1st claimed on the new Apple iphone SE and iPad Air in January of this year and on the Mac Studio computer system and lower-cost monitor in January 2021.
The party was the to start with of what is anticipated to be quite a few merchandise launches this 12 months, with Apple also readying further Macs and iPads, as effectively as the Iphone 14 and new smartwatches. And the corporation may well preview its to start with combined augmented- and digital-truth headset later on this yr.
The new Iphone is Apple’s 1st update to the SE line due to the fact 2020. The design, which will proceed to appear in black, white and purple, will have a a little increased cost: $429, up from $399. But it has 5G network guidance, a quicker A15 processor and other capabilities.
The Iphone SE proceeds to glimpse identical to the Apple iphone 8 from 2017, which includes a property button with Contact ID — instead than the Face ID utilised by better-stop styles. It has a 4.7-inch monitor, making it the smallest Iphone out there. But the addition of 5G can make the machine significantly a lot more competitive in the market and may possibly assist the corporation to entice Android consumers and consumers with older iPhones.
Apple doesn’t split out revenue of specific Apple iphone products, but the smartphone represents its most important moneymaker in general, bringing in above half of its revenue in the past fiscal calendar year, or about $192 billion.
The SE very first debuted in 2016 amid calls for a smaller and much less expensive Apple iphone, and was beforehand up to date at the beginning of the pandemic. On Tuesday, Apple also additional new eco-friendly color choices to the Iphone 13, assisting continue to keep that design in the information until the Apple iphone 14 with an up-to-date design comes later on this 12 months.
The new Iphone SE and $599 iPad Air, which athletics an M1 chip, will be offered for ordering on March 11, just before reaching outlets a week afterwards.
Apple commenced using orders for the Mac Studio and check on Tuesday, forward of its launch on March 18. The edition with the M1 Ultra chip starts at $3,999, although a reduce-end variation is $1,999.
The chip has 20 so-identified as CPU cores, 64 graphics-processing cores and a 32-main neural motor — intended to make it a lot easier for developers to compile code, render 3D graphics and get the job done with online video, Apple mentioned.
(Updates with much more item facts starting off in fourth paragraph.)


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Frontier’s stake in Pulsiv was valued at GBP3.6mln in its most recent annual reports (to the end of June).
Pulsiv, a spin-out from the University of Plymouth, has technology that harvests energy from solar panels using a pulsed-energy extraction technique.
It has raised GBP890,000 in new money through an equity fundraising to accelerate the development and scale-up of its technology to improve the energy efficiency of the power converters used in a wide range of everyday products.
Pulsiv alsoconverted GBP665,000 of existing debt plus accrued interest into equity. This includes GBP500,000 of convertible loans, including GBP50,000 from Frontier IP.
Based on the values used in the fundraising and debt conversion, the whole of Pulsiv is valued at GBP21.8mln.
“Our novel technology is now gaining significant industry interest and the funding will allow us to accelerate development to meet that interest,” said Zaki Ahmed, the technical director of Pulsiv.
Neil Crabb, the chief executive of the intellectual property (IP) commercialisation specialist, said Frontier is “very excited about the possibilities for Pulsiv”.
“The potential use of its technology in a very wide range of industrial applications and consumer products means we believe the company has a very bright future,” Crabb said.


