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Online Event Continues to Educate & Inspire the Roofing Community
by Marcus Dodson, publisher
Mark your calendars for the upcoming Virtual Western Roofing Expo 2020, the premier regional roofing and waterproofing event in the United States, hosted by the Western States Roofing Contractors Association (WSRCA). The event will take place July 1-15, 2020, and Virtual Western Roofing Expo registrants will have access to an online trade show and webinars until December 31, 2020. This self-pacing feature allows registrants to enjoy every webinar and visit every trade show booth, a task that is nearly impossible at the traditional Western Roofing Expo.
Many in the roofing industry rely on the WSRCA to elevate their businesses with vital educational sessions, by discovering cost-saving products and services in the marketplace, and the opportunity to network with old friends and create new relationships. By releasing registrants from the burden of travel and the cost of exhibiting, the WSRCA is allowing the roofing industry to continue to grow during these unprecedented times. “As you have come to expect from the WSRCA, we have turned this challenge into an opportunity for the industry,” said WSRCA executive director, Thomas Papas.
The WSRCA is excited to provide dynamic virtual activities, including: an interactive list of exhibitors, which allows registrants to explore and discover new product videos, show specials, and professional services for the modern roofing professional; specials on roofing products that professionals use in everyday business; videos on the latest products available on today’s roofing market, as well as how to maximize profits and minimize labor expenses; and a virtual networking floor where registrants can ask questions about different products and services, and discover new ways to increase their bottom line. Also included will be over 20 live and on-demand webinars selected by the WSRCA contractor panel, including proper installation of roofing systems, how to maintain OSHA compliance, and ways to avoid costly legal mistakes; the opportunity to earn IIBEC and AIA CEUs; product demonstrations that showcase products and professional services that can make a huge impact on sales; members-only raffle prizes; legislative updates from the WSRCA’s Washington insider, Craig Brightup; the WSRCA’s scholarship award ceremony; and a virtual silent auction to benefit the Davis Memorial Foundation Scholarship Program.
“In these unprecedented times, the WSRCA has found ways to still bring you education on new and inventive products,” stated WSRCA president, Leo Ibarra. “That’s what this association is all about; continuing to adapt the industry in this ever-changing world. I am honored to be a part of such an incredible organization and can’t wait to see you at the virtual Western Roofing Expo.”
Attendees can pre-register for the Virtual Western Roofing Expo by clicking here.


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With the future of Modern Warfare unclear, Infinity Ward respawning and Medal of Honor back in the game, Treyarch has thrown down the gauntlet to rivals, stating that Call of Duty: Black Ops "will be the best Call of Duty in the franchise".
The confident words came from Treyarch community manager Josh Olin, speaking to Eurogamer TV in an interview you can watch below.
Olin pointed to the fact that Treyarch had employed separate teams for "the core pillars", multiplayer, co-op and single-player. "It's kind of like three games being developed at once," he said.
The fallout from Activision's public spat with Infinity Ward's former studio heads, who subsequently set up new studio Respawn with other ex-staff, has cast a cloud of uncertainty over the future of the biggest franchise in gaming.
But Olin insisted it has not affected development of Black Ops. "The Infinity Ward situation is unfortunate, but we're not letting it distract us," he said.
For more from Olin, check out Eurogamer TV's Medal of Honor vs. Call of Duty E3 head-to-head below.
Call of Duty: Black Ops is coming to PS3, 360, PC and Wii on 9th November.
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domain: news


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In the past quarter, the iPhone 8 sales in USA could not beat even iPhone 6s
Recently, we reported that in USA iPhone 7 sold better than the iPhone 8. Given the small number of changes and the expectation of many flagship iPhone X, this is not surprising.
But according to Consumer Research Research Partners, new Apple in the United States sold almost the same as iPhone 6s and 6s Plus. The report says that by the end of the previous quarter the share of new models accounted for only 16% of all sales of smartphones iPhone. More specifically, 6% of the segment took a younger model and 10% older, which in itself is pretty entertaining. The last generation had 58%, while the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus took 14%.
Of course, one could say that the iPhone 8 started in the end of the quarter (September 22), but when compared with the previous years, it will become clear that’s not the problem. For example, last year during the same period, the share of new products (it was then the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus) accounted for 43% of sales the year before — 24%, in 2014 — 46%. Probably, the current innovations has shown the worst start relative to predecessors in the entire history of Apple.
Even the iPhone took a SE of 11% in sales of Apple’s smartphone, that is more than the iPhone 8 Plus. Still amusing to see that even iPhone 6s is not lost to iPhone 8 Plus, taking 10%.


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3DCanada will be comprised of small 3-D scans modelled after Simons’ visitors.
“There’s something about 3-D printing that captures everybody’s imagination,” says Douglas Coupland.
Coupland scans the head of Simons’ CEO, Peter Simons.
“In the end, we’re taking technology and applying it to art, and the final product will be a beautiful piece that everyone can appreciate,” says Angela Stinson, Simons’ director of store development.
Vancouver-based artist and author Douglas Coupland has always been ahead of the curve when it comes to his cutting-edge take on the modern world and everything in it, and his 3DCanada project is no different. The crowdsourced artistic collaboration with the Quebec-based retail chain Simons aims to capture a snapshot of today’s Canada—in three dimensions.
Between this year and 2017, Coupland will visit Simons locations in six cities across the country (his next appearance will be on November 14 at Vancouver’s Park Royal Shopping Centre location, which opens mid-October) for special events where participants can have their heads scanned in 3-D and then take home a 3-D–printed bust. Coupland will then create a sculpture made up of hundreds of the small busts, to be unveiled in 2019 at the forthcoming Simons location at Yorkdale Shopping Centre in Toronto.
Though the project sounds like something more suited to an art gallery than a clothing store, visual art has long played a vital part in Simons’ vision of retail, says Angela Stinson, Simons’ director of store development.
“It’s always been a part of our DNA—creating an environment that people can feel comfortable in has been a really important part of our stores,” Stinson says. “There are people who are not necessarily going to museums all the time or engaged in art practice, but still seek a sense of beauty—so it’s not really about whether or not you’re viewing art as art, or simply as beautiful components to the store experience.”
Stinson has been busy overseeing the many elements for Simons’ expansion across Canada: the family-owned retailer, founded in 1840 by John Simons as a dry-goods store in Quebec City, established a reputation as a fashion leader in Quebec and now has its sights set on bringing its savvy mix of private labels and designer brands to the rest of the country. Beginning this year and continuing into 2019, Simons will open seven new stores across Canada, defying recent retail trends that have seen other high-profile chains close their doors.
Simons’ interest in working with Coupland stemmed from the artist’s forward-thinking ethos, Stinson says. Part of Stinson’s role as director of store development is to ensure the planning of each new location involves design that’s not simply functional, but also part of the overall experience—for example, the chain’s first location outside of Quebec, opened in 2012 in the West Edmonton Mall, features an eye-catching interactive architectural installation by designer Philip Beesley, while the exterior of the new Park Royal store was crafted with panels designed to evoke Salish woven ceremonial blankets to honour its location on Squamish land.
“The West Edmonton Mall store gave us that platform to show other landlords that the Simons brand would resonate in the rest of Canada,” Stinson says. “The retail market is kind of volatile right now, but I think we’ve got so much history—we’re family-owned, a Canadian brand, been around for 175 years—that itself resonates with Canadians.”
“There are opportunities to create store environments that are a little more engaging than the typical,” she continues. “What sets us apart is our product assortment and that mix of high/low—it’s really how people shop these days.” In connecting with Coupland to discuss a potential art installation for their new Vancouver store, Stinson and CEO Peter Simons quickly realized that the artist shared Simons’ fascination with the 3-D printing process.
“Peter was in my studio and saw the 3-D printer and he knew exactly what it was,” Coupland explains. “I was impressed. We discussed where 3-D is going, and we hashed [the project] out over a half-year or so. Have you been looking at 3-D-printed fashion? Check it out. Talk about the next wave,” he enthuses.
At the three 3DCanada events to date, Coupland has been met by lineups of participants eager to be scanned via an iPad-like device—the process takes about 30 seconds per image, and onlookers can view the image onscreen before it’s printed and ready for pickup in-store the next day (about 100 will get the chance to take part at each event).
“There’s something about 3-D printing that captures everybody’s imagination,” Coupland says. “They want to be part of the future. And I was amazed at how many people over 60 came to be scanned, and they were really stoked about it. 3-D printing is as big, if not bigger, than the invention of photography in the 19th-century.”
When asked if he can describe his vision for the final installation, which will be composed from hundreds of the 3-D heads printed at the Simons’ events, Coupland is cagey. “Nope,” he says. “You’ll have to wait, but I do think it will show what is possible with ‘group photography’ in the 21st century.”
Coupland’s vision of a “group portrait of Canadians” dovetails nicely with Simons’ expansion as the retailer aims to reach out to shoppers across the country. “I think this is a departure from what we’ve done historically, but as a company, we’re always looking forward,” says Stinson. “Technology is a part of looking forward, and I don’t think we’re in denial that it’s going to shape our future, and could even change a lot of the pieces of our business.”
“In the end, we’re taking technology and applying it to art, and the final product will be a beautiful piece that everyone can appreciate,” she says. “That aligns perfectly with the Simons philosophy, and it’s going to be really interesting to share that with our customers.”


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The Sarasota-Manatee Originals celebrated 15 years with a celebration party to thank its community partners on Sept. 27 in the New Pass Room at Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium.
Founded in 2003 by local restaurants owners, including Michael's On East owner Michael Klauber, the Sarasota-Manatee Originals has grown from 24 restaurants to almost 60 now. The organization hopes to reach 70 restaurants by this year's Forks and Corks Festival in January.
In addition to celebrating its 15th anniversary, the Sarasota-Manatee Originals is gearing up for its Eat Like a Local Restaurant Week, Oct. 1 through Oct. 14. As of now, there are over 40 restaurants participating in the event. During this week, Sarasotans are encouraged to "act like a tourist" and dine at local restaurants.


