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The IMRG Senate Christmas statement makes great reading. Here it is in full:
Christmas is coming and it is going to be bigger than ever this year online with over £13.8 billion to be spent by the UK’s 27 million e-shoppers during the festive season, according to Forrester Research*, which compared to IMRG’s 2006 data is up 42% on last Christmas.
So what is contributing to this huge uplift in spend online? Shoppers are migrating online to find more choice, convenience and better prices. But more than that, the internet is all about independence, immediacy, modernity, attitude; it’s where many people now feel most comfortable. Some 61% of UK homes are now connected to the internet, 15.2 million households, according to National Statistics, and with 84% of online households in the UK using a broadband connection, shopping online has never been quicker and easier. And as well as sales going up, consumers’ confidence in shopping online is also rising.
According to the latest IMRG Customer Service Index by eDigitalResearch and ipoints, confidence in web site security rose two percentage points in the past quarter to 75.6%. Commenting on this Gerald Kitchen, CEO of SecureTrading said that “growth is set to continue as consumers become more comfortable with the security aspects of trading and purchasing online. It was not long ago that consumers were uncomfortable with even purchasing low ticket value items like a CD. Today, we are seeing consumers purchasing items costing thousands of pounds”. The IMRG Customer Service Index also revealed that customer delivery satisfaction had risen to 80.2%.
The demographic profile of the web is changing from the young male dominated scenario of recent years and this is feeding into the sales growth online.
Women aged 18-34 are now accounting for 21% of all time spent on computers in the UK, which equates to 13 minutes out of every hour online, according to Nielsen/Netratings. And there are twice as many women aged 18-34 active online as there are girls under 18 or women over 50. Over 50% of women under 25 now buy clothes online every month.
At the older end of the age spectrum around 30% of total time spent online in the UK is accounted for by the over 50s, with the number of broadband users aged over 55 growing at nearly twice the overall adoption rate among European internet users, according to the European Interactive Advertising Association. Also in the UK internet users aged 55+, the ‘silver surfers’, are the 2nd largest demographic group online, according to Hitwise. The UK internet population is now split almost equally between males (51.5%) and females (48.5%), according to the latest Nielsen/Netratings.
Reflecting this change in profile of online shoppers, retailers are seeing buying patterns altering on their sites and in some cases are opening new departments and product areas to capitalise on these new customers, especially in the run up to Christmas.
Commenting on how sales patterns are reflecting the change in online user demographics, Ulric Jérome, Managing Director of IMRG Member Pixmania says: “We have seen sales growth among the older generation of ‘silver surfers’ and women. They now see the value of technology and have more disposable income than previous generations, meaning technology products are becoming a part of the DNA of their lifestyle. They now embrace technology and understand the ease-of-use and convenience of online shopping better than ever.”
Another IMRG Member, Amazon, have launched four new stores on their UK platform this year and look to capitalise with a broad product range offering in the run-up to Christmas. Brian McBride, Managing Director for Amazon.co.uk said: “2007 has been a great year for Amazon.co.uk. Not only have we seen the launch of four new stores – Sports & Leisure, Jewellery & Watches, Shoes and Baby – but we have seen record breaking sales for the likes of ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows’ and ‘The Exclusive Catherine Tate Comic Relief Special’ DVD. The proliferation of broadband in UK homes is certainly allowing a greater proportion of the UK public the opportunity to shop online. This means that every age group, across both sexes, is now well represented in the share of internet retailing spend. Whilst there are certain areas that have seen accelerated growth, like the so-called ‘Silver Surfers’, there will be a continued strong increase in internet retail spend across all groups of the UK adult population for a good time to come. This promises to be our biggest Christmas on record and we look forward to serving millions of customers with an incredible product selection, at customary low prices and with a delivery option to suit every shopper.”
The strength of the female purchasing power is no better illustrated than at Play.com, where their influence is being felt in the all-important top selling albums for Christmas. Commenting on this Stuart Rowe, spokesperson for Play.com said: “What is going to be number one selling album at Christmas is the burning question on everyone’s lips. It’s looking set to be the battle of the divas, with Play.com already receiving massive pre-orders on Leona Lewis, Kylie Minogue, Celine Dion and the Spice Girls. However when it comes to gifting, anything goes. The Now That’s What I Call Music series always does well with the general public, and Live Lounge 2 and Radio 1 Established 1967 are already proving very popular choices with our customers. If we had to suggest what will be the biggest seller on the site as a gift purchase, we think it’ll be a 3 way fight between Kylie, Leona and Westlife, who should never be underestimated in the Christmas market – last year they took on both Oasis and the Beatles and won. Music is a great gifting option at Christmas. It is affordable, accessible and instantly rewarding.”
Are Christmas sales online heading for another record amount? With more people online, greater choice and availability and even more parcels being delivered than ever before it certainly looks that way. Jonathan Wall, Marketing Manager at dabs.com, observed: “Shoppers continue to use the internet as an easy way to seek out best value, especially at Christmas time when budgets can be tight. Retailers such as dabs.com have used the flexibility of their online store to create special “bundle deals” which offer extra discount and help stretch the festive budget even further.” Val Walker, Royal Mail’s Head of Multi-channel Retail Marketing, said: “Royal Mail is geared up to deliver a record breaking online Christmas and expects to handle more than 100 million gifts and presents ordered on the internet during the festive period. Royal Mail has responded to the needs of the online shopping community, both shoppers and retailers, with the introduction of a new service which improves the delivery experience. ‘Royal Mail Tracked’ enables retailers to provide their customers with a tracking number when the goods ordered are dispatched so that they can track the progress of their delivery themselves. The service also enables retailers to give their consumers the opportunity to specify an alternative delivery point, such as a porch, shed or a neighbour, should they not be at home to receive the item. This new service builds on the success of Royal Mail’s Local Collect service which enables online shoppers, who are not at home to take delivery of an item that cannot be posted through the letterbox, the opportunity to ask for it to be taken to a Post Office branch near their home or work.”
Jo Evans, IMRG’s Managing Director commented: Like a lot of people, I have already begun my Christmas shopping without having to battle with traffic and crowds, by buying online. I have thousands of shops available to me, and if they are displaying the ISIS / IDIS logos, I know they are trustworthy and reliable, and I can shop safely and securely receiving my purchases at home in good time for giving to my family and friends.”
Footnote: * Source: “Europe’s 2007 Christmas: An Online Retail Wonderland”, Forrester Research, October 2007.


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By Jennifer Duke & John McDuling
Australians who thought the Australian Broadcasting Corporation did not accept advertising can easily find brands like KFC, Cadbury and Twinings showing up around some of the public broadcaster’s content. All they need to do is head to YouTube.
While the public broadcaster is restricted from having advertising on its own channels, including broadcast and on-demand app iView, the rules are not as strict for content hosted on Google’s video platform for ABC-branded channels.
Fairfax Media has seen advertisements on the ABC’s numerous YouTube channels from big-name brands like Colgate, Olay, Golden Circle, Dior, Spotlight, Cadbury, Suzuki, Subway and Subaru. These are either pre-roll videos before the content begins or, less frequently, banner advertisements that appear within the video.
The advertisements appear on channels including the ABC’s most-subscribed Triple J, which has more than 710,000 subscribers, and ABC News (Australia) with 330,000.
While these YouTube channels were created about 10 years ago, it wasn’t until after former Google executive Michelle Guthrie began as managing director at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation in April 2016 that the public broadcaster started allowing these advertisements to appear on its YouTube channels.
The ABC would not confirm how much revenue it receives from YouTube advertising since it began putting advertising around its content using the platform in August 2016. Advertising rates vary by channels on YouTube.
“In accordance with the ABC Act, all content on ABC platforms and services is advertisement free,” a spokeswoman for the ABC said. This includes broadcasting services and iView.
“In recent years, the ABC has made some of its content available on third-party platforms and services to ensure we remain relevant, engaging and accessible to all Australians by offering them high-quality and distinctive content when and where they want it,” the spokeswoman said. The ABC also uses Apple News to place advertisements around its content.
“Any cost savings or revenue to the ABC is fed back into the organisation to create and deliver more Australian content to audiences,” she said.
'Limited range of revenue opportunities'
YouTube channels are able to choose not to have advertising on their platform and have access to blocking on categories and specific advertisers. Brands are able to view where their ads have been shown.
Advertisements for gambling, tobacco products, firearms, fire arm clubs and political matters are restricted by the ABC on these platforms.
The ABC licences its news video feed to Fairfax Media (owner of this website), Microsoft and outdoor advertising company oOhMedia, and these companies can place advertisements around the broadcaster’s content.
A spokesman for Communications Minister Mitch Fifield said the ABC was not legally permitted to take advertising on broadcast media “but does have a limited range of other revenue opportunities”.
“The ABC has legislated operational independence and the government has no role in its commercial and partner arrangements,” the spokesman said, noting it was the ABC board’s responsibility to stay in line with the Act.
“The government has instituted a competitive neutrality inquiry to canvass issues raised by commercial media about the operations of the public broadcasters as taxpayer funded and owned entities,” he said.
The competitive neutrality review, which is the result of a deal with One Nation, aims to determine whether the public broadcasters ABC and SBS have any unfair advantage over commercial media companies due to their public funding. The SBS Act allows the SBS to raise revenue by using advertising and sponsorship.
Both broadcasters also face an efficiency review, led by former Foxtel boss Peter Tonagh and former Australian Communications and Media Authority chair Richard Bean, ahead of decisions about government funding.
The ABC’s editorial policy says it should “not accept advertising or sponsorship in relation to content or services offered on … the ABC’s online, mobile, social media or other digital services” other than when they related to the broadcaster’s international television service or are permitted under the ABC Act. The ABC says it is compliant with the Act.

