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July 26, 2021
New Zealand expands salmonella testing after bacteria found at poultry farms
New Zealand's food safety body has expanded its testing programme for salmonella to include another 25 operations - which account for 80% of eggs sold to the public.
According to New Zealand Food Safety (NZFS), the programme was expanded to determine the extent of salmonella enteritidis in the country's poultry flocks, after the bacteria was detected at three farms earlier in the year.
NZFS said that it had been monitoring the cases of salmonella infections in humans and found a strong association between the strain in human cases and what had been discovered on farms.
The agency had been testing 64 producers since March and was expanding the programme to 25 companies, accounting for 80% of the industry's eggs.
NZFS deputy director general Vincent Arbuckle said the agency was entering the testing with "an open mind".
"While we think the overall risk to consumers is low, the extended testing is a prudent step to take on behalf of consumers," he said.
Testing would start on July 26 and include taking samples from chicken sheds on each farm.
Michael Brooks, executive director of the Egg Producers Federation, said the testing programme was a precautionary measure to give the egg industry, MPI and consumers more confidence about the safety of eggs.
"This is just another step in a testing programme that we have been undertaking with MPI to ensure consumer protection," he said.
- NZ Herald


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For those of you who aren't one of the 54 million purchasers of Minecraft, Minecraft is a computerized pixelated lego set that makes its home on PCs, iOS, and Android. And soon, for a mere $2.5 billion,
Minecraft is the property of Swedish game developer Mojang, and more notably, is the brainchild of Markus Persson, who is well known to fans of the game as “Notch.” To date, Notch has dismissed the idea of bringing Minecraft to Windows phones, telling Reuters that Windows phones represented such a “tiny” market share and pointing out that “both Symbian and Blackberry have more users than Windows Phone.”
But, for $2.5 billion, or about 8 times Mojang's sales last year, Notch will be working for the company that Bill Gates built, trying to bottle Minecraft's lightning and supercharge Microsoft's mobile efforts.
While Facebook and other buyers have made headlines with splashy acquisitions earlier in the year, a deal like Microsoft's sparks legitimate questions over whether this trend can continue. Coincidentally, Seeking Alpha, an investment research site, just wrote about a potential bubble in the middle market. Based on data provided by investment bank Lincoln International, Seeking Alpha points out that private middle market company valuations are at record levels, surpassing even the frothy levels of 2005 – 2007. More worrisome is that debt multiples for these deals have now surpassed those of 2007's pre-bust deals. Also, banks have exited debt sourcing for middle market deals as investment funds have replaced traditional debt sources.
What does this mean for middle market business owners? While the view in my crystal ball is a little Minecraftesque and doesn't provide the most clear of prognostications, it seems that we are in a time where middle market deals are being done at a level that is historically unsustainable.
First, don't get caught up in the frothiness. Make sure any decision to sell is based on your needs, not the market timing. The right time to sell a business is when the company needs to make a transition, whether that is because the owner is ready to retire or because the company has reached constraints that require additional resources from a potential buyer.
Second, focus on fundamentals. Except in the darkest days of the recession, companies that have good fundamentals are the most attractive candidates for acquisition. A great time to sell is when the company is doing well and the economy is good.
Third, remember that pigs get fat, and hogs get slaughtered. Don't get greedy, and don't try to squeeze every bit of value out of your company. Leave something for a buyer to be excited about. I have seen more than a few companies hold out for that last little bit of business growth, only to continue on just a little too far and see positive results turn negative.
In the meantime, see what all the fuss is about and build something awesome on your Windows phone.

domain: news


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First Solar is one of the most actively viewed stocks on CNBC.com and has gained 30 percent since its March lows. But is the solar panel maker still a good investment? Theodore O'Neill, of Kaufman Brothers Equity Research gave his take to CNBC.
"It's a growth story that's lost its growth," says O'Neill. "The company has had to finance customers, they've had to help out with their distributors ... and the world is awash right now with low cost solar panels, forcing First Solar to compete for the first time ever."
"If you boil this all done, solar panels are a commodity and in commodities you get single digit growth profit margins, maybe high teens and there's a long way to go from their margins in the 50 percent range down to that level," said O'Neill.
O'Neill and his firm have a sell rating on First Solar .
CNBC's Companies in the News:
Neither O'Neill or his firm own First Solar.


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Electronics Production | December 16, 2007
Flex-Solectron merger done in only six months
The Street magazine thought the Solectron Flextronics integration process would take 18 months to 24 months. It is actually going to take only six months now. That means cost savings will come much faster than expected.
According to Jim Cramer, presenter at US TV Channel CNBC, an integration process that the Street thought would take 18 months to 24 months is going to take only six now. That means cost savings will come much faster than expected, and analysts will have to revise their earnings estimates upward to accommodate. Cramer called this a “classic great acquisition story where the estimates are too low,” and that usually means big gains for investors. The problem, according to Cramer, has been that the EMS sector is full of competitors cutting prices to best each other, leaving the customers to play one company off another. But with Flextronics’ purchase of rival Solectron, this EMS companies might have set the stage to turn its entire dismal industry into a force to be reckoned with. The deal put Flextronics behind Hon Hai (Foxconn). So now, according to Jim Cramer, the rest of the industry will have to consolidate in order to compete with these two top players. This wave of mergers and buyouts should give EMS businesses much more pricing power.


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Delivery networks have mostly held up during the first major test of the peak shipping season, industry data show, as earlier shopping and increased in-store purchases have eased the usual late-year congestion.
United Parcel Service and the U.S. Postal Service have improved on-time deliveries during the weeks of and after Thanksgiving compared with a year ago, according to ShipMatrix Inc., a parcel analytics firm. The two-week period included the heavy shopping days of Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
Walmart coupon: $20 off your $50+ order
4th of July Sale: Extra 25% off sitewide - JCPenney coupon code
- Best Buy:
Save 15% or more on the Best Buy deal of the Day
Up to 15% off + free shipping at Wayfair
- The Home Depot:
Today only: Up to 60% off vacuum cleaners & appliances
Nike Summer Shop: Up to 60% off 1,000s of fresh styles


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Workshop: Co-evolution of Entrepreneurship and Artistic Innovation
The Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (IIE) at the School of Business, Economics and Law, University of Gothenburg educates entrepreneurs who create business profits. In recent years the IIE has also focused on education and research within the area of social entrepreneurship, where other values than economic profit are at focus. One of the focuses is entrepreneurship in cultural and creative industries. In the end of March around 20 researchers from Belgium, Switzerland, Denmark and Sweden attended a workshop at the School of Business, Economics and Law to discuss these topics.
- "The cultural and creative industries are becoming an increasing part of countries’ economies and it is natural that we are interested in how these organisations are started, run and reach success", says Staffan Albinsson, one of the workshop organizers from the Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
The theme of the workshop was the importance of entrepreneurship for artistic innovation. Professor Patrik Aspers discussed the fashion markets and Professor Michael Hutter compared the renaissance architect Filippo Brunelleschi with the modern day’s Takashi Murakami. Above this, several of the participants presented research results at two seminars during the day.
- "The participants seemed to be satisfied and hoped to meet up at a future workshop to share research results and develop knowledge within the area", says Staffan Albinsson.
The workshop was organised by the Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the School of Business, Economics and Law, University of Gothenburg.


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May 8, 2013 by karamcaulay
The accelerating pace of digital technologies will force companies to meet new and exacting consumer demands. Prepare now.
McKinsey has just published an article in McKinsey Quarterly describing the on-demand world where interactions are anywhere at anytime. They say success in the new regime incorporates the following:
– Engage customers in new ways
– Assemble data
– Develop new processes and skills (not just marketing)
Consumer power brought on by the digital age has fueled on-demand marketing. Not just always ‘on’, but relevant and responsive with pinpoint delivery.
Furthermore, the symbiotic evolution of technology and consumer expectations has created the need for ubiquitous product information as mobile adds the ‘wherever’ aspect to marketing.
Consumers may soon be able to search by image, voice and gesture and augment their field of vision (Google glasses).
As digital capabilities multiply, consumer demands will rise in four areas:
1. Now: anytime/anywhere
2. Can I: value for consumers
3. For me: personalized experience
4. Simply: easy interactions for the consumer
Companies must deliver high-quality experiences across sales, service, product use, and marketing. Few companies can execute at this level today.
Need to embrace emerging tools for gathering the right data (what are they?) across the consumer decision journey.
** Finally, the marketing organization’s structure will need to be rethought as collaboration across functions and businesses becomes ever more essential.
You can read the 15-page McKinsey article here.


