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India has witnessed a boom in the smartphone market and is considered as one of the fastest growing smartphone markets in the world. According to a Morgan Stanley research report, India is expected to overtake the US next year as the second-largest smartphone market, in terms of units. India’s mobile handset market will grow nearly five times faster than the world’s largest smartphone market - China, where growth has decelerated.
Earlier this year mobile manufacturing base in India reached an astounding 100 million units. With new companies entering the stratosphere, Indian companies have made vital contributions in this milestone. As per the recent statistics, by 2020 India will become the 4th largest smartphone market in the world that can only be achieved once the nation’s foremost companies take similar marquee establishment decisions.
In recent years, majority of smartphone companies have set up manufacturing units in India rather that procuring ready products from China. The first step to building a manufacturing eco-system in the smartphone category entails local assembling through emerging or established third party manufacturers.
Taiwan-based Foxconn has two large scale manufacturing units in India, this reiterates the growing demand for manufacturing in India. The next step to making India’s manufacturing ecosystem more robust is for companies to bring their complete infrastructure in India.
The demand for smartphones is growing exponentially in India specially in Tier II and III markets. Local smartphone manufacturing will contribute sizably growth of companies in India and the growth of the nation as well.
Government’s 'Make in India' initiative has been pushing companies to invest in India and focus on local manufacturing. Quoting a recently released Government of India report, the mobile industry's contribution to the country’s GDP currently stands at 6.5% ($140 billion) and is likely to become 8.2% by 2020. When the government initially announced its plans to rebrand the nation as the new ‘Manufacturing touchstone’ of the world, many industry experts looked at the initiative with raised eyebrows.
With a 2.1% market share in global manufacturing the nation was in stark contrast with its neighbours China, the alpha dog in the global manufacturing game. But like every great story waiting to happen, the ‘Make in India’ initiative has gone down well in all aspects, especially in the electronics market.
It also seeks to facilitate employment opportunities, foster innovation, boost skill development within the country. Other initiatives such as the ‘Digital India’ / ‘Smart Cities’ will certainly bring a boost for the mobile sector.
A complete manufacturing eco-system cannot ignore the importance of R&D. This includes the smartphones understanding of the Indian market and developing products that best suited for our country. The R&D department is also crucial as it sets the global standards for all its products and making sure they are in line with international norms.
In the 17-month period from Oct 2014 - Feb 2016, Make-in-India reforms have boosted FDI in India by 37%, India now is the 1st choice for MNC’s and Tech companies to set up R&D centres outside their home countries. The telecom and electronics industry are well and truly poised to bolster India’s domestic and manufacturing market, which is all set to touch $440 billion by 2020.
The domestic consumer electronics and durables sector has witnessed a substantial amount of growth over the last few years. The sector plays an important part in the economy of the country and provides employment to millions across the nation.
With the long-term vision and continued support given by the government, India is on the right path to develop a complete ecosystem for manufacturing excellence.
DISCLAIMER: The views expressed are solely of the author and ETTelecom.com does not necessarily subscribe to it. ETTelecom.com shall not be responsible for any damage caused to any person/organisation directly or indirectly.


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Equities are flat again, but The Trader Dominic Picarda is not giving up on this rally yet.
IC TIP UPDATES:
Rio Tinto (RIO) chief executive Tom Albanese has been bounced out of his job after reporting another round of withering write downs on previous big ticket acquisitions of Alcan and Rio Tinto Coal Mozambique totalling $14bn, which the board described as ‘unacceptable’. Mr Albanese has been rapidly replaced with Iron Ore chief executive Sam Walsh. But we keep our buy rating after the recent resurgence in commodity stocks.
Sell recommendation Home Retail (HOME) has detailed some improvements in trading at its Argos business over the Christmas period. Like for like sales at the retailer rose by 2.7 per cent in the 18 weeks to 5 January as its strategy of growing online and mobile sales began to reap some benefits. But overall group revenue growth was held back by a 3.7 per cent like for like decline at Homebase, and a margin decline at both businesses. Nonetheless, profits are expected to be £10m ahead of current expectations of £73m. Our recommendation is under review.
Logistics specialist Stobart Group (STOB) has said that operating performance for the full year is likely to come in slightly short of expectations. Our recommendation is under review.
Quadrise Fuels (QFI) has successfully completed the trials of its MSAR marine fuel with Maersk and says it expects to produce commercial quantities of MSAR from mid-2013 onwards. Buy.
Dixons Retail (DXNS) is benefiting from the demise of its rivals on the high street judging by its latest trading figures which showed like for like sales in the UK and Ireland up by 8 per cent and sales in Northern Europe up by 11 per cent.
Mothercare’s (MTC) total UK sales fell 12.9 per cent in the 13 weeks to 12 January or 5.9 per cent on a like for like basis. International sales mitigated much of this with 14.8 per cent growth in total sales in the same period, leaving group sales flat.
Associated British Foods (ABF) has turned in another solid performance, boosted by impressive 25 per cent sales growth at its retail arm Primark in the past 16 weeks. Group sales were up by 10 per cent as sugar also grew strongly but ingredients, grocery and agriculture turned in flat performances.
Hammerson (HMSO) has announced a landmark redevelopment plan for Croydon town centre in conjunction with retail development giant Westfield.
Online retail specialist ASOS (ASC) has announced another strong performance with total retail sales up by 41 per cent in the year to December.
OTHER COMPANY NEWS:
Software specialist SDL (SDL) has said that both revenues and profits came in marginally below expectations in the year to 31 December.
Premier Oil (PMO) has confirmed production of 57,700 barrels of oil equivalent per day during 2012, up by 43 per cent on the previous year. An active development programme should see this rise to 65,000-70,000 barrels this year.

domain: news


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South Korean technology company LG Electronics announced Wednesday that it would abandon its struggling solar panel manufacturing business amid the supply chain crisis.
The LG board of directors voted Tuesday to exit the solar industry following a comprehensive review that showed how increasing costs and supply chain constraints have negatively impacted the company’s bottom line, the tech firm announced. The company acknowledged its solar business had “sluggish performance,” causing overall profit to decline in its latest quarterly earnings statement.
“While exiting the solar panel business, LG is concentrating on products and services that can have an even greater impact,” LG Electronics North America President and CEO Thomas Yoon said in a statement.
“Sustainability is a core business principle at LG Electronics, and we are constantly evaluating the ways in which LG can unlock potential, create greater value and support our vision for a better life for all,” he continued.
LG will wind down its solar panel production in the coming months, but will continue to serve its customers “for years to come,” it added. The company said it would focus on growth sectors in the renewable energy space such as energy storage technology and home energy management systems.
The announcement will affect about 160 LG employees and 60 contractors at the company’s U.S. headquarters in Huntsville, Alabama.
LG had struggled to grow its solar business in recent years, seeing its global market share decline to a measly 1%, Korean Economic Daily reported. Solar panels had declined to just 1.5% of the company’s total revenue.
The company, which entered the solar business in 2010, reported $50 million in sales in 2021, according to KED. By comparison, the company reported $670 million in solar panel sales in 2020 and $920 million in sales in 2019.
Chinese solar companies currently dominate the industry, producing the vast majority of panels, polysilicon for panels and solar wafers worldwide, according to a 2021 analysis from BloombergNEF.
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience. For licensing opportunities of our original content, please contact firstname.lastname@example.org


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A new study will examine the feasibility of advancing fully circular value chains in Nigeria, to help close the loop on plastics waste. The work is being undertaken by an ongoing partnership between chemicals firm Dow and Empower, a Norwegian circular platform company which uses blockchain technology to track plastics waste.
The study will focus on the implementation of a scalable digital waste collection and recycling business model in Lagos. The findings will inform the long-term ambition of the partnership which is to digitize the local collection points, recyclers, and waste streams, to ensure transparency and reliability of the process of tracking recyclable plastics waste and converting it into new sustainable packaging.
The project will see Dow and Empower examine the entire value chain to ensure sustainable plastics sourcing is commercially viable across all areas. The businesses will also explore the potential to crowdsource and digitally track waste collection in order to create significant and reliable streams of raw material feedstock which will meet the needs of buyers.
The Empower digital platform – which uses blockchain technology to ensure the seamless tracking and monetization of plastics waste – provides cost-efficient collection of plastics waste, sorting at source, and local job creation both for waste pickers in the community and in waste management facilities. The study will identify opportunities to further incentivize the expansion of decentralized sustainable waste management systems, that is communities managing collection, segregation and processing their waste locally, in Nigeria and Africa at large.
Dow and Empower have been working together in Nigeria since 2020 to map and crowdsource the collection and sorting of plastic water sachets, which is a significant environmental problem across West Africa. The findings of the new study will assist in scaling up Project ReflexNG – a water sachet recycling program Dow launched in Nigeria last year in partnership with Omnik, Incentive based collection partners and the Lagos Business School Sustainability Centre, specifically.
The project aims to recycle over 300 million sachets, which would otherwise end up in the environment or landfill, into new applications. To date, the program has provided an additional source of income for over 8,000 subscribers to the program’s phone app which enables the coordination of collection and sorting of plastics waste around the city, over 200 waste pickers and has recovered almost 600 MT of plastic waste in total.
Adwoa Coleman, Africa Sustainability and Advocacy Manager at Dow commented: “Achieving full circularity for plastics, that is, where the practical benefits are matched by its environmental performance, takes each part of the value chain working as a collective, and research, such as this new study, which helps us to further assess the feasibility and traceability of plastics waste is invaluable in helping us to advance our efforts.
“That’s why we are excited to partner with digital innovators like Empower to explore new, efficient ways to equip our value chain, partners, and customers so we can advance a circular economy for plastics in Nigeria and the wider continent of Africa.”
“Our ultimate aim is to create a disruptive and circular global plastic waste ecosystem that enables a cost-efficient and reliable sourcing of recycled plastics, with fully-traceable materials, to create reliable streams of higher value plastic for the private sector while creating jobs for people that need it the most,” explains Wilhelm Myrer, CEO and Founder of Empower.
This project is aligned to Dow’s global STOP THE WASTE sustainability target which the firm says will enable the collection, reuse or recycling of one million metric tons of plastic globally by 2030.
The work will be part funded by the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD).
For more information, please visit: www.dow.com.
The post Feasibility study will examine plastics circularity in Nigeria first appeared on Envirotec.


