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Microsoft releases a new tool to get more custom Linux distributions distros on Windows 10
Microsoft recently confirmed that it has open-sourced a Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) sample for Windows 10 targeted at Linux distribution to help them bring their distros to the Windows Store to run on Windows 10’s WSL.
Microsoft describes the tool as a “reference implementation for a Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) distribution installer application.”
This tool will enable Linux distribution maintainers to package and submit a Linux distribution as an appx that runs on WSL. It will also allow developers to create custom Linux distro packages for sideloading onto their dev machine running Windows 10. However, it should be noted that personally created custom packages cannot be distributed through the Microsoft Store unless submitted as a distribution maintainer and approved by Microsoft. For more information, click here.
“We know that many Linux distros rely entirely on open source software, so we would like to bring WSL closer to the OSS community. We hope open sourcing this project will help increase community engagement and bring more of your favorite distros to the Microsoft Store,” said Tara Raj of Microsoft’s WSL team in a blog post.
The WSL allows Windows 10 to run various GNU/Linux distros from the Windows Store, including Canonical, Ubuntu, OpenSUSE, SUSE Linux Enterprise Server, and Fedora. Just last month, Microsoft also added Debian and Kali Linux distros to the Windows Store.
Microsoft has specifically published the Distro Launcher code that’s used with its WSL component of the Windows 10 kernel. The open source code is now available on GitHub as a sample for developers who are interested in building their own Linux distros for the WSL.


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ChinaTravelNews, Ritesh Gupta - How effective can Apply Pay turn out to be in China? The response to Apple’s latest foray has been a mixed one going by the initial introspection.
A a section of the industry has complemented Apple’s move in China, especially considering the fact that the likes of Visa are still “waiting for final regulations” and gearing up to make a formal application for their businesses. Apple has found a way by striking an alliance with the state-owned bankcard association, China UnionPay. As a bankcard network, China UnionPay operates China’s national inter-bank clearing and settlement system.
Also, it is being pointed out that Apple Pay would find it tough to break the stranglehold of Alibaba and Tencent here.
According to iResearch, China 3rd party mobile payment GMV touched 2.42 trillion Yuan in Q3 last year, going up by 5.4% from Q2 and 64.3% from Q3 2014.
Alipay’s share stood at 69.9% while Tenpay garnered 19.2% of total China 3rd party mobile payment market in Q3 2015.
The prowess of Alipay is huge at this juncture.
Let’s go back a bit.
The Singles Day shopping festival, which originated on Tmall in 2009, is termed as biggest shopping day in the world. On November 11 last year, the Alibaba Group attracted over 115 million buyers and in total RMB91.2 billion or US$14 billion in GMV was settled through Alipay on its platforms.
The infrastructure facilitated around 140,000 peak transactions processed per second.
The way Chinese technology companies have crafted their mobile-first strategies, spanning across e-commerce, communication and payments, it wouldn’t be easy for any new player to breakthrough.
Also, these companies are data-savvy, and are deep into analysing the buying behavior and intent of the users. If we assess the active user base that Alibaba has in its armoury, with over 400 million Chinese consumers transacting on its platforms in 2015, getting closer to knowing the intent of consumers is a huge advantage.
In a recent interview with ChinaTravelNews.com, Sherri Wu, Chief Strategy Officer, Alitrip, a part of the Alibaba Group did mention that when users come to the Alibaba ecosystem, they already have the purchase intention and security of payment. And this is being leveraged across a gamut of product categories, including travel. As shared with us, the group has over 350 million active annual purchasers in its Tmall system and more than 400 million real name registered users in Alipay.
China is a complex market with myriad regulatory payment issues, acknowledged Vivek Bhatnagar, vice president of pre-sales and solution architecture, CellPoint Mobile.
“At the same time, it’s a market that is much too big to ignore. With Apple Pay, Apple has paved the wave for other eWallets, such as Android Pay, VISA Checkout, MasterPass and Amex Express Checkout, all of which will join the race,” said Bhatnagar.
As for whether Apple Pay gains traction or not in China, it would depend upon the number and types of issuers that support Apple Pay, and the number of high-quality merchants that sign up for Apple Pay services, says Bhatnagar.
“(Three factors are key to the Chinese consumer market) First is issuer support, marked by the number of issuing banks and local acquirers that support Apple Pay. The breadth and depth of issuer support will have an impact on customer adoption of Apple Pay as a payment method, and adoption will impact both in-store sales and in-app sales,” emphasised Bhatnagar. “Merchant support is also important, because any payment method is only as good as the number of merchants that offer it. The more broadly it's offered, the more popular it becomes. Also important is the profile of the Chinese consumer market – which is highly skewed to young consumers. This profile actually helps Apple Pay, because younger consumers are much more willing to embrace the move toward a cashless society.”
He also pointed out that Apple has started on a strong note.
“The Apple Pay-China UnionPay alliance is akin to JCB (Japan), Ideal (Netherlands) and Dankort (Denmark) – all of which are extremely well-ingrained in their respective markets. Without this local scheme in place, Apple Pay would face major on-boarding issues with customers in China,” said Bhatnagar. He added that more options means more commerce, and even though China is a competitive market, Apple Pay would lend a new dimension considering propensity to spend of Apple customers. “This is fantastic news for the travel sector, because it creates one more pathway to purchase – and a high-value pathway at that. Apple Pay users consistently spend more than $400 in in-app transactions – a figure that should be music to the ears of both airlines and the hospitality sectors as they seek to sell more seats and hotel rooms, respectively.”
Apple Pay will come into play over its ability to push mobile commerce. “Major retailers are currently starting to investigate and move toward an app-only environment, and some are even abandoning the traditional desktop website. Apple Pay and other emerging payments technologies will accelerate this trend,” said Bhatnagar.
Apple’s growth in China
To its credit, Apple’s four software platforms — iOS, OS X, watchOS and tvOS — provide seamless experiences across all Apple devices.
Apple sold 74.8 million iPhones in the December quarter, an all-time high. Also, in its Q1 2016 results the company shared that 66% of Apple’s revenue is now generated from the outside the U. S. During the earnings call for the same quarter, the company referring to Greater China, shared that its revenue rose by 14% year-over-year and 47% sequentially to an all-time record of $18.4 billion.
It is being pointed out that existing players can afford to indulge in a price war in an effort to combat the entry of Apple Pay by doing away with charging any payment-related fees.
Also, it needs to be noted that UnionPay has already launched QuickPass in Beijing in cooperation with over 20 commercial banks. The offering supports contactless payment technologies focused on NFC, HCE or Host Card Emulation, TSM and Token technologies.
It is being pointed out that in China, QR codes are used by a wider market because more phones can read them compared to phones that can read NFC tags. So isn’t this a big challenge for Apple Pay?
Bhatnagar says it’s “going to minor bump for in-store transactions”. “Keep in mind that most high-end retailers have NFC-enabled payment terminals, and almost all mobile point-of-sale terminals are NFC-compliant, provided by acquirers on a monthly fee schedule that is similar to what merchants are accustomed to paying,” concluded Bhatnagar.

domain: news


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TradeTec Skyline has added to their WindScapeTM line of exhibits with the new Tower display.
LOMBARD, IL, USA, November 13, 2013 /EINPresswire.com/ —
“The WindScape™ Tower is the perfect display component to bring large signage that highlight brands and products and draws attention to exhibits.”
— Ken Buckman
TradeTec Skyline continues to transform the trade show exhibiting industry. The WindScape system keeps expanding their line of blow up shapes and displays and recently released the new Tower air-powered solution.


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In 2022 it’s commonplace to see women in many (if not all) areas of Malaysia’s workforce. According to data from The World Bank, women made up for 38.5% of the nation’s workforce as of 2021.
In a big step forward for Malaysian female worker rights, Sabah-based sustainable furniture company Bressi & Besi have introduced menstrual leave days where female employees are allowed a day off for period pain every month.
29-year-old Lukman Awaluddin (pictured above) from Putatan, Sabah, founded his furniture company Brutti & Besi back in October of 2020.
He hopes that the company’s new initiative builds a culture of trust and acceptance at work while simultaneously ending the stigma surrounding menstruation.
Additionally, Lukman also wishes for other companies to follow suit and adopt menstrual leave policies of their own which would hopefully result in a new nationwide policy regarding menstrual leave.


