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Tech-Stew Podcast E18: Windows the Conqueror was recorded on Thursday June 21st, 2012.
Microsoft has announced details on Windows Phone 8 at the Windows Phone Developer Summit, which arrives this fall with development tools coming over the summer. The new platform is to support more than just dual-core processors, it will support as many as 64 cores if such devices come to exist over the span of the platform's life. The past 800x480 display barrier is broken, now offering 1280 x 720 or 1280 x 768. There are also new abilities such as NFC for tags and payments and the support for SD cards.
Tech-Stew Podcast E17: Your Screen is Leaking was recorded on Saturday June 9th, 2012.
Facebook's App Center launches, iOS 6 confirmed, Microsoft SmartGlass, touchscreen tacticle keyboards, Windows 8 Release Preview details, a new treament for prostate cancer and more.
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Zune, a name that once held the hopes of many to outdo Apple in the portable player war, has now been put to rest. Microsoft made many announcements at the E3 games conference in Los Angeles, among them executives said the company will introduce a new music service, Xbox Music. Xbox Music will run on the Xbox 360, Windows Phone and Windows 8 computers and come out in the fall. This will no doubt mean that the Zune name in the Windows 8 Release Preview will be renamed to Xbox Music and similar in the final version..
Microsoft spokeswoman Melissa Stewart confirmed that the Zune brand is going away so Microsoft can use the more well-known name Xbox for its entertainment services, including video. Stewart says those who created playlists under the old Zune name will still have access to those songs on the new Xbox Music service. The Zune music service currently has 30 million songs in their library. By comparison iTunes has 28 million songs.
Microsoft introduced the Zune name in 2006. This was a time when Apple's iPod and iTunes were becoming popular. Zune was both a player and a service that allowed users to load their Zune devices with music.
The Zune ultimately became a failure in the market. It failed to compete with the iPod. ZuneHD in 2009 did somewhat better, while Apple focused on the iPhone and iPad. Microsoft then discontinued the player in 2011 and focused on music and video services with the Zune name. It became part of Xbox and Windows Phone.
The wait is over the official Skype 1.0 for Windows Phone has arrived and can be downloaded via the Windows Phone Marketplace, fulfilling Microsoft's statement at the Mobile World Congress that it would be arriving in April. You can opt to retrieve the app straight from your phone itself, but it can take up to two days for Skype for Windows Phone to propagate in all local Windows Phone Marketplaces.
There are many rumors floating around regarding Windows Phone 8 code-named "Apollo" due out in the fourth quarter. Some are speculating that the new mobile OS will abandon the Windows CE kernel (Windows Embedded Compact) in favor of the core NT kernel as with Windows 8. None of those speculations can be proven thus far. Interesting speculation, because if it were true, then there could potentially be one App Store for both platforms, similar to Apple, but on to what we do know. **Update**: It was recently revealed that there is some truth to these statements, that Windows 8 phone will share some of the same code base and kernel as Windows 8 for desktops.
What is certain is that ultimately Microsoft wants an overall union of software from platform to platform. This dates back to last July when the president of Microsoft's Windows Division made this proclamation that ultimately there would be a single ecosystem for PC's,phones and tablets. It was later stated by NVIDIA CEO Jen-Hsun Huang, that he expected Windows 8 to eventually run Windows Phones apps. The major goal of "Apollo" will be to allow phone manufacturers to create higher-end devices to compete with others like the Samsung Galaxy S3 with more powerful dual-core and higher processors.
Windows Phone 8 will run Windows Phone 7 apps
Many rumor mills out there had it stated that Windows 7 Phone apps would probably be incompatible with Windows Phone "Apollo" 8 apps. But Brandon Watson a Microsoft representative stated that Microsoft was pretty clear that apps of today would work in Windows Phone 8 during the Mix11 keynote. The keynote can be found here. Next, its time to Tango...


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Best Buy's CEO Brian Dunn said Tuesday that consumer traffic at its stores is lumpy with customers splurging for big tech launches and then pulling back. Apparently, Sprint's HTC 4G Evo is shaping up to be a big event.
Dunn, speaking on an earnings conference call following disappointing first quarter results, said the "4G HTC Evo is the best selling device in Best Buy Mobile." Dunn added that "Android platform sales are outstanding."
The comments come amid a big Best Buy miss. The company reported first quarter earnings of $155 million, or 36 cents a share, on revenue of $10.78 billion. Wall Street was looking for earnings of 50 cents a share on revenue of $10.93 billion. Nevertheless, Best Buy reiterated its fiscal 2011 outlook.
"This quarter's earnings were below our expectations," said Dunn, who cited higher expenses and "variability in customer traffic." Dunn added that there was "consumer volatility week to week and month to month" and that spending was "episodic."
Simply put, consumers "spend well on important events and then pause." Big events like the launch of the Apple iPad bring out traffic, but then dissipate.
Dunn, however, remained upbeat because there is "no shortage of enhancements to consumer technology this year." "This industry is loaded with a lot of interesting product launches in the back half," said Dunn.
Here's where Best Buy sees growth ahead for the rest of its fiscal year:
- Smart TVs. Dunn cited Google TV and a "great deal of interest" in 3DTV as potential growth areas. To ride shotgun with smart TVs, Best Buy is going to focus on Internet TV connectivity as well as mobile and home broadband.
- Gaming. Dunn was upbeat about the game software cycle in the back half of year. Microsoft's Kinect and 3D firmware updates to the Sony Playstation can drive sales.
- Tablet computers. Best Buy was "thrilled" to bring the iPad to its stores and Dunn said that the company will aim to ramp up its tablet selection.
- Best Buy Mobile. Dunn added that Sprint's 4G HTC Evo has been the retailer's best selling smartphone. Meanwhile, Android sales have been strong. Naturally, Dunn was upbeat about the iPhone 4 launch. See all 4G coverage.

domain: news


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RIL’s Q4 net increases over 2X to near Rs 15k crore
Operating profit marginally improved to Rs 26,602 crore in the January through March months despite the O2C (oil-to-chemicals) business clocking weak earnings. The company had combined its refining and petrochemicals units to form O2C.
“To me, the contributions (RIL’s help in Covid fight) are far more satisfying than our company’s strong, overall operational and financial performance for the year,” said its chairman and MD Mukesh Ambani. For the whole year of the pandemic hit 2020-21, RIL’s profit rose 35% to Rs 53,739 crore. “While Covid-19 has disrupted livelihoods, we have added nearly 75,000 jobs to the economy (during fiscal 2021),” Ambani said.
The jobs were added by RIL’s consumer business (Jio and retail), which accounted for 47% of its operating profit. In the year-ago period, Jio and retail together accounted for 36% of the company’s operating profit.
Operating profit of O2C dropped 5% to Rs 11,407 crore due to lower product sales and price realisations. But operating profit of digital services climbed 31% to Rs 8,945 crore due to an improved average revenue per user (ARPU) and higher data usage by people, while remaining sheltered at homes due to Covid. ARPU is the total revenue of the telecom operator divided by the number of users on its network.
Jio’s ARPU was Rs 138 in the March quarter, up from Rs 130 a year ago. Launched in 2016, Jio has 426 million customers and saw data and voice traffic growth of 27% and 18%, respectively, on its network.
Operating profit of retail increased 41% to Rs 3,623 crore, despite restricted normative operating conditions. This growth was enabled by doubling of consumer electronics profits, cost-management initiatives and a boost from investment income of Rs 534 crore, RIL said.
Operating profit of financial services, which the company recently started to report separately, plunged 59% to Rs 144 crore.
Oil & gas, however, turned around, with revival in KG-D6 gas production. It made an operating profit of Rs 480 crore as against an operational loss of Rs 46 crore in the year-ago period. RIL’s debt at the end of the quarter was Rs 2.51 lakh crore, but it had Rs 2.54 lakh crore in cash and cash equivalents.