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For as much as Samsung gets ragged on for looking to the iPhone for design inspiration, the South Korean tech giant beat Apple at its own game when it released the alluring Galaxy S6 last year. Featured an eye-catching curved display, some critics questioned the utility of the design and were quick to call it a gimmick. That didn’t matter much, though, because most reviewers and users were big fans of the device’s sleek new design.
In fact, Samsung was completely caught off-guard by the immense popularity of the S6 edge and had to re-calibrate its supply in order to meet surging and unexpectedly high demand. One year later, when the S7 edge was released, sales of the premium model actually outpaced the flat-screened S7 model, according to reports.
With those two data points in tow, it perhaps shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise that Samsung has some interesting plans in the works for its upcoming S8 models.
According to a report from the Korea Herald, both of Samsung’s flagship devices for the first half of 2017 will sport curved displays.
“Now the Korean tech giant is promoting the curvy screen as its premium smartphone lineup’s key identity,” the report notes. “Sources said the company has already started securing display panels in two sizes — 5.1 inch and 5.5 inch — from its own display-making unit Samsung Display, the world’s sole producer of double-edged screens. “
Of course, this appears to be in line with Samsung’s roadmap given that the recently released Note 7 wasn’t available in a traditional flat-screen display model. Could this mean that all of Samsung’s high-end handsets will feature curved displays in the coming years?
As for other S8 features we’ve heard make their way through the rumor mill, word has it that Samsung’s next-gen smartphones will feature a dual-camera setup similar to what Apple implemented on the recently unveiled iPhone 7. Additionally, the S8 is said to feature an Iris eye-scanning sensor (a la the Galaxy Note 7) and an improved 8-megapixel front facing camera.


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"ONEPLUS ONE" content on TweakTown - Page 1
We found 10 items for the tag: ONEPLUS ONE
Cyanogen OS 12 released, has reached the OnePlus One smartphone
The OnePlus One smartphone has already received the new Cyanogen OS 12.
OnePlus launches its custom Android OS, known as OxygenOS
OxygenOS, the custom Android-based operating system optimized for the OnePlus One smartphone has been released by OnePlus.
OnePlus opens up sales to anyone interested in buying OnePlus One
OnePlus decides to shake things up and open OnePlus One smartphone sales to anyone interested.
OnePlus has sold 500,000 OnePlus One smartphones, wants to double it
OnePlus has sold over 500,000 OnePlus One smartphones, wants to hit one million before the end of the year.
OnePlus One pre-orders will open up on October 27 for just one hour
The OnePlus One smartphone pre-order will open on October 27, but for just one hour.
OnePlus aiming to release OnePlus One 2 mid next year
OnePlus teases that 'OnePlus 2 should be out in Q2 or Q3 of 2015'
OnePlus One smartphone to have Android L quicker than competitors
OnePlus promises its OnePlus One smartphone will receive Android L quickly after Google releases it.
OnePlus One smartphone boots incredibly fast, beats Nexus 5
The $299 OnePlus One smartphone powered by CyanogenMod is incredibly fast at booting up - taking just a couple of seconds.
The OnePlus One smartphone is here, just $299
For $299, the OnePlus One smartphone should be on your smartphone purchasing radar.
OnePlus One, a powerhouse smartphone alternative for under $400
OnePlus One, a high-end smartphone with mid-range pricing - set to compete against the likes of Apple and Samsung.


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NRF: Sustainability Still Searching for the Why
With the eco-movement at retail steadily building for years, it’s surprising
that nearly all of the Sustainability Sessions at Sunday’s NRF convention touched
on the motivations for going green. The unasked question: If the majority of
consumers still aren’t ‘demanding’ it, what’s driving the movement?
Speaking at one session, Kevin Hagen, director of social responsibility at
REI, the outdoors chain, listed reasons why retailers and brands must have
proactive plans for product stewardship. One is activists — he showed a sign
outside a Disney store exclaiming, "Stop Selling Toxic Pajamas to Kids." Second,
government agencies are holding firms accountable to know what’s in their products
and where they come from. Third, consumers are asking for more detailed social
and environmental information behind products. Finally, it’s comprehensive
programs across retail, particularly Walmart’s.
But another reason is retail’s reputation. As an example, Mr. Hagen encouraged
the room to view "Story of Stuff," a 20-minute film attacking America’s
culture of consumerism by activist Annie Leonard that has been viewed over
1.3 million times on YouTube.
"It’s going to have two impacts on you if you’re like me," said
Mr. Hagen. "First of all, it’s ‘Wow! That’s really depressing.’ The second
is ‘Wow! That’s really inflammatory.’ Because as a business person, ‘The Story
of Stuff’ says that not only are we part of the problem, we are the problem."
He also somewhat agrees that retail has culpability for the "take-make-waste" environment. "Our
sort of rational for a long time has been – ‘We’re making an economic impact
and we’re hiring people and we’re doing good things. And we’re giving people
what they want and people keep buying the stuff so it must be okay.’ – and
we kind of realize that we’re rationalizing to ourselves a little bit."
Eventually, green promises to be used much more as a sales tool. Mr. Hagen
was speaking on behalf of the Eco Index, an environmental assessment tool being
piloted by more than 100 companies within and beyond the outdoor industry.
It is currently being used to measure the environmental footprint of apparel,
footwear and gear but expected to eventually be used as a customer-facing label,
mimicking the Energy Star series on appliances.
Four years into development, however, the content isn’t deemed to be rich
enough to come up with a rating system for consumers. Said Mr. Hagen, "Our
supply chain is great at getting us product. It’s really terrible at giving
But he insists sustainability doesn’t have to be consumer-driven.
"I think the ultimate question is – why do we need customers’ permission
to do this? We’re finding innovation in our supply chain. We’re actually driving
costs down or making better products. Consumers will love it. But they don’t
need to be the reason why we’re doing it. And ultimately they’re going to appreciate
what we’re doing and it’s [becoming a requirement]. It’s no longer the cool
green thing to sell. It’s the expectation that we know what’s in it and where
it came from and we got to figure out how to get that information."
Discussion Questions: What do you think is driving
sustainability efforts for retailers and brands? How critical is it that
sustainability programs have a strong consumer-driven component?


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Nearly every major automaker announcing a transition to electric vehicles, and in order to power all of these EVs, we will need batteries.
But the U.S. currently faces a lithium supply problem, according to a report from CNBC.
Electric vehicle growth will be responsible for more than 90% of the demand for lithium by 2030. With demand as high as its ever been, this vital mineral in rechargeable batteries has earned the name “white gold.”
The price of lithium is up 280% since Jan. 2021, and establishing a domestic supply of lithium has become more important as ever.
But today, the U.S. is far behind, with only 1% of global lithium being mined and processed in the U.S., according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
Click here to read the full story at CNBC.


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The Tempo Times
We’ve started publishing our very own newspaper – The Tempo Times! It all started when we discovered the London APE conference (Atlassian Partner-run Event). We wanted to help out so we became a “London APE Supporter.” As a supporter of that event, we wanted to distribute an informative and promotional product to its attendees — and voilà!
We received such positive feedback from our first volume of The Tempo Times, that we decided to follow up with more ambitious issues for the 2012 and 2013 Atlassian Summits in San Francisco. Who knew there was so much to say about business productivity solutions for JIRA? Well, actually there is.
Each volume contains an editorial, case studies, cartoons, and a number of interesting articles relating to Tempo’s products, including features, solutions, and more.
Tel: +354 545 3048
Please see our list of press releases on the Tempo blog.


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Portoberfest to transform marina
PORTOBERFEST is set to bring a little bit of Bavaria to Port Douglas next weekend with a smorgasbord of world beers, dancing frauleins, bratwursts and steins filling the Port Douglas marina boardwalk.
More than 1000 revellers are expected to pack out the iconic marina boardwalk, with organiser Wayne Stapleton promising to deliver the most entertaining Portoberfest yet.
“I wanted to take Portoberfest to a whole different perspective, bring it to a whole new level,” the Lure restaurateur said.
“It’s going to be huge this year, we anticipate record crowds, as people come to taste the beers, enjoy the food, music and entertainment.”
Beer enthusiasts will have the choice of 30 international beers to sample, among the eight different international beer tents, and tressel tables will line the boardwalk, to recreate the feel of a beer hall.
Dynamic four-piece band Hip2soul will entertain the crowds with their own brand of soul/funk/rock, and the Portoberfest dancing girls will be taking to the stage throughout the day with traditional dances, including the well-loved customary slapdance.
The free event will be held on Saturday, October 27, from 2pm-9pm.
For extra indulgence VIP passes are available, priced at $150 each or four tickets for the price of three, allowing access to the VIP area covering the price all food and drink, a souvenir stein, and service by the Portoberfest waitresses. Purchase must be made before the event.
For more information on Portoberfest visit www.newsport.com.au or for VIP passes contact 4099 2790.
Rendezvous Resort is also offering special room rates for those wishing to attend the event, to find out more call Rendezvous Resort on 4099 2790.