domain: news


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Armed with a degree in economics from the University of Colorado Boulder, Bob Ghent planned to become a ski bum.
Then reality set in.
Today, he’s the owner of Ghent Chevrolet Cadillac in Greeley. He still skis, but he’s in a business where “no two days are ever the same. That keeps you challenged and makes it fun,” Ghent said.
Ghent is a third-generation automobile dealer in northern Colorado. His grandfather opened a Ford store in Fort Collins in 1942. Ghent’s father owned a Ford Lincoln Mercury Jeep store in Fort Collins when he offered to send the younger Ghent to a dealer academy run by the National Automobile Dealers Association in McLean, Va. He liked it so much he decided to make a career out of it.
Ghent bought into his father’s business initially and then bought a Chevrolet dealership in Greeley in 1988. Two years later he built the facility that still houses the dealership, which today includes Cadillac. He has 65 employees.
The business has grown about 20 percent in the last few years, but it was tough going for a while before that.
Hit hard by the economic downturn in 2008, General Motors declared bankruptcy in 2009 and began closing dealerships “left and right” – more than 1,100 across the country, including Colorado – while discontinuing such brands as Pontiac, Oldsmobile and Saturn. Fortunately for Ghent, GM retained Chevrolet and Cadillac as two of its core brands.
“I second-guessed a lot back then,” Ghent recalled. “I had to cut back several areas to make it through, though we didn’t really lay people off.”
Looking back, Ghent says, “when you face adversity, if you can make it through, quite often you come out stronger on the other side. It took some perseverance and some tough conversations. But it’s been better than I could have imagined. I’m so thankful to still be here.”
Ghent Motors has been named a Time Magazine Quality Dealer of the Year in Colorado, a Cadillac and Chevrolet Mark of Excellence Dealer and ranks among Northern Colorado Business Report’s Mercury 100 fastest-growing companies.
He credits his “great employees” and “loyal customers” for the company’s success. And along with that success is what he calls his “responsibility” to give back to the community. Ghent Motors contributes time and money to a variety of organizations including United Way, American Cancer Society, Boys and Girls Club of Weld County, the Greeley Chamber of Commerce and the Weld County Food Bank. On any given Sunday, Ghent and his employees can be spotted cleaning a stretch of Highway 34. The company donates iPads to the Weld County School District’s AVID program for at-risk students.
With the economic crisis behind him, Ghent says the challenges today lie in the regulations that have made the auto business more complicated. “That’s a huge change over years ago. Some are good for the consumer. Some are just an extra burden.”
Whether Ghent will hand down his business to the next generation is still up in the air. His daughter and son have both graduated from Greeley West High School and are now in college. “They have some interest in joining the business. But I couldn’t tell you yet whether it’s a burning desire.”


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Traders relying on the Financial institution of Japan to place a ground below inventory costs could also be upset as the present rout possible falls in need of new thresholds set in March for its exchange-traded fund (ETF) shopping for, findings unveiled by the central financial institution present.
As a part of efforts to make its large stimulus sustainable, the BOJ in March ditched a pledge to purchase ETFs at a set annual tempo and now guarantees to step in solely “when crucial.”
Since then, the central financial institution has purchased ETFs on three days in March, as soon as in April and by no means up to now in Could. That’s nicely under its common look of six days per thirty days final yr.
Some traders have blamed latest inventory falls partly on the absence of the BOJ – the most important proprietor of Japanese shares after its large ETF shopping for spree final yr.
It additionally avoided purchases on Wednesday, when the Nikkei shed 1.91% and the Topix fell 1.47%.
Whereas considerations concerning the restoration of Asian economies have been driving shares down, the BOJ has proven no indicators of supporting the market, stated Takatoshi Itoshima, strategist at Pictet Asset Administration. “That has upset traders,” he stated.
The BOJ has been shopping for dangerous property, similar to ETFs, in addition to authorities bonds to shore up market confidence and pump in cash to revive development. It’s a part of the financial institution’s large stimulus programme aimed toward firing inflation up in direction of its elusive 2% goal.
A better take a look at an evaluation the BOJ launched in March in tandem with the brand new pointers present the hurdle for purchasing ETFs has risen considerably, and focuses not simply on the diploma of value falls however on volatility.
With estimates utilizing two indicators – fairness danger premium implied by choice costs and yield spreads – the BOJ concluded that “the extra unstable the market and the bigger the dimensions of purchases, the bigger the results of ETF purchases.”
The evaluation additionally pointed to survey outcomes exhibiting its ETF shopping for has a extra optimistic impact “in periods of market instability,” such because the Brexit shock in 2016 and final yr’s coronavirus pandemic-triggered rout.
“It is efficient to purchase big sums when markets are severely unstable,” the BOJ stated, signalling that it will take a disaster like final yr’s market crash to justify big ETF purchases.
Within the eyes of BOJ policymakers, markets are removed from a disaster now, nevertheless, with volatility subdued and inventory ranges above development.
The Topix shed 7.5% on Wednesday from its newest peak two months in the past, a lot smaller than a 32.4% droop triggered by the pandemic final March. The Nikkei volatility index (.JNIC) stood round 26, far under ranges exceeding 60 in March final yr.
“The BOJ may purchase ETFs in small parts at occasions, however will not purchase in a approach that props up markets,” stated Izuru Kato, chief economist at Totan Analysis. “It should face a check of its resolve to chorus from intervening available in the market.”
Our Requirements: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.


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South African expatriates who were unable to leave South Africa on account of the lockdown will be relieved to learn the requirements of the foreign employment exemption (Section10(1)(o)(ii)) will be relaxed.
Doing business with women entrepreneurs has never been more vital, as South Africa grapples with the ripple effect of the extended lockdown and economic crisis. The challenge is to connect women business owners with potential corporate buyers.
The 36th Nedbank Cape Winemakers Guild Auction hosted by Bonhams auctioneers made history today with record average prices per case achieved across the board. An unprecedented, challenging year called for an innovative and charitable approach that re
The winners of this year’s Perold Absa Cape Blend competition has been announced, with estates in Stellenbosch, Paarl, Wellington and Tulbagh claiming top honours.
The Western Cape Government is pleased to launch Western Cape Covid-19 Business Relief Fund which commits R27 million to support small businesses in both the formal and informal sectors that have been hard-hit by Covid-19 restrictions.
Stellenbosch-based and family-owned business ABC Security recently launched a campaign to revitalise and boost the local economy in light of the effects the Covid-19-pandemic had on many of its clients.
“Expats who follow shady advice to deregister as taxpayers with Sars [South African Revenue Service] will suffer in the long run,” says Jonty Leon, Legal Manager (Expatriate Tax) at Tax Consulting SA.
Digital payments company Ozow has launched the Ozow Revolution. According to the company, the Ozow Revolution is a visionary effort to make digital payments available to everyone and create greater opportunity to participate in the digital economy –
Boschendal Wines is having a remarkable year with prestigious international recognition from British Master of Wine Tim Atkin.
Scores of Sectional Title (ST) schemes and Home Owners’ Associations (HOAs) around the country are going to be in financial trouble soon if owners don’t start making up the levy payments that were deferred during the hard lockdown imposed earlier this year to impede the spread of the Covid-19 virus.
The middle of a pandemic may not feel like a natural time for a property uptick, but real estate agents around the country are reporting record sales since lockdown restrictions were lifted.
The draft Taxation Laws Amendment Bill (TLAB) was published on 31 July 2020. As announced in the Budget Speech, any South African leaving in future will be subject to a much stricter process from 1 March 2021 onwards.
Daar lê nog ’n lang herstelpad vir die wynbedryf voor.
Suid-Afrika se wyntoerismesektor is van uiterste belang vir die ekonomie en lewensbestaan van meer as 36 000 mense in die land.
The Covid-19 regulations have caused a massive dent in the local economy, with the hospitality industry being one of the most affected.
Hanlie Retief is 'n bekroonde skrywer en aanbieder van 'n Halfuur met Hanlie op Via.
Waldimar Pelser is redakteur van Rapport en aanbieder van 'In Gesprek' op kykNET.
Blouwillem is 'n voorheen bevoordeelde, tans geseënde middeljarige man.
Murray La Vita is 'n bekroonde rubriekskrywer en profielskrywer vir Netwerk24.
Henry Jeffreys is 'n politieke kommentator en voormalige redakteur van Die Burger.
Johann Maarman is eindredakteur by Die Burger en 'n bekroonde rubriekskrywer.
Nathan Trantraal is 'n strokiesprentkunstenaar en digter van Kaapstad.
Leopold Scholtz is 'n vryskutjoernalis en politieke kommentator.
Barnard Beukman is die redakteur van Beeld.
Gert Coetzee is redakteur van Volksblad.
Herman Lategan is 'n skrywer wie se rubrieke in 'Binnekring van Spookasems' gebundel is.
Sonja Loots is 'n dosent aan die Universiteit van Kaapstad en bekroonde outeur.
Sarel van der Walt is 'n joernalis vir Netwerk24 en 'n voormalige Londen-korrespondent vir Media24.
Charles Smith is Netwerk24 se nuusredakteur in Bloemfontein.
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Baidu provides 3 tips for operators looking to support a surge in data connected with the upcoming 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Brazil
With spectators streaming the events worldwide, athletes posting pregame rituals on social media and fans taking selfies in the stands, smartphone activity will be a large part of this year’s Summer Olympics. Data traffic at the Rio Olympic Games is expected to be 50% greater than that of the London 2012 Summer Olympics, not only because smartphone usage has increased, but also because streaming technology has advanced. Understanding user behavior will prove invaluable to mobile application developers as they continue to prepare for the influx of data and app usage during the Olympics.
Below are three key ways that developers and visitors can leverage South Americans’ smartphone usage habits to prepare for the data spike in Rio this summer.
Feeding the battery beasts
Unlike Asia, Middle East, Africa and North America, South Americans charge their phones less frequently than any other region. In fact, 21% of people in South America only charge their phone once every two days – or less. With these figures in mind, smartphone users will need to ensure their devices and batteries are in good enough shape to fully enjoy the games. With mobile phone usage expected to grow during the Olympics, how can operators, developers and city officials ensure a seamless user experience at all times?
One possible solution could be integrating charging stations across Rio so nobody loses power in the midst of posting gold medal updates. Mobile carriers and landline phone service providers plan to implement 180 mobile stations and 40 dedicated coverage stations in Rio de Janeiro for the Olympic Games. These stations have been tested at large gatherings – such as marathons and music concerts – to ensure they work smoothly. Although app developers can’t control the accessibility or quality of these charging stations, they can promote smartphone “health” by integrating battery efficiency technology within their apps.
South American users tend to drain more battery life in the afternoon and evening compared to people in Asia or the MENA region. They can take a page from Asian users, who prefer to invest in portable power banks in anticipation of draining their phone’s battery through selfies and chatting. This usage habit is in stark contrast to the 28% of South Americans who report “doing nothing” when their phones are running out of juice, which is a decidedly ineffective tactic. There also are free apps available that can help automatically manage wasteful system processes to extend battery life.
Rolling out the Wi-Fi red carpet
The 2016 Summer Olympics will draw more than 7.5 million spectators, athletes and coaches to Brazil. That will mean millions of additional smartphones eating up bandwidth on Wi-Fi hot spots and cellular networks. We can anticipate a high demand for voice calls and text messages, a bigger load on social media sites, and more photo and video transmission. City officials have been hard at work building a wireless infrastructure by implementing more than 7,000 Wi-Fi access points and 100,000 local area network portals to accommodate the surge. Mobile operators, on the other hand, are planning to utilize the LTE infrastructure that was laid out as a requirement for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, during which total data traffic reached a record-breaking 26.7 terabytes. Smartphone users traveling to Brazil can rest easy knowing their devices are likely to perform without a hitch, thanks to Rio’s dedication to building the infrastructure to support even the most rabid Facebook and Twitter users.
Pack your bags, hackers
Unfortunately, big crowds also bring big problems in terms of wireless security. Malware threats are likely to occur while fans and tourists absent-mindedly connect to whichever free Wi-Fi network is available or unknowingly download malicious apps. During the 2014 FIFA World Cup, Brazil emerged as the highest-risk city for cybercrime in Latin America, with cyberattacks increasing by an incredible 197%. To stop criminals from intercepting users’ personally identifiable information through an unsecured Wi-Fi connection or malware app, developers and operators must consider adding extra layers of security and having an action plan in place in case of a breach. By providing this additional layer of protection, they can prevent hackers from setting up shop during this particularly high-risk time.
As Rio prepares for the Olympic torch to arrive, app developers and mobile carriers alike are getting ready for the data spike by taking a deeper dive into South Americans’ smartphone habits. Apps such as SnapChat and WhatsApp, for example, will likely be keeping these findings in mind to stay on top of the anticipated data surge from an estimated 500,000 international visitors. Do you think Rio is ready for an unparalleled amount of data?
Editor’s Note: In an attempt to broaden our interaction with our readers we have created this Reader Forum for those with something meaningful to say to the wireless industry. We want to keep this as open as possible, but we maintain some editorial control to keep it free of commercials or attacks. Please send along submissions for this section to our editors at: email@example.com.