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Just days after announcing plans to create 150 jobs in its new Southampton office, UK-based digital banking platform Starling Bank announced its new 3D Secure feature. According to the banking group, 3D Secure is a tool for online transactions that require the account holder to complete an authentication process for some purchases. The feature also forms part of the security of your account.
“Some banks use passwords. But we’ve all been in that position when trying to make a purchase late on a Sunday evening. Can you remember the first, fourth and ninth character of the password you set 5 years ago? Probably not. At Starling, we’ve decided to use ‘one-time passwords’ sent via SMS as the type of authentication for online purchases. This means that a text will be sent to your phone when you are required to authenticate for a specific online purchase. One code will be sent for each purchase meaning that static password can be left behind.”
Starling Bank also noted that implementing 3D Secure adds to the many ways we ensure your money is protected, helping you to make online payments safely. It was then revealed:
“For certain transactions, we want to make sure that the person making the purchase is the account holder. One way to do this is to make the account holder provide information that only they would know, for example, codes sent to the phone number linked to your Starling bank account. A few websites require banks to support 3D Secure, and rightly so. This is all about making payments more secure for customers. That’s why we’re working hard to roll out this security feature out to all our customers.”
Starling Bank went on to add that for those who are paying on a website that uses 3D Secure, they will see the 3D Secure screen showing that the transaction is being processed. For some transactions, they will then see a screen where you will be required to enter a ‘one-time password’ to complete the transaction.


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Chromebooks will now be carried in over 3 times more stores than before, or more than 6,600 stores around the world, Google announced today.
In addition to Best Buy and Amazon.com, starting today, Walmart will be making the newest Acer Chromebook, which has a 16GB Solid State Drive (SSD), available in approximately 2,800 stores across the U.S., for $199.
And beginning this weekend, Staples will bring a mix of Chromebooks from Acer, HP and Samsung to every store in the U.S. - more than 1,500 in total. You can also purchase via Staples online, while businesses can purchase through the Staples Advantage B2B program. In the coming months select Office Depot, OfficeMax, and regional chains Fry?s and TigerDirect locations will also begin selling Chromebooks.
In addition to Dixons in the UK, now 116 Tesco stores are selling Chromebooks, as well as all Mediamarket and Saturn stores in the Netherlands, FNAC stores in France and Elgiganten stores in Sweden. In Australia, all JB Hi-Fi and Harvey Norman stores will be carrying Chromebooks for their customers as well.


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Multi-channel integration has become a major challenge for financial institutions (FIs) as consumers expect it to be easy to transact, make payments and view transaction history on all accounts and channels.
Overall, most FIs seem to provide what is needed, according to “The Future of Authentication in Financial Services,” a collaboration between PYMNTS and Entersekt.
Get the report: The future of authentication in financial services
Sixty-two percent of consumers said they thought their FIs provided the right amount of cross-device account integration, explaining that they were “happy that way.”
Only 13% of consumers said they wanted deeper integration, while 25% of consumers said their vendors’ levels of integration were more than needed.
The demand for deeper integration changes depending on the type of devices consumers use to access their digital financial services accounts.
Those who most frequently use a desktop browser to access their accounts are the most satisfied, with only 10% saying their vendor integration is less than necessary.
Consumers using a mobile device app are slightly more satisfied than average, with 12% saying the integration is less than necessary.
Mobile device browser users fall in line with the average, as 13% said they would like to see deeper integration.
Consumers who use multiple channels to access their online financial accounts are most likely to want more integration from their providers. Seventeen percent of these consumers said their current level of integration is lowabove what is necessary—exceeding the average share of 13% by four percentage points.
The ability to view accounts anywhere, anytime is more than nice to have – it’s an absolute must for modern consumers – so financial service providers should offer the tools consumers want to use.
Whether it’s a browser from a computer, an app on a mobile device, or multiple methods in concert, these providers will be judged on their integration between account access methods and their ability for consumers to easily vview account information when, where and how they want.


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UPDATE: Microsoft issued a security patch at 1 p.m. ET Thursday to fix a serious bug in Internet Explorer http://blogs.technet.com/b/msrc/archive/2014/05/01/out-of-band-release-to-address-microsoft-security-advisory-2963983.aspx
Microsoft discontinued support for 12 year old Windows XP on April 8th warning that security flaws would not be patched. Now an IE browser vulnerability with the potential to give hackers the same user rights as the current user that affects all versions of Internet Explorer from 6 to 11 has been discovered.
Internet Explorer is one of the most widely used web browsers, attaining a peak of about 95% usage share during 2002 and 2003. Its usage share has since declined with the launch of Safari (2003), Firefox (2004), and Google Chrome (2008), each of which now have significant market share. Estimates for Internet Explorer’s overall market share range from 16.7% to 32.31%, as of May 2012 (browser market share is notoriously difficult to calculate).
According to Net MarketShare, Windows XP accounts for nearly 28 percent of all online PCs worldwide and that’s more than Windows 8, 8.1, Vista, OS X 10.9, and Linux users combined.
Microsoft’s CEO, Satya Nadella is under pressure to patch the IE bug for Windows XP users. But buying a new PC is the way to go as the operating system will be preinstalled and Microsoft is offering $100 discounts on new hardware for customers upgrading from older PCs running Windows XP. Alternatively, Microsoft advises downloading and installing the Enhanced Mitigation Experience Toolkit (EMET) 4.1.
The New Windows: More Security
I was a long time Windows XP desktop user who upgraded to the Windows 7 OS. However, Firefox has long been my preferred browser. Are you running an IE Browser?
The new release of Firefox happened today.
What’s new in Firefox?
Related posts found in this blog:
How to Keep Your Blog Safe
WordPress.com Username Accounts, Logins and More
Keep Your Passwords Safe
10 Ways to Protect Against Email Spam
Disaster Planning: Backups for Bloggers


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As some of you already know, Ford (F) had a huge drop in its share of the auto market the first quarter. This was somewhat due to rise of Chrysler and Toyota taking back market share, especially Toyota. The builder of the Camry sedans and Prius hybrids, led sales of Asian automakers higher in the U.S. last month, gaining market share as deliveries at General Motors Co. (GM) and Ford Motor Co. fell. Because of natural events that caused a slowdown in their production, they lost market last year but regained all they but at a much faster pace than was forecasted. Toyota (TM) saw U.S. sales and market share contract in 2010 and 2011 from back-to-back crises. After the company restored production disrupted by natural disasters in Japan and Thailand last year. Chrysler led U.S. sales growth with a rise of 20 per cent from a year ago, marking the U.S. car maker's best April in four years.
Even though a number of key companies are taking back business from Ford, the company is not in bad shape-they have plans and know what they are doing. It is presently still remaking its image and new line of cars for sale. New product lines and renovations-on a global scale is taking place. It is spending billions on new factories in Asia for Asians, and billions more to replace the compact and midsize cars.
We all know part of the struggle for all car companies, not just Ford is Europe. I know I am being redundant, but Europe is still free falling into economic chaos. We are all just waiting to see how its plays out-who is going to renounce the euro? It is a despairing place to sell autos right now. Ford's European operations have been profitable, and are capable of being profitable again, but the short to medium term will be a struggle. The international markets continue to be a challenge but especially Europe. Ford was the only U.S. automaker to avoid bankruptcy and require federal bailout assistance in the wake of the 2008 recession and financial meltdown. The company has long been a key player in the international auto market, but it made the choice in the recovery from the economic recession to focus on North American operations to drive change through the entire global organization.
The Road Ahead
There is no need to worry about Ford in the future. It is well positioned and developing itself to offer vehicles consumers all over the world will want to own. Dearborn intends to change all that by investing no less than US$4.9 billion in China to build eight new plants and launch 15 new models past 2011. The key will be for Ford products to connect with Chinese consumers on an emotional level just as Buick and Chevy (which currently outsell Ford 5-to-1) have managed to do. This is a transition time for the company and payoffs will come back later.
It expects to sell 15 million cars over the next 10 years and 8 million by 2015. It is launching 6 new products for the smaller markets of India and China here in 2012. The road has been long and the struggle difficult, but Ford appears to be poised for solid, profitable growth as the U.S. and North America lead the way forward.
Disclosure: I have no positions in any stocks mentioned, and no plans to initiate any positions within the next 72 hours.


