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Cummins encourages businesses to apply for the expanded scheme
The Restart Grant Plus, launched today (Monday) will help businesses in Waterford reopen and will help local people get back to work, a Fine Gael Senator has said.
Senator Cummins said: “My colleague the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Leo Varadkar has today opened applications to the Restart Grant Plus Scheme, which gives grants to businesses to help them reopen and get their staff back to work.
“The Restart Grant Plus is a key part of the government’s July Stimulus package, a €7.4bn package of measures designed to stimulate a jobs-led recovery and build economic confidence while continuing to manage the impact of Covid-19.
“This expanded and improved Restart Grant Plus will see €300m additional funding in addition to the €250m previously committed.
“The Grant amount has increased substantially. The minimum grant available is now €4,000 up from €2,000 previously. The maximum grant available is €25,000, a significant increase from €10,000 previously.
“More Waterford businesses could now find themselves eligible for this grant than before, and key Businesses that received a grant under the first scheme can re-apply to receive additional funding. Non-rateable B&Bs, sports clubs with commercial activities and trading charity shops are now eligible. Previously only small companies could apply for this grant but now medium sized companies are also eligible.
“I encourage all Waterford companies with up to 250 employees to apply through Waterford City and County Council.”
The Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation has established a Business Support Call Centre for information on the business supports available to businesses and enterprises affected by COVID-19. It can be reached at firstname.lastname@example.org or (01) 631 2002.
Tánaiste Leo Varadkar said:
“We must do everything we can to help businesses reopen and get people back to work. We are increasing the Restart Grant Plus, which means that small and medium sized businesses can now get between €4,000 and €25,000 to help them get back on their feet after what has been an exceptionally difficult time.
“Hairdressers, sports clubs, cafes, restaurants and several other businesses can use this money to help with the costs associated with re-opening and adapting to what is a very different environment. This is just one of several actions the Government is taking as part of the July Stimulus to help businesses.”
Further details about the Restart Grant
The grant will be based on the amount of the rates assessment for the premises for 2019 (excluding arrears) with a new minimum grant of €4,000 and a maximum grant of €25,000 (Increased from €2,000 min and €10,000 max).
Eligible firms now include medium-sized firms and independent hotels with up to 250 employees, as well as small firms (increased from 50 employees).
Businesses impacted by a 25% reduction in turnover will be eligible provided they commit to reopening and to hiring and sustaining employment.
A turnover of up to €25m is now allowable, increased from €5m. There is a cap of €100,000 turnover per employee.
Commercial sports businesses and trading charity shops in rated premises can now apply for the grant.
The hospitality sector, restaurants, pubs, activity centres and tourist attractions, e.g., galleries, museums are eligible if they are operating from a rated premise.
B&Bs in non-rated premises will be eligible to apply for the minimum €4,000 grant from Fáilte Ireland.
A franchisee which is a financially independent company and is completely separate to the franchisor is eligible to apply.
Small company chains can apply if they meet the criteria of <250 employees and €25m turnover in totality across the company and all the branches.
Multinationals are not eligible. Small Irish based subsidiaries with overseas parent companies are not eligible.
Large chains that are part of a large group company, i.e. one legal entity with a number of branches, such as fast food, group and multiple supermarkets, group hotels, group betting shops and group pharmacies are not eligible.


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Max, previously Chief Commercial Officer, takes over the role from Ahmed Essam.
Max Taylor has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Vodafone UK. Max will be stepping into the role from April 2 2024. The role had been held by Ahmed Essam, who will become CEO of European Markets and Germany Executive Chair. Ahmed will continue to oversee the proposed merger of Vodafone UK and Three UK.
Under Max’s leadership as Chief Commercial Officer since March 2019, Vodafone UK’s consumer business has not only attracted new customers with a renewed focus on the customer experience. It has also surpassed its competitors in numerous commercial metrics.
Max Taylor said: “I am thrilled to take on the role of CEO at Vodafone UK. Leading the consumer team over the past five years has been a real privilege as we’ve seen our customer base and revenue grow, and we’ve improved the customer experience.”
Ahmed and Max will continue to work closely together in their new roles.
Ahmed Essam said: “I am so proud of what we have achieved at Vodafone UK over the past three years, and I’d like to thank everyone for what we’ve made possible. Our business has made continuous strides in all areas, from the expansion of our full fibre footprint across the UK, to launching innovative propositions and improving our award-winning, reliable network.
“And, of course, we’ve made huge progress in improving our customers’ experience while making a difference to those most in need through our everyone.connected programme.
“I am confident that under Max’s leadership, Vodafone UK will continue to go from strength-to-strength and I look forward to continuing to work together.”

domain: news


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Brazilian soccer star Neymar will be a brand ambassador for Pilão for 2018.
The Brazilian coffee brand will feature the Paris Saint-Germain forward in its advertising campaigns, and plans to have activations in place ahead of the 2018 Fifa World Cup in Russia.
Pilão will also continue its ‘Who shook the world’ campaign, which celebrates the lives of ordinary Brazilian citizens, through focusing on Neymar’s daily life.
Last week, McDonald’s named Neymar as a brand ambassador for the World Cup.
"2018 will be an important year because we celebrate four decades bringing Brazilians the full-bodied coffee that gives energy to face the challenges of everyday life,” said Débora Bertolozzi, marketing manager at JDE Brasil, which owns Pilão coffee.
Neymar made headlines in August when he moved from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain in a world record transfer worth €222 million (US$262 million). The Ligue 1 side are top of the table in 2017/18, and a comfortable nine points clear of second-placed Lyon. Les Parisiens beat Lille 3-1 at home on 9th December, and play Stade Rennes away on Saturday.


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Postmortem Palm Foleo Hands-On
They weren't too kind when it was still a living, breathing device – as a matter of fact they, along with the majority of the internet community, were downright scathing – but popular tech blog Engadget has managed to get their hands on Palm's doomed Mobile Companion, the hapless Foleo. A short review is pending, but in the meantime they’ve thrown up a gallery of pics, perusable here.
The oft-maligned Foleo was announced in May this year, to general derision from the Internet technocrati. The brainchild of Palm founder Jeff Hawkins, it was meant to spearhead a new Palm product line, but was instead ignominiously cancelled barely three months later. If you're interested in even more shots of the Foleo in action, checkout PIC's hands on preview from the announcement.
Article Comments(56 comments)
Click here for the full story discussion page...
- I got one -Tuckermaclain
- RE: Don't we have this already? -Tuckermaclain
- RE: Palm brand will return in 2018, with devices built by TCL -richf
- RE: Palm brand will return in 2018, with devices built by TCL -dmitrygr
- Palm phone on HDblog -palmato
- Palm PVG100 -hgoldner
- RE: Like Deja Vu -PacManFoo
- Like Deja Vu -T_W


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Recent press reports say that cases of rickets have gone up four-fold in the last 15 years (rickets is a disease that causes the bones to become soft and deformed). The increase of this disease is because of many pregnant women and young children are not getting enough of the sunshine vitamin.
The number of rickets cases has risen from 183 in 1995/6 to 762 last year. Experts say to help with the deficiency; eating a daily dose of oily fish and trying to get some winter sunshine are a good way of helping to combat the deficiencies. Failing that multivitamins are another good way of helping with vitamin deficiencies (vitamins are to be taken with a balanced diet). Vitamin D deficiency is expected to affect at least half of the UK’s white population, up to 90% of multi-ethnic population and a quarter of children.
Professor Mitch Blair of the RCPCH said ‘We know vitamin D deficiency is a growing problem, and localised research reveals startling high levels of vitamin deficiency amongst certain groups including children.’
He continues to say that ‘lack of vitamin D is related to a plethora of serious illnesses in children and adults that could be prevented through relatively simple steps such as taking supplements.’
Vitamin D deficiency is also linked to bone disease, diabetes, tuberculosis, and asthma to name a few.
The government advises pregnant or breast feeding women and the over 65’s should take a daily supplement containing 10 micrograms of vitamin D. The UK Government’s Chief Medical Officer recommends all infants and young children aged 6 months to 5 years take a daily supplement in the form of vitamin D drops, containing 7 to 8.5 micrograms of Vitamin D.Last updated: 24-12-2012