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“Many (such) vehicle owners have re-registered with us after paying tax,” he said. “Since the drive was launched, almost 1,100 vehicles of all categories registered with us. Of these, 40-45 are luxury cars.”
Helmetless riding qualified as one of the highest traffic violations in the first quarter of this year. Figures from the transport department revealed that there were 73,459 violations detected from January to March.
Easy and convenient transport services in Goa look like a far dream since cabbies have objected to the entry of Zoomcar into the state.
ICAT has submitted a detailed report in which it has been revealed that 21 driving schools have been graded average, three below average and four poor.
The move has certainly brought cheer to German auto manufacturer Mercedes-Benz, which has brought in it’s first-ever MPV in the luxury car segment - the V-Class to India as the first launch for 2019.
He said the Air Cargo policy announced on January 15 this year will boost fish exports, adding that the Centre and Goa government would tie up to form clusters to make value-added products.
Though expensive, electric vehicles are believed to be low on maintenance besides being environment friendly.
“Some cars have already come and paid, while others are yet to do so. We had given them a month’s deadline, but some are yet to come forward,” a transport official told TOI.
According to the data, the third quarter of this year saw 76,499 helmet violations, while seatbelt violations were a total of 17,257 detections. This is far more than the number of drunken driving cases which totalled to 2,303 violations.
Citizens will have to pay Rs 151 for two-wheelers and Rs 324 for four-wheelers for the front and rear number plates.
Of the fatalities, 131 were due to riders not wearing helmets. Statistics showed that 1,567 two-wheelers were the impacting vehicles — the ones to hit an obstacle — leading to the death of 167 riders.
The transport department will now investigate such vehicles by finding out whether theirs was a legal registration or done using false address or affidavit.
The director of transport stated that the department has taken cognisance of the large number of outstation vehicles plying in the state, especially high-end luxury ones purchased by local Goan residents, business entrepreneurs and companies based in Goa.
The Goa Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Rules, 2017, details the fees for choice of numbers for transport as well as private vehicles.
Chairman GTDC Nilesh Cabral told TOI that he has moved two different schemes before the government. “Tourism minister Manohar Azgaonkar will speak to the chief minister and a decision will be taken.”


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We keep a lot of sensitive data on our smartphones, which is why it is essential that they are secure. Google is engaged in a never-ending game of cat and mouse with people looking to bypass their security measures. A lot of vulnerabilities making their way into the limelight in recent years prompting Google to create the monthly security bulletin which features patches against the latest security exploits.
However, only a small chunk of devices receive timely security updates as several OEMs are unable to/don't roll out the patches for their hardware. Fragmented security has long been a problem on Android, where phone manufacturers will sometimes ignore products as they age or their use count dwindles. In a move that may finally help address the problem, Google has laid down new rules for OEMs which states a minimum amount of Android security updates they must offer.
The new contract is already in effect for some OEMs
The Verge managed to get a peek at the new contract, which states that an OEM must provide “at least four security updates” within one year of the phone’s launch, with specific terms laid out for the security year of its lifespan as well. At Google, I/O 2018 Google’s head of Android platform security David Kleidermacher stated that the company is working with OEMs to ensure that devices get updates. Until now, Google didn't force companies to update their smartphones with the latest security patches and expected OEMs to follow suit on their own.
The contract applies to any device launched after the 31st of January (about 100,000 activations). Starting from January 31st 2019, Google says that all models will require regular security updates. It’s unclear which OEMs have signed this new contract. If an OEM with a large market share disagrees with some of the terms, the contract may be rewritten.
Device OEMs receive the security patches a month before release but it is common to see devices unpatched for several months on end. To make matters worse, some OEMs have been caught in the past lying about their security. The consequences for violating the agreement are unknown at this point, but it is reasonable to assume that repeat offenders such as Oppo and Vivo might lose their Android license after a point.
News Source: XDA developers


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Belfast 'one of cheapest cities in UK for starting a company'
Belfast is one of the most cost-effective cities to start a business, according to a new survey.
The report by finance firm LDF shows that almost half of businesses polled in Belfast said they chose the location due to the low cost of buying or renting property.
A total of 850 small to medium-sized firms were surveyed across the UK. Businesses said they needed just over £23,000 to get off the ground. That's lower than the UK average of £27,500.
But despite Belfast being a cheaper location to set up shop, around a third of companies said getting funding was the biggest issue when setting up.
LDF managing director Peter Alderson said: "Over 99% of UK private sector firms are made up of small to medium-sized businesses and, whilst this sector is clearly thriving, our survey sheds light on the harsh financial realities faced by start-ups and established businesses alike.
"With over half of SMEs in Belfast stating that they do not find banks to be business friendly, many experts cite that small to medium-sized business owners are instead turning to alternative finance options, as it helps people spread the cost of business investment."