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Startup India news
Since Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Startup India plan with 19 action points in January 2016, about 15 states have so far announced their startup policies in the last one year.
The report comes at a time when India is seeking a permanent agreement for trade facilitation in services. Separately, it is pushing for liberal rules in Asean and other countries such as China, Australia and New Zealand, under the regional comprehensive economic partnership agreement, which will create one of the world’s largest free trade areas.
Although India does not have a policy mandating localisation of servers, CWS said giving up that right may be detrimental to Make in India and Smart Cities programmes.
Announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2016, the fund has a corpus of Rs 2,000 crore and will enable greater financial support to startups.
Under the new definition, any entity in India recognised as a startup by the competent authority under the Startup India initiative will be eligible.
While India issues research visas most people choose to apply for tourist permits if they are visiting the country to conduct research informally and won't stay here for more than 6 months.
Successful startup ecosystems can enable anyone with a sound business model and capacity to work hard to quickly accrue experience and wealth.
There has been a spurt in registrations of startups following change in definition in May 2017, which did away with requirement of a recommendation letter from an incubator.
India is planning to organise a meet of startups of the South Asian region for exchange of new ideas and promoting interaction among them.
The Startup India initiative launched in January 2016 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered incentives to such ventures to encourage entrepreneurship and innovation
To qualify as a startup under the new definition, an entity would have to declare its job creation target and meet certain financial standards besides having a certain level of innovation in its product or service
In another dimension, Jayavardhan B N might have spent his life behind the cash counter of Naveen Bar and Restaurant and Krishna Vemula would have peeled potatoes and onions, day after day, for a living.
The maternity bill, which allows leave for more than six months from the current three months, has thrown India's startup community into a tizzy.
Two unicorns recently hit a rocky patch when their co-founders' marriage went sour. But there are many who are living their startup dream together. Sunday Times spoke to some couple-preneurs on how they make the work-life merger work
Vasupal, founder of Stayzilla that announced the halt of its operations last month, was taken into custody by the Chennai police following charges of defraud by an advertising firm
Draws Up Several Other Initiatives To Ease Fund Crunch
Post-demonetisation, Paytm saw a surge in its customers owing to the digitalisation push by the government.
Editor's Picks ›
- Post IPO, Avaya plans to beef up investments
- Twitter extends 'Moments' feature to users in India
- Emeritus ties up with Axis Bank to provide leadership courses
- Drone Data Science startup WeDoSky raises funding
- Netflix eyes cable operator tie-ups in India & other Asian countries
- Indian defence to use nanotechnology, ties up with startup Log 9
- Reliance Industries mulls Jio IPO in late 2018 or early 2019: Report
- Stripe forays to India with a private beta for Indian businesses
- Cisco eyes acquisitions for real-time cyber security intelligence data
- OnePlus giving away 10,000 tickets for 'Star Wars: The Last Jedi' to users in India


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Tenet has to be the biggest movie of 2020 that has been affected so badly because of the on-going COVID-19 pandemic, which has shut most of the world down and especially entertainment-focused businesses like cinemas.
Warner Bros. has now officially delayed Christopher Nolan's new epic Tenet, indefinitely.
US cinemas were pegging their hopes on their doors being re-opened and a big tent pole like Tenet bringing in millions of customers. Well, it's not happening. Tenet was due for release on July 17, 2020 but was delayed until July 31 and then eventually delayed until August 12 -- and now once again, indefinitely.
Tenet will not be coming out in digital form or through a streaming service, with Warner Bros. chairman Toby Emmerich explaining in a statement: "We will share a new 2020 release date imminently for 'Tenet,' Christopher Nolan's wholly original and mind-blowing feature".
Emmerich added: "Our goals throughout this process have been to ensure the highest odds of success for our films while also being ready to support our theater partners with new content as soon as they could safely reopen".
What will happen with Tenet now? It seems that Warner Bros. might just release Tenet in stages, in separate markets outside of the US that have more relaxed COVID-19 restrictions. Here in Australia where I'm based, cinemas are open -- they're just nowhere near as busy obviously.
Variety reports that "sources at the studio stress they will have to be flexible with its plans to unveil "Tenet," suggesting the film won't have a traditional rollout".
Emmerich added: "We are not treating 'Tenet' like a traditional global day-and-date release, and our upcoming marketing and distribution plans will reflect that".
Normally I finish a TV or movie related post with its release, so I'd normally end it with "Tenet will be released..." and then have its release date. You know, so people who get to the end of the article if they forgot the release, it's there again for you to see easily.
This is the first time in history of writing for TweakTown (which is 10 years next month by the way, yay) that I will finish the post without it.
Tenet will be released... at some time in the future.
Anyway, now while we wait I suggest checking out Christopher Nolan's movies... with the likes of Interstellar, Inception, The Dark Knight Trilogy, Memento, and many more.
As for Tenet, now we wait.
- > NEXT STORY: Microsoft finally moving Minecraft from Amazon Web Services to Azure
- < PREVIOUS STORY: Epic integrates into GOG launcher in push for 'universal ownership'


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Wednesday June 24th saw Circa News cease publishing. In a brief announcement, CEO and co-founder Matt Galligan ended months of speculation, thanked his loyal readers and expressed his deep sadness that Circa was on ‘indefinite hiatus’. Just like the poignant bugle call, Galligan’s last post commemorates the fallen, a ground-breaking news app that fought the good fight for almost three years but finally succumbed to the total lack of a business model.
The team at Circa believed that to crash its app’s slick mobile-first user experience with advertising or to make people pay to use it would have compromised their mission – to create a news company that would deliver ‘factual, unbiased, and succinct information’. Instead, they chose to rely on VC funding, and Circa editor-in-chief Anthony De Rosa summed up that experience like this:
“We tried to do something very different, we took huge risks, we built a product that spawned a whole new category, and we enjoyed every moment of it, at least until the money ran out and that sucked.”
To take its innovative approach to mobile news forward Circa needed fresh investment. Back in December of last year Newsonomics analyst Ken Doktor reckoned Galligan was looking for second round funding of $8 million, or to be acquired. That would enable the start-up to move out of product development into audience development and more importantly, revenue development. But it never happened.
The future of journalism?
Forgetting the inconvenient truth of financial failure for a second, and focussing on the experimental nature of the product, Circa made a huge impact with the digerati. When it launched in October 2012, it was touted by some as the future of journalism, a post-article future, easily read on mobile, delivering the facts without the fluff. The attention the San Francisco-based start-up attracted throughout its brief existence way outstripped its user base – never confirmed but rumoured to have been just 100,000 users at the end.
The stripped-down ‘card’ formats introduced by Circa have found their way into the latest generation of news aps launched by old and new media alike, from NYT Now to AJ+, Yahoo New Digest to Buzzfeed News. The fact that these and other major consumer publishers have already built ‘Circa-like’ features into their own apps possibly goes some way to explaining why Galligan didn’t find a buyer. As big an impact as Circa made, the VC-value of the business was probably just too much for a publisher to buy the arguably replicable knowledge that the Circa team had developed.
Or maybe Galligan was looking in the wrong place… maybe Circa would have fared better out of the general news business and in the B2B news business.
Circa’s rolling interface
For one thing, it’s really not easy to get people to spend money on general news online – less that one in five online news consumers is willing to pay according to the Reuters Institute Digital News Report 2015. But consumers of B2B media are a little less reticent about laying their money down, especially if they are signing up to an information service that delivers a competitive edge or makes them better at their job.
Paying for B2B content
Speaking at FIPP’s Digital Innovators Summit in Berlin this March, Emap CEO Natasha Christie-Miller reported that her team has grown subscriptions for the first time in 25 years, with individual renewal rates at 70 percent and corporate renewals hitting 90 percent. That’s on products like the Health Service Journal’s £12,000 a year Intelligence product which Christie-Miller said was ‘smashing’ targets. Selling a revolutionary B2B mobile-news app for a few pounds a month should be a piece of cake in comparison.
Even if you’re sceptical about subscription revenues saving the day, B2B people are still a little more open to advertising and sponsorship than their ad-blocking alter egos in the consumer space. B2B ads and white papers are often seen as just extra edge-sharpening content. Put a clever native spin on B2B promotions, preferably with a strong lead generation component, and the money for a B2B Circa is surely there.
Regardless of revenue opportunities based on niche-B2B audiences’ ready acceptance to pay and be pitched at, Circa had features that B2B publishers could use to add real value to their existing multiplatform business intelligence plays.
In an unsentimental obituary to Circa, Verge Silicon Valley editor Casey Newton blamed its failure in part on its presentation style, calling it a ‘flavorless bundle of bullet points’. He criticized a shortage of original journalism and a ‘cold and rational presentation’ that lacked personality. Those are certainly failings in a consumer app, but in business… on my phone… sign me up!
Circa’s biggest innovation was the atomisation of content, creating points of information that could be digested at speed, but that could be strung together over time to form a longer narrative – perfect for busy executives that need news on the go, but also the full picture for decision making.
To make sure readers could get the complete context of a news story as it developed, Circa pioneered the facility for readers to ‘Follow’ specific threads, giving them the option to subscribe and receive notifications as new, pertinent, content atoms were released. It even kept track of how much of a given story users had seen and sent new information only if it hadn’t been previously viewed.
When Circa was first launched, angel investor Scott Belsky described it as being like the US President’s Daily Brief, explaining that the super-busy President doesn’t read the news, he’s briefed only on the things that matter to him at any given time.
Circa picked up on this and called itself ‘The ‘President’s daily brief for the rest of us’. Imagine a B2B Circa that was ‘The CEO’s Daily Brief for the rest of us’. It could be a mission-critical, mobile-first news layer over the business intelligence dashboards, directories, data products, opinion and analysis already in place.
Mobile growth potential
The best B2B media cleaves hard to the mission of making people better at their jobs and connecting buyers and sellers wherever they happen to be – in print, in person and online. The sector has done pretty well delivering on the platform agnostic promises it has made; most work print, web and email hard. Mobile, however, is still something of a new frontier for B2B, despite the growth potential created by what PWC has called ‘soaring mobile internet penetration’.
It’s not that there is no mobile content in B2B. Email newsletters are ubiquitous, responsive websites are becoming the norm and there are mobile first news services like Industry Dive developing fast. But none of these do mobile with the time-saving panache of Circa.
Throughout Matt Galligan’s goodbye, there are clear hints that the Circa story might not be completely over. Wistfully, he expresses the hope that someone will finish what Circa started. More practically he said the company is still working on opportunities to keep the technology and ‘spirit’ of Circa alive.
It would be really interesting if one of those is in the B2B space. What better environment for Circa to resurrect its ‘Save Time. Stay Informed’ ethos?
Image courtesy of Takashi Hososhima via Flickr used under a Creative Commons license.