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Thriving in the digital age: four strategies to enable supply chain productivity
Published: 19 Jul 2019
It has been advocated that ‘supply chains compete, not individual firms’ for over 30 years, but this often fails to be the case in practice. Jan Godsell, Professor at the University of Warwick, asks why this is so difficult to achieve, and why advances are on the horizon


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In a world where technology evolves at lightning speed, Apple has consistently managed to stay at the forefront of innovation, setting new standards with iteration of their iconic iPhone series. The recent unveiling of the iPhone 15 Pro is no exception, as it once again pushes the boundaries of what a smartphone can achieve. The iPhone 15 Pro takes the concept of a versatile device to new heights, boasting an array of features that redefine user expectations. At first glance, its sleek and refined design captivates with its seamless integration of glass and metal, while the introduction of exciting new colors adds a touch of personalization for users to choose from. At the heart of the iPhone 15 Pro lays Apple’s latest A15 Bionic chip, a marvel of engineering that delivers unparalleled processing power and energy efficiency. This chip not only ensures lightning-fast performance for all tasks but also enhances AI capabilities, enabling more sophisticated and personalized user experiences. From image processing to augmented reality applications, the A15 Bionic chip is a testament to Apple’s dedication to pushing the boundaries of what is possible in mobile computing.
The display of the iPhone 15 Pro is a sight to behold. The ProMotion XDR display technology offers a refresh rate that dynamically adjusts from 10Hz to 120Hz, ensuring silky-smooth interactions and incredibly vibrant visuals. With deeper blacks, brighter whites, and a wider color gamut, the iPhone 15 Pro sets a new benchmark for smartphone displays, making everything from streaming high-definition content to editing photos a delight for the senses. Photography enthusiasts will be delighted with the groundbreaking camera system on the iPhone 15 Pro. The triple-lens setup, enhanced by AI and computational photography, delivers stunning results even in challenging lighting conditions. The Ultra Night mode has been further refined, while the introduction of ProRAW+ brings professional-level editing capabilities to users directly within the native camera app.
The iPhone 15 Pro also takes connectivity to the next level. With 5G capabilities, users can experience lightning-fast download and streaming speeds, ushering in a new era of mobile connectivity. Additionally, the device supports Wi-Fi 6E, ensuring seamless and fast connections even in crowded networks. Security and privacy remain paramount in the iPhone 15 pro, with features like Face ID advancing to new levels of accuracy and speed. Apple’s commitment to protecting user data is further reinforced with on-device AI processing for voice recognition and language processing, reducing the need for data to leave the device. In conclusion, the iPhone 15 Pro is more than just a smartphone; it is a testament to Apple’s relentless pursuit of excellence in technology. With its unparalleled performance, stunning display, advanced camera system, and cutting-edge connectivity, it raises the bar for what a smartphone can achieve. As technology enthusiasts and Apple fans eagerly get their hands on this ultimate device, it is clear that the iPhone 15 Pro will shape the future of mobile technology and solidify Apple’s position as an industry leader.


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FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. – The Fort St. John Salvation Army is asking donors to drop off donations during the hours that they are open after having to deal with a bit of a mess in recent weeks.
Cpt. Sheldon Feener with the Salvation Army says that on the past two Mondays, thrift store staff have had to clean up a pile of items near the store’s back door, and have had to throw the goods into the garbage. This morning’s pile took four staff members roughly 45 minutes to clean up.
Feener says that the thrift store, which is run entirely on donations from the public, is incredibly appreciative of the community’s willingness to generously donate items. However, he adds that the store can only accept items that are dropped off while the store is open.
Community Interviews with Moose FM
Feener explains that items that are dropped off after hours outside the store are exposed to both the elements, and other contaminants. He says that animals often either urinate or defecate on the items, or will destroy them by sheltering in, or clawing the items. He says that people also often rummage through the items and can break them. Though the store used to have after hours donation bins set up, Feener says that staff too often had to sort through a large number of broken and unusable items, and so discontinued using the bins.
Feener says that donations can be warmly received by the thrift store Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.


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Chinese shoppers snapped up a record $30.7 billion of merchandise Sunday through e-commerce giant Alibaba, in celebration of a recently invented holiday called Singles Day, China’s equivalent of the U.S.’ Black Friday. Western celebrities including singer Mariah Carey and model Miranda Kerr were on hand to encourage the orgy of online consumerism.
Sales hit $1 billion in a blistering 85 seconds, and rose 27% overall this year. Yet as China grapples with a slowdown in its economy and a trade war with the U.S., the growth figure marked the slowest annual increase in the event’s 10-year history, down from 39% last year.
Alibaba’s New York-traded shares doubled in 2017, but this year are down 16%. Pre-opening Monday, the shares were largely unchanged.
The made-up holiday began as an unofficial day for singletons because its Nov. 11 date was playfully deemed a reference to “bare branches,” a colloquial Chinese term for bachelors. Written in Chinese, “11-11” looks like a parade of four bare tree limbs. Alibaba co-opted the day a decade ago and expanded it into what is now the world’s biggest online retail event, with sales this year surpassing the combined totals of Black Friday and Cyber Monday in the U.S. Other Chinese firms, including online rival JD.com and retailer Suning, now also have Nov. 11 sales, with JD pulling in its own record of nearly $23 billion in sales Sunday.
Alibaba has pushed to make the lead-up to the day a media event in its own right. This year it used its online video platform Youku to stream a celebrity-studded gala Saturday night to stir up a buying frenzy for the next day.
Carey sang her songs “Emotions” and “Hero” before chatting awkwardly with the host about her online shopping habits, while Kerr plugged her skincare line before attempting to sing a few bars of a popular Chinese song. Cirque du Soleil performers did a shopping-themed number. Beyonce may not have been available, so Alibaba made do with a plus-sized Japanese Beyonce impersonator, the comedian Naomi Watanabe, who strutted her stuff in a fringed gold leotard and flowing blonde tresses, while belting out a plausible rendition of “Crazy in Love.”
This year marks the last Singles Day led by Jack Ma, Alibaba founder and leading light. Ma announced in September that he would step down from his role as the company’s chairman next year.