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Svenska Bilsportsförbundet, SBF will supply rescue cars to promote safety at races. Four new Saab-cars have been produced for this year’s World Championship in Sweden. Standby is pleased to have contributed to this project.
Standby and Handicare have signed a cooperation agreement. Handicare will use and sell Standby’s entire product range, both in warning light and alarm equipment, along with control systems. Handicare AS, which is specialized in handicap vehicles and other technical aids, is located in 15 cities and covers the entire Norwegian market. Handicare is looking to
We thank all customers, suppliers and friends for the past year and at the same time extend our wishes for a successful 2007. Standby finished 2006 very strong and look forward to an even more prosperous 2007. Several interesting products will be launched during the year. Our new siren amplifier S09 will shortly have completed


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Auto pent-up demand impacted from high fuel cost
Auto pent-up demand has been impacted from high fuel cost as well as price hikes taken by OEMs in the current unlock phase vis-a-vis last year.
New Delhi, July 10 Auto pent-up demand has been impacted from high fuel cost as well as price hikes taken by OEMs in the current unlock phase vis-a-vis last year.
Accordingly, '2W' demand has been tepid while that of 'PVs' is more resilient, given the relatively better income profiles of car customers.
"In the current unlock phase, the pent-up demand is lukewarm (unlike last year) as customer sentiment has been partially impacted by higher fuel prices - petrol prices are more than INR 100 in several states, which has resulted in high running costs and price hikes taken by the OEMs to offset rising commodity prices," said HDFC Securities.
"Further, demand in the rural segment has not been as resilient as that in the previous year, with 2W OEMs reporting flattish sales in Jun-21. However, demand for PVs is holding up (as the higher income consumers have been relatively less impacted by Covid)."
The progress of the south-west monsoon will be a key variable to determine the extent of recovery, the brokerage firm said.
Besides, firm pointed out that commodity prices have remained firm, with OEMs raising prices to partially offset the above.
"Further, the sudden outburst of the Covid wave in Apr-May 2021 had resulted in temporary production shutdowns, which will impact profitability this quarter."
Furthermore, the firm expects limited room for EPS upgrades, going ahead, due to elevated growth expectations and margin headwinds on the back of firm commodity prices.
"Consequently, the auto index is expected to perform in line with the broader market. We reiterate our preference for stocks that have a diversified geographic presence - Bajaj Auto, Tata Motors and Bharat Forge," the brokerage firm said.
"We also have a 'Buy' on Maruti amongst the domestic-centric OEMs due to its product portfolio comprising alternate fuel variants (CNG and upcoming hybrid models)."


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Every time a sports franchise releases a new installment, the masses want a confirmation on whether it’s an improvement over the previous year’s version. Looking over MLB The Show 18, I was surprised just how much the game surpassed MLB The Show 17 in terms of graphics.
SIE San Diego Studio Shines With MLB The Show 18
From the improved textures on the players’ beards (you must zoom in to even notice) to the colors of the players uniforms, MLB The Show 18 has made incredible strides. It’s comical how washed out the colors in players’ jerseys looked last year compared to the vibrancy of this year’s game. San Diego Studio also emphasized on updating players’ facial hair (Lindor, Correra, Altuve) to be as current as possible. Other big names, like Bryce Harper and Chris Sale, finally got face scans that rival their real life counterparts. I love what they done with The Show and I’m having almost as fun looking at it as I am playing it.
Want to talk sports and/or games with the fastest growing community in gaming? Join the conversation by registering at the official Sports Gamers Online Forums, and check out our Twitter and Facebook pages as well as our growing YouTube Channel!


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In just the past few months, Kohl's (KSS -19.64%) has expanded its relationship with Amazon (AMZN 3.15%). First, the apparel store chain unveiled a store-within-a-store concept for Amazon devices, and now, Kohl's will even accept Amazon returns at some of its stores.
In this Industry Focus segment, Vincent Shen is joined by Motley Fool contributor Daniel Kline to discuss what Kohl's motivation might be for pairing up with the archrival of all brick-and-mortar retailers. Is it a precursor to an acquisition? Will the two companies be working more closely together? Though this might seem like dangerous ground for Kohl's, it does offer some significant opportunities as well.
A full transcript follows the video.
This video was recorded on Sept. 26, 2017.
Vincent Shen: But our next story, we have the unlikely partnership between Kohl's and Amazon. There are two parts to this, and we can hit them one at a time. First, there was the announcement that Kohl's would test some store-within-a-store concepts that featured Amazon's smart-home products in a small number of their stores, and these are 1,000 square foot spaces launching in October. So they'll feature the well-known products of the Echo, the Fire TV, the Fire tablets, all in an interactive space like we've been talking about. And Amazon's sales associates will actually staff that space. So Dan, to me, this seems like a keep your friends close but your enemies closer kind of thing.
Daniel Kline: I love this. If you look at the retailers that have turned it around, I would say Best Buy is probably the most implausible turnaround. A few years ago, Best Buy was left for dead. And what they did was they invited Microsoft, Samsung, the cellphone providers, Apple, to build, to varying degrees, these store-within-a-store concept. And instead of Best Buy being this vague place full of electronics, it became a place to go for expertise, for hands-on products, for your kid to get to play the video game you're not going to buy. It became a destination. And you've seen, J.C. Penney is not doing as well as Best Buy, but it's certainly doing better than Sears, and part of that is the Sephora stores and the salon and the picture taking, and all the different store-within-a-store concepts. On that level, I like this partnership.
Shen: Well, let's get to the second part of it. That's the first part, which seems OK. And most recently, Kohl's announced that they're also going to be accepting returns for Amazon orders at almost 100 locations, so a bigger test for them. That means you can take your Amazon order to a Kohl's and return it like you bought the merchandise there, and Kohl's will actually pack it up and ship it back for you. There's no details yet that I could find as to how the compensation will work for Kohl's in offering this service, but the way I see it, for Kohl's itself, their comparable sales have been negative through the past four years. And it hasn't reduced its footprint and closed a ton of stores like some of the other department stores have.
Kline: They're adding stores.
Shen: But it seems like these are some examples of initiatives for them where they're really trying to find ways to boost traffic.
Kline: This scares me. We've talked a little bit about the fox in the henhouse. There's an aspect where, if Kohl's and Amazon have not discussed where this might go, then I question it. The history, we talked about this earlier, of companies letting Amazon in -- Toys "R" Us being a big example, they managed, Amazon managed the Toys "R" Us website, which literally just redirected to Amazon, and there was a lawsuit, and there was a $51 million settlement. But it derailed Toys "R" Us on the digital end.
You could argue the same thing for a few other companies. But, I don't think that's what's happening here. Kohl's a few months back, said it was going to reduce the retail footprint of its stores to increase the back end to allow for more omni-channel delivery, meaning they were going to act as their own warehouses and not just supply stores, but also supply online orders. If this is the first step of a cozier relationship, maybe a purchase, or maybe just Kohl's stocking all the new Amazon apparel lines, that might be a positive driver. As just a traffic move, where I bring my Amazon return and walk into a Kohl's, I don't buy that Kohl's has enough impulse items, or I'm going to be like, you know what? I do need a new suit.
Shen: Even all the way at the back of the store, walking through all those aisles?
Kline: I don't think Kohl's sells the right merchandise for that. I think they mostly sell merchandise that you plan for. Now, if they were to add a section of impulse buys like at the front of Marshalls or the front of Bed Bath & Beyond, as seen on TV products, but that doesn't feel like the Kohl's brand. So just getting more people in, unless they're getting well paid by Amazon, which I don't think they are. But if this is the beginning of Kohl's and Amazon working back and forth, I could see some levels on the fulfillment end where Amazon could help with the Kohl's product, and where all these new Amazon branded lines would do very well from having a physical display in an 1,100 store chain.
Shen: I think it's important, too, what you brought up in terms of how they're shrinking the floor space for their actual merchandise and dedicating more of that for their back end fulfillment. The company said their fulfillment for online orders is over 30% now directly from their stores, that's obviously progress that they're seeing with that initiative. But overall, some of the people who I've seen who are more bullish on this partnership with these two different initiatives, they've spoken to the massive customer base that Amazon has and the potential, whether or not that pans out to boost traffic.
At the same time, you mentioned the fox in the henhouse kind of story here. We have another Fool.com contributor, Jeremy Bowman, he's much more bearish on this idea and he mentioned a few examples like Toys "R" Us, but also Borders and Target, companies that took the partnership with Amazon initially. Probably none of them are looking back on that collaboration praising what a good idea it was. But we'll have to see. The last part of this story, you spoke about very briefly, Kohl's shares are up over 10% in September so far as a result of this news. There's some talk of this being the courting process for the two companies. I'm curious what you think, so quickly and so soon after the Whole Foods buyout, if that's really something investors should be taking seriously at all.
Kline: Here's the thing, I think Amazon is kicking the tires. I think Amazon management is very keen, and they clearly very quickly believed in the Whole Foods merger. I think they're trying to figure out if Kohl's has a team that they could integrate. Having a physical retail presence in apparel, an area where they have marked for growth, yes, they have the look and some new techniques, but I still don't think the average man is going to buy a dress shirt, or a woman is going to buy a dress or a pantsuit, without trying it on, without the ability. Now, I might buy the second one. If I own a shirt, I bought it at Kohl's -- I actually think I bought it at J.C. Penney -- I would buy another one digitally. I'm not going to buy the first one, because you have to get the sizing right. Same is true with sneakers, hats, whatever it may be. I think Amazon sees the potential of that, just like it's a Whole Foods as a way into groceries. And I think they're considering it. But I think bidding up the stock because of that, it's way too early.
Shen: We have to wait, then, until the next quarterly report, most likely, from Kohl's, which is coming out in November, where hopefully management will share some initial takeaways from this partnership, how things are going.