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US: Kashi adds pouches to cracker line
US natural food company Kashi has expanded its TLC Cracker line to include single-serve pouches.
Snack Cracker Packs are "convenient" pouches for "people on the go", the Kellogg-owned company said today (17 February) and will be available in the brand's existing Original 7 Grain, Country Cheddar, and Fire Roasted Vegetable flavours.
"While it is ideal for people to lay out a daily plan for healthy snacking, we recognise that it can be a challenge. It's our hope that Kashi's new Snack Cracker Packs help them stay on track," said Keegan Sheridan, natural food and lifestyle expert for Kashi. "This convenient, new offering joins our TLC family of snacks and furthers our goal of providing people with great tasting foods that they can feel great about eating."
The TLC Snack Cracker Packs are available in both a six-count box of the Original 7 Grain or a variety pack of three flavour offerings.
B&G Foods, the US food group behind brands from Cream of Wheat cereal to Mexican cuisine line Ortega, may not have the scale of some of the giants in the industry but, despite the downturn, is seeing ...
The US House of Representatives yesterday (30 July) took the long-overdue step of updating the nation's archaic food safety regulations. The food industry and consumer groups have largely welcomed the...
Labels designed to help US shoppers to eat more healthily were today (5 August) officially rolled out across hundreds of products....
Food took centre stage on UK news pages and bulletins this week as the country's food watchdog reignited the debate on the nutritional merits of organic food....
Kellogg CEO Dave Mackay today (30 July) claimed that private-label sales are starting to "moderate" despite consumers still looking for value during the downturn....
Kellogg today (30 July) upped its earnings target after posting "better-than-expected" second-quarter results....
Cereal giant Kellogg reports its second-quarter numbers tomorrow (30 July) and the impact of currency fluctuation looks set to weigh on operating earnings....
Kellogg-owned Kashi Co. has unveiled its latest piece of NPD with the launch of a dark mocha and almond addition to its range of granola bars....
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People heading out in their car to enjoy a picnic at a local beauty spot during National Picnic Week (which runs from 11th – 19th June) should make sure they lock valuable items away and out of sight of opportunist thieves warns insurer NFU Mutual. After a spate of thefts from cars parked at beauty spots across the UK, many regional police forces have issued warnings to motorists and NFU Mutual has revealed that its own claims data showed that thefts from cars rose by 16% between 2014 and 2015.
Commenting on the subject, Nicki Whittaker, a High Value Home Specialist at NFU Mutual said: “During National Picnic Week many people will be shaking out their picnic rugs and heading off to beauty spots across the UK to dine alfresco with families. Unfortunately, while they are away from their vehicles, any valuable items left on display may fall prey to opportunist thieves and we want to remind people to remove these items or lock them away.”
According to NFU Mutual, the items most commonly stolen from cars are handbags, phones, satnavs, items of clothing and bikes.
To help people avoid falling victim to ‘pic-nickers’ NFU Mutual has produced the following list of security tips:
- Never leave valuable items in your car – check that children haven’t left phones or other items on the back seats of the car;
- If you use a portable satnav device, remove the device and its holder before leaving the vehicle – if necessary, lock it in the glove compartment or in the boot;
- Remember that satnav holders often leave tell-tale marks on the windscreen. It helps to carry some window wipes in the car so you can remove these marks before you leave the car;
- It sounds silly but double check that you’ve locked the car and that all the windows and sunroof are closed;
- Don’t leave cash, credit cards, chequebooks, mobile phones or other valuables in the car. Even a jacket or a plastic bag can tempt a thief. Hide any valuables in the boot of your car before you start your journey.


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Dropbox unveiled on Thursday a new photo uploading feature for Android smartphones, sharpening its competition with Google, Apple, and other companies battling to rule the market of cloud storage solutions.
With a single click, the feature will allow users to upload high-resolution pictures straight from their smartphones onto the virtual "cloud," where the files can be accessed from any computer or mobile device.
Starting today for Android, and coming soon for iOS, the Dropbox mobile apps can automatically upload users photos and videos to Dropbox using Wi-Fi or users' data plans. They're all uploaded at original size and full quality, and saved to a private folder in user's Dropbox called Camera Uploads where they're ready to view or share.
Dropbox only offers users storage space - the service will not provide any photo editing or manipulation features, like those provided by Google's Picasa program.
Meanwhile, the new version of Dropbox Windows and Mac desktop apps can automatically upload from just about any camera, smartphone, tablet, or SD card connected to a computer.
Once photos have been automatically uploaded to Dropbox, users will be able to check them out using a sneak peek of the Dropbox website.
Dropbox will give users 500 MB of Dropbox space for their first automatic upload. As they take more photos and videos, they can use this feature to automatically upload up to a total of 3 GB extra for free.
Earlier this month, Google announced Drive, a cloud storage service that was seen as a direct answer to Dropbox's recent growth.
Last June, Apple also announced iCloud, a service for Apple users that also syncs email and calendars.


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Munchy Play is named finalist in the Great British Entrepreneur Awards
British start-up Munchy Play has been shortlisted for the coveted ‘Made in the UK’ Award for London and the East of England, in the 2021 Great British Entrepreneur Awards.
The Great British Entrepreneur awards celebrate the best in British talent, and received nearly 5,000 entrants this year.
The awards are split into eight regions, ensuring the very best talent is selected for recognition.
Sophia, founder of Munchy Play, said: “We are thrilled to be recognised by the Great British Entrepreneur Awards in the ‘Made in the UK’ category.
It was a conscious choice to have our kids’ plates made and manufactured in the UK. Today's consumer cares about ethics and values and want to align with brands that share this view. Munchy Play is a small business built on the foundations of high-quality and British enterprise. We know that parents value premium products and the British stamp of approval goes a long way. We proudly carry the UKCA logo on our products too.”
Named the 'most promising start-up of 2021' in the Sunday Times, Munchy Play is the first ever kids' plate featuring a built-in track, available here.
Founder of the Great British Entrepreneur Awards, Francesca James, said: “We have seen some incredible finalists over the years, and this year is no exception. It really is one of the strongest shortlists we’ve ever had, and the fact that so many exceptional people have applied during such a tough year is a testament to the resolve and entrepreneurial talent that exists across the UK.
“As well as the recognition, our finalists and eventual winners will join our fantastic alumni community that supports each other all year round. From networking and thought leadership, right the way through to mentoring and guidance – being a part of our ecosystem of entrepreneurs can be incredibly rewarding.
“Creating the shortlist out of so many wonderful applications was incredibly tough, so I don’t envy the judges who will now decide the regional winners. Everyone who has been shortlisted should be incredibly proud and we’re thrilled to be able to showcase their achievements.”
Anne Boden MBE, founder of Starling Bank, headline partner for the Awards, said: “The events of the past year have touched everyone, be it through the health of friends and family, the isolation of restrictions or the wider impact on our livelihoods. However, businesses are made of people, and it’s the incredible fortitude, determination and innovation of people like those shortlisted, that has helped our regions survive, and in some cases thrive.
“At Starling, we’re proud to be working with the Great British Entrepreneur Awards and help champion the individuals who will lead the charge and shape our future economy as the nation looks to build back better and stronger.”


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A new tweet from game industry leaker The Snitch suggests that Pinocchio Dark Souls game Lies of P might be Game Pass bound, ahead of an expected appearance of the soulslike game at Gamescom. We first saw Lies of P gameplay in 2021 – the creepy-looking game from developer Neowiz sees you guiding Pinocchio on his “unrelenting journey to become human.”
The tweet in question (warning: flashing lights) comes from now-famed insider The Snitch, who has proven to be a very reliable source of upcoming game news in recent months, often leaking multiple titles ahead of major events. This latest tease is a video showing a simple green screen with white lights and sounds pulsing out a message in Morse code.
“The wise man say, you’ll find your way.” That’s the message, translated into English. The rap fans among you may recognise that line as a lyric from the Kanye ‘Ye’ West track ‘Pinocchio Story,’ which has led fans to surmise that the tease in question is related to news of the upcoming game. Lies of P is scheduled to appear at Gamescom 2022 in Germany with a demo on the show floor August 24 – 28.
With that much already known, The Snitch’s tease is expected to be hinting at more than simply the game’s appearance. Previously, the account has used simple colours to denote games getting brand deals, such as a tweet featuring a green circle that preempted the announcement of Hollow Knight Silksong coming to Game Pass on day one.
Given the green background to the video, then, it seems likely that the implication from The Snitch this time is that Lies of P is bound for Microsoft’s Game Pass service. Whether that will include PC Game Pass, Xbox console Game Pass, Microsoft’s cloud streaming service, or some combination of all three remains to be seen. The game is already listed on the Steam store, though it is not currently available to pre-order.
While we wait, the recently released Bloodborne-inspired Thymesia has been flying up the Steam charts. You can also check out the best RPGs on PC for plenty of other options. It appears that Dark Souls multiplayer servers are getting closer to returning too, although no official confirmation has surfaced at the time of writing.


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The company now known as Biglari Holdings Inc. on Thursday unveiled a new prototype for future Steak n Shake restaurants.
CEO Sardar Biglari said the goal is to open about 1,500 new franchise locations in the coming years.
Bank of America Corp. is arranging a five-year loan that will be sold at a discount of 98 cents to 98.5 cents on the dollar,
according to a source who declined to be identified because the discussions are private.
Affiliates of Lauth's largest financial backer, Inland American Real Estate Trust in Chicago, agree to dismiss their suit
developer, and also withdraw a request to have a Chapter 11 trustee appointed.