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Channel 4 nets first product placement deal
Channel 4 has agreed its first product placement deal, with high street retailer New Look, which will supply clothes to a new ad-funded show on youth-focused strand T4 this summer.
The programme is being produced by Twofour in partnership with Monterosa, and creative agency Mother. The brand's media agency Trinity Communications is also involved.
Each week the show will visit a different town and pick out the most stylish girls in the street. The presenters will then choose two of them to style a catwalk show, to be judged by T4 viewers in a live vote.
During the course of the series viewers can also create their own outfits, some of which will be modelled in the show. The weekly winners will go through to a national final to win the chance to become a stylist for New Look.
As part of the deal New Look clothes will be featured in the show and on the catwalk, as long as they are editorially justified, which would not have been allowed before the rules on product placement were relaxed on 28 February.
Nick Cross, group chief marketing officer at New Look, said: "We are always looking for innovative ways to fuel our customers' excitement for fashion. Working alongside Channel 4, Twofour, Mother and Monterosa we are creating pioneering entertainment which is a celebration of 'real–time' fashion as it's lived on the high street.
"Our customers are a generation who do not delineate their online lives from their interests in the real world – so this is a natural next step in how brands can engage their audiences in the most immediate, relevant and exciting way possible."
Matt Hardisty, joint head of strategy at Mother, said: "The show is a clear demonstration of our commitment to creating entertainment, alongside advertising, to engage our audience."
However, David Charlesworth, Channel 4's head of sponsorship, placement and funded content, said the New Look activity was one of the "first" collaborations between broadcaster, creative agency and production house.
Charlesworth said: "Having always maintained that product placement will be integral to squaring the circle of measurable value within the funded content arena, we're pleased to demonstrate such an innovative approach."
The first product placement deal to be announced was for the introduction of a Dolce Gusto coffee machine on to the set of the ITV1 daytime show 'This Morning', on the day the rules were relaxed.
This article was first published on campaignlive.co.uk
- Affiliates Executive - No. 1 Agency! GoodEgg Digital Circa £25k + Exceptional Benefits, Central London
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- Philips launches campaign for app-controlled lightbulbs
- Sorrell warns of Scotland becoming an 'outlier' and the UK 'diminished' by a Yes vote
- Publicis boss Maurice Lévy to step down in 2017 amid board shake-up
- Sometimes collaboration, not innovation, can be the key to winning campaigns
- Virgin Trains spends £8 million on advertising to refocus on its brand
- WPP challenges Govt review


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The cost of imports and exports within the Asia-Pacific region fell by five per cent between 2006-2010, a report from APEC has shown.
The finding offers proof the work of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), whose leaders are set to meet in Hawaii this weekend in an attempt to lower trade barriers, is proving successful across the region.
"The reduction is good news for businesses and economies in the Asia-Pacific region," APEC policy supportunit director Denis Hew told AAP.
Domestically, Trade Minister Craig Emerson will likely welcome the report.
On Tuesday night, Dr Emerson delivered a major speech to diplomats in Canberra where he urged a renewed focus on the decade-long Doha round of free trade talks.
"The objectives of both free trade and fair trade are best served by applying the rules to everyone, and making sure the rules cover all unfair practices," Dr Emerson said.
"That's exactly what the Doha development round of global trade negotiations has been seeking to do for more than a decade now."
The APEC paper found that total fees and charges for traded goods within the 21 Pacific Rim economies, stretching from Chile to China via the United States, climbed in real terms by $6.3 billion between 2006 and 2010.
However, the cost savings resulting from easier trade totalled $65 billion, which means a net saving of $58.7 billion, it said.
APEC culminates in a November 12-13 summit hosted by US President Barack Obama for the leaders of China, Russia, Canada, Australia and 16 other Pacific Rim nations.


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THE Lachlan Murdoch-owned Illyria Pty Ltd has bought almost 10 percent of Perth-based online DVD rental company Quickflix Ltd. Illyria, set up in August last year, has become a substantial investor following the purchase of 4.04 million shares, or 9.6 per cent capital in Quickflix, valued at around $620,000. Quickflix, at the time WA Business News went to press, was trading at 17 cents with its shares surging up 5.5 cents on the day of the announcement. Quickflix owns online DVD rental company Home Screen Entertainment and was founded by Tony Faure, the recently appointed chief executive of Yahoo! Australia & NZ. In July, Quickflix reached agreement for the placement of 10 million shares at an issue price of 12 cents to raise $1.2 million. The company floated on the ASX in June 2005 after raising $3 million from investors.
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highlights the vast medical and wellness tourism opportunities exist in states like Gujarat & Maharashtra in western India. According to the report, India had made to top five spots because of hosting a nearly 166,000 medical tourist from all over the word in ... Business Standard, 1 month ago
3 images for "phdcci"
Poultry News 19 August 2014 INDIA - PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI), an industry body has called for amendment to Land Ceiling Act and abolition of agriculture produce marketing committee (APMC) Act to draw massive corporate sector ...The Poultry Site, 1 month ago PHDCCI for panel to settle tax disputes The Statesman, 2 months ago
STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 16 September Market sentiments are likely to revive in the forthcoming festive season, says a study by PHDCCI. The trend will equally benefit the manufacturers and consumers with the latter releasing their ...The Statesman, 3 days ago
Taxpayers should not be too aggressive in interpreting the income-tax law and claim tax breaks that are far fetched. Any aggressive approach and interpretative ingenuities by tax payers and professionals who assist them could only lead to more ...Hindu Business Line, 2 weeks ago
Uttarakhand may be 'simply heaven' with its picture-postcard locations and pilgrimages but tourists seem to be abandoning the land of the 'char dhams'. For the first time since 2001, the state has failed to find a place among the top ten popular ...Hindustan Times, 1 month ago Uttarakhand slips out of top ten tourist destinations Travel Trade Journal, 1 month ago Disaster-hit Uttarakhand slips out of top ten tourist destinations Hindustan Times, 1 month ago
The Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA) is planning to provide multi-level parking facilities in the residential sectors of HUDA in the state. The state is also giving priority for allotment of industrial plots for setting up skill ...NetIndia123.com, 2 months ago
on your WebpageAdd Widget >Get your members hooked!


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While some previous rumors stated that Microsoft would cut the price of Windows for smartphones and tablet OEMs by as much as 75 percent, the company has officially announced during its BUILD 2014 keynote address today that the price of Windows will actually be free for OEMs to put in smaller devices.
The parameters are that hardware makers who create smartphones and tablets that are smaller than 9 inches will get to install Windows Phone 8.1 or Windows 8.1 for free. That means all Windows Phone OEM makers will get the OS for zero, as will PC makers who create tablets that are similar to Dell Venue Pro 8. Tablets that are larger than 9 inches won't be eligible for the free Windows 8.1 OS.
This move by Microsoft is clearly designed to get Windows installed in more devices, similar to how Google makes Android free for use in third party smartphones and tablets. It remains to be seen if there will be any additional conditions to this deal, such as licensing Microsoft apps like Skype and Bing for use in those smaller hardware products, but this will likely be a "win-win" for both Microsoft and device makers.
Microsoft also announced that Windows will also be free for small "Internet of things' devices similar to the ones that the company revealed earlier this morning
Image via Dell


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Since the economic downtown began, consumers generally haven’t been spending as freely as they once did.
But that has not been the case when it comes to craft beers: The latest research from Mintel, a global supplier of product research, shows that sales of craft beer nearly doubled between 2007 and 2012 — growing from $5.7 billion in 2007 to $12 billion in 2012.
And per Mintel’s research, the boom isn’t likely to slow soon. Mintel is forecasting craft beer sales to grow to a whopping $18 billion by 2018 — a tripling of sales since 2007.
Chicago Business Journal has more on Mintel's report here.
The Memphis market seems primed to follow in the craft beer growth, as local breweries are expanding, new breweries are opening and laws are making it easier to operate.
Ghost River Brewing Co. is the only local craft brewery but two new outfits — High Cotton Brewing Co. and Memphis Made — are set to open this year.