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Post Number: 84
|Posted on Tuesday, January 09, 2007 - 12:32 pm: || |
During Winter Blast, get discounts at Detroit's hottest restaurants
January 9, 2007
By ERIN CHAN
FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER
If the only thing keeping you from dining on lobster at swanky Seldom Blues or downing Porterhouse steak at upscale Coach Insignia is a fear of the bill at the end, then take a Sharpie marker and circle the following dates on your calendar: Feb. 8, 9, 10 and 11.
During those four days and nights, all of the food at Seldom Blues, Coach Insignia and dozens of others of Detroit restaurants will be on sale.
In a kickoff to and partnership with the Winter Blast, a collection of Detroit’s hottest restaurants will offer 15% to 30% off the entire food order to anyone participating in a free program called “Metro PCS Dine in the D”. All it takes is a downloaded Internet coupon and a call ahead to make a reservation.
It will be the closest thing to a Restaurant Week that Detroit will have.
The idea for Dine in the D came from the constantly active mind of Winter Blast producer Jon Witz, who is working with organizations like the Detroit Convention and Visitors Bureau to turn the popular festival into a citywide, statewide and regional attraction — and to so by pairing it with the food and cultural offerings of Detroit.
“It is a huge deal,” says Witz of Dine in the D. “I think that it is, without question, the most viable opportunity to share the Winter Blast capital with other Detroit entertainment venues, and one where we can have a big impact.”
Other venues, like the Fox and Gem Theatres, are also offering discounts during Winter Blast weekend, and an effort is underway for Detroit’s shops to do so, as well. But the most widespread effort thus far lies with the restaurants.
Though establishments like Opus One, Sweet Georgia Brown, Andiamo Riverfront, the Caucus Club and several more eateries are also offering discounts of 15%, 20%, 25% or 30% off food orders, it’s not just the city’s fine dining restaurants that are participating.
Favorite food hangouts like Traffic Jam and Snug, the Town Pump and the Majestic have also committed to the program. Hockeytown Café and Cheli’s Chili are in, too.
So far, about 30 restaurants have said they will participate, but Witz projects the final number to rise to 75 by Blast time.
He adds that the title sponsor, Metro PCS, will provide funding for staffing the program as well as promotional materials like T-shirts and buttons. The restaurants have also agreed to donate a $50 or $100 gift certificate as a raffle prize for Dine in the D diners to win dinner in Detroit for a year. If the program goes well, the hope is that it may eventually expand to a week or more.
Frank Taylor, chairman of Southern Hospitality Restaurant Group, which owns Seldom Blues, Sweet Georgia Brown and three other Detroit restaurants (Detroit’s Breakfast House and Grill, Grand City Grille and The Woodward), says a willingness to slash prices for a few days is a long-term investment in potential patrons.
“You look at what you do, and you’re driving a business,” he says. “You’re going to have people walk in the doors, and you give them another incentive to come to your restaurant. If you get them in, and do the right stuff, hopefully, you’ll hook them.”
He also welcomes the spirit of togetherness the program has brought to many of Detroit’s restaurateurs and views Dine the D as something that can benefit them all.
“When people are too competitive, and should I say, a little envious of each other, that’s when it doesn’t work,” Taylor says. “We really need to pull for one another in a tough economy. In Michigan, I think restaurants need to cheer for each other.”
Other cheers might arise when the food check arrives, and there’s a sizable dollar amount subtracted from the total.
Copyright © 2006 Detroit Free Press Inc.
http://freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll /article?AID=/20070109/FEATURE S02/70109016


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Walmart is the Latest Brand to Embrace the TV Revolution
Walmart is the latest brand from outside the traditional entertainment business to enter the TV arms race, following in the footsteps of Amazon, Facebook, Apple and Telefonica. Brands in every industry consider TV and TV-like media experiences – particularly original scripted series – as the key way to engage millennial and Gen Z audiences who can't be reached via traditional marketing channels.
Close to 500 scripted series aired in 2017 (a number that's more than doubled since 2010), across a diverse range of channels, from traditional broadcast television to streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu and Amazon. Scripted programming on average captures 35% of TV consumption for millennials globally, and TV viewing in Europe "remains at a historically high level", revealed Frédéric Vaulpré, vice-president of French research firm Eurodata, at this year's MIPTV festival.
Now Walmart may be joining the competition for consumer attention. Anonymous sources have suggested to US tech blog The Information that the US retailer is considering a streaming platform aimed at middle America. Walmart believes there's an opportunity to offer a cheaper service to this audience, considered underserved by the dominant streaming platforms, Netflix and Amazon.
Walmart may be influenced by the way Spanish telecommunications giant Telefonica has diversified beyond its core business and into original TV programming. Via its PayTV company Movistar+, Telefonica is investing €70m ($81m) a year in 10-12 shows, particularly high-end drama series, in a bid to attract more customers. "We want to offer our clients something unique and distinctive," commented Movistar+'s head of content, Domingo Corral, in an interview with UK marketing blog The Drum. "One way is original programming – it is a very powerful tool."
For more on the changing world of TV, see our The Future of Television report.


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Ethan Zuckerman, an activist for economic development in Africa and a research fellow from the Berkman Center for Internet and Society at Harvard Law School, reports about a new project called mPedigree, to fight pharma fakes in the developing world with cellular phones:
Friends of mine are working on a new project in Ghana designed to combat pharma fakes. The project, called mPedigree, seeks to build a system first in Ghana, and then throughout Africa, that tracks drugs from their original producers all the way to the pharmacy shelves, allowing each buyer in the chain to ensure that they’re dealing with a legimate product. The idea of this system comes from the ePedigree system being implemented to track medications in the US using RFID tags.
It’s probably prohibitively expensive to put RFID tags on every box of medicine coming into Ghana. But a system that takes advantage of the ubiquity of mobile phones in Ghana, allowing a purchaser to check whether the pills she’s buying in a pharmacy are registered and tracked would be a great use of appropriate technology to tackle a difficult problem. That’s what mPedigree proposes to do. The project is being implemented by a very new company called Syncrytel, which has spun out of a social entrepreneurship project at Dartmouth’s Thayer School of Engineering.


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Severe weather warnings or watches in effect for:
Latest North News Headlines
Ship was lost in 1845 in a Nunavut bay
Parks Canada underwater archeologists explore the wreck off the coast of Nunavut
First Nations teens in the Yukon have taken traditional hunting paths and turned them into acclaimed mountain bike trails.
A Ryerson University student has built an greenhouse on the Arctic Circle that allows people in the far North to grow fresh produce.
Top News Headlines
- Frustrated with food prices, woman makes 1,000 km grocery trip for Christmas dinner
- Man in a onesie sleeps over at a grocery store, raises $11,000 for food bank
- On 90th birthday, N.W.T. trapping legend Pi Kennedy reflects on a life in the bush
- Fox vs. frozen mop: Nunavut girl, 17, claims victory over nighttime visitor
- Nunavut hunter's caribou giveaway prompts flood of online love for elders


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Harley-Davidson will not have to pay $US3 million to retrofit or replace wood-burning household appliances with cleaner stoves to offset excess emissions.
Yes, you heard right!
That was part of a contentious US court ruling in 2016 when the American icon was fined $US12m for fitting aftermarket Screamin’ Eagle tuners which were found to emit illegal amounts of pollution.
On top of that fine, the US court also ruled that Harley had to pay for cleaner household appliances; quite a controversial decision.
And now it seems U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan agrees and has dropped the controversial $3m payment.
Back in 2016, Harley-Davidson told us customers did not have to return bikes to have the Screamin’ Eagle Pro Super engine tuners.
As part of a resolution of the issue, Harley only agreed to offer to buy back the tuners from dealerships. There was no requirement for customers to return them.
In Australia, there was no buyback and nothing to prevent their continuing sale as they are marketed and sold on the basis that they are for use only in racing or competition.
Harley does not state that the turners are legal for road use. If they are used for road use, it can affect the owner’s warranty.