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Nick Daurio Nominated to Join Executive Committee of Automotive Recyclers Association
As announced in July, professional automotive recycler Nick Daurio of Daurio Auto Truck Inc. in Pueblo, Colorado, has been nominated to join the ARA Executive Committee (EC) as Secretary for 2020-2021.“It is my extreme pleasure to be nominated to serve ARA as incoming Secretary,” said Daurio. “I am very humbled and honored to be nominated to such a great team of leaders in the recycling industry.”
Daurio Auto Truck has been part of the Pueblo, Colorado community since 1957, when Nick’s father, John Daurio, entered the automotive business. In the fall of 1970, Daurio Auto Truck ventured into the automotive recycling industry. Nick started working full-time in 1975, joined five years later by his brother Michael, and the brothers continue to work together daily. In 2014 Nick’s son, Greg, joined the business as a third-generation recycler.
“At Daurio Auto Truck, Inc. our focus has always been teamwork,” said Daurio. “This approach is how we accomplish our goals. As an EC member, I may be the face of our company, but our entire staff is excited and ready to learn and contribute to the process.” Daurio will be formally confirmed by the ARA Board of Directors and Membership during the ARA’s virtual 77th Annual Convention and Exposition – EDGE 2020.
“It has been a privilege getting to know Nick and his family over the years,” said Jonathan Morrow, chairman of ARA’s Nominating Committee. “His integrity, work ethic and problem solving will be a valuable strength to our team.”
“Nick, like many of our members, literally grew up working in his multi-generational family business,” added ARA Executive Director, Sandy Blalock. “I have worked with Nick both at ARA and the Colorado Auto Recyclers. His insights from many years of experience working in our industry will be an asset to the leadership and members of ARA.”
SAFE TO WORK Act Support
In September, ARA joined over 480 trade groups from a broad range of industries to urge Congress to support the business liability protections contained in the SAFE TO WORK Act (S. 4317). It will help essential businesses that have remained open to stay open and help other businesses reopen safely and without fear so that American workers can earn paychecks.
The proposed legislation will also provide uniformity and predictability for businesses that implement COVID-19 workplace protections while ensuring that bad-faith actors are held accountable for COVID-19-related injuries. Throughout the pandemic, ARA has worked with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s COVID Liability Coalition to educate Congress on such matters.
ARA Updates Strategic Plan
Following a Strategic Planning retreat earlier this year, a new Association Strategic Plan was adopted by the Board of Directors in July. The plan represents a direction that will guide current and future work over the next three years.
“2020 has been a game changer,” says ARA President, Scott Robertson. “During these challenging times and given the unprecedented impact that a global pandemic is having on all businesses and industries, the direction outlined in this plan will help ARA continue to move forward. A lot of strategic thought went into this plan, designed to promote the professional automotive recyclers and their businesses for many years to come.”
ARA’s Strategic Plan is grounded in the Association’s mission to advance the automotive recycling industry and promote its beneficial effects on society. It identifies four strategic initiatives that are the means through which ARA plans to translate its vision into practice. The initiatives focus on branding, non-dues revenue, government advocacy, and education/certification/compliance. With each initiative is a series of implementation strategies the define ARA commitment of resources, as well as goals that measure progress and future success.
“This Plan is a representation of ARA as the eyes, ears and voice of the professional automotive recycling industry,” said ARA Executive Director, Sandy Blalock “With the direction and guidance the Strategic Plan provides, and the support of our ARA volunteer leaders and members, I am confident that ARA is well equipped to meet any challenge that comes our way.”
New Auto Recycling Buyer’s Guide Website Connects Industry Suppliers to Auto Recyclers
The Auto Recycling Buyer’s Guide (https://autorecyclingbuyersguide.com), ARA’s newest online marketplace, is designed to equip automotive recyclers with 24/7 access to leading industry suppliers, consultants and more to advance their recycling business with technology, recycling programs, machinery, parts, tools, apps and other needed products and services. Expanded vendor profiles, supplier news, special offers and contact information are provided for ARA’s associate member companies and ARA’s loyal advertisers in a platform that serves more like a virtual trade show.
The printed ARA Buyer’s Guide has been a mainstay of ARA’s member benefits package for many years, as it provides valuable information to assist the decision-making process when shopping for products and services. This new companion format allows supplier companies and auto recyclers to quickly establish a dynamic business relationship. ARA is often asked for recommendations and with the extended reach that an online format affords, it offers unlimited potential for information sharing. To advertise, please visit https://autorecyclingbuyersguide.com or contact Caryn Smith at ARAEditor@comcast.net or (239) 225-6137.
ARA Members Represented at Industry Meetings
ARA participated in several virtual industry events in July, such as the Suppliers Partnership for the Environment 3rd quarter meeting. The Partnership is a forum for those involved in the automotive value chain to collaborate on cutting edge industry issues such as sustainability and electric vehicle batteries.
Automotive recyclers were well represented during the virtual Collision Industry Conference, where ARA staff participated in several committee meetings and recently joined the Insurer-Repairer Relationship Committee.
Also in July, Executive Director Sandy Blalock presented to NATTBatt, an advocacy group working for advanced battery technology and manufacturing in North America. She shared a summary of automotive recycler feedback and concerns about electric and hybrid vehicles. She participated along with ISRI, which shared feedback from the scrap recycling industry.
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS
Accurate Converter Recycling, LLC
DC Tricore, Inc.
U-Pull-&-Pay, LLC Louisville
Vander Haag’s, Inc.


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Designer Brands Inc. ended the fiscal year with a mixed fourth quarter as it continued to navigate the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
For the three months ended Feb. 1, the Columbus, Ohio-based company reported an adjusted net loss of $38.6 million, or loss of 53 cents per share. Market watchers had predicted a wider loss of 68 cents per share.
Revenues, however, declined 26.6% to $609.4 million, which fell short of analysts’ estimates of $623.77 million. Comparable sales also decreased by 20.1%, compared with last year’s 0.7% gain.
Still, CEO Roger Rawlins suggested that the fourth quarter “continues our story of sequential improvement in unprecedented market conditions.” In a statement, he added, “I am proud of our team’s exceptional execution of our near-term strategy as we continued to pivot our assortment to athleisure and kids, focused on the top 50 brands in footwear and leaned even further into our digital-first capabilities.”
For the full year, Designer Brands logged an adjusted net loss of $281.7 million, or loss of $3.90 per share, and revenues that dropped 36% to $2.2 billion. Comps fell by 34.2%, versus the previous year’s 0.8% rise.
The company ended the fiscal year with cash and investments totaling $59.6 million, plus debt of $334.8 million, with $294.7 million available for borrowings under its senior secured asset-based revolving credit facility.
According to Rawlins, Designer Brands will work on improving its digital and omnichannel capabilities and services, as well as leverage its design and sourcing strategies, in the year ahead. In last quarter’s financial report, he explained that the company’s near-term focus was on the athletic and kids’ markets, but it was still dedicated to dress and special-occasion products in the long run.
“When demand shifts back to dress and seasonal, our Camuto team will be well-prepared to capitalize on our historical success in these categories while protecting our newly captured market share in the athletic segment,” he added in today’s statement. “We have a significant amount of inventory open to buy and the capability to flex our business as customer preferences evolve, making us a dominant player with room to grow as the market recovers.”


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A Florida man has been convicted of planning to bomb Target stores in an attempt to crash the company's stock. 50-year-old Mark Barnett faces 40 years in prison after being convicted of attempted arson and the possession and making of unregistered destructive devices.
Prosecutors issued a statement saying that Barnett hired somebody to create bombs disguised as food packages and place them on the shelves of stores up and down the East Coast.
Barnett theorized that the company’s stock value would plunge after the explosions, allowing him to cheaply acquire shares of Target stock before an eventual rebound in prices. Barnett told the source, “If someone has to die so that I can make some money, so be it.”
Authorities discovered "pictures of the grocery items that he had turned into bombs, as well as leftover bomb components and articles describing stock options," when they searched his home, computer and cell phone. The bombs were "capable of causing property damage, serious injury, and death."
Barnett has a lengthy criminal history. He was convicted of multiple felony charges of sexual assault, and kidnapping, and was a registered sex offender.
Photo: U.S. Attorney’s Office Middle District of Florida


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R. Rex Parris is the republican Mayor of Lancaster, California and a man on a mission - to make his city net zero in energy usage terms. A tall order to most, he is confident that is can be achieved using his practical multi-pronged approach.
BMW is joining the rest of the automotive industry as they enjoy record-breaking sales so far this year. Within some categories, the electric vehicle option accounts for a striking 55% of sales. This heavily bolsters their decision to roll out EV versions of all of their models over the coming years. Production volumes will also increase as many EV models have sold out completely.
The New Year is well and truly here but what will it bring? The Energy Collective has compiled its top predictions for 2015, with contributions from leading industry players and thought leaders. The key trends that repeatedly appear on the list are Solar, Electric Vehicles and Cleantech Finance. Whilst these fields are far from new, the exciting prediction is that they will hit their tipping point into the mainstream this year.


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ECRM's RangeMe Product Discovery Platform Surpasses 125K Suppliers 5/15/2018
This staggering number represents massive growth for the company over the past two years. In 2015, RangeMe had 1,500 product suppliers on its platform. 2016 saw that number rise thirty-fold to 45,000. Last year, the number nearly tripled and currently stands at over 125,000 consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies actively marketing their brands and products on the platform.
“Since we launched RangeMe in the US almost three years ago, it’s been our goal to disrupt the CPG market and change the way retailers source products,” says Nicky Jackson, Founder and CEO of RangeMe. “Reaching more than 125,000 suppliers—a number we expect will continue to rise—validates that we’re doing just that.”
Suppliers and manufacturers often face an uphill battle when trying to get their products in front of regional or national buyers. Rather than let samples and pitches languish, RangeMe turns the process on its head, bringing the buyers to the suppliers and eliminating many of the roadblocks suppliers often encounter, and making it easier for retailers to discover new products that speak to their consumers’ needs.
"Overseeing nearly half of our Dog and Cat Supplies online assortment, I'm constantly searching for innovative, competitive products that fit specific needs and help expand our business in the eCommerce channel," says Andrew Frechette, Category Manager, eCommerce at Petco. "RangeMe has become an essential part of this process as it gives me the ability to source relevant products at my own speed while also helping me find products I might not have initially been searching for."
By providing an efficient way to source innovative new products and manage the inbound product submission process, RangeMe promotes new product discovery for retail buyers. Regional and national buyers at retailers including Whole Foods Market, Target, Petco, Ulta Beauty, CVS, Rite Aid, Dollar General, Meijer, Hy-Vee, Sprouts and more, have successfully and easily sourced new and innovative products using RangeMe.
For suppliers, RangeMe not only offers significant access to retail buyers, but also gives these companies greater control over the marketing of their products.
“If I had advice for suppliers, I’d say, ‘don’t ignore RangeMe.’ The faster you set up your products, the faster buyers will reach out to you,” said Mark O’Brien, sales manager at emerging foods brand Terrapin Ridge Farms. “Your products on RangeMe work for you every day just like a booth that’s set up 24/7 online.”
Contributing to this extensive surge in brands was the 2017 launch of RangeMe Verified. The program significantly decreases the time it takes buyers to source products by ensuring brands have high-quality product images, insurance, packaging dimensions, nutritional labels, and more, all verified by the RangeMe team.
RangeMe Verified increases a brand’s visibility on RangeMe by awarding them an easy-to-spot badge that places them above non-verified brands as buyers review their product submissions and search for new items. This results in RangeMe Verified brands gaining more exposure and up to seven times more views on the platform.
“RangeMe is constantly evolving as the needs of our suppliers and buyers continue to grow,” Jackson says. “And, as more companies begin to leverage RangeMe, standard CPG processes can and will change to adapt to a faster moving, more agile industry.”
RangeMe, an ECRM company, is the leading online platform that streamlines new product discovery between suppliers and retailers. The platform empowers retail buyers with an efficient way to discover innovative new products and manage the inbound product submission process. For product suppliers and manufacturers, RangeMe gives increased control over the marketing of their products and greater access to retail buyers. Now integrated into the ECRM product offering, RangeMe adds increased breadth and depth to the industry’s most complete sourcing solution for top retailers and product suppliers in the US.


