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Millennials—we love our tech don’t we? From tablets to laptops, iPhones to Snapchat, there’s always something new and engaging that absolutely requires our attention. Whether it’s catching up on the latest episode of Workaholics on my smart phone, sending a round of late night emails, or just binge watching scary videos from YouTube on my tablet, I just can’t seem to put down that tech.
But how is that affecting our health? And more importantly—our sleep patterns.
Let’s start with the not so good news first.
A 2015 survey conducted by the Bank of America found that 71% of respondents regularly fell asleep with their phones nearby, with 23% of those surveyed admitting to having fallen asleep with a phone in their hand. This same study concluded that 89% of respondents checked their smartphone several times a day and that younger millennials (aged 18–24) were most likely to constantly check their mobile phones.
Nearly half of those surveyed said that they couldn’t make it a single day without their mobile devices and older millennials (aged 25–34) were found to be one of the generations most dependent on their smartphones (the other being Gen X).
There was also another 2015 study out of the University of Pittsburgh that suggested frequent users of the top 11 social media channels experienced more sleep disturbance than those who logged on less. A postdoctoral researcher in the university’s psychiatry department studied the social-media usage and sleep quality of 1,800 young adults. Interestingly, they discovered that study participants averaged an hour a day on one or more of the social media networks and checked their accounts 30 times a week. The downside? Nearly 30 percent of these participants suffered from what was considered “high levels” of sleep disturbance.
Scary enough? No? Wait. There’s more.
Another study conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health discovered that out of 2,400 young adults surveyed, 42% reported insomnia symptoms. The national average floats at around 30%.
Dare to take a guess about what might be affecting the sleeping patterns of millennials?
Unfortunately, those gadgets that we so overwhelming love are starting to play mind games with us, keeping us awake at night and ruining the potential for a good night’s rest. Our electronic devices have become both a gift and a curse.
We carry them with us throughout the day, checking the news, Googling random facts, tweeting, and texting with friends and family—even at bedtime. But they negatively affect us in so many ways including:
1. Suppressing melatonin.
Let’s get science-y for a moment. Did you know the blue light emitted by the screens on your electronic devices, such as computers and cell phones, negatively affects the production of melatonin? You might be wondering if that’s a big deal. The answer is yes.
Melatonin is the hormone that controls your sleep/wake cycle, otherwise known as your circadian rhythm. So, by reducing your melatonin production, those bright little screens are making it harder to fall asleep and stay awake. Think about that the next time you’re tempted to randomly scroll through Reddit before falling asleep.
2. Keeping your brain alert.
Laying in bed sending off a few last minute emails or reading through some of your favorite websites may seem harmless enough, but the truth is that our electronic devices can trick our brains into staying alert for longer than they should be.
Also, interaction with our favorite social media platforms can trigger a variety of emotional, cognitive, and physiological reactions in us, making it more difficult to fall asleep. Rather than relaxing us and setting our mind at ease, technology can fuel our thoughts and keep us up. After a day surrounded by technology, allow your mind an opportunity to really unwind by staying away from those phones, tablets, and even TVs.
3. They wake us up even when we don’t want them to.
So you don’t use your cell phone before falling asleep? Excellent—except if you keep your devices within arm’s reach while you slumber.
You can say thanks to all those late night chimes from emails, texts, calls, or calendar reminders for waking you up unnecessarily. Going to sleep with your cell phone ringer on will lead to sleep intrusion and awakenings at least a few nights a week.
But there’s still hope ladies and gentlemen…there’s still hope.
Just like we’ve been conditioned to develop these habits of constant tech use, we can still develop healthier sleep habits to help us unplug before bed.
Consider the following tips for getting a better night’s rest:
- Set a rule in your house that no electronics can be used at least 30 minutes to one hour before bed. This goes for any significant others and children that you may be sharing your house with. What’s important is to avoid using that bright light-emitting screen before bedtime.
- Is reading one of your favorite pre-bed rituals? Well, take back to the old school by actually reading a printed book rather than using that Kindle.
Consider removing any electronic devices out of your bedroom. That means even getting rid of that TV in your room. Try your best to reserve your bedroom for relaxation and sleep.
- Get rid of that excess light that’s in your room. Electronic clocks, stereos, and other similar tech devices still emit ambient light that can affect your sleep. Also, try using darker window shades or an eye mask to block out all that extra light that may be seeping into your room from the outside.
- There are ton of other activities that you can enjoy aside from using electronic devices. Take a nice warm shower. Meditate for 15 minutes. Do some breathing exercises. Enjoy some soothing music. Again, give your mind an opportunity to wind down without technology.
- If you must (emphasis on must) use your cell phone, tablet, or computer before bed, that consider using software filters that help to block or soften the blue light emitted by the screens. There are numerous apps available to help you computer’s display colors change depending on the time of day.
And there you have it. There is still hope for us to fight against the Matrix.
For all of us millennials, it’s important to remember that technology is more of a means to an end, and we should always take the time to enjoy the real and beautiful world around us.
Go outside. Get some sun. Hit South Padre Island with your friends. Discover some adventure in the RGV. And unplug from your devices for a moment (only after reading this blog, of course).


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Details of the Ontario Climate Change Action Plan, as reported by The Globe and Mail, have revealed that a hefty portion of the $7-billion plan is being set aside for energy-efficient subsidies and incentives. The plan will cost you $13 a month—a significantly cheaper alternative to a carbon tax, according to the released summary of an internal government report. While Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne promises nothing is set in stone, here’s how the plan as it’s currently proposed may impact your incentive to go green:
1. Access to subsidies for buying an electric vehicle
According to the Globe, the Ontario government plans for $285-million in incentives for electric vehicles, which also include plug-in hybrid vehicles. Those who purchase an electric vehicle will not only forgo paying HST but could also get a rebate of up to $14,000, depending on the car and lease. Under the boosted Electric Vehicle Incentive Program that was effective in the province as of February 2016, if you buy a Tesla Model S on a three-year lease, for example, you could be eligible for a $3,000 rebate. A 2016 Chevrolet Volt on the other hand, would get you a $11,517 rebate on a three-year lease.
If you decide to install a home charging station for the vehicle, the government may give you a rebate of up to $1,000. The Globe also mentioned the province’s plans to offer free overnight electricity for charging those vehicles, but whether that refers to home charging or government charging stations is unclear. (The province is already planning to install over 250 charging locations at businesses like Tim Hortons and McDonald’s by March 2017 under the Electric Vehicle Chargers Ontario initiative.) The government will also provide additional subsidies for low- and moderate-income families to switch older cars for electric vehicles.
2. You’ll be rewarded for buying an efficient home
The government is also planning to offer incentives to those who purchase new, energy-efficient homes. If you’re looking to buy a house that doesn’t use natural gas heating, you could be eligible for a rebate of up to $20,000.
3. Selling your home? Get ready to be audited
“If you’re selling your house, and you invested in energy-efficiency, it sends a signal that your house is worth more than your neighbours’,” says Brady Yauch, Executive Director of the Consumer Policy Institute. The Globe report explains that those retrofits will be encouraged through mandatory energy-efficiency audits for every single-family home sold in the province.
4. No more fossil fuels
Yauch points out that small towns across Ontario have been going the opposite direction as the provincial government’s proposed plan. “They’ve been dying to get on the natural gas grid, because cost-savings of heating your house on natural gas is significant, estimated to be thousands of dollars cheaper [than electric heating],” says Yauch. Instead, the government is planning building code changes that’ll make sure new homes built after 2030 won’t use fossil fuels like natural gas for heating, and instead rely on electric heating. According to a 2011 Statistics Canada survey, 76% of Ontario households use natural gas as their main heating fuel, meaning this proposed plan, if approved, could mark a massive switchover.

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Mobile local ad spend growing more slowly than expected: report
While mobile local ad revenues are expected to grow, the short-term rate of adoption by advertisers is happening at a slower pace than previously expected, according to a new report from BIA/Kelsey.
The research firm predicts U.S. mobile local ad revenues will grow from $664 million in 2011 to $5.8 billion in 2016. However, compared to a previous forecast, short-term growth is slightly lower as local businesses struggle with learning how to advertise on mobile.
?We have dialed down the numbers on the earlier numbers in the forecast based on what we are seeing in mobile and dialed up the numbers in later years,? said Michael Boland, program director of the mobile local media practice at BIA/Kelsey, Chantilly, VA.
?The reason why we dialed them down in the earlier years is that we are actually seeing less advertiser adoption than was expected for mobile ads overall and for those doing location targeting,? he said.
?The overall learning curve of what?s possible with mobile and the native capabilities of these devices is seeing a slower uptick than expected. In later years, we expect adoption to be greater than we previously forecast.?
Early mover advantage
BIA/Kelsey forecasts mobile local ad spending will total $1.2 billion in 2012, $2.1 billion in 2013, $3.1 billion in 2014 and $4.5 billion in 2015. The compound annual growth rate for mobile local advertising between 2011 and 2016 is forecast to be 54.2 percent.
While mobile local ad spend will be slightly lower in the near term, BIA/Kelsey expanded the growth rate for later years covered in the forecast as demand is expected to pick up.
Locally targeted mobile ads are expected to account for 58 percent of overall mobile ad spending in 2016, up from 41 percent in 2011.
Overall, BIA/Kelsey expects U.S. mobile ad spending to grow from $1.62 billion in 2011 to $9.92 billion in 2016.
Currently, mobile advertising trails the amount of time consumers spend on mobile, with industry estimates giving mobile a 10 percent share of consumers? time spent on media while advertisers are only allocating around one percent of their budgets to mobile.
Because mobile ad inventory currently outpaces advertiser demand, this in turn is driving down mobile ad rates.
Advertiser demand for mobile local ads is expected to grow, driven in part by the lower rates and the fact that consumers are spending so much time on mobile. As demand increases, mobile ad rates should also increase.
?It is an inevitable reality that advertisers will follow those eyeballs and that engagement,? Mr. Boland said.
?There is a great opportunity for advertisers to get an early mover advantage and to experiment to see what works and what doesn?t,? he said.
Local businesses are also expected to warm up local mobile advertising as smartphone penetration continues to grow and they learn how to use location data for ad targeting for higher-performing mobile ad campaigns.
New mobile ad formats will also drive demand, including Facebook?s growing options such as sponsored stories and app install ads.
As a share of overall local ad spend, mobile represented a 0.6 percent share in 2011 but will grow to a 3.1 percent share in 2016.
?In the next one to two years, we will start to see the tipping point where advertisers get it and are starting to develop campaigns that use the mobile device?s capabilities rather than just porting over campaigns from other efforts, which so far seems to be the case,? Mr. Boland said.
Chantal Tode is associate editor on Mobile Marketer, New York