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HTC has launched a software update dashboard which explains the update process for its devices and shows the KitKat update status for the various flavors of the HTC One.
The update process explication comes in the form of a huge infographic (look for the Android head that says “click here”), showing the various paths carrier, unlocked, and unskinned devices take in the update process. The infographic is a little light on details and time frames, but it’s still the most detailed official account we’ve seen of the Android update process. The infographic has a few red sections indicating how an update can die. According to HTC, the two big hurdles for a device update are the chipset manufacturer (Qualcomm or Nvidia) updating their drivers and making optimizations, and support from the OEM (HTC, Samsung, Motorola, LG, etc) to update their skin.
The primary culprit of a slow update seems to be the carriers—the infographic lists a Google Play edition device having eight steps, an unlocked skinned device having nine steps, and devices sold by a carrier having twelve steps. Not all steps in the infographic are created equal though, as HTC lists reskinning the latest Android update as a single step, despite the huge amount of time that can undoubtedly take. The overall message, though, is that carriers slow down the update process more than anything else.
via Ars Technica http://feeds.arstechnica.com/~r/arstechnica/index/~3/idgMgiMvHb8/


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Filed under: Investing
Facebook recently stunned the world by buying Oculus VR, the maker of the virtual reality headset Oculus Rift, for $2 billion. Oculus Rift started out on Kickstarter, where it gained popularity as a niche gaming device frequently praised for its immersive tech, but occasionally mocked for its appearance.
Facebook's purchase of Oculus VR initially made little sense compared to the $1 billion it paid for Instagram and its $19 billion acquisition of WhatsApp. Purchasing Instagram added a parallel photo sharing social network to its own, and it gained over 450 million new mobile users by acquiring WhatsApp. Buying a VR headset company for $2 billion, on the other hand, seemed reckless and impulsive to many analysts and investors.
The Oculus Rift. Source: Wikipedia.
Yet there's an ambitious side to the acquisition many investors are ignoring -- the fact that the $300 headset can be used as a VR telepresence device. Speaking about the Oculus Rift, CEO Mark Zuckerberg stated: "Imagine enjoying a courtside seat at a game, studying in a classroom of students and teachers all over the world, or consulting with a doctor face-to-face -- just by putting on goggles in your home."
Therefore, Facebook acquired Oculus as a virtual extension of its social network of 1.3 billion users. Of the three examples of virtual telepresence that Zuckerberg mentioned, telehealth -- the practice of remotely visiting a doctor -- is certainly the most fascinating. It's also a high-growth market -- research firm IHS predicts that the U.S. telehealth market will grow from $240 million in 2013 to $1.9 billion by 2018.
What Facebook has learned from Google and Microsoft
The telehealth market is ripe for disruption since the current solutions are still relatively new.
Last November, Google evolved its Google Answers online knowledge marketplace into Google Helpouts, a platform which allows Google-vetted experts to answer questions about a wide variety of topics. The site integrates into Google's social network, Google+, and payments are made via Google Wallet. The experts can charge clients per session, per minute, or both, and Google takes a 20% cut of the fee. The sessions can be conducted via text, voice, or video.
To encourage the use of Google Helpouts as a health care platform, Google waives the 20% fee for all health care related questions. Merging a social network and a telepresence platform with health care professionals means EHRs (electronic health records) and cloud-connected medical devices could eventually be synchronized to Helpouts as well.
Meanwhile, Microsoft has tested the Kinect as a telehealth device through Avanade, a joint venture with Accenture . Since the Kinect tracks physical movements via a camera, it can be used to conduct remote physical examinations. A physician can give instructions to the patient via Skype, and the patient's health data can be accessed and updated over the cloud via Microsoft's HealthVault EHR program.
How the Oculus Rift could disrupt the telehealth market
That's where Facebook comes in. As the largest social network in the world, Facebook already has the necessary connections to build a massive telehealth network.
The Oculus Rift has a stereoscopic 3D display within its goggles and is controlled via head movements and external controllers. A treadmill, known as the Virtuix Omni, allows Oculus users to walk around in the virtual game environment.
Whereas that setup would be fun for games, it would also be an ideal one for telehealth checkups. Just like Google Helpouts and Microsoft's Skype, the Rift could be Facebook's virtual platform for remotely visiting the doctor. Facebook also has a new payment system similar to Google Wallet, which can be used to pay medical bills. And just like the Kinect, Virtuix's treadmill could track a patient's movements, which could be sent over the Internet to the physician.
Albert "Skip" Rizzo, a clinical psychologist and associate director for medical virtual reality at the University of Southern California's Institute of Creative Technologies, has researched the ability of the Rift to treat soldiers with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Dr. Rizzo immerses patients in a virtual reality program known as Virtual Iraq, which recreates a combat environment through weather conditions, ambient sound, and insurgent attacks -- all of which are carefully monitored and controlled by the clinician. Virtual Iraq has since been adopted by several military medical centers and 55 veterans affairs clinics across the United States.
The success of Virtual Iraq suggests that the Rift could also be used to help treat other issues. If similar software were connected to a telehealth platform, those sessions could be conducted at home.
Potential challenges for the Rift as a telehealth device
Although all of those applications sound incredible, Facebook has a lot of obstacles to overcome if it intends on using the Rift as a VR telehealth device integrated into its social network.
The first is the issue of HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) compliance. HIPAA laws were only intended to regulate providers, insurers, and health care clearinghouses that accept payments electronically. They weren't intended to regulate video chat sessions -- therefore, as the telehealth market grows, regulations could increase.
The second is the fact that Facebook is a casual social networking platform not generally associated with health-related issues. If Facebook intends to use its social networking muscle to grow its telehealth presence, it will have to set up some kind of new "Facebook Health" platform to ensure that confidential health data and selfies aren't flowing into the same News Feed.
The Foolish takeaway
It's certainly hard to imagine Facebook suddenly becoming a telehealth platform, or the Oculus Rift becoming a medical device. Yet Mark Zuckerberg specifically mentioned virtual doctor's visits, and Facebook now owns all the necessary pieces to take a giant leap forward in telehealth. It's now just a matter of whether -- and how -- he intends to put all the pieces together.
Invest in the next wave of health care innovation
The Economist compares this disruptive invention to the steam engine and the printing press. Business Insider says it's "the next trillion-dollar industry." And the technology behind is poised to set off one of the most remarkable health care revolutions in decades. The Motley Fool's exclusive research presentation dives into this technology's true potential, and it's ability to make life-changing medical solutions never thought possible. To learn how you can invest in this unbelievable new technology, click here now to see our free report.
The article How Oculus Could Help Facebook Break Into Health originally appeared on Fool.com.Leo Sun owns shares of Facebook. The Motley Fool recommends Accenture, Facebook, and Google. The Motley Fool owns shares of Facebook, Google, and Microsoft. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
Copyright © 1995 - 2014 The Motley Fool, LLC. All rights reserved. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.


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Department of Travel and Tourism, 308.865.8640
Mikala Nielsen of Omaha has been awarded the $500 Tourism Cares for Tomorrow-Nebraska Lois Johnson Scholarship at the University of Nebraska at Kearney for 2005.
Nielsen, a UNK senior who has a 3.3 GPA, said she plans to pursue a career in the travel industry after she graduates in May 2006.
“I enjoy traveling, interior design, scrap booking, volunteering, and spending time with my family and friends,” Nielsen said.
She is a member of the UNK Travel and Tourism Cub and Gamma Phi Beta social sorority.
The Lois Johnson Scholarship, which was first given last year, is awarded to an applicant based on campus involvement and GPA, according to Barbara Amundson, a lecturer in the UNK Department of Travel and Tourism.


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Codemaster’s upcoming F1 2014 has released a brand new trailer featuring a nighttime hotlap of Sinagpore.
Feel the power of new turbocharged FORMULA ONE™ cars in the most accessible FORMULA 1™ video game yet, including a new driver evaluation system to adjust the game to your level, shorter career options and new Very Easy mode. F1 2014 features all the cars, drivers and circuits from the 2014 FIA FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP™ including new tracks in Russia and Austria.
F1 2014 is set for an October 21st, 2014 release date. Learn more about the game at http://www.formula1-game.com/us
Pre-order F1 2014 at Amazon.com< and Steam


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Amazon “delivered” disappointing news Thursday.
Houston didn’t make its short list of potential cities for a second headquarters. But two other Texas cities did.
Austin and Dallas are the on the list of 20 cities now vying for what’s known as Amazon’s HQ2. It’s a $2 billion investment promising up to 50,000 jobs.
“Houston lost out, unfortunately,” said Giselle Rodriguez-Greenwood, Houston Business Journal Editor-in-Chief.
She’s been following the city’s sales pitch from the beginning.
“It’s a pretty big testament to Texas’s business strength in attracting big corporations in the fact that we had two cities make the cut,” Rodriguez-Greenwood said.
The Greater Houston Partnership was among several groups who submitted proposals on behalf the city.
“I believe this is a wake-up call for Houston,” CEO Bob Harvey said in a statement. “While there has been growing momentum in the innovation space over the last couple of years, this is a clear indication that we have much more work to do as a region to grow our digital economy.”
“We’re in a challenging environment and, in some sense, it’s a red flag that we’ve got to look out for our own place,” said University of Houston Economics professor Steven Craig.
Craig says we need to diversify beyond oil, gas and energy and focus on the high-tech workforce companies like Amazon may be after.
“The decline of the petroleum industry is a big challenge for us,” Craig said. “The hurricane is a big challenge for us. How we collectively deal with these big challenges is really important.”
Amazon did not cite specific reasons behind its decision.
Many analysts ranked Houston low on the list before the announcement and pointed out mass transit challenges and even the crime rate.
Read Amazon’s full announcement here.


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While the faux-reality show produced by Dodge as a marketing stunt to select their so-called Chief Donut Maker may have been fodder for a joke or two by uptight freelance writers, it also provided the opportunity for top brass to muse about future products. During an online event last night to wrap the production, Dodge boss Tim Kuniskis dropped a fire beat tidbit about the upcoming Hornet plug-in hybrid.
tap here to see other videos from our team.
In response to questions about future electrified vehicles which will bear the Dodge name, Kuniskis said “I think we’ve actually even said when we get back into the small compact space this summer when we launch the Hornet, we will have a PHEV or variant of that.” Whether that statement was planned or a slip of the tongue by Kuniskis, it’s the first official word that Dodge will re-enter the competitive small crossover segment — and with an electrified version to follow, no less. Oh well; at least he’s the boss and can’t really fire himself for loose lips.
New Dodge crossover spied at factory, could revive 'Hornet' name
First Look: 2023 Alfa Romeo Tonale
Back when the joint was still using FCA letterhead, the company applied for a trademark of the Hornet name. At the time, it was unclear how the moniker would be used. After all, Dodge has been on a naming spree with the Challenger, so it could easily have been applied to a high horsepower flavour-of-the-month variant of the venerable rear-drive muscle car. Last summer, Stellantis honcho Carlos Tavares told investors during a presentation that Dodge would be introducing a PHEV in 2022, quickly followed by spy shots allegedly taken inside an Italian factory of what appeared to be an Alfa Romeo Tonale wearing Dodge-style sheetmetal (explaining the featured shot on this post).
Speaking of muscle cars, Kuniskis also spoke of his yen to show off an all-electric rip-snorter of a performance vehicle this year — perhaps during the Woodward Dream Cruise in August — but global challenges could prevent that from happening. Those of you with long memories will recall the edge of such a machine, complete with old-school Fratzog badging, was given the briefest of appearances in an official Dodge promo video earlier this year.