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The ongoing consumption slowdown has taken a toll on auto sales for government-run canteen stores department (CSD).
According to people familiar with the matter, the CSD saw a 50 percent drop in auto sales over the last 3-4 months as a result of the pan-India slowdown. The slowdown resulted in autos revenue falling to Rs 350 crore from Rs 700 crore per month for the CSD, said the people on condition of anonymity.
The government-run canteen stores department, the single largest client for India's consumer goods companies, is also one of the largest dealers of automobiles in India.
In a recent conference call, Maruti Suzuki said that the share of sales to government employees stood at around 20 percent, implying a significant volume is sold via the CSD route. The top-selling carmakers in the mid-sized segment include Maruti, Hyundai, Honda and Mahindra & Mahindra.
As per sources, the CSD could clock about Rs 4,000 crore revenue in auto sales in FY20, much lower than it generated in the last two years. Demand over the last two years was primarily driven by the benefits of uniform pricing following the GST rollout as well as the 7th pay commission. At the end of FY19, the CSD clocked approximately Rs 18,000 crore in sales, with around 35-40 percent coming via the auto sales route.
The CSD currently owns more than 34 depots across India and sells about 5000 SKUs of goods. In response to CNBC-TV18's query, the CSD said that it has "adequate funds to meet the requirements of beneficiaries as in the past."
First Published: IST


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Intel CEO Brian Krzanich spoke at the Maker Faire in San Mateo, California, on Saturday and promised that the next-generation Broadwell processors will ship in time to be used in personal computers sold during the holiday season.
The 14nm Broadwell processor plans have been subject to delays due to technical setbacks.
Krzanich also spoke about the explosion in popularity of wearable tech saying that successful wearables will come from makers who are focussed upon solving their own needs and thus there won't be a single device which is right for everyone. The smartwatches and fitness bands introduced by rivals in the last few months show that such accessories aren't taking off. So the Intel CEO wants to mine the maker movement for inspiration.


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In a move championed by safety advocates, New York City's Mayor Eric Adams is set to approve a groundbreaking initiative aimed at curbing the risks associated with lithium-ion batteries. The city's new legislation focuses on creating an unprecedented, city-administered e-bike trade-in program, specifically designed for lithium-ion batteries.
This initiative will grant New Yorkers the opportunity to exchange their old batteries for newer, certified versions, either free of charge or at a significant discount. Earlier this month, the New York City Council greenlit the program, reflecting its commitment to the safety of its residents.
The urgency for such a program becomes evident when considering the recent statistics. Over the year, the city has witnessed a concerning 175 fires attributed to lithium-ion batteries, which tragically resulted in the loss of 14 lives. One particularly devastating incident occurred in June when a blaze originating from an e-bike repair shop in Chinatown escalated, causing the death of four individuals residing on the floors above.
However, this new initiative distinguishes itself from previous ones. While an earlier scheme required delivery workers to foot a significant portion of the replacement cost, the current program will be primarily funded by the city. This allows for bike replacements at minimal to no expense for the users.
Gustavo Ajche from Los Deliveristas Unidos expressed optimism about the initiative, noting, "This program promises to be a monumental support system for delivery workers across New York City."
But why the urgent emphasis on e-bike battery safety? FDNY commissioner Laura Kavanagh has been vocal about the severity of these fires, emphasizing their explosive nature. She stated, "Rather than a gradual, smoldering fire, these incidents resemble abrupt explosions, producing an immediate, engulfing blaze. Often, the rapid spread and intensity mean that by the time the fire is detected, it's already too late."
Taking measures beyond the trade-in program, the city is imposing a ban on the sale and lease of uncertified e-bikes. This not only places responsibility on physical retailers but also extends to online giants like Amazon, ensuring a citywide adherence to safety standards.
Source: ABC7 New York
Author: Benjamin Dai