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Virtual reality is gaining momentum. While some years ago, the technology still seemed futuristic and inaccessible to consumers, VR has come a long way and is starting to enter our living rooms. Thanks to a range of new and upcoming headsets, the technology is officially a trend, and no longer reserved for technology freaks and experts.
At the end of January, Google for the first time revealed some numbers around the adoption rate of its Cardboard, the low-cost DIY headset that turns nearly any phone into a VR viewer: since its introduction in 2014, 5 million of these devices have been shipped and users downloaded more than 25 million Google Cardboard apps from the company’s Play Store. Ten million of these downloads occurred between October and December 2015 alone, according to Google’s company blog, indicating a clearly growing interest in VR.
In the same timeframe, Samsung in November launched its $99 Gear VR powered by Oculus. The headset sold out on Amazon and Best Buy less than 24 hours after its release. 2016 promises to become a huge year for VR with both Oculus VR and HTC releasing the consumer editions of the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive Pre. The Oculus Rift, which costs $599, might have dampened the VR euphoria for some users as it is not exactly priced for the mainstream, but nevertheless the dawn of consumer VR is here and people are hungry for more.
For VR to really become a consumer product, however, the content ecosystem is key. We now have the devices (and their prices are expected to decline over the next months, as they usually do with new hardware), but there is still a lack of compelling content to make a broader consumer base want to purchase the more advanced headsets.
Gaming is discussed as the key driver for VR’s rise and the first industry to adopt the technology, but other industries engage in building VR experiences as well. Both Samsung and Oculus, for example, jumped into VR content production themselves and launched their own VR movie studios. But the TV might actually be the medium that will eventually let virtual reality break into the mainstream.
Numerous companies specializing in the production of VR content have emerged in the last couple of months. Startups and more established companies such as NextVR, Jaunt, Ovrture, IM360 and many more received millions of dollars of funding from media companies including Comcast, Time Warner, The Walt Disney Company and Sky. They assist broadcasters in developing new experiences for viewers that give a glimpse of what the future of television might look like.
At Vast Media, we are constantly on the lookout to provide our clients with case studies of unique and creative new projects in digital television and storytelling. In the last couple of months, we observed that the number of TV broadcasters and producers entering the bold new realm of virtual reality is beginning to spike. There are several ways in which VR could reshape television and the way we watch and interact with its content, as some early adopters in TV and their VR projects illustrate. (…)
see the full insights here at MESA:
with sections such as “A 360-degree view of the world”, “News in VR gives the whole picture” and “Step into your favorite TV shows”
For more of these case studies, please access our VAST BUZZ or get more information about our database here:


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Here's some information on a couple of recalled items.
About 166,000 Century strollers have been recalled because they have restraint buckles that can unlatch and fold locks that can break while in use. Century has received about 1,400 reports of these problems occurring and is aware of 78 injuries, all of them minor.
The Century TravelLite SPORT strollers were sold between February and October 1995 for between $60 and $80 at department, children's and discount stores nationwide. The strollers affected by the recall have model numbers 11-171, 11-181 or 11-191.
Consumers should stop using these strollers and call Century at 800-944-0039. They will be sent a free repair kit with installation instructions.
Also, more than 116,000 Playskool Weebles Tractor toys have been recalled because their plungers can break, presenting a choking hazard to young children.
The plunger, when pushed, spins the toy's Weeble figure. There have been 42 reports of the plunger breaking, and of one minor injury. The toys, recommended for children 9 and up, have been selling in major toy and mass merchandise stores since January 1996 for about $13.
Consumers should take the toys away from their children and call Playskool at 888-377-3335 for a free replacement.


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Mars, SABIC and Huhtamaki: Supporting the Circular Economy
Mars, the multinational, American manufacturer of all your favourite chocolate bars, your pets’ favourite food, and a few other bits that you’ll find at the bottom of the pantry, is trying it’s best to become “eco-friendly”. The company has announced today that it will incorporate recycled polypropylene plastic into the primary packaging for some of its popular pet food brands.
For Mars, this marks an important step in its efforts to reduce virgin plastics use across its packaging portfolio, to do its part to build a circular economy where no packaging becomes waste.
Through its partnership with global packaging supplier Huhtamaki and petrochemical leader SABIC, Mars will use recycled plastic which has been manufactured using an advanced recycling process for its pet food packs. Thanks to this process, the packs will not feel or be different from those made with traditional virgin plastic but will have the added benefits that they include recycled material coming from previously used plastic products.
The recycling approach used by SABIC to make its certified circular polypropylene is one of the only solutions currently available that is able to take mixed, used plastic that is otherwise hard to recycle via traditional recycling routes and to transform them back into plastic suitable for new food-grade recycled packaging. Mars is piloting this in Europe in 2020 and will increase volumes used into 2021, with ambitions to expand the use of recycled content to other brands.
Barry Parkin, Chief Procurement and Sustainability Officer at Mars, Incorporated, said: “Plastic packaging littering our land and oceans is not acceptable, and at Mars, we’re committed to helping address this problem. To do this, we need to reduce packaging we don’t need, redesign the remaining packaging to become circular and invest to close the loop to help scale up recycling systems.
“Through our partnership with Huhtamaki and SABIC, we will test-and-learn, progressively scale up recycled plastic content in our packs, and ultimately help drive circular packaging systems.”
The recycled material is certified under the ISCC PLUS (Institute of Sustainability & Carbon Certification) scheme that uses a “mass balance” approach. This widely recognized international sustainability certification scheme verifies the quality and authenticity of the recycled material along the supply chain from feedstock to final product.
The partnership comes as part of Mars’ and ambitions to use 100% reusable, recyclable or compostable packaging by 2025. Using advanced recycling technology will be an instrumental part in achieving use of 30% recycled plastics and to reduce virgin plastic use by 25%.
Charles Héaulmé, President and CEO of Huhtamaki said: “We are fully committed to playing our part in building a circular economy across the value chain and partnering with others to do so. Our strategic partnership with Mars and SABIC is a great example of how collaboration can result in breakthroughs that deliver significant progress in our journey to designing 100% of our products to be recyclable, compostable or reusable by 2030. This new flexible packaging structure with recycled food-grade plastic is an important milestone on our journey towards achieving more than 80% of raw materials we use to be either renewable or recycled.”
Mark Vester, Global Circular Economy Leader at SABIC, said: “We are proud to show how this collaboration with Mars and Huhtamaki reflects our trust and willingness for innovation and a shared constructive and pioneering spirit. At SABIC we are committed to developing new solutions to meet our customers’ demands for increasingly sustainable solutions. SABIC’s certified circular products from our TRUCIRCLE™ portfolio offer a carbon footprint reduction of 2kgs of CO2 for every kilogram of polymer produced diverted from incineration. Only through partnerships such as this can we prove the commercial viability and sustainability contribution of advanced recycling processes to help confront the challenges our society is facing today.”


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After a two-year hiatus, the MassKara and 61st Visayas Unity Ride roars off again this Saturday, October 15, at the Upper East, Megaworld, Bacolod City, as part of the celebration of the Super MassKara Festival 2022.
The event is the first major organized ride with a nationwide participation after the pandemic. Hosting Saturday’s ride is the Thunderbugs Bacolod Motorcycle Club, a Bacolod-based organization of motorcycle enthusiasts founded in 1964 and presently headed by Mike Trebol as Club President.
Thunderbugs has been hosting this annual event since 2008 but the activity was put on hold for the last two years (2020 and 2021) due to the COVID pandemic.
“Almost 1,000 motorcycle riders from all over the country have already pre-registered for this event. This gathering of riders from all over the country will be a tremendous boost to our local tourism and will help invigorate our local economy,” said Lito Aves, Thunderbugs past president and event organizing committee chairman.
“We are inviting all motorcycle enthusiasts and the general public to come and join us. You can view a wide variety of motorcycle brands and unique kinds of motorcycles that you seldom see in our streets, and you can also examine different motorcycle products, accessories and safety gears on display at the event venue,” Aves added.*


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M Grille restaurant at 530 Lady St. in the Vista has closed for "day-to-day operations" according to a sign on the restaurant door and a post on the restaurant's Facebook page.
However, the Facebook post explains, the restaurant has "big things in store" and will continue to operate solely as an event space like its sister M Space next door.
"We are no longer a restaurant that you will come to for breakfast, lunch or dinner," the Facebook post reads. "Our new idea for M Grille is similar to M Space. We will now focus solely on catering and events."
M Grille is part of the M Gourmet Group restaurant empire owned by local restaurateur Michelle Wang. According to her website, Wang still operates 10 restaurants locally include several Miyo's locations.
Wang was not immediately available for comment.