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Several City Councilors are proposing that Boston follow the example set by Cambridge and other cities by capping fees for third-party delivery services for restaurants.
City Councilors Ed Flynn, Matt Oâ€™Malley and Michael Flaherty participated in a virtual public hearing Friday focusing on how to rein in the fees currently charged by the four biggest services – Uber Eats, Grubhub, DoorDash and Postmates.
City Councilor Flynn said restaurants have informed him that delivery fees range from 25 to 35 percent.
â€œWe currently pay hundreds of thousands of dollars every year on these third-party delivery fees,â€ he said. â€œRestaurants pay a significantly larger portion of their revenue to delivery servicesâ€¦and they are dependent on these services.â€ Third-party delivery fees have been capped at 10 percent in Cambridge and 15 percent in San Francisco and New York while Baltimore is considering taking similar action.
â€œHere we are in Week Eight of the pandemic with no sit-down service, and we have restaurants that are getting absolutely killed by these fees,â€ Councilor Flynn said. â€œIf youâ€™re a small restaurant and you use third-party delivery services, you might have to close because the costs associated with these can outweigh it when you donâ€™t have enough pickup and delivery business.â€
Amy Healy, Grubhubâ€™s senior director of public affairs and the only representative of a third-party delivery service on hand for the virtual meeting, said this initiative was an example of â€œoverstepping by government officials, and will face a legal challenge [from Grubhub].â€
Healy described Grubhub as a â€œfee-based serviceâ€ that offers restaurants a range of options, such as marketing assistance.
â€œThereâ€™s a menu of services restaurants can choose from when they decide to work with us,â€ she said. â€œThe fees are totally transparent and the contract with restaurants is completely transparent.â€
Healy said Grubhub charges all restaurants a 10-precent processing fee, and that drivers keep 100 percent of their tips per the current fee structure.
Grubhub pays for Personal Protective Equipment, as well as background checks and insurance, for drivers, she said, and the company incurs additional costs, such as providing customer service 24/7 and protecting the security of its platform.
â€œWe also lose $10 million a year in credit card fraud, and thatâ€™s $10 million that the restaurants donâ€™t have to eat,â€ Healy said.
John Schall, owner of El Jefeâ€™s Taqueria, which has locations in Cambridge and Bethlehem, Pa., said until March 16, deliveries accounted for only 25 percent of sales at both restaurants, with between 7 and 8 percent of revenue going towards delivery fees.
Now, delivery accounts for about 75 percent of sales at both restaurants, and he has paid $86,000 in delivery fees in the past eight weeks, he said.
Schall said 8 percent of his revenue went towards paying third-party delivery fees before the pandemic hit, but that number has since spiked to between 18 and 19 percent of his total revenue.
He said opening restaurants at reduced capacity would be the only way for them to offset what they are now paying in third-party delivery fees.
â€œIf itâ€™s not addressed permanently, there will be a second wave of restaurant closures and thousands more jobs lost,â€ Schall added.
Steve Clark, director of government affairs for the Massachusetts Restaurants Association, said according to a recent study, 46 percent of restaurants statewide are now closed, and that 30 to 40 percent of the stateâ€™s restaurants might not reopen.
As one alternative to third-party restaurant delivery services, City Councilor Kenzie Bok suggested creating a coop for delivery drivers that would â€œtake care of the driversâ€™ wages and needs, separate from the giant platform.â€
Councilor Bok also requested a â€œmore-detailed breakdownâ€ of how the fee structure works for third-party services, as well as â€œmore transparency in pricing to help [people] make fully informed decisions on how to support restaurants.â€
City Councilor Oâ€™Malley proposed transitioning [to a working session to more thoroughly explore the matter.


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J.D. Power and Associates released its annual survey of vehicle quality Wednesday. The survey asked drivers about problems with 2013 model-year vehicles in the first 90 days of ownership.
Here are the top-ranked models in four of the biggest segments of the U.S. auto market:
Compact Cars: Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, Honda Insight
Midsize Cars: Toyota Camry, Hyundai Sonata, Buick Regal
Compact Crossover SUVs: Honda CR-V, Toyota FJ Cruiser, Chevrolet Equinox
Light-Duty Pickup: Chevrolet Avalanche, GMC Sierra, Chevrolet Silverado
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Suspect manages to steal Georgia police cruiser despite handcuffs.
Tracking the threat of a light round of winter weather for Friday!
Study finds women at high risk for breast cancer were half as likely to develop the disease while taking new drug Arimidex.


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U.S. stocks tumbled on Friday as a continued decline in energy prices stoked inflation worries and Chinese and commodity markets extended their weekly decline.
The S&P 500 was down 2.4%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 2.4%, and the Nasdaq tumbled 3.2%. The Dow was on track for its worst month since February 2009, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq was on track for its worst monthly performance since January 2008. The Volatility Index, otherwise known as the "fear index," jumped 16.3% to 27.82.
U.S. producer prices fell in December, the third straight month in decline, as tumbling energy prices continued to pressure inflation. The producer price index decreased 0.1% over the month, contributing to a 1% drop in the past 12 months. Excluding volatile items such as food and energy prices, core prices rose 0.2%.
Meanwhile, retail sales in the U.S. fell 0.1% in December, dragged down by a decline in gas prices. Excluding gas, retail sales were flat.
Business activity in the New York region fell to its worst level since the recession. The Empire State Factory Index fell to negative 19.4 in January from 6.2 in December. The reading is its lowest since April 2009.
Industrial production also came in below estimates, falling 0.4% in December, double the fall economists had expected. The measure had dropped 0.9% in November.
Consumer confidence bucked the trend of poor data this morning to rise in January, according to the latest reading from the University of Michigan. Sentiment climbed to 93.3 from 92.6 in the preliminary reading, its fourth straight monthly increase. Confidence was boosted by better expectations over the future of the economy.


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Portuguese Online Grocery Service For Europe Launched
Portuguese company Estrelancestral has teamed up with Cash and Carry chain Recheio (owned by Jerónimo Martins Group) to launch an online grocery store targeted at Portuguese citizens living in Europe.
On the website Delicias de Portugal, Portuguese consumers can source products from local supermarkets, with shipping to all 27 Member States of the European Union. For €12, it is possible to order up to 30 kilograms of goods (valid for all EU countries), delivered in special food packaging with a quality certificate.
The online supermarket offers a wide range of the most popular Portuguese products, including Gallo olive oil, Bom Petisco tuna snack, the Beirão liquor and Sagres beer.
The project follows a similar e-commerce venture, launched in 2014 by Estrelancestral, called Delicias de Estrela, which focused on traditional “gourmet” products from Portugal’s Serra da Estrela region.
© 2015 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Branislav Pekic


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SUNNYVALE, Calif., Sept. 26, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — FutureDial Incorporated announced today that its robotic and software solutions have been used by customers in the mobile device reverse logistics industry to accurately perform over 1.11 Billion functional tests on preowned smartphones undergoing refurbishment for resale worldwide. This industry milestone underscores the increasing importance of accurate testing of preowned mobile devices for resale while complying with R2v3 standards for device testing and data sanitization.
1,112,325,105 Functional Tests Performed ― and Counting
FutureDial reported that in the first week of September 2022 the total number of functional tests being logged by its solutions surpassed the One Billion Level, reaching a tally of 1,112,325,105 functional tests performed by industry customers on preowned mobile devices being refurbished for later resale.
“Functional testing is the backbone of a successful mobile device refurbishment process: quick, accurate, customized as needed, and compliant with key industry standards. FutureDial’s solutions, whether automated or software-only, undeniably deliver on this value proposition,” said Frank Harbist, President and CEO of FutureDial. “Our achievement of this milestone of over a Billion tests being performed is a clear proof point of our success, experience, and leadership in the marketplace. Mobile supply chain customers of all types can confidently choose FutureDial to help their businesses process more devices, and do it profitably.”
Accuracy of Testing to Meet R2v3 Industry Standards
Before a mobile phone reseller or recycler can resell, remarket or recycle the preowned mobile devices they have refurbished, increasingly they have to satisfy regulatory standards such as R2v3 and provide certifications to ensure they are not exposing any sensitive information on the devices. Accurate testing and data-clearing of mobile devices has become critical to satisfy industry standards such as R2v3. FutureDial solutions surpass the requirements presented in the R2v3 standard for testing and data sanitization, with verification and certification of each data erasure logged and available for customers’ data retention and verification needs. This protects refurbishment businesses and ensures data does not remain on mobile devices following processing.
Mobile Phone Buy-Back Trade-In companies, Third-Party Logistics Providers (3PLs), Tier-1 and Regional Wireless Carriers, Mobile Phone OEMs, Mobile Device Refurbishers, Recyclers and other companies in the mobile phone reverse logistics supply chain worldwide seek to utilize accurate and efficient functional test tools that meet industry standards and auditing required by R2v3. In need of full functional testing of mobile devices for their processing operations, these companies confidently utilize FutureDial’s robotics and software to meet the demand, which is projected month-to-month to continue growing well into 2023 and beyond. FutureDial’s functional test offerings provide these companies with fully automated reporting to comply with R2v3 audit requirements.
Founded in 1999, FutureDial has been the leading provider of processing solutions for the mobile device reverse logistics supply chain that also support compliance with industry standards, such as R2V3. Mobile Device Buy-Back Trade-In companies, Third-Party Logistics Providers (3PLs), Tier-1 and Regional Wireless Carriers, Major Mobile Device Manufacturers (OEMs), Mobile Device Refurbishers, Recyclers and other companies in the mobile supply chain recognize FutureDial as a provider-of-choice for industry-grade solutions that simplify and automate processes, and consolidate work flows to help mobile device processing businesses operate more efficiently and profitably, and meet industry standards and audit requirements. Visit http://www.futuredial.com gold email [email protected] .
Bruce Brunger, Marketing Communications Manager, FutureDial, Incorporated Tel: (408) 245-8880 Ext 206 Email: [email protected]
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at:


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Google has to pay for Book Search
Google has to pay about 125 million dollars to settle lawsuits against Google Book Search, the service scans entire books and makes them searchable. This was published by Reuters earlier this week.
Google explained that only parts of the books are displayed to the user. The full versions are only stored on Google's servers and not publicly accessible. So, the search giant was of the opinion that it was not obliged to pay. For about two years there were plenty of discussions in the courtroom with the following outcome: Google should pay. It has to pay 125 million dollars over the past two years to the copyright holders.
Tagcloudstreetview ses browser a4uexpo privacy android internet social media search sem europe spain news twitter viral google earth yandex china bing blog images funny searchcowboys youtube indonesia advertising research ads video maps mobile matt cutts realtime seo apple baidu google maps business iphone gmail


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News Stories relating to "volunteer"
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
It's happening again
--but this time it WAS a piece of metal. A mysterious piece of metal weighing about 5 pounds suddenly crashed through the roof of a furniture warehouse in the Boston area. The FAA looked at it and says it didn't come from an airplane. Luckily, no one was...