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Innovators Of The Year — Ordermygear.com
Kent McKeaigg, Founder, OrderMyGear.com
For giving independent team dealers the technology to compete
OrderMyGear.com Founder and CEO Kent McKeaigg, who was recognized as an SGB 40 Under 40 honoree in 2015, had a personal connection to improving the team-dealer landscape — it was his dad’s profession. McKeaigg’s idea was not to replace team dealers, but rather enhance their strengths and capabilities, particularly when it comes to reaching some of the underserved sports and communities in the country. “Those sub-communities want equipment, uniforms and purchasing power just like everyone else,” he said. By keeping the dealers in play, the close relationships remain intact while OrderMyGear.com makes everything more efficient for the teams, dealers and brands to do more business. In 2015, OrderMyGear (which takes a small percentage of the sales) saw $72 million of transactions go through its system. In 2016, the projection is between $130 million and $140 million.
SGB Magazine Fall Innovators Issue celebrates the ideas changing the way we run, hike or play the game. For the full story please click here.


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Grand Targhee Resort to Extend Winter Season
Lodging and Ticket Deals, Daylight Savings Pass and New Events Round Out Rest of Season
From Grand Targhee Resort — Alta, WY (March 6) — Thanks to over 400 inches of snow so far this winter, Grand Targhee Resort is pleased to announce it will extend the season through Sunday, April 17, 2011, a full week from the original closing date of Sunday, April 10, 2011. With an annual average of 96 inches arriving at Grand Targhee Resort in March and April, the spring typically brings some of the best conditions to the resort, including blower powder days and balmy afternoons in the sun.
GRAND TARGHEE RESORT EXTENDS WINTER SEASON
Grand Targhee Resort will remain open an extra week, operating the Dreamcatcher Chairlift from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, April 11 through Sunday April 17, 2011 and the Shoshone Chairlift from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 16 and Sunday, April 17.
Tickets/Passes: $39 for 13 and over. $19 for ages 6 to 12.
Season Passes, Daylight Savings Passes and Four-Pack tickets are valid through April 17, 2011.
Lodging: Slopeside lodging will be closed. Lodging available in Driggs (8 miles from the resort) through Grand Targhee Property Management, 800-827-4433.
Amenities: Activity Center is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily; Wild Bills Grill will be open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily; Trap Bar open 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily serving limited appetizers; Plaza BBQ Grill open 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily (will move to Wild Bill’s Grill if weather conditions require); General Store open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily; Teton Mountain Outfitters open 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily; Rentals open 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily (rental returns may be in Teton Mountain Outfitters).
TICKET & LODGING DEALS
DAYLIGHT SAVINGS PASS
The Daylight Savings Pass is a great deal on late-season turns and some of our best snow conditions! At $199 for Adults, $169 for Young Adults and $99 for Juniors and Seniors, it breaks even in less than three days on the slopes. On sale now, valid starting on Daylight Savings Day, Sunday, March 13, 2011.
SPRING TICKET DEALS!
* TWOFERS: Two for one ticket, ticket/lesson and ticket/lunch deals throughout the rest of the season! Check the website for info and to sign up.
* $29 COLLEGE TICKET: Show your valid 2011 College ID at the ticket window and score a $29 full day lift ticket through April 10, 2011.
* $39 ANY SEASON PASS TICKET: Flash your 2010-11 winter season pass from any other resort for a $39 full day lift ticket through April 10, 2011.
SKI & STAY PACKAGES
We’re offering incredible slopeside lodging deals through Saturday, April 9, 2011.
* $69 ski and stay (per person, double occupancy at Targhee Lodge or quad occupancy in Teewinot Lodge).
* $95 ski and stay (per person, double occupancy in Teewinot Lodge).
* $89 per night at the Targhee Lodge.
* $99 per night at the Teewinot Lodge.
Kids 12 and under ski FREE with each paid adult! The Happy Kids Hour at the Branding Iron allows kids 10 and under to eat for FREE with each paid adult entree between 4:30 and 6:00 pm, Sunday through Friday.
Valid on new packages only, may not be combined with other discounts or promotions. Does not include taxes and fees. Some restrictions may apply. Call 1-800-TARGHEE (827-4433) to book.


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Online car marketplace Auto Trader has hailed its best ever annual performance thanks to a boost from pent-up demand for vehicles following Covid lockdowns.
The group saw pre-tax profits nearly double to £301 million in the year to March 31 – up from £157.4 million the previous year – as revenues surged 65% to £432.7 million.
Profits were also 20% higher compared with 2019-20, before the pandemic struck.
Chief executive Nathan Coe said it was the “best financial and operational performance in our history”.
The group said it had been buoyed by strong demand for both new and used cars over the past financial year, “fuelled by a catch-up in transactions that didn’t happen in 2020” due to lockdowns, as well as increased interest in car ownership and higher consumer confidence.
This came despite new car shortages due to global semi-conductor chip supply problems, with average car stock on Auto Trader’s site down 11% to 430,000.
The new car shortages has led to a knock-on effect on used car prices, with Auto Trader’s used car price index seeing a 22% year-on-year increase.
Auto Trader flagged economic uncertainty and said it expects car retailer forecourts to be down marginally year on year as trading conditions start to toughen.
But the group said it remains confident of meeting growth expectations for the year ahead.
Mr Coe said: “We are well placed to continue growing our core business while establishing the products that retailers will need to shift more of the car-buying journey online, on Auto Trader.
“Despite the current high levels of economic uncertainty and industry change, we enter the year with good reason for both confidence and optimism.”


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One of the world's most recognisable lingerie brands has caused rashes, hives and permanent scarring, according to a potential lawsuit by American women who claim they've experienced very uncomfortable symptoms.
Attorneys are filing a 'class action' lawsuit - one brought by a number of people - against the company that makes the hugely popular Victoria's Secret bras.
"I had the welts ... very red, hot to the touch, extremely inflamed, blistery. It itched profusely," said Roberta Ritter, who describes herself as a longtime Victoria's Secret shopper. "I couldn't sleep, because I was kept awake by itching.I was just utterly sick," she added.
Ritter, 37, filed a lawsuit against the company on May 14 in relation to the Angels Secret Embrace and Very Sexy Extreme Me Push-Up bras she said she bought.
But the Ohio resident isn't alone in her complaint. Her lawyers said dozens of other women have contacted them with similar claims involving a number of the intimate brand's collections. Many seek to be a part of the potential legal action.
"I was floored. I thought, 'I have to come out with this. The can of worms has to be opened because it's not just me, it's other people as well,'" Ritter said.
The medical website medhelp.org also features numerous complaints against the underwear company.
"I, too, had an awful itchy, red splotchy rash from the Secret Embrace bras," one poster complained.
A Victoria's Secret spokesperson admitted the company had received direct complaints from customers, but added the bras remain on store shelves.
The company said it is investigating complaints and released a statement that said, "We are sorry that a small number of people have had an issue and we want to help them determine the cause.Customer safety and satisfaction are always our primary concerns and we take seriously any issues our customers may have with our products," the statement continued.


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The number of minutes Britons spent surfing the Net declined in November vs. October, according to the Internet audience research company MMXI Europe B.V.
In its latest monthly survey, MMXI Europe said Britain's online population spent an average of 212 minutes Net surfing, down from 257 in October. But French and German Internet usage -- in terms of average minutes spent online -- rose. French users spent an average of 204.3 minutes online vs. 188.7, and Germans 336.4 minutes vs. 296.5.
The average number of user days per person during the month also fell in the U.K. but rose in France and Germany. In Britain, this figure was down to 8.8 vs. 9.4 in October. The French number advanced to 8.6 from 8.3, and the German figure came in at 10.4 vs. 10.3.The most widely used Web site in the U.K. remained Freeserve FREE, +0.00%, ahead of Yahoo yhoo. Deutsche Telekom's DT, +1.84% T-Online took the No. 1 spot in Germany, and France Telecom's FTE, -0.33% Wanadoo was the top dog in France. Yahoo was also runner-up in both continental European countries. MMXI Europe is a joint venture involving Media Metrix Inc. mmxi, Ipsos SA and GfK AG.
Telindus, Redback Networks ink deal
Telindus, a Belgian networking company, announced a pan-European partnership deal Tuesday with Redback Networks Inc. rbak, the U.S. networking company.
The two are to jointly supply subscriber management systems for the deployment of broadband services to European telecom firms, Internet service providers and cable companies. In a statement, the two said the value of the European broadband services market is expected to reach $2 billion within a few years as the number of Europeans surfing the Internet rises.
Redback Networks on Nasdaq
The broadband services market includes high-speed Net access, video streaming and consumer pay-per-view services. Telindus and Redback Networks will offer a subscriber management system to assist Net service providers in managing their subscribers and deploying broadband services.
More banking on the Net
Lloyds TSB Group PLC appears to be throwing its hat further into the Internet banking ring, with its latest plan to set up a Net bank in Europe.
Ian Tabor, press officer for Lloyds TSB, told CBS.MarketWatch.com that the bank has been testing out concepts and systems but that it's "too early to say when or where" it will be launched. The group already offers Internet banking for U.K. customers at www.lloydstsb.co.uk, which was launched in November 1998 and currently has more than 160,000 customers.
Among the competition ispan-European Internet only bank, First-e, which currently offers services in Britain and plans to roll out services across Europe, starting with Germany in February.
The Net bank is a joint venture between Dublin-based Internet holding company, Enba PLC and French Banque d'Escompte. Found at www.first-e.com, the group is also planning online brokerage services to be integrated with the First-e account. The company's chief executive, Xavier Azalbert, said online brokerage services would begin in Britain in February.
EToys claims a jolly British Christmas
In Britain, EToys U.K., a wholly owned subsidiary of EToys Inc. etys, said it had lots of "very happy customers" over the Christmas period, its first Yuletide season online in Britain.
Shares of EToys on Nasdaq
"Distribution went really well, and we hit all the deadlines," said James Bidwell, the company's marketing director for Europe. He said he couldn't give specific figures.
He said the group was delivering on Dec. 23 and 24 all across the British isles.
And what was EToy's best-selling toy in Britain? None other than the cuddly Furby Baby. Among games sold online, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire was the top seller, while the best overall brand seller was Pokemon, said Bidwell.