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Imagine a cargo ship a quarter mile long, 65 yards wide and capable of carrying 18,000 20-foot containers. Such a behemoth would use a lot of fuel, and spew a lot of pollution, right? Maybe not. The Triple-E ships coming to Maersk Line beginning in 2013 won’t just be the biggest container carriers in the world – according to the company they will also produce “50 percent less CO2 per container moved than the industry average on the Asia-Europe trade.” Now you see why Triple-E stands for “Economy of scale, Energy efficiency and Environmentally improved.”
In addition to beating the industry average on emissions, Maersk said the Triple-E will spew 20 percent less CO2 per container moved than its current environmental star, the Emma Maersk. And it will use 35 percent less fuel per container than the 13,100-container-capacity ships being delivered to other shipping lines in the next few years.
Maersk said it will get 10 of the ships between 2013 and 2015, to be built by Korea’s Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering. The company has an option to order an additional 20 vessels.
As good as all this sounds, we have to wonder: Can cargo haulers ever be considered “eco-friendly”? A 2008 study by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration found “commercial shipping releases roughly 130,000 metric tons of soot per year, or 1.7 percent of the global total – much of it near highly populated coastlines.” Trimming emissions by taking advantage of economies of scale is obviously a good thing, but with global shipping increasing 2 to 6 percent every year, according to the NOAA, the environmental impact of shipping, in sum, seem likely to remain considerable.


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Industry titans unite to unleash Agency Owners’ potential in a global virtual summit hosted by Agorapulse
PARIS (June 7, 2023) – Agorapulse, the leading provider of social media management software, proudly announces the return of its Agency Summit on Wednesday, June 14, 2023. This event promises to unlock the secrets of agency success and showcases over 30+ expert speakers from industry powerhouses like TikTok, Fiverr, LinkedIn, TrustInsights.ai, and Agorapulse itself.
Agency Summit is more than just another virtual gathering. It’s where ambition and inspiration meet for agency owners who reject mediocrity and strive for excellence. The summit lineup reads like a who’s who of the industry’s finest, including visionaries like:
- Jack Appleby, founder of Future Social, with 10+ years in agency life working for Microsoft, Beats By Dre, Verizon, Spotify, Minecraft, Bethesda, Rock Band, and many more
- Tyrona Heath, Director of Market Engagement at The B2B Institute at LinkedIn, after working for Google, IBM, and others
- Matthew Pollard, responsible for five multi-million-dollar business success stories and an international Top 10 Sales Trainer
- Samantha McKenna, an award-winning sales leader and brand ambassador for LinkedIn who has broken 13 sales records, and LinkedIn Sales Insider
But this is not your average gathering of self-proclaimed “gurus” peddling stale advice. Agency Summit is an immersive experience offering:
- Two game-changing keynotes
- Eight mind-expanding workshops
- Four fiercely debated panel discussions
- Thrilling tech talks on the most sizzling industry topics
At Agency Summit, every aspect of running a successful business is covered. From developing solid business models to building strong teams and utilizing the latest marketing technology, we provide insights into navigating the constantly changing digital landscape.
“At Agorapulse, we believe in empowering agency owners to truly work ON their businesses, not just IN them,” affirms Darryl Praill, Chief Marketing Officer of Agorapulse. “We’re not here to merely scratch the surface; we’re here to redefine the rules of agency success. The stakes are high, and the rewards are limitless.”
The Agency Summit is expected to have over 2,500 ambitious agency owners and marketers participating, alongside partners like Meta and TikTok, making it a global phenomenon that will reshape the agency landscape. Whether you’re a newcomer eager to seize the reins of your destiny or a seasoned veteran searching for that extra edge, this is your moment.
Mark your calendars and join the Agency Summit for free at https://agorapulse.com/summit.
Agorapulse is the world’s most trusted social media management solution, used daily by over 31,000 social media managers. Agorapulse provides valuable insights that allow marketers to measure the real impact of their campaigns and prove social media ROI.
With its powerful features, businesses can listen to what customers are saying, engage in meaningful conversations, and track results over time. As a global leader in social media management, Agorapulse sets the gold standard for businesses looking to strategically grow their brands and customer relationships. To learn more, visit www.agorapulse.com.
Director of Communications, Agorapulse