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Wisconsin has led the outboard motor industry ever since Ole Evinrude fired up his prototype engine on the Kinnickinnic River in 1909. In the years following World War II, Wisconsin outboard makers manufactured half the motors sold in the United States.
With the easing of wartime manufacturing restrictions in 1945, a new company on Milwaukee′s near north side was ready to earn a place in a market dominated by established brands. Metal Products Corp., 245 E. Keefe Ave., was late to the game but confident its lightweight and innovative Flambeau outboard motor would be a hit as the country turned its attention from war to recreation.
Leading the company as president and treasurer was George L. Kuehn. A former boat racer (he won championships every year from 1932 to 1941). Kuehn understood marine engines and had ideas for making them better. With support from his father, former Milcor Steel president Louis Kuehn, George partnered with engine builder Edward Engelhorn and established Metal Products Corp. in 1941.
The outbreak of World War II put its planned line of outboards on hold as the company turned to military production. Leo Kincannon, who had designed outboard motors for two other companies, joined the new firm in 1943.
Finally, in late 1945, the company announced production of its first two models. Sold under the Flambeau brand name, the die-cast aluminum motors were available in 2½ horsepower and 5 horsepower models. The motors were lightweight (the 5 h.p. model weighed just 32 pounds), and had interesting features, including built-in carry handles, an improved carburetor, and a new way of protecting the propeller from underwater damage.
The company had a product, an eager public – and no end of trouble getting production under way. It spent most of 1946 struggling to keep any semblance of manufacturing going at a time when raw materials were scarce.
Matters improved considerably in 1947. When a reporter from the Milwaukee Sentinel visited in April of that year, the company had already made 2,000 motors. However, the newspaper reported, a shortage of parts meant the production line – capable of making 200 motors a day – was turning out just 75.
“If it isn’t cartons, its grey iron castings,” Kuehn told the Milwaukee Sentinel. “And now and then we’re short of magnetos, too.”
In the same article he announced plans for a 10 h.p. engine. It was never made. In fact, when production ceased 10 years later, around 1957, Flambeau was still making its two original models. A entirely new motor, in the 1950s, could cost $1.5 million in development and tooling expenses. Metal Products Corp. likely never had the sales volume necessary to support a new engine program.
Flambeau outboards have an unusual design. They are made from two large aluminum castings sandwiched together with the cylinders, pistons, and other moving parts contained inside. This clamshell design, Kuehn told the Sentinel, means his engine is light, easy to produce, and simple to service.
In retrospect, one of the three attributes he cited is true: Flambeau engines are light. The aluminum castings, on the other hand, had to be extremely precise and must have been difficult to mass produce. Additionally, the quirky design turned otherwise simple repairs into an ordeal.
Oddjob Motors, a website for small engine enthusiasts, reports “Based on the number of (now antique) Flambeaus that have turned up with internal sealing problems, there can be no doubt the motors had reliability issues.”
On a happier note, the same website notes the 2½ horsepower Flambeau it tested was “amazingly powerful … closer to 3.5 or 4 h.p. It is also reasonably smooth and quiet. It is a bizarre design and very tough to work on, but it sure runs great!”
Another factor in Flambeau’s downfall may have been Outboard Marine Corp.’s marketing practices. OMC, the maker of Evinrude and Johnson outboards, was then selling more in dollar terms than its 10 largest competitors combined.
In 1951, the Federal Trade Commission looked into OMC’s practices, and found the company used its marketing leverage to unfair advantage. An Evinrude or Johnson dealer could carry only that one brand and no other. A retailer wishing to sell Johnson outboards could not also sell, for example, Flambeau motors. OMC’s sales people visited each franchise dealer in their territory once a year. In addition to answering service questions and explaining the features of new models, the company representatives made sure no other brand was being sold.
The FTC cited several memos from OMC salesmen reporting various dealers found in violation of this policy. In a typical – and rather ominous – memo, an Evinrude sales manager wrote to a company field representative to report the outcome of a conversation with one dealer, “[The dealer] has agreed to go along with us and knows what will happen if he figures otherwise.”
OMC defended the practice. Dealers, it noted, generally prefer to sell one brand. It simplifies parts stocking and makes life easier for their service technicians. Additionally, both Evinrude and Johnson offered a full line of engines. Most competitors, including Flambeau, offered only low horsepower outboards.
The FTC ruled, “Respondent [OMC] argues … the dealer is free to buy where he pleases. Legally and technically this is partially correct. Realistically, it is not. Respondent, as one of its witnesses put it, is the General Motors of the outboard industry; the oldest and best according to its proof. Its motors are prestige products, the most widely advertised and sought-after. Its dealerships are apparently avidly sought after and its products find a ready and profitable market. The commercial balance … is so lopsided that rarely does a dealer cancel.”
At the same time the outboard market expanded rapidly, the FTC noted, non-OMC companies registered significant sales declines. Scott-Atwater Co. reported fewer dealers in 1951 that it had had when it entered the market in 1946 – despite considerable investment and expansion in its line of outboard motors.
The hearings must have been contentious. The vice president of sales of Martin Motors, an OMC competitor, testified his company’s decline in sales was entirely caused by OMC’s dealer agreements. In response, OMC’s attorney called the Martin vice president “a peddler of pots and pans” – Martin Motors being a division of National Pressure Cooker.
In 1956, the government ordered OMC to change its business practices. The ruling came too late to help Flambeau.
Hampered by its unusual design and an inability to access to the national market, Flambeau outboards are now only a footnote in Milwaukee’s industrial heritage.


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Apple is rumored to be launching their new AirTags accessory possibly this month. For those who are hearing about this for the first time, the AirTags are a tracking accessory similar to Tile, but instead of regular Bluetooth, it will reportedly use UWB that is meant to be more accurate when it comes to pinpointing the location.
Right now, the only OLED devices from Apple are the iPhones and the Apple Watch. However, there have been rumors suggesting that Apple could actually make the jump to mini LEDs for its other products, which is why we have to say we are a bit skeptical to learn about a new rumor from DigiTimes who claims otherwise.
Amazon’s Twitch platform tends to focus more on PC games and is usually streamed for longer periods of time. However, mobile games can be just as popular which is why Amazon has since announced its new short-form gameplay footage app for mobile devices called GameOn.
Apple’s current iPad lineup consists of several models. There is the smallest iPad mini, the iPad, the iPad Air, and the iPad Pro. However, there could soon be a fifth iPad model, or at least that’s what a post on Korean blog Naver seems to suggest where they claim that Apple could be working on an alleged iPad mini Pro.
Recently we came across a story where a man going by the name of Dustin Curtis reported that his Apple ID was held “hostage” over a missed Apple Card payment, or at least that’s what it felt like because the timing seemed to be rather coincidental. This led us to believe that missed Apple Card payments could potentially result in Apple disabling your Apple ID.
Usually companies like Apple or Google create tools that make it easier for users to migrate from a competing platform over onto theirs. However, interestingly enough, it seems that Apple has gone the other direction. The company has recently launched a new tool that will help iCloud users transfer their photos and videos over to Google Photos.
Apple is expected to launch a new iMac in the near future that will be powered by its M1 chipset. However, a YouTuber by the name of Luke Miani could have beaten Apple to the punch by launching the world’s first iMac powered by an Apple Silicon chipset. How, you ask? By transplanting an M1 Mac mini into an old iMac.
While Google Stadia does not have an official app on iOS devices yet, it doesn’t mean that iPhone and iPad users are left out of the loop. If you own an iPhone or iPad and want to play Stadia, here’s what you need to do.
As our phones rely on lithium-ion batteries, it means that there is a chance, no matter how small, that they could explode. This could be due to a variety of reasons, but it is still quite scary to think about. Unfortunately for a man in Australia, Robert De Rose, his iPhone X exploded while it was in his pocket, resulting in him suffering second-degree burns.
In order to help users transition from Intel to M1 based Mac computers, Apple introduced its Rosetta 2 translation software that basically allows x86 apps to run on its M1 computers. However, according to a report from developer Steve Moser, it appears that in the upcoming macOS 11.3 update, it could remove Rosetta 2 from M1 Macs.
Do you want to be able to stream content from your phone or computer to your TV wirelessly? There are several ways to do that, but if you’ve bought into the Apple ecosystem, AirPlay 2 is your friend, but unfortunately the protocol isn’t exactly available across multiple TV brands, unless you don’t mind springing for one of Samsung’s 2021 TV models.
Before Apple made the switch to Intel processors, the company was actually using a series of processors called the PowerPC that was co-developed by Apple, Motorola, and IBM. These processors were used in a number of Apple products, including the colorful iMac G3 computers that some of you might recall from the 1990s.
We’re sure that a lot of us have once or twice missed a credit card payment, whether it’s because we don’t have the money for it or if we forgot that it was due. Usually what happens is that banks will charge you an interest or impose a late fee penalty for that missed payment and that’s pretty much it.
Right now, Apple allows owners of the iPhone 12 series to charge their phones through MagSafe. However, this MagSafe should not be mistaken for the original MagSafe charging that Apple had previously included with its laptops, but according to a patent discovered by AppleInsider, Apple could be bringing the original MagSafe to the iPhone.
Ever since Apple ditched its own proprietary Lightning port for the iPad Pro in favor of a more universal USB-C connection, many have wondered if a similar change could be making its way to the iPhone as well. Unfortunately, it seems that we shouldn’t get our hopes up just yet, at least according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
A rumor from earlier this year suggested that Apple could be working on a “higher-end” Macbook Air. The MacBook Air has been praised by many as being an affordable and somewhat value for money entry into Apple’s ecosystem, but we suppose there are some who might be seeking a bit more power.
There have been persistent rumors that claim that Apple could be working on a foldable iPhone. Some have suggested that the device in question could launch in 2023, while others claim that it will launch in 2024. However, reliable Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo seems to be leaning more towards 2023.
Recently, there was a rumor suggesting that one of the new accessories that Apple could be working on is a MagSafe power bank for the iPhone. It feels like this shouldn’t really come as a surprise since we’ve already seen a couple similar third-party accessories, but according to Jon Prosser who spoke on the Genius Bar podcast, it could come with a cool feature.
For Apple’s iOS devices like the iPhone and iPad, the company uses its A-series of chipsets. This has been that way for years now, but apparently with the upcoming iPad Pro refresh, that could change. This is according to a video from Mark Gurman over at Bloomberg who hinted at a processor change for the iPad Pro refresh.
While other handset makers have transitioned away from the notch design, Apple has continued to use it in their iPhones. However, it seems that the notch won’t be going away anytime soon. In fact, in 2022, Apple is still expected to continue to use it but they might change its design to the hole-punch camera cutout.


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With Apple and IBM going their separate ways, the PowerPC has questionable future development.
It's the end of the PowerPC as we know it. But most everyone feels fine. Just one day after Apple Computer Inc. said it would shift from IBM PowerPC to Intel Corp. Pentium chips, delivering what some might see as a huge blow to IBM, it's business as usual in East Fishkill, N.Y., the de facto headquarters of Big Blue's chip group.
Although IBM, Apple and Motorola Inc. all once worked together to create the PowerPC, it's now quite clear that the companies have gone their separate ways, following Apple's revelation on Monday that it will build Intel processor Macs, starting in 2006. For its part, Apple says that even though it will offer PowerPC-based Macs for some time, it needed more power-efficient chips and Intel was the logical choice to get them, despite the difficulties of porting software.
News source: eWeek


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FRANKFURT • Few things are so closely tied with Germany's national identity as the car. But changes in demographics and consumer behaviour are beginning to steer that relationship, especially for young people, in a different direction, analysts say.
Yesterday, the IAA auto show threw open its doors to the public in Frankfurt, drawing car lovers in the hundreds of thousands to ogle a glittering display of bright and shiny new models.
"Germans have a very special relationship with the car, which is evident in the importance they attach to the quality and innovation of the vehicles," said director of the Centre of Automotive Management Stefan Bratzel.
That is evident in the success of top-of-the-range national brands such as BMW, Audi and Mercedes-Benz.
But young people in Germany appear to be turning away from the traditional view.
"The car no longer has the importance for young people as it did 30 years ago, particularly for the young generation today who live in big cities," said Mr Bratzel.
According to one study by the Centre for Automotive Research, the average age of buyers of new cars this year was 53, the highest-ever. That is not just because of Germany's ageing population, experts say. The 18 to 45 age group - which makes up 40 per cent of the population - represents just a quarter of buyers of new cars.
"Other products are vying for young people's attention, such as holidays... This has increased sharply in recent years," said the study's author, Mr Ferdinand Dudenhoeffer, director of the Centre for Automotive Research in Duisburg-Essen.
"In big cities, the car is losing its importance as a status symbol and the emotional relationship attached to it," he said.
Industry expert Peter Fuss noted another development.
"Fewer young people have a driving licence and more and more take part in car-sharing schemes.
"A car no longer has to be owned by its user," he said.
AGENCE FRANCE- PRESSE