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While artificial intelligence (AI) stocks were all the rage in the first half of the year, they’ve cooled off since July. This pullback was likely necessary, as the market was trading too much on hype rather than actual results.
Still, there are a few AI stocks worth buying right now, and these three are at the top of my shopping list.
Alphabet (GOOG -0.40%) (GOOGL -0.38%) is one of the best AI investments available. Whether you’re looking at it from a search, advertising, or cloud computing perspective, AI plays significant roles in its business. That reflects CEO Sundar Pichai’s 2016 statement that Alphabet was going to be an “AI first” company.
The business is also a sleeping giant. In the second quarter, its revenue only grew 7%, but that’s because the advertising business is still recovering from the decline in marketing spending caused by recessionary fears. As a whole, the company’s ad revenue only increased by 3% in Q2.
But Google Cloud was a different story — its revenues rose at a brisk 28% pace, making it the fastest-growing cloud computing segment among its primary competitors.
Furthermore, Alphabet’s profitability increased slightly in Q2, reflecting the impact of its layoffs and other cost-cutting efforts. Its operating margin rose by 1 percentage point year over year to 29%. That was helped along by Google Cloud’s newfound profitability — the past two quarters were the segment’s first in the black. So while the advertising market slowly recovers, Alphabet is still growing its business incrementally. Once ad revenue starts to grow again meaningfully, Alphabet could be the top-performing big tech stock.
With the stock only trading for 23 times forward earnings, it’s also a bargain. The combination of Alphabet’s dominance in its existing businesses and the potential upsides from its AI investments make it a no-brainer buy right now.
Cybersecurity has never been more critical for businesses. With cyberattacks becoming more severe and common, businesses of all sizes must protect network endpoints like servers, laptops, and phones. That’s where CrowdStrike (CRWD -1.10%) enters.
CrowdStrike is an AI-first security platform that uses trillions of signals collected weekly across its client base to analyze computing activity. If it detects an anomaly, it can quickly shut down a breach before the incursion does further damage. After an attempted attack happens, information about the activity pattern is shared across the CrowdStrike platform, helping protect other clients from future attacks of the same variety.
CrowdStrike calls this product its Falcon platform, and it deploys a segment of AI known as machine learning that uses new information to adjust and improve the operating model automatically. While endpoint protection is CrowdStrike’s bread and butter, the company has more than 20 additional offerings spanning other cybersecurity areas like threat intelligence and identity protection.
CrowdStrike is still relatively young and growing rapidly, as demonstrated by its 42% annual recurring revenue growth rate. However, it is starting to transition into a profitable company. It posted its first positive earnings per share number in its fiscal 2024 first quarter, which ended April 30. While the profit was relatively small — just $491,000 on $693 million in revenue — it was a solid start.
With CrowdStrike growing rapidly and becoming profitable, it looks like a top AI stock to buy right now.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing
You need the most powerful chips available to power all of these AI workloads. If you’re looking for the best, look no further than Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (TSM -0.41%). It’s far and away the leading third-party contract chip fabricator, making chips for companies including Nvidia, Advanced Micro Devices, and Apple. While the chips it manufactures using its 5nm (nanometer) and 7nm process technology are the most potent varieties available, it will soon launch production of chips made with 3nm process technology, and these more powerful and energy-efficient chips should be highly valued.
Although the world is in a bit of a chip demand downturn thanks to weaker consumer demand for technology, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing has excellent long-term potential. Wall Street analysts expect its revenue to decline by 12% this year but to rise by 23% in 2024. Furthermore, the 3nm chips will finally start contributing to the top line, where they will balance out all the resources the company spent on R&D for the new process node.
Because TSMC is a cyclical company, its stock trades at a discount to many big tech companies.
With the stock only trading for 18 times forward earnings, it looks like a great buy. However, if you look at the projections for a little bit further into the future, you’ll see that the stock trades for 15 times expected 2024 earnings. So by accepting a little bit of short-term pain, you can own a stake in a company that plays a vital role in developing cutting-edge AI technologies. Additionally, with the best GPUs and smartphones being powered by chips made by Taiwan Semiconductor, it’s also supported by strong consumer demand.
Taiwan Semiconductor makes for a great buy if you’re looking for an AI investment, but you’ll have to maintain a long-term mindset (at least three to five years) for the purchase to work out.
Suzanne Frey, an executive at Alphabet, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. Keithen Drury has positions in Alphabet, CrowdStrike, and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet, Apple, CrowdStrike, Nvidia, and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.


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Business newspaper Barron’s crowns Gamestop and Microsoft as great companies during 2006.
Barron’s, the business magazine that recently named Nintendo Chief Executive Satoru Iwata as one of the top 50 CEOs for 2006, has returned with a ranking of the top 500 companies for the past year. Videogame retailer Gamestop placed 16 on the list, beating out the 21 ranked Microsoft.
Each company is listed alongside a report card of its performance. Gamestop, who failed to rank in 2006, received two “A”‘s for increasing sales growth (buoyed by the hype surrounding the new console launches) and the 52-week stock return (approximately 43 percent during 2006). Microsoft lagged behind in both categories, scoring a “B” for its stock gains and a “C” for its slowing growth attributed to the preparation period prior to Vista’s launch in 2007. Based on a four-point grade scale, Gamestop received a 3.5, edging out Microsoft’s 3.25.


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The internet auctioneer eBay is to spin off its global online telephone business, Skype, through a stockmarket flotation which will end an unhappy four-year relationship between the two companies.
EBay announced tonight that it intends to separate Skype through a public offering of shares by the first half of 2010. Based in Luxembourg, Skype has 405m users and its low-cost service accounts for 8% of the world's international phone calls.
The move follows a year-long review which concluded that Skype has little in common with eBay's core auction business or with its payment operation, PayPal. The decision to opt for a flotation is a surprise, coming after reports that Skype's Scandinavian founders were keen to buy the business back.
"Skype is a great standalone business with strong fundamentals and accelerating momentum," said eBay's chief executive, John Donahoe. "But it's clear that Skype has limited synergies with eBay and PayPal."
Established in 2003 by entrepreneurs Niklas Zennstrom and Janus Friis, Skype has become hugely popular among expatriates and cost-conscious businesses around the world by offering cheap online voice communications. Calls between users are free while those to non-users are charged at a few pence per minute.
California-based eBay bought Skype in 2005 for $3.1bn, envisaging that it would smooth internet auctions by allowing buyers and sellers to communicate more easily. But eBay struggled to make money out of Skype and has since admitted that it vastly overpaid, writing down the value of the business by $1.4bn in 2007.
Skype's popularity has rocketed – its database of users has grown sevenfold since eBay bought it and its revenue rose by 44% to $551m last year. At peak times, 14 million people use Skype simultaneously and a Skype application has become one of the most popular add-ons for Apple's iPhone.
EBay embarked on an evaluation of Skype following the retirement in March last year of the auction company's veteran boss Meg Whitman, who is now pondering a run for governor of California.
Among experts, there was swift scepticism at the prospects for a successful public offering. Gregory Lundberg, founder of Commresearch, said: "The very first thing I have to say is market conditions currently would not support an IPO of Skype."
He said 2010 was "equally questionable" unless Skype's iPhone and Blackberry applications radically improved the business's financial prospects.
The technology industry has suffered from a downturn in spending on consumer electronics and business computing as customers get squeezed by the downturn. But there was a sign of improvement last night as the chip maker Intel put a gloss on first-quarter profits that slumped from $1.44bn a year ago to $647m.
"We believe PC sales bottomed out during the first quarter and that the industry is returning to normal seasonal patterns," said Intel's chief executive, Paul Otellini. The figures did beat Wall Street's expectations of an even more dire performance.


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Tuesday, January 25, 2011
© Copyright 2013
Gwinnett Daily Post
LAWRENCEVILLE — The Gwinnett Daily Post Wellness Expo will come to Discover Mills next month.
The free expo will feature several local businesses and vendors, including weight loss centers, healthcare providers, wellness centers and nutritional products. Sponsored by the Daily Post, the all-day event will take place on Feb. 5.
Between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. at the Discover Mills food court, shoppers are invited to sample, enjoy and learn about the wide range of products and services. Discover Mills is located at 5900 Sugarloaf Parkway in Lawrenceville.
For more information, visit www.gwinnettdailypost.com.


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The extended relationship increases search relevancy and decreases search abandonment among eCommerce consumers.
Today, at NRF which is one of the largest events in the retail industry, Lucidworks and Google Cloud announced a substantial extension of their cooperation. Lucidworks paired their Fusion technology with Google Cloud’s Retail Search (GCRS) service to enhance online product discovery. In particular, when paired with Google Cloud Retail Search, Lucidworks Fusion’s Deep Learning technology orchestrates Google Cloud’s search and shopper intelligence educated on queries and events to provide deeper relevance across the whole shopper journey.
“Lucidworks’ expanded partnership with Google Cloud unifies our best-in-class solutions to give eCommerce brands the solution they need to drive conversions and delight shoppers,” said Mike Sinoway, Lucidworks, CEO. “The combined solution allows retailers to tame growing assortments and respond deftly to consumers using more complex language when searching.”
According to data conducted by Google Cloud, search abandonment (when a consumer looks for a product on a retailer’s website but does not find it) costs retailers over $300 billion yearly in the United States alone. Almost two-thirds of shoppers indicated that the search feature is crucial to their customer experience. Forty percent of customers also indicated that they have a bad opinion of a retailer if their search does not yield the desired results. The brand’s reputation and the number of customers converted depend on a meaningful shopping experience.
Content, service and commerce operations comprise the total retail commerce trip. Google Cloud’s top product discovery solution is activated and unified by Lucidworks Fusion, which also contributes industry- and customer-specific knowledge. Using Google Cloud’s search capabilities in conjunction with Lucidworks’ Deep Learning technology and expertise working with hundreds of big retailers and B2B enterprises, users can optimize their entire relationship with Google Cloud.
“Providing a relevant and personalized shopper experience, regardless of channel, is an age-old industry-wide challenge that only gets more difficult as consumer expectations increase,” said Carrie Tharp, VP of Retail and Consumer Solutions at Google Cloud. “Lucidworks’ new Google Cloud Retail Search integration combines Fusion’s ability to customize and experiment with Google Cloud’s quality precision and semantic understanding to serve up the most relevant results and recommendations to shoppers.”