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Tech Thursday – Fake Apple Stores in China? Not That Suprised
If you've been to New York City, you've seen the guys on street corners selling bootlegs of everything from watches to movies. Obviously, those products are not the real deal. But in China, there has been a growing number of fake Apple Stores popping up and then being torn down.


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Three estate dealers purchased bankrupt jeweler David Webb in June for $11 million and plan to “revitalize” the 62-year-old design house.
Two of the new owners, Robert Sadian and Mark Emanuel, run European Arts and Antiques; the third, Sima Ghadamian, is a vintage jewelry dealer. All three were also involved in the November 2009 purchase of legendary jeweler Fred Leighton.
Emanuel says the new regime will hire “first-rate” talent to run the company. He cited his other goals as increasing production at its factories, creating a division to buy vintage Webb items on the secondary market, developing an “authentication model” for Webb pieces, and overseeing a book on the designer’s jewelry.
They also want to bring the company “into the 21st century” by increasing PR and advertising efforts and reaching out to younger consumers. “We want to not only revive old classics, but create new and exciting pieces that are respectful of David Webb but also have relevance for today,” explains Emanuel. The jeweler’s two stores, in New York City and Beverly Hills, will remain open.
Best known for its exotic animal bracelets, the company was founded in 1948 by Webb and Nina Silberstein, and was run by Silberstein and her family after its namesake’s death in 1974. In June 2009, it declared Chapter 11, citing “serious financial difficulties.”
Emanuel vows to honor the brand’s storied history. “David Webb created literally hundreds of iconic designs,” he said. “We take the role of honoring him very seriously. It’s a tremendous name that is recognized all over the world, and we want to do it justice.”


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Sony president and CEO Kenichiro Yoshida, who replaced Kazuo 'Kaz' Hirai' back in April, has confirmed the company plans on releasing next-gen hardware.
Speaking to the Financial Times (via Gematsu), the chief exec claimed it's absolutely "necessary to have a next-generation hardware." Although he stopped short of christening that device the PlayStation 5, it's highly unlikely the company would ditch the globally recognized brand at this point.
While some might suggest Sony's decision to work on new hardware is fairly predictable, Yoshida's comments are notable because he was responding to a question about how the firm intends to address the burgeoning mobile games marketing and shifting consumer habits.
Incidentally, they also come a day after Microsoft unveiled its work-in-progress streaming technology, Project xCloud, which is designed to let people stream and play games on any device of their choosing -- be it tablet, smartphone, or console.
Meanwhile, Sony's other main competitor Nintendo is continuing its push into the world of mobile games, having brought a number of major franchises like Animal Crossing, Fire Emblem, and Super Mario to smartphones over the past two years (though the results have been mixed).