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Privacy Impact Assessment Guide: 7 Best Practices to Master PIAs
One of data privacy’s greatest challenges is that it can all feel...Read Now
October 23, 2019
Privacy policies are necessary to explain how a company collects, stores, uses and shares data about its customers or users, and the types of data that is collected. Most of this data is considered Personal Identifiable Information (PII) and may include a person’s name, email, address, phone numbers, credit card number, birth date, gender, age or any piece of information that identifies a person.
It’s remarkable how few people read privacy policies, given that this is personal data we likely wouldn’t willingly share with strangers. The Boston Globe recently explained the importance of these privacy policies this way: “Few people read the privacy policies that are part of most major websites. But they amount to a contract, promising visitors that the site will set reasonable limits on how it will use personal data.”
Fast Company reported on a new survey by Pew Research Center that found more than half of the 4,727 U.S. adults surveyed didn’t understand that privacy policies are contracts between websites and users about how those sites will use their data. In essence, most people are unknowingly signing away their rights to their own data. They blindly trust that the companies behind the websites they visit are being good stewards of their data. It’s only when there’s a publicized breach that they question their privacy practices.
Here are just a few of the issues that make practicing ethical, responsible data privacy so challenging.
Comparitech scored each state on how its laws governing online privacy compares with other states. Not surprisingly, California ranked at the top of the list, earning a score of 75 for its tough privacy and data protection laws. The state goes so far as to include “an inalienable right to privacy” in its state constitution and passing the California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018 (to go into effect January 1, 2020) that gives California residents unprecedented control over their personal online data. The worst scoring state? There was a tie between Mississippi and Wyoming. According to Comparitech, Wyoming employers “are not barred from forcing employees to hand over passwords to social media accounts.”
For companies with an online presence and who operate in different states, keeping track of each state’s laws is difficult and often manual process. For states with stricter regulations, a misstep in privacy practices can result in penalties.
Thanks to the Internet, companies today have customers and website visitors from all over the world. While the world is flat, giving rise to immeasurable opportunities, it also poses a distinct problem for companies who must adhere to different privacy laws across states and countries. The EU and California are not the only regions with strict privacy regulations and more regulations are sure to come.
Organizations with an online presence must be compliant with the privacy laws of dozens of countries, as well as display consent dialogs in native languages and record consents and revocations for cookies. This is nearly impossible to do manually for each website visitor, putting companies at high risk for non-compliance.
Keep in mind that their privacy practices may frequently change. That means you have to continually monitor their practices and determine whether they are putting you at unacceptable risk. If they have a breach, for instance, will your customers, the Department of Justice and the media blame you or them or both?
To make things more complicated, your vendors also have vendors who may use the data you’ve shared. You can see how quickly your web of vendors grows. It’s critical to track all of your third- and fourth-party vendors so you can prove you were doing your due diligence.
That means instead of dedicating resources to a nearly impossible task, you can ensure your website is compliant in every state and country in only minutes. You can track privacy ratings for thousands of vendors to understand your risk instantly over time. You can be alerted when a vendor changes their policies and when privacy laws are added or changed.
Data privacy policies are more than a big deal; they are everything. Consumers are increasingly looking for transparent companies and 75 percent of Americans say they are not okay with companies using their personal data. Even more eye-opening is the fact that 72 percent of adults support a national privacy protection law. Protecting user data is not only the right thing to do, but it is also quickly becoming a differentiator amongst brands.
Matt Davis is a writer at Osano, where he researches and writes about the latest in technology, legislation, and business to spread awareness about the most pressing issues in privacy today. When he’s not writing about data privacy, Matt spends his time exploring Vermont with his dog, Harper; playing piano; and writing short fiction.


text: Twitter has announced that its Location Spotlight feature for businesses is rolling out to users globally. The feature was previously available to users in specific regions in June this year. It is accessible to users with a professional account on Twitter, and allows Business account holders to display their business address, hours of operation, and contact information so that potential customers can get in touch with the business. Meanwhile, the company is reportedly working on an updated version of Twitter Spaces.The microblogging platform announced on Thursday that it is has rolled out the Location Spotlight for Twitter Business accounts to users around the world. In June, the company had announced the release of this feature in the US, UK, Canada, and Australia. Location Spotlight allows business accounts on Twitter to display the location of their business, hours of operation, and contact information directly on their account. According to Twitter, this will allow potential customers to conveniently reach out to the businesses via phone, text, email, and Twitter Direct Message.???? We’re going global! Now, any professional around the world can add a Location Spotlight to their profile to help customers find their biz location and get in touch faster. And☝it has a new Google Maps integration to help customers with directions. pic.twitter.com/Uw5oLdJWXU— Twitter Business (@TwitterBusiness) August 4, 2022In a blog post, Twitter has also highlighted new features that will likely make their way to the microblogging website. According to the company, it will be introducing the Professional Home feature as a centralised resource hub within Twitter for Professionals experience. Users will be able to track their performance and discover product offerings with the Professional Home. The feature will be accessible to users globally in the coming weeks.Twitter also plans to test and release a few additional profile spotlights this year. It will also be offering, starting this month, a monthly workshop series created by Twitter Flight School called Taking Care of Business. According to the company, this will help professionals to get a better understanding of the products and offerings available. Twitter will be rolling out “10 a la carte courses” on Twitter Flight School as #TweetLikeAPro on-demand courses.According to a report by TechCrunch, the competitive intelligence firm called Watchful has shared some screenshots that suggest that Twitter might be working on updating Spaces, its audio chat rooms feature. The company reportedly confirmed to the publication that it is working on a new experiment for the Twitter Spaces tab in the app.The company is yet to reveal any further details of the planned changes to Spaces, but called the alleged screenshots outdated and inaccurate, as per the report. Twitter said that the screenshots only show “an initial version” of the new experience on Twitter Spaces. The updated version of Spaces is said to be building on the support for Topics to better group different Twitter Spaces together, according to the report.


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At the end of September, iPhone 15 Pro users were faced with the challenge of finding suitable cases for their new devices due to Apple’s decision to replace the mute switch with an Action Button. The sudden change left many case makers scrambling to update their products to accommodate this new feature. However, two months later, Bellroy has stepped up to the challenge by releasing an updated range of cases designed specifically for the iPhone 15 Pro lineup, addressing the issues that arose from the initial design.
The initial run of cases featured a cutout over the Action Button, making it difficult for users to reach and press the button. This design flaw prompted Bellroy to re-evaluate and redesign their cases to provide a more user-friendly experience. The new designs feature an integrated button, offering the same functionality and experience as the actual device. Arya Ghavifekr, Bellroy’s head of product development, explains, “The new design includes another button on the case to give the same functionality and experience as the actual device. It’s a lot more natural and seamless.”
In addition to releasing the new designs, Bellroy has also taken steps to address the concerns of customers who purchased the initial run of cases with the cutout. The company has announced that customers will be able to exchange their old cases for the new model, ensuring that they have access to a case that provides a seamless user experience. For those who wish to keep their old cases, Bellroy is offering a discounted rate on the original designs, with the option to purchase a “button add-on” that fills the cutout with a retrofit button.
The challenges faced by case manufacturers in accommodating new features on Apple’s devices were highlighted in a previous article, noting the difficulties they encounter when new iPhone models are released. With limited access to specifications prior to the public launch, manufacturers must make educated guesses about the design of their cases. This dilemma forces manufacturers to choose between designing cases that accommodate rumored features or hedging with cutouts, which can lead to accessibility issues, as observed with the Action Button on the iPhone 15 Pro cases.
Bellroy’s swift response to the challenges posed by the iPhone 15 Pro’s Action Button demonstrates their commitment to providing innovative solutions for their customers. By updating their range of cases and offering solutions for customers who purchased the initial designs, Bellroy has shown their dedication to delivering a seamless user experience.
The release of the updated range of cases by Bellroy serves as a testament to the company’s ability to adapt to the ever-changing landscape of smartphone technology. As new features are introduced, Bellroy remains dedicated to providing high-quality, functional cases that complement the latest devices on the market. With their focus on user experience and attention to detail, Bellroy continues to be a leader in the smartphone accessories industry.
Overall, the release of the updated range of cases by Bellroy provides iPhone 15 Pro users with a solution to the challenges posed by the new Action Button. By incorporating an integrated button and offering options for customers with the initial designs, Bellroy demonstrates their commitment to providing innovative and user-friendly solutions for smartphone accessories.


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Mickey Thompson to launch products at SEMA
Mickey Thompson Performance Tires & Wheels (Mickey Thompson) will showcase historic vehicles and new products at the 2013 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Nov. 5-8, booth #43035.
The company is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2013.“This is an incredible milestone for our company,” says Ken Warner, vice president of marketing.
“We want to celebrate this achievement and commemorate this anniversary by honoring both our history and the future of our company at the SEMA Show this year.”
Mickey Thompson has expanded its booth space to 3,000 square feet to accommodate four vehicles, the latest products from the Mickey Thompson and Dick Cepek brands, as well as three special events.
The company will showcase four vehicles in booth #43035. SEMA visitors can see the historic Challenger 1 Streamliner built by the late Mickey Thompson in the 1960s.
Also on display will be Mickey Thompson’s 1969 Mach 1 Funny Car, one of the most recognized vehicles in drag racing history, driven by Danny Ongias.
In addition, Mickey Thompson will feature a Ford F-150 Deegan 38 project truck featuring the new 35-inch Deegan 38 tires, and an assortment of Metal Mulisha accessories.
The booth will also include a 2014 Jeep JK featuring the new M/T Metal Series bumpers on the front and rear along with the 37-inch Baja ATZ P3 tires.
The company says there will be other new tires and wheels for street, strip, truck and off road from Mickey Thompson, and new all-terrain tires from Dick Cepek.
Mickey Thompson will hold a media conference on Nov. 5 at 11:00 a.m. to introduce the Deegan 38 mud-terrain tire. Special guest is Brian Deegan, who will greet fans and sign autographs in the afternoon.
On Nov. 6, the company will host artist Kenny Youngblood from noon to 3:00 p.m. Youngblood is a hot rod celebrity and CARtoons artist.
For more information, visit http:/www.mickeythompsontires.com/.