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SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Officials in Springfield are ordering a shop to shut down after they say it was illegally selling marijuana.
Mayor Domenic Sarno’s administration on Wednesday issued a cease and desist order to Mary Jane Makes Your Heart Sing.
Officials say owner Charles Christian was charging a $20 to $50 entry fee that could be put toward the purchase of store items like electronic cigarettes, pipes, rolling papers and other smoking paraphernalia.
Customers would then depart with a free “gift” of one to three grams of marijuana, or a marijuana-infused chocolate bar. Christian didn’t immediately return calls or emails seeking comment.
The state’s new recreational marijuana law permits residents to possess, grow and exchange limited quantities of the drug as of December 2016. But marijuana can’t be sold or purchased until mid-2018.


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SAN ANGELO, Texas — Looking for an elevated experience with beer, dinner and dessert?
A new San Angelo brewery is partnering with Freida's Sweets & Meats food truck to serve the community with beer and barbecue.
"I love smoked meats," food truck owner Freida Cooney said. "That's really, kind of my passion but I also really like good sauces and fine dining."
Cooney has been working at her food truck since 2015. Growing up with a family of fifth generation West Texas ranchers, she has transformed her skills into a full time career.
In fact, the chef previously spent time in television and was even featured on "Barbecue Pit Masters" and "Chopped," where she showcased her skills to a larger audience.
"I think they set it up to be a real challenge," Cooney said of her time on "Chopped." "I think it tests no matter what level of chef you are, whether you're just a backyard barbecue or all the way to a thirty year veteran chef at some fine dining resort or something, it really does challenge you because they really give you a limited amount of time to cook things."
Cooney previously graduated from Angelo State University but continued her education in culinary school following her time on the screen.
Now, she has decided to take on a new challenge: partnering with the soon-to-open Wandering Mind Brewery to create new menu items as much as possible.
"It's kind of like what I've been wanting to do and we just found each other, serendipity, you know," she said.
The brewery will be open for a soft launch June 23 and 24, serving unique creations like "Early to the Party" Sangria Golden and "Weather Report" Belgian Style Triple.
Cooney has created charcoal "smashburgers" for the launch based on her taste test of the beers and the pair plan to open full time July 15 for a new dining experience.
There will also be the chance to sit outside and play cornhole while spending time with family and friends.
"I really like the idea of barbecue and elevated beer and barbecue," Cooney said.
Go to Wandering Mind Brewery to learn more information or for updates on San Angelo's newest dining endeavor.


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UK OTC Market Bounces Back In 2021 With Help Of Cold, Flu And Pain Categories
Thanks to double-digit growth in the cold and flu category and higher demand for analgesics, the UK’s OTC market grew by 4.5% to £2.87bn ($3.52bn), according to data from NielsenIQ. Looking ahead, Nielsen's consumer health expert Matt Carpenter suggests that consumers are now adopting "moving on" mindsets, which OTC firms need to take into account in their business strategies.
The return of seasonal viruses, together with the emergence of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus, drove up demand for OTC cold, flu and pain products at the end of last year, helping the UK’s consumer health market rebound in 2021, according to NielsenIQ.
Thanks to double digit growth in the cold and flu category – up 11.9% to £421m ($516m) – and an increase of 5.2% to £693m in pain, the UK’s OTC market grew by 4.5% overall to £2.87bn.
“For the OTC sector, the winter of 2020/21 was difficult,” commented NielsenIQ’s analytics insight manager for health, beauty, personal care and home categories, Matt Carpenter. “Flu incidence was near-zero as consumers adapted their behavior to help curtail the spread of COVID-19, in line with government guidance and restrictions.”
“For obvious reasons, however, health remained at the forefront of consumers’ minds in 2021 and the sector delivered a strong recovery in terms of value performance,” he continued, in the UK consumer healthcare association, PAGB’s, annual report.
“The autumn and winter of 2021 saw the return of seasonal viruses which, together with the emergence of the Omicron variant of coronavirus, drove up demand in cold and flu and pain relief products,” he added.
Category-wise, other notable growers included gastrointestinal, skin treatments, smoking cessation and eye care. But if we look at 2020, all of these categories suffered at the hands of the pandemic.
Categories that have continued to grow throughout the pandemic include sleep aids and hay fever.
Once this longer view is taken into account, we can understand why vitamins and minerals have not done that well in 2021 – the category grew by a massive 14% in 2020.
As Carpenter pointed out, there was a strong demand in 2020, which is reflected in the weaker 2021 performance. However, in 2021, performance was still up 15% compared to 2019, “so still a strong baseline playing through in vitamins,” he noted.
“In terms of the future,” he commented, “I would expect demand to remain strong but consumers to down trade as we have seen in other categories from branded to private label products.”
In terms of sales channels, NielsenIQ noted a return to bricks-and-mortar shopping once restrictions were lifted in Spring, after strong online sales in the first part of the year.
“Demand and growth for in-store sales rose from May onwards as restrictions began to ease and outstripped that for online sales for the rest of the year, although consumers are not yet shopping in person at pre-COVID levels,” Carpenter reported.
“Online demand continues to grow, however, suggesting that consumers are embracing hybrid shopping,” he added.
Looking ahead, Carpenter suggested that “there are signs that the world is preparing to treat COVID-19 as an endemic rather than a pandemic disease,” resulting in consumers adopting “moving on” mindsets, which OTC firms need to take into account when formulating their business strategies.
Since the start of the pandemic, consumers have re-prioritized what matters to them. “In fact, our recent NielsenIQ 2022 Consumer Outlook online survey reveals that 72% of UK respondents believe that their priorities, and resulting shopping habits, have been impacted to some degree by COVID-19,” Carpenter said.
Physical and mental wellness and stress management were ranked as the three most important priorities to focus on in the next 12 months for UK consumers, the survey found.
Inflation will also be another crucial factor shaping consumer decisions, Carpenter said, with more than half of UK households reporting that they are spending more on their normal weekly shop than they did six months ago.
“Consumers will look to save by moving towards discounters, purchasing own-label products and making more use of promotions,” Carpenter commented. “Although health is at the forefront of consumers’ minds, finding the best product for the lowest available price will be a growing factor in purchase decisions.”
Given this focus on well-being, OTC manufacturers who demonstrate the value their brands can offer to support consumers in these areas “are well-placed for success,” he said.
Preparing For The Unexpected
Climate change is also now top of mind for consumers, Carpenter explained. More than a quarter of respondents said they were more likely to consider the sustainability of a product before buying.
“Sustainability is increasingly important and manufacturers who can also highlight their sustainability credentials to consumers and to retailers are more likely to defend their listings,” he advised.
In general, post-pandemic consumers are “preparing for the unexpected,” he said.
“With the potential for new variants of coronavirus, lingering uncertainty over any future government-mandated restrictions and a looming cost-of-living crisis, OTC manufacturers need to prepare for a number of different scenarios in 2022,” Carpenter said.
“In a future where the social and consumer landscape may change rapidly, companies that recognize the importance of agility and responsiveness are more likely to navigate these challenges successfully,” he added.


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Right before the biggest sale season of the year—Black Friday—analysts from Picodi.com conducted research and a survey among Indians. The results of the research reveal what we can expect from Black Friday this year. From this report you’ll learn, among other things, if you can trust the sales that will be offered, what’s the consumers’ attitude toward Black Friday and how much Indians are going to spend during Black Friday shopping spree which starts on 23rd November.
Buyers will not waste the opportunity to save money on shopping. 32% of the surveyed Indians admitted that they’re going to take part in the upcoming Black Friday sales. This is most likely the result of marketing campaigns—only 5 years ago Black Friday in India didn’t stir up as many emotions as in the USA or the United Kingdom.
There are other numbers that confirm the serious intentions of consumers on that day. 66% of buyers save money just to do shopping. Let’s remember that Black Friday sales are usually associated with electronics and housewares which are the best-selling products. 16% of respondents decided to buy on installments on Black Friday. The remaining 18% declared that they earn enough to afford some bigger shopping.
During Black Friday, Indians are going to do some serious shopping. Most consumers (42%) are going to buy 2-3 products, and 12% are going to go on a shopping spree and buy more than 5 items. What’s more, 59% of buyers already have an idea what’s going to end up in their baskets. This can be due to the infinite number of guides to what’s worth buying and how to find the biggest discounts.
Black Friday symbolically opens the season of pre-Christmas sales. That’s why it’s a great opportunity for those who start searching for gifts in advance. 16% of consumers will take advantage of Black Friday exactly for this purpose—to buy Christmas gifts. However, in India Black Friday is an occasion to get a present for yourself (58% of respondents chose this answer) or to buy something for your household (23%).
Multiple reports about fake sales have no effect on experienced clients. 77% of respondents claim that they can find the real discounts among all the Black Friday offers and only 23% say that the sales are fictional and unworthy of the attention of consumers. Let’s remind that according to the last year’s statistics the average discount during Black Friday in India reached 46%.
The results of the surveys show that an average woman will spend more money on sales than an average man: 5500 INR and 4000 INR respectively.
The statistics also say that mobile devices dominated desktops. 73% of consumers did their shopping on mobile phones on Black Friday, 3% used tablets and 24% used desktops.
In the report, we used internal statistical data of the discount platform Picodi.com as well as the results of the survey conducted between 25th and 31th October 2018.
Are you willing to share our statistics or infographics about Black Friday with your readers? Feel free to use all the data and infographics presented in this report for both commercial and non-commercial purposes as long as you indicate the author of the research (Picodi.com) with a link to this subpage.
Are you a journalist or a blogger and are looking for information about the preferences of consumers in India and other countries? We’d be glad to share both internal statistics and forecasts with estimations. Contact us at: email@example.com.