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Less than a day when the Google Nexus Q was made available on Google Play Store, the company has exhausted the first stock of the units already. Google Nexus Q was made available for purchase on Wednesday for $299 but they are currently out of stock and the next shipment will not be available for at least 2 to 3 weeks, sources say. At the moment, the company lists the Nexus Q as ‘Coming Soon’ with a 2 to 3 week waiting period.
Google Nexus Q is a media streaming device launched during the annual Google I/O developer conference in June. The device is compatible only with Android tablets and phones. It is a 4.6 inch orb that weighs a mere 2 pounds that is designed to stream content from YouTube and Google Play to a TV or external screen and speakers in a home environment. Dubbed the ‘Computer for your home’, the orb comes with an in-built 255W amplifier and ports for connecting an AV receiver or HDTV and audio devices.
It appears that Google may have underestimated their own hardware, therefore producing too few units. This is not such a bad business move though, especially since the nexus Q is the first of its kind in the market and there was no sure way of telling how it would be received. For it to be sold out on the first day though, it appears Google’s fears have been allayed and the company may go ahead and produce many more units to satisfy the market demand.
Other features of the Nexus Q that make it such a powerful portable media play include Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich operating system, 16GB NAND flash memory, 1GB RAM, an OMAP 4460 dual core ARM Cortex-A9 processor and a SGX540 graphics engine. The gadget also has Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity capabilities, and a number of ports for more connections including a Micro AB USB, Micro HDMI and an Ethernet port. The Q received a lot of attention early this month when it received a complete disassembly in less than a week after its launch. There has been a little confusion as to what the gadget actually aims to achieve but it appears Google went a step further in its quest to outdo the competition, Apple TV.


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The ‘John Wick’ Franchise Dominated VOD This Week
“The Whale” (Lionsgate, $5.99) repeated as #1 on two of three VOD charts this week, with Brendan Fraser’s Best Actor Oscar propelling significant new interest for Darren Aronofsky’s film. It leads at iTunes and Google Play, while its lower price placed it behind two $19.99 titles at the revenue-calculating Vudu.
However, the biggest impact on the VOD charts this week may come from the theatrical debut of “John Wick: Chapter 4.” Prior titles in the Lionsgate action franchise occupied six of the 20 slots at iTunes and Google Play. That’s less likely at the revenue-driven Vudu chart, where the three previous titles are available for $3.99.
But even “Wick 4” saw interest — that despite it lacking any immediate availability other than at theaters. Most platforms announced p...


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Techniques for measuring DOOH exposure and mapping to give cross-device measurement more meaning are being utilized by larger brand marketers, but smaller companies are also getting into the game and finding innovative ways to layer maps onto their local strategies.
Here are five ways that marketers can use mapping technology in their local campaigns.
KickCOVID.us is one part business directory, one part safety monitor. The hyperlocal mobile website allows consumers to read and rate the relative safety of businesses based on the precautions they are taking around Covid-19.
Look up Cooper’s Hawk Winery and Restaurant, for example, and you’ll see that social distancing is being enforced and some masks are being worn, but no temperature checks are taking place. At Matchbox, a restaurant in Ashburn, Virginia, most people are wearing masks and no-contact delivery is currently available.
A foundational element of local marketing strategy could be changing. Rumors began circulating last week that Apple would be giving users the ability to add ratings and photos to local business listings on Apple Maps when iOS 14 releases this fall. That could mean big changes are in store for brand marketers who’ve grown accustomed to monitoring reviews and ratings on a core group of third-party platforms.
Apple’s move into the ratings and review space isn’t totally unexpected, but it’s still causing the local marketing community to question how the update will impact local search and discovery.
Communicating with brands on social media has become the norm for consumers. Surveys show that roughly half of all consumers who engage with brands on social media are reaching out about customer care concerns, and more than 65% of social media users across all platforms expect brands to respond, regardless of whether the initial outreach was via private messages or public posts.
Those expectations have only heightened over the past six months, and many brands have had to pivot their customer support and engagement priorities on the fly.
Local businesses have been forced out of their comfort zone this summer as the economic impact of Covid-19 lingers and uncertainty persists into the final weeks of summer. With so many questions unanswered, businesses are searching for resources to help guide their decisions in marketing and general operations.
A number of martech firms are looking to fill the information void by launching their own Covid-19 resource centers and consumer data projects. The location-powered advertising and analytics firm Blis launched its own consumer sentiment tracker, with data from consumers in the United States, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, Singapore, and Australia.
Brick-and-mortar merchants are moving their stores online or developing combination solutions that encompass both website sales and curbside pickup to keep pace with customer demand. Many of those businesses that haven’t made the switch are weighing their options and looking for the right technology. Plug-and-play e-commerce platforms tend to be the most popular route for merchants looking to quickly pivot to online sales, but features like scalability, flexibility, and integration with inventory management software are also important to SMBs.
Here are six e-commerce solutions that brick-and-mortar merchants will want to check out.
More than half of Americans say they’re concerned about touching cash during the Covid pandemic, and 60% say they plan to use so-called touchless payments in the future. Google’s Waze is leaning into the shift with a new integration and partnership that will enable contactless payments at the gas pump for drivers all across the country.
The same mobile chat-based technologies that brands like Jagermeister and Snapchat have used to access focus groups on demand are now being used to help small to mid-size businesses access the same research capabilities. Using mobile chat-based applications, SMBs can generate authentic consumer insights in real-time, which makes it easier to foster community engagement during a time when businesses are struggling to reach their customers.
According to a report by Dragontail Systems, 53% of people say they prefer carry-out and delivery during the pandemic. To keep pace with that demand, restaurants are investing more heavily in technology platforms that enhance end-to-end kitchen operations.
Here are seven platforms that restaurants can use to manage online orders and streamline their takeout operations during Covid-19.
More than half (51%) of Americans are now using some form of contactless payment. Consumers are most likely to use contactless cards for buying essentials at grocery stores and pharmacies, where 50% of consumers say they worry about the cleanliness of signature touchpads.
Consumers in the U.S. have historically been slower to adopt contactless payments, and that’s something that is tied to a lack of merchant adoption, says Rob Fagnani, vice president of strategy at Formation.ai.
Household targeting was possible before the pandemic, but it has become even more necessary for brands since shelter-in-place orders began this spring. With more people living together, and spending more time together inside their homes, having the ability to target multiple members of the same household has become more valuable for marketers.
“The pandemic has caused people to spend a lot more time at home. That means more time spent with shared devices,” Tapad COO Mark Connon says. ”Brands need to have a better understanding of who is using what device and when, despite these shifting behaviors, in order to make their engagements count.”
Savvy brand marketers are finding ways to take advantage of location-targeted advertising to inform consumers about shifting variables such as store hours of operation and social distancing requirements. Despite some apprehension among advertisers worried about seeming to capitalize on a catastrophe, surveys show that consumers are OK with being targeted with ads right now. More than 90% of people surveyed say they think brands should continue advertising during the crisis.
Here are five examples of ways that brands can start using location-targeted advertising to more effectively connect with consumers during the pandemic.
The old way of doing business isn’t working anymore. As restaurants, retailers, and other businesses work to keep customers updated about shifting hours of operation and in-store social distancing requirements, they are opening up to outside-the-box ideas and becoming more comfortable trying location-targeted marketing platforms.
Data show that digital adoption among businesses and consumers jumped forward at least five years in the first eight weeks of the pandemic. Small restaurants and retailers are eagerly adopting the same tools now that they were hesitant to try back in 2019. That push is leading technology providers to expand their offerings and develop new tools for a growing market.
Different industries are looking to manage the spread in different ways. For retailers, that might mean using artificial intelligence to make sure customers are following social distancing rules inside their stores. It might also mean using location data, beacons, and other mobile technologies to track where consumers are going during shutdowns or monitor employee compliance with local Covid regulations.
It’s worth noting that this is a sector that is evolving at breakneck speed. These are just a few of the ways the martech community is using its technology for Covid compliance right now.
With consumer behavior changing quickly, and so much about the future in flux, retailers are working harder to get a complete understanding of their shoppers as they go about their journeys between the digital and physical worlds, says Ubimo Co-Founder Ran Ben-Yair. Strategies specifically designed to target high-intent shoppers are moving into the forefront, as large retail brands come to terms with the unprecedented challenges of this new reality.
During a time when many other types of advertising have faltered, out-of-home (OOH) advertising is having a moment. Despite a nationwide pandemic, OOH activations are on the rise. Political spending on OOH media is up 75% compared to the same period in 2018, and direct-to-consumer brands are seeing increases in both aided and unaided brand awareness.
What’s driving the push? According to Quan CEO Brian Rappaport, there’s been a distinct change in consumer traffic patterns since the pandemic began. Brands that are capitalizing on those changes are reaching targeted groups of consumers at “firesale” prices.
Regardless of which retailer comes out on top, there’s no doubt that many will see Walmart’s decision to launch a digital-first membership program as a turning point in brick-and-mortar retail and a concession on Walmart’s part that e-commerce is the way of the future, displacing rather than complementing old-school retail.
Marcel Hollerbach contends that Walmart’s decision to launch a membership program points to just how well positioned retailers with physical locations are in the current climate, with the ability to quickly facilitate things like in-store returns and same-day deliveries of items that take much longer to ship by mail.