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Nov 18, 2009
Tighter rules planned to protect "Swiss-made" label
Nov 18, 2009
Swiss watch Hublot
ZURICH, Nov 18 (Reuters) - Switzerland proposed on Wednesday 18 November tighter rules to define the "Swiss-made" label as it seeks to protect the country's reputation for quality goods from watches to cheese and penknives.
The government is clamping down on abuse of both the "Made in Switzerland" tag and the white-on-red Swiss cross logo, which have been hijacked by some foreign companies looking for an easy way to boost the value of their products.
"How much of 'Switzerland' has to be in a product or a service before 'Swiss' can be on written on it? The current laws leave too much open and don't place enough importance on the economic reality," the government said in a statement.
The number of cases of abuse has risen considerably as the "Swiss brand" has become more successful, the government said, and studies have shown consumers are willing to pay up to 20 percent more for certain Swiss goods.
"Swiss products and services enjoy an excellent reputation both at home and abroad. They are seen as reliable and as high value in terms of quality," the government said.
Fake "Swiss" products from countries like China have become a major headache for various industries, including Swiss watchmakers like Swatch Group (UHR.VX), Rolex and Richemont (CFR.VX).
The new rules, which will go to parliament for approval next year, would require that 60 percent of the manufacturing costs of industrial products are accrued in Switzerland.
To be branded "Swiss", at least 80 percent of the weight of raw materials used in processed food like cheese will have to come from Switzerland, but exceptions will be made for raw materials that are not found in the country, such as cocoa.
The watch industry currently demands at least 50 percent of a timepiece's mechanics must be made in Switzerland to qualify as "Swiss", but has already proposed an even tougher requirement for itself of 80 percent.
The new rules will for the first time officially allow companies that meet the "Swiss-made" criteria to use the white-on-red Swiss cross, although the use of the cross on a red shield will be restricted to the Swiss government.
Felix Addor, deputy director general of the Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property, said an exception to that rule would be made for companies like 125-year-old Swiss Army knife maker Victorinox which has used the shield emblem for more than 20 years, assuming they fulfil the 60 percent rule.
"Victorinox can ask to use the sign for their knives, but not for products which are produced abroad unless they bring back to Switzerland at least 60 percent of the production costs," Addor told Reuters. (Reporting by Katie Reid and Emma Thomasson; Editing by Elizabeth Fullerton)
© Thomson Reuters 2023 All rights reserved.


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With West Coast longshoremen still negotiating a new contract, retailers are bringing holiday merchandise into the country at record levels to protect against potential supply chain disruptions, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released Wednesday by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates, a maritime research and consulting business.
Import volume at major U.S. container ports is expected to total 1.5 million containers this month. That’s the highest monthly volume in at least five years and follows a trend of unusually high import levels that began this spring as retailers worked to import merchandise ahead of any potential problems, according to NRF.
“We’re still hoping to get through this without any significant disruptions but retailers aren’t taking any chances,” NRF Vice President for Supply Chain and Customs Policy Jonathan Gold said. “Retailers have been bringing merchandise in early for months now and will do what it takes to make sure shelves are stocked for their customers regardless of what happens during the negotiations.”
The contract between the Pacific Maritime Association and the 20,000 members of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union at 29 West Coast Ports expired on July 1. Dockworkers remain on the job as both sides continue to negotiate a new agreement, but are on a break in talks through July 11.
Retailers have a number of contingency plans in place, according to NRF, and Global Port Tracker numbers show that some importers have begun shifting cargo to East Coast ports. West Coast ports handled 59% of U.S. retail container cargo in May, down from 62% in January.
While the West Coast contract situation is driving the surge in early imports, Hackett Associates Founder Ben Hackett said the increases in volume also reflect an improving economy.
“The economy is on the upswing,” Hackett said. “There’s been a sharp drop in unemployment, consumer spending has seen solid growth over the last three months, and there’s a strong level of consumer confidence.”


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Rihanna, Naomi Campbell, and Iman wear Balmain for W Magazine's September 2014 edition
Following up music artist Rihanna's wild cover story for W Magazine's September 2014 issue, a new editorial has hit the fashion scene. Supermodels Naomi Campbell and Iman join Rihanna for a feature for the magazine, and flaunt the latest Balmain Fall 2014 looks. Fashion photographer Emma Summerton captured the models looking chic in the military inspired designs, styled by Edward Enninful for the shoot. Balmain designer Olivier Rousteing also makes an appearance in the shoot alongside the trio who stand out in the tribal style with military accent styles.
Rihanna, Naomi Campbell, and Iman wear Balmain for W Magazine's September 2014 edition Reviewed by Minza Siddiqui on 8/12/2014 12:40:00 PM Rating:


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The joint venture partners this summer froze the planned opening of a string of new stores and launched a review into the existing ones after they recorded a greater than expected loss in their first year.
Best Buy and Carphone, who each own 50 per cent of the venture, are said to be thrashing out the details, having previously said they want the issue tied up this autumn.
It is understood US-based Best Buy is biding its time to get a fuller picture of the performance of its native operations before making a final decision on the venture.
It is unlikely a rival would be willing to buy the entire portfolio of stores given the choppy economic climate but an individual sale of the most viable units is on the cards, with the remainder likely to be shuttered.
Another option being considered is a downsizing of the existing stores, mirroring the tactics of Best Buy in the US, where there has been a dip in demand for flatscreen TVs and desktop PCs.
Regardless of the future of the big box stores, Carphone and Best Buy will continue their successful partnership in the US, where a string of mobile phone concession stalls have seen revenues surge.


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The warning from European Express Organisation (EEO) follows the UK Royal Mail’s announcement that it plans to take over Germany’s fourth-largest private express delivery firm, General Parcel Paket Logistik, for an estimated 428 million euro.
The EEO, which represents parcel companies across the Union, insists that the time has come for Van Miert’s officials to investigate the Anglo-German deal and a spate of others by European post offices which have seen them gobble up a slate of private parcel delivery firms.
These include Deutsche Post’s recent moves to acquire Swiss freight forwarder Danzas and stakes in DHL International, France’s Ducros Services Rapides and the UK’s Securicor Omega Express. France’s La Poste has also got in on the act by announcing talks aimed at reaching a cooperation accord with the French unit of German parcel company Deutscher Paket Dienst.
EEO secretary-general Anton van der Lande argues that the European Commission should probe the financing of these deals from the outset to ensure that post offices are not unfairly cross-subsidising their purchases by using funds from the letter and small parcel delivery over which they still have a monopoly.
The private courier companies claim that the post offices are rushing to complete their take-over shopping spree before Industry Commissioner Martin Bangemann’s latest plans for liberalisation, including strict rules on cross-ownership, take shape.
“The Royal Mail deal is an alarming escalation,” said Van Der Lande. “The current acquisitions indicate the need to see whether they have been financed by monopoly profits, reserves or borrowings with monopoly profits as a guarantee.”
The EEO argues that the EU’s merger control rules do not pay enough attention to how deals are actually financed, focusing instead on the new market power of the combined companies. This means the financing issue is left to the more long-winded procedures governing the Union’s anti-trust and state aid regimes which have no definite timetables.
At the same time, argues Van Der Lande, post offices are ignoring a ‘notice’ which Van Miert issued more than a year ago, clarifying the rules on competition in the sector and underlining the principle that firms should not cross-subsidise their activities. The result, he claims, is that the rash of deals is continuing unabated, pending the results of these long drawn-out probes.
Van Der Lande, who is vice-president of public affairs with US parcel giant United Parcel Service, said a long-running case involving his company typified the Commission’s reluctance to act.
UPS complained four years ago that the German post office Deutsche Post AG was using money from its letter delivery monopoly to subsidise its activities in the liberalised parcel sector. But the Commission has so far failed to act, prompting UPS to take the issue to the European Court of First Instance.
“We notified the Court, complaining that the Commission has not acted on a five-year-old complaint. We had contact with the Commission in July 1994. So far they have not taken a position,” he said. “We are being sent from pillar to post.”
Van Der Lande added that he hoped the Commission would respond to this legal challenge as promptly as it did to criticism by the European of Justice of foot-dragging in a case which centred on unfair aid to state television.
Meanwhile, UPS sources confirmed that they would be “submitting comments” to the Commission on the Royal Mail deal, which they claim is financed partly through profits from its letters business.


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NZ creative sector launches new campaign offering production hub solution
The campaign is a cross-sector, private-public partnership with New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE), Callaghan Innovation and Chorus, a national telecommunications company.Devdiscourse News Desk | Aotearoa | Updated: 02-06-2020 07:52 IST | Created: 02-06-2020 07:52 IST
The New Zealand creative production and technology sector today launched a new campaign, Your Creative Business Can Happen Now, offering a world-class production hub solution to studios looking to keep creating and innovating amid the global COVID-19 pandemic.
The campaign is a cross-sector, private-public partnership with New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE), Callaghan Innovation and Chorus, a national telecommunications company. As a result of the Government's quick and decisive response to COVID-19, the New Zealand creative and production community, already world-renowned, is uniquely positioned to provide a robust and diverse range of screen production, animation, gaming, digital, AR/VR, and more. Whether live-action or digital, on-location or in-studio, the campaign showcases the many country-wide end-to-end solutions for international entertainment companies and businesses.
"Your Creative Business Can Happen Now is a shout-out to the world's production and creative community, deeply impacted by extended shutdowns and content delivery delays, that New Zealand's CreaTech community has got you covered," says Sam Witters, CEO of the AMO Group who is spearheading the campaign. "New Zealand has an abundance of talent including award-winning story-tellers, creatives, technologists, world-class animators and game developers, combined with open businesses and local supply chains. That means we are an exceptional one-stop-shop not only for major studios but, importantly, small and mid-level studios needing best-in-class solutions, fast and on-budget. We are here to help our international colleagues get their projects up-and-running again."
The New Zealand Government has endorsed COVID-19 health and safety guidelines meaning the nation's screen production crews are ready to safely support international content creation; the country is English-speaking with a diverse population and favourable exchange rates, as well as possessing a world-class broadband network and a fibre adoption rate more than double the worldwide average and second only to Japan*; plus New Zealand's financial screen production incentives complete the picture.
With a reputation as one of the best places in the world to do business, this offering is a unique nationwide integration of screen production, creative technology and business.