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Price Gouging Has Been Enabled Through Decades Of Unchecked Corporate Consolidation. The Strike Force Will Protect Consumers From Unfair Pricing And Unbridled Corporate Power.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Henry Burke, firstname.lastname@example.org
In response to the announcement of the Biden Administration’s multi-agency pricing “strike force,” Revolving Door Project Executive Director Jeff Hauser released the following statement:
“Decades of corporate consolidation and mergers have allowed fewer firms to face real competition and allowed corporate price gouging – particularly on essentials – to flourish. Under the Biden Administration, the FTC and DOJ Antitrust Division have helped stem the tide of corporate consolidation, ending the decline in fair competition that occurred under previous administrations of both parties.”
“Now, I am excited to see the administration step up to protect consumers from corporate giants who see themselves as above the law. The American people are sick of being victimized by unchecked corporate greed and this announcement sends a clear message that the White House prioritizes American consumers over Wall Street shareholders – a stark contrast with his predecessor.” Hauser continued.
Revolving Door Project Research Director, Andrea Beaty joined in, stating, “While this task force is an exciting step forward, the threat posed by Republican efforts to slash enforcement budgets is dire. Their avowed support for law and order ends wherever corporate profits begin. The recent funding bill includes massive cuts to DOJ Antitrust in a clear effort to reverse the strides Jonathan Kanter and Lina Khan have made holding monopolistic companies accountable. Those celebrating these efforts to curtail illegal pricing must also fight to ensure the agencies tasked with the job have the staff and resources to do so.”
“Americans have been calling out price gouging for years now. It’s good to see the Administration is responsive to these concerns and is going after those corporations breaking the law to do so. Hopefully the media will recognize that an election dominated by discussions of consumer prices should center on how the candidates would or would not utilize the executive branch to side with consumers or corporations ” concluded Hauser.


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Ferrari launches its 2012 F1 car
Ferrari unveiled the 2012 car on Friday morning that it hopes will return it to World Championship-winning glory.
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Daedong Corporation celebrates 75th anniversary
By Adam FreillConstruction Equipment
KIOTI Tractor parent company honours roots while growing for the future.
Daedong Corporation, the parent company of KIOTI Tractor, is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year. Committed to innovation, Daedong is eager to recognize this milestone alongside staff, customers, dealers and the global equipment community.
“The spirit of innovation that fueled the company’s founding remains our guiding principle today as we develop quality products that meet the needs of our customers around the world,” said J.S. Kim, chairman and CEO of Daedong Corporation and chairman of Daedong-USA, Inc.
In 1947, Sam-Man Kim founded Daedong Corporation alongside his four brothers. As Korea battled famine in the wake of World War II, the need for agricultural mechanization fuelled Kim’s determination and creativity. The brothers’ work resulted in machines that increased food production throughout a critical time during Korea’s industrialization.
Today, Kim’s pioneering spirit remains a defining characteristic of Daedong Corporation and KIOTI Tractor as it exports its products to 70 countries around the world. This past year, the company produced Korea’s first 3.8-litre diesel engine, launched the country’s first remote-controlled and autonomous tractor series, and entered the e-mobility market.
KIOTI Tractor, a division of Daedong-USA Inc., has been providing equipment across North America for more than 35 years. The brand offers more than 60 tractor models, 12 zero-turn-radius mowers and five utility vehicle models, and expanded into compact construction in late 2022.
“KIOTI is honoured to share Daedong’s legacy with customers across North America,” said Peter Dong-Kyun Kim, president and CEO of Daedong-USA, Inc. KIOTI Tractor Division. “We’re grateful to our pack of customers, dealers and staff who allow us to empower professionals and hobbyists across agriculture, turf care, construction and beyond.”


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BY CORRESPONDENT,MOMBASA,29TYH DEC 2017- Property worth millions of shillings has been destroyed after fire broke out at the Miritini- Mikobani area in Mombasa Thursday night.
According the eye witnesses the affected were shops and stalls used for selling goods with over 20 businesses counting loses.
Confirming the incident Mombasa Police commandant Johnstone Ipaara says nothing was salvaged in the night inferno whose cause has not been established. ‘’Many people have been left jobless this is such a huge loss, investigations have already begun to establish what could have started the fire.’’,he said.
Nobody was injured in the incident .


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US-China issues take center stage at APEC Summit 2018
Port Moresby (Papua New Guinea), Nov 17(ANI/Sputnik): Heated discussion over globalisation and regional trade took the center stage on Saturday's meeting, at the ongoing summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) in Papua New Guinea.
According to Sputnik, regional leaders expressed their concern over the disagreements between the US and China on bilateral trade, investment, and security issues in the Asia-Pacific region.
Amid the ruckus, Prime Minister of Malaysia Mahathir Mohamad expressed his scepticism over the challenges of globalization and regional integration, saying a removal of trade barriers have left behind many of the region's economies.
"The benefits of free and fair trade and economic integration have been ruptured, exemplified by Brexit and trade wars between major economies," the Malaysian Prime Minister said.
"The trade war between the US and China has amplified further the disruption to our trade and commerce," Mohamad added.
Mohamad's comments echoed the remarks made by US Vice President Mike Pence, who suggested that the free trade has gone too far and has promoted malicious trade practices in countries enjoying a certain competitive advantage, such as unlimited cheap labour.
Pence, further added that the US would keep its tariffs on China until Beijing addresses the concerns outlined in Washington's recent trade probes under the Sections 232 and 301.
However, representatives from Australia, China, and Russia see America's actions as harmful protectionism.
The US Vice President further commented that China's development initiatives are driving the regional economies in debt. While, Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed disagreement to his statements, saying Beijing's foreign investment does not have a foreign policy agenda attached to it. Giving an example of the 'Belt and Road' project, the Chinese premier mentioned that such
projects existed simply due to their long-term profitability.
Meanwhile, talking in terms of regional security, the US criticized China's ongoing effort to boost its presence in the South China Sea, particularly, in the disputed Spratly Islands. The South China Sea is an important strategic standpoint for China, as the majority of the country's energy imports come through maritime routes in the region. (ANI/Sputnik)


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In 1968, Formula One world champion Jim Clark was tragically killed in an accident at Hockenheim in Germany. The motor racing world was shocked by this because Clark was revered as the very best of his generation and ‘if it could happen to him, it could happen to any of us’, was the feeling amongst the drivers mourning his passing.
I was reminded of this when I heard the news last week that Walmart had issued a profit warning. It’s shares dropping by over 8% whilst those of Amazon and Target dropped by more than 4%. If it could happen to Walmart, it could happen to anyone.
“It’s a tell-tale sign that the average consumer is hurting,” said Peter Tuz, president of Chase Investment Counsel in Charlottesville, Virginia. “When you have America’s largest retailer guide down like this, you have to take it very seriously.”
The world’s largest economy is now technically in a recession and the rapid slowdown in consumer discretionary spending is hurting retail like never before.
According to Reuters, Walmart, the largest private U.S. employer, said its annual profit could fall by as much as 13%, adding that it would cut prices of clothing and general merchandise more aggressively to attract shoppers.
And Home Depot co-founder, Ken Langone cast a downbeat message over the weekend when he said, “We can agree to one thing. The economy is receding. It’s going down. Now, you want to call it a recession or not — play with the words.
‘But the fact of the matter is, the economy is going down. Every place I’m looking, I’m seeing signs of pullback. … This is serious stuff. And we are in a recession.”
Meanwhile, JPMorgan analysts said that the Walmart announcement “represents another data point of increasing consumer softness over the past two months … as consumers buckle under persistent inflationary headwinds and drain reserves built up during COVID.”
Smaller basket sizes, more frequent shopping trips, trading down to own label — the old adage that “I’m not affected by fuel price rises because I only ever put $20 in the tank”, seems more apt than ever. Consumers are spending less, of that, there is no doubt, however, the real question is, ‘how long will this downturn last?’
The answer to that is that nobody really knows. The war in Ukraine shows no sign of ending anytime soon, the global supply chain crisis likewise, as China applies a zero tolerance approach to the latest Covid-19 ‘outbreak’, locking down over a million people on the back of just four cases.
In the meantime, retailers are left to try to weather the storm. And that means that we should get used to profit warnings, which have always been interpreted as a sign of poor business performance. The truth now however is that they are an indication of the exceptional market conditions retailers are trading in.
Which all means that we should buckle up — there’s plenty more to come. Because if it can happen to Walmart, it can happen to anyone.


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On September 17, 2018 (local time), the US government announced to impose additional tariffs of 10% on US$200 billion worth of Chinese imports starting from September 24, and the level will increase to 25% starting from January 1, 2019. Disregarding China’s solemn protest and strong opposition, the US’ measures indiscriminately violates the rules of the WTO, seriously infringing the legitimate rights and interests of China according to the rules of the WTO, and threatening China's economic interests and security.
In response to the emergency caused by the US’s violation of its international obligations and in order to safeguard China’s legitimate rights and interests, based on laws and regulations of The Foreign Trade Law of the People's Republic of China and the fundamental international principles as well as MOFCOM Announcement No.63 of 2018 and Announcement of the Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council on Imposing Additional Tariffs on Some Goods (the Second Group) Originating in the US ( No.6 of 2018 ), the Chinese government decided to impose additional tariffs on the goods listed in the attachments of MOFCOM Announcement No.63 of 2018 and Announcement No.6 of 2018 of the Customs Tariff Commission starting from 12:01pm, September 24, 2018, including 10% tariffs on goods belong to 2,493 tariff lines in attachment 1 and 1,078 tariff lines in attachment 2, and 5% tariffs on goods belong to 974 tariff lines in attachment 3 and 662 tariff lines in attachment 4.
Ministry of Commerce
September 18, 2018
(All information published on this website is authentic in Chinese. English is provided for reference only.)