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Nintendo does not plan to bring Twitch streaming to Wii U because most direct gameplay streams just aren't that much fun, Reggie Fils-Aime has said.
[E3 2014: All the news | All the Nintendo news | All the Sony news | All the Microsoft news | All the new Xbox One/PS4 games | All the videos and trailers]The president of Nintendo of America told Polygon that the company plans to partner with Twitch for more events like the Nintendo Treehouse E3 streams or the Super Smash Bros. Invitational.
But sharing raw gameplay, as both PS4 and Xbox One can do directly from the system, is not a priority for Nintendo.
"We don't think streaming 30 minutes of gameplay by itself is a lot of fun," Fils-Aime said. "What we've got to think through is, so what's fun about that? From a consumer standpoint, what's fun about it?"
Fils-Aime used Mario Kart 8's highlights-sharing feature as a counterpoint of greater curation making for a better experience overall.
"You can make some choices as to what parts are going to be shared," he said. "We think that makes it interesting, and obviously, the meme of the Luigi death stare is wonderful when that comes out of that type of experience. But in the end we've got to make sure that it's fun."
He said Nintendo will do more to highlight its games in the community and provide "a forum for players to learn how to play better" - like the Smash Bros. Invitational - in the future.
"But that's different than watching Joe Blow's 30 minute stream, which may or may not have something that's all that interesting."


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June 29, 2016 - Industry News
A new report concludes that most fleets should look at adopting lower-viscosity engine oils for fuel savings.
Tags: Fuel Economy, PC-11, NACFE, Engine Oils, Low-Viscosity Oil
June 8, 2016 - Industry News
The American Transportation Research Institute, in conjunction with the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute and ExxonMobil, has launched an online survey seeking the input of heavy-duty truck fleet managers on fuel economy and fuel usage.
Tags: Heavy-Duty Trucks, Fuel Economy, ATRI
May 13, 2016 - Industry News
PIT Group has expanded its spring 2016 Energotest event with an invitation-only VIP Day for select Canadian and U.S. trucking operations and a Fleet Forum for invited participants and PIT Group fleet members.
Tags: Fuel Economy, PIT Group
February 28, 2016 - Industry News
Trailer aerodynamic devices work, but how well depends on the products and users’ operating conditions, says the latest Confidence Report from the North American Council for Freight Efficiency.
Tags: Trailers, TMC, Fuel Economy, NACFE, Trailer Aerodynamics
February 25, 2016 - Industry News
General Motors will offer about 700 eAssist hybrid versions of its 2016 model year Silverado and Sierra pickups through California dealers, GM has announced.
Tags: GMC Sierra, General Motors, Large Pickups, Mild Hybrids, Chevrolet Silverado, Fuel Economy
January 28, 2016 - Industry News
Truck fleets should seek test data on fuel-saving products so they can intelligently decide what to use in their own operations, says Determining Efficiency, the latest “confidence report” from the North American Council for Freight Efficiency and the Carbon War Room.
Tags: Fuel Efficiency, Vehicle Testing, Fuel Economy, NACFE
December 15, 2015 - Product News
Wabash National’s AeroFin XL Tail Device is an aerodynamic solution designed to improve trailer aerodynamics and overall fuel economy.
Tags: SmartWay, Trailers, Fuel Economy, Aerodynamics, Wabash National
November 9, 2015 - Industry News
The 2016 Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon rear-wheel-drive pickups powered by the 2.8L Duramax turbo-diesel have achieved fuel economy ratings of 31 mpg on the highway, making them the most fuel efficient pickups on the market.
Tags: Diesel Engines, EPA, Fuel Economy, GMC Canyon, Chevrolet Colorado, 2016-MY, Mid-Size Pickups
October 29, 2015 - Industry News
A new report delves into the use of downspeeding, which is becoming a popular fuel saving strategy for fleets. The concept makes use of numerically lower rear-axle ratios to lower engine rpm at vehicle cruise speed.
Tags: GHG, Fuel Economy, NACFE, DOWNSPEED
October 12, 2015 - Industry News
The data coming from a truck's engine computer may not be the most accurate gauge of fuel economy according to a new report.
Tags: Fuel Economy, FPInnovations, Big Data
August 26, 2015 - Industry News
Many fleets were honored but only six took the top honors of the HDT Efficiency and Sustainability awards at the 2015 Fleet Technology Expo at an Aug. 26 ceremony.
Tags: Natural Gas Vehicles, Awards, Idle Reduction, Fleet Technology Expo, Fuel Economy
August 25, 2015 - Industry News
The NACFE's Trucking Efficiency Workshop is a one-day event for fleets where industry leaders will share their insights on some of the best efficiency technologies.
Tags: Fuel Efficiency, Fuel Economy, NACFE
August 24, 2015 - Industry News
The future is bright for the fully automatic transmission in commercial vehicles, say executives at Allison Transmission, even as they’re saluting their company’s founder and honoring accomplishments in this, the company’s centennial year.
Tags: Fuel Economy, Company Anniversaries, Transmissions, Allison Transmission, History, Automatic Transmissions
August 23, 2015 - Industry News
Volvo's Adaptive Loading axle system turns a 6x2 into a 4x2 when the extra axle in the tractor tandem isn't needed. When it comes to fuel efficiency, 2 is definitely better than 4.
Tags: Volvo Trucks, Fuel Economy, Tires and Wheels
August 20, 2015 - Industry News
Kenworth’s Predictive Cruise Control is now in production for new Kenworth T680s and T880s with Paccar MX-13 engines.
Tags: Kenworth, Driver Training, Fuel Economy
August 14, 2015 - Industry News
The North American Council for Freight Efficiency has released its sixth fuel economy technology confidence report, this one covering the benefits of adopting low rolling resistance tires.
Tags: Fuel Economy, Carbon War Room, NACFE, Low Rolling Resistance Tires, Tires
July 16, 2015 - Industry News
The amendment's underlying bill was pulled from further consideration when it became snarled in an unrelated controversy over the Confederate flag.
Tags: EPA, Fuel Economy, Greenhouse Gas Emissions, U.S. Congress
July 15, 2015 - Product News
The palm-sized DataLogger plugs into the tractor’s J1939 diagnostic port and accesses engine data, which Stemco engineers use to predict how much fuel the TrailerTail will save that fleet.
Tags: Fuel Economy, Stemco, TrailerTail
June 30, 2015 - Industry News
Aerodynamic fairings, low-rolling-resistance tires and automatic tire-inflation systems will allow manufacturers to meet the regulations,
Tags: Greenhouse Gases, Trailers, Fuel Economy, Environmental Regulations
April 22, 2015 - Product News
The Freightliner Cascadia is now available with the AeroSmart and SmartAdvantage Powertrain packages designed to enhance efficiency and performance.
Tags: Cummins, Eaton, Freightliner, Freightliner Cascadia, Powertrains, Fuel Economy, Mid-America Trucking Show
April 10, 2015 - Industry News
Fleets considering a compressed natural gas program now have an online resource to help evaluate cost-effectiveness.
Tags: Fuel Economy, NREL, CNG, Online Tool, CNG Fueling Stations
March 26, 2015 - Industry News
Dana engineers are working on a Spicer Dual Range Disconnect tandem rear axle that combines the traction advantages of a dual-drive 6x4 configuration with the fuel economy of a single-drive 6x2.
Tags: Fuel Economy, Dana Spicer, Tandem axle, 6x2 axle, 6x4 axle, MATS, Mid-America Trucking Show
January 13, 2015 - Industry News
Ram Truck has improved the fuel efficiency of its 1500 EcoDiesel pickup with a model that edges highway fuel economy for full-size pickups closer to 30 mpg highway — a bar once thought unattainable.
Tags: Diesel Engines, Fuel Economy, Ram 1500, 2015-MY, Ram Truck, Large Pickups
December 22, 2014 - Industry News
A new report from the North American Council for Freight Efficiency and the Carbon War Room verifies what manufacturers and many users have been saying about modern self-shifting gearboxes for some time.
Tags: Fuel Economy, Industry Research, Resale, Automated Manual Transmissions, Driver Shortage, Transmissions, NACFE
December 19, 2014 - Industry News
Beverage companies have increased the fuel economy of their fleets by nearly 13% since 2010, according to recent findings by the American Beverage Association.
Tags: Fuel Economy, Alternative Fuels, Food and Beverage Fleets
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TInvestors in technology and growth stocks are likely aware of the sell-off that has affected small and mid-cap stocks in the face of inflation. Lots of names all over NASDAQ are down 30%, 50%, 75% from their highs.
The consumer electronics giant Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) is near the 52-week high and is up 40% in the past twelve months, a sign that investors are selling smaller, riskier stocks and buying big and established stocks like Apple. Be warned: herd mentality can be dangerous for your portfolio. Because of this, Apple could be the biggest disappointment of 2022.
What is a bubble?
It doesn’t sound right to refer to Apple as a bubble stock. After all, it has a market value of nearly $ 3 trillion, its products are loved by almost everyone, and its business has revenues of hundreds of billions of dollars. But bubbles don’t necessarily come from a bad stock or company; they come from consensus. If everyone in the room agrees, then you should be the most careful.
Image source: Getty Images.
How is the stock market feeling right now? Let’s explore this a little. The market seems to be very divided at the moment. If you look at the broader indices, things seem to be fine. The NASDAQ is around 15,100, not too far from its all-time highs and has risen significantly over the past year.
However, only 26% of NASDAQ’s stocks are currently above their 200-day moving average, which is the average of a stock’s closing price over the last 200 trading sessions. Almost 75% of stocks are below this threshold, which means that general price action is unhealthy for most stocks on the NASDAQ.
With so many stocks struggling, why does the index compare so well? Investors have primarily sold the majority of NASDAQ-listed stocks and have risen to a select handful of mega-cap stocks that carry the index higher because they are a heavier weight in the index.
Apple is the largest stock on the NASDAQ. If we look below we will see that the price history for NASDAQ and Apple was similar:
^ IXIC data from YCharts
The heavy weight and sustained surge in Apple stock price could explain why the NASDAQ is holding up so well while many of its components struggle beneath the surface.
Identify Apple as a bubble stock
Apple has continued to rise, gaining a whopping 40% in the past twelve months. But as investors continue to buy stocks, share price outperforms business and Apple’s valuation has skyrocketed in recent years.
The price-to-earnings (P / E) ratio of the stock has increased to 31, roughly double the stock’s historical average of 15.
AAPL PE ratio data from YCharts
Investors should look for reasons why a stock deserves a revaluation when it is significantly different from its historical average. In other words, we need to be able to justify why Apple should double its rating. Otherwise it will be difficult to stay at this higher price in the long term; it could eventually return to its historical “normality”.
Apple has two main factors that counteract this. First, as a business gets bigger, it can get harder to grow. Going from 0 to 10 is often easier than going from 100 to 1,000. Apple’s market cap is approaching nearly $ 3 trillion, which is roughly an eighth of the entire US economy. The company is expected to generate sales of nearly $ 400 billion in 2021. Apple is just a huge company and an even bigger stock, which makes it very difficult to keep growing rapidly.
Second, this reality is increasingly reflected in analyst expectations. Analysts estimate Apple’s earnings per share (EPS) will grow at an average of 12% per year over the next three to five years; it’s a slowdown from Apple’s average EPS growth of 19% annually for the past decade. If growth is slowing but valuation is twice the historical average, how can investors support that higher price over the long term?
Why the bubble could burst in 2022
Inflation has risen dramatically this year, driving up the cost of goods and services in the United States. Raising the key interest rate is one of the most important tools the Federal Reserve uses to “cool” the economy and curb inflation.
US inflation rate data from YCharts
The Federal Reserve currently uses a target rate of 0% to 0.25%, which means that borrowing is very cheap. It is a tool used to stimulate economic growth and often increases valuations on the stock market.
If the US Federal Reserve were to raise its key interest rate in 2022, it would likely have the opposite effect of making borrowing more expensive, cooling the economy, and lowering stock valuations. In Apple’s case, the stock is currently an outlier from its historical norms, making it susceptible to correction in a market with higher interest rates.
10 stocks we like better than Apple
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They just revealed what they think are the top ten stocks investors can buy right now … and Apple wasn’t one of them! That’s right – they think these 10 stocks are even better buys.
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Justin Pope has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Apple. The Motley Fool recommends the following options: long calls in March 2023 at $ 120 to Apple and short calls in March 2023 at $ 130 to Apple. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.