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The first Mobile Monday with Qualcomm was held on Monday at m:Lab East Africa, Nairobi, an initiative bringing together the mobile developer network in Kenya with speakers drawn from Virtual City, Qualcomm, Samsung Electronics East Africa and Safaricom.
Qualcomm manufactures wireless chipsets, license technology and provides communication services around the world.
In Kenya, the company is linking up developers with device manufacturers on the lookout for local applications and content.
The company is also looking to make their devices stand out by including unique, local content and apps, mainly using the Android or Windows Phone operating systems.
Billy Owino, business development manager at Qualcomm, said: “By using Qualcomm Snapdragon SDK’s for Android, developers can differentiate their products and create extraordinary user experiences via the unique and powerful capabilities in Qualcomm’s industry-leading family of Snapdragon processors.”
To find out more about the tools available from Qualcomm to developers, developers can sign up on QDevNet and the first 10 developers who sign up will receive gift harpers courtesy of Qualcomm.
Earlier this year, Qualcomm brought two new high-end processors to market: the Snapdragon 600 quad-core chip and the Snapdragon 800.
The Snapdragon 800 quad-core chip utilizes LTE carrier aggregation for data rates up to 150mbps – double what current LTE speeds offer.
It is Qualcomm Technologies’ most advanced and powerful mobile processor to date.
The Qualcomm Vuforia on the other hand transforms real-world objects into interactive experiences for use in gaming, interactive media and instructional applications.
With its industry-leading computer vision technology, Vuforia has been embraced by nearly 30,000 developers and adopted by leading global brands to drive engagement with advertisements and product packaging.


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Because Boxing Day falls on a Saturday this year, an extra public holiday was gazetted by the Queensland Government on Monday 28 December. For major retailers in regional areas of Queensland, this meant that they could not open their doors for four consecutive days over the Christmas Period – namely December 25, 26, 27 and 28.
Earlier this month, the National Retail Association warned that unless its bid for one-off trading was successful in the Industrial Relations Commission that regional Queenslanders would effectively face a potential four-day lockout from their stores.
According to the NRA’s CEO Trevor Evans, this would have an unfair impact on consumers and retailers who would be unable to engage in post-Christmas shopping until Tuesday the 29th December in those areas. “We always see extreme levels of consumer demand on Christmas Eve and Tuesday, 29 December, with unnecessary delays and inconvenience caused by congestion and difficulties in ensuring the shelves are stocked” he said.
In response to this problem, the NRA launched a special bid in the Commission to allow for one-off trading on Monday 28 December. This week the Commission handed down its decision granting the NRA’s application, allowing for a one-off amendment to the trading-hours legislation.
Mr Evans was delighted with the outcome and said that this will assist in easing the tension around what should be a joyful and stress-free Christmas period.
“It’s also good news for non-food stores and regional shopping centres, who will now be in a better position to cater to consumers who may have otherwise headed to larger town centres for post-Christmas sales,” he said.
If you have any queries or would like to find out more information on trading hours over the Christmas period, please call the NRA Hotline on 1800 RETAIL (738 245).


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ZeroAccess appeared in the wild in early 2012 and shows no signs of slowing down. This insidious malware is part of a botnet which is apparently focused on clickfraud: infected computers simulate clicking on web advertisements, thereby generating ad revenue for the botnet’s perpetrators and their customers.
What makes ZeroAccess particularly nasty is that it can use a lot of bandwidth, causing infected computers to reach and surpass bandwidth caps. Unsuspecting users may find bandwidth overage charges on their ISP’s bills.
Most up to date anti-malware software can detect and remove ZeroAccess, so if you’re not already using such software, you should start. If you’ve noticed a spike in your Internet bandwidth usage, you should scan your computer immediately. Free on-line scanners such as Housecall, as well as free offline scanners like Microsoft Security Essentials will do the job.
One of the world’s largest spam botnets has finally been eradicated. At its peak – as recently as January 2012 – the Grum botnet was the largest spamming network in the world.
Spam levels worldwide are expected to drop as a result, although it seems probable that newer, more sophisticated botnets will rise to take Grum’s place. Enjoy the respite while you can.
Credit goes to several dedicated security researchers and anti-spam companies, including FireEye researcher Atif Mushtaq, researchers from anti-spam organisation Spamhaus, the Russian Computer Security Incident Response Team and other experts in the field.
Techweek Europe has all the details in their article on Grum’s demise.
DNSChanger is a nasty piece of malware that – according to the FBI – still infects more than four million computers worldwide.
When the FBI arrested the people responsible for creating and controlling DNSChanger, they realized that taking down the servers controlling the malware would interrupt Internet access for computers still infected. So they left the DNSChanger servers up, but disabled the malware’s ability to spread further. They issued warnings to the general public, stating that they intended to shut down the DNSChanger servers on July 9, 2012. That day is approaching.
To avoid having your computer essentially cut off from the Internet on Monday, you should use one of the many available DNSChanger detection sites to determine whether your computer is infected. In the unlikely event that your computer is found to be infected, instructions and tools for removal of DNSChanger are available.
VRT reports on a phishing campaign seen recently. This particular phishing attempt arrives as an unsolicited email that appears to be from UPS, about a delivery failure.
As with all phishing attempts, the goal is to trick the email recipient into thinking that this is a legitimate email from UPS. Once the user has been tricked into clicking one of the embedded links, software is installed surreptitiously. This software then attempts to steal usernames, passwords and banking information.
Other phishing attacks may use slightly different approaches, such as tricking the user into entering their banking information onto a malicious web page.
There are very few anti-malware packages that can prevent this sort of attack. The exceptions are typically expensive and geared toward corporate clients. Average users must rely on their own common sense to detect these attacks and simply delete the offending email.


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HOMEWARE retailer The Range has remained open throughout the coronavirus lockdown despite criticism about whether or not it is an “essential” retailer.
The brand, which has 180 stores across the UK, has slightly reduced its opening hours, with shops now open from 9am until 6pm.
⚠ Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates
Most of its stores had previously been open from 9am until 8pm.
Under the latest government guidelines, only key retailers such as supermarkets, pharmacists, pet shops, hardware stores and newsagents have been allowed to remain open.
Stores selling non-essential items, such as clothing, electronics and other premises such as libraries, playgrounds and outdoor gyms, closed at the end of last month.
Alex Simpkin, chief executive at The Range, defended the decision to continue trading.
He said the brand qualified as an “essential retailer” because it sells items like food and groceries, pet food and veterinary items, non-prescription medicine, toilet rolls and cleaning products.
“Our store teams have been briefed on the latest government health and safety guidelines and are taking the necessary actions to help ensure the safety of our customers and colleagues,” he said.
“This includes the implementation of enhanced cleaning routines and social distancing.”
Shoppers are requested to remain at least two metres apart and to avoid physical contact.
They should also pay by card where possible.
SHOPS ALLOWED TO STAY OPEN
ONLY a small group of retailers are allowed to stay open, they include:
- Takeaways and food deliveries
- Health shops
- Medical services - eg, dentists
- Pet shops
- Hardware stores
- Retail shops in hospitals
- Petrol stations
- Bicycle shops
- Laundrettes and dry cleaners
- Banks, building socities
- Short-term loan providers, credit unions and cash points
- Storage and distribtion centres
- Post Offices
- Car rental services and car parks near vital services such as supermarkets
- Public toilets
- Car garages and repair shops
- Food banks and shelters
But some have suggested that it is not necessary for The Range to be open at all.
One of the most vocal critics of the business’s decision has been Gavin Callaghan, leader of Basildon Council, who was so concerned about his local store that he wrote to Mr Simpkin and Robert Jenrick, the communities secretary.
In the letter published by his local paper, he claimed that he had visited his local store in Pitsea and had observed that only one in six customers were leaving with “essential” goods.
The retailer has also faced criticism on social media, with people questioning whether people were buying essential items or other goods.
One Twitter user suggested shoppers were visiting The Range to buy garden furniture, while another said that it was no more essential than their local pub.
The Range has also continued to trade online, although has warned that it has faced a significant increase in demand.
At the moment, the retailer says that products ordered online may take up to 16 days to delivery items.
Delivery costs start at £4.95 to have it delivered to your home, but it costs more for large or fragile items.
To have products shipped to your local store, it also costs £4.95.
The working hours of its customer service centre have also been reduced.
You can speak to a member of staff between 8am and 6pm Monday to Friday, or from 8.30am to 5pm on a Saturday.
More on Money
Argos workers have previously expressed their fears at having to "put their health at risk" as some of the retailer's stores remain open.
B&Q employees were also similarly worried - but the store later closed all of its shops and limited customer to click and collect or online delivery only.
B&Q announced today that it was reopening 75 stores with extra safety measures.