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As you may already know, the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) has made things very difficult for Rockstar, shutting down the release of Manhunt 2 in the UK twice. Rockstar hasn't given up, and now it seems that their persistence has finally paid off.
The Video Appeals Committee voted in favor or Rockstar in its appeal against the BBFC for their decision to ban Manhunt 2 from release in the UK, reports MCV. Of course, the BBFC is now looking at their options and deciding on how to react.
From the BBFC's statement:
“The Board recognizes that the available research findings on the effects of video games (including positive as well as harmful effects) are varied and contested. But we continue to believe that a broad approach to the possible risks is needed, which goes beyond purely behavioral harm, and which also takes account of other possible effects on the sensibilities and attitudes of individuals.”
This is a big win for Rockstar and those against game censorship. Hopefully we'll hear some UK release dates for the Manhunt 2 titles soon.
[Thanks, Prof. Pew]
Did you know Take-Two was investing in the MMO genre? They sure are, but don't be surprised by your lack of knowledge on their projects as these MMOs are targeted just for Asia. "We're actively investing in online MMOs, we're...more
Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick gave a talk at the Cowen Technology, Media, and Telecom Conference, where he had a number of things to say about his company and the industry as a whole. Strauss brought up the used games fee that...more
Tropes vs Women in Video Games, the series that is single-handedly destroying all of gaming because a woman said a thing on the Internet once, has launched its second episode. That'll explain why all babies cried out in the ...more


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State and federal policymakers are still debating new sales standards proposals that could affect financial professionals who help clients with annuities, and still implementing the new sales standards that have already been adopted.
Members of the Insured Retirement Institute and the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors are meeting this week, partly to talk about the U.S. retirement savings gap.
The Alliance for Life Income (ALI) — an annuity issuer outreach group — recently released survey data that casts some light on the client side of the conversations.
ALI commissioned a survey that included 3,119 U.S. adults ages 25 to 74, including 2,500 who were not retired.
So, why does getting so many U.S. consumers to prepare for retirement take so much hard work on your part, and so much life insurer concern about sales incentives?
Why aren’t consumers hounding lead-generation companies for lists of life insurance agents, who they might be able to reach, who might, possibly, be willing to offer them the privilege of benefiting from life insurers’ ability to provide a guaranteed stream of retirement income? Why don’t you have a polite but tough AI that decides which consumers get to talk to you?
ALI came up with some data on why so many non-retired Americans are acting like deer frozen in the headlights.
One thing ALI found is that 20% of the non-retired survey participants were not at all anxious about whether their savings would provide enough for them to live on in retirement.
The rest were at least somewhat anxious, and 18% said they were extremely anxious.
For a look at five of the many enemies found that are keeping those anxious consumers from begging for a chance to ask you about buying annuities, see the data cards in the slideshow above.
— Read A Loss of Faith, on ThinkAdvisor.


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Chanel sells fragrances, cosmetics, and eyewear online, and the Paris-based brand is holding its ground there. While its competitors are rushing to bank on the fact that online sales of luxury goods are expected to triple in the next 10 years, Chanel will not be making a splash into the e-commerce game in a meaningful way any time soon, “making it one of the fashion world’s last hold-outs as rivals experiment with websites to win over new clients,” per Reuters.
LVMH recently rolled out an entirely new digital platform, a multi-brand e-commerce site called 24 Sèvres, in an attempt to meet the online luxury needs of consumers in more than 75 countries. Even 180-year old Hermès – with its unwaveringly in-demand Birkin and Kelly bags and notorious aversion for a full-scale digital adoption – is investing online.
Yet, according to Bruno Pavlovsky, president of fashion at Chanel, the brand will not begin selling ready-to-wear or larger accessories online anytime soon. “If you give everything to everyone straight away, I think you lose that exclusivity,” Pavlovsky told a Vogue conference in Paris. “I‘m not saying we won’t try it one day, but if we do it will be because we’ll really think there’s some added value.”
According to Reuters, “Luxury goods brands were slow to develop e-commerce sites as they worried that making products too widely available would erode their cachet. But most have now taken the plunge.”
But despite Chanel’s title of the last-standing outliers, the brand is not losing out when it comes to its bottom line, Pavlovsky said, adding that the label, founded by Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel in 1910, is reaching an increasingly young audience and boasts waiting lists for best-selling bags.


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As global trade volumes have skyrocketed over the last 35 years, the number of logistics hubs—locations that function as a central point of local and international logistics activity—has also been on the rise. And while port-centered cities like Shanghai, Los Angeles/Long Beach, and Rotterdam will continue to be vital trade and transportation centers, other locations will come to play a similar role in global logistics within the next decade, according to the industrial real estate firm CBRE.
CBRE's recently issued report, "Global and Emerging Logistics Hubs," identifies 30 logistics hubs that play a key role not only in regional supply chain operations but also in the global supply chain. The report also points to 20 "rising stars" that may within the next decade become global hubs themselves.
According to CBRE, global logistics hubs share four common characteristics:
The report identifies current global logistics hubs around the world, including nine in North America, five in Asia, and 11 in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA). They include such acknowledged logistics powerhouses as the three port complexes mentioned earlier; Hong Kong, China; Singapore; Antwerp, Belgium; and Hamburg, Germany, as well as smaller but influential hubs like Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Monterrey, Mexico; Tokyo and Osaka/Kobe, Japan; Dubai, United Arab Emirates; and Moscow, Russia, among others.
CBRE went on to identify 20 more "emerging logistics hubs" that are likely to take a more prominent position as logistics and supply chain centers. Some on that list—major seaports such as Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Busan, South Korea; and Seattle, Washington, USA, for example—come as no surprise. But others, such as the BajÃo region of Mexico (home to the growing industrial centers of Guanajuato, QuerÃ©taro, Aguascalientes, and Jalisco); Istanbul, Turkey; Santiago, Chile; and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, might not be on everyone's radar.
While a host of individual reasons and factors are driving each of these cities' or regions' increased prominence, the
CBRE report identified five common influences or trends that suggest a bright future as a logistics hub:
"Global and Emerging Logistics Hubs" can be downloaded here.


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KARACHI: A six-member delegation from Mali met with the chief executive of the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), Muhammad Zubair Motiwala, on Tuesday to discuss the removal of a ban on Mali cotton imports in Pakistan.
The delegation represented Mali's ministries of industry and commerce, and agriculture, as well as the relevant organisations for plant protection and phyto-sanitary controls in Mali, TDAP said in a statement.
"The delegation discussed the ongoing ban on Mali cotton imports in Pakistan and the way forward to fulfil the requirements in order to get the ban removed." The delegates apprised Motiwala and the director general of the textiles and leather division of TDAP about the meetings they had with different organizations in Pakistan related to the issue.
Motiwala discussed the prospects of enhancing mutual trade and investment between the two countries, and suggested that Mali could import value-added textiles products from Pakistan, which would use Mali cotton once the ban is removed.
The delegation expressed its gratitude to TDAP for facilitating them during their two-week long visit to Pakistan, and hoped for a positive outcome of their efforts.
The event aimed to provide a platform for industry-academia collaboration and to enhance the exports and image of...
Silver rates remained unchanged at Rs2,600 per tola
The rupee also lost a little ground in the open market
Then Prime Minister-elect Shehbaz Sharif addresses the National Assembly session on March 3, 2024. — PIDLAHORE:...
On a year-on-year basis, however, cotton arrival surged by over 72 percent, when compared to 4.875 million bales...
Ahmad said that access to financial services was a fundamental right and a key driver of economic development


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DCAT Week ’17 Announcement Forum: Siegfried CEO Outlines Five-Year Strategic PlanBy
Rudolf Hanko, PhD
Rudolf Hanko, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of Siegfried AG, a contract manufacturer of both drug substances and drug products, outlined the company’s five-year plan for the next phase of its strategy implementation at the DCAT Member Company Announcement Forum held on Monday March 20 at DCAT Week ’17. In 2016, Siegfried announced the completion of its “Transform Strategy,” which involved further development and restructuring of the company’s global production network that resulted in an integrated supply offering, forward and backward integrated services, and critical size expansion. The next phase for Siegfried, as outlined by Dr. Hanko, is underway as the company’s “Evolve” strategy that seeks to grow the company’s market share by leveraging synergistic technology enhancements and expanding its drug product manufacturing assets to critical size.
To put the company’s current “Evolve” strategy into context, Dr. Hanko outlined key achievements under the company’s prior five-year strategy. In 2016, Chinese authorities issued Siegfried a final operating license for large-scale production at its active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) manufacturing plant in Nantong, China, which was inaugurated in 2015. Also, in 2016, the company put into operation a new production building with vertical flow technology in accordance with the latest technology at the company’s headquarters in Zofingen, Switzerland, The new manufacturing facility is significantly more efficient than the former manufacturing plant it is replacing, noted the company. Also, Siegfried proceeded with the integration of three manufacturing sites (Evionnaz, Switzerland; Saint-Vulbas, France; and Minden, Germany) for intermediates and APIs that the company acquired from BASF in 2015. The acquisition of the BASF sites followed two earlier acquisitions on the drug product side: the 2012 acquisition of California-based Alliance Medical Products, Inc. (AMP), which added to the company’s sterile-filling capabilities, and the 2014 acquisition of Germany-based Hameln Pharma, a provider of development and production of sterile liquid pharmaceuticals, which strengthened Siegfried’s sterile filling segment.
As part of its new “Evolve” strategy, Dr. Hanko outlined that the company will expand its global solid drug product footprint; expand its overall presence with its own production facilities, including in the US; and enhance its development set-up. In a recent earnings release, Siegfried said it plans this year to expand its research and development capacity by adding about 40 new laboratory workstations at the company’s site in Zofingen, Switzerland and plans to begin construction of a new logistics building there. Dr. Hanko also said that the company plans to grow within the value chain of its existing businesses by reaching critical size in the drug product sector and through backward integration. Lastly, Dr. Hanko said that Siegfried plans to diversify into adjacent new businesses by enhancing its technology base in micronization, lyophilization, spray drying, and by adding additional high-potent manufacturing capabilities.