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Fashion etailer ASOS were promoting their ‘Scan to Shop’ app at a recent Vogue event in Sydney.
‘Vogue’s Fashion Night Out’ in Sydney on September 6th showcased fashion retailers and brands in the CBD through a vast array of live events, outdoor stalls, activities and parties.
ASOS provided a large 4-sided wall of product images which allowed owners of the app to scan via iOS/Android and purchase direct.
The app is similar in principle to Woolworths’ smartphone app which allows you to scan grocery items in train stations to virtually shop without visiting an actual store. ASOS have taken this principle and adapted it for the tech savvy online fashion market.
Pictured on the left is the fashion wall of products being scanned on an iPhone 4S.
Download via: iTunes or GooglePlay
More info on ASOS here.


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This is the Morning Shift, our one-stop daily roundup of all the auto news that's actually important — all in one place at 9:00 AM. Or, you could spend all day waiting for other sites to parcel it out to you one story at a time. Isn't your time more important?
1st Gear: Ford Hybrids Aren't As Thrifty As Ford Claims
Consumer Reports says there's anecdotal evidence that Ford's new hybrids aren't meeting the company's estimated 47 miles per gallon. Although its engineers haven't finished tests, CR says the trip computer in the C-Max is hovering between 33 and 39 mpg, while the Fusion is coming in around 40 mpg. That corroborates news reports that owners are complaining they aren't hitting the 47 mpg mark, either. As the owner of a hybrid, I can attest that fuel economy fluctuates according to temperature, driving conditions and speed. But you should pretty much expect to get something close to what the company is promising. The Ford mpg reports come just after the Environmental Protection Agency forced Hyundai to restate the fuel economy on its cars.
2nd Gear: BMW-Mercedes Race Is Going Down To The Wire
Bloomberg reports that Mercedes' lead over BMW in the luxury car race got slimmer in November, which probably means we're in for a nail biter when year-end sales numbers come in. Mercedes is now just 1,849 vehicles ahead of BMW, which essentially is a rounding error. It looks like one of the two German automakers will take the crown, although Lexus has picked up some steam this fall. "You got some very aggressive year-end pushes going on, especially on the luxury end, where there is one hell of a race going on," Paul Ballew, chief economist at Dun & Bradstreet in Short Hills, N.J., told Bloomberg. The numbers don't include Mini for BMW or Smart for Mercedes, since those aren't luxury cars. December could get a bump because of the damage caused by Hurricane Sandy, which is starting to have an impact on sales, especially on the East Coast.
3rd Gear: Buick Puts Its Encore In Headphones
You know those Bose noise canceling headphones that you see a lot of people take on airplanes? Buick says it's borrowing Bose technology to make the Encore crossover quiet inside. It is the first time Buick has used Bose Active Noise Cancellation. "Like the popular headphones used by business travelers on airplanes, this system uses small microphones to gather and analyze sound information that's then used to project noise-canceling' sound waves through the cabin," Buick says. The system will target engine noise, "while allowing pleasant notes to pass through the cabin." The result, it says, is a "luxurious and muted, yet still engaging" experience. Encore is due at dealerships early next year, starting at $24,950.
4th Gear: The Flying Brassiere Might Get A Boost
The Wall Street Journal (sub. required) reports that hotelier Andre Balazs is in talks with the Port Authority to build a luxury hotel in the TWA Flight Center at JFK International Airport. It's that futuristic, but empty little space age terminal that sits on the airport's ground. Those of us who grew up in the airline industry have always called it the "flying brassiere" and we've all been waiting for years for somebody to find a use for it. The terminal, designed by Eero Saarinen, opened in 1962 and became obsolete in 2001, when TWA filed for bankruptcy and was absorbed by American Airlines. The Port Authority has spent $20 million on restoration and the terminal is linked to JetBlue's operations. But there's a theory that it could be put to better use than just as an objet d'art.
Reverse: Pan Am Waves Farewell
On this day in 1991, Pan American World Airways flew its last scheduled flight. The plane was a Boeing 727, which started the day in New York, went to Miami and flew on to Barbados. (That's not it in the video, that's a 747.) As the captain arrived there, airport officials told him that the airline was about to shut down, and he needed to return to Miami. The plane took Pan Am personnel with it. Now, the Blue Meatball is remembered for hipster replica totebags, a not very good TV show, and its distinctive uniforms, which some say were the epitome of airline glamour. [Michael Manning Blogspot]
In keeping with our new discussion system, here's a place for you to own the floor. We're asking each day what you think about an issue that comes up in TMS.
Today, what do you think of Consumer Reports' criticism that the Ford hybrids aren't hitting the company's mpg targets? Is that a problem, or do consumers understand that fuel economy can vary? Remember there's no right answer or wrong answer. It's Neutral.
Got tips for our editors? Want to anonymously dish some dirt on a competitor? Know something about a secret car? Email us at firstname.lastname@example.org.


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Antonio J. Romero has been named chief executive of NewLeaf Entertainment, the joint venture between Blockbuster Entertainment Corp. and IBM Corp. Romero, a 16-year veteran of IBM, most recently as general manager of domestic and international markets for South Florida operations, also will be a Blockbuster VP.
* * *
Michael Goldman has been appointed VP, business development and finance, of the Paramount Licensing Group. Neil G. Newman, previously director of marketing , was named to the newly created position of director of business development, evaluation Paramount Communications’ properties and brand names for licensing into consumer markets.
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Discovery Communications, parent of Discovery Channel and Learning Channel, has promoted Vicki Stearn director and Krista Van Lewen senior manager communications.


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Sony has been a mainstay at E3 since the annual games industry event began more than 20 years ago. But today, Sony confirmed that it will be skipping E3 2019. This marks the first time that the PlayStation platform holder has chosen to skip the show in its 24-year history.
Sony made the announcement today, saying that it continues to "look for inventive opportunities to engage the community." The desire to "innovate, think differently, and experiment with new ways to delight gamers" has led the company to opt not to participate in E3 2019, meaning the company will not hold its traditional press conference, nor will it host a booth at the show. Sony will not host an off-site event alongside E3, either.
Instead, Sony says that it will explore "new and familiar ways to engage our community in 2019" and that it "can't wait" to share those plans with PlayStation fans. However, while that will be comforting for those hoping to hear something about the PlayStation platform holder's upcoming plans, those who look forward to its annual E3 press conference will likely be disappointed. Sony's E3 pressers have given fans major announcements and the event is such a big deal that it even broadcasts it to movie theaters so that its fans can watch it together.
Though, some fans will have seen this coming. At E3 2018, Sony chose to ditch the usual glitz and glamor of its E3 press conferences, focusing on a handful of games instead. This included a ground-breaking trailer for The Last of Us: Part 2, gameplay footage of Sucker Punch Production's new game, Ghost of Tsushima, and a baffling trailer for Hideo Kojima's Death Stranding. While fans welcomed this additional insight into the hotly anticipated titles, many took it as a sign that whatever Sony is working on next, it isn't quite ready to show it off yet.
So while Sony is skipping E3 2019, the announcement may also give fans to feel excited about Sony's plans. It is rumored that the PlayStation 5 is releasing in 2021, for example. If Sony does choose to return to E3 (in whatever capacity) for E3 2020, the PlayStation platform holder may have a lot more to show. Whether that includes a new console, lots of major new exclusive games, and third-party blockbusters, is unclear. But with Sony skipping E3 2019, it means that fans have plenty more time to speculate.
Source: Game Informer


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Kathy Hughey is the lucky winner of the Shop Lee’s Summit $1,000 prize. Hughey was awarded her $1,000 check on June 20 during the annual Parks and Recreation concert Rock the Green.
The Shop Lee’s Summit contest was created by the Lee’s Summit Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the City of Lee’s Summit to educate and encourage residents to purchase goods and services in Lee’s Summit to improve the quality of the community. When residents Shop, Dine, Play in Lee’s Summit, the additional sales tax dollars goes towards improving the community and supporting its many needs.
To enter the contest residents had to fill out an official entry form and attach five original receipts from five separate businesses in Lee’s Summit (no minimum purchase necessary).
This was the third year for the contest, and the numbers continue to grow. The contest began May 1 and ended on May 31. The Chamber received 1,080 entries, totaling $164,842.63.
“My staff heard several times how excited residents were about the contest,” said Nancy Bruns, Chamber president. “However, more important than the excitement was the comments from individuals that said the contest made them really stop and think where they decided to spend their money. I think the real success of the campaign comes from the number of individuals we educated and changed habits on where they spend their dollars.”
When asked how she would spend the money, Kathy stated, “More shopping in Lee’s Summit – we’re working on our house, so I’ll be spending it in Lee’s Summit for decorating and building supplies.”