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According to sources, Ekart has added about 30 clients and is looking to onboard more as it doubles down on leveraging its internal logistics infrastructure to service non-Flipkart orders.
Before the Walmart deal in 2018, Flipkart had once attempted opening up Ekart to external platforms on a small scale but the project wasn't expanded as the company was still figuring out how to best serve its own order volumes. “This time, they (Flipkart) are going to double down on Ekart serving non-Flipkart group orders as existing group businesses are covered at scale by the in-house logistics infrastructure,” a person aware of the matter said.
Going forward, orders for companies such as Nykaa, FirstCry and others could be delivered by Ekart. “The opening up was gradually done from January onwards and now it has about 30 companies including Snapdeal and others,” one of the sources said. Sources in third-party logistics companies also said Ekart has held talks with several ecommerce platforms to fulfill their shipments. “It looks like they are serious about it this time,” an executive at a logistics firm said.
Flipkart and Amazon India service most of their orders through their in-house logistics firms – Ekart and Amazon Transport Services -- while others such as Meesho and direct-to-consumer brands work with third-party companies such as Delhivery, Ecom Express and Xpressbees.
While Ekart has opened itself up to external customers, it is unlikely to do business with Amazon India or Meesho as they are direct competitors.
Discover the stories of your interest
A Flipkart spokesperson declined to comment on the matter.
NFTs coming to Flipkart?
During Wednesday’s town hall, Krishnamurthy also said Flipkart was in the early stages of building its own non-fungible token (NFT)-related business. He said this in response to a question by a Flipkart employee on whether the company was looking to bring in web3-related products.
While this is a work in progress for the Bengaluru-based firm, it could be the first instance of a homegrown etailer hosting NFTs. Sources said, internally, the company is aiming to have the NFT project ready by BigBillionDays, its annual Diwali sale.
According to people briefed on the matter, Flipkart is looking to focus on the ‘localisation’ factor for NFTs. Since NFT sales in India have been low, the company is likely to double down on creating awareness, providing utility-driven NFTs and possibly linking them with physical products.
“You can't just clone a successful model in the West, like selling a moment in sports. They (Flipkart) want to go after what the Indian audience and user understands and those are a lot more around a physical product, value and utility,” another person familiar with the plans said.
This person added that different products and brands will take different approaches to monetising NFTs and that it could include infrastructure tools for brands to use.
While plans may still change, Flipkart currently is thinking of using its flagship sale event later in the year to unveil NFT-related products.
When is the IPO?
Krishnamurthy said the Walmart-owned etailer is working on its initial public offering but did not provide a timeline at the town hall on Wednesday. ET had reported last December that Krishnamurthy had told select executives about early work on the Flipkart IPO and that the company was looking at a timeline of financial year 2023 for its public offering.
Given the choppy markets and overall correction in valuation for large startups and ecommerce firms, this timeline may change, sources added. The matter is yet to be taken to its board for formal approval.
Flipkart was last valued at $37.6 billion in July 2021, after raising $3.6 billion in a round led by Canada Pension Plan Investment Board, the Singapore government’s sovereign wealth fund GIC, Japan’s SoftBank Vision Fund 2, and Flipkart’s largest shareholder Walmart, with participation from existing backers such as Qatar Investment Authority.
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- Apple: Need Solid Reason to Take Down Betting Apps
Apple has told Indian officials that it needs a "concrete reason or a legal requirement" to fully comply with the Centre’s directive to take down betting apps from its App Store, according to people directly aware of the matter.Political Stability Helping Drive Investments to India
Chip Bergh, the global chief executive of denim maker Levi Strauss & Co., said political stability has helped Indians stay optimistic about the future, driving consumer demand as well as investment by multinationals.FAME Electric 2-wheeler Beneficiary Tally Slashed
Nearly every second electric two-wheeler sold under the Centre’s ambitious ₹10,000-crore electric vehicle promotion scheme was based on false localisation claims, an investigation has found, said people with knowledge of the matter. This has prompted the government to slash its official sales tally, they said.
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Luxury dry fruit chips are a popular snack for millennials, but they’re also packed with vitamin C, vitamin E and potassium, according to research from the University of Arizona.
In a study published in the Journal of Consumer Research, researchers found that people who ate a daily glass of dry fruit in the morning had up to eight times more potassium and vitamin E than people who did not.
The researchers found the chips were higher in calcium, magnesium, iron and zinc.
The researchers also found that they had higher levels of vitamins C, E and K than other snacks, including chips at fast-food restaurants and packaged foods like popcorn.
“The dry fruit chip is an excellent choice for those who want to add vitamin C to their diet,” study author Sarah McVey said in a press release.
Dry fruit chips can be bought at a variety of places including grocery stores, convenience stores, and convenience stores in the US.
The researchers suggest the chips may be an inexpensive option for people with busy lifestyles.


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Out of date baby milk has been sold at a Tesco supermarket months after a carton from the same store made a toddler ill was found to be nearly a year out of date.
Andrew Campbell visited Tesco in Cranbrook Road, Barkingside, on Tuesday evening and purchased four cartons of Aptamil Follow-up Milk for his two-year-old son Ethan, one of which was 10 days out of date.
In January, Jerri Lee from Chigwell Row purchased milk that was 10 months out of date from the same store, leaving two-month-old daughter Milan sick for two days.
Mr Campbell's wife Emma, 37, was in the process of giving the contents of the first carton to her child at their home in Veronique Gardens, Barkingside, when she noticed the label.
Mr Campbell returned the milk carton to the store immediately and has organised a meeting with the store manager this evening to discuss the issue.
The 40-year-old said: “Emma was pouring the milk into the bottle and luckily she saw the date, it is unacceptable.
“I have had numerous instances of being sold out of date products by this store, including bread, cakes and chicken, last year I complained and to be fair to them I have not had an issue for the last few months.
“However to make the mistake with selling out of date baby milk once is unacceptable, but to repeat it, seem just beyond belief.
“If they keep doing this then sooner or later another child is going to get hurt.”
Tesco has been asked for comment.


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Constellation Brands has acquired fast-growing Florida-based craft beer producer Funky Buddha and, in the process, formed a new “High End Craft and Specialty” business group specifically tasked with overseeing the company’s present and future craft brewery purchases. Financial terms of the deal, which closed yesterday, were not disclosed. The structure is similar to Constellation’s 2015 purchase of San Diego’s Ballast Point Brewing, which was worth $1 billion, Brewbound understands. A sale price was not disclosed, but the all-cash deal is for 100 percent of the company, according to KC Sentz, who co-founded the brewery with his brother Ryan Sentz.
- BREWERY TYPE
- Not specified
5401 Linda Vista Rd Ste 406
San Diego, CA 92110 United States
- "Ballast Point Brewing & Spirits is one of San Diego's Premier Breweries with four locations". Come stop by for a pint, Cheers!
- ANNUAL PRODUCTION
An already competitive craft beer scene in Chicago is about to get even more crowded. Constellation Brands – a beer, wine and spirits producer that makes popular import beer labels such as Corona, Pacifico and Modelo — yesterday announced plans to open a Ballast Point outpost in Chicago early next year.
Executives from the largest beer companies in the U.S. gathered in San Diego this week for the annual Beer Institute (BI) meeting, and a theme of unity emerged as industry leaders attempt to stem continued share losses to wine and spirits.
Constellation Brands today reported its first quarter fiscal 2018 earnings results, which were highlighted by 8 percent net beer sales growth.
Constellation Brand’s continued effort to move Ballast Point Brewing into its so-called “Gold Network” of U.S. beer distributors took a significant leap forward this month when the San Diego-based brewery’s distribution rights were sold in its second largest market — Massachusetts.
Constellation, a cross-category alcoholic beverage company best known for selling Mexican import offerings Corona and Modelo, has confirmed to Brewbound that Ballast Point beers are no longer being sold in Massachusetts by Atlantic Beverage Distributors and the Sheehan Family Companies-owned Craft Beer Guild LLC.
Ambient Water, a leading provider of atmospheric water generation systems for extracting water from humidity in the air, today announced that Ballast Point Brewing Co. has completed its first two batches of beer made with water produced from Ambient’s atmospheric water generation systems.
In today’s edition of Press Clips: The New Jersey attorney general calls the Hunterdon fine the ‘largest ever imposed’ in the state; Ballast Point opens its Virginia tasting room; Kevin Durant cracks open a few Bud Lights; and more.
The Brewers Association this week announced that it would no longer allow large brewing companies and brewery groups to purchase featured sponsorships at the Great American Beer Fest, held annually in Denver, Colorado.
Beer continues to be the big growth driver for Constellation Brands. On Thursday, the wine, spirits and beer maker reported its annual earnings, which were boosted by $4.2 billion in net beer revenues for the fiscal year ending February 28, a 17 percent increase over the prior year.
Constellation Brands laid a plank in its succession plan on Wednesday with the appointment of Bill Newlands to the newly created position of chief operating officer, effective January 30.
The board of directors for Constellation Brands — the high-end maker of Ballast Point and import brands Modelo and Corona — has approved a share buyback program of up to $1 billion of the company’s common stock.
Constellation Brands has negotiated its “most comprehensive arena sponsorship” for popular Corona, Modelo and Ballast Point beer brands, yesterday announcing the signing of a lucrative “marketing alliance” with Barclays Center and the Brooklyn Nets.
Just days after it was revealed that a pair of top Ballast Point Brewing executives would leave the organization to “pursue other interests within the beverage alcohol space,” two more key figures are also headed out the door. Founder Jack White Jr. and chief operating officer Yuseff Cherney — who also served as the company’s head brewer and distiller — have officially departed, according to Michael McGrew, a spokesman with Ballast Point’s parent company, Constellation Brands.
A key pair of Ballast Point Brewing executives have departed the San Diego-based brewery less than nine months after its $1 billion sale to Constellation Brands, a spokesperson from the larger company confirmed to Brewbound. Ballast Point president and CEO, Jim Buechler, and chief commercial officer Earl Kight have left Ballast Point to “pursue other interests within the beverage alcohol space,” according to Constellation Brands spokesman Michael McGrew.
Year Round Beers
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Don Berwick, the outgoing Medicare chief, discusses the biggest problems facing health care and how he thinks they can be fixed.
Shelly Lazarus, chairman of Ogilvy and Mather, discusses how she succeeded in the male-dominated advertising industry.
CEO Howard Schultz talks about the inspiration behind the coffee company and what it will be like in 10 years.
Martin Cooper, creator of the first cell phone in 1973, envisions a future where cell phones keep us healthy by monitoring our bodies.
Harlem Children's Zone president Geoffrey Canada says hiring better teachers and extending the school year will fix public education in our cities.
Ali Velshi gets a hands-on demonstration with the Personal Robot II, a programmable robot created by Willow Garage.
The 10-time Grammy winning recording artist says his business on the street taught him guiding principles for the business world.
Father of index funds John Bogle says an article in Fortune magazine inspired him to become an investor.
The skateboarding pioneer says he never expected to earn anything for his craft besides free gear and his face on a magazine.
Muriel Siebert takes pride in becoming the first woman to own a seat on the NYSE, paving the future for women on Wall Street.
- Business News
- Personal Finance
- Small Business