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Thought local craft beer was just a trend? Think again. Calusa Brewing Co., Sarasota’s newest brewery, will open soon, proving that our beer scene is only getting bigger. And in the world of craft beer, where competition is welcomed, growth is good news for established brewers and newbies alike.
Calusa co-owners Geordie Rauch, 35, and Vic Falck, 34, started talking about opening a Sarasota brewery back in 2011. Sarasota natives, the brothers-in-law both fell hard for craft beer while stationed with the Navy in San Diego—or “beer mecca,” as Rauch calls it. “The scene was exploding,” Falck remembers. “I loved the variety craft beer offered.”
At the time, Tampa Bay had already earned a reputation as a craft hub, largely thanks to the success of Cigar City Brewing. Although Sarasota Brewing Company had been serving homemade beers for years, south of the Skyway lagged behind. “I would come back to visit and couldn’t find an IPA,” Rauch says. That has changed. Sarasota’s Big Top Brewing Company opened in 2013, JDub’s Brewing Company in 2014, and Bradenton’s Darwin Brewing Co. and Motorworks Brewing have also launched.
Rauch and Falck say Calusa will help lift the local industry, generating more sales for all. Big Top CEO Mike Bisaha agrees, adding that camaraderie is a hallmark of the business. Before Big Top opened, Cigar City brewers tasted his brewery’s products and offered feedback. Now Big Top is paying it forward by helping Calusa. “We talk several times a week,” Bisaha says. “Everything from, ‘Hey, do this in permitting,’ to, ‘Don’t forget this.’ All the things we learned the hard way.”
Calusa is located inside a 9,500-square-foot warehouse on almost on acre of land just north of Clark Road. Rauch and his sister, Ellie, Falck’s wife, purchased the property for $625,000. The warehouse includes a production facility stocked with a grain mill, a 15-barrel brew kettle and a series of towering fermenters that allow Calusa to crank out 465 gallons of beer in a single batch. Then the beers, which take roughly seven to 14 days to go from grain to glass, are carbonated. They can also be aged up to two years, depending on the style.
Head brewer Jason Thompson, 30, brings a scientific focus to creating Calusa’s beers, plus a recipe book thick with 200 beers he’s brewed at home over the years. Calusa is starting off slowly, offering eight to 10 varieties in its 16-tap tasting room before moving into full-scale canning and distribution some months down the road. The 2,200-square-foot bar features sky-high ceilings and an industrial vibe, with roll-up garage doors and tall windows that provide views of the fermenting tanks.
Thompson moved from California to Sarasota two years ago. Ever since, he, Rauch and Falck have been holding tasting panels to refine Calusa’s concoctions.
Breweries must appeal to everyone from hops snobs to casual drinkers, so the groups have included beer experts, newbies and even wine connoisseurs. The three prefer hoppy beers and barrel-aged quaffs, but they’ll offer a wide variety. “We want drinkers to come along with us,” says Thompson.
One thing is certain: Craft beer isn’t going away anytime soon. While overall beer sales increased just .5 percent in 2014, craft sales spiked 17.6 percent, according to the Brewers Association, a Colorado-based craft trade group. Craft brewers now control $19.6 billion of the country’s $101.5 billion beer market, and Florida ranks fifth in the country in total craft barrels produced.
Think the market here is oversaturated? Rauch, Falck and Thompson say to look at Asheville, an 88,000-person city that’s home to dozens of breweries. And nationally, it wasn’t until 2012 that the number of American breweries surpassed the number in business before Prohibition. “The more the merrier,” says Thompson.
Calusa Brewing Co., 5701 Derek Ave., Sarasota, (941) 922-8150, calusabrewing.com


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Paraquat dichloride, or Paraquat, is a weed-killing product and pesticide widely used in the United States. In recent years, Paraquat has become even more widely used as plants have become more resistant to another pesticide, Roundup, which faces lawsuits. According to the US Geological Survey’s (USGS) National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA), more than 10 million pounds of Paraquat were applied to crops in the United States in 2018 alone.
The lawsuits named Syngenta and Chevron Phillips Chemical Co. and Growmark Inc. as defendants. Chevron distributed and sold a Paraquat formulation known as Gramoxone in the United States in an agreement with a Syngenta predecessor called Imperial Chemical Industries. (ICI). ICI introduced Paraquat-based Gramoxone in 1962. Under a license agreement, Chevron had the right to manufacture, use, and sell the Gramoxone formulation in the United States. That formulation was produced by ChemChina’s Syngenta Group and Chevron.
Several studies have linked Paraquat to Parkinson’s disease, a degenerative nervous system disorder leading to mild or severe disability. Europe, China, Brazil, and many other countries have banned the use of Paraquat. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, has approved Paraquat only for licensed commercial use under strict guidelines. The EPA states that Paraquat is highly toxic but finds studies linking Paraquat with Parkinson’s disease inconclusive.
To date, multiple plaintiffs have sued Syngenta Group and Chevron, alleging “that manufacturers and sellers of Paraquat deliberately concealed the dangers of Paraquat for at least four decades, hid evidence of its dangers from government safety agencies, and knowingly unleashed a product they knew caused Parkinson’s Disease on the public.”


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Google Chrome is official web browser recently launched by none other than Google itself . It went live on 2nd Sept ‘ 08 afternoon and millions of people are already running it on their PC / Windows . They have only released it for Windows users and this is a bit harsh for Mac users but then the big G says they plan to release it for Mac as well .
The browser as I look still does not compete with Firefox in many ways but since Google is behind Chrome , I am sure they will very soon be on top as their new launched browser i.e Chrome looks very promising as it is the fastest among all the web browsers being used these days .
I am still testing Google Chrome on my Windows XP and have visited every possible website that I visit on daily basis . So stay tuned to this blog as I will be posting Google Chrome review shortly .
In the meantime you can click here to Download Google Chrome .


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FRANKFURT -- Volkswagen is considering the closure of its so-called "transparent factory" in Germany that builds the VW Phaeton sedan as the embattled automaker seeks to reduce costs, a business magazine reported.
VW's supervisory board will discuss the factory's future on Friday as part of the automaker's next spending and investment program. One option is to shutter Dresden and transfer its 500 employees to other plants in Germany, financial weekly WirtschaftsWoche reported.
The plant builds just eight Phaetons a week, the magazine said. New VW CEO Matthias Mueller wants to close the factory next year and move Phaeton production to a plant that builds similar Audi and Porsche models, WirtschaftsWoche said on Thursday.
VW neither confirmed nor denied the report when contacted by Automotive News Europe. The automaker said "various scenarios" are being considered for the factory as part of its plans for the new Phaeton. It said Mueller has "alternative ideas" for production at the factory.
The next-generation Phaeton, which is due to hit showrooms by about 2019-2020, will be offered only as an electric car, VW said on Oct. 13.
VW calls the Dresden plant "Glaeserne Manufaktur" (German for transparent factory). It was opened as a futuristic production showpiece in 2002. The factory has glass walls so customers can watch the final stage of their cars' assembly. The plant is regarded as an architectural gem and has been used as a backdrop for events, ceremonies, concerts and operas.
If the factory shuts, it would be a blow for eastern Germany, whose economy is still stuttering 25 years after the former Communist state reunited with western Germany.
The factory's closure would anger workers representatives, who have half of the 20 seats on VW's supervisory board. A plant closure requires two-thirds support in the board.
VW's labor chief and supervisory board member, Bernd Osterloh, said in a statement: "Dresden is and remains a firm part of the VW family. Even if the new Phaeton concept comes later, that does not mean that we have cause to question Dresden."
The Phaeton cost more than 1 billion euros ($1,1 billion) to develop. It was launched in 2002 as a pet project of former VW Chairman Ferdinand Piech. The car was aimed a challenging sedans from German premium brands BMW and Mercedes-Benz and was praised for its ride and quality but buyers generally shunned an upscale car with a VW badge.
The sedan has sold in low numbers and Dresden's output of Phaetons fell 30 percent in 2014 to just over 4,000 cars, according to VW’s annual report.
Bernstein analyst Max Warburton said the Phaeton was one of the "most loss-making European cars of modern times."


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Michael McDearman announced as Series Director for the Sam's Club National BBQ TourMay 29, 2014
Sam's Club and KCBS are pleased to announce Michael McDearman as the new Series Director for the Sam's Club National BBQ Tour. "McD" is an author, the owner of "Get Fired Up" cooking school, and previously the host of the American GrillMaster Experience. Fans and attendees have enjoyed McD's cooking demonstrations and samplings for years, and we're excited to have him as our new Series Director. McDearman is taking over tour duties from Chef Troy Black who, after completing more than 100 successful events, has decided to take a personal break before pursuing other professional opportunities.
The Sam's Tour rolls on to Marietta this weekend. Big cash and spots at the Southaven Regional Final are up for grabs, so be sure to welcome McD to the team and join us for all the action if you're in the Atlanta area!


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After several years of truncated production, The Blue Oval has been able to increase production of several popular models. The 2023 Ford Escape rebounded from earlier production constraints at levels that appear healthy. Additionally, the Ford Mustang has left its factory in higher numbers as the new S650 generation has entered production. Unfortunately, some vehicles haven’t enjoyed a production rebound, with the 2023 Lincoln Aviator being one of a group of models still impacted by broad supply chain issues.
According to production numbers included in the July 2023 U.S. sales report, 1,514 examples of the 2023 Lincoln Aviator came out of Chicago Assembly plant last month. That figure represented a 62 percent increase from June’s output. Unfortunately, while that is no doubt a positive development, overall output of the luxury SUV is down significantly when compared to monthly figures from Q1 2023. January represented the best month for Aviator production this year, at 2,840 units. Following suit, February and March saw 2,551 and 2,604 examples leave the factory, respectively. In June, only 932 Aviator SUVs were assembled.
At the moment, it is currently unclear why 2023 Lincoln Aviator production appears to be constrained, but developments with its closely related sibling may offer a window into the current situation. Currently, the 2023 Ford Explorer has several stop build orders in place due to an apparent supply chain issue regarding at least one wiring harness. Additionally, a stop-sale order has been issued for 360-degree camera equipped models, an issue that may impact production of either SUV. Ford Explorer production has roughly followed the same cadence as the Aviator, with production picking up in July but remaining far below Q1 2023 output.
Assuming things go according to plan, the 2023 Lincoln Aviator will make way for its refreshed counterpart later this year. The upcoming model is expected to bring more advanced technology to the luxury three-row, while keeping aesthetic changes to a minimum. It is also unclear if there will be any changes to the powertrain lineup, which currently included the 3.0L V6 EcoBoost and the plug-in hybrid variant of the same engine.