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By Petchanet Pratruangkrai
A Thai Chamber of Commerce (TCC) survey showed businessmen in each region have weak confidence in the country’s growth this year and next year due to lower agricultural prices and consumer spending.
During the closing ceremony of the 31st annual meeting of the TCC, Somkid said the government should correct its mistakes and prevent violence from the protests, otherwise Thailand would face huge losses. The leaders of the other side should also avoid confrontation and protect the people.
“The government has lost [some credibility] from its mistakes, populist policy and corruption. It should urgently restore its trustworthiness or it would be unable to administrate the country and drive growth. When becoming a prime minister, the person should give top concern to the country’s sake so that people will [benefit],” he said.
This year the economy could grow slower than 3 per cent as four factors, which are economic engines, have been stagnant. Those factors are exports, domestic consumption, investment and government spending.
The economy next year would continue to show slowing growth as most negative factors have been severely hit by the political problem. The financial and trading sector would continue its fluctuation. Only the export sector has seen the light of recovery following the growth of the United States and China.
The TCC’s survey with 713 business respondents showed every region has witnessed a slowdown in consumption and commerce due to the delayed payment to rice pledgers, lower farm crop prices and the impact from the political conflict.
Saowanee Thairungroj, president of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, said businessmen expect the economy this year would grow only 2.8-3.3 per cent, while next year it would grow by 4.1-5.1 per cent.
This year, the economy in the East would show the strongest growth at 3.77 per cent, followed by the South at 3.65 per cent, Northeast at 3.36 per cent, Central region at 3.36 per cent and the North at 3.22 per cent.
As a result of a brainstorming session, the chamber found SMEs have faced many difficulties amid the current economic circumstances.
Those difficulties include higher cost of production, tougher competition in pricing, reduced profit and sales, bulging inventories and sameness in products and services.
TCC vice chairman Chatchai Boonyarat said SMEs have been caught in a “vicious cycle”. They need to be trained and led away from the cycle. To fix those problems and ensure business survivals under the upcoming Asean Economic Community and global liberalisation, SMEs have been suggested to gather together to increase their bargaining power, adapt technology and change process for management to reduce the cost of production, and develop differentiation to diversify products and services.


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For Disney fans around the world, the most magical weekend of the year is about to take place in just a couple of days. This Friday, the 2019 D23 Expo will begin in Anaheim, California. Think of this convention like an entire Comic-Con dedicated solely to The Walt Disney Company.
Everything from Disney Parks to the Marvel Cinematic Universe to the upcoming Disney+ streaming service will be addressed in panels and demonstrations throughout the expo, revealing plenty of information about what the House of Mouse has in store over the next two years.
If you're looking forward to D23, or just love Disney and had no idea there was an entire expo dedicated to Walt Disney properties, we've got you covered going into the weekend.
Consider this your guide to the D23 Expo itself, and what to expect from the most talked-about panels heading into the weekend.
When, Where, and How to Follow Along
This year's D23 Expo takes place in Anaheim, California over the course of an entire weekend. The festivities go from Friday, August 23rd to Sunday, August 25th. Throughout the weekend there are plenty of panels, exhibits, and demonstrations to keep guests busy. Of course, since the event is sold out, not everyone can attend, but that doesn't mean you will be left out this weekend.
We here at ComicBook.com will be reporting all of the biggest news from the expo, so you can keep checking back on the site throughout the weekend for more information. D23 won't be live-streamed, but if you want to be as up to date on the event as possible, Twitter will be the place to go.
Our stories will be tweeted from our Twitter account here, but we will also have a reporter on-location, attending a few of the major panels and sharing information in real time. You can follow Brandon Davis to keep up with the panels as they happen. The official hashtag of the event is #D23Expo, so watching that trend will also bring you the latest news.prevnext
Most Important Panels
This isn't to say that any panels are "more important" than other panels, but there are some events at D23 that people will care about more than others. There are two panels in particular that will get people interested.
The first of these panels comes in the form of the Disney+ presentation, which will likely reveal some new information about Disney's upcoming streaming service. The panel begins on Friday, August 23rd at 3:30 pm PT and runs for 90 minutes.
Of course, the panel that everyone is talking about leading up to D23 is the Disney Studios presentation on Saturday morning. Marvel Studios, Lucasfilm, Pixar, Disney Animation, and Disney Live-Action will all be included as a part of this two-hour event, giving fans the scoop on the biggest movies coming from the company in the near future. The Disney Studios panel begins at 10 am PT on Saturday, August 24th.
You can see the full schedule of events here.prevnext
It's hard to imagine Marvel Studios having more to say after its jaw-dropping presentation at San Diego Comic-Con last month, but Kevin Feige will undoubtedly have some surprise up his sleeve. Plus, it's important to remember that there will be two opportunities for Marvel to share some big news.
Remember, a large portion of the MCU moving forward won't take place in the theater. Marvel Studios is set to release several TV projects exclusively on Disney+ over the next two years, including The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, WandaVision, Loki, and Hawkeye. The MCU projects will be a huge selling point for Disney+, so expect some sort of news during the streaming presentation on Friday afternoon. The Falcon and the Winter Soldier will be the first of the shows released on Disney+, so if there's news to be had, it will likely concern that project.
The majority of the Marvel Studios news will probably come on Saturday morning, during the Disney Studios panel, but it's difficult to say what that news will be. The only MCU movie in production at the moment is Black Widow, which hits theaters next summer. There could be a poster, trailer, or behind-the-scenes clip unveiled during the panel, though there's no telling if Disney will release it online. There could be a production announcement regarding The Eternals during the panel, or even some kind of casting news regarding one of the other upcoming movies.
Fans will be hoping that Marvel will announce more movies beyond the Phase 4 slate that was rolled out at SDCC, but that doesn't seem like a strong possibility just yet. If Marvel does start talking about Phase 5, these are some projects we'd love to see announced.prevnext
Like Marvel, Star Wars has plenty of projects in the works on screens both big and small, providing multiple opportunities for new information drops.
The tentpole TV series for Disney+ at launch will be The Mandalorian, the first live-action Star Wars TV project, hailing from Iron Man director Jon Favreau. The trailer for the series aired during Star Wars Celebration earlier this year, but wasn't released online. With just a couple of months until the release of Disney+, it would make sense for a trailer to be unveiled here at D23. Pay close attention during the Disney+ panel on Friday. This presentation could also see the official announcement of the Obi-Wan Kenobi series starring Ewan McGregor.
Lucasfilm is also planning to release the final film in the Skywalker Saga later this year, with Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker arriving in December. There's only been one trailer released for the film so far, so another one is on the way very soon. It could drop at D23 this weekend, or in a couple of weeks during the first Monday Night Football game of the season on ESPN. Then again, as Lucasfilm has done with other Star Wars films in the past, we could see the release of a behind-the-scenes featurette that offers just a little more info about the characters.
Following Episode IX, there isn't another Star Wars movie scheduled to be released until 2022, so there probably won't be any information about the franchise's big screen future. Then again, stranger things have happened.prevnext
There has been so much talk about the Disney+ streaming service over the last couple of years, and we're finally on the verge of seeing the whole thing in action. The full Disney+ panel will take place on Friday evening, and will likely contain a few big announcements and trailers. Safe bets for footage and/or images are the few movies and shows that will be available at launch on November 12th: The Mandalorian, Lady and the Tramp, Noelle, and High School Musical: The Musical: The Series.0comments
After the panel concludes, there will be a screening of the first episode of the High School Musical series for those in attendance, making it the first project on Disney+ shown to the public.
In addition to the panel, there will be live demonstrations of the Disney+ app on the expo floor, allowing guests to actually see how the service will work. You can find more information on the demos here.prev


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One simple video showing Transformer Table’s innovative extendable dining table & bench set is taking the world by storm after amassing a whooping 250M views combined across social media, and now North Americans can get these pieces delivered to their home.
MONTREAL, Sep 26, 2022 /PRNewswire/ – Transformer Table, a modular furniture company based in Canada, makes home furnishings that are more than meets the eye. In mid-September, Instagram creator Rasha Abdel Reda (@mynameisrasha) posted a seemingly simple video showcasing her expandable dining table & bench, and the internet couldn’t get enough. In a matter of days, this social media sensation was viewed by over 110M people and shared across the world by various other accounts, combining to a whooping 250M views across platforms. To put that into perspective, a Superbowl commercial typically gets 106M views and it costs $6.5M for just 30 seconds*. On the other hand, the Convert video table was shot on iPhone in Rasha’s dining room, costing virtually nothing to create, and is worth an impressive 10.9M$ in media value!
How did such a straightforward video go so viral? The answer is in the actual furniture piece that was revealed. This company makes furniture like none other – their signature product, the Transformer Table, is a 100% solid hardwood expandable table that starts off as small as just 18″ and can effortlessly grow all the way up to 10ft long in seconds. It isn’ t for nothing that they are one of the fastest-growing furniture companies in the world right now, and this is just another piece of the puzzle to their success story.
It’s easy to see why everyone is talking about this innovative furniture – no matter how much space you have at your disposal, or lack thereof, Transformer Table strives to offer unique multifunctional pieces that can thrive in any space. #EatTogether like space is no issue!
Visit the Transform Table website to discover their extraordinary modular furniture. They offer free shipping all over North America and to 30+ other countries.
View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/110m-views-in-1-week-transformer-table-is-breaking-the-internet-301633221.html
SOURCE Transform Table