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Retail Dive | March 10, 2020
Sustainability is becoming a core focus of global businesses, both to ensure that companies minimize their environmental impact and also to benefit long-term growth. T-Mobile adopted renewable energy as part of its sustainability strategy back in 2018 and has committed to use 100% renewable energy by 2021. To help achieve its ambitious target, T-Mobile partnered with Enel Green Power to purchase 160 megawatts of capacity from the Red Dirt wind project in Oklahoma: enough renewable energy to powe...
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Braskem Idesa | October 19, 2022
Global software and technology leader Emerson (NYSE: EMR) announced a strategic partnership with Braskem Idesa to provide digital automation technologies and engineering services across its operations to meet business performance metrics and achieve its sustainability goals. Braskem Idesa is a joint venture between Brazil-based Braskem, the largest producer of thermoplastic resins in the Americas, and Grupo Idesa, one of the biggest petrochemical companies in Mexico.A multi-year digital tr...
SaurEnergy | March 02, 2020
Tesla has received the approval from the local authorities to build its massive 1.1 GWh Megapack battery energy storage system facility in California. Electric Vehicle major Tesla has received approval from the local authorities to build its massive 1.1 GWh Megapack battery energy storage system facility, which is backed by PG&E, in California. Earlier this week the Monterey County Planning Commission unanimously approved the Pacific Gas and Electric-backed project, which will be known as the El...
prnewswire | May 30, 2023
Sourceability, a global distributor of electronic components, today announced Sourcengine Order API, an update to Sourcengine's Application Program Interface (API). The innovative tool allows enterprise resource and material requirement planning (ERP/MRP) functions to streamline the procurement process and reach thousands of suppliers globally.
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Mawlamyine, September (6)
Although the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation is selling gold coins to lower the price of gold, the domestic gold market has not seen the decline in price as expected, gold entrepreneurs told Than Lwin Times.
One tical of pure gold soared to around 3.5 million kyats in the last week of August due to a stronger dollar, and the day after the military council stated that gold coins would be sold, one tical of gold fell to about 2.8 million kyats.
According to the gold entrepreneurs, gold is once again in demand, and on September 5, one tical of pure gold was being traded for about 3 million kyats.
The cost of fuel, which is mainly required in the mining of gold, is climbing, and the exchange rate is not declining, therefore the price of gold is not falling as expected.
The gold traders assert that there is a strong market demand and a limited supply for gold.
The military council has announced that one tical of gold coins is being sold for more than 19 lakhs, but Than Lwin Times has not been able to confirm the reports that customers are actually buying at a price of 2,950,000 kyats.
Before the military coup, the price of gold was only around 1.3 million per tical under the NLD government, but after the military coup, the price of gold has tripled with the price fluctuation.
News – Than Lwin Times


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The American DJ Group’s American DJ line of lighting products was presented with the MMR Dealers Choice Award at the 2008 NAMM Show in Anaheim.
Sponsored by MMR magazine, the Dealers Choice Award is based on national voting by music dealers. American DJ was voted “Lighting Line of the Year” by dealers for the second year in a row. The company was the only lighting supplier honored with the Dealers Choice Award.
“The fact that this award is the result of voting by the dealers who actually sell lighting products makes it especially gratifying,” said Scott Davies, General Manager of the American DJ Group of Companies. “Dealers are on the front line, dealing with end-users all the time. They gave us this award, because their customers rely on American DJ and are excited about our products, especially our new LED fixtures. Delivering this combination of reliability and innovation to end-users is the top goal for American DJ and its dealers; it’s the foundation of our future.”
For more information, visit the American DJ website at www.americandj.com


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Custom clothier and shirtmaker Savile Row has returned to its roots with a new location that opened May 8 in Clayton.
The dress clothes tailor had previously been in Ladue, but owner David Shockley said his first store was actually stationed across the street from his new one, albeit nearly 28 years ago. He said he is enjoying the new store’s proximity to Clayton’s bustling business scene.
“We like it. It’s got a lot of good visibility and some better foot traffic,” he said. “It’s fun being part of the Clayton community.”
Located at 8101 Maryland Ave., the business crafts made-to-order tuxedos, suits, sport coats, dress shirts and trousers that accommodate a range of clients, said Wendy Jones, custom clothier for Savile Row.
Like Shockley, Jones has many years of experience in the custom clothing business. Before coming to work for Shockley, she was the owner of J.B Simpson Custom Clothiers in Ladue.
Jones said Savile Row’s customers are in search of looks that span from the conservative to the colorful, which helps keep her days interesting.
“The people are fabulous,” she said.
Jones’ passion for the industry is rooted in her family and her upbringing by “fashionable women,” which included having grandmothers who were both seamstresses. The ties go back even further, to her great-grandfather who owned a clothing store of his own.
Jones still has a piece of that heritage with her, in the form of the original tailoring kit he used to own. She also has scores of old clothing magazines and catalogues, some dating back to 1926. For Jones, there is a timeless appeal in helping others look their best.
“It gives them a sense of empowerment and stability,” she said. “You put it on and you just feel important.”
To help their clients keep feeling that way, Jones and Shockley keep in touch with a network that helps inform them of the latest trends.
For colors and cuts they turn to their international fabric suppliers in France or Italy while suit makers keep them updated on the latest styles. Jones said they also attend trade shows several times a year that provide insight into what’s new even before it’s widely available.
However, trends can emerge from beyond such established circles, forcing clothiers to stay on their toes. A few months ago, Jones said the normally restrained Matt Lauer appeared on TV wearing a sport coat with a glen plaid pattern. The Today Show host's look created a social media frenzy.
“Within minutes, it was all over Twitter,” she said. “People see that and they want it.”


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With Christmas just around the corner, it’s time to indulge in a light-hearted analysis of this year’s Christmas spending projections across Europe…
In the UK, average spending on food and drink is set to fall to £174 (down -8.62% on 2014). This is in line with the drop in supermarket bills this year, due to price wars and negative inflation. The UK will be demonstrating its love for Belgium at the dinner table, as Brussels sprouts prices have fallen to a five-year low.
It might seem that social inequalities in the UK are growing wider with gift expenditure set to rise from £322.70 to £331.77 per household in ABC1 groups but decrease from £310.80 to £289.07 in C2DE groups. It is, however, worth pointing out that the average British family spends ≈£836.58 on Christmas overall, more than any continental household (France ≈£530.71 per family, Spain ≈£499.32 and Germany ≈£393.47…). It was a wise move to reject the euro. Enough said.
Money is top of the Christmas list for 57% of Greek consumers.* However, there might be some disappointed Greeks gathering in front of the Christmas tree this year, given that the humble book will be the offering of 56% of shoppers. Maybe they should send them to Spain. 70% of Spanish consumers declare that ‘el factor educativo’ is critical when choosing a present for children.
So, what should you do if you’re not going to receive a cheque this Christmas (from either your nearest and dearest or the IMF)? Be thrifty (économe !) like the French. 50% of French shoppers have vowed to buy more promotional products than they did last year and 40% plan to spend over half their Christmas budget on such items. Nothing quite like a good rummage in the bargain bin or a search on the sale rail.
The Belgians have decided to adhere to the sacrifice principle to ensure that Christmas costs don’t spiral. While the amount of money spent on presents is anticipated to increase by a moderate +2.99%, the amount spent on socialising is expected to plummet by -29.58%.
When it comes to early present buying (=meticulous planning), which two countries come out on top? Germany and the United Kingdom. As if you couldn’t guess…
*In order to give a balanced overview, it must be pointed out that the Greek’s desire for money is less reflective of the European financial scene and more representative of western capitalism: in almost 70% of the countries polled by Deloitte, money was the most desired gift.
The facts and figures cited in this article were mainly obtained from Deloitte’s 18th annual Christmas survey on consumer spending in Europe and South Africa, as well as from YouGov’s annual Christmas spending report for the UK. All sources are listed below (accessed 16/12/15):
Read our past articles