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IRS Wants to Tax Your Bitcoin Gains: Orders Coinbase to Hand Over User Data
Coinbase told its customers on Friday that it plans to comply with a court order and hand over about 13,000 customers’ data to the IRS within 21 days. The IRS made the request back in November 2016, asking for the Coinbase records of all the people who bought bitcoin from 2013 to 2015 to seek out those who were evading cryptocurrency taxes. Anyone affected by the order should now have received an email from Coinbase to that effect.
Coinbase heavily resisted the summons. But ultimately, in November last year, the San Francisco court ruled Coinbase had to turn over identifying records for all users who have completed transactions of more than $20,000 through their accounts in a single year between 2013 and 2015. The data requested includes taxpayer IDs, names, dates of birth, addresses, and transaction records from that period.
In an email and on its website on Friday, Coinbase noted that it had tried: “Coinbase fought this summons in court in an effort to protect its customers, and the industry as a whole, from unwarranted intrusions from the government.”
It informed its 13,000 affected customers that the “court order requires us to produce information specific to your account,” but that the company could not provide legal or tax advice. So far, 2018 is shaping up to be the year that tax collectors get serious about bitcoin earnings, meaning that it’s a good time to be extra careful about compliance.
The latest IRS notice comes three weeks after Coinbase issued 1099-K tax forms, reminding customers to pay taxes on their crypto gains. (See also: Coinbase Issues 1099s: Reminds Users to Pay Taxes on Bitcoin Gains.)
Not surprisingly, many Coinbase customers are not pleased. Some feel that the decentralized and unregulated nature of cryptocurrencies make the investments immune to taxation, but alas, this apparently is not the case.
Many users were also furious that Coinbase had not given them more-advanced notice that they would have to file taxes on their crypto investment gains.


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Toyota, SoftBank Partner to Drive Safer Mobility For Everyone The joint venture company will build a network that provides safer and more comfortable mobility for everyone
Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.
You're reading Entrepreneur Asia Pacific, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media.
The transportation sector has seen a rapidly growing and global interest in the past decade. From connected, electric to self-driving vehicles, technologies are continuously changing all aspects of mobility to improve commuting experience. To facilitate the creation of new mobility services, recently, Toyota Motor Corporation ("Toyota") and SoftBank Corp. ("SoftBank") have agreed to form a strategic partnership and establish a joint venture company called MONET Technologies Corporation, before the end of the 2018 fiscal year (April 2019).
This is not the first time that the Japanese automaker has shown its interest in the self-driving cars. In March, Toyota teamed up with fellow Japanese entities Aisin Seiki Co., Ltd. and Denso Corporation to form the Toyota Research Institute-Advanced Development or TRI-AD.
The new company MONET will help realize a safer and more comfortable mobility society by combining SoftBank's corporate philosophy, "Information Revolution — Happiness for everyone," with Toyota's vision of "Mobility for All."
Mobility as a Service – The Next Big Idea
The name "MONET" combines the first letters of the words "mobility network," and was chosen to embody the desire of both companies to build a network that provides safer and more comfortable mobility to everyone.
"MONET will provide coordination between Toyota's Mobility Services Platform ("MSPF"), Toyota's information infrastructure for connected vehicles, and SoftBank's Internet of Things (IoT) Platform, which was built to create new value from the collection and analysis of data acquired from smartphones and sensor devices. By utilizing a wide range of different forms of data related to automotive and human mobility on both platforms, the joint venture is aiming to optimize supply and demand in transportation and, ultimately, to launch Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) businesses capable of resolving social mobility issues and creating new value," SoftBank said in an official press release.
Optimizing On Demand Transportation Services & Autonomous Mobility
For the first phase, MONET plans to roll out just-in-time vehicle dispatch services for local public agencies and private companies throughout Japan. These services, which will include on-demand transportation through regional partnerships and corporate shuttles, will be provided in tune with user demand.
By the second half of the 2020s, MONET plans to roll out Autono-MaaS (autonomous mobility as a service) businesses using e-Palette, Toyota's dedicated battery electric vehicle for mobility services that can be used for various purposes, including mobility, logistics, and sales.
The possibilities include demand-focused just-in-time mobility services, such as meal deliveries vehicle where food is prepared while on the move, hospital shuttles where onboard medical examinations can be performed, mobile offices, and many more. Currently, MONET will roll out these businesses in Japan with an eye to future expansion on the global market.
Just a day before the Toyota-Softbank partnership, Japanese automotive giant Honda announced the investment of $ 2.75 Billion in General Motor's self-driving car unit. The firm announced an initial investment of $275 Million initially, followed by $2 Billion within the year.


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Oppo Reno 5 Pro 5G launch in India today. The flagship smartphone of the Chinese company has a 90 Hz display and comes with MediaTek Dimension 1000+ SoC. Oppo Renault 5 Pro flaunts up to 12 GB of RAM and quad rear camera setup in 5G. The smartphone made its debut in China last month - with the Oppo Reno 5 5G. Apart from the Oppo Reno 5 Pro 5G, the company is today launching the Oppo Enco X truly wireless earbuds in the Indian market.
As Artificial Intelligence (AI) becomes all pervasive, a new report predicts that technology will replace humans in the field of cyberspace by 2031, as hackers use more sophisticated devices. Cloud security firm 'Trend Micro' said in a new report that more than two-fifths (41 per cent) of IT leaders believe AI will change their role by 2030.
Big news is coming for those awaiting FAU-G game launch that the Royal Battle Game app FAUG will be launched in India on 26 January. Pre-registration of this game is currently on the Play Store. Know the special features of the Desi PUBG game app which is being considered.
Live Times mostly shares articles and guides related to new gadgets such as TVs, mobiles, tablets, laptops and gaming devices. In addition, it also includes podcasts, videos, and photos related to the latest technological trends.


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Xolo launched the BLACK 1X, the company’s latest smartphone in the BLACK series earlier today, priced at Rs. 9999. It will go on sale on Snapdeal through flash sale starting from November 6th. We got our hands on the smartphone, here is the unboxing and first impressions of the smartphone.
Xolo just launched BLACK 1X, its second BLACK series smartphone, as it promised last week. It packs a 5-inch 1080p display with Asahi Dragon trail Glass protection, is powered by an Octa-Core 64-bit MediaTek MT6753 SoC and runs on Android 5.1 (Lollipop) with HIVE Atlas UI on top. Xolo has promised that it will be upgradable to Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) in future, but no details about the time frame yet. It has a 13-megapixel rear camera with phase-detection auto-focus (PDAF) that lets you focus in just 0.15 seconds, LED Flash and a 5-megapixel front-facing camera with LED flash. Continue reading “Xolo BLACK 1X with 5-inch 1080p display, 3GB RAM, 4G LTE launched for Rs. 9999”
Xolo has sent out invite for the launch its new BLACK series smartphone that will called the BLACK 1X. The invite doesn’t reveal any details about the new BLACK series smartphone. The company will unveil the smartphone on Twitter (@MyXOLO) on October 28th from 12PM to 1PM, similar to what it did for the Omega series smartphones back in December last year. Continue reading “Xolo BLACK 1X launching on October 28”


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17 Nov AfriLabs Meeting Findings
AfriLabs has become a driving force for change in recent years, the most recent gathering saw a renewed commitment to the tech community. The key goals of the conference were to empower the tech ecosystem, leveraging innovation and digital technologies to create sustainable businesses, generating jobs and fostering economic development.
The Annual AfriLabs meeting is a melting pot for young innovators, entrepreneurs, startups, and investors that seek to empower new initiatives, by bringing together decision-makers and those with new ideas, Africa is pushed forward, opening several new paths for its economy in the process.
Conference executive director Anna Ekeledo discussed the audience of the conference and how it’s inspiring forward momentum for a new tech-based economy: “Our youthful and dynamic population is eager to seize the power of technology and innovation to overcome challenges and create opportunities in Africa.”
The event also marked the signing of significant partnerships, including one with Algeria Venture, focusing on exploring cooperation opportunities and supporting the management, funding, and promotion of startups across Africa.
The continent is on the verge of a tech revolution, recently, ceremonies celebrated the opening of several data centres and several summits have pushed to embrace the tech revolution and open trade to continue the evolution of Africa’s economy.
Find out more about the exciting conference and how it contributes to startups in Africa through the companies official website.