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The Sony Xperia Z3 Compact was officially introduced at IFA 2014 earlier this month, alongside the flagship Xperia Z3 and Xperia E3
The Sony Xperia Z3 Compact smartphone officially launched earlier this month and will soon release to various regions. If you’re in
Samsung has stolen the show so far at IFA 2014 and, unfortunately, Sony had to follow Sammy’s presser with their Xperia lineup.
The Sony Xperia Z3 Compact is a handset that’s gotten folks excited, and it will no doubt be a nice device to
There’s a lot of anticipation for two upcoming Sony smartphones, namely the Xperia Z3 and the Xperia Z3 Compact. We’re pretty
IFA is right around the corner, and Sony has already sent out it’s invitations for the big show in Berlin next month.
There's a lot to talk about when it comes to "mini" phones. Samsung and HTC have been historically releasing miniature versions of
All the evidence so far suggests that a new Sony flagship could arrive in a few more months, even though the Xperia


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In the month, there was the fourth segment of the so-called healthtech startups that attracted the most investments in the country.
With a strong growth trend in recent months, health startups, also known as healthtech, raised US$31.3 million in the month of November alone, according to Inside Venture Capital, a monthly report produced by open innovation platform Distrito on Brazilian startups .
Among these companies is the Ceará startup iDun, which was born with the proposal to offer a platform capable of integrating the entire history of examination and patient consultation. “The platform optimizes patient and physician time, integrates data and makes everything available on your smartphone”, says physician Diogo Rolim, CEO of Iden. “It’s practicality and agility that drives us”.
In the startup segment, only fintech, retailtech (business and project management companies) and foodtech (food applications) contributed more than healthtech, which already has more than 500 across Brazil, according to the district.
“In the United States, healthtech is the second segment that raises the most funds, behind only fintech, which shows that Brazil still has a lot of room to grow here,” says Diogo Rolim.
The pandemic accelerated the growth of healthcare startups. In 2020, there were 53 rounds of investment in Healthtech, raising US$106 million, compared to US$190 million in 30 rounds in the first half of this year alone.


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Bezos apologizes for removal of classic Orwell titles from Kindle
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- Eric Engleman
- Staff Writer
Amazon got a blast of bad PR last week after news broke that the company had removed George Orwell's "1984" and "Animal Farm" from the Kindle electronic book reader as part of a dust-up with a publisher. Now Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos is making a personal apology, writing in a Kindle discussion board that the company was "stupid, thoughtless, and painfully out of line with our principles."
Here's the full text of the Bezos apology, posted Thursday just before Amazon's second-quarter earnings announcement:
This is an apology for the way we previously handled illegally sold copies of 1984 and other novels on Kindle. Our "solution" to the problem was stupid, thoughtless, and painfully out of line with our principles. It is wholly self-inflicted, and we deserve the criticism we've received. We will use the scar tissue from this painful mistake to help make better decisions going forward, ones that match our mission.
With deep apology to our customers,
Founder & CEO
Kind of reminds me of the apology Amazon made after the removal of sales rank for a number of gay- and lesbian-themed books earlier this year. The company called it a "ham-fisted error."
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It is not the happiest new calendar year at social publishing platform Medium, seemingly.
In accordance to a website post from its CEO Ev Williams, also co-founder of Twitter, the perfectly-funded startup is laying off 50 personnel in non-engineering roles and shuttering its places of work in New York and Washington, D.C.
Williams took the rosiest achievable angle on alterations happening at Medium, titling his announcement about the layoffs “Renewing Medium’s target.” In the post, the CEO explained that the layoffs are going on as portion of a broader prepare to shift Medium’s organization design.
Primarily, the company is striving to stay away from repeating what other blogging platforms have completed, encouraging publishers or authors to target on arrive at and site views to create advertising and marketing revenue, instead than encouraging them to target on excellent facts and storytelling.
Medium’s levels of competition incorporates social networks utilized by publishers and particular person creatives to distribute their do the job, and other blogging platforms like the 800-lb. gorilla in this room, Automattic’s WordPress, as perfectly as Fb, and businesses nearer to Medium’s age, like Patreon, the blogging-fulfills-crowdfunding platform where creatives get compensated immediately by subscribers right before publishing a news attribute, internet comedian or anything at all else online.
Medium has lifted $132 million in a few outsized rounds of undertaking funding from corporations including Spark Money, Andreessen Horowitz and Greylock, in accordance to Crunchbase.
In his post, Williams stated the platform experienced developed 300 % calendar year-about-calendar year in phrases of posts revealed and visitors, from 2015 to 2016. He did not disclose revenue or other metrics.
Buyers in and executives at Medium had been not right away readily available to remark.
Showcased Image: techcrunch.com


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Photo Source/Copyright: Mitsubishi Media
Mitsubishi Motors teased the all-new Outlander, and it may be the change the automaker needed. The Outlander SUV has long been a flagship model for the Japanese automaker and has inspired the creation of the Outlander Sport and Outlander PHEV (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle). Although many are hoping it’s not what the brand had in mind in regards to producing a new vehicle for the C-D car segment. The car can range from subcompact to a large format vehicle.
For the teaser, it was refreshing to see Mitsubishi opt for a dark color to further mask the mystery behind the all-new Outlander SUV. The teaser photo only barely reveals a slight outline between the daytime running headlights and the vents on the front of the car. The SUV is hiding behind dark shadows and a dark exterior paint color that reveals little to nothing ahead of its debut. The vehicle will debut in the U.S., Puerto Rico, and Canada in the coming weeks of February—but as expected, it hit the overseas market first.
“The OUTLANDER is an iconic SUV for the company, so when we developed the next-generation model, we took inspirations from our rich SUV heritage to realize a bold and confident styling with a solid stance that excites our customer,” said Seiji Watanabe, Division General Manager of Design (Head of Design), MMC. “The all-new OUTLANDER is the first model epitomizing the new generation of Mitsubishi design and the frontrunner of our design strategy.”
The team is calling it ifuudoudou, pronounced as “I-Fu-Do-Do.” It doesn’t mean what you would probably associate it with phonetically. Thankfully, thesauruses exist, and the word translates to elegant, magnificent, and gracious. If the new model fits the description behind it, drivers should expect a strong, well-defined, quality build from the automaker in a much needed revamp. Customers should also look forward to the Dynamic Shield design concept, as it will allow for more protection from accidents and add an extra layer of style that could potentially carry over to other models in the line.
Aside from this, there isn’t much else we know about the new Outlander SUV, but many will be watching the live stream when the vehicle is announced in the coming weeks. The car does bring one question, though. What happened to the Engelberg Tourer? A couple of years back, the automaker was hyping up the Engelberg as if it were going to replace the Outlander PHEV and potentially become the focal point of Mitsubishi. Perhaps it fell out of plans during the pandemic, or could it be a crossover as a mystery vehicle.
In the meantime, Mitsubishi Motors has been making an effort to upgrade its vehicles and even breaching the luxury level surface. With this new generation of their iconic Outlander SUV, we look forward to what new features and upgrades will be made available to set it apart from its predecessors. If you’d like to stay up to date with Mitsubishi, check out University Mitsubishi on social media for news about the live stream later this month.
Like what you see? Click here for more stories about Florida automotive news. Florida Insider is dedicated to educating, entertaining, and informing its readers about everything in Florida. Easy to read content at the palm of your hands and covering the stories that matter.
Terry is an avid Nascar fan who grew up attending races at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina, just down the road from his hometown of China Grove, NC. Terry currently resides in Wellington and has been writing for 15 years. He also enjoys watching the Road Runner Looney Tunes cartoon with his two sons in his spare time.


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As we embark on another year filled with rife technological advancements, the time has never been more pivotal for innovation and competitive enterprise. At the heart of this vigorous marketplace lies the corporate conquest to design the greatest and latest wearable devices. At the forefront of this race is multi-billionaire technology titan, Apple Inc. This well-known tech giant is no stranger to the limelight, however, it is their recent victory in an intense legal battle that has many spectators taking a fresh look at their latest smartwatch models.
Apple has won a legal battle and can now resume selling its latest smartwatch models after a temporary ban. The ban was imposed due to a patent dispute with medical technology company Masimo over the blood oxygen feature. https://t.co/3X1Edwdq9c
— The America One News (@am1_news) January 1, 2024
Apple has weathered yet another turbulent legal storm, as reports pour in that the tech behemoth was granted permission to recommence sales of its innovative smartwatch models. According to CNBC, a significant victory was found for Apple, as the company declared it will recommence peddling its newest Apple Watch models, specifically the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2. This decision was made possible only after a U.S. appeals court decided to offer a halt on an existing import ban, temporarily relieving the company of its restrictions.
This legal triumph comes after the dispute over patent infringement that led to Apple having to temporarily pull its smartwatches off store shelves. As Breitbart News highlighted in an earlier report, Apple took the unforeseen decision to suspend sales of the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 in the United States. This postponement took effect amid an underway legal tug of war involving the blood oxygen feature of the smartwatches with medical tech firm Masimo, one that claimed ownership over the technology utilized in these Apple devices.
Apple’s strategy included filing an appeal with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and submitting redesigned models of the Apple Watch for customs approval, a move that could ultimately sidestep the ban. The case’s resolution bears great significance for Apple, given the importance of the holiday sales period. The Apple Watch, an integral part of the company’s wearables segment, has brought in significant revenue in the past fiscal year, underlining its prominence in the trillion-dollar tech giant’s extensive portfolio.
The tech giant’s latest legal victory paints a robust picture of Apple’s relentless commitment to pushing boundaries in watch technology. It also showcases the resilience of the company against legal obstacles – another feather in the cap for the revered tech leader. The lifting of the ban signals a pivotal moment for Apple in its quest to dominate the wearable technology market.
Despite the initial turmoil, Apple’s recent legal triumph stands as a testament to the unwavering strength of this tech titan. Its response to adversity highlights a vital example to other industry participants on how to navigate the complex landscape of intellectual property rights in an ever-evolving technology market.
In conclusion, Apple’s recent triumph is more than just a legal victory. It symbolizes the unyielding resilience of a titan in the face of adversity. With the import ban momentarily paused and sales of the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 set to be back on track shortly, the technological landscape waits with bated breath to see Apple’s next move and its continued impact on the industry. It is thus evident, that Apple’s dedication to innovation and its firm stance in intellectual property rights remains unscathed, even amidst the fiercest of legal storms. The world watches on eagerly as the tech giant continues its quest to “think different” and shape the future of wearable technology.