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Jun 08, 2017 03:42 PM EDT
Apple has refreshed its MacBook Pro lineup this week with Intel's seventh-generation Kaby Lake processors; however, early benchmarks for the notebooks hints that the 2017 MacBook Pro models are up to 20 percent faster compared to the equivalent 2016 models equipped with Intel's sixth-generation Skylake processors.
Particularly, the new 15-inch MacBook Pro 2017 laptop is configured with a 2.9GHz Core i7 processor. Intel's Core i7 Kaby Lake processor has average Single-core and multi-core scores of 4,632 and 15,747 respectively based on nearly a dozen Geekbench 4 results so far.
On comparison, last year's 15-inch MacBook Pro configured with a sixth-generation 2.7GHz Core i7 processor that was the equivalent high-end stock configuration, has average Single-core and multi-core scores of 4,098 and 13,155 respectively. The result is based on over 4,800 Geekbench 4 results.
On a model-vs-model basis, the leaked benchmark results suggest that the 2017 MacBook Pro with a 2.9GHz processor is up to 13 percent faster in single-core performance, and up to 19.7 percent faster in multi-core performance as compared to the equivalent 2016 MacBook Pro model. However, its price remains unchanged at $2,799, as reported by Mac Rumors.
There's only one Geekbench result for the new 15-inch 2017 MacBook Pro's base configuration with a 2.8GHz Core i7 processor. But the benchmarks hints that model is up to 9.5 percent faster than the equivalent 2016 MacBook Pro equipped with a sixth-generation 2.6GHz Core i7 processor.
There are no Geekbench results till now for the new 15-inch 2017 MacBook Pro's highest-end built-to-order configuration with a seventh-generation 3.1GHz Core i7 processor. So its performance cannot be compared to the equivalent built-to-order 2016 MacBook Pro with a sixth-generation 2.9GHz Core i7 processor.
If Apple was treating the MacBook as a traditional laptop this may lead to an Osborne Effect and depress sales of the current machines. In its place, it is another sign that Tim Cook and his team are trying to change the nature of the MacBook marketplace.
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Air cargo operations of the future will need to be faster, offer better data integration, improve the quality of service and offer lower costs than today’s offerings.
Speaking at freight forwarder association Fiata’s World Congress event, said one of the vice president cargo sales took on the question of what businesses of the future will demand from air cargo.
“We need to anticipate the challenges of tomorrow,” he said. “We need to deliver quality; quality is the name of the game.
“We need to be reliable for our customers, speed of availability needs to be increased, costs need to be decreased, we must improve data and access to data and provide new services.”
One way to meet some of these challenges was to speed up the ground transport of air cargo, which his statistics show accounts for around 70% of air cargo’s transit time.
“Since time is air cargo’s primary advantage we cannot afford not to innovate in this area and what we need is the spirit of entrepreneurship to encourage all participants in the supply chain to increase efficiency.”
He added that air cargo needed to be as innovative as possible if it wants to attract young people to the industry, as they are excited and enthusiastic about new technologies and will be attracted to other industries if they see air transport as old fashioned


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The so-called Break Free From Plastic Act is supported by US-based environmental charities, including Greenpeace USA, Environment America, and Oceana
Legislation making producers responsible for the waste they create — dubbed the Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act — is set to be brought to the US Congress today (11 February).
If the bill — put forward by Democratic politicians, senator Tom Udall and representative Alan Lowenthal — is passed, it would also ban take-out bags, utensils and plastic foam containers that can’t be recycled.
It would also introduce a nationwide deposit return scheme, designed to incentivise consumers to recycle empty bottles, in return for a refund of 10 cents.
Speaking to The Hill, Lowenthal said: “The public has been told if it says it’s recyclable, it’s recyclable.
“We now know that is not what is actually happening out there.”
Udall added: “Today’s producers have zero responsibility for their product waste and no incentives to reduce wasteful production.”
Passing the legislation is expected to be difficult due to a lack of support from members of the Republican Party.
What is in the ‘Break Free from Plastic Act’?
First drafted by Udall and Lowenthal in October 2019, the bill would set out minimum recycled content requirements for plastic packaging.
Alongside this, it would introduce a temporary ban on the construction of new plastic manufacturing plants.
The rule is designed to give environmental agencies the time needed to investigate the impacts of new plastic-producing facilities on air, water and climate.
It would also update Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations to reduce factory-produced plastic contamination in the country’s waterways.
Alongside this, it will direct the EPA to update its existing Clean Air and Clean Water Act emissions standards.
What have states in the US done to tackle plastic waste?
Over the past few years, a handful of states and cities in the US have introduced rules designed to limit the amount of plastic waste they generate:
The first area to place restrictions on the material was Hawaii County, which in 2013 prevented stores from providing plastic bags for anything but bulk items — such as meat, grains and fresh produce.
Similar measures were introduced across the state, with capital Honolulu the final place to introduce the ban in 2015.
Four years later, the city passed a bill banning most plastic utensils, food containers and straws. This will be fully introduced by 2022.
The state of California held a referendum on whether or not to introduce a single-use plastic bag ban in 2016, which resulted in 53% of voters backing the move.
It prohibits most food, retail and convenience stores from providing customers with these types of products.
In September 2019, Californian lawmakers attempted to pass legislation to partially phase out single-use containers.
It would have seen the state ban all single-use packaging and foodware that can’t be recycled or composted by 2030.
The bill was not introduced into law after legislators failed to act on it, with supporters unable to overcome lobbying from industry opponents.
It’s expected to be reintroduced to the state’s congress later this year.
In April 2019, the state of New York announced it would ban single-use plastic shopping bags from 1 March 2020.
Introduced as part of its 2019-2020 budget, cities will have the choice to opt-in to a five-cents fee for a paper bag — two cents of which will go into local schemes that buy reusable bags for low-income consumers.
The state’s governor Andrew Cuomo said at the time: “This is long overdue, you drive through urban areas in this state and you see plastic bags hanging from trees like some bizarre Christmas ornaments.
“You see in waterways all across this state, plastic bags.
“I’ve been fishing 40 miles out in the ocean and you see a parade of these plastic bags just floating by.
“There was no need, we’ve been trying to get this done, and we’ve gotten it done.”


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Microsoft and Nokia have struck a deal in which Nokia will use Office Mobile applications on its Symbian open source mobile phone platform.
Microsoft will be developing its Office Mobile solution for a non-Windows platform, and that represents a new first for Microsoft, according to Stephen Elop, president of Microsoft's Business Division.
Is this deal another sign that Windows is becoming less of a profit center for Microsoft? Why did the Office application sell, but not Windows Mobile with it? Answers welcome at [email protected].
Posted by Kurt Mackie on August 14, 2009


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The PlayStation 4 is now open for sale in Sony’s home country Japan after three months of its launch in the US and many other countries.
The console is on sale in Japan in two packages. One is a regular edition costing ¥41,900 and the other is shipped with the PlayStation Camera accessory and costs ¥46,100. Both of these versions also include the downloadable family friendly game Knack.
There is not any information about Microsoft’s Xbox One being available in Japan. Microsoft’s console has not been doing great in Japan in the past.
Sony’s Shuhei Yoshida, president Sony WorldWide Studios, said while speaking to tech blog The Verge that they has been a great response in Japan to Sony PlayStation 4. He said that he hoped that PS4 sells great in Japan too. “That’s what’s been happening outside Japan, so it would be strange to see just in Japan that there are units everywhere,” he said.
Sony announced earlier in the week that it had sold over 5.3 million PS4 units as of 8th of February leaving Xbox One way behind.


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With the explosion of mobile phones and online networking, it has become the key way to ferret out the modern love rat.
The survey by moneysupermarket.com found hundreds of thousands of wayward lovers failed to delete their adulterous messages.
Four per cent of cheaters even admitted to sending a message for their lover to their partner by mistake.
It was the over 55s, the age-group least savvy with electronics, who were most likely to be caught, with 15 per cent found out compared to six per cent of 18 to 24 year olds.
And even if they were faithful, one in three adults said they knew someone who had been caught out.
The price comparison website questioned more than 2,000 adults. Spokesman Rob Barnes said: "Pre-occupied with their love lives, people seem to forget their internet and mobile phone can become a library of undercover love.
"It is no surprise people are using these methods to carry out secret affairs. We don't condone them, but those who are tempted to stray from a partner should ensure they practice safe text. You never know where the texts and emails could end up."Reuse content


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On tonight’s all-new episode of Food Network’s Restaurant: Impossible, host Robert Irvine travels to Mamma Lucrezia’s Pizzeria in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania to help the restaurant survive and heal family rifts.
The Italian restaurant was first featured on Restaurant: Impossible back in 2014. At that time, Irvine was in town to check on Mamma Lucrezia’s, which was reportedly losing thousands of dollars a month, which caused rifts in families.
At the time of filming, Mamma Lucrezia’s was owned by Maria and Stefania, who are sisters. Their brother owned a competing Italian restaurant across the street.
During the episode, Irvine praised the food being served at the restaurant but had to concentrate on other issues surrounding the restaurant.
Some of the main changes he made was making the menu smaller as well as raising prices, which led to the restaurant being able to turn a profit consistently.
The Original ‘Restaurant: Impossible’ Mamma Lucrezia’s Episode Filmed In July 2014
Restaurant: Impossible originally visited Mamma Lucrezia’s on July 16 and 17, 2014. At the time, Irvine spoke with the Centre Daily about the renovations.
“Just when you go into a place that’s such a beautiful place with great people, you just want to make an impact on the community because it’s the community that makes an impact on itself,” he said.
He continued, saying that working with Maria, the owner, was great, but they made a lot of changes to the area. Irvine promised that the restaurant would be “the best restaurant in this area.”
“[It’s] the first time I really loved – and I mean it – loved the food,” Irvine added. “It’s exceptional. I’ve tried everything. This is going to be the place to be, hands down.”
Mamma Lucrezia’s was opened in 2004 and named after Maria’s mother, who died when Maria was six years old. Her brother opened the competing restaurant across the street in 2013.
In a Facebook post at the time, Maria wrote about how hurt she was about her brother’s decision to open a restaurant across the street.
“I want to make it clear that we are not in support of that business, nor do we have any affiliation with it,” she wrote. “Of course I can’t tell you to not visit my brother’s establishment and I wouldn’t do that anyway.”
Before ‘Restaurant: Impossible,’ Mamma Lucrezia’s Was Not Making a Profit On the Food
According to a Facebook post from July 2014, Mamma Lucrezia’s was not earning a profit on the food they were selling prior to Robert Irvine’s visit.
“Prior to Restaurant: Impossible coming to town our business was not profiting from the food, and we were selling exactly the same food that everyone else in town was selling…” Maria wrote. “Obviously hard work should make you a profit.”
She also said that she loved authentic Italian food and did not want to “serve food out of the freezer” anymore and spoke of the need to hire more people, which caused them to raise prices.
“Obviously to hire more people you have to be able to pay them,” the post reads. “Many of you have been very critical of my food prices, my staff, my delivery service, my take out service and small cost increase hence the reason for the need for Restaurant Impossible.”
The lengthy post concluded with a thank you to Restaurant: Impossible.
Mamma Lucrezia’s Pizzeria and Italian Restaurant Update: Reviews are Generally Positive
On all three of the main review platforms including Yelp, Google and Facebook, Mamma Lucrezia’s has positive reviews.
On Yelp, there are 60 reviews with a 4-star average rating. The most recent reviews on the service, however, are from 2019.
On Facebook, the restaurant has a 4.7 out of 5 star rating based on the opinion of 100 people. The most recent reviews mention the food being fresh and delicious, with some reviews mentioning the Ziti and eggplant Parmesan.
When it comes to Google Reviews, Mamma Lucrezia’s touts a 4.6 out of 5-star rating based on 144 reviews. The most recent review refers to the restaurant as the “Best kept secret in Centre County.”
Restaurant: Impossible airs at 9 p.m. on Thursday nights on the Food Network.