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|Day's Range||79.625 - 74.475|
China producer prices were unchanged in June, snapping almost three years of consecutive growth, according to official figures, while the pace of consumer price increases remained steady despite another jump in the cost of pork. Consumer inflation held in line with the previous month’s 2.7 per cent year-on-year rise, matching economists’ expectations. That was driven by an 8.3 per cent rise in food prices, led by a jump in pork prices, China’s favoured meat, and as fruit prices surged 42.7 per cent owing to bad weather and low prices last year. Pork prices rose 21.1 per cent, the fastest rise in three years, according to Wind data.
Lower capital expenditures, fewer wells and longer lateral lengths are helping oil and gas exploration and production (E&P) companies turn their balance sheets rightside-up, but oilfield services firms are getting left out in the cold. One of the dirty little secrets of the American shale oil and gas boom of the past four years has been that most E&P companies drilling in the shale are cash flow negative. Horizontal wells in tight rock are expensive to construct and their hydrocarbon flows tend to fall off more rapidly than conventional wells.
Investing.com - Prices of safe-haven gold rebounded on Tuesday in Asia after falling below the $1,400 level as a trade truce between the U.S. and China boosted risk appetite.
This story is part of an ongoing series on how China is reshaping our world. What does a meat market in China have to do with Brazilian soybean farms? A whole lot, it turns out. Chinese diners are consuming more meat than ever, pork in particular.
Canadian producer prices edged up by 0.1% in May from April on higher prices for energy and petroleum products while an outbreak of African swine fever in China boosted demand for pork, Statistics Canada said on Friday. Fresh and frozen pork prices posted a 1.9% gain thanks to a decrease in global hog supply driven by fever-related challenges in China. Prices for unwrought copper and copper alloys slumped by 5.9% amid speculation that an escalating trade dispute between China and the United States would cut demand.
With over 200 million people and an emerging middle class, Nigeria is witnessing a boom in demand for meat that offers potential but also risks for the semi-nomadic herders who provide most of its beef. According to government estimates, Nigeria, consumes 360,000 tonnes of beef each year, accounting for half of all West Africa. Today, most of the demand is met by pastoralists from the ethnic Fulani group, who follow time-honoured techniques of raising cattle, driving them south to pastures and taking them to market.
(Bloomberg) -- A looming shortfall in U.S. corn production after a historical spat of wet weather means wheat is back on the menu at cattle feedlots in the southern Plains.Surging prices for corn, the gold standard in fattening cattle, are making wheat that’s usually reserved for human food into a relative bargain for feeding livestock. Prices for both crops surged after record rainfall this spring saturated American fields. But corn’s gains have outpaced those of wheat, shrinking the latter’s traditional premium. In some parts of the U.S., the cash spread has even swung to a discount.Hard red winter wheat, typically used to make flour for bread, was being sold as feed to cattle and hog operations for shipment in July, August and September, said Justin Gilpin, chief executive officer of the Kansas Wheat Commission, a trade group.“In southwestern Kansas, we’ve seen more wheat put on the books for feed than in quite a while,” Gilpin said in a telephone interview. “That’s in large part because feeders are concerned about corn prices and availability.”The U.S. Department of Agriculture earlier this month surprised traders by projecting smaller-than-expected wheat stockpiles, partly amid expectations for more use in livestock feed. The agency will issues figures on quarterly grain inventories in a report due Friday.The USDA estimated about 140 million bushels of wheat will go to domestic feed and residual use in the season that started June 1. While that’s nearly triple last season’s amount, it still represents only about 4% of total supply, leaving room for more demand gains that could further erode reserves.Also adding to the mix is expectation of lower wheat quality this year, which may leave more of the crop for feed instead of human consumption. Harvesting in key U.S. states is running behind and the average protein content in hard red winter grain is lower than last year, according to U.S. Wheat Associates.Cattle ranchers in western Texas look at the grain as a feed option when wheat futures’ premium to corn gets close to about 60 cents per bushel, according to Charlie Sauerwein, a consultant at grain merchant WindRiver Grain LLC in Garden City, Kansas.The premium for September hard red winter wheat futures dropped to about 23 cents a bushel over corn for the same delivery month in Chicago on Tuesday. When the futures spread narrows this much, it usually means that in some cash markets, wheat can be found at a discount to corn. Also, wheat is already being harvested, giving some livestock producers an immediate cheaper option as corn fields won’t be cut for a few months.“We are as narrow as we’ve been in history,” Sauerwein said of the spread. “It’s an incentive to look at wheat.”(Adds detail on wheat quality in seventh paragraph.)\--With assistance from Isis Almeida.To contact the reporter on this story: Michael Hirtzer in Chicago at firstname.lastname@example.orgTo contact the editors responsible for this story: James Attwood at email@example.com, Millie MunshiFor more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com©2019 Bloomberg L.P.
Walmart China has launched a blockchain-based platform aimed to address food safety concerns in the country.
(Bloomberg) -- Earlier this year, the prospect of a gaping global protein hole caused by swine fever in China pushed hog futures to the highest in five years. Now, prices are sliding back abit.Futures on Tuesday dropped below where they were at the start of 2019. There’s concern that there are just too many American hogs. Swine fever in China is spreading, but traders haven’t been impressed with its purchase of U.S. pork lately. No. 1 ham customer Mexico hasn’t been buying as much either, according to the latest government data, because of the trade war.Meanwhile, U.S. farmers are building new barns and slaughter capacity is expanding, according to The Commstock Report. Feed costs are also a headwind for hogs, as persistent Midwest flooding signals tighter corn and soybean supplies, Jeremy Scott, Mizuho proteins analyst, said in a report.Mexico bought less American pork for the first time in seven years in 2018. That trend continued through the first four months of 2019, with pork exports of 232,392 metric tons down 18% from the comparable time in 2018, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Ham prices are starting to ease off of highs.“You’re talking about a 20% gratuity to the Mexico treasury every time you ship hams to Mexico,” Joe Schuele, vice president of communications at the U.S. Meat Export Federation, said by phone. “That’s a pretty big factor.”Hog futures for August settlement fell 0.7% Tuesday to close at 81.7 cents a pound. That’s 1% below the price at the start of the year. The contract touched a record high of $1.02975 on March 22, when peak swine fever fears were aroused. That price was the highest of any most-active contract in five years.To contact the reporters on this story: Lydia Mulvany in Chicago at firstname.lastname@example.org;Michael Hirtzer in Chicago at email@example.comTo contact the editors responsible for this story: James Attwood at firstname.lastname@example.org, Reg Gale, Steven FrankFor more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com©2019 Bloomberg L.P.
The Canadian dollar was little changed on Tuesday, paring earlier losses after slipping to a two-week low against the greenback, as a rally in oil prices offset domestic data showing an unexpected drop in April manufacturing sales. Canadian factory sales fell by 0.6% in April from March as motor vehicle sales were held back by temporary assembly plant shutdowns, Statistics Canada said. The price of oil, one of Canada's major exports, rose as Middle East tensions offset signs that global economic growth is being hurt by the trade dispute between the United States and China.
World share markets snapped a seven-day winning streak on Wednesday as the White House took a tough line on trade talks with China, while a barely visible rise in U.S. inflation kept up talk of an early cut in interest rates there. Europe's main markets and Wall Street futures both followed Asia lower.
World share markets snapped a seven-day winning streak on Wednesday as the White House took a tough line on trade talks with China, while an impending reading on U.S. inflation was set to refine the odds of an early cut in interest rates there. FX dealers kept the dollar near an 11-week low as they waited to see whether the U.S. inflation numbers would bolster their bets on the first U.S. rate cuts since the financial crisis.
World share markets snapped a seven-day winning streak on Wednesday as the White House took a tough line on trade talks with China, while an impending reading on U.S. inflation was set to refine the odds of an early cut in interest rates there. FX dealers kept the dollar near an 11-week low before the U.S. data, having priced in the first U.S. rate cuts since the financial crisis.
Asian share markets were in a defensive crouch on Wednesday as the White House took a tough line on trade talks with China, while a looming reading on U.S. inflation could scramble the odds for an early cut in interest rates there. E-Mini futures for the S&P 500 fell 0.2% and EUROSTOXX futures lost 0.5%. "This time people will look at how the U.S. reacts to this kind of news.
Asian share markets took a step back on Wednesday as the White House took a tough line on trade talks with China, while a looming reading on U.S. inflation could shuffle the odds for an early cut in interest rates there. Market moves were modest, with MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan off 0.5% after two days of gains. Japan's Nikkei dipped 0.1%, while E-Mini futures for the S&P 500 hardly budged.
China's factory inflation slowed in May as faltering manufacturing hit demand, reinforcing worries about cooling growth in the world's second-largest economy, while a surge in food prices could add to consumer grievances about living costs. The slowdown was driven by declines in industrial commodities prices and was in line with the downbeat factory activity seen in May. It also comes amid China's worsening trade dispute with Washington, which analysts fear could trigger a global recession. China's producer price index (PPI) in May rose 0.6% year-on-year, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said in a statement on Wednesday, in line with analyst expectations and lower than a 0.9% uptick in April.
Asian share markets were in a wary mood on Wednesday as the White House took a tough line on trade talks with China, while a looming reading on U.S. inflation could shuffle the odds for an early cut in interest rates there. Market moves were modest, with MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan off 0.38% after two days of gains. Japan's Nikkei dithered either side of flat, while Shanghai blue chips eased 0.5% following a 3% jump the day before.
Oil prices slid 4% on Wednesday on higher U.S. crude inventories and a bleaker demand outlook, while uncertainty over the U.S.-China trade war and U.S. economic data weighed on stocks. The dollar index rose as trade tensions and U.S. interest rate policy remained in focus after President Donald Trump expressed optimism about the prospects for a trade deal with China but continued to threaten tariff increases in the absence of a deal. Weak economic data such as Wednesday's has investors hoping the Fed would give hints about a rate cut after its June 18-19 meeting.
Supermarket chain Carrefour has reportedly attributed a recent increase in sales to its use of blockchain tracking for food products.
Canadian producer prices increased by 0.8% in April from March, driven mainly by higher prices for energy and petroleum products and pork, Statistics Canada said on Friday. Analysts in a Reuters poll had ...


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Following the release of award-nominated video game Kingdom Hearts III
, the celebration continues as Talisman: Kingdom Hearts
Edition reveals Sora, Kairi, Riku, King Mickey, Goofy, and other comrades as figures at the helm of impressive new stories and combat methods. Inspired by Kingdom Hearts
lore, the 2- to 6-player game's objective compels players to acquire the needed Strength and Magic to seal the Door to Darkness and keep Heartless from consuming the communal worlds.
An artful game board with three regions, custom marbleized six-sided dice, tokens, and cards maintain the beloved aspects and exploratory spirit of "The Magical Quest Game" while offering lighthearted Disney nostalgia. Memorable locations such as Neverland and Traverse City, Munny-themed currency, Gummi Paths and more will comprise a brand new journey to the delight of sentimental fans.Talisman: Kingdom Hearts Edition
is at the forefront of The OP's recently announced partnership with Games Workshop, and enthusiasts can expect more dynamic titles to come from the collaboration!