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“The money’s the same, whether you earn it or scam it.” Bobby Heenan
Invoices can be a costly matter and not always in the usual sense.
Cybercriminals believe that you would have a hard time spotting fake bills, which is why they’re increasingly using them as part of their cyberattack repertoire.
Let’s look at the following example of how a scammer duped a woman into paying over $75,000.
One customer in Perth was reportedly sent an email by Tesla with an invoice for around $75,000 to purchase a Tesla Model 3.
That invoice was then intercepted by hackers, and the bank details changed.
The customer unknowingly paid the money to a fraudulent bank account listed on the invoice. The same happened to another customer in Sydney last December 2020.
Tesla customers are not the only victims. Invoice scamming is becoming more common.
Here is an example of how Google and Facebook were milked out of $100 million in fake invoices.
A Lithuanian man and his associates found a bold way to steal from Facebook and Google – They asked for money via email.
More specifically, they sent fraudulent invoices to the California-based tech giants.
The invoices were good enough to persuade Google, which Alphabet owns, and Facebook to wire a total of more than $100 million for them from 2013 to 2015.
Cybercriminals understand the power of “brands” and will take advantage of well-known vendors since they provide credibility, authority and trustworthiness.
For example, many Apple users received fake iTunes bills for purchases they didn’t make.
Cybercriminals duplicated an authentic Apple email and placed their company’s logo on the invoice, making it difficult to determine whether it was legitimate or fake.
These scams are often so successful because they feature common items.
Products such as computer supplies are mentioned on the bill, a product so ubiquitous in many people’s budgets that it causes the recipient to automatically proceed with the payment.
Also, fraudsters conduct thorough research to make sure they’re sending the fake invoice to the right person, that is, someone who has the authority to pay but who’s unlikely to verify the purchases.
How Do These Attacks Work?
Many versions of the invoice scam have been reported, but the general con remains the same.


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More Skyrim sales records
Dec 16, 2011 at 1:02 AM -
Zenimax (Bethesda's parent company) have announced that 10 million copies of Skyrim have shipped so far, roughly one month after release. That's a huge number, although shipped does not (yet) mean they've actually earned money on it.
Next to that, Skyrim "has outsold all other PC games by a factor of three to one in the month since its release, and currently holds the title for the fastest-selling game in Steam's history
". Awesome :)
Read the full article at Joystiq


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The only itching point for the industry that may or may not remain is the fixation of cane price to be paid to farmers. This can be solved by industrys initiatives. A section of the industry, particularly the sugar cooperatives in Maharashtra in the current scenario of dismantled release mechanism has already taken up the onus of fixing the base ex-factory prices of sugar and the quantity of sugar to be sold to the traders. This fixation of the quantity to be released and base ex-factory prices will also be reviewed time to time in response to market situations by the Maharshtra sugar cooperatives. If the industry can do this then certainly they can fix a market-oriented rational cane prices to be paid to farmers.
In the current scenario, if the government takes a quick decision to abolish the system of procuring 10 per cent sugar from mills at a predetermined price, the fixation of statutory minimum price (SMP) for canes will have practically no relevance. Currently, the country average SMP for canes is Rs 645 per tonne linked to sugar recovery of 8.5 per cent. SMPs are also fixed zonewise and millwise, taking into account the estimated differential sugar recovery percentage and cost of cane production. The price of levy sugar which the government procures mandatorily from mills are determined on basis of these SMPs.
SMPs are not the cane prices which are actually paid to farmers. Many sugar producing states declare state advised prices (SAPs) for canes, basing mostly on political criteria and less on economic reasons. In the current sugar year the UP government has announced Rs 95 a quintal as SAP for canes linked to sugar recovery of 8.5 per cent. Centering the declared SAPs the mills negotiate with farmers the purchase price for canes. Mills have often complained that they are paying higher cane prices which is eating into their profitability and this is due to the irrational fixation of SAPs.
Last year, on the demand from the industry, the government asked the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP), which already fixes the SMPs, to determine the actual price at which the canes should be procured from farmers. But a year has lapsed and the CACP seems to have cooly shelved the issue!
Now, it seems that the industry have to solve this problem and they should rightly. One of the main criteria, which the industry was suggesting to the CACP to consider, was fixation of cane prices for the coming sugar year on basis of 60 to 65 per cent realisation by mills on sugar sales of the previous year.
If this happens in the current scenario of dismantled periodic release mechanism for freesale sugar coupled with the likely removal of levy procurement by government, the industry would be totally decontrolled.
Time is now for the industry to collectively decide which way to go and how. For the government to totally decontrol the industry is only one simple step ie to remove the 10 per cent levy obligation. But the major onus is on the industry.
It is a section of the industry which had gone to the courts asking for dismantling of the peroidic release mechanism on some pretext or the other. Now, as they have created this situation, they need to solve it in their own interests. Will the industry take this opportunity for total decontrol instead of asking the government to reinstate the periodic release mechanism and work under state intervention
In all perfect interests, the industry, at this point of time, should take up the onus of fixing the quantity of sugar to be released in a particular period and determine the prices at which they should sell to traders on a countrywide basis.
They should also fix the cane prices to be paid to farmers against specific sucrose content. Industry and sugar dealers should actively participate in futures trading. If this is done, the industry needs not bank on the governments assurance for funding buffer stocking of sugar.


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It was reveled this week that Disney was among the top brands that the millennial generation is most emotionally connected to. Here are the details…Read More
Disney Company News
Reports are surfacing that Comcast, an original bidder for the Fox properties, may be looking to get back into the picture and interrupt Disney’s Fox purchase. Here is what we know.
A deal was announced this week that will expand Disney’s reach into China’s massive consumer base pretty significantly. The deal was between Disney-owned Buena Vista International and Alibaba-owned Youku (think YouTube of China) and centered on providing Dinsey cartoon content for the Chinese streaming platform.
Disney Chairman and CEO, Bob Iger announced today that over 125,000 eligible Disney employees will be soon receiving a $1,000 bonus. Here are the details.
Disney continued to rack up the accolades this week as Fortune named them one of the ‘World’s Most Admired Companies’ in their 2018 rankings. Here are the details.
Everything you need to know about D23 membership, how to join and the amazing D23 member perks recently announced.
The Disney Magic of Storytelling initiative aims at donating up to 1 million books to children in need. Here are the details.
Disney icon Minnie Mouse will be receiving a star on the famous Hollywood Walk of Fame this month. Find out all of the details, including where to watch the ceremony, here.
The Lion Guard: The Rise of Scar DVD was released today. Here is everything you need to know about the DVD.
Last updated: 12/31/17For decades, Disney kept their operations very close to the vest. While they operated across a number of channels, spanning all realms of…
Walt Disney Parks and Resorts was named a top honoree at the 20th annual Food Allergy Ball. Here are the details.
What has been rumored for a few weeks now was made official this morning- The Walt Disney Company will be acquiring 21st Century Fox, Inc. Here are the details.


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Chip Maker TSMC Reports 'Big Drop' in Crypto Mining Revenue
Chip-making giant TSMC has reported a significant drop in revenue for its crypto mining segment in 2018.
Chip-making giant Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) has reported a slump in its crypto mining business revenue for last year.
In the transcript, TSMC’s CEO and vice chairman C. C. Wei said that the firm’s HPC (high-performance computing) segment was down in 2018 on a year-on-year basis, when its cryptocurrency mining business was included.
When excluding mining, the HPC segment grew “slightly,” he added.
TSMC did not provide specific figures for its crypto mining business in the transcript, because “it belongs to one of the big customers,” possibly a reference to crypto mining giant Bitmain as it remains the firm’s primary customer.
Nearly 60 percent of Bitmain’s total chip supply came from TSMC in 2017 and the first half of 2018, according to its initial public offering application filed with the Hong Kong Stock Exchange back in September.
TSMC also witnessed slower demand for crypto miners in Q4 2018, which resulted in inventory build-up.
“You can imagine that cryptocurrencies mining, they dropped quite a lot,” Wei said, adding: “I will say it's more due to the sudden drop in the demand rather than there's some hidden inventory that we cannot see.”
On the outlook for its crypto mining business in 2019, Wei said that the firm can't provide a percentage forecast because the sector is “volatile."
Overall, on a consolidated basis, TSMC posted revenues of $9.40 billion in Q4 of 2018, showing a growth of 10.7 percent on a quarter-on-quarter basis and 2 percent on a year-on-year basis.
TSMC’s SVP and chief financial officer Lora Ho said: “Our fourth quarter business benefited from the strong demand for our 7 nanometer technology covering both mobile and high performance computing applications."
For this quarter, TSMC has cut its revenue estimation to $7.3 billion–$7.4 billion, as the firm expects its business will be "dampened by the overall weakening of the macroeconomic outlook, mobile product seasonality, and high levels of inventory in the semiconductor supply chain,” according to Ho.
Computer processors image via Shutterstock
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Learn more about Consensus 2024, CoinDesk’s longest-running and most influential event that brings together all sides of crypto, blockchain and Web3. Head to consensus.coindesk.com to register and buy your pass now.