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Netflix has announced that it is using AMD EPYC "Rome" CPUs inside of its new data servers, beating out Intel and Ampere-based servers.
The current Netflix servers have up to 200Gbps of bandwidth, but the new servers are doubling this up to 400Gbps of bandwidth for the future of its content streaming. Inside, Netflix is tapping AMD EPYC 7502P (Rome) CPUs with 32 cores and 64 threads and a base CPU clock of 2.5GHz, and boost clock of up to 3.35GHz.
AMD's EPYC 7502P "Rome" CPU has 128MB of L3 cache, a 180W TDP, and arrives in a 1P (single-socket) configuration. Where AMD does things better than Intel here in the server game, is that AMD has PCIe 4.0 technology with 128 PCIe 4.0 lanes on offer with up to 250GB/sec of I/O bandwidth and up to 2TB/sec in networking units.
The streaming giant is using all of that PCIe 4.0 bandwidth and CPU corers for major bandwidth, connecting the new EPYC-based server with dual Mellanox ConnectX-6 Dx switches with 2 full-speed 100GbE ports that offer 400Gbps bandwidth total.
This is fed through storage that will include 18 x WD SN720 NVMe M.2 SSDs with 2TB capacities per SSD (PCIe 3.0 x4) with 36TB capacity per server node.
The company has plans to upgrade the servers already, with plans for an 800Gbps server in the near future and the first prototype dropping later this year. For now, these are some impressive new servers for Netflix for blasting us content across the world.
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Press Release from Illinois:
Northbrook, IL – January, 2016 – Mossy Oak BioLogic is set to renew its annual Rock Starz online photo contest and sweepstakes for 2016, complete with all-new weekly prize packages, and the same great grand prize: an all-expenses paid dream hunt.
Over its first two years, the Rock Starz contest has experienced overwhelming growth. Having significantly expanded the promotional presence in 2015 over that of the inaugural launch in 2014, this year’s Rock Starz contest is set to drive 20 million consumer impressions on television as well as an additional 155 million impressions through social media. In 2016, the contest will continue this expansion by extending its reach to include Instagram, the world’s most popular image sharing network.
The terms of the contest will remain the same as the previous years. Interested contest participants will upload their best whitetail photos taken on their game camera and lured in by Mossy Oak BioLogicAddiction attractants. Those who share with their Facebook friends and Instagram followers to try to gain votes have a higher chance of winning the grand prize: an all-expenses paid dream hunt at a premier hunting outfitter offering some of the best whitetail, black bear, and waterfowl hunting. Mossy Oak BioLogic has also teamed up with PSE Archery, Record Rack, Moultrie Cameras and Feeders, Yukon Gear, Addiction Attractants and Mossy Oak Hunting Accessories to put together a collection of great prizes-from game cameras, bows, and attractants, to camo gear and branded RAM Truck gear. Prize packs will be given away weekly, with larger prize packs awarded every month. The contest is slated to run through December 31, 2016 at www.addictionattractants.com.


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Adrick has reviewed the latest novel from author James Luceno (Cloak of Deception, Millennium Falcon), the recently released Star Wars: Darth Plagueis. Was this once-cancelled book worth the wait? Check out the review to find out!
Don't forget to take a look at Eric's fascinating interview with James Luceno here.
Rebelscum Breast Cancer Awareness Charity Patch Posted By Philip on November 25, 2014: Thanks to everybody that ordered patches. I sent a check for $1,600.00 to the National Breast Cancer Foundation on Monday. While it's not as much as I hoped for, it's still very much appreciated. They will remain for sale in the store for anybody that still wishes to purchase them. Details after the jump.


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Benefits of prioritizing a web development company to aid your business - particularly startups searching for tangible market shareholdings.
Artificial Intelligence is gaining a stronghold across the globe. The driving force behind this popularity is pretty straightforward; the world is moving toward an era characterized by highly sophisticated and advanced technologies. AI is the center of attention in this new era, and many AI trends are set to emerge in the coming years.
The artificial intelligence ecosystem has experienced explosive popularity in recent years. The pandemic was a major propeller of this popularity. The outbreak of COVID-19 accelerated the global quest for digitization, which shifted general attention to AI. For instance, a PWC study found that about 52 percent of the companies interviewed had increased their AI adoption due to the coronavirus pandemic. Ever since the virus propelled AI adoption, the AI industry has grown significantly.
This AI buzz has also gained the attention of global Investors. Investors are increasingly paying attention to AI technologies and their prospects. In fact, a sizeable number of investors have decided to pitch their tent with AI technologies. This shows that investor confidence in the AI industry is getting stronger. The numbers tell the same story. According to a Pitchbook report, venture capital investment in Artificial Intelligence has increased by about 425% since 2020. The investment volume is currently pegged at $2.1 billion.
However, while AI innovation seems like it's here to stay, it is far from static. Since the internet was launched in the 1990s, it has experienced multiple iterations and improvements. AI Is set to experience a similar growth pathway. More AI trends will emerge to revolutionize the concept of AI and improve its functionalities. Already, experts have predicted specific AI trends that will likely receive attention in 2023. The major trends are highlighted in this article.
When the concept of artificial intelligence was first sold to the world, it was dominated by big tech companies. Conversations around the possibilities presented by AI were also shaped by feedback and plans from Big Tech. However, Big Tech’s domination of the AI space is set to reduce significantly. This is because the AI ecosystem is becoming increasingly democratized. The wave of democratization was ushered in by the large-scale AI open-sourcing conducted by big tech companies. In 2016, many tech companies decided to open-source their AI code. This move gave the public access to inspect and modify the source code. One of the major benefits of this democratization trend is that it has contributed immensely to the improvement of AI functionalities. It has also reduced entry barriers into the AI industry and paved the way for startups or individual enthusiasts to AI versions that fulfill market demands.
Generative AI is a form of artificial intelligence that generates new output based on information provided. In this case, generative AI can create text, images, and even audio output using a backdrop of specific information or examples. ChatGPT, DALL-E, and MidJourney are examples of generative AI technologies. This year, more companies will likely develop highly sophisticated and more advanced generative AI technologies. More importantly, low-code or no-code generative AI solutions could be deployed to ensure that companies can easily integrate AI into their systems. The launch of GPT 4 could also set the tone for generative AI technologies with more functionalities.
Many grey areas in the artificial intelligence ecosystem need to be resolved with regulation. Similar to the wave of regulations that occurred when the popularity of cryptocurrencies exploded, national governments are likely to increase regulatory oversight of the AI industry. This regulatory oversight will likely be targeted at protecting consumers and ensuring data protection. For instance, the Joe Biden administration recently proposed an AI “bill of rights”. The European Union has also proposed the AI Act, which is expected to demonstrate the EU's position on AI usage. The bill is still being discussed in the European Parliament.
One of the major concerns surrounding the widespread adoption of AI is that it could replace human competencies and increase unemployment. However, there is a growing realization that AI can hardly replace humans. This is because AI is quite literally, artificial intelligence. It is a simulation of intelligence that can hardly replicate human-like approaches and interpretations. Thus, more companies have started to realize that higher productivity levels can be achieved with seamless human-AI collaboration. Such collaborations could manifest in different ways. For instance, generative AI technologies can provide insight for diagnoses to medical professionals. Artists could also utilize AI to generate script ideas that will ultimately be tweaked and modified with human intelligence. These collaborations could increase creativity and work efficiency.
Personalization is currently a prominent concept in the e-commerce ecosystem. Many e-commerce companies have realized that personalization is crucial to their ability to expand and maintain their user base. These companies will likely explore the possibility of integrating AI to achieve their personalization targets. In this case, AI will be deployed to personalize brand communication and provide tailored product offerings. AI can also be deployed to improve the chatbots of e-commerce platforms.
Risk is undoubtedly a crucial part of any business. You might need to undertake some risks to get ahead of the competition. Most companies have an
As businesses seek to expand their operations, the need to scale software development, develop software in Poland and cut costs will become even more prominent.