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Walking Tour Reveals Past and Present Retail Shopping Scene on Congress
May 30, 2012
By Teya Vitu
Retail is back with a force Downtown.
Walking is the only way to get a sense of how much and how unique shopping Downtown has become in just the last year or two or three.
At the same time, Downtown has a retail history stretching back 150 years.
You can get a full sense of the Downtown retail story – past and present – on the new Downtown Retail Walking Tour, staged by the Downtown Tucson Partnership.
Free tours will be given every Saturday in June at 9:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m., starting at Pennington Street and Scott Avenue near the Pennington Street Garage. To reserve a spot, contact Caitlin Jensen at 837-6516 or via email.
Your tour guide will be Ken Scoville, a staunch defender of Tucson’s history since moving here in 1983. Any time a historic structure is in jeopardy, expect to see Scoville in the City Council Chambers mounting a defense.
Scoville is not just the self-appointed historic preservation watchdog. He’s also given walking tours of Downtown neighborhoods a couple times a month since 1984.
The Downtown Tucson Partnership brought Scoville on to explore the history of retail Downtown.
“We will visit a few ghosts, the ghosts of Montgomery Ward, Cele Peterson’s, Jácome’s, Steinfeld’s.”
Tucson has a largely intact Downtown east of Stone Street, with many buildings in place since the early 1900s and evidence of the 1940s-1950s retail still plainly evident with the numerous entryway tablets announcing bygone businesses: Nathaniel Shirt Shops, McLellan’s, Franklin’s, Daniel’s Jewelers, Kelly’s, Dave Bloom & Sons, Angels from Heaven, and Betty Gay.
“There is still enough left to tell the story,” Scoville said. “I sorta know where everything used to be.”
The street has always had a West Congress and East Congress divide, whether 130 years ago or today’s 1960s government setting vs. the 1920s retail, dining and entertainment scene.
“I’m the most curious about Tucson before the arrival of the railroad in 1880,” Scoville said. “I sometimes like to think I lived here 140 years ago.”
Back then, all the action was on what we call West Congress. That 1860-1880 history vanished entirely with the 1960s urban renewal that brought us government towers and the Tucson Convention Center complex at the cost of Tucson’s original barrio.
At the heart of that stretch, a street called Maiden Lane angled toward Congress a century ago. At the wedge, where the two streets met stood a cigar shop with lead Indian maiden, which is on display at the Arizona Historical Society Museum-Downtown, 140 North Stone Avenue.
Maiden Lane was the red light district.
“I like to point out that our red light district was where government is now,” Scoville chuckled.
The late 1960s wasn’t the only time West Congress reeled from cataclysmic change. The first time came in 1880 with the arrival of the railroad way at the eastern edge of town. All of a sudden West Congress was nowhere and business gravitated closer to the railroad on East Congress.
“The death knell for the west side of Congress was the opening of the Rialto Theatre,” Scoville said. “I like to point out to people that theater and shopping is nothing new. West Congress merchants returned in force with the opening of the Fox Theatre in 1930.”
Scoville has lived and breathed history all his life. He was a history major in college, taught middle school history to gifted students for 15 years at Amphitheater Public Schools and took on his historic watchdog role soon after moving to Tucson.
“When you get passionate about something, it’s just something you have to do,” Scoville said.
He was the strong advocate behind saving the Ghost Ranch Lodge on Miracle Mile. He realized the demolition of the Santa Rita Hotel was a “fait accompli” but he still mounted a public defense. Student housing impacting historic neighborhood has been his latest cause.
The tour will include Scoville’s historic recitations as well as visits to many of today’s retailers, where you can find merchandise you’d find hard to turn up elsewhere in town.
“It’s sort of a story of survival, the bad decisions city government has made over 100 years and the speculators,” Scoville said. “We still have the possibility of having a real Downtown.”


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BERLIN -- Continental has reinforced expectations for higher sales this year as it says it will benefit from further growth in global auto production and returns on investments in self-driving technology.
"The start into the new year has confirmed the expectations set for 2017," Continental said on Thursday, citing a goal to raise sales by more than 6 percent to over 43 billion euros ($45.28 billion) despite rising raw material prices.
The maker of driver-assistance technology and fuel-injection systems said adjusted operating profit eased 0.6 percent to 4.34 billion euros.
Continental expects to keep its 2017 margin on adjusted earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) above 10.5 percent, after 10.8 percent last year.
Continental is bolstering its electronics expertise as carmakers including Volkswagen AG and Ford Motor Co. raise spending on battery-powered and driverless cars in response to tougher anti-pollution rules and the emergence of new rivals such as Google.
The supplier said it plans to increase the dividend to 4.25 euros per share from 3.75 euros in 2015.
The group already reported core results in January.
Meanwhile, a Continental executive said the supplier has no plans at present for any larger takeover deal but said it could shoulder an acquisition worth over 2 billion euros ($2.11 billion).
"We are in principle ready to also carry out a somewhat larger acquisition if it's the right step strategically for Continental," finance chief Wolfgang Schaefer told Reuters.
But Continental is not in talks at present over any target of greater size, Schaefer said in an interview on Thursday after the company released 2016 earnings.
Continental wants to reduce its reliance on the volatile cyclical business of carmakers which accounts for the bulk of its sales and is keen to invest in new mobility services.
The company's last major deal was the purchase of U.S. rubber company Veyance Technologies in 2014 for 1.4 billion euros. Continental had 6 billion euros of liquidity reserves at the end of 2016.


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Keep your salary credited Bitcoin Or other crypto is still a distant milestone for most workers, although in recent months many US companies have decided to hire employees. Pays in digital currency. To benefit from this exam, junior profiles with a background in technology or the creative field are usually available, and getting paid in cryptocurrencies is the best incentive to work in a particular company.
While these types of choices are interesting, I hide many important issues for the employer and the employee being paid in their digital wallet.
American millennials want to pay in crypto
For decades, companies in the states have focused on the broader offering of corporate benefits Attract younger profiles, Especially the company’s core business is about the technology sector. In the year when digital currencies reached new heights, many American companies decided to play payroll in bitcoin. Ethereum Or other crypto assets will ensure cooperation with the young mind.
Cryptocurrency credits are especially popular with programmers, business accountants, internet marketing experts, graphic designers and other web professionals. However, it cannot be ruled out that even senior employees may be asked to pay in bitcoin for work done in the future. Many experts believe that using digital tokens instead of the dollar would not be advantageoustax evasion, Because both companies and employees are equally required to report tax payments in Fiat currency to tax authorities.
This is a very interesting trend, however there will be payrolls in similar ways Many disadvantages: If an employer makes a mistake in crediting salary in crypto, he cannot block the transaction, or force the employee to repay that amount. In addition, fluctuations in the price of digital currencies can reduce compensation. Finally, there are issues related to the security of workers’ digital wallets that could be compromised by hackers.
Bitcoin salaries for politicians and athletes
In the United States, the idea of paying for crypto attracts some local executives. In November, Tampa’s Democratic Mayor Jane Custer announced the option during an interview. Get your salary in bitcoin, An election then shared by Miami Mayor Francis Suarez and New York Eric Adams. The first citizens of the two metropolitan areas made continuous efforts with the aim of making their respective cities more attractive in the national and international crypto environment.
Two months ago, Odel Beckham, two NFL stars who were the Los Angeles Rams ‘white receiver – and Aaron Rodgers – the Green Bay Packers’ quarterback, signed deals with their respective clubs, according to US sports magazines. Beckham is said to be paid Full seasonal payment in BitcoinAlthough Rodgers wants to get only half of his salary in his digital wallet, the rest will be credited to him in dollars.
“Prone to fits of apathy. Introvert. Award-winning internet evangelist. Extreme beer expert.”


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SB 1147 which is backed by the parent company of Philip Morris USA, would raise the legal age for purchasing tobacco and vaping products to 21 and establish fines for violating the law. However some lawmakers and health advocates are arguing against this bill, as it would rightly sidestep efforts to define e-cigarettes as tobacco.
SB 1147 would raise the legal age for purchasing tobacco and vaping products to 21 and establish fines for violating the law.
“Why would anybody accept a solution to the health crisis we are facing from the very industry that caused the crisis?” said Sen. Heather Carter, R-Cave Creek, who pushed separate legislation to restrict tobacco and e-cigarette usage. “They did this with cigarettes and now they think they can do this with e-cigarettes.”
Meanwhile, the Senate passed HB 2357. A bill which was sponsored by Sen. Heather Carter, R-Cave Creek, and classifies vaping products in the same category as tobacco. This means that the devices would not only be subject to the same rules and regulations with regards to the sales of the products, but also with regards to where they can be used.
The bill would also allow towns and cities the rights to impose their own regulations. Therefore, while it does not explicitly raise the legal vaping age, it would still allow communities to adopt and keep their own ordinances and raise the legal age to 21 if they so wish.
Stakeholders are being consulted
With regards to SB 1147, Rep. John Allen said that it is being amended in collaboration with stakeholders, including retailers and tobacco companies, before being put forward for another round of votes. “Tobacco (representation) is certainly at the table, but it’s mostly the ma and pa stores that want to see this change,” Allen said. “They don’t want to be at the whims of a city council that decides to raise the age to 65 and charge $900 for a permit to sell tobacco.”
Read Further: KJZZ