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In preparation of Wednesday's iOS 8 release, AppleInsider dug in and compiled a set of tips and tricks to help iPhone and iPad owners take full advantage of all the new features and functions baked in to Apple's latest mobile OS.
The iPhone is possibly the most popular camera of any kind in the world, and Apple has made a number of improvements to iOS's built-in camera app that give mobile photographers even more control. AppleInsider took a look at how users can take advantage of the new features.
With iOS 8 now available for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, users can for the first time ever install third-party keyboards that can be utilized system-wide for new ways of inputting text and other characters.
Apple's new iOS 8 mobile operating system gives users the ability to add third-party widgets to Notification Center for the first time since the feature's introduction. AppleInsider took a look at what developers can do with the new functionality and how users can take advantage of it.
Once updated to iOS 8, recent iPhones and iPads will play nicely with each other, allowing users to do new functions like answering a phone call or sending an SMS message via their iPhone without having to put down their iPad, or start an email on one device before finishing it on the other.
Apple's voice-controlled personal assistant Siri becomes even more powerful with iOS 8, including an entirely hands-free mode that allows users to ask questions and accomplish tasks by simply first saying the words "Hey, Siri."
The new Surface Laptop Go 2 is a thin and light Windows notebook at a low cost, and has been positioned by Microsoft to be a competitor to Apple's latest M2 MacBook Air. Here's how the ultra-portable notebooks compare.


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Luminar Signals Delay in New Product Commercialization
Lidar manufacturer’s next generation product may be delayed by as much as a year.
March 1, 2022
With a goal of making cars uncrashable, Luminar Technologies (LAZR), a manufacturer of lidar and autonomous driving technology, is signaling its next generation product will be delayed. In its latest 10-K, Luminar revealed its 2021 operating cash burn nearly doubled to $148.4 million and inserted new language revealing its vehicle vision product Hydra will be discontinued:
“We plan to stop new production and shipments of Hydra in 2022 as we transition to newer products.”
Some of the company’s new products will not be ready as soon as the company had previously promised. Luminar’s Hydra replacement Iris— an autonomous driving offering built on the same core technology as Hydra— will not be ready as soon as originally thought. In the prior year’s annual report, Luminar stated it would begin production on Iris in 2022.
In its latest annual report, Luminar inserted new language suggesting the possibility production will not start this year:
“...starting production in late 2022 or early 2023.”
In reiterating the delay later in the filing, Luminar inserted new language providing additional detail regarding the delay:
“...begin commercial deliveries of our lidar-based products, which are not expected to begin until late 2022 or early 2023 and may occur later or not at all as we face challenges setting up outsourced manufacturing.”
Separately, Luminar identified multiple control deficiencies due to its lack of expertise in its accounting and internal audit functions. The problems carry the potential to impact virtually all of the company’s accounts:
“The above material weaknesses have the potential to cause material accounting errors in substantially all financial statement account balances and disclosures if not remediated.”
We note Luminar generously awarded its new auditor Deloitte & Touche a 31% fee increase compared to what the prior auditor was paid the previous year.
Lastly, investors curious about the $29.5 million in stock Luminar awarded its new Chief Legal Officer Alan Prescott are reminded he was poached from Tesla, where he was the company’s General Counsel for the past four years.
Related: TSLA, GM, NVDA, INTC, AMZN, GOOGL
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Mode Lighting are proud to sponsor the annual Ware Fireworks Display – November 7th 2015
In the same town as Mode Lighting Head Office, Ware Fireworks Display is now in its 44th year. This very popular event attracts around 5000 people – an event which was started and run by Ware Round Table for many years. The 2015 Ware Firework Display will take place on Saturday 7th November at its usual location on the corner of High Oak Road and Kingsway.
Gates open at 5.30pm, the bonfire will be lit around 6.30pm and the fireworks display is expected to commence around 7.00pm.
The display is by Fantastic Fireworks and is set to music, and there will be stalls selling hot food and drinks, as well as a funfair.


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“I am pleased to extend the reach of the smart brand into Puerto Rico,” said Jill Lajdziak, President, smart USA. “The smart fortwo will provide the residents of Puerto Rico with a great transportation option that is affordable, offers great fuel efficiency, is perfect for congested island areas and is simply fun to drive.”
The dealership is located at Avenida 65th de Infanteria Km 5.9, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00929 and is part of the Penske Automotive Group, the company that owns the smart USA Distributor LLC. Besides the sales purpose, the facility also offers servicing for smart cars, in order to provide a complete package for the Puerto Rico customers. The smart center San Juan showroom will be open Monday through Sunday, while the service will be open Monday through Saturday.
“We are thrilled with the opportunity to offer the smart brand to customers in Puerto Rico,” said Charles G. Vaillant, Dealer Principal. “We have already received numerous inquiries from customers about the car, and we are ready to start delivering vehicles.”
The smart center San Juan completes the brand’s 78 locations (spread in 36 states and Puerto Rico) U.S. dealer network.