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On July 11, 2019, the Government of British Columbia announced the Food Security Task Force (Task Force) – a commitment identified in the 2019 Speech from the Throne. The Task Force has a mandate to:
- apply agri-technologies (“agritech”) to enhance sector productivity, economic competitiveness and sustainability, reduce waste and tailor productivity to market demands;
- grow the emerging agritech sector in B.C. as a standalone economic sector that can produce technologies that will be in demand globally; and
- support the objectives of CleanBC, both through the adoption of technologies and practices that will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase access to fresh, healthy food and stimulate local economic activity.
“Food security” in the context of the Task Force means ensuring B.C.’s agriculture and seafood sectors can retain competitiveness and productivity in the face of challenges such as climate change, resource scarcity (e.g., water), growing market competition from other jurisdictions and a tight labour market. Food security also means that the agricultural and seafood sector can produce enough high-quality food to supply local demand while also growing the sector’s export capacity to help diversify B.C.’s economy and support regional economic development. The Task Force will look at the following food security strategies:
- Applying technology and innovation to the agricultural and seafood sectors in ways that improve efficiency and reduce waste and consider other expensive or damaging environmental inputs.
- Developing the talent needed to advance, drive and implement innovations in the sector.
- Identifying other barriers (e.g., policy, legislative) that may be negatively impacting sector growth as well as considering approaches and best practices in other jurisdictions that have advanced food security.
Through an online public engagement opportunity that closed October 15, British Columbians were invited to share their views on the ways in which B.C. can harness new technologies and innovation to produce more food, jobs and prosperity, while reducing waste. The feedback received online will be incorporated into the Task Force’s final report of recommendations, which is expected to be made public in early 2020.
British Columbians are invited to share their views on the ways in which B.C. can harness new technologies and innovation to produce more food, jobs and prosperity, while reducing waste.


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Business to consumer technology entrepreneur Mobecom (ASX:MBM) continues to pick up innovative projects, revealing plans to acquire rapid cryptocurrency exchange platform Paid By Coins Pty Ltd.
The acquisition will see Mobecom pay $6 million in shares to Paid By Coins developer Lakeba Ventures, deepening its relationship with the software group which is also behind some of Mobecom’s other product offerings.
Paid By Coins is an online cryptocurrency exchange allowing users to conduct conventional transactions, such as utility bills through digital currencies.
The platform rapidly matches the cryptocurrency seller, who is hoping to pay a bill, with a cash-paying buyer and transferring the resulting cash towards the bill payment.
Paid By Coins is then able to extract a small fee for conducting the transaction and is at no point a holder of any cryptocurrency.
Currently the system is able to conduct rapid transactions using Bitcoin, Ethereum, BitcoinCash, Ripple and Litecoin, with the option to expand into other currencies pending customer demand.
Commenting on the transaction Lakeba Group CEO Giuseppe Porcelli said:
“Given the rise and popularity of cryptocurrency globally and the volume of funds being put through various crypto exchanges, we believe that Paid By Coins entered the market at the right time and has grown into a viable, high performing business, with significant growth to come.”
Paid By Coins has been developed by Lakeba into a successful venture inside of 12 months, demonstrating growing demand for the platform.
Mobecom reports that the technology can also be integrated into some of its other offerings, such as the Mulla and airBux platforms, which incorporate loyalty points for crypto-transactions.
Neil Joseph, Mobecom Chief Executive, said the Paid By Coins transactions could potentially generate loyalty points which could then be directly used on the Mulla and airBux technologies.
Mobecom is delighted with securing this dynamic opportunity as this acquisition is in line with our growth strategy. It will help to rapidly advance the business in the digital currency space by providing liquidity for customers with hard to use value such as cryptocurrency,” Mr Joseph said.


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Despite a crackdown urged by the Government, experts say lives are in danger because many chains are “dragging their heels” about signing up to targets.
The Local Government Association (LGA) said just one restaurant group, Jamie’s Italian, and one fast food chain, Subway, had committed to Department of Health voluntary targets launched almost five months ago to cut salt in the 10 most popular dishes among chains.
These include chips, burgers, chicken portions, battered or breaded fish, pies, curries, beef steaks and grilled chicken, sandwiches, pasta meals and pizzas. Current guidelines recommend adults consume no more than 6g of salt a day.
Despite new targets set by government to bring restaurants in line with the rest of industry, they are lagging a long way behind. We think this is totally unacceptable
But the LGA said some restaurant and pub meals had been found to have up to 9g, around two teaspoons.
Despite a considerable dip in salt consumption, experts say levels are still far too high.
The average salt intake in England of 8.1g a day in 2011 was still 35 per cent higher than the recommended level and 70 per cent of adults breached the advised limit.
Councillor Katie Hall, chairwoman of the LGA’s Community Wellbeing Board, said: “The recommended daily target is 6g of salt per person – yet one pub or restaurant meal can take you well over this. Excessive salt is a major killer and not enough is being done to tackle it.
“Despite new targets set by government to bring restaurants in line with the rest of industry, they are lagging a long way behind. We think this is totally unacceptable.
“We need to tackle head-on excessive levels of salt in foods and the big high street restaurants and pubs chains need to get on board and commit swiftly.”
Sonia Pombo from Consensus Action on Salt & Health said supermarkets and manufacturers had cut salt in products, by up to 40 per cent, yet so many restaurants, cafes and takeaways have sat idly by and done nothing. “It is high time they caught up,” she said.
A Department of Health spokesperson said: “The UK’s work on salt reduction is world leading. More than 70 per cent of retailers and 65 per cent of major high street restaurants and contract caterers have made a commitment to reduce salt through the Responsibility Deal. We are pleased that so many businesses have committed to the new targets.”


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In Pics: Apple’s 5 big announcements at WWDC
Apple on Monday launched a bunch of refinements in its all four platforms – tv, watch, mac and iOS – with iOS 11, watchOS 4 and updates to its Mac line of desktops and notebooks.
Apple nodded to several up-and-coming technology trends, unveiling a new "smart" home speaker and device features touching on virtual reality, online privacy and a form of artificial intelligence called machine learning.
HomePod and Siri with new voice
The speaker unveiled on Monday is similar to devices from rivals, some of which have been on the market for years. Like the Amazon Echo and Google Home, Apple's HomePod speaker will play music while also helping people to manage their lives and homes.
Unlike those other smart speakers, Apple is positioning the HomePod primarily as a way to listen to and discover new songs and artists.
Siri, a digital assistant that has been on Apple's iPhone since 2011, will be voice activated to respond to requests for information and other help around the house.
New iMacs unveiled Monday at Apple's annual conference for software programmers are getting better displays and graphics capabilities.
Apple says that makes the Mac a great platform for developing virtual-reality experiences.
Apple's latest operating system for Mac computers, called High Sierra, recognizes more faces automatically, which should make it easier to organize photos, and will offer more photo editing tools.
New iPhone and iPad features
New features in iPhones and iPads include messages that sync to Apple servers in the cloud. iPhones will only keep the most recent messages on the device to save storage.
Apple is also bringing the ability to pay back a friend or other individual through its payment service, Apple Pay. Before, transactions had been limited to products and services from businesses and institutions.
Apple is trying to make augmented reality a reality with new tools for iPhones and iPads. Augmented reality is the blending of the physical and virtual worlds.
Apple is making software tools available for outside app writers to design apps with augmented reality. The tools will make hundreds of millions of iPhones and iPads capable of the technology. This will be part of the iOS 11 software update for iPhones and iPads. It's expected in September.
Watch the watch
Apple Watch is bringing Siri front and centre. The smartwatch promises to learn about your routines to figure out what information to display. That could include a reminder to make a call or a flight reservation.
The operating system for Apple Watch is also being updated, including new watch faces, more personalized alerts that use machine learning to tailor information to you based on your routines and tastes.