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In early February 2022, after the Government announced some decisions related to the digital assets in its Budget session, the cryptocurrency scene in India is pretty hot.
The Union government plans to include cryptocurrency under the goods and services umbrella, which would mean a Goods and Services Tax could be imposed on the digital currencies soon.
PTI reported that discussions related to the understanding of this matter are still in their early stages.
The government plans to levy GST on cryptocurrencies
Currently, cryptocurrency exchanges are subject to an 18% GST tax.
The government plans to include cryptocurrency under the GST law as financial services so that a tax can be charged on the entire transaction value.
“There is a clarity needed regarding levy of GST on cryptocurrencies, and whether it has to be levied on the entire value. We are seeing whether cryptocurrencies can be classified as goods or services and also removing any doubt on whether it can be called an actionable claim,” stated a GST official.
Moreover, GST officials believe that cryptocurrencies share similarities with casinos, betting, gambling, lottery, and horse racing, among others in nature, and as these entities attract a 28% GST on the entire value, so should cryptocurrency transactions.
Besides, any transaction of gold attracts a 3% tax charged on the entire transaction value.
“Discussions are in a nascent stage on the rate of tax, whether it would be 0.1 per cent or 1%. First, a classification decision will have to be finalised, and the rate will be discussed,” cited a PTI report.
As per the Budget 2022, a TDS of 1% on payments made towards virtual currencies of more than Rs 10,000 in a year was made.
A threshold limit of Rs 50,000/year TDS was made for pacific persons, which also include individuals/HUFs who need to get their accounts audited under the I-T Act.


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BKW Related Trader Talk
Burger King (BKW) Has McDonald's (MCD) in Sights as Turnaround Continues
Obama's Minimum Wage Increase has Wall Street Picking Winners from Losers
Restaurants on Watch Following Darden (DRI) Warning
Canaccord Genuity Morning Coffee on Burger King Worldwide (BKW): Beer and Fast Food...GREAT IDEA!!
Back to BKW Stock Lookup


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As an early Thanksgiving present, the G.I. Joe Collectors’ Club has posted an image of the card art for the upcoming Figure Subscription Service (FSS) Quarrel figure! She will be single packed in a 25th Anniversary style package as all of the FSS figures are.
Check out the mirrored image below, and get all the details on GIJoeClub.com.
Also of interest, the G.I. Joe Collectors’ Club has posted their first official FAQ for the subscription service, and you can find that right here.


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Smartwatches are worn to monitor different bodily functions and statuses like heartbeat, blood oxygen, activity, and more. It has also elevated it from a casual accessory to a more practical and medical need for some, as it helps in a lot of alerts.
Blood Pressure is not something smartwatches are capable of, especially as it is a different tech that needs special equipment or straps. However, devices like the Apple Watch, Samsung Galaxy Watch, and Fitbit are already looking into the possibility of having it available for their future devices so that it may expand their use and functionality.
But the question now is that, are modern smartwatches ready for this feature in the present?
Are Smartwatches Ready for Blood Pressure Monitoring?
The feature of a smartwatch is its ability to be an extension of a smartphone, without the need to open one's device for alerts or updates that can be seen through their wearable technology. Blood pressure is one of the morbid illnesses that need addressing, something which a lot of people have contracted over the years.
According to The Verge, smartwatches are still not yet on the page of debuting blood pressure monitoring tech anytime soon, but it would aim to do so in the future. Currently, research is being done by smartwatch companies like Fitbit, which aims to introduce the feature for its lineup in the future.
The question is a massive one, especially as people see the massive improvement of smartwatches throughout the years, becoming people's choice for accessories and a healthy wearable in one. In recent times, it has saved lives as it detected a woman that had a "widowmaker" heart attack, who luckily has the wearable.
Blood Pressure and Hypertension
Blood Pressure and Hypertension are two related things, and it has a lot to do with the health of a person, as they are a "life and death" threat to a person's day-to-day. Blood pumping through the veins and hitting the artery walls is what is called the "blood pressure" and if this goes up a certain degree or level, it becomes hypertension.
According to the CDC, if a heart pumps more pressure than the normal range for a healthy young adult, which is at 120/80mmHg, they are starting to cross over to pre-hypertension or high blood pressure. It needs regulation either with exercise, diet, activity, vices, and medicine.
It is a chronic disease, and it can affect almost anyone, despite being young and healthy. Moreover, it can also lead to death caused by multiple reasons, including a heart attack, stroke, and other "endgame" reasons.
Smartwatch for Health
Smartwatches are known to monitor heartbeats or health. And with this, people are expecting it to be more advanced to detect certain chronic diseases like heart problems and diabetes. Yes, the detection or monitoring of these is possible, but it would take a lot of time, money, effort, data, and research from manufacturers and experts.
It is important to stay healthy, and people are advised to regularly check on themselves, and for now, these smartwatches are limited to certain features only, but hope is not yet gone.
This article is owned by Tech Times
Written by Isaiah Richard


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Fresh off the Dec. 2 launch of its smallest-ever (25nm) flash memory chip, Micron Technology on Jan. 5 hustled to unveil its newest solid-state drive for laptop computers using that chip: a 512GB monster that doubles the capacity of the company’s previous drive.
The C400 SSDs, the first new drives from Micron in a year, come in the standard smaller sizes, 1.8-inch and 2.5-inch (3.5-inch SSDs are not available in this release) and can be ordered in capacities ranging from 64GB to 512GB.
The new RealSSDs are equipped for the 6G bps SATA (serial ATA) interface, which vastly improves application loading speeds and boot-up times, even for SSDs.
The new drives also feature low power consumption — thanks to the smaller and more efficient NAND flash chips — and lighter-weight construction, Micron SSD Marketing Manager Justin Sykes told eWEEK.
Data read times have also been upgraded 15 percent to 20 percent (to a benchmarked high of 415MB per second) from previous releases, Sykes said.
“We’re doing two things with our next generation: the RealSSDs for OEMs and channel partners, and the Crucial brand M4, for standalone consumer-type drives,” Sykes said.
“The main difference is the service and support model, with Micron [RealSSDs] set up for BOM [bill of materials, meaning changes in hardware or firmware] and a high level of factory and field support. Crucial is set up for the consumer market with limited support and no notification of changes.”
Device makers require BOM control in their SLAs, and SSD manufacturers need approval from them before the changes in the SSDs can be included in shipments, Sykes said.
“In a consumer model, as long as Micron’s doing the testing, we just roll with them,” he said.
Micron’s previous frontline SSD, the C300, was released in early 2010 and was the company’s first to feature 6G bps throughput, Sykes said.
Sykes said Micron expects to begin mass production of all versions of the C400s in February. Micron sells its SSDs to all major laptop manufacturers.