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In an article from February 13th titled, “Cycling Enters the Electronic Age With a New Gear-Shifting System,” the New York Times chronicles the current state of electronic shifting for bicycles with the introduction and race debut of Shimano’s Dura Ace Di2. While marveling at the technology, they do voice the concern of many about how it may be going against the very nature of this human-powered machine called a bicycle.
I didn’t realize that this year’s Tour of California was the debut of the system in competition.
A few other interesting tidbits from the piece that is worth reading and is well written:
- Campagnolo’s electronic system is being held back by the company because of the state of the economy
- Bob Stapleton, owner of team Columbia High Road is a big fan and believes that all high end bikes will be electronically equipped withing three years – if not sooner.
- Many pro racers are still skeptical of the new system, but are being respectful of their sponsor by not voicing their concerns to the public.
- Giant will be introducing a bike designed specifically for electronic components later this year for a price of around $14,000.
Definitely worth a read. Shimano’s Devin Walton is quoted in the article.
Devin, I’d be more than happy to test and review Di2 if the Times is not giving you the exposure you need…


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Abhinay, how did the ICE 2023 show play out on the Quixant booth in London?
ICE 2023 was an incredibly successful show for Quixant and it was impressive to see the whole industry back with a vengeance. This was an exhibition in which we saw a lot of interest both from our land-based customers and from the online sector, which is expanding as the land-based and online markets continue to converge. Plus, as regulations open more markets, sports betting is also a key element in that expansion, with developments in the US market carrying through into Europe. This was highlighted at ICE where we saw a large presence from the sports betting side of the industry.
How did London compare to Vegas?
There had been a lot of conversation at G2E about the potential for a slowdown of the markets due to the recession on the horizon. However, conversations at ICE were wholly positive and demonstrate just how strong gaming markets are holding up, and how many are looking forward to further expansion. This was the overall sentiment of customers at ICE, as they looked to new markets opening up across Europe in the near future. The EMEA market does not appear to be slowing down any time soon.
You launched your latest QMAX product at ICE – a premium Gaming platform powered by Intel. How was this launch received – especially as you’re a business that’s historically been more aligned with AMD?
As a technology company we want to put our customers at the forefront of innovation and Intel’s strategy will help us to achieve those goals. Our QMAX platform is powered by Intel’s latest technology, and is available with a discrete dGPU option, which helps us to provide a range of high performing platforms that complement our existing AMD products. The launch of the new QMAX provides the industry with the ultimate high-performance gaming platform, and with scalable graphics it provides a lot of different options and flexibility for our customers.
We’ve discussed the launch of Qinetic and Quantum at G2E, your new cabinet range, but what was the reception like at ICE?
Our strategy of launching the Quantum and Qinetic range of cabinets is to provide solutions for customers looking for a turnkey option for hardware and software integration, as well as expediating the time it takes them to get their cabinets to market. As the US market is a much more established on the land-based side, our focus has been upon route markets in which there is a need for support and integration. Here we provide the best value and service to our customers.
At ICE it was impressive to see the convergence of online and land-based and I think that’s where we’ve hit the sweet spot. A lot of our customers are looking for solutions to enable their online content to transfer to cabinet solutions. We are partnering with online game developers to help them with that hardware integration so that they can focus on game and online content creation.
We have seen lot of positive opportunities and there is huge market growth as this convergence gathers pace. Throughout the pandemic we saw a lot of expansion in the online content sector and, as markets have opened up, there is strong demand for that content within the land-based market. Quixant’s cabinet strategy is helping with both the hardware and software integration tools to ensure that land based remains strong and successful.