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Although Nvidia Corp (NASDAQ: NVDA) has been around for three decades, it has really caught the attention of investors in 2023.
The technology stock has rocketed an incredible 227% so far this year.
The company has gone gangbusters thanks to the enormous interest in artificial intelligence.
Oddly enough, Nvidia itself doesn't produce that technology. It's just that its powerful computer processors have been snapped up by clients wanting to develop AI systems.
It's a classic picks-and-shovels story.
5,600% return since 2015
Over the last decade, Nvidia has made many investors happy and wealthy.
The stock closed on 11 December 2015 at US$8.12. It finished up Monday this week at US$467.65.
That makes it a 57-bagger in less than eight years if you can believe it.
If you held $10,000 of Nvidia shares in late 2015, you'd now be sitting on a cool $576,000.
Now, is there a stock on the ASX that's capable of such explosive growth?
Past performance is no indicator of the future, but we can take some educated guesses.
Let's take a look at Lovisa Holdings Ltd (ASX: LOV) as a possibility.
Opening stores like it's going out of fashion
Lovisa is a low-cost jewellery retailer that's expanded rapidly in recent times.
DNR Capital portfolio manager Sam Twidale remembers how his fund first bought into it five years ago.
"When we first invested in this stock, it had less than 300 stores in Australia," he said in a DNR video this week.
"Since then, it has grown to over 800 stores, growing its presence internationally."
And that's triggered an impressive 171% rise in the share price, which closed Monday at $19.86.
The great advantage for those buying Lovisa shares now is that this expansion strategy is still continuing in earnest.
Morgans analysts recently pointed out how Lovisa is stamping into new territories as we speak.
"We believe it plans to enter mainland China in FY24, paving the way for significant longer-term growth."
The Motley Fool's Tristan Harrison is a fan too.
"Lovisa has recently entered a number of markets, including Hong Kong, Spain, Taiwan, Morocco, Poland, and Italy. In the next month, it's going to open its first stores in Vietnam and China, both of which have huge populations," he said.
"In the first 20 weeks of FY24, the ASX share's total sales were up 17% year on year, showing that its store rollout is helping scale, which in turn can help overall profit."
Is the dip in Lovisa shares just an illusion?
One huge advantage Lovisa shares have over Nvidia is that it pays out dividends. Right now, the dividend yield sits at a very respectable 3.6%, which is 70% franked.
The Lovisa share price has admittedly dropped more than 26% since late April.
Twidale, who reckons Lovisa's store network is capable of reaching 1000 outlets, reckons this dip in market interest is short-sighted.
"The market is focusing on the short-term metrics like sales growth and impact of weaker consumer spending but is missing the bigger picture opportunity of ongoing store expansion as it continues to diversify internationally."
While no one knows whether Lovisa shares are capable of becoming a 57-bagger over the next eight years, it seems there are plenty of bulls for the retailer at the moment.


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Get updates impacting your industry from our GigaOm Research Community
Akamai (NSDQ: AKAM), the biggest company in the content delivery network business by market share, has hit competitor Cotendo with a lawsuit [PDF] claiming that the smaller company infringes on three Akamai patents. While Cotendo has already moved to reassure any customers that it will fight the allegations in court, the suit could be a serious burden for the startup.
Cotendo, which is based in Silicon Valley with R&D in Israel, was launched in 2009 and reportedly has raised a total of $22 million. In high-stakes cases, it often costs more than $4 million to litigate a patent case through trial, a significant sum for young companies. That’s probably why Cotendo’s first move here was to reassure its customers, emphasizing that the company “does not expect this lawsuit to have any impact on its service offerings.”
When competing companies use patents to battle each other, the most common pattern is small or defunct companies suing market leaders, looking to cash in their patents. But “predatory” patent lawsuits such as Akamai’s, brought by dominant players against smaller competitors, do happen as well.
Akamai’s co-plaintiff in the suit is the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where one of three patents in the lawsuit originated. Having a well-respected university on board as a co-plaintiff could further accentuate Akamai’s home-court advantage in this case, which was filed in federal district court in Massachusetts. (Akamai is based in Cambridge, Mass.)
Other competitors in the business of content delivery networks, or CDNs, include Limelight Networks (NSDQ: LLNW) and Level 3 Communications. CDNs help websites move large amounts of data quickly, making them vital to businesses like Netflix (NSDQ: NFLX) that stream video.
Earlier this year, an analyst with Wedbush Securities estimated that Akamai controls around 60 percent of the CDN market.
Akamai is no stranger to patent lawsuits. The company successfully sued competitor Digital Island for patent infringement back in 2000, and sued Speedera in 2002. Both of those defendants were later acquired, with Speedera actually getting acquired by Akamai in 2005-perhaps at a depressed price due to the still-active lawsuit.
In 2008, Akamai won a lawsuit against competitor Limelight Networks and was awarded $45 million by a Massachusetts jury, but that win was later set aside by the judge.


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Samsung's next-generation Galaxy S10 could deliver significant updates in design and features to the South Korean smartphone manufacturer's flagship line of premium smartphones.
At least, that's what the rumours are suggesting. Even Samsung's mobile-business leader, DJ Koh, has chimed in to hype up the next Galaxy S smartphone.
If the rumours are accurate, we should expect a pretty significant overhaul in the Galaxy S10 lineup that could see the adoption of new technologies, next-gen specs, and a more modern design. The rumours paint a futuristic vision of the Galaxy S10's looks.
Most recently, Bloomberg has come out with a report that adds credence to some of the rumours below.
Check out the leaks and rumours about the Galaxy S10, with a little visual help from a video by the concept artist Concept Creator:
There will be three models of the Galaxy S10.
Samsung is supposedly planning to offer three variants of the Galaxy S10, according to the often reliable technology analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who has accurately predicted elements of new Apple iPhones.
Kuo believes one model will have a 5.8-inch display, another will have a 6.1-inch display, and the third will have a 6.4-inch display.
The latest from Bloomberg suggests that one of the models will be a more budget friendly version of the Galaxy S10 that won't come with the curved edges, but rather a more traditional flat display.
There could be another variant that supports new ultra-high-speed 5G networks.
The larger Galaxy S10 Plus model could come in two variations, one of which could have 5G support, XDA Developers reported, citing information it found in the code in an upcoming software update for the Galaxy S9 Plus.
Bloomberg's report suggests the Galaxy S10 models will be compatible with Verizon's 5G network, but it isn't clear exactly which models it was referring to, whether it's the two higher-end models, or even all three models.
5G is a new wireless standard that promises extremely fast data speeds and potentially less congestion than today's 4G LTE standard. That means 5G data speeds could still be fast even during times of peak data traffic.
So far, however, 5G availability is extremely limited and hasn't been fully deployed by most carriers.
Rumours are suggesting that the Galaxy S10 will have a front-facing fingerprint scanner underneath the display.
A front-facing fingerprint scanner embedded underneath the display is perhaps the most hotly anticipated feature that could come to the Galaxy S10 - and the rumour mill says it's well on its way.
It would certainly add to the futuristic look and feel of the Galaxy S10. So far, some phones from Chinese manufacturers - including Vivo, Xiaomi, Oppo, and Huawei - have this kind of hidden fingerprint sensor.
Samsung is still deciding whether or not the lower-end Galaxy S10 model with a supposedly flat display will come with an in-display fingerprint sensor, according to Bloomberg. The Investor suggests it could have a regular fingerprint scanner on the side of the phone. The rumour lines up with Kuo's earlier predictions.
DJ Koh has said the Galaxy S10 design will have "very significant" changes over Samsung's previous Galaxy smartphones.
The head of Samsung's mobile division didn't elaborate on the changes, but there could be a clue in a rumoured change in the Galaxy S10's earpiece, which you'll see in just a moment.
The latest Bloomberg report did elaborate on the potential new design for the upcoming Galaxy S10. It'll supposedly have "almost no bezel" on the top and bottom of the phone. The front camera is also said to be "tucked" underneath the display, which could mean that Samsung found a way to hide the front-facing selfie cameras and sensors underneath the display, thus eliminating the need for a notch.
The Galaxy S10 won't have a traditional earpiece.
The earpiece on the Galaxy S10 won't actually be an earpiece, according to ET News. Supposedly, phone-call audio will be transmitted to a user's ear not with a traditional speaker, but with vibrations emanating from the display.
Without a traditional earpiece, there would be no need for an opening from which sound can escape. Fewer ports and openings could lead to a cleaner and more modern design, but it could also point to narrower bezels coming to the Galaxy S10. It could even allow Samsung to make an all-screen front surface without the need for an iPhone X-style notch.
Still, the front-facing cameras and sensors need a hole to peek out of somewhere, so it remains to be seen how Samsung could accommodate those with the Galaxy S10 design.
It might have a camera with three lenses.
So far, the rumours suggest that the Galaxy S10 will have three rear camera lenses and two front-facing cameras, according to The Bell, a Korean news outlet, as well as the latest Bloomberg report.
The Bell reports that the extra lens on the back will be a 16-megapixel ultra-wide-angle lens, similar to the ultra-wide-angle lens on LG G and V phones.
The lens will come in addition to the 12-megapixel optical-zoom lens and standard wide-angle lens on Samsung's current-model Galaxy S and Note phones.
The dual-lens system on the front, meanwhile, could allow for an iPhone X-style portrait mode while taking selfies.
The Galaxy S10 might a have 3D face scanner to unlock your phone, similar to Apple's Face ID system.
A face scanner for unlocking the phone will feature in the Galaxy S10, potentially creating an opportunity for augmented-reality stickers, The Investor reported, citing Samsung's partnership with Mantis Vision, a company that develops 3D-sensing camera technology.
Samsung might ditch the headphone jack in the Galaxy S10.
The Galaxy S10 may not come with a headphone jack, according to Bloomberg.
Apparently, Samsung hasn't finalised that decision yet. If it follows through with ditching the headphone jack, the Galaxy S10 would be the first Samsung Galaxy phone to lack the port.
It'll come with next-gen specs.
It'll most likely run on the latest and most powerful chip from the mobile chipmaker Qualcomm, the Snapdragon 855, according to Phone Arena. Most smartphone models from 2018 are running on the Snapdragon 845.
The Galaxy S10 is also said to sport faster memory technology for both RAM and storage, which could boost the phone's performance.
It'll come with an updated version of Samsung's "Experience" interface that runs on top of Android.
First and foremost: It'll be surprising if the Galaxy S10 doesn't come with the latest version of Android, Android 9.0 Pie. Bloomber's report suggests that it will come with the latest version of Android.
Samsung's phones usually sport a tweaked version of Android, with a slightly modified interface. That interface to be called "TouchWiz," but it has been called "Experience" for the past few years.
Samsung's latest Experience 10.0 interface on the Galaxy S10 is said to come with a wide variety of design and function updates, which you can check out at XDA Developers or in the video below.
Samsung apparently hasn't adopted the new navigation gestures from Android 9.0 Pie, based on what we know today.
It's likely to be released around March, but the price tag is unknown.
If Samsung follows its usual smartphone release cycle, the Galaxy S10 could be announced in February and released in March, much like the Galaxy S9.
As for price, few rumours exist, so it's hard to tell. But it's likely to have a price tag similar to the Galaxy S9, which retails at around R14,000. Perhaps the smaller model with a supposedly flat screen could cost less - but at this point, that's pure speculation.
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Also from Business Insider South Africa:
- Here's why you should never put vodka in the freezer, according to the creator of Grey Goose
- 13 fruits ranked by how much sugar they contain
- 70 of the largest wind turbines ever seen in Africa will head for the Karoo
- South Africa now has some of the cheapest shares in the world - these are the best opportunities, according to expert investors
- These 10 companies have just pledged to invest over R130 billion in SA at Ramaphosa's Investment Summit
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- 1,000 human teeth were found in the wall of a building