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THE government says the retail sector should strengthen its linkages with the productive sectors of the economy to promote a culture of manufacturing in Zimbabwe.
Speaking at the official opening of Edgars Stores Zimbabwe outlet at Ascot Shopping Centre in Bulawayo last week, former Industry and Commerce minister Sithembiso Nyoni said the retail industry should work with other sectors.
“Nationally, the commerce sector has experienced robust growth over the last few years and indications are that it will continue to grow. I am happy that Edgars Stores has come on board to contribute to this national vision,” she said in a speech read on her behalf by Industry deputy minister Raj Modi.
“The distribution sector of our economy is key to fostering domestic trade and has a key role to play as intermediaries between suppliers and consumers.
“The retail sector must strengthen its linkages with the productive sectors of our economy so that we promote a culture to manufacture in Zimbabwe in order to ensure our consumers can buy locally produced goods.”
Nyoni said the government has made strides in improving the business environment by implementing the ease and cost of doing business reforms.
These reforms and other policy interventions spurred the country towards the US$8 billion manufacturing and commercial sector that was achieved at the end of 2023, she noted.
Nyoni revealed that the ministry was on a drive to ensure organised commerce and in this regard, will continue to work closely with both established retail chain stores and upcoming commercial entities to achieve the same.
She said since 2017, capacity utilisation in the manufacturing sector has increased to over 60%. In addition, 80% of the basic products in supermarket shelves are now locally produced.
“Government is, however, concerned by acts of indiscipline being perpetrated by some among us and calls on members of the business community to maintain discipline in pricing our goods fairly and remitting our taxes to support revenue generation by government,” Nyoni noted.
“Government is aware that the formal retail sector has witnessed its fair share of challenges, including price escalations, exchange rate instability, power outages and subdued consumer demand.
“Government has however intervened with a raft of measures to bring normalcy in the marketplace. Some of these interventions include a tight monetary policy intended to curb inflation that the government is implementing and the commissioning of Hwange Unit 7 and 8 to increase power generation.”
The government also noted that unfair competition from the informal sector was threatening some retail businesses. The clothing retail sector is also negatively affected by illegal imports of second-hand clothing.
“Government is continually addressing the challenges posed by our porous borders. Efforts will continue to level the playing field between formal and informal businesses,” Nyoni said.
She challenged retailers and wholesalers to advance the interests of consumers ahead of profiteering, noting that consumers continue to lament over the ever-increasing prices of goods and services, among other business mal-practices.


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Microsoft announced the Limited Collector's Edition of 'Halo 5: Guardians' back in December - but we now have our first glimpse at the packaging of the $249.99 special edition release.
LG G4 Review - the phone that tries to offer everything
Our review of the Microsoft Designer Bluetooth Desktop
All the latest news for Windows 10 Mobile and Desktop previews
Galactic Civilizations III now available on Steam
galactic civilizations 3
Tronsmart's USB Smart Charger; an ideal solution for the household?
Halo 5 guardians
The official cover art for "Halo 5: Guardians" has been revealed, showcasing Master Chief and Jameson Locke as well as Spartan teams that will aid each protagonist.
From open Windows and bendy Galaxys, to a serving of Spartan, a bit more Lollipop, lots more Ones, WhatsApp chat and the OS that still won't die, it's our regular round-up of the week's top tech news.
Microsoft's live-action trailer for Xbox One first-person shooter "Halo 5: Guardians" during a commercial break of television's "The Walking Dead" announced an Oct. 27 release date for the game.
Microsoft has released a fictional multi-part exposé about Halo franchise protagonist Master Chief to promote the upcoming entry in the series, "Halo 5: Guardians."
A new Tumblr account is teasing a "Halo 5" announcement for Sunday, though little information is given about what the announcement could possibly be.
It won't actually be available until autumn 2015, but you can order Halo 5: Guardians now, including the option of a $249.99 Limited Collector's Edition, which includes a poster and a numbered statue.
Microsoft has released the first footage of the upcoming "Halo: Nightfall" digital video series, giving us our first good glimpse of Agent Locke, who will be playable in "Halo 5: Guardians."
Microsoft's 343 Industries has released the first public piece of concept art for the newly revealed Halo 5: Guardians, and also stated that the Xbox One game is being built on a new graphics engine.


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CoroCoro Comic is teasing something new for Switch that is said to be the next big thing to follow Splatoon 2 and Fortnite. [Thanks, Ryokutya2089.]
Details for the new Switch game are scarce for now but we got a few quotes from the CoroCoro issue. The first says that this new mystery game will be “the creation of a super epic action game that follows Splatoon and Fortnite”.
It also says that the game will push the Switch’s performance to its limits in order to bring us this new world. In the game, we’ll see things like battles taking place by skyscrapers in the middle of a peaceful city. A manga has already been confirmed for the game as well.
Ryokutya describes a key visual from the magazine as a young man and a mysterious monster standing in a city that looks like New York.
It’s also worth noting that CoroCoro Comic is geared towards kids so we can expect this title to be the same. Furthermore, CoroCoro likes to over-hype their teasers as we’ve seen with Splatoon 2‘s “shocking” announcement. That said, we’ll be sure to keep our excitement in check for now, but for now, we’ll look forward to getting its first look.
The developer is still unknown but the game itself will release in Japan sometime in 2020 for the Nintendo Switch.


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The put up Norwegian’s Meet the Winemaker set to debut in Europe appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily.
The 2022 season of the Norwegian Cruise Line’s (NCL) Meet the Winemaker collection is again by well-liked demand, with an thrilling line-up scheduled for its sixth 12 months. The firm has once more teamed up with famend wineries to create this seasonal programme designed for wine lovers and foodies in any respect talent ranges.
The cruise supplies unique alternatives to interact with winemakers and different consultants by means of quite a lot of enriching seminars and actions, which embody intimate wine tastings and wine-paired dinners, interactive culinary demonstrations and meet-and-greets on board. The expertise can be accessible on choose cruises aboard Norwegian Encore, Norwegian Escape, Norwegian Joy and Norwegian Bliss.
And, for the first time ever in its historical past, the Meet the Winemaker collection can be making its means to Europe as Norwegian Escape sails round the Greek Isles and Italy on 17 July and 12 October. The host of the occasion in July can be notable winemaker Antonio Hidalgo of the globally acknowledged and family-owned Spanish Sherry home Bodegas Hidalgo La Gitana.
NCL president and CEO Harry Sommer stated: “Our Guest First policy compels us to put guests at the heart of every development, and the Meet the Winemaker series showcases this commitment to bringing high quality, one-of-a-kind offerings to our guests. We hope that our guests will enjoy the new edition of the popular series and are left with an unforgettable experience from today’s most innovative beverage and culinary leaders. We are very proud of this season’s line-up and excited to bring the event to Europe for the first time ever.”
The put up Norwegian’s Meet the Winemaker set to debut in Europe appeared first on Travel Daily.


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After all the hype about generative AI, Salesforce and YouGov have come up with a calculation about how much time it will save marketers.
After polling 1,000 full-time marketers in the United States, the UK and Australia in May, the researchers found that generative AI can save about five hours of work per week. That amounts to more than a month each year, assuming eight-hour workdays.
At the same time, marketers also expressed concerns about the accuracy and quality of such AI outputs and their lack of skills to get the most out of these tools.
Overall, the survey, part of Salesforce’s Generative AI Snapshot Series, found that 51% of marketers polled are currently using generative AI. Another 22% said they plan to use it very soon. But 39% said they don’t know how to safely use generative AI.
Among the ways marketers say generative AI is already transforming their roles, including content creation (76%) and writing copy (76%). Looking ahead, 53% say generative AI is a “game changer” for reasons including the way they’ll use it to analyze data, build marketing campaigns and personalize messaging content.
Most marketers see generative AI as a time-saver, with 71% saying generative AI will eliminate busy work and another 71% saying it will let them focus on more strategic work.


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DENVER — A local Black-owned small business in Denver has been selected to appear in the 2020 edition of Oprah's Favorite Things.
Angel Johnson founded ICONI Leggings, which stands for “I Can Overcome, Nothing’s Impossible,” in January.
The active-duty captain in the U.S. Air Force said her mission is to motivate women to remined them of their own strength.
"Our logo represents power, strength, and versatility," according to the company's website. "The base is a power button which represents your power to accomplish your goals. The overlay is the Adinkra symbol for strength and versatility. It takes strength to control your total wellness, especially when starting a fitness journey.
ICONI donates 10% of its profits to local nonprofits, according to the website.
2020 is the sixth year Oprah has teamed up with Amazon to create a list of her "Favorite Things" during the holiday season.
"This year, supporting Black-owned businesses is more important than ever," according to a release from Amazon. "With this in mind, it was important to Oprah the 2020 list celebrate Black business owners and help them grow their businesses and reach new customers through Amazon’s Store."
"Because so many people want to support Black lives any way they can, we’ve found dozens of absolutely gorgeous gifts from Black-owned businesses that deserve to be celebrated, because we believe Black lives—and Black businesses—matter," Oprah said in a letter introducing this year's list.
SUGGESTED VIDEOS: Colorado Guide


text: Devolver Digital has announced that the first gameplay trailer for Shadow Warrior will be released tomorrow. Shadow Warrior promises to stay true to its old-school roots, though Flying Wild Hog is trying this time around to make the player’s sword a big part of the game. Shadow Warrior will have an expanded story, and it will feature some giant bosses. The game will be released on PC and next-gen consoles. Enjoy some new screenshots that have been released this past week, and stay tuned for the debut gameplay trailer of it!


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LOS ANGELES (Reuters) Sony Computer Entertainment America said Thursday it will discontinue its lower-capacity PlayStation 3 in North America, noting it has been outsold by the higher-capacity model.
The 60-gigabyte model, which has three times more storage capacity as the 20-gigabyte model, caters to gamers who also use the device to watch video and movies.
"This is based purely on consumer and retailer demand, which favored the 60-gigabyte model 10 to 1," said David Karraker, a spokesman for Sony, the world's top video game console maker.
He said there is a limited inventory of the 20-gigabyte units in stores. The retail price of those machines will remain at $500 until supplies are sold out.
Sony's 60-gigabyte PlayStation 3 retails for $600 in the United States.
Thus far, sales of Playstation 3 have lagged rivals Microsoft and Nintendo.
Copyright 2007 Reuters Limited. Click for Restrictions.
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