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Receive Bitcoin Price predictions, forecasts, news, alerts and updates from bitcoinprice.org
Bitcoin Price Chart in Bangladeshi Taka
Bitcoin Market Capitalization
Bitcoin Regulation and Bitcoin Tax in Bangladesh
The Bangladesh government seems to be on a failed mission to ban Bitcoin in Bangladesh. The Bangladesh Central Bank has issued a notice with a blanket ban on Bitcoin in the country. The notice states that ‘Bitcoin is not an authorised and legal currency in any country in the world.’ Incorrect as it is accepted as a legal currency in such countries as Japan and Sweden for example.
“Transaction with this currency may cause a violation of the existing money laundering and terrorist financing regulations,” says the notice.
Efforts to clamp down on Bitcoin usage include warnings to the citizens and financial institutions in Bangladesh that trading in Bitcoin is a crime and punishable.
An official from the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) has stated that, “Banks and other financial organizations of the country have been ordered to maintain a strict vigil on cryptocurrency trading. A circular will soon be sent out detailing the matter,” adding “There is no way to purchase these currencies legally through banking channels. Cybercrime investigators are working on the matter.”
According to the Dhaka Tribune, investigators from the BFIU “have already begun to look for bitcoin traders,” with the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) allegedly aiding said investigations. Officials representing the BFIU and BTRC have held four meetings regarding cryptocurrency so far.
Nazmul Islam, the assistant deputy commissioner of Bangladesh’s cybercrime unit has stated “We have already located a few bitcoin users, and are on the hunt for more, along with a few web pages which are being checked for authenticity. Investigating cryptocurrency trading is a complex matter.” A high ranking official from Bangladesh’s central bank also indicated that the country’s Foreign Exchange Police Department, among other state institutions, is actively monitoring bitcoin – with a report soon expected to be delivered to the Ministry of Home Affairs regarding the impacts and potential policy ramifications of virtual currencies.
Despite this attempt to crack down on Bitcoin users the trading of Bitcoin in Bangladesh is still popular and continues to this day. Peer to peer buying and selling and phone exchanges are used and there is nothing to stop people buying and selling ‘off shore.’
Like S. Korea, Bangladesh has undergone a knee jerk reaction and quite likely Bangladesh, like S, Korea, will eventually perhaps relax its hard line stance and come to the party in the not too distant future.
This article will be updated as news unfolds. This article is for information purposes only and is not to be construed as financial information for any purposes such as investment or speculation and it is the responsibility of the reader to perform proper due diligence before acting upon any of the information provided. We recommend that you consult with a licensed, qualified investment advisor before making any investment decisions.


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Following the debut at the 2013 Detroit Auto Show, GM announced that the first 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray (with the VIN number ending in 0001) will be auctioned off at the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale collector car auction this weekend.
The proceeds from the auction will go to benefit the College for Creative Studies in Detroit.
“The new Stingray features a modern, dramatic design that will inspire a new generation of Corvette enthusiasts,” said Ed Welburn, GM vice president of global design. “With the proceeds of the new Stingray going to the CCS, the new Corvette will also help cultivate the next generation of designers who may work on modern, dramatic Chevrolets in the future. In fact more than 170 CCS alumni already work in the GM Design studios.”
The sale is scheduled for Saturday evening, Jan. 19. If interested, you can submit bids in person at the auction or online at www.barrett-jackson.com.
– By: Omar Rana


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Micromax unveiled the A116 Canvas HD with a 5-inch (1280 x 720 pixels) HD IPS display and a 1.2 GHz Quad-Core Processor last month. It was expected to go on sale in the first week of February, but later it was delayed till feb-end, now they have announced that the phone would go on sale from February 14th. The phone runs on Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean) and packs a 8MP rear camera with LED Flash and a VGA front-facing camera.
Micromax Canvas HD A116 Specifications
5-inch (1280 x 720 pixels) HD IPS 16.7 million color display
1.2 GHz Quad-Core MediaTek MT6589 Processor
Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean)
Dual SIM (GSM + GSM)
8MP rear camera with LED Flash, VGA [ 0.3MP ] front-facing camera
3.5mm audio jack
1GB RAM, 4GB internal memory, 32GB expandable memory with MicroSD
3G, WiFi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth, GPS/A-GPS
2100 mAh battery
Still there is no exact pricing, but as Micromax already said, it would be priced below Rs.15,000. Micromax partnered with Snapdeal for A110 pre-bookings, this time Micromax has announced that the A116 would be available only on micromaxinfo.com from 14th February. Looks like they’ll start the pre-bookings for the phone soon.
Below are Some Images of Micromax Canvas HD A116.NOTE - "theAAA Team" tag which you can see in those Images are our Previous Tag. "theAAA Team" aka "Aman And Android" is now "TechDroid." So the Images are still our Copyrighted material. No Steel.


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Elon Musk Says Tesla May Build Second Plant in Texas
April 11, 2013 11:01 PM
comment(s) - last by
This likely has a lot to do with the potential passing of a new EV bill in the state
Tesla CEO Elon Musk is currently fighting for
an electric vehicle (EV) bill
to pass in Texas, and to sweeten the pot, he has mentioned building a second plant in the Lone Star state.
"When we do establish a manufacturing plant outside of California, Texas would be a leading candidate for that," said Musk.
Musk is even trying to appeal to Texan consumers by discussing a design for an electric pickup truck that would be stronger than any current gasoline truck.
"I have this idea for a really advanced electric truck that has the performance of a sports car but actually more towing power and more carrying capacity than a gasoline or diesel truck of comparable size," said Musk. "That could be really cool, and I think that would probably make sense to do that at a new plant."
Musk is likely showing off what Tesla can do for Texas in terms of car sales because of a recent bill -- which Musk referred to as a "life or death" situation for the automaker.
The proposed bill is
House Bill 3351
, which would allow distributors and manufacturers of electric vehicles (EVs) only to sell directly to customers without the use of dealerships. The bill was filed by Rep. Eddie Rodriguez (D-Austin).
With the passing of the bill, Musk said he would hope to sell about 1,500-2,000 EVs in Texas alone for 2014. Tesla typically sells about 10,000 in North America total.
"If we were allowed to go direct, I think we would make Texas on par with California in terms of emphasis," said Musk.
Tesla is in a particularly good spot right now, and is looking to expand as quickly as possible to keep that momentum up. Last month, Musk announced that Tesla was shipping over 500 Model S EVs weekly. Not long after that, reported that
the company is now profitable
thanks to the Model S exceeding sales targets. Tesla Model S sales reached 4,750, which topped the sales outlook of 4,500 posted in the February shareholder letter.
This article is over a month old, voting and posting comments is disabled
4/15/2013 10:06:26 AM
I have no idea. I always thought auto manufacturers could sell directly to consumers, but just chose not to. Other manufacturers do it all the time. Why would the auto industry have legislation restricting its sales model? Does anyone know the background on that?
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text:
NFA is a long-standing brand in Canadian snowboarding, and its name is affixed to the likes of Kevin Sansalone, Joni Makinen, Kendra Starr and Travis Williams. Now the famous outerwear brand, based in North Vancouver, is tossing its hat in to the ring as a hardgoods brand.
Headed up by Brand Director Aaron MacDonald, NFA Snowboards will have a full line of boards, boots and bindings. Keep an eye on NFASnowboards.com for the preview website that will launch on December 1st; the full website is scheduled to launch in July of 2009.
Check out the full press release on Transworld Snowboarding.


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Wireless application provider HillCast Technologies is offering MidCast, its streaming real-time financial data application for Java-enabled devices, on the new Java-enabled BlackBerry 5810. The Texas-based company, which released MidCast last March, has deployed the product at a number of client sites.
MidCast provides streaming real-time quotes, lists, charts and graphs during market hours. It can stream any type of data from any source. MidCast maintains the user’s choices and preferences
Should regulators take a more active role when it comes to AI oversight, or leave it to the professionals? What will M&A look like in 2018?Subscribe to Weekly Wrap emails


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Here is some good news for those visiting Animal Kingdom. The Harambe Market is reopening at Animal Kingdom, according to the Walt Disney World website.
That said, it looks like the Quick Service marketplace will only be open on the weekends (Saturdays and Sundays) right now beginning Saturday, Nov. 14. Per the WDW website, Harambe Market will start serving at 10 a.m. and will close at 3 p.m.
However, starting Nov. 20, Harambe Market will begin opening at 11 a.m. and will continue to close at 3 p.m. You can check out the lunch and dinner menu online.
This is definitely a positive change, especially since weekends tend to be busier than weekdays. Plus, now that the holidays have officially kicked off at WDW, there may be more people visiting the parks compared to the typical park day.
Not only is Harambe Market another great food and beverage option for visitors, but it serves as another outdoor dining spot for guests, especially those who prefer to eat outside.
If you’re looking for more places that offer outdoor seating at WDW, we have a guide just for that, so be sure to check it out. Since reopening in July, dining has changed a bit, which is why we also put together some information about WDW dining that you need to know.
We’ll definitely keep you updated on any future dining news, especially if or when Harambe Market’s schedule changes.
- Blizzard Beach Reopening November 13 With New ‘Frozen’ Features
- Walt Disney World Closing Theme Parks Due To Tropical Storm Nicole
- Akershus Royal Banquet Hall Is Reopening November 4
- Tiana’s Palace Replacing French Market Restaurant in New Orleans Square at Disneyland
- Disney Dining Promo Card Offer Available at Walt Disney World For Summer 2023