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Germans take their carbon footprint seriously. The Chinese are doing everything they can to reduce air pollution. So it comes as no surprise that the German engine manufacturer Deutz and the Chinese equipment manufacturer Sany have entered a joint venture agreement for around 75,000 new diesel engines by 2022.
Deutz will take over production of Sany’s current engine range and produce engines for Sany that meet the China IV emissions standard for off-road and China 6 for on-road applications.
Deutz will also maintain controlling interest in the JV with 51 percent of the investment. Revenue targets are estimated to be around €500 million, or $562 million.
While most engine OEMs announced ambitious plans for hybrid and electric drive systems at Bauma in April of this year, Deutz, got in front of the pack and shared their plans with us almost six months prior. The German company made it clear that China would be the biggest market for its line of low-emissions solutions.
Rather than develop its own electric drives from scratch, Deutz bought another German firm Torqueedo. Completed just a year ago, the acquisition gave Deutz industrial scale, ready-made technology solutions for battery management, electric motors, controllers and the software that ties it all together says Michael Wellenzohn, a member of the Deutz board of management. You can read more the company’s strategy and the benefits of its electric and hybrid systems about it in our report, here.
Beyond the Sany JV, Deutz is also planning a strategic alliance with Beinei to produce engines in China with the Deutz management team overseeing the manufacture of approximately 20,000 engines for the Asian market in 2022 at a new factory in Tianjin.
The ramp-up is set for 2020, when around 2,000 to 3,000 engines are to be produced.


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GMO Corn Causes Hardship for U.S. Corn Farmers
The use of genetically modified foods (GMO) has risen continuously over the past couple decades. Such foods are engineered to deliver increased yields, need less water, and be resistant to otherwise deadly pesticides. While there is controversy about the safety of these foods, some types of GMO products have been deemed safe.
The attitudes toward GMO products vary across the world. In the United States, the population is fairly accepting of genetic modification, although there is significant support for labeling and some total outright opposition. Indeed, more studies are required to ascertain the benefits and risks of different GMO crops. Europe and China have generally been more cautious about accepting new seeds into their grain channels. While they do allow some GMO varieties, they believe it is important to know more about their properties before widely distributing them.
Syngenta is an agri-business with a focus on developing GMO seeds. In 2009, they developed a strain of corn seed known as MIR 162. This specific type of corn was optimized to have enhanced resistance to insects and herbicides, as well as use water more efficiently. These benefits may sound promising, but health risks can rise if GMO products are not made properly. Even the highest quality products have unknown long-term risk. While the United States Department of Agriculture approved MIR 612 for sale in 2010, China only recently did so in December 2014.
This delay caused substantial hardship for U.S. corn farmers, who were expecting to be able to sell their corn to China. For years, they believed that the MIR 162 corn could be exported to China, as Syngenta said that approval was on the verge of happening. Unfortunately for the farmers and other people in the corn supply chain, it took far longer for China to give its acceptance.
This delay had a variety of negative effects, including cutting off a potential sales market for corn farmers and decreasing corn prices in the United States. Losses to the industry have reached the billions, and hundreds of parties are coming forward to sue Syngenta for their misrepresentation.


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A pipeline company is challenging Texas’ practice of allowing drillers to set unwanted natural gas on fire, in a case that could test state limits for how much of the fuel can legally go to waste.
As shale companies turned America into the world’s top oil producer, they unlocked massive quantities of natural gas as a byproduct and Texas has allowed them to freely burn off vast volumes as area pipelines fill up. The process is known as flaring.
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SUDDENLY, bitcoin seems a bit boring. It might be hard to believe. But after the 1,400% rally last year – with wild swings along the way – the great crypto craze has cooled, at least for now.
For the past month, bitcoin’s price has stalled between US$8,500 (RM33,320) and US$11,300 – a minuscule range by its standards. And Internet searches for “bitcoin” have plunged, suggesting public interest has, too.
“The general public is now realising that this is not a risk-free, get-rich-quick, investment opportunity and general interest has since diminished,” says Lucas Nuzzi, a senior analyst at Digital Asset Research.
The lull this year shows just how quickly investment fads can come and go. Gone for now are the days when bitcoin dominated talk at holiday tables.
Stories lately look a lot like the ones in the back sections of financial papers – dry accounts of regulatory scrutiny, market structure and legal wrangling.
Online searches for “bitcoin” fell 82% from December highs, according to Google Trends. Tweets that mention the coin peaked Dec 7, at 155,600, and are now down to about 63,000, BitInfoCharts says.
And the number of bitcoin transactions is off 60% from its record on Dec 13, according to Blockchain.info.
December brought “Bitcoin Craze Propels Coinbase App to No 1 in Apple’s Store”. Now there’s “Bitcoin’s Wildest Days Are Over as Regulators Circle”. Indeed, bitcoin’s been in the news for all the wrong reasons lately.
Its price slumped on March 15 after Google said it would prohibit cryptocurrency ads, following Facebook’s move from January.
Major banks including JPMorgan and Bank of America banned crypto purchases on their credit cards, the Securities and Exchange Commission has stepped up cryptocurrency oversight and US Congress is holding hearings on how to treat the digital coins.
Earlier this month, Allianz Global Investors argued the coin’s “intrinsic value must be zero”.
“The story with bitcoin is pretty straightforward,” says Roger Kay, president of research firm Endpoint Technologies Associates Inc.
“It went up fast, and then came down even faster. Consumers who flocked to it late got burned. They are in the shadows now, licking their wounds. And others contemplating how to get rich quick are acutely aware that what goes up can come down, and maybe bitcoin isn’t the way to go about it.”
Of course, bitcoin’s obituary has been written countless times in its nine-year existence. In fact, 111 such stories appeared last year when it was on a tear, according to 99bitcoins.com. Almost 40 have been written so far this year, on track to top that level.
Still, just on March 15, people familiar with the matter said hedge fund billionaire Alan Howard made sizable personal investments in cryptocurrencies last year.
And even Allianz doesn’t think bitcoin is done for, not as long as the number of speculators and crypto true believers remains high. Coinbase says it still has more than 20 million customers, though it’s not clear how many have been active recently.
And this isn’t bitcoin’s first slump. It’s had at least three declines of 70% or more since 2010 only to come back with a vengeance and reach higher highs.
For now, though, boring might be the new normal as the decline in public interest
could leave bitcoin in what for it could be considered a tight range.
Remember, after a rally boosted its price 84-fold in 2013, it tumbled back the following week and held there until lifting off again last year.
Yes, the slump lasted more than three years.
Indonesian bitcoin investors set to outnumber stock participants
THE biggest Indonesian platform to buy and sell digital currency may soon have more members than the nation’s century-old stock exchange.
Indonesia Digital Asset Exchange, formerly known as Bitcoin.co.id, will have 1.5 million members buying and selling digital currencies such as bitcoin, ethereum and ripple by the end of the year, according to CEO Oscar Darmawan.
The platform, which began its operations in 2014, currently has 1.14 million investors, he said.
In contrast, Indonesia Stock Exchange which offers stocks, futures and options and exchange-traded funds, has only 1.18 million registered participants, according to data from the Indonesia Central Securities Depository.
Companies traded on the exchange have a combined market capitalisation of US$520 bil (RM2.03 tril), according to data compiled by Bloomberg.
“We are seeing almost 3,000 new members signing up every day,” says Darmawan. “Most people are trading in bitcoins though transactions in ethereum has increased significantly of late.”
While Bank Indonesia hasn’t banned exchanges from offering cryptocurrencies, it has asked investors to refrain from owning, selling or trading the tokens. The central bank doesn’t deem digital currencies as legal tender.
Indonesia Digital Asset Exchange is targeting daily volume to double from an average 100 bil rupiah (RM28.37 mil) a day currently, Darmawan said. The stock exchange in comparison recorded average daily transactions worth the equivalent of US$550 mil last year, according to data from the bourse.