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Maruti Suzuki is priced at Rs. Extended up. 22,000, applicable from 18 April 2022
Maruti Suzuki has announced an increase in the price of their car in the Indian market this month. Recent price updates affect every passenger car in the Indo-Japanese carmaker’s range that is reserved for two models – the Ertiga and XL6. It should be noted that the Maruti XL6 will be updated soon, and its updated pricing will be introduced when the new version is launched.
Also, the updated 2022 Maruti Ertiga was launched just a few days ago, so its price has not been increased yet. Maruti Suzuki’s most affordable model – the Alto – has risen in rupee. 8,000 across the table. The same is true of S-Presso – rupee increase. 8,000 in all variants.
Maruti Celerio price rises to Rs. 11,000, although some variants of the hatchback did not cost much. For Wagon-R, the price has gone up by Rs. 5,000 to 10,000, depending on the variant. The price of Maruti Swift has gone up by Rs. 1,900 on base trim, Rs. 1,900 on all other variants. 8,000
For Dzire, it has increased the price by Rs 4,500 to Rs 15,000 Indo-Japanese brand compact SUV – Vitara Breza – priced at Rs. In the 15,000 Select variant, for others, the price remains unchanged.
Maruti Eeco price rises to Rs. 5,530 to Rs. 10,887. For Ignis, the price has gone up by Rs. The 14,000 Maruti Baleno, which was launched just a few months ago in its updated incarnation, now has a maximum of Rs. 22,000
|Maruti Suzuki price hike – April 2022|
|Maruti Alto||Money up to 8.000|
|Maruti S-at||Up to Rs 8,000|
|Maruti Celerio||Up to Rs 11,000|
|Maruti Wagon-R||Up to 10,000 rupees|
|Maruti Swift||Up to Rs 8,000|
|Maruti Desire||Up to Rs 15,000|
|Maruti Vitara Hawa||Up to Rs 15,000|
|Maruti Echo||10,887 up to Rs|
|Maruti Suzuki Ignis||Up to Rs 14,000|
|Maruti Baleno||Up to Rs 22,000|
|Maruti Siaz||Up to Rs.12,500|
|Maruti S-Cross||Up to Rs 15,000|
Maruti Ciaz price rises to Rs. 12,500, depending on the variant. At Maruti S-Cross, Rs. Increment up to 7 15,000 views. The updated price of the Maruti Suzuki car will be applicable from April 18, 2022.
All of the above increases are for ex-showroom prices


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Today (September 16) is the final day of nominations for this year's Southport Ambassador Awards.
The event, which will take place on Thursday, November 3, celebrates the work of the Southport people within the hospitality, tourism, leisure and retail industry.
Following the huge success of last year’s ceremony , the event will again take place at Southport Theatre and Convention Centre.
There are, however, some changes to the nomination process, with some categories already having a pre-selected 'top six'.
A wide scope of businesses will be highlighted at the awards ceremony – all of which make a significant contribution.
So if you know an unsung hero or hidden gem in our town, have experienced exemplary service or had a particularly memorable meal - now’s your chance to say thank you!
Nominations for the Southport Ambassador Awards 2016 are now closed.


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Before the lockdowns, EV sales in China, the world’s second-largest economy, were booming. Tesla sales in China jumped more than half in the first quarter while sales from its rival, BYD, quintupled, according to Reuters.
China is sticking to a strict “zero-COVID” policy even as many other countries are easing restrictions and seeing if they can live with the virus. Much of Shanghai — a finance, manufacturing, and shipping hub — remains locked down, disrupting people’s lives and dealing a blow to the economy.
Millions remain restricted to their buildings or compounds in Shanghai under a lockdown that has only slightly eased. Showrooms, stores, and malls in Shanghai, China’s largest city, are shut and the city’s 25 million residents are only shopping for basic necessities.
A dealer of a premium German car brand in Jiangsu province, told Reuters that the current lockdowns “could be worse than the first wave of COVID in 2020, when the economy recovery was quick and strong.”
“Nowadays, there are more uncertainties in the economy, and the stock and property markets are not doing well,” he said.
Credit Suisse analysts said they believe the COVID control measures are putting consumption on a downward spiral, writing in an April 19 research note: “We the consumer sector as being at major risk of the prolonged pandemic and further tightening continue across China.”
City officials across China are trying to mitigate these problems by artificially propping up demand, giving residents millions of dollars’ worth of shopping vouchers to encourage spending.
Guangdong on Friday, for instance, began handing subsidies of up to 8,000 yuan ($1,200) to encourage sales of “new energy vehicles” like Volkswagen and BYD.
Many Chinese marked a quiet May Day this year as the government’s “zero-COVID” approach restricts travel and enforces lockdowns. Only a trickle of visitors strolled the pedestrian-only streets on Sunday in Beijing’s historic Qianmen district, which normally would be bustling with tourists on what was a national holiday and a sunny spring day.
Under an order announced the previous afternoon, all Beijing restaurants were closed to dine-in customers Sunday and can offer only takeout and delivery through the end of the national holiday on Wednesday.
The major outbreak in Shanghai, where the death toll has topped 400, appears to be easing. The city recorded about 7,200 new locally transmitted cases on Saturday, down from a peak of 27,605 on April 13. Outside of Shanghai, only 364 new cases were found in the rest of mainland China.
Beijing, which has tallied 350 cases in the past nine days, is restricting activity to try to prevent a large outbreak and avoid a citywide lockdown similar to Shanghai. Individual buildings and housing complexes with coronavirus cases have been sealed off. Gyms and theaters have been closed for the holiday period. Visitors to many office buildings and tourist sites such as the Great Wall must show proof of a negative COVID-19 test within the previous 48 hours.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.


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One of Uber's earliest investors explains why he invested in the first place, and how the company is going to keep growing past its IPO
Menlo Ventures led Uber’s Series B in 2011. Here’s what Menlo's Shawn Carolan want to invest in the first place.
'I won't be perfect, but I will listen to you.' Uber CEO outlines the company's 'enormous' opportunity while acknowledging its turbulent past in letter to investors
In Uber's IPO filing, CEO Dara Khosrowshahi outlined the opportunity he sees for the company's future while acknowledging that it's made some missteps.
Uber has had a tough year, and reports of its finances show that although bookings are up, it had a huge loss in the third quarter.
Washington state’s attorney general sues Uber over failing to notify rides and drivers of its 2016 data breach.
Uber's pick for its next CEO hasn't accepted the job yet, but his Twitter account makes it look like he will
Expedia CEO Dara Khosrowshahi has yet to formally accept the Uber job, but based on his Twitter activity, it may only be a matter of time before he does.
Here's why one Wall Street analyst who has tracked Uber's new CEO for years says he's perfect for the job
The new Uber CEO will face unique challenges, but one analyst thinks the former Expedia CEO is primed for the job.


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Qantas Airways has been given initial approval from Australia’s competition authority for its proposed alliance with Dubai-based Emirates.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) said the benefits of the tie-up – such as co-ordinating ticket prices and schedules – would outweigh the reduced competition.
It will make a final decision in March.
Qantas and Emirates announced their alliance plans back in September. Neither is investing in the other.
“The ACCC considers that the alliance is likely to result in material, although not substantial, benefits to Australian consumers,” ACCC chairman Rod Sims said in a statement.
“The main benefit arising from the alliance is an improved product and service offering by the two airlines to their customers.”
Qantas is seeking the alliance as it aims to turnaround its loss-making international service.
“A key objective is to make Qantas International strong and viable, and bring it back to profitability,” said Alan Joyce, chief executive of Qantas.
“This partnership will help us do that.”
The tie-up with Emirates will see Qantas end its existing relationship with British Airways.


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With the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic around the world, and the enhanced strain on data networks caused by home working and isolation – Disney Plus have announced that they will launch with reduced stream quality to assist in ensuring networks can cope.
Confirming that they’re set to lower bandwidth in order to handle demand, Kevin Mayer of Disney said: “In line with Disney’s longstanding commitment to act responsibly, we are responding to the request of European Commissioner for Internal Market Thierry Breton to work together to ensure the smooth functioning of the broadband infrastructure.
“In anticipation of high consumer demand for Disney+, we are proactively instituting measures to lower our overall bandwidth utilisation by at least 25 per cent in all of the markets launching Disney+ on March 24.
“In the coming days, we will be monitoring Internet congestion and working closely with Internet service providers to further reduce bitrates as necessary to ensure they are not overwhelmed by consumer demand. We look forward to the launch of Disney+ and hope it will provide a much-needed respite for families in these challenging and trying times.”
Disney follows fellow streaming networks Netflix, and Amazon Prime in taking this action.


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Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. has named a new CEO after a very long and lengthy search for one.
The world’s biggest generic drug maker has decided on Kare Schultz to be its president and CEO after former CEO Erez Vigodman left for undisclosed reasons. Yitzhak Peterburg has been the company’s interim CEO since February.
Since 2015, Schultz has been the CEO of H. Lundbeck A/S and has also been the COO of Novo Nordisk A/S.
Teva shares have suffered this year with the stock losing more than 50% since January. The company also announced last month that it cut its full-year guidance and slashed its dividend 75%.
Peterburg cited “customer consolidation, greater competition as a result of an increase in generic drug approvals by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and some new product launches that were either delayed or subjected to more competition.”
“With extensive global pharmaceutical experience, a strong track record executing corporate turnaround strategies, driving growth and international expansion at low incremental cost and delivering on promises to shareholders, as well as a commitment to a culture of compliance, Kare is the right leader to take Teva to the next level,” Chairman of Teva’s Board Dr. Sol J. Barer said in a statement.
Disclaimer: We have no position in Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd (ADR) ADR (NYSE: TEVA) and have not been compensated for this article.