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And reasons we need GMO food labeling…
There’s a movement afoot in around the U.S. to make GMO food labeling the law of the land (note: GMO labeling is required in 64 countries!).
Jack Miller, from Food and Water Watch Illinois, is one of the boots on the ground working to activate people in my community to help make it happen. Listen to this special Green Divas myEARTH360 Report with Jack talking about getting things going for GMO food labeling.
Then continue on for the infographic and to learn more about GMO food and what you can do…
WTF is a GMO?
Genetic engineering modifies the DNA of crops to display specific traits, such as a resistance to pesticides and herbicides. Genetically engineered (GE) crops are often also referred to as genetically modified organisms (GMOs) or biotech crops. In recent years, the Food and Drug Administration began paving the way for approval of GM animals, such as salmon. The first genetically modified animal approved for human consumption, supporters of GM salmon claim it grows at twice the normal rate. The approval of GM salmon could open the floodgates for GM cows and pigs, which biotech companies are waiting in the wings to finally commercialize after years of research and development. ~ Food and Water Watch
Read the Food and Water Watch Case for GMO food Labeling and find out how much GMO labeling will cost.
64 Countries (except the U.S.) require GMO food labeling.
WTF? Excuse my language (again), but come on.
Currently, 64 countries around the world require labeling of genetically engineered foods. Unlike most other developed countries – such as 15 nations in the European Union, Japan, Australia, Brazil, Russia and even China – the U.S. has no laws requiring labeling of genetically engineered foods. ~ Just Label It
Sign the Food and Water Watch petition to ask your elected officials to require labeling for all genetically engineered foods.
Find out what you can do to become part of the Food and Water Watch GMO food labeling movement in your community here.
The 64 countries requiring GMO food labeling…
Source: The Center for Food Safety
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Czech Republic
- El Salvador
- New Zealand
- Saudi Arabia
- South Africa
- South Korea
- Sri Lanka
- United Kingdom
Not only does the food industry claim (and like to spend LOTS of money to make their point) that GMO labeling is unnecessary, they say it will raise food costs, put a burden on grocers and taxpayers, among other things. False claims, according to Food and Water Watch. Find out how much GMO labeling will really cost.
Ten Reasons We Don’t Need GMOs
Listen to the latest Green Divas Radio Show podcast for more great green topics…
Hold on! Another bonus!
Check out this trailer for the documentary film GMO OMG…
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Axis issues: Joe's Wines 'Sputnik' sign grounded again
Gone again is arguably the most beloved sign in Memphis, this time for a repair to its axle.
"Bad axle,'' Mike Bodeen responded when asked what happened to the colorful, spinning sign at Joe's Wines & Liquors at 1681 Poplar. He is one of the store's managers.
A piece of Americana, the Roto-Sphere had been removed for renovations for a number of weeks last summer and remounted on Aug. 18. But the globe with neon arms was returned to the shop in recent days because it had stopped moving.
The Joe's Wines sign was one of 234 Roto-Sphere signs sold and mounted at retailers across the nation between 1960 and 1971, but is one of just a handful that still works.
The 54-year-old sign is often called a "Sputnik'' because it resembles the spiky satellite that the Soviet Union launched in the 1957.


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Does he look like the guy you sit next to at work? What about him? Would you see this guy at the grocery store? Doubt it.
There's a recurring theme in those photos. Male models who are far from average.
In response to criticism surrounding too-thin models, there has been an increased demand for plus-size models. But there's a catch: Those models are mostly female.
Maybe you'll recognize Tess Holliday? The size-22 model landed herself the cover of People magazine this past June and is paving a new path for the plus-sized models. (Video via NBC / "The Meredith Vieira Show")
"I really want to be able to show my body off because there haven't been that many plus-size women at all showing their bodies off in a big magazine," Tess Holliday told Entertainment Tonight. (Video via Entertainment Tonight / People)
So where is Holliday's male counterpart? If he's out there, we haven't met him yet.
According to one model agent, there's a reason why there aren't more big boy models on display. He told Yahoo Style: "As an agency, we don't dictate demand, we respond to it. ... If there was a strong demand for plus-size male models, believe me, we would be scouting for them."
There might not be a demand for them, but we all remember how quickly the "dad bod" phenomenon took hold.
For all you "dad bod" champions out there, here's some good news: Fashion Times reports that the man behind the Instagram account @TheFatJewish, Joshua Ostrovsky, is hosting a Dad Fashion Show.
Yup, that's him sliding down a cheese marinara slip-n-slide.
His show will happen during New York Fashion Week next spring. In addition to the show, he also signed a modeling deal with One Management.
He's likely an exception though. Other runway shows will likely use the standard male model.
But, more average male models are popping up in Europe. According to The Guardian, three German modeling agencies represent plus-size male models. One owner says his plus size models are good-looking, have full hair and nice teeth.
So, if you're an average guy looking for some modeling work, make sure you can check all those boxes.
This video includes images from Getty Images.


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FICO Announces DOJ Antitrust Investigation Closed
The Department of Justice informed FICO that it has closed that investigation
SAN JOSE, Calif. — December 8, 2020 —
On March 15, 2020, FICO issued a statement in response to an official notification that the U.S. Department of Justice, Antitrust Division, had opened a civil investigation into potential exclusionary conduct by FICO.
Earlier today, the Department of Justice informed FICO that it has closed that investigation. As a result, no enforcement action is being taken.
FICO (NYSE: FICO) powers decisions that help people and businesses around the world prosper. Founded in 1956 and based in Silicon Valley, the company is a pioneer in the use of predictive analytics and data science to improve operational decisions. FICO holds more than 195 US and foreign patents on technologies that increase profitability, customer satisfaction and growth for businesses in financial services, telecommunications, health care, retail and many other industries. Using FICO solutions, businesses in more than 100 countries do everything from protecting 2.6 billion payment cards from fraud, to helping people get credit, to ensuring that millions of airplanes and rental cars are in the right place at the right time.
Learn more at https://www.fico.com
Greg Jawski for FICO
Phone: +1 212-601-8248
Take the next step
Connect with FICO for answers to all your product and solution questions. Interested in becoming a business partner? Contact us to learn more. We look forward to hearing from you.


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By Saleem Ullah, Deputy Governor, State Bank of Pakistan
The rise in digital financial services, fuelled by mobile technologies, represents a major opportunity to advance financial inclusion. But as digital wallets become widespread, how can we ensure consumers are protected from digital frauds?
By making it possible to reach consumers everywhere at very low cost, digital technology has been a real game-changer for financial inclusion in Pakistan. Cooperation between banks and telcos has allowed people to open accounts remotely. As a result, our financial inclusion level has grown exponentially, from 16% in 2015 to 60% today.
While this massive expansion in access to financial services is welcome, it needs to be accompanied by a sharp focus on consumer protection, particularly in the context of low financial literacy in Pakistan.
The rapid growth in digital wallets brings with it the risk of digital fraud. Building our population’s financial literacy, particularly with respect to the risks associated with digital financial services, is therefore a top priority.
We also have regulatory tools at our disposal. To combat digital wallet frauds, we recently introduced a two-hour lag time before a digital transaction can be cashed out. This provides a window of opportunity for consumers to be alerted to fraudulent transactions, and for them to take action to protect themselves.
Availability of centralized and shared fraud detection, prevention and reporting mechanism is also critical. We are therefore working with our regulated entities to develop Machine Learning capacity in their systems. This will allow banks to proactively identify and hold suspicious transactions, and verify them before transferring funds. We have also introduced a new liability framework for banks where customers impacted by digital frauds due to lack of bank controls would be compensated fully.
Digital technology has allowed us to overcome a major infrastructure hurdle: the ability to provide financial services to consumers at low cost. Going forward, the emphasis will be on ensuring that the access to services is safe and robust, putting consumer protection first.


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The programme aims at handholding artisans and supporting the local agarbatti industry. The current consumption of agarbatti in the country is approximately 1,490 MT per day but local production is just 760 MT.
There is a huge gap between the demand and the supply and hence, immense scope for job creation, said the ministry.
Under the scheme, KVIC will provide automatic agarbatti making machines and powder mixing machines to the artisans through the successful private agarbatti manufacturers who will sign the agreement as business partners.
KVIC has decided to procure only locally-made machines by Indian manufacturers.
The Centre earlier took two major decisions by placing the agarbatti item from free trade to 'restricted' trade in the import policy and enhancing the import duty from 10 per cent to 25 per cent on 'round bamboo sticks' used for manufacturing of agarbatti for the benefit of the domestic industry.
KVIC Chairman Vinai Kumar Saxena said the two decisions of the central government created a huge employment opportunity in the agarbatti industry. "In order to encash the huge employment generation opportunity, the KVIC designed a programme namely 'Khadi Agarbatti Aatmanirbhar Mission' and submitted to the Ministry of MSME for approval, Saxena said.
KVIC will provide 25 per cent subsidy on the cost of the machines and recover the remaining 75 per cent of the cost from the artisans in easy instalments every month.
Under the scheme, the business partner will provide raw material to artisans for making agarbatti and pay them wages on job work basis.
The cost of artisans' training will be shared between KVIC and the private business partner wherein the Commission will bear 75 per cent of the cost while 25 per cent will be paid by the business partner.
"Each automatic agarbatti-making machine makes approximately 80 kg agarbatti per day which will provide direct employment to four persons. One powder mixing machine, to be given on a set on five agarbatti making machines, will provide employment to two persons," the MSME Ministry said.
The wages to the artisans will be provided by the business partners on weekly basis directly in their accounts through direct benefit transfer only.
(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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Hosted an event to launch a concept by MUSE.
A Concept by MUSE, a highly anticipated homegrown retail destination by Chalhoub Group – the leading partner for luxury across the Middle East since 1955 – has now launched in Riyadh Park, Saudi Arabia. The innovative concept is a unique retail hub curated with hand-picked local, regional, and international brands, catering to the highly demanding and modern Saudi youth of today.
Last Wednesday, October 13th, in celebration of the launch, A Concept by MUSE hosted an immersive event for clients and key opinion leaders in the Kingdom and saw over 300 guests enjoy a one-of-a-kind experience in collaboration with MDLBEAST – the Saudi-based music entertainment company with music culture at its core. Guests had exclusive access to sought-after brands under one roof while indulging in interactive activations and performances by local talent. The private event was attended by names such as mega influencers Rajeh Al Harthi and Areej Abdullah, KOL’s such as Ayah Yamani, Ninorta Malke, Hiba Farrash, and Mariam Mossali. The launch of “A Concept by MUSE’ pushed the boundaries in terms of mall activations within the Kingdom,” stated Marriam Moussalli, founding consultant of Niche ARABIA. “The trendsetting concept perfectly reflects the bold passion we are witnessing from the youth of Saudi, who are eager to express their unique individuality through music, art, and fashion!”
The event not only celebrated the launch of the new shopping destination but also up & coming young Saudi talent in music, fashion, and art. Live activations from the talented artists included shoe customization by Rex Chouk, a calligraphy corner by internationally renowned graffiti artist Maria, a live UV art show and reveal by Deyaa Rambo, and a pre-recorded, exclusive playlist from MDLBEAST Frequencies’ Vinyl Mode created and recorded especially for the launch event along with his new debut single, Eshg Alsamar. MUSE members region-wide will have streaming access to the exclusive set on the MUSE App and on MDLBEAST’s YouTube Channel.
Created by the MUSE loyalty program to give its members a curated selection of coveted products and special experiences, A Concept by MUSE is home to several brands, some that made their debut in the Kingdom such as Level Shoes, B8TA, and FILA. The new IT spot for shopping in Riyadh also houses beloved regional brands such as Tanagra and Ghawali, and beauty favorites such Ex-Nihilo, Thameen, La Bouche Rouge, and Fashion Lab.
To learn more about A Concept by MUSE, visit conceptbymuse.com