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The vegan lifestyle becomes more and more popular. By now, many countries have vegan sections in their supermarket and vegans have much more freedom to go vegan without struggling to find vegan-friendly food options. However, there’s one issue that seems to be still relevant before and after going vegan: Is being vegan really pricey? For the sake of clarity considering this issue, researchers made the effort to survey 2,197 British people with special dietary requirements resulting that particularly vegans seem to spend about £2,000 a year more than people who aren’t vegan. To be exact, the research study could even fix the precise amount per month they spend which was £162. Even if this should be the case for vegans in other countries of the world, it would definitely not prevent them from going vegan in the end because their choice to go vegan is in the first place ethics-related as most vegans would put it.
One of the things that puts people off going full-on vegan (other than wondering if it’s truly possible to have a delicious egg and butter free cake) is the cost.
While skipping the meat and opting for veggies instead is a budget-friendly choice, all the specialist vegan bits tend to be priced up.
Vegans may think they’re able to avoid the overpriced stuff and just go for natural, cheap food that just requires a little time and preparation, but it turns out that their dietary choices do add up.
New research from VoucherCodesPro has found that vegans typically spend £2,000 a year more than non-vegans.
The same goes for vegetarians, and anyone who has a halal or gluten-free diet. So basically, anyone who has particular dietary needs is having to shell out quite a bit of money to maintain their diets – around £162 a month, to be specific.
Researchers surveyed 2,197 British people with dietary requirements for the study, and found that they counted having to pay more than usual as a serious downside to their diets.
This is thanks to priced-up menu options, the prices of specialist vegan, vegetarian, halal, and gluten-free foods in supermarkets, and the need to buy supplements.
Which is all a bit of a bummer, really. It sucks that we have to pay more just to align our diets with our ethics-related or health requirements.
Of course, you could just stick to the non-specialist options and save a load of money. Skipping the specially made vegan options and making bulk meals out of veggies will save you a load of money – as long as you won’t miss your fix of Quorn and tofu.
But thankfully, the rising number of vegans and vegetarians means that we’re gradually getting more veggie-friendly options. Which should eventually reduce the prices of specialist products.
Here’s hoping that’ll be the case in 2017, because we could really do with an extra £2,000.


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Square-Enix announced today that The Last Remnant Remastered will make its way to the PlayStation 4 on December 6.
Originally released in 2008, this remaster features enhanced graphics in Unreal Engine 4.
The game tells the story of a world filled with “Remnants,” which are ancient artifacts that grant mysterious power to their wielders. These Remnants change the world’s balance, and lead to an era of countless battles between those who ruled, and those who obeyed. Amidst this chaos, players will follow the journey of a young man who is determined to uncover the truth.
You can view a trailer below:
THE LAST REMNANT Remastered – Announcement Teaser
The game will launch digitally on the PlayStation Network for $19.99.


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| Apr 18, 2014
| 3:35 PM
Can your footwear speed you up? We gave four new running shoes, each touting an impressive design technology, to four college runners. One shoe was super-flexible, one super-bouncy, another super-flat and another super-light. The verdict: Set your...
| May 5, 2014
| 11:35 PM
Spurred by outrage from fans and players alike, new NBA Commissioner Adam Silver acted with admirable swiftness in addressing the blatant racism of Donald Sterling. Now the NBA should turn its attention to a more subtle and pervasive form of racial...
| May 5, 2014
| 5:56 PM
Forget recording every meal on Instagram. Colin Beckett has made a career of the food portrait. Juicy oysters at Quartino, a slew of tapas at Black Bull and a perfectly foamy craft beer for the cover of Chicago magazine -- the 28-year-old food and product...
| May 23, 2014
| 8:18 AM
Stroll through shops in a town-like setting or escape to the comfort of an air-conditioned mall.
City Center at Oyster Point. 701 Town Center Drive, Newport News. Offers 230,000 square feet of retail shops and restaurants. Host to a weekly farmers'...
| May 29, 2014
| 11:32 AM
Are consumers getting tired of jeans?
One retail analyst thinks so.
Changing the color and fit used to be enough to prompt shoppers to go out and buy something new, but "the lack of any real innovation in jeans has created consumer fatigue," Marshal...
| May 29, 2014
| 11:09 AM
Serving in America's Congress is one of the few jobs for which applicants trumpet their inexperience. Running against Washington while simultaneously asking voters to send you there makes sense when Congress is as popular as a porcupine in a bag of...
| Mar 7, 2014
| 7:55 AM
Charlie White and Meryl Davis, who won an Olympic gold medal in Sochi, Russia, for ice dancing, will be contestants on the upcoming season of "Dancing With the Stars," which starts March 17 on ABC. But they'll be competing against each other, not as...
| Oct 18, 2013
| 4:35 PM
People use wireless technology to communicate, game and entertain. USC's Center for Body Computing asks why not use that same tech to get fit or manage a health condition? At the center's annual conference, innovators presented ways in which health...
| Mar 4, 2014
| 9:06 AM
Ever lust after a product displayed in a store that’s closed for the day? Or struggle to find the item you saw in a magazine or YouTube advertisement? Maybe you’re curious about something on a shelf but can’t find a salesperson to...
| Oct 16, 2013
| 7:15 AM
Photographer Vincent Laforet had a pretty sweet gig as an editorial photographer, working with top-tier publications like the New York Times, Life, Time and National Geographic. But then he transitioned to commercial video photography, working for folks...
| Nov 26, 2013
| 3:29 PM
"Downton Abbey" won't be back until Jan. 5, but PBS is teasing us in December with "Return to Downton Abbey," a special about the first three seasons airing Dec. 1.
A few new series and miniseries will premiere this December among all the holiday...


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Some of the first reports about sales figures are starting to come in and it doesn’t look good for the Wii U exclusive, Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE. The game has reportedly only managed to move 50,000 SKUs at retail during June. The game originally launched on June 24th in North America and Europe and on June 25th in Australia.
“Tokyo Mirage Sessions FE performed as expected at retail in the US during June. Around the 50k mark on Wii U, nothing amazing.
“Digital sales of the game should boost that number above during June, but not significantly so. The game didn’t bomb at least.”
ZhugeEX must have a different definition of “bombing” because a game like Paradox Interactive’s Stellaris managed to sell 200,000 copies in a single day, according to PC Gamer, and that’s a fairly niche game in a fairly niche sub-genre.
Stardew Valley almost managed to move several hundred thousand copies over the course of a couple of weeks after release with a nearly non-existent marketing campaign, as noted by Niche Gamer. Within two months the game had sold a million copies.
According to Steam Spy, the indie game RimWorld from Ludeon Studios has already moved 66,000 copies since its debut four days ago on July 15th. It’s already managed to surpass Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE and I’ve never seen RimWorld advertised or promoted anywhere.
Most gamers are saying that 50,000 units being sold for Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE is abysmal. It may be a niche title but something closer to 100,000 would have been a lot more acceptable. In fact, on its first day out in Japan it moved 26,340 copies, as reported by Siliconera.
“with a lack luster advertising effort and needless Censorship that went into catering to and audience that’s not there, you end up neglecting the one that is, the anime and J RPG fandom. And that fandom is a lot bigger than 50,000 on the Wii U. Frankly I believe money spent on the censoring of this game was wasted, and if it had been spent more effectively on targeted advertising, sales would probably be better.”
It’s true that the game was needlessly censored from top to bottom (literally, in regards to the clothing). Some entire segments were removed (such as the DLC where the characters appeared in swimwear) and lots of the cleavage, bare midriffs and thighs were also censored on the female characters. In one quite bizarre instance the localization team even removed the female pelvic bones from the character meshes in Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE.
Artten makes a good point that the money spent censoring the game, removing content, paying artists and modelers to completely change entire costumes and characters, all could have gone into marketing the game instead.
It was also suggested that Nintendo should consider hiring XSeed Games to do the localization for them when it comes to releasing titles in the West, because right now Nintendo seems to be utilizing methods that only seems to turn gamers off from purchasing their titles. Heck, with the import sales of Dead or Alive Xtreme 3, it shows that thousands upon thousands of gamers (as noted by Getmatsu) – even in the West – are willing to pay to experience a Japanese title that isn’t censored.


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Eve Appeal Gets Lippy
The Eve Appeal are very excited to announce the launch of a new campaign which is inviting everyone to GET LIPPY and help tackle the taboos which sadly still exist around women’s gynaecological health.
They have joined forces with beauty industry organisation Cosmetic Executive Women UK (CEW), along with some of the UK’s leading retail and beauty brands to launch GET LIPPY. The campaign will get everyone speaking up and out about all things gynae – to stop women being too embarrassed, ensuring we all know and use the correct anatomical terms for our own bodies as well as an improved awareness of the signs and symptoms of gynae health issues / gynae cancers and when to seek medical advice.
This campaign will run annually andit is hoped that, over time, it will create the same kind of mass engagement that the pink ribbon has created for breast cancer and that Movember has had on making male specific cancers easier to talk about.
GET LIPPY is both an awareness and a fundraising campaign and they would like partners from across all parts of the sector to get involved to spread information about signs and symptoms and how people can get involved with the campaign and take action. The retailers supporting this year’s GET LIPPY campaign in May are Tesco, Harvey Nichols, Space NK and Oliver Bonas and beauty brands include Vaseline, Hourglass, Bali Balm, EOS, Elemis, Lipstick Queen and Smashbox
Throughout May the focus will be on raising much-needed awareness, with a specific focus on social media – starting from the outside in – so beginning the campaign with a real focus on vulval cancer, and working our way through the female anatomy week by week, cancer by cancer.
There will be a range of campaign collateral available ranging from the GET LIPPY logo, infographics, illustrations, short animations as well as films of passionate and outspoken women who want to GET LIPPY about women’s health and the core issues that surround this; which can all be shared across various social media channels, on organisations Intranet and websites.
Often women are not aware of what is going on with their bodies or are unaware of what is normal and what is not normal for them, so it is imperative that we all raise as much awareness as possible throughout May and beyond. In doing so, you can help The Eve Appeal achieve their mission of a future where fewer women develop, and more women survive a gynaecological cancer.