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6th December 2021 | Pharma Updates
3 Corona cases at Adcock Ingram Limited visited by India's first Omicron patient
The regional director of the pharmaceutical firm visited the firm for a board meeting.
Aurobindo, Unichem recalls products in US
These drug firms are recalling products due to manufacturing issues.
The world has produced enough vaccines than it can use, Adar Poonawalla, warns
Adar Poonawalla, CEO of the Serum Institute of India, has cautioned the world has stockpiled more Covid vaccines than it can use.
IPC flags reactions related to Diclofenac
Indian Pharmacopoeia Commision has pointed out that Diclofenac is associated with skin hyperpigmentation.
Flow Solution to Biotech companies
Ami Polymer Pvt Ltd is happy to provide tubings to vaccine makers Serum Institute of India & Bharat Biotech.
Covid Expert Team to Decide on ‘Additional’ Dose of Vaccine Today
The issue of giving an additional shot to immunocompromised people will be discussed.
Lupin partners with Biomm for Pegfilgrastim
Pegfilgrastim is used to lessen the duration of neutropenia and the incidence of febrile neutropenia in patients receiving chemotherapy.


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Prime digicam evaluate website DPReview has announced that the positioning will likely be shutting down—after virtually 1 / 4 century of operation. The shock transfer comes as tech corporations, together with DPReview guardian firm Amazon, announce numerous brutal cost-cutting measures. At first of the yr, Amazon mentioned they might reduce 18,000 employees, and the net retailer just announced one other 9,000 lay-offs.
DPReview Basic Supervisor Scott Everett wrote: “The location will stay lively till April 10, and the editorial staff remains to be engaged on opinions and searching ahead to delivering a few of our best-ever content material. Everybody on our workers was a reader and fan of DPReview earlier than working right here, and we’re grateful for the communities that fashioned across the website.”
Over the past a number of years, DPReview has been synonymous with the entertaining, and sometimes hilarious, YouTube movies offered by Chris Nichols and Jordan Drake, reviewing images and videography points, respectively, of the newest cameras. Luckily, followers of the dynamic duo (us included) received’t have to fret, as a result of Chris and Jordan will likely be heading up PetaPixel’s new YouTube channel, launching in Could.
On behalf of all DPGers who’ve loved DPReview through the years, we’d like to provide the DPReview staff a Gold Award.


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Still, the good news is there should be plenty of freebies to covet all over the Minute Maid Park schedule this season.
The Astros confirmed part of their slate of giveaways for the season, which includes various limited edition jerseys and a bobblehead featuring one intense stare.
The announcement of the new giveaways punctuated the team's additional unveiling of this season's newest rallying cry: Take It Back. The statement will be used as a hashtag throughout the season on the team's social media accounts.
Though the list is partial, the Astros said they will release the official promotion schedule when single game tickets go on sale to the public on March 7.
Here is the official slate of the 2019 season promotions, so far:
- April 26 vs. Cleveland: Alex Bregman Stare bobblehead giveaway, presented by H-E-B
- May 11 vs. Texas: Justin Verlander replica white jersey giveaway, presented by Houston Methodist
- June 8 vs. Baltimore: Jose Altuve navy jersey giveaway, presented by Coca-Cola
- June 16 vs. Toronto (Father's Day): Astros Hawaiian shirt giveaway, presented by Houston Methodist
- Aug. 2-4 vs. Seattle: Astros Hall of Fame Weekend, presented by Houston Methodist
RELATED: Dad emotional after getting trip to Houston Astros Spring Training for Christmas
Jose Altuve likes Astros' 2019 chances ahead of spring training


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The DigiTech website now lists each of its products, including those from DOD, as “currently not available”. Further, DigiTech appears to have been taken down from parent company Harman’s brand page.
Some users discussing the topic on The Gear Page reported being able to purchase pedals from the site as recently as 4 April. Many have speculated that the marks have been sold to a different company.
According to an archived version of the Harman website [via Wayback Machine], DOD products were still listed and purchasable back in February 2022.
Ryan Bruce, host of the Riffs, Beards & Gear YouTube channel, discussed the brands’ disappearance from the Harman website in a video yesterday (12 April).
DigiTech’s offerings have spanned numerous stompboxes and multi-effects units, but the brand is perhaps best known for its pitch shifters, ranging from the Whammy and Drop to the Ricochet.
Many of DigiTech and DOD’s greatest innovations happened while product development was led by Tom Cram. These included such products as the Whammy 5, Ricochet, Mosfet Gunslinger, Rubberneck Analog Delay, iStomp, Boneshaker and Carcosa Fuzz.
In 2018, Cram and his team were laid off after it was decided that DigiTech and DOD would be integrated into the Samsung-owned Harman.
Cram, who now runs his own Spiral Electric FX, has shot down rumours of him rejoining DigiTech or DOD in a statement posted to his personal Facebook account:
“I’m getting a lot of DM’s with questions about DigiTech/DOD. I don’t know what is going on, I haven’t spoken to anyone at Samsung since 2018,” he said. “However, I will say to those predicting a good outcome, you need to push those rosy thoughts right out of your heads.”
Guitar.com has reached out to Harman for comment. Stay tuned for more on this story.


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Telecom industry is growing day by day. In India 4G is available in almost all places, it’s started from Reliance Jio. In coming days in the future internet will be the main source for digitalization Country. So internet speed becomes necessary day by day. People want faster data connections. OnePlus is a brand who makes its name in India telecom market by delivering a quality product.
There is good news for Indian Consumer that OnePlus is going to launch 5G compatibility mobile phone in the Indian market. This has been confirmed by the company’s CEO Pete Lau. As per him after OnePlus 6 which is launched a few days ago, there will be another flagship phone called OnePlus 7 which will be with the 5G compatibility.
Extend the sales of the OnePlus company is going to partnerships with US carriers. Lau delivered the comments on the continuing Cellular World Congress Shanghai in China. Nowadays people love OnePlus smartphones. You can put any company sim cards in OnePlus smartphones. Partnership with a US carrier will support it become better sales in the market. It’s expected that OnePlus 7 will may launch next year.
According to a report by PCMag. “Lau said that his company’s relationship with Qualcomm is leading to OnePlus becoming one of the first 5G mobile phone makers and that the launch will sync up with the first year of 5G being available in the US,” writes the article in PCMag.
We are waiting for 5G in coming future and We think not only OnePlus, but also all companies like Samsung, Xiaomi, Nokia, Vivo, Oppo will make 5G smartphones also. Let’s see who will provide better with affordable price segment.[content-egg module=Amazon template=list]


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Results For "AMPL"
64 News Found
Rohan Ekbote, GM - Media Planning, Vodafone, on OAA 2022 Jury panel
In OOH News By M4G Bureau - July 27, 2022
Rohan is an experienced media professional with 15 years of experience in media planning, campaign amplification and media buying, both in digital & traditional media spaces.
QMS ties up with Amplified Intelligence for OOH attention study
In OOH News By Rajiv Raghunath - June 20, 2022
There is no question the future of advertising will lean on attention,” says Christian Zavecz, QMS Chief Strategy Officer.
Next WOO Congress in Lisbon on June 7-9, 2023
In OOH News By Rajiv Raghunath - June 08, 2022
The Toronto Congress featured indepth discussions on wide ranging areas, such as, programmatic, what clients want from OOH, sustainability, diversity and the way digital OOH amplifies social media in real time.
OAAA forms Brand Council to amplify OOH role in omnichannel marketing mix, other areas
In OOH News By M4G Bureau - May 05, 2022
We are excited to work together with this esteemed group of brand leaders, states Anna Bager, President and CEO, OAAA
Go brave, urges ¬Parle Agro’s new 360 degree campaign for brand ‘B Fizz’
In Campaigns By N Jayalakshmi - March 30, 2022
Featuring brand ambassador Arjun Kapoor, new multi-channel campaign, which underlines B Fizz as a ‘drink for the brave’, will be amplified across TV, Outdoor, Digital and OTT platforms
World Out of Home Organization's 1st Africa Forum on Feb 3
In OOH News By Rajiv Raghunath - January 28, 2022
The virtual conference will feature speakers from Africa and outside, covering all aspects of the Africa OOH industry and its place in the wider media market
OOH will regain 100% of its pre-pandemic audiences: Tim Bleakley, CEO, Ocean Outdoor
DOOH major Ocean Outdoor has sustained the focus on digital OOH, spectacular displays like 3D illusion, interactive technologies including haptics, content portfolio for live events, amplifying good causes, among others. Tim Bleakley says now “all brands from all categories are coming back to the medium”


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That’s according to Vision Mobile (The leading research company in the app economy) who at the behest of Google have “… set out to assess the state of the UK app industry in 2014 and find out whether the UK is on the right track to becoming a vibrant and global hub for the app economy.”
“The UK App Economy is a research report that charts the mobile app economy in the region, investigating revenues, jobs, the profile of the British app developer, and how the UK can provide better opportunities for developers. This report contains the findings from the UK App Developer Census, an online survey of 300+ UK mobile app developers”.
Amongst their conclusions / “takeaways” are that the UK app industry:
- will exceed £4 billion in revenues in 2014
- will be growing at a CAGR of 38% between 2013 and 2015 and 22% between 2013 and 2025
- has approximately 8,000 companies that are directly involved in app development
- has approximately 380,000 jobs centred around the app economy
- they expect, will create approximately 30,000 new jobs in the next 12 months.
So “The UK is certainly among the top global tech hubs with several metrics indicating that it is in fact the biggest tech hub in Europe and most likely the second most important tech hub after the US. In 2013 the UK accounted for over a third of the total app revenues generated in EU28 and slightly less than a fifth of all app developers in the EU28”.
Much more besides in this excellent report which can be downloaded on registration.