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Apple have recently added a “leaving soon” section to the apple arcade store, signaling the departure of roughly 15 games from the service.
Apple them self have refused to comment on why said games are leaving, however MacRumors have been able to speak to an insider for comment, which has shed some light on what is going on behind the scenes.
When apple arcade first launched, Apple signed a number of three-year deals with developers, entering into contracts that provided a fixed payment and ongoing royalties. These contracts are now coming to an end, and Apple is either opting not to renew them or the developers themselves have chosen not to renew. Many of the titles leaving where either launch titles for the service or where added shortly after launch.
Developers Retain the rights to their games and can re-release them on the app store, or through other platforms, but the games that are removed from the apple arcade service wone be accessible through apple arcade.
Games can be re-added to the app store on the same day they are removed from apple arcade, but games will be uploaded with a new Bundle ID. this means that Apple Arcade Subscribers will be able to redownload the games, but they will not be able to access the same game that was available through arcade
As of right now it is not clear is saved progress will be able to transfer over from the apple arcade version of the game to the new version, should the devs choose to reintroduce their games to the app store, as that will depend on whether developers implement support for data transfer.
Games leavering include Spelldrifer, Projection: Fist Light, EarthNight, Cardpocalypse, Dead End Job, and more.
If you want to get a game that wont randomly disappear from a service, grab them from Go2games.com
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It looks as if Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) has given up on trying to make money off consumers who want to use its Office productivity suite at home ... sort of.
Over the past few weeks, the software giant has made a series of consumer-friendly announcements regarding its Office 365 subscriptions. First, it offered unlimited One Drive storage. Then, it said if people don't want to use One Drive, they can use Dropbox instead. Finally, Microsoft said if you don't want to pay for Office on your iPad, you don't have to anymore ... and you can have it on your iPhone and Android devices, too.
Although all of these announcements appear, at face value, to appeal mostly to consumers, they provide more value to businesses, where Microsoft makes the vast majority of its Office revenue.
This is the freemium model for enterprise software
While Office has a strong customer base among consumers, Microsoft makes the vast majority of its money off enterprises. The company is slowly converting those business customers to Office 365 subscribers, which the company expects to provide a higher lifetime value than the old model of licensing the software at a set price.
Last year, Microsoft generated approximately $3.3 billion off consumer Office users, and enterprises accounted for approximately $21 billion in revenue.
To put it another way, Microsoft is a lot better at extracting money from businesses than consumers. Its success with consumers in the past was largely due to its Windows monopoly. Now that Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) and Google (NASDAQ:GOOGL) (NASDAQ:GOOG) have disrupted the Windows empire, Microsoft's stranglehold on the consumer productivity suite is slowly slipping away.
Offering Office for free on the iPad, iPhone, and Android devices is a move to prevent consumers from finding other solutions. Keeping the consumer's attention will allow Microsoft to market Office to businesses better, showing them that its employees already use Office every day.
What's at risk here?
Microsoft's consumer Office licensing revenue declined 8% last year, as most consumers switched to Office 365 or found some other alternative. Overall, consumer Office revenue growth was roughly 0% last year.
In the six months since introducing Office for iPad, the apps have been downloaded a total of 40 million times, but only translated into 2.6 million net new Home and Personal subscribers, which is only a slight acceleration of the pace in the previous six months (2.4 million net new subscribers).
So Office for iPad hasn't exactly been the growth driver for Office 365, and Office revenue from consumers is flat. Giving away Office on the iPad to consumers isn't risking much of anything.
The bigger risk is what would happen to Microsoft's business if consumers stopped using Office. Apple gives away its productivity apps with each new iPhone, iPad, and Mac purchase, and Google offers a free online productivity suite. These free alternatives, coupled with a migration away from Windows, open the door for users to experiment with alternatives. That, in turn, opens the door for businesses to experiment with what their employees use.
Investors shouldn't worry about the amount of revenue Microsoft could miss out on by offering Office for free on mobile devices. It's not enough to make that big of an impact. They should instead focus on the potential upside of selling more Office 365 subscriptions to businesses.
Getting businesses on board
Commercial Office is Microsoft's biggest cash cow, bringing in billions of free cash flow for Microsoft. The company is investing a lot of that money in its commercial cloud business, which includes Office 365 for businesses.
Onboarding new businesses to Office 365, instead of selling licenses, opens the door for Microsoft to offer other cloud computing services. It's already bundling unlimited OneDrive storage for free with Office 365 subscriptions, which I believe is aimed more at businesses than at consumers. With enterprises using those two services, it should be easy to convert them to Dynamics CRM customers, a service that integrates nicely with both, or Azure customers.
Satya Nadella's vision for Microsoft when he took over as CEO was to make it a mobile and cloud computing company. He also said the company would experiment more with the freemium model. His strategy with Office, the company's most important product, is exemplary of this strategy.
Adam Levy owns shares of Apple. The Motley Fool recommends Apple and Google (A and C shares) and owns shares of Apple, Google (A and C shares), and Microsoft. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools don't all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.


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In the wake of the recent news that EA and DICE have acquired the exclusive rights to make Star Wars games Avalanche Studios have revealed that they were almost signed to make a massive open-world Star Wars game.
former Avalanche Studio Manager Oskar Burman Tweeted: “Actually, wanting to work with SW goes deep in Swe [Sweden]. Long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, we almost got that deal when I was at Avalanche.”
Founder and Chief Creative Officer of Avalanche Christofer Sundberg replied by saying: “If they had given us the deal back then LucasArts would be alive today. A massive SW open world game! We would have rocked it.”
Burman responded by saying: “Very much agree. You’d done wonders with the SW license. Single player, open world, travel in galaxy, do missions. Yummy!”
Oskar Burman worked at Avalanche between 2005 and 2009, so exactly when this open-world game was proposed is a mystery. Was it perhaps going to be Star Wars 1313 until Lucas Arts decided to develop it internally?
Regardless it’s a moot point now. Still, it would have been interesting to see Avalanche tackle the license – who knows what they could have done with it?


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Apple Inc has been accused by Masimo Corp. for stealing its technology. Yes, you read it right, Masimo which is known for developing signal processing technology for health-related monitors has made claims against Apple Watch and its health monitoring systems.
Masimo and it’s subsidiary Cercacor Laboratories have claimed in a lawsuit that Apple stole secret trademark information. According to the reports, Apple has approached as a business partner but then proceeded to hire key employees from Masimo that include Michael O’Reilly who is the Vice President of Apple Health technology department.
Now the smartphone maker is accused of multiple counts of infringement among 10 different patents and both the health-related companies, Masimo and Cercacor has claimed that its non-invasive monitoring system operated with light has been stolen. Apple has used this technology to overcome performance issues with its Watch.
Apple’s Watch’s blood oxygen monitoring system and heart rate detection via the light emitters have been under scrutiny and Masimo hopes to prevent any further usage of its patented inventions. Apple’s Watch 4 along with Watch 4 have been in the accusation and considered to be the main culprits. There isn’t much information about this accusation as of now but should be getting more information soon.
For now, there is no official announcement or statements have been made by Apple regarding this accusation. We might see more light on this matter soon as the company has been reached out for more queries. What do you think? Did Apple really steal the health Monitoring Tech? Comment in the section below and stay tuned to PhoneRadar for more news and updates.


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April 08, 2002
If you've got a gripe with the umpires, you'll no longer be able to yell, "C'mon, Blue!" because that color has been excised from the umps' outfits, ending a 120-year tradition. After last year's experiment with cream-colored shirts drew criticism from pitchers, who complained that the shirts were the same color as the ball and therefore made it hard to discern line drives hit back to the mound, umps are now wearing gray polo shirts with a hint of olive—similar to their trousers.
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There's no doubt that fans of The Legend of Zelda were thrilled when Hyrule Historia had its English-language release a few weeks ago, but we didn't think the tome would be quite as popular as it appears to be. As reported by Kill Screen Daily, Hyrule Historia has been the bestselling book on Amazon since it became available on January 29th. While there's no doubt that a lot of Zelda fanatics were eagerly awaiting the English-language release of this book, it's still rather shocking when you consider just how big Amazon is, and how more popular bestsellers usually sit at the top of the list.
The book's appeal is showing up in other lists, as well — The New York Times Book Review lists Hyrule Historia as the number-one hardcover book in its "advice / misc." category. Overall, it's pretty surprising success for a book that appeals to a niche audience, no matter how loyal. That said, there's no doubt that it's a gorgeous and detailed book — and with more than 25 years of Zelda fans out there, its success may not slow down anytime soon.


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Jeremy Meeks has become an online sensation thanks to his... MUGSHOT. When cops put his modelesque picture on Facebook, the web went wild for his chiseled good looks. That inspired The List's Teresa Strasser to find more beautiful people that just happen to be criminals and we also have some great tips to help you take that perfect picture, behind bars.
What's your TIP to take a perfect mugshot? Keep the conversation going, @TheListTeresa #WhatsTrending!
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