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Helium will launch new MOBILE and IOT tokens as it expands its crypto-powered wireless network.
The token-incentivized network may also expand to include additional decentralized protocols.
Helium’s novel concept—standing up a wireless network for sensors and trackers that is powered by token-rewarded node operators—has earned significantsupport. Nova Labs, the recently-renamed startup that represents Helium’s founders, announced today that the network will launch new crypto tokens tied to individual networks.
The shift to a new model comes as Helium attempts to expand its offerings with 5G connectivity and more.
The existing HNT token will continue to exist and serve as something of a “reserve currency” or “floor currency” for the expanding Helium ecosystem, Nova Labs CEO and co-founder Amir Haleem told Decrypt.
Meanwhile, Helium will first launch a new MOBILE crypto token this month, which will reward people who operate a 5G node and contribute coverage to Helium’s latest network.
Early adopters who run 5G nodes—there are about 5,000 of them, Haleem estimated—are not currently being rewarded for providing coverage for devices like phones and laptops. That will change once the MOBILE token is live, ahead of Helium’s plans to rapidly scale the 5G network as hardware partners like FreedomFi seek to lower prices for the nodes.
In August, the network plans to launch a new IOT token that node operators will earn for the original LoRaWAN network designed for Internet of Things (IoT) devices, like sensors and trackers. The network now has


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Record sales of light trucks in July led Acura to 14,381*, the division announced today. Acura year-to-date sales reached 105,921 units, an 8.0 percent decline versus last year.
Strong sales of Acura's luxury SUV's combined to set a July record of 6,332 for total light trucks, surpassing the previous July record of 5,499 set in 2005. The MDX was the top-selling Acura for the month, posting sales of 4,949 units, up 7.3 percent versus last July. Year-to-date MDX sales reached 31,976 units, up 9.3 percent for the year. Additionally, the RDX posted July sales of 1,383 units, with year-to-date sales reaching 13,666 units.
"July was a hot month for Acura SUV's as we posted our eleventh consecutive month of record light truck sales," said Dick Colliver, executive vice president, sales. "We anticipate sales of the MDX and RDX will continue to sizzle well into the summer."
The TL luxury performance sedan sold 4,721 units in July, bringing its total sales for the year to 35,756 units.
Additional Acura information and downloadable high-resolution images are available at www.acuranews.com
*Based on 24 selling days in July 2007 versus 25 selling days in July 2006. Year-to-date percentages are based on 178 selling days in 2007 versus 177 in 2006


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International Tour Announced To Launch New Mixer Project
A SERIES of world-leading artists and DJs have confirmed to be a part of the first international tour for PLAYdifferently – a series of events to showcase the final prototypes of the brand’s new mi
Richie Hawtin & Andy Rigby-Jones speak about new technology collaboration
FIRST PLAYdifferently VIDEO REVEALED…
RICHIE HAWTIN and highly-regarded British product developer ANDY RIGBY-JONES have spoken about their upcoming technology collaboration and revealed more details about the project, “PLAYdifferen
Richie Hawtin & Andy Rigby-Jones team up on tech collaboration, PLAYdifferently
Richie Hawtin & Andy Rigby-Jones announced today at NAMM a collaborative partnership with Allen & Heath and parent company Audiotonix.
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MONDAY, August 20, 2001
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
Video Streaming Is a Sleeper Hit With Business Crowd
By Riva Richmond
Dow Jones Newswires
New York - Webcasting as entertainment may have been a bust, but the technology is turning out to be a sleeper hit as a corporate communications tool - and a saving grace for the streaming-media industry. As live Webcast concerts from the likes of Madonna have shown, television beats the Web handily when it comes to showmanship. The quality of streaming video disappoints many viewers, and streaming to the masses is an expensive nightmare. Meanwhile, lingering digital rights concerns keep media companies from providing content, and advertisers shun the medium.
But where Webcast as entertainment fails, the corporate Webcast seems to succeed. Limited audiences make the still young technology more manageable, while offering a better way to communicate with investors, employees, partners and customers. Moreover, the economics are right. Bringing a global sales force together in cyberspace is much cheaper than orchestrating a Hawaii retreat, for example, which makes companies apt to invest in the technology.
As more companies catch on to WebCasting, a growth industry is developing, with beneficiaries already emerging at software companies, production houses and network operators.
"Corporate America has really come in and helped the industry grow, says Steven Chester, founder of closely held Digital Planet LLC, a Webcasting production concern that started out in the entertainment market but is increasingly focusing on corporate clients. 'It's keeping everything alive.”
According to Billy Pidgeon, an analyst at research firm Jupiter Media Metrix Inc., the top 1000 US. companies ranked by revenue will spend about $2.8 billion on Webcasting in 2005, almost 10 times as much its the $290 million that he estimates they will spend this year. Surveys by Market Decisions Corp., Portland, Ore., show 26% of businesses with more than 500 employees were using streaming media in April, triple the number 18 months ago,
Corporate Webcasting got its first bump, it turns out, from the Securities and Exchange Commission's nine month-old Regulation Fair Disclosure. The rule led growing numbers of public companies to Webcast conference calls with analysts and institutional investors to ensure broad dissemination of material information.
"Companies realize this is a cost-effective way to reach more investors." said Ron Adler. president of CCBN Inc., or Corporate Communications Broadcast Network, a closely held investor-relations Web site and Webcasting-services concern based in Boston. "We've seen, in the past year, it go from a good idea to a have-to-have,” he said.
Investor Webcasts tend to be fairly low tech and inexpensive - an audio feed combined with PowerPoint slides can cost as little as $3,000 - but also may include streaming video and interactive features like chat and audience polling, which can run as much as $50,000, according to Mr. Adler.
Alone, they won’t make for a big or high-growth industry. That is why streaming-media companies need corporate clients to start using the technology for a host of other purposes.
In fact, Jupiter's market projections assume significant growth in corporate spending on Webcasts for product launches, which Mr. Pidgeon estimates will increase to $567 million in 2005 from $72 million in 2001, and for employee training, seen growing to $519 million in 2005 from $30 million this year.
This growth is being led by pioneers at large international corporations, particularly in the financial-services, health-care, pharmaceutical and software industries.
Among the experimenters are Wall Street firms, which are increasingly Webcasting investor conferences to satisfy executive speakers' Reg FD worries, boost attendance and keep a record. Going a step further is Merrill Lynch & Co., which, in partnership with streaming media technology provider iBeam Broadcasting Corp., is offering daily Webcasts to its customers featuring its analysts and economists.
Pharmaceuticals companies are using Webcasting to promote new drugs, and meet Food and Drug Administration requirements regarding physician and patient education.
Elsewhere, many businesses at using Webcasting as money-saving components of employee-training programs. Daimler-Chrysler AG's Mercedes-Benz USA offers an online Course for mechanics joining its Starmark used-car program. The German luxury car maker covered its costs in just six weeks, or after 50 students, through savings on items such as travel to its train trip centers and days absent from the job, said Richard Thomas, head of media development end e-learning.
"Where it's effective to communicate through digital video, we’re going to do it,” Mr. Thomas said. “It’s going to be better, faster and cheaper as time goes on.”
Even the telecommunications sector, weighed down by a glut of unused fiber, will benefit eventually from the rise of this bandwidth-heavy enterprise, industry observers say.
But the more-immediate winners are lower down the food chain, starting with software and content-delivery networks.
Among the software beneficiaries are Microsoft Corp., its main rival RealNetworks Inc. and to a lesser degree Apple Computer Inc., the important media-platform and "player" makers.
Some industry participants suggest Microsoft could use its heft to be a consolidator in digital-media software. But Jonathan Usher, group product manager for Microsoft's digital-media division, discounted that notion. "We want to focus on providing a great platform for digital-media technologies," he said. "It's a tremendous foundry for third-party innovation."
Indeed, a host of smaller niche software outfits that make Webcasting production and editing tools, such as Adobe Systems Inc., Sonic Foundry Inc. and Media 100 Inc., are likely to profit from the uptick in corporate spending, said Phil. Leigh, vice president and digital-media analyst at Raymond James & Associates Inc. Software firms that make applications for managing content, like Virage Inc., and video archiving and search, such as Convera Corp., could benefit, too.
These companies have suffered along with their dot-com clients, Mr. Leigh said, but “the next boom for them will stand on much more solid ground because it will be based on terrestrial companies moving into streaming." While their stocks tend to be cheap, he says it is too early to buy most of them, with the exception of RealNetworks.
Corporations' growing need to create and deliver content also will mean more work for the companies that manage the transmission of these bandwidth-hungry events across the Internet and within corporate intranets. In this realm, the leading players are Akamai Technologies Inc., RealNetworks’ Real Broadcast Network, and Yahoo Inc.’s Broadcast.com unit, Mr. Leigh said. Close on their heels are iBeam and Digital Island Inc., which Britain's Cable & Wireless PLC bought in June.