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In recent months, numerous reports of persistent phantom braking issues have been reported by those who own or lease a 2022 Tesla Model 3. Many concerned customers are sharing harrowing experiences of severe phantom braking, and many of these events have nearly resulted in a collision. So far, the manufacturer has announced eight separate safety recalls affecting this make and model. However, many Tesla consumers have yet to receive lasting solutions to these persistent braking system malfunctions.
One owner of the Tesla Model 3 reported that they have experienced severe phantom braking, especially when the autopilot or cruise control functions are engaged. On multiple occasions, this severe deceleration has nearly caused an accident, as vehicles traveling behind this car have had to brake quickly to avoid rear-ending the driver. Many other reports of sudden and severe braking system activation for no apparent reason continue to arise, leaving many concerned customers without the solutions they need to resolve these issues for good.
Call Lemon Law Partners, LLP, at (510) 944-0336 to schedule a free case evaluation with a knowledgeable Berkeley attorney.


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Two out of three households have Internet access at home
In ten years, the proportion of households with Internet access at home rose from 12% to 64%. The “digital divide” is therefore narrowing, but differences by education and social category persist. The computer is still the most widely used medium, but new Internet-access channels are gaining ground. Mobile Internet, for example, has made significant inroads: 24% of Internet users were already browsing the Web on their cellphones in 2010, up from a modest 9% in 2008.


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Azamara’s night trips will help it stand out from competitors
Travel agents are praising a new series of signature night excursions launched by Azamara Club Cruises, saying they will help the cruise line stand out from its competitors. Azamara will include at least one complimentary night-time shore event on every cruise, starting in 2013. The cruise line has also announced that it will make standard beers, wines and spirits free of charge. But the two-ship cruise line is also bringing in higher fares, due to go into effect from November 1. Cruises for 2013-14 can still be booked at lower prices during October.
One example of a night excursion is a private opera concert in the Castle of Verrazzano in Tuscany.
“Azamara passengers are seasoned, veteran cruisers who are looking for something different than the big megaships,” CruiseOne agent Bonnie Buchanan says. “So many times, they want to go out in the evening but are not comfortable going out on their own.”


text: There is a range of solutions that claim to neutralize the potentially hazardous radiation emitted by mobile phones and the E-Waves phone chip is the latest. Developed by Omega Pharma, the chip blocks electromagnetic radiation emitted by mobile devices, especially in the range of 3 MHz and 10 GHz, thanks to interference technology. Radiations from mobile phones have been linked by many to heath conditions, but a valid link between radiation from mobile phones and bad health conditions is yet to be acknowledged by the general medical community. Anyway, Omega Pharma will drop the first 30,000 E-Waves chips in Belgian pharmacies starting December 10 at a price of €38.95. They also have plans to introduce the E-Waves phone chip in other countries soon.


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HONG KONG — As the spread of coronavirus sends jitters across Hong Kong, usually bustling shopping malls, restaurants and retailers are deserted, leaving some small business owners contemplating their future in the global financial hub.
While Hong Kong’s retail sales extended their free-fall in December as months of sometimes violent anti-government protests took a heavy toll, fears over the virus and government advice for people to stay at home are piling on even more pressure.
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Lin Chan, 30, a beauty salon entrepreneur, told Reuters footfall in her eyebrow-shaping salon is down nearly 70%.
“For us doing eyebrow trimming, the distance from the customers is very small,” Chan said.
“A lot of customers will cancel their bookings.”
In a bid to retain customers, Chan is offering a free face mask and packs of disinfectant hand wipes as a gift to customers when they finish their treatment – quite a treat in a city where panic buying for such items has left shop shelves empty.


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The auto industry is going through an evolution.
There is a common belief that change will happen overnight: someone will finally perfect self-driving technology, an electric battery with extended range will hit the market, and suddenly all non-autonomous, gas and diesel vehicles will become obsolete, quickly vanishing from the roads. The reality is much more complicated – change is happening now, and it’s happening faster than you think. The vehicles we drive are gradually becoming autonomous, connected, electric and shared.
As the portfolio manager of Canada’s first exchange-traded fund (ETF) dedicated to automotive innovation, two specific trends have caught my attention: the increased adoption of electric drivetrains and the growth of self-driving technology. While major automakers are playing an important role, the most exciting part of this evolution is the number of independent suppliers and start-ups that are trying to be the first to make a major breakthrough. It’s reminiscent of Silicon Valley in a previous era.
That may be one reason why Volvo announced earlier this year that they are moving to an all-electric product lineup by 2019, representing a substantial shift towards electric vehicles. More recently, Volkswagen Group announced a commitment to offer an electric or hybrid option for each of the company’s 300 vehicle models by 2030. This commitment extends to all 12 of Volkswagen’s brands, including high-performance subsidiaries: Audi, Porsche and Lamborghini.
There is enough potential in the drivetrain sector that one of the largest parts suppliers, Delphi Automotive, recently split into two companies: Delphi Technologies, focused exclusively on the powertrain segment, including electric drivetrains; and Aptiv, which will focus on the electronics required to power self-driving vehicles. This focus was made even clearer in October when Aptiv acquired nuTonomy, a startup that has been working with ride-sharing service Lyft to test self-driving cars on the streets of Boston.
Self-driving vehicles aren’t as close to full-scale commercialization as they may seem, at least judging by media headlines, but many of the underlying technologies required to enable autonomous vehicles have been commercially available for some time. In the 2009 model year, Ford introduced Active Park Assist. This feature originally enabled a car to parallel park itself but was later expanded to include support for perpendicular reverse parking. Many other manufacturers have also developed similar features.
Even without the full adoption of self-driving, vehicle safety is increasing. For example, auto manufacturers were able to implement the park assist feature thanks to the introduction of backup cameras in higher-end vehicles. It was originally billed as a premium convenience option for drivers. The safety benefits of increased rear visibility led regulators in both Canada and the United States to require the inclusion of backup cameras in all new passenger vehicles sold, starting in May 2018.
While much of the attention in this space seems to be focused on passenger transportation, I think it is more likely that autonomous technology finds staying power in the commercial transportation sector. Tesla has received significant attention for the Autopilot feature in their line of passenger cars, but I am particularly interested in the potential incorporation of the technology in their forthcoming Semi Truck. A number of major North American retailers have already placed orders for the electric truck, including Walmart and Loblaws. Orders should increase as additional companies embrace the idea of low-carbon transportation.
Unlike passenger transportation with its unpredictable routes and destinations, many shipments in the retail industry are between a fixed distribution centre and specific store locations. If a truck frequently drives between these two points using the same route, it substantially reduces the number of variables that would have been overcome to enable self-driving. It could be the perfect way for Tesla to showcase the full potential of their Autopilot technology.
Ironically, the only predictable thing about this sector is its unpredictability. Established automakers, innovative startups and industry disruptors are all investing unprecedented amounts in R&D for the technologies that will power the autonomous, connected, electric and shared vehicles of the future. The Evolve Automobile Innovation Index ETF (TSX: CARS) provides investors with the opportunity to benefit from the momentum of the overall sector, not just a single company.
Elliot Johnson | Chief Operating Officer | firstname.lastname@example.org


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The online portion of Supermassive Games’ The Quarry has been postponed to July 8.
The rest of the spiritual successor to Until Dawn will be released on June 10 as planned and will still include couch co-op and movie mode options.
Supermassive Games released a statement on Twitter about the delay, although it did not give an explicit reason why the multiplayer has been put on the long track.
An update on The Quarry’s online multiplayer: pic.twitter.com/Bipo0yxp2g
— Supermassive Games (@SuperMGames) May 26, 2022
The online multiplayer part gives the host control over the game, while up to seven others can provide input on the dozens of choices available in the game.
The game features an all-star cast consisting of Scream’s David Arquette, Modern Family’s Ariel Winter, Detective Pikachu’s Justice Smith, The Social Network’s Brenda Song, Aliens’ Lance Henriksen, and A Nightmare on Elm Street’s Lin Shaye.
The Quarry will be released on PlayStation 4/5, Xbox Series and One, and PC via Steam.