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It's Star Trek technology or primitive replicators coming to our century. Printing was, for years, limited to the business environment. Eventually it arrived in homes to consumer users. But, the next step in printing comes in three-dimensions -- 3D printing -- giving users the ability to 'print' (with lasers and computer-aided cutting machines) items for machines, computers, and even body parts.
It will only be a matter of time before home users will be able to download schematics and blueprints from the Web and create their own products from their home office as the technology becomes more simplified.
It's a distance away yet, but 2013 will see a dramatic rise in the 3D printing sector, along with the associated ethical issues with it. Should you be able to print a firearm at home? Should 3D printers be used with stem cells to build body parts? And should the schematics or blueprints be offered through 'pirate' sites? Where there will be 3D printing, there will likely be strict regulation.
A relatively new technology, the idea of 'augmented reality' in the real world involves holding up a phone's camera to produce real-life items that will 'light up' and display information. Your phone's screen is a looking glass to the wider world, and you could explore your surroundings with 'hidden' nuggets pulled from the Web.
With the announcement of Google Glass earlier this year, the search giant is bringing the augmented 'reality' one step closer by cutting out the middle-man device. The glasses include a heads-up display where those who wear the device can check their messages, record video, and see additional information about the environment they are in.
While Google Glass isn't expected until 2014, the wider industry will be working frantically to bring their own offerings to the table. It will also open up the floodgates to other competitors jumping in and offering their own solutions to a problem that never actually existed. Perhaps a fad for now, augmented reality and Google Glass-like functionality could be the first step -- aside from human bionic limbs -- toward the 'humanification' of technology. Watch this space in 2013.
Will Apple launch its own television set in 2013? It's possible, and very likely -- if the analysts are right -- but when, and at what price?
Apple lost out to the sub-$200 mini-tablet range by pricing its own 7-inch iPad mini at a price premium. The Cupertino, Calif.-based technology giant has not broken down the figures, but analysts still believe the mini-tablet has failed to take off. If Apple takes the same approach with a fully-fledged 'smart TV,' it may not revitalize the wider technology market.
The problem is that televisions are not replaced very often, and are low margin products. This is why Sony, Sharp and Panasonic, and others -- excluding Samsung which is faring the weather well -- are struggling to stay afloat and are looking at financing options. A break into the television market would be an automatic failure, but if Apple could control it -- as it would -- it would be more than a "hobby business," as Apple chief executive Tim Cook said at the company's fourth quarter earnings call, but also be less than a dire waste of time.
Still, by bringing iTunes and pay-per-view content to the television set, the devices could be sold at a modest premium with razor-thin margins -- just as Google and Amazon do with their tablets -- and still rake in the cash long-term with the television content factor.
Wikileaks has had a relatively quiet year, in spite of Julian Assange's 'house arrest' in the Ecuadorian Embassy in London.
Anonymous, however, has remained busy, taking down what it deems to be unethical companies, exposing security holes in networks, and above all else -- it seems -- having fun in the process. The hacking collective typically works 'for the people' exposing wrongdoing and illegal behavior and activities.
Wikileaks' Assange has already promised to release many more leaks in the coming year that could have lasting effects on governments and private industries. Outside of the Wikileaks collective, Anonymous and its affiliates will continue to exploit security weaknesses 'for the lulz,' and the possibility that governments will begin to exploit these hackers for their own purposes.
Cyber-weaponry will continue to be used as an effective method of destroying physical items with computer code, such as with the rise of Stuxnet, Duqu, and Flame among others. Where drone missiles and tactical military strikes once did the most damage, the 'unknown' governments behind these attacks will anonymously strike at regional targets that pose ongoing threats to domestic and international security.
Big data was one of the biggest enterprise buzzwords of 2012. Simply put, it's making use of 'big' amounts of 'data' through a variety of sources, from shopping details, climate information, data collected from smartphones, device feedback, and a variety of devices that connect to the 'Internet of things'.
That data becomes an untapped mine of information and feedback -- and by using analytics retail decisions can change, and flaws in processes can be identified, along with increasing revenue through data trading or data resale.
Jobs in big data will increase rapidly in 2013 in order to help extrapolate the goldmine that the vast amounts of information that consumers provide and companies collect in order to improve the world as we know it. Real-time analytics will be standardized; the ability to predict the next major shifts in finance and banking will become a reality, and the enterprise will benefit hugely from new strategies eminating from the new data-analytics technologies.
Startups and small-to-medium-sized businesses will continue to embrace the bring-your-own-device (BYOD) policies to let their employees and staff work with gear that they enjoy and to cut company costs and IT spending.
With the release of Windows 8, those bringing in laptops and tablets will be able to connect to corporate networks and access the applications, documents and services that are needed to work remotely or from the office. But, with a mix of cloud productivity applications and services bridging the gap, those who work flexibly or from home on a regular basis will be able to connect to networks without edging too closely to sensitive databases or within the network.
However, it's unlikely that BYOD trends will extend fully to the enterprise setting. While Android retains the highest market share in the mobile space, combined with difficulties in back-end mobile management services for the platform, IT security policies will shun many of the devices that run on the majority of devices. But, those running familiar back-end managed devices, such as iPhones and iPads, will have simpler and easier access to services within the company firewall, thanks to the device's policy management.
Brazil, Russia, India and China -- the so-called BRIC nations -- are showing budding potential for corporate expansions. Amazon has already spread its wings to Brazil, as has Microsoft, and Lenovo is pushing hard to bring a local PC-building plant in the country, while it remains the most popular PC manufacturer in China, a key market for others to crack.
As market saturation reaches its peak and companies continue to want to expand, higher import taxes are making it nigh on impossible to break into new markets. Companies therefore have to set up shop in these BRIC countries in order to tap into the vast revenue streams. But tougher local regulations will make it difficult, and governments of emerging markets are yet to extend the hand of friendship to these firms. That middle ground could arrive at some point in 2013, allowing for huge profits for the coming year.
2013 will be make or break for two major mobile companies: Research in Motion, the Canadian maker of the humble BlackBerry smartphone, and Finland-based Nokia, which has dabbled in just about every kind of mobile device known to man.
RIM's BlackBerry market share has tumbled over the past year, while Nokia recently sold its Espoo, Finland headquarters in order to conserve its cash, which it's burning through at an alarming rate. Nokia isn't making any money, neither is RIM, and both companies are betting on devices and products that have yet to be released or are yet to make any significant impact in the market.
BlackBerry 10 will make or break RIM, meanwhile Nokia has to pray that Windows Phone will take off, considering Nokia's and Microsoft's bid to bring the platform to China, in order to survive the turbulent financial times elsewhere.
Apple remains -- despite its recent share price tumbles -- the most powerful and wealthiest technology company in the world, while Microsoft still has more users of its products than any other firm in the world.
The duopoly between the two remains, just as it earlier in the decade. But the two companies in the past year have seen extreme highs and extreme lows. How the two technology behemoths will hold on to their respective highs in the coming year will be something to watch. It's entirely likely that Apple and Microsoft will go back to being 'ordinary' technology companies, and little will separate them from each other or the wider community.
Windows 8 will likely, despite analysts hedging their outlooks, become a massive success, despite its sluggish start. Most organizations are expected to roll out the next-generation software to their existing machines. At the same time, Apple's dominance in the post-PC world will see its share of the tablet market steady out and take the crown away from the traditional PC market.
That said, Microsoft's Windows share could suffer as a result of a rise in mobile operating systems while Apple's share price and troubles in keeping up with the innovation curve in 2012 could see the firm fall back to the mid-2000s.
While both scenarios are possible, the complete reverse could also -- and may -- happen. The PC/post-PC world is still in transition, and only time will tell if the two companies, singularly or respectively, have kept up with the trends.
Plenty of strange acronyms and new sayings from 2012, but perhaps the strangest and non-descript is the 'Internet of things.'
The concept is simple: ordinary household and personal items have become connected to the wider world through networking connections, near-field communications (NFC) and Bluetooth. For instance, that relationship allows jewelry to change color with the weather, glasses to show what time it is, and other seemingly ordinary items that will connected to the outside world and react accordingly. 2013 is the year where this will likely take off and become a brand new phase to our inter-connected lives.
From a business and enterprise perspective, it will allow for more informed business decisions and interaction without human intervention, such as printers telling manufacturers when ink levels are low or when a computer's hardware needs replacing.
In 2013, the U.S. cellular market will become increasingly competitive, despite the troubles they face. Following the failed attempt by AT&T to acquire T-Mobile, partly thanks to the intervention by the U.S. Department of Justice, the smaller networks have been bidding for others in order to bolster their financial positions and network infrastructure.
With cellular saturation at its peak, the only way these companies can grow either domestically or internationally is to acquire their rivals with the closest set of hardware to their own. With T-Mobile and MetroPCS set to merge by the second quarter. The Sprint and Clearwire deal set to clear later in 2013 now that Softbank, the primary shareholder of Sprint, gave its thumbs up to the deal, we expect to see a series of larger networks to take on the behemoths of AT&T and Verizon.
As 4G LTE is set to edge in to take the place of older technologies, falling short of actually replacing GPRS, EDGE and 3G, infrastructures will grow and develop with additional investment from outside companies, and become increasingly internationalized as LTE becomes the global standard for next-generation communications.
Businesses will increasingly rely on the cloud to separate BYOD employees from sensitive corporate data, while the cloud will become more and more a center for power and processing. The cloud is no longer 'just' storage; it is a powerful engine -- and its power will become increasingly exploited in 2013 and the years to come.
Issues and legalities over cloud data sovereignty will come to a head this year when the EU will likely have to go back to the drawing board on new data protection proposals, that affects more than just the 27 bloc of countries. Issues over where cloud data is stored and who can access that data will remain in focus, but solutions to these problems may not come to fruition overnight.
What is clear, however, is that major businesses will shun the public cloud for now -- until these problems and worries can be solved or alleviated. Expect more controversy in 2013 regarding the cloud. Ultimately, only our politicians can only solve these issues.
The former Web giant has a new chief executive, veteran Google executive and mobile expert Marissa Mayer. How she will bring her expertise to the company has yet to be seen, but 2013 could be where Yahoo stretches its wings from years in technological captivity.
The reason is simple: Yahoo is pushing mobile with mergers, acquisitions, and in-house development. Mobile is the key strategy for the company as it attempts to revive the ailing brand. Most major companies have yet to monetize mobile: Apple has its application store, as does Google, but both have yet to see their mobile advertising strategies take off. Meanwhile, Facebook has around one-third of its one-billion-plus users on mobile that it has yet to work out what to do with them.
If Yahoo nails the mobile platform, it can return to its former glory days.