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Samsung Electronics today introduced two new smartphones, the Galaxy A54 5G and Galaxy A34 5G, expanding the popular Galaxy A series.
These devices have improved camera features, vibrant displays, and longer battery life, making them ideal for users who put the mobile experience first.
The Galaxy A54 5G and A34 5G have night shooting, and AI features that deliver stunning images in different lighting conditions.
The A54 5G’s 32-megapixel front camera captures details for selfies and video calls.
Both smartphones feature enhanced optical image stabilization (OIS) and digital video image stabilization (VDIS) to minimize blurring and shaking in videos.
The devices feature immersive Super AMOLED displays with improved outdoor visibility and a refresh rate of 120 Hz.
Samsung guarantees up to four generations of OS upgrades and five years of security updates so that users can access the latest software throughout the smartphone’s lifecycle.
Samsung Knox provides defense-level mobile security, while the Security and Privacy Dashboard puts users in control of data collection.
Private Share allows users to securely share files with specific recipients, set time limits, and disable screenshots.
The Galaxy A54 5G and A34 5G will be available in March, initially in select European and Southeast Asian markets, in four color options.


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Tesla has enjoyed a significant rally on Wall Street in 2020. The meteoric rise of a once-small, likely unsuccessful automotive company is truly a prime example of the American economy working to the advantage of the dreamer. At one time, Tesla was out of money and had to plead for investors to funnel in more funds to keep its doors open. Years later, the company is the hottest stock in the American economy, up 650% on the year, despite not having more than two operational car production facilities.
Some may ask: Why is this small, relatively new car company running amok in the industry? What do they have that the competitors don’t? Why is Tesla so much more appealing to investors now than any other company? There are a lot of responses that may adequately answer any of these questions. But the real answer that generally covers all of these bases is that Tesla is more about the message than the money. While the supremely high valuation spells something as large as Apple or Facebook, Tesla is leading a charge in an industry full of attractive names. The fact is, Tesla has the shiniest name of all.
Perhaps, in the field of sustainable energy companies, there may be some real players that hold significant amounts of power. But the fact is, none of the names, or Tesla, were taken seriously up until a few years ago. Sustainable energy and the idea of sourcing power from the sun, wind, and other clean outlets was not a broadly accepted idea in the United States. While wind farms and solar panels have existed all over this country, the idea of powering anything from a house to a business with something other than coal or natural gas wasn’t a big thing, especially in Pennsylvania, where I am from.
But now, the idea of having sustainable sources of energy are translating into a nationwide phenomenon. And when trends begin to turn, the investor begins to see dollar signs. The thing is this: the sustainable energy movement is here, and it’s been here, and it’s only going to get bigger. More people will begin using solar panels because they’re becoming more affordable for the average American to purchase. More people will begin driving electric cars because they are becoming more affordable, they require less maintenance, and there are more environmental advantages. This is where the industry of sustainable energy becomes more competitive, and more companies are looking for their slice of the pie.
The problem for companies that have a history of using non-sustainable products is that their name is tarnished, and it would require a new identity to expunge the investor’s mind of negative thoughts. On the other hand, the companies that don’t have that past, like Tesla, for example, bring a conditioned picture of an electric car and sustainable products to the investor’s head. And the average investor will be more prone to purchase products from an exciting and somewhat proven company than from one that is transitioning from gas to electric and basically has to reestablish itself from the ground up.
The sentiment on companies that have a sustainable name has changed. Once “dead end” companies that have exploded into real industry players, they are more appealing to the common investor. People are not thinking about their dollars right now; they’re thinking about the future. Tesla’s mission is about the future, and people are investing their money in TSLA shares because they know where the future is headed. They also know who is leading them there, and that is the company that is going to get the shares bought and see the stock price increase. Clean energy has been around for decades, but it’s always been a second-thought because gas and oil have provided jobs and economic stability. There’s no reason that the U.S. sustainable energy market can’t do the same thing, and it will if jobs are kept on American soil.
The act of having investors forget about the sustainable energy movement is over, and Tesla has essentially ended the stigma on clean energy stocks, proving they can be winners and big ones at that.
Tesla’s effort in R&D and innovation also has helped the stock price, obviously. But, the common investor is also driving up demand for the stock. That’s why TSLA’s $5 billion offering was snapped up in a matter of a day and a handful of hours.


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Soon, it will be easier to tell exactly how well your Twitter account is performing. Twitter is currently alpha-testing Twitter Analytics, an official analysis tool that will allow users to see which tweets are most successful, which tweets cause the most unfollows and how many impressions their tweets are getting. This is an exciting development for any business that uses Twitter as part of its social media strategy.
A spokesperson for Twitter said that the product was created in response to â€œa strong demand for better monitoring and analytics tools.â€
Twitter Analytics has been rolled out to a few select followers. Earlier today, Mashable shared these screenshots:
Although no official word on an exact wide release date for this product, an official with Twitter did say earlier this year that Twitter Analytics would be released around the end of 2010. We'll keep you posted on any developments.
Keep up with the latest Internet marketing trends, tips and strategies by following CyberMark on:


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Tata Motors looks to be like a company on a mission. In 2014, when the company was not even thinking about CNG or electric cars, 2018 sees a big change in approach. Recently, at the Auto Expo 2018, Tata Motors brought out products which showed the direction the company is taking as far as their product portfolio goes. The huge turnout as far as electric vehicles was concerned, was expected from the carmaker but there were a few surprises thrown in. The company showcased the RaceMo sports coupe in India for the first time but instead of just bringing in the petrol car which it showcased at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show which was, if you might remember, labelled 001. The one that was showcased at the 2018 Auto Expo saw the 003 sticker and yes this one is the electric version of the 2-seater sports car. Well, having showcased the car in India, Tata Motors has also quietened those critics who thought that project was shelved.
Here’s what the electric version of the RaceMo is all about.
- The Racemo is a 2-seater sports car that sits under 4 metres in length (3835 mm) and sports a rear-mounted mid-engine.
- The car uses a special body that has Tata’s MOFlex multi-material sandwich structure.
- Tata says this is a ‘structural technology that enables greater freedom in surface design, efficient large-scale part integration leading to modularity and faster time to market’.
- The all-electric version of the Racemo has been christened ‘Racemo +-‘ and it shares its stying with the petrol powered sibling.
- Designed at the Tata Motors’ Design Studio in Turin, Italy, Racemo does draw on Tata’s design language that has elements like the ‘Humanity Line’, and ‘Diamond DLO’ that we have seen on recent cars from the Tata stable
- The Racemo comes with a ground clearance of 165 mm and this is important as far as Indian road conditions are concerned
- The all-electric RaceMo comes with a 200 bhp electric motor that pulls power from a lithium battery pack.
- The RaceMo electric can do 350 km on a single charge and there’s also the option of fast charging for the battery pack.


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MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WMBF) – This Saturday, Myrtle Beach Marathon runners will be running along the popular Market Common shopping spot, and business owners know what an advantage that is.
Market Common's Marketing Manager Hatton Gravely says the shopping center is already seeing an increase in traffic in its stores and restaurants ahead of the marathon this weekend.
Gravely says the vacation rentals for the suits of the Market Common are all booked, and businesses are expecting a big return in profits because of the extended weekend that includes Valentine's Day, the marathon, and President's Day on Monday.
Tune in to WMBF News this evening for Lauren Weppler's full report on the economic impact of this weekend's marathon.
Click here for complete coverage of the Bi-Lo Myrtle Beach Marathon, including stories, links, and more. Also, text "RUN" to 84300 for forecast alerts and a marathon reminder text alert before the marathon begins this Saturday.