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The new Hyundai Creta car was spotted during testing.
Hyundai Creta’s second generation model was launched in March last year. This SUV is being well liked by the customers in the Indian markets. Considering its demand and preference in the Indian markets, the company may launch the Fascist model of Hyundai Creta in India next year.
New Delhi. South Korea’s leading automaker Hyundai is preparing to introduce its SUV Creta new facelift model in the market. Hyundai launched the second generation model of the Creta in the month of March last year. The company is now preparing to launch its new facelift model. The new facelift model of Creta has recently been spotted testing in South Korea.
The new model of Creta was covered during testing. Despite this, some information related to the design of the car has been revealed. The company can make some changes in the front of this model, although its body structure can be the same as the current model.
ALSO READ: 2021 Tata Nexon changes with major updates, Spock alloy wheel design, know everything
Features of the facelift Hyundai Creta – In the testing model, the front grille of this SUV is being seen to a great extent like the Tucson. It is believed that the company can prepare this new model on the theme of Tucson SUV present in the global market. Hyundai has given a half-mirror type LED daytime running lights in this SUV, which can only be seen when the light is on. Some changes have also been made to the rear of this SUV to make it different from the current model.Also read: Cricketer Navdeep Saini’s video goes viral, Harley-Davidson bike stunts done
Facelift Hyundai Creta Engine – No information has been revealed regarding the engine of the new Creta facelift model. According to media reports, the company can use the autonomous feature and mild hybrid technology in it. In the global market, Hyundai Creta comes with both petrol and diesel engine options.
When will the facelift Hyundai Creta be launched? The company launched the second generation model of Hyundai Creta in March last year. This SUV is being well liked by the customers in the Indian markets. Considering its demand and preference in the Indian markets, the company may launch the Fascist model of Hyundai Creta in India next year.


text: An anonymous reader writes "McDonald's servers were recently compromised and hackers were able to get access to customers' e-mail addresses, names, addresses, phone numbers, birth dates, genders, as well as certain information about their promotional preferences and Web information interests. The sites affected were: McDonalds.com, 365Black.com, McDonalds.ca, mcdonaldsmom.com, mcdlive.com, monopoly.com, playatmcd.com, and meencanta.com. The restaurant chain is warning customers to be cautious of anyone claiming to be from McDonald's contacting them by phone or e-mail, and asking for personal or financial information. McDonald's has also set up a FAQ page for affected customers with 13 questions and their corresponding answers." Update by KD : Weld Pond tweets: "Silverpop email marketer owned. Was email subcontractor for McDonalds and DevientART (13M users) and 105 other orgs."


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California to Spend $768M on Electric Vehicle Infrastructure
【Summary】In a push to support the adoption of to electric vehicles in California, the state’s utilities will invest nearly $768 million to expand a network of electric vehicle charging stations and build other infrastructure as California looks to have 5 million zero-emission vehicles on the roads by 2030.
LOS ANGELES — In a push to support the adoption of to electric vehicles in California, the state's utilities will invest nearly $768 million to expand a network of electric vehicle charging stations and build other infrastructure as California looks to have 5 million zero-emission vehicles on the roads by 2030.
The California Public Utilities Commission voted 5-0 Thursday to pay for programs statewide over the next five years, with an emphasis on establishing facilities in disadvantaged communities where traffic and air pollution are often highest.
The funding includes $136 million by San Diego Gas & Electric Co. (SDGE) to provide rebates for as many as 60,000 customers to install home charging stations.
Pacific Gas & Electric will build 230 direct current fast-charging stations, for a total of nearly $22.5 million. In addition, PG&E and Southern California Edison will spend a combined $580 million to support the electrification of almost 15,000 medium- and heavy-duty vehicles including transit and school buses, semi-trucks, forklifts and cargo equipment at ports.
"If we're successful with this and other electrification efforts already underway, much of the nation will likely follow California's lead," said CPUC Commissioner Carla J. Peterman.
The utilities initially asked for $1 billion to implement the projects. After a series of hearings, the CPUC decided on a reduced budget of $738 million, with an additional $29.5 million for program evaluation.
Cutting greenhouse-gas pollution
Transportation is the largest source of climate-changing greenhouse-gas pollution in the United States, and the biggest share of that comes from cars and trucks, according to data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration and the EPA.
State Governor Jerry Brown has positioned California as a global leader in fighting climate change and cutting greenhouse gases from automobiles.
California has the highest number of electric and hybrid vehicles on the road, and the approximately 50 percent of all plug-in vehicle are sold in the state. Currently there are about 350,000 zero-emission vehicles on California roads and Gov Brown wants that number to grow 5 million, up from a prior target of 1.5 million by 2025.
In January, California Governor Jerry Brown signed a executive order "to curb carbon pollution from cars and trucks and boost the number of zero-emission vehicles driven in California."
The move comes as the federal government looks to lower fuel economy standards.
President Donald Trump declared in January his administration was cutting rules on Detroit automakers and would "get Motor City revving its engines again." EPA administrator Scott Pruitt said this spring the standards were "too high."
Landmark rules by the Obama administration mandated that cars and light trucks average more than 50 miles per gallon, equivalent to 36 miles per gallon in real-world driving conditions, by 2025. However, the Trump administration plans to lower the requirements with a minimum mileage of 30 miles per gallon in real-world driving until at least 2025.
Regulators send the new fuel economy proposal to White House for review on May 31.
Originally hailing from New Jersey, Eric is a automotive & technology reporter covering the high-tech industry here in Silicon Valley. He has over 15 years of automotive experience and a bachelors degree in computer science. These skills, combined with technical writing and news reporting, allows him to fully understand and identify new and innovative technologies in the auto industry and beyond. He has worked at Uber on self-driving cars and as a technical writer, helping people to understand and work with technology.
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Apple unveiled the highly anticipated iPhone 5 Wednesday at a news event in San Francisco. The Post's Hayley Tsukayama reports:
In fact, the rumor mill got just about everything right, from the iPhone’s new 4-inch screen to its A6 processor to its completely new look.
The new iPhone will cost the same as the iPhone 4S: $199 for the 16 GB version, $299 for the 32 GB version and $399 for the 64GB version. As happened last year, the two previous version of the iPhone got a price cut. The iPhone 4 is now free, on contract, while the iPhone 4S is now $199.
The biggest change to the iPhone is its most dramatic redesign since its introduction in 2007. Taking a step away from the fragile glass casing of the iPhone 4 and 4S, the phone now has a metal backplate flanked by glass panels that house a smaller — but better — camera sensor.
The design, according to a video on Apple’s Web site, is the product of hours and hours of industrial design and engineering. Jony Ive, Apple’s lead hardware designer, said that the company was taking the redesign of its iconic product very seriously and wanted to make sure that they got it absolutely right.
Apple also announced design changes for old accessories. Hayley Tsukayama live-blogged:
Apple said that it will finally change the dock connector it introduced with the original iPod, meaning that pretty much all of those accessories you have for your iDevices now need to be replaced or modified if you get the iPhone 5.
The new connector is called Lightning — a riff, one presumes, off of Thunderbolt — and it is reversible.
As an iDevice user who is always fumbling to properly attach the old connector, I have to say that’s great news. The new connector is supposed to be 80 percent smaller than the old 30-pin.
Apple also announced that it will be selling new earphones for iOS devices, which will go on sale today and are redesigned with a funnel shape, as rumored. According to Mashable, Apple spent three years designing the entirely new headphones. They will ship with the new iPod Touch and the iPhone 5.
But is the new iPhone really innovative? The Post’s Emi Kolawole asks readers:
The Apple rumor mill will continue to churn, but not about the iPhone 5,which Apple revealed today. The announcement slakes, if only for a moment, the thirst among Apple fans for a new product.
But is it innovative?
Meanwhile, investors aren’t sure what this means for the world’s most valuable company. Tsukayama continues:
After all, Apple shareholders didn’t react much to the news, and the stock kept on ticking. While the company’s stock went up and down as the company’s announcement dragged on, it ended up within a percent of its opening price once the Foo Fighters had finished playing to the crowd in San Francisco.
There are reasons that this iPhone may not do as well for Apple. The Post’s Hayley Tsukayama looks at what could go wrong:
It’s hard to argue with Apple’s success. It’s the most valuable company in the world; its profits are through the roof; and it has a devoted following that borders — let’s be honest — on fanatical. (For proof, see the meme-driven “Things” Apple Fanatics Say, parts one andtwo. Then tally up how many of those phrases you’ve heard ... or said.)
The company is expected to once again impress the industry and its fans by announcing a new version of the iPhone today, which will likely rake in sales when it hits the market. But let’s play devil’s advocate for a second. There might be some flies in Apple’s ointment.
First, the U.S. smartphone market may be too mature for Apple’s newest phone to have the kind of major success on the scale of previous iPhones, says Stephen Baker of the NPD Group, which measures the U.S. market. Baker wrote Tuesday that the new iPhone may not sell as well as in the past now matter what its updated hardware is like.