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A new green “unity” cup caused many to see red as Starbucks launched its new coffee packaging just days before the election.
Starbucks unveiled the green cup on Tuesday with a design meant to symbolize unity but ended up unleashing a firestorm of criticism instead.
Don’t worry, America, Starbucks will rescue us from election division with its new unity cup. https://t.co/uunt9msTVr pic.twitter.com/BauIq1owpc
— Brian Moore (@BriTheWebGuy) November 1, 2016
The green cup features a piece of artwork created by Shogo Ota which depicts more than 100 figures, from a coffee farmer, a family and friends, all drawn in a mosaic made of one continuous pen stroke.
“The green cup and the design represent the connections Starbucks has as a community with its partners (employees) and customers. During a divisive time in our country, Starbucks wanted to create a symbol of unity as a reminder of our shared values, and the need to be good to each other,” said Howard Schultz, chairman and ceo of the coffeehouse chain.
Friends, baristas, and customers drawn in one continuous line—reminding us we’re all connected. ? pic.twitter.com/qspqJc8KWB
— Starbucks Coffee (@Starbucks) November 1, 2016
No stranger to fanning the political fires, the company set off a wave of backlash on social media as many blasted Starbucks for “political brainwashing” and for its “liberal bias.”
Now that beloved diversity has blown up in our faces, the libs @Starbucks have begun shilling for unity. lol,,, how typical
— Philip Bordogna (@BordognaPhilip) November 1, 2016
@Starbucks Screw you. My coffee should NOT (and does NOT) come with political brainwashing. I dropped @Starbucks like a hot rock.
— #FuckHillary (@RadioAnna) November 1, 2016
The very liberal coffee chain has openly spouted its left-leaning agenda, with anti-Second Amendment, gun-free zones in their stores and campaigns on race relations. CEO Schultz supported President Obama in both 2008 and 2012.
The company, which has been slammed for attacking Christian values, did not indicate that the green cups would replace their annual holiday packaging. Starbucks’ 2015 all-red cups caused controversy last year for eliminating any mention of Christmas during the holiday season.
Starbucks is using a green cup for Christmas this year because they’re a bunch of cowards https://t.co/ruoFJ4ED3B pic.twitter.com/4YmcjTdqBI
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) November 2, 2016
Starbucks doing green cups instead of red cups is disrespectful to Christmas
— Bizzy Emerson (@bizzyems) November 1, 2016
Whatever it claims its intentions are with the new green cup, Starbucks ignited a firestorm on social media in just the first few hours of its release.
What do you think – is the Starbucks green cup promoting “unity” a good idea, bad idea or “just a cup”?
Wake up right! Receive our free morning news blast HERE
#Starbucks rolls out #unity cup ahead of #ElectionDay. Thoughts? https://t.co/5hGwzQVNXF @CBS12 pic.twitter.com/WZhZuRLlAN
— Michele Wright (@michelewrightTV) November 1, 2016
@FoxFriendsFirst @FoxNews Dump Starbucks go to Dunkin Donuts, better coffee, cheaper, no political garbage & they say Merry Christmas
— Jedburgh (@TeamSGT) November 2, 2016
@FoxFriendsFirst @FoxNews who cares, its a paper, THROW AWAY CUP, filled w/ overpriced coffee!!!
— Thomas Olswfski (@thomas_olswfski) November 2, 2016
remember when everybody freaked out because Starbucks took the Christmas trees off of their cup TBH times were so simple :/
— Matthew Frederickson (@itsmattfred) November 2, 2016
@Starbucks It’s like The Walking Dead gone horribly wrong..
— CTRL+Z (@iShotCupid) November 2, 2016
There is no war on Christmas and I’m going to Starbucks and getting a peppermint mocha in a green unity cup and you can shut up about it.
— Heather (@hboulware) November 1, 2016
if you can survive the election, you’ll make it to starbucks’ true red cup season https://t.co/679iKxXmTq
— Kate Taylor (@Kate_H_Taylor) November 1, 2016
People are pissed about the new @Starbucks green cup but seem unphased by a presidential candidate whose child rape pretrial is in December.
— Logan Levkoff, Ph.D. (@LoganLevkoff) November 2, 2016
@FoxNews @Starbucks is crap coffee and always trying to make useless statements! We boycotted yrs ago! @DunkinDonuts is the only way to go??
— Kara (@Gal00per) November 2, 2016
@FoxNews Just don’t go to Starbucks. It’s overpriced junk coffee that furthers a progressive agenda by the psycho who owns it. Boycott.
— Luke M (@LukeMurray2) November 2, 2016
It’s a cup people. Just. A. Cup. https://t.co/4bx0e0iwN8
— Linda Childers (@LindaChilders1) November 2, 2016
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You don't need to be a shrink to pitch novel and counterintuitive ideas to this science pub. Just make sure your research is up to par.
How To Pitch: Psychology Today
A man attempts suicide outside the Today studios, Jonah Lehrer signs another book deal, and New York Post faces a lawsuit for its Boston bombing coverage.
Morning Media Newsfeed: 06.07.13
A spot for the UK department of transportation's "THINK!" campaign is pretty damn terrifying,
Read the story on AgencySpy
CTJDorsey Leo in London took the old VW ads crash ads and turned them into a real life experience. This is an amazing PSA.
Take your online story to the next level with these expert social media marketing tips.
9 Ways to Get More Comments, Tweets and Likes for Your Story
Tap into the how-to's of 'happily ever after' for this newlywed's lifestyle mag.
How To Pitch: The Nest
The two people The New York Post labeled "Bag Men" and wrongly suspected as Boston Marathon bombing suspects are suing the newspaper for libel.
Read the story on FishbowlNY
Score a byline in this spirits mag by covering wine, fine food and travel.
How To Pitch: Wine Enthusiast
Reporters from The New Yorker and Gawker are among this year's Mirror Award winners, WaPo rolls out a paywall, and Newsweek loses its CEO.
Morning Media Newsfeed: 06.06.13


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A man selling items from a roadside booth was robbed of $200 at gunpoint by a man who fired a shot at him, according to a police report.
About 2:15 p.m. Monday, Donald Evans, of Augusta, told police he was selling items from a booth at the corner of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and 15th Street when a stranger inquired about getting Nike shoes and a purse.
The robber, wearing jeans and a dark jacket, then pointed a semiautomatic handgun at Evans and demanded money.
Evans said he laid $200 on the table and fled toward his Chevrolet Suburban, according to the report from Richmond County Sheriff’s Office.
As he was running to the vehicle, he said, the robber shot a hole in it and ran to a green car parked on Olive Road.


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Following its franchise's history-making first year, the GUNDAM ONLINE EXPO is confirmed to return to the U.S.A. with today’s announcement from BANDAI NAMCO Collectibles (Bluefin).
This official, Gundam-only, the digital event is presented by BANDAI NAMCO Group companies BANDAI NAMCO Collectibles, SUNRISE INC., and BANDAI SPIRITS. It offers 2021 attendees an expansive schedule of programming including workshops, panels, specially produced video content, and event-exclusive collectibles. New features include the 2021 GUNPLA Builder’s Cup winners' announcement ceremony and the GUNPLA Livestream Shopping Experience (akin to a cable TV shopping network show) co-hosted by a team at BANDAI NAMCO Collectible’s U.S. headquarters and well-known Japanese model/TV host RinRin at BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment’s Miraiken Studio in Tokyo.
1/144 RX-78F00 GUNDAM & G-DOCK
MG 1/100 THE GUNDAM BASE LIMITED GUNDAM BARBATOS [CLEAR COLOR]
RG 1/144 CROSSBONE GUNDAM X1
1/48 RX-78F00 GUNDAM [BUST MODEL]
This year’s GUNDAM ONLINE EXPO will showcase more than 100 different GUNPLA and feature a vast collection of exclusive model kits — including numerous GUNPLA from both the GUNDAM FACTORY YOKOHAMA and THE GUNDAM BASE TOKYO that were previously only available in Asia. For 2021, the GUNDAM ONLINE EXPO GUNPLA collection will be available during the GUNPLA Live Shopping Experience and on the Premium Bandai USA website at 6:00 pm Pacific time in four separate waves:
All website sales will end on Monday, September 6 at 11:59 pm Pacific time.


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The United Fresh Produce Association named 27 product finalists for the 2012 New Product Awards.
The products will be on display at the United Fresh conference May 1-3 in Dallas, where attendees can vote to select the winners.
Attendees to United Fresh 2010 cast their votes and recognized the winners of the 2010 United Fresh Produce Association New Product Awards. The Sixth Annual Adult Worldquest Knowledge Competition held on Tuesday, April 12, 2010 brou... Read Post
The Washington, D.C.-based United Fresh Produce Association has announced finalists for its 2013 New Product Awards. Winners in five categories will be announced at the association’s annual convention May 14-16 in San Diego. Read Post


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Nintendo’s newest console, the Wii U, comes out in North America on Nov. 18. As that date nears, information has been flooding out of the Nintendo headquarters about what exactly the console is, what it does and what the launch titles will be like.
With this glut of information, it can be tricky for potential buyers to decide whether they want to camp outside of the Athens Gamespot for hours in the bitter cold just to get a shiny new hunk of plastic. To make the decision a little easier, we’ve considered the pros and cons of purchasing Nintendo’s new golden child at launch.
Let’s get the bad stuff out of the way first.
Con: rushed launch.
With all of this information and the release date looming, one can’t help but notice that the Wii U seems like it’s being rushed out to the public. A worrisome prospect, to be sure, especially since Nintendo is being the Microsoft of this new generation of gaming consoles – that is, releasing a brand new console a full year or so earlier than its competitors.
When Microsoft did that last generation with the Xbox 360, they got a leg up on the competition but also suffered from various hardware instability issues. (Red ring of death, anyone?) If similar issues surface with the hardware early on, it will only hurt the Wii U’s overall appeal.
Also, this hurried launch means less first-party titles available at launch, which leads us to the next point …
Con: there is no “killer app.”
Just like the Wii that came before it, the Wii U is honestly lacking in supposed “killer apps” — games that will be out at launch that make the system a “must buy.”
Of the 23 games that will be available on Nov 18, only a handful are exclusive to the console. We’ll talk more in the pros section about some of the cool ones, but for now we’ll just say that “Black Ops II” and “Assassins Creed III” are not going to be helping the system’s “must buy” case when the more preferential versions can be found on the 360 and the PlayStation 3.
Con: current technology in a next-generation console.
This is more of an issue of preference. The Wii U has comparable, if not slightly better, graphical and power capabilities compared to the current generation of consoles. However, when Microsoft and Sony are ready to unveil their next-generation consoles, their capabilities will far outpace Nintendo’s offering.
The deluxe retail version of the Wii U will also only come with a measly 32 GB of space, which is pretty pitiful compared to the 250 GB retail versions of its current generation competitors.
Granted, the Wii U does come with a pretty great amount of internal RAM (16 GB) which is great for developers, but still, one can only wonder how the Wii U will stack up against its future competitors.
For those interested, this is a pretty good article explaining the system’s capabilities.
Check out the next page for our pros to buying the Wii U at launch!
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Amazon announced today, that Prime Now, will be entering the Birmingham market. The new Amazon Prime service allows Prime members in the Magic City to order and receive delivery of products from local Whole Foods Market stores.
Whole Foods has two locations in the Birmingham metro area, including the Mountain Brook store off Highway 280 and the Hoover location, which is near the Galleria. Grocery delivery service is expected to be executed in an hour’s time and will be available from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Birmingham joined nine additional cities across the country that will be receiving Prime Now. Those cities are: Albuquerque, Boise, Charleston, Colorado Springs, Hartford, Kansas City, Providence, Salt Lake City and Stamford. In total, delivery from Whole Foods Market is now available in 63 cities. The service was launched earlier this year.
How the service works
According to Amazon here is how Prime Now works.:
To enjoy grocery pickup, Prime members place their order via the Prime Now app and choose the pickup option at checkout. Customers can choose free pickup in as little as an hour on orders of $35, or in 30 minutes for$4.99. After arriving at the Whole Foods Market store, customers park in a designated pickup spot and a Prime Now shopper will place groceries into their car within minutes. For customers who tell us they are on their way to the store in the Prime Now app, groceries will be ready as they arrive.
This is the most recent development about Amazon in the Birmingham area. Earlier this month, Amazon broke ground on the construction of the new $325 million fulfillment center in Bessemer, which is expected to employ up to 1500 people in the metro area. The new center will open before the holiday season in 2019.
Just two years ago, Birmingham gained national notoriety for it’s creative, but unsuccessful effort to attract Amazon to locate its HQ2 in Alabama. That decision is still pending.