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The American giant Coinbase continues its expansion strategy at the heart of the blockchain and cryptocurrency industry. Through a blog post, Coinbase announces the launch of its product entitled “Wallet as a service”.
In the blockchain world, the principle of self-custody of one’s assets entails a significant responsibility for the end user. Nevertheless, by forcing the latter to keep his private key carefully, under penalty of seeing his assets fly away, the democratization of the sector is greatly slowed down.
Therefore, asset security is a priority for developers. However, as demonstrated by the integration of Account Abstraction on Ethereum, a new paradigm seems to be emerging in which the user will no longer be entirely responsible for his crypto currencies or other NFTs.
In this sense, Coinbase intends to offer its customers the opportunity to develop their project web3 without the need to integrate external wallets into their application.
Learn more about: Avalanche and TSM Announce Exclusive Partnership
Coinbase unveils its Wallet as a service
Web3 development focuses on the user in particular by allowing him to participate actively in the life of the project. Thus, the latter could in particular acquire NFTs in the case of a video game or cryptocurrencies in the case of a platform of decentralized finance.
Nevertheless, Coinbase consider that the current complexity of web3 wallets does not really make it possible to achieve this ambition. According to the company, the need to rely on external wallets is one of the strongest barriers to entry in the industry.
In fact, to solve this thorny problem, Coinbase presents its new product: THE Wallet as a Service (WaaS). Concretely, a WaaS is a scalable and secure set of wallet infrastructure APIs. In fact, developers can easily use it to create and deploy fully customizable wallets for their end users.
This service should allow companies to easily integrate wallets into their web3 project. Now, thanks to the Wallet as a Service, users will be able to obtain digital assets without needing to protect a private key or having to remember a recovery phrase.
MPC technology at the heart of this new service
Simplification of the process for the end user is possible thanks to the use of secure multiparty computing (MPC) technology. Concretely, it is a private key management model with no single point of failure since the user’s private key is now divided into several pieces and distributed in several different places.
In fact, in the case of the development of the Wallet as a Service, private keys will be split and shared between the end user and Coinbase in order to avoid the loss of assets in the event of the part of its portfolio. Nevertheless, the storage of part of the private keys on Coinbase’s servers will necessarily be subject to great attention since they could be a privileged target for hackers.
Finally, according to Patrick McGregor, web3 product manager at Coinbase, “the design of MPC wallets means that they are also natively cross-chain, offer lower transaction fees, provide greater privacy to the user, that they avoid the risks associated with smart contracts and that they are interoperable with ecosystem standards”.
An already popular service
Already, some companies have looked into WaaS such as Floor, Moonray, Thirdweb or Tokenproof. Besides, the need to eliminate the blockchain from the eyes of users is a ubiquitous reason for using WaaS.
Thus, Alfonso Olvera, CEO of Tokenproof, is enthusiastic about the idea that “individuals will no longer need to know how the blockchain to interact with the brands they love. It is a big step forward to make space more affordable and accessible”.
The article Crypto: Coinbase unveils Wallet as a Service appeared first on Corner Academy


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The first games round-up of 2021 from Gaming Intelligence features new releases from the likes of Playtech, Skywind Group, Pragmatic Play Evoplay Entertainment, Blueprint Gaming, [...]
Malta-based CRM solutions provider Fast Track has appointed Microgaming’s long-serving executive Jean-Luc Ferrière as its new chief commercial officer (CCO).
Ferrière has been working with Fast [...]
This week’s games round-up from Gaming Intelligence includes a host of games from the likes of NetEnt, Pragmatic Play, iSoftBet, Inspired Entertainment and Microgaming, among [...]
Isle of Man-based gaming supplier Microgaming has added Aurum Signature Studios to its growing network of exclusive independent game designers.
Aurum becomes Microgaming’s first dedicated provider [...]
This week’s games round-up from Gaming Intelligence features the likes of Playtech, Pragmatic Play, Microgaming, Blueprint Gaming, iSoftBet, Nolimit City, RubyPlay and ELK Studios, among [...]
Gaming supplier Microgaming is expanding its casino portfolio with the addition of new range of online poker games.
The first new game to launch will be [...]
This week games round-up from Gaming Intelligence includes a host of new releases from the likes of Playtech, Pragmatic Play, Stakelogic, Microgaming and RubyPlay among [...]
Malta-based Fast Track has brought in long-serving Microgaming executive Jean-Luc Ferriere as a brand ambassador for its CRM platform.
Ferriere has over two decades of experience [...]
Isle of Man-based gaming supplier Microgaming has struck a deal to develop new slots featuring Big Time Gaming’s Megaways mechanic.
Microgaming will work alongside its network [...]
Isle of Man-based gaming supplier Microgaming is launching a new solution this week for operators targeting Germany’s soon to be regulated iGaming market.
The new solution [...]
This week games round-up from Gaming Intelligence includes new titles from Pragmatic Play, RubyPlay, Yggdrasil, Black Pudding Games, Microgaming, iSoftBet, OneTouch, Play’n GO, BF Games, [...]
Casino supplier Relax Gaming has signed a deal to launch its portfolio of proprietary and third-party games with Kindred Group’s 32Red brand.
The agreement gives 32Red [...]


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Harnessing the sun’s energy, the solar cells are printed onto glass or other surfaces, are available in a range of colours and could be ideal for new buildings where solar cells are incorporated into glazing panels and walls.
Isis Innovation is Oxford’s technology transfer company, responsible for creating new technology companies based upon Oxford research. For Oxford PV, Isis protected and managed the underlying intellectual property, developed the initial business plan, and built the team that is now taking the company forward. By combining earlier research on artificial photosynthetic electrochemical solar cells and semiconducting plastics Oxford PV can now create manufacturable solid-state dye sensitized solar cells.
The device is a form of thin film solar technology, a relatively new development in solar energy generation.
Leading thin film technologies are currently hampered by the scarcity of minerals used. Other dye-sensitized solar cells are being held back by the volatile nature of liquid electrolytes.
Oxford PV’s technology replaces the liquid electrolyte with a solid organic semiconductor, enabling entire solar modules to be screen printed onto glass or other surfaces.
Green is the most efficient "semi-transparent" colour for producing electricity, although red and purple also work well.
The materials used are plentiful, environmentally benign and very low cost.
Oxford PV predicts that manufacturing costs of its product will be around 50% less than the current lowest-cost thin film technology and expects its new mechanism will eventually match the unsubsidised cost of electricity generated from fossil fuels.
The technology could revolutionise the incorporation of photovoltaic materials into windows and walls and other parts of buildings. CEO Kevin Arthur said: ‘This technology is a breakthrough in this area. We’re working closely with major companies in the sector to demonstrate that we can achieve their expectations on economic and product lifetime criteria.’
The technology was developed by Dr Henry Snaith, of Oxford University’s Department of Physics, who said, 'One of the great advantages is that we can process it over large areas very easily. You don’t have to worry about extensive sealing and encapsulation, which is an issue for the electrolyte dye cell.'
Tom Hockaday, MD of Isis Innovation, said, "Oxford Photovoltaics is another good example of Isis' commitment towards creating new business opportunities in the sustainable energy sector. We are delighted to have worked with this dynamic and exciting team in driving Oxford PV business to this stage and I wish them continued success in the future"


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Mad Cow Disease Often Misdiagnosed As Alzheimer’s
Common In US Dog Population
By Jeff Rense
We have been covering the BSE/Mad Cow (CWD in deer) story for over ten years now. Despite the blatant lies of the USDA regarding the existence of mad cow in the US and its efforts to suppress testing of cattle for BSE, there is no question that mad cow is in the US food chain and the general population. None, whatsoever. It is often called Alzheimer’s. In fact, it is projected that around 10% of Alzheimer’s victims actually have Mad Cow disease from eating US beef and dairy products. This statement comes directly from national Alzheimer’s authorities.
Not surprisingly, the issue of proliferating mad cow disease also extends to our pet population, especially dogs who are fed some of the most vile, dangerous ‘food’ in history. The average dog food contains ‘meat byproducts’ and numerous other ingredients often called ‘protein’ sources, etc. In fact, these innocuous-sounding terms are general labels for beef brains, spinal cords, tumors, diseased tissues, road kill, euthanized dogs and cats and a myriad of chemicals and toxins. Years ago, we predicted dogs would develop BSE/mad cow dementia symptoms. And we were correct.
Veterinarians who refuse to fully-face reality have termed mad cow in dogs “Canine Cognitive Disorder.” The articles below will help illustrate the problems we – and our pets – now face.
Because the British government lied to its own people for years and covered up their mad cow catastrophe with such pathological insanity, I also surmised that the dogs in the UK would continue being fed suspect beef in addition to ground-up and rendered dead dogs and cats, road kill, and all the rest.
This news story from the UK sadly proves my prediction to have been accurate: Mad Cow is very likely rampant in the UK canine population.