While the cabinets and the new QMAX stole the limelight at the show, with their slick shiny orange designs, you also launched a suite of new software and integration support solutions – how did these go down with visitors?
Over the years the added value that Quixant has provided to its customers is its software support. For our customers, being to optimise their games and hardware is incredibly important, but it’s also essential that they optimise their UI too. We can help our customers with game optimisation and turnkey integration, utilising Quixant software libraries to integrate with hardware to ensure that they can deliver the best possible content to the end user. Taking that a little further, we have looked into how we can speed up the integration process with our software tools, as speed of execution and speed to market is a competitive advantage.
Are we seeing the initial supply chain improvements we expected in 2023, and is this going to be an improving picture as we progress throughout the year?
We are definitely seeing improvements, but I would be cautious in saying that we are out of the woods. Some elements have certainly improved, but we are not back to normal. I think one of the key things we have learned over the last few years is how to adapt to these situations, because the industry had not previously experienced the levels of disruption we encountered during the pandemic. At Quixant, we have learned to adjust, which has put us on a better path when it comes to predicting, forecasting, and helping our clients. It is still a challenge to source some of the more complex components, which is going to continue through Q2 and Q3 before it gets better towards the end of this year. There is light at the end of the tunnel, and we are looking forward to that return to normal.
How much optimism and positivity should we take from the surging crowds at ICE? Is this a positive indicator for the year ahead?
Absolutely. As I said, demand has not fallen, which is the same sentiment we heard at G2E. When we speak to our customers and operators, they have felt the impact of the last two years, but the bounce back has been strong and positive.
Finally, are we still going to be experiencing disruption in 2023, and by that I don’t necessarily mean supply chain-related – if so, from what directions – and where does Quixant fit into the shifting landscape as a solutions provider?
There has definitely been a lot of disruption over the last two years, but at Quixant we have focused on how to adapt and grow. There has not been a significant amount of new product released to the market, which I believe is due to downwards market speculation. However, I think that since G2E there has been a lot of positive sentiment and activity in the market, which is still growing and becoming more consistent.
ICE saw new product innovations from our clients, and the launch by Quixant of the latest QMAX highlights our own focus on product development. We see the same with our turnkey solutions, with many of our customers wanting to focus on game creation, relying on Quixant to serve the market by providing a full turnkey cabinet solution for their content. Online convergence requires a new business model and will be reliant on how technology can serve this sector to deliver their product to market. A lot of our customers are on that journey, searching for new technologies and trying to bring their own innovation to the market. Our focus is on how best we can support them, with next-generation technology.


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It seems you can't finish a book without a new e-reader being announced. The newest way to read books without killing a tree comes from Germany, and if the company, txtr, can get carriers on-board, it'll cost as little at $13, or less that J.K. Rowling's latest book.
Just don't expect the device, called the txtr beagle, to have all the bells and whistles found on offerings from Barnes & Noble and Amazon. The bare-bones e-reader ships sans Wi-Fi. Users will sync books to the Bluetooth-enabled device via an Android app. (An iOS app is currently in development). As one might expect, there's no illumination or touchscreen on the five-inch e-ink device. For power, the tiny beagle uses two AAA batteries instead of an integrated rechargeable. According to txtr, one pair of batteries will get you through 12 to 15 books.
The company is looking for carrier partners to subsidize the e-reader, much the same way they do mobile phones. Thomas Leliveld, txtr chief commercial officer, stated in a press release: "So far network operators have not actively marketed eReading. In our view, this is because of the lack of a suitable device, which matches the crucial conditions relevant to the operator business model."
Engadget reports that txtr is currently in talks with AT&T and Sprint.
We're waiting to hear back from txtr on how much the beagle would cost without a subsidy. Maybe a wallet-busting $25?