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Disney Plus is following Netflix and introducing a $1 price hike for subscribers in the United States, elevating it to $7.99 a month.
The transfer comes after a long presentation appearing what Disney is bringing to Disney Plus. The price hike will start on March 26, 2021, coming int at $7.99 according to month or $79.99 according to yr. Also, the Disney Bundle — that has Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN Plus — will see a $1 building up to $13.99 a month.
As the corporate invests in content material, the corporate has to carry costs to recoup that loss. This is the primary time that Disney Plus has gained a price hike. It arrives simply a couple of months after Netflix introduced it used to be increasing costs for subscribers in the United States, together with elevating its most well liked plan from $13 to $14 a month.
Although it sort of feels early for a Disney Plus hike, the announcement comes amidst a flurry of alternative bulletins over TV presentations and films heading to Disney Plus. The extra that Disney spends on content material for its provider, the extra earnings Disney wishes to make investments. When Netflix’s Greg Peters, leader working officer and leader product officer, was asked about price hikes, he stated Netflix will “every now and then return and ask [customers] to pay a little bit extra to stay that virtuous cycle of funding and worth advent going.” Disney is now doing the similar factor.
It’s unclear if price hikes are coming to Disney Plus subscribers in different international locations or if this may impact the package.


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Published on May 26th, 2021 | by Adrian Gunning
Magic Store Challenger Series to welcome players back in-store
Wizards of the Coast (WotC) announced the new Store Challenger Series, a succession of competitive Magic: The Gathering (MTG) events that will be held in Wizards Play Network (WPN) game stores exclusively in the APAC region. Over 170 stores across ANZ are participating, with the first of the Series running from 21 June to 18 July 2021.
Each participating WPN store will receive 32 unique foil promo cards to use as prizing for the Series, which intends to welcome MTG players back in-store to play after a period of infrequent play opportunities as a result of COVID-related restrictions over the past year. The cards are a thematic extension of the Year of the Ox promo cards that were released earlier this year.
There will be four Series this year, each with one unique foil promo card associated, including two with new art versions:
- Moraug, Fury of Akoum
- Ox of Agonas
- Angrath, the Flame-Chained
- Tahngarth, First Mate
- Participating stores must host at least four qualifier events throughout the event window.
- The top two players from each qualifier are invited to the Store Championship.
- Stores will run one Store Championship after the final qualifier in each Series.


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The news comes despite the lukewarm reaction for Diablo Immortal, one of Blizzard's latest attempts to bolster its position in the world of mobile gaming.
Blizzard Is Making Its Own 'Pokémon GO'
As Kotaku reports, an "incubation department" at the studio is said to be working on a Warcraft mobile game heavily influenced by Pokémon GO. It's not certain to what extent Blizzard plans to emulate the hit game — whether it'll simply port elements and call it a day or further improve upon the game's AR elements is up in the air.
Lead designer Cory Stockton, also of World of Warcraft, is reportedly a massive Pokémon fan, and Kotaku notes that many Blizzard employees play Pokémon GO competitively at the campus on a daily basis. Interestingly, the Warcraft project is said to have "a lot more to it" than the app it'll take inspiration from and will apparently include single-player elements. Pokémon GO, it should be noted, also has single-player elements, but it's undoubtedly more focused on getting trainers to interact with each other.
Why Is Blizzard Making Its Own Take On 'Pokémon GO'?
Which elements Blizzard plans to integrate into its own version remains uncertain, but it's fair to assume the company likely realized that the spinoff could generate massive revenues, which Blizzard can then use to fund other projects. One such project is Diablo IV, which had changed and evolved throughout the years but apparently is still being worked on.
Diablo Games Under Development
The report notes that Blizzard's forays into mobile gaming won't interfere with the development of Diablo's next major installment, likely because they're under separate teams. A part of Diablo's main team is working on the current iteration of the fourth game currently codenamed "Fenris." It will apparently shed the franchise's more cartoony elements and be much darker and serious than Diablo III. However, it seems the game is far from finished and likely won't be released until 2020 or much later.
Whether or not this Pokémon GO-style Warcraft game is meant to tide Diablo fans over as they wait for the release of the franchise's next mainline entry remains nebulous, but it's interesting to see how this game would pan out, especially since part of Pokémon GO's appeal is its built-in nostalgia. Does Blizzard have that kind of power with Warcraft? Time will tell.


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Pacific Centre’s iconic glass rotunda has a new resident, and it comes in the form of Parisian sweet treats.
French luxury bakery Ladurée has a new pop-up underneath the shopping centre’s dome-shaped roof, bringing its fan-favourite macarons, pastries, and cakes to yet another location in the downtown core.
The dessert brand’s signature mint-green carriage will carry all of its baked goods, as well as chocolates, biscuits, and other pastel-hued gifts.
“The rotunda is in one of downtown Vancouver’s remaining open spaces, and we are thrilled to be able to offer people a place to experience our renowned sweets while they take a quick breather from the busy day,” said Olesya Krakhmalyova, Ladurée Canada’s licensee, in a press statement.
Although the pop-up won’t be as accommodating as its tea salon counterparts, a couple of tables and chairs will be onsite for guests who want somewhere to enjoy their treats.
Ladurée opened its first Canadian location on Robson Street in 2016, followed by a second opening inside Holt Renfrew in 2017. It first opened in Paris in 1862, and has expanded to many international locations including New York, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Toronto, and London.


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Subaru announces pricing for its popular WRX and WRX STI vehicles.
Read This Article
Subaru has announced the pricing for the 2014 Legacy and Outback models and claims there is no increase in pricing over the 2013 models.
The best situation for any company is always to have one more interested customer than the number of products you have to sell.
About 15 years ago, Japanese automakers Subaru and Mitsubishi were in similar positions.


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JASON’S PICK - WINNER
Woman finds latex glove inside a pop tart
A woman thought she was just eating a tasty Pop Tart on her way to work – but things got out of hand when she bit into a latex glove. Taylor Collins said she had purchased the pastry snack from a convenience store one Monday morning but was horrified when she tasted latex and ripped the packaging open to find a glove inside. Mrs Collins, from Tallahassee, Florida, called Kellogg’s customer service to complain and was offered compensation – in the form of a gift card for more Pop Tarts. 'I will never eat one again, because it looks like moldy and stuff, and I don’t know what’s on it, and I ate some of it.’ ‘Something needs to be done about it and I’ll never eat one again,’ she said. Collins says she plans to go to the doctor in case she contracted something from the glove. (Metro.co.uk)
MAN WAKES UP FROM MINOR SURGERY TO FIND OUT HE GOT A VASECTOMY
A man in England checked into the Royal Liverpool Hospital for a minor urological procedure. When he woke up, he learned that the doctors gave him a vasectomy. Oops. The guy is young and doesn’t have any kids. If the doctors can’t reverse the surgery, the mistake could cost the hospital $170,000. And women wonder why men are reluctant to visit doctors or check into hospitals. (Telegraph)
Online Dating Finally Pays Off…for KIDS!?
Remember when people were ashamed to admit they’d met online? Those days are long gone. In fact, a 2013 study found that more than one-third of US marriages began with online dating. Now one of the biggest online companies is now letting the next generation reap the benefits. Match.com – which launched in 1995 – has announced the MatchMade Scholarship Contest. It’s a $50-thousand dollar program open to the children that resulted from online unions. The kids have to submit videos that chronicle their parents’ relationship – from the first messages they exchanged on Match to the moment they knew they were “MatchMade” for each other. And don’t think they’d leave their original customers out. The parents of the winner will get $5-thousand dollars for a vacation.


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Chrome users have something to look forward to next year: an ad blocker. While this might not sound like the most exciting release from Google, it’s definitely a pragmatic solution to online ads that turn visitors away from the web. Here’s everything we know about Google’s ad blocker so far.
The soon-to be released iOS 11 will be packed with features and enhancements, including a Files app, customizable Control Settings, and a Dock that allows users to switch between apps easily, among others. Long-time Apple users may be thrilled, but Android loyalists will likely be unmoved.


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Popularity of Ubuntu - is it really declining ? Sunday, 27 November 2011 07:52
The tech news sites claim on declining popularity of Ubuntu is entirely based on unreliable statistics. Ubuntu is still the popular Linux distribution used by millions of people around the world. Tech Ubuntu lists out the facts about the malicious campaign of a few tech news sites.