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Eight Buffalo Spirits revives ‘spirited’ tradition
blog by Ben Tsujimoto • February 27, 2013 @ 12:05pm
An exciting prospect in starting a Buffalo-based business is that the local market is littered with voids. Have the hankering to start a brewery? In a short time, it could evolve into a full-fledged brewery district. Eager to jump on the nationwide food truck trend? It could lead to a fleet of a dozen in a very short time.
Now, Eight Buffalo Spirits—a local start-up by partners Niko Georgiadis, Chad Vosseller, Jon Mirro and business manager Thomas Jablonski—has received its “D” liquor license from the New York State Liquor Authority (see right) and will become Buffalo’s first legal distillery since Prohibition began in 1919.
Considering the hurdles leaped and requirements met to receive such a license, it’s a landmark achievement for an ambitious local business.
In short, a distillery houses the mass production of a process predicated on the fermentation and distillation of natural ingredients (usually ethanol) to create varieties of liquor.
While they flourished in the pre-Prohibition Era, they’ve fallen upon hard times in the last century—Paul Clarke’s Imbibe Magazine article from March 2012 delivers tremendous detail on the history of liquor creation in New York State, its decline and fairly recent revival. Here’s a quick passage from Clarke’s post on the massive decline since the Volstead Act:
One thousand to one. As ratios go, this one’s pretty fierce. It’s also roughly the ratio of the number of small-scale distilleries scattered across New York at the state’s 19th-century peak to the number that existed in New York less than 10 years ago.
According to Eight Buffalo Spirits’ website, the local business will immediately begin crafting test batches and plans to begin vending in two months—roughly May 1.
The business will be based at 255 Great Arrow Ave. in North Buffalo, a short distance from Papa Jake’s Saloon and McKinley High School. See the map at the left for the location.
You’ve witnessed how Flying Bison and Community Beer Works—among others—have infiltrated local bars and grocery stores, providing local alternatives to national monsters like Budweiser and Labatt.
In terms of liquor, however, we’ve grown so accustomed to Jack Daniel’s, Jameson Irish Whiskey, Captain Morgan and Smirnoff that even the idea of local alternatives had vanished. Until now, at least.
Judging by New York State governor Andrew Cuomo’s recent act that permits the presence of micro-distilleries at local farmers’ markets in our state, the sky’s the limit for the reach of Eight Buffalo Spirits.
Could the distillery’s birth pave the path for another blossoming local trend? It’s a compelling thought.


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Joan Collins: Jeans are for the young
Joan Collins thinks most women should throw out their jeans when they turn 40.
However, the 78-year-old actress believes she can get away with wearing denim as she is among a select few who can pull off the look.
Discussing glamour tips from her new book, The World According to Joan, the ever-glamorous actress thinks there are only a handful of 40-plus women who look good in jeans - and she is one of them.
"Frankly, [wearing jeans] just makes everyone look the same," she explained in an interview with BBC Breakfast.
"One of the things about being glamorous is that you have to find your own look.
"If you must wear jeans, which are rarely glamorous in women over 40, wear dark blue or black and pair them with t-shirts that are fitted or jackets that are classically cut.
Joan advises finding a signature look. The star thinks women should understand what suits their body type and what pieces to steer clear of.
"A lot of the best dressed [older women] have defined their look," she said. "My advice is to find a style that suits you and stick to it."
It is not the first time Joan has expressed her views on age appropriate clothing.
Earlier this month she told the UK edition of Glamour magazine women should avoid wearing "pu*y pelments" past the age of 35.
Joan also listed a number of her essential style rules, including that hair extensions are "fine" to wear. The actress then discussed fake tan, which is becoming increasingly popular in recent years.
"Fine, as long as it's not on your face," she said.


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Now that this year’s Apple Event has come and gone, we know a bit more about the Apple X. Pre-order is October 27th and it’s available November 3rd. Much of the early discussion, especially on social media, has been about the price — the phone will probably run from $999 to $1,300+, which is the steepest iPhone ever. (Although, as Bloomberg notes, the price of all Apple products is going up.) We also know it has a bigger screen — it’s essentially all screen — and the battery might last two hours longer than the iPhone 7. The A11 bionic neural engine, essentially an AI chip Apple packed into the iPhone X, can perform 600 billion operations per second.
Those are some of the basics of what we know so far, with more information available all over the web (some not as accurate as others). So once November arrives and a crop of people have screen-for-days iPhone Xs, what does that mean for mobile marketers?
Let’s start with AI
Adding the AI chip to the iPhone X was a big move for Apple, because you could argue that’s the first move to truly take AI to scale. Producing augmented reality content will likely be cheaper and easier than ever, which means you’ll see a lot of brands flood that market. It might be smart to see what types of engagement is doing the best among first movers before launching your own AR strategy. Some of the more obvious implications are home lifestyle brands that could use AR to show their products in your current living room; fashion brands can try the same with clothes. Both of these applications with AR have been used previously, as have others — but if the iPhone X does successfully make more users interested in AR applications, it’ll be interesting to see what brands try to do with it. It’s one of the most powerful technologies ever created in terms of bridging the digital/brick and mortar gap, because so many products can be seen/tried on/experimented with via AR. The “Animojis” Apple is rolling out — it’s exactly what you think it might be — are another sign brands need to be embracing AR within mobile.
QR Codes became a little bit of a punchline among mobile marketers in the last 24 months, oftentimes because the process wasn’t intuitive for the end user. They usually had to scan within a specific app. No more. In iOS 11, the corresponding operating system for Apple X, QR Code scanning is integrated right into the camera. Shopify recently released Shopcodes, for example; those are QR Codes that take users to a specific product. While not revolutionary, the user experience will be better if the code can be scanned right from the camera.
Implications of the new screen
Video and mobile gaming are two larger areas of mobile growth, and the new screen should allow those areas to flourish for advertisers and content houses. Brands can certainly engage more with users in “Snapchatty” (we made that word up) ways, and while one of the concerns of Snapchat has always been an age cutoff on who “gets” it, the iPhone X could bring knowledge of how to send fun videos, short AR clips, and beautiful photos easily to friends. In terms of the visual quality and tech overall, look at these benchmarks:
The iPhone X destroys the Samsung Galaxy S8 and has better benchmarks than a MacBook Pro. It might not justify the price tag, but brands are going to be able to send along some beautiful content to their targets.
It might set back Apple Pay…
In the demo live on stage when they announced the iPhone X, the facial recognition feature didn’t work so well. (Oops.) Well, since this phone is all screen, there’s no home button — which means there’s no fingerprint recognition, which had been good for Apple Pay. Now you double-tap the side button and wait for the phone to recognize your face, but if that reduces the experience ease of using Apple Pay, many might stick with their credit cards for even longer.
… but maybe Apple Watch will step in there
Apple Watch 3 and OS4 support Apple Pay now, as well as via iPhone 5 and above. The Apple Watch also now works without the phone via LTE, although that will cost $10/month on all carriers. (You get three months free.) If retail brands got connected with Apple Pay and people could easily pay at checkout via their watch, that might be a nice user experience uptick which could steal some customers from competitors. Looking at your watch and tapping to pay is relatively easy UX, especially if you don’t even need your phone connected to do it.
Based on what you’ve read about the iPhone X so far, what do you think could change in mobile marketing? And perhaps more importantly, do you think enough people will upgrade to the X to make an immediate difference?
It certainly seems like AR, Apple Pay, and video/photo/gaming could be greatly affected post-November, with probably AR being the biggest story of the next year or so as more people navigate to a X. We’d love to hear any thoughts, though.


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Credit crunch consumers turn to bartering on online swapshops
Rising inflation, crumbling stock markets and a slowing economy have prompted an explosion of online swap shops, with one company attracting 40,000 new subscribers in just a month.
The shops, known as cybermarkets, allow consumers to get what they want without spending any of their precious and dwindling cash.
Shops for everything from clothes to books to toys and games are springing up all over the world wide web and some have developed their own virtual currencies.
Jonathan Attwood, director of SwapitShop.com said: 'Our business is going up and up.'
Booming: Bartering websites are reaping the benefits of the slow economy
'Last month alone we had more than 40,000 new subscribers, and our members are now trading more than a quarter of a million of pounds worth of goods every month.
'Savvy kids are unlocking one of Britain's biggest hidden resources.'
Attwood said he believed some £5.9billion is tied up in unused games, music and toys lying around in kids' bedrooms, and through barter sites like his.
Adults too, with an estimated 2.4billion unworn items hanging in wardrobes across Britain, are getting wise to cyber bartering.
As food and fuel price inflation takes ever larger chunks out of tightening family budgets, bartering has swiftly turned from an idea prompted by a desire to be environmentally aware or join the vintage fashion trend, into a basic necessity.
Andy Lenney founded the Bigwardrobe.com clothes swapping website four months ago and admits the "timing could not have been better" with 150 new people a day signing up to trade clothes they no longer want for others' eye-catching cast-offs.
'Clothes swapping is no longer the preserve of the tree huggers, it's cool to be green and recycle, and it's fashionable to be thrifty,' he said. 'The credit crunch has been a massive help for us.'
Attwood, whose site has its own currency "swapits", says a simple shortage of cash is driving his business.
'When times are hard, he says, people feel good about using something old to get something new, and with barter there is no guilt about reckless spending.
'Kids are natural traders anyway, and now they are getting less pocket money and their parents are less willing to buy things for them,' he said. 'Swapping is the natural solution.'
Andrew Bathgate, who launched ReadItSwapIt.com for book lovers to trade old for new for nothing, tells a similar tale.
Barely three months ago, his site was seeing steady business of around 7,000 book swap requests a month. The number has now shot up 15,000 a month, with a cash-free book swap taking place every three minutes.
'Books can be an expensive hobby ... and at times of cost cutting people may not have the spare cash,' he said.
'We've seen people taking advantage of swapping more and more - not only are more people joining but people are also swapping almost twice as frequently as they were a year ago.'
The bartering business is also spreading beyond physical commodities into services and specialist trades.
On the Barter Swap UK Website, a user is offering tutoring for children up to age 11 in return for someone to lay wooden flooring in her conservatory, while another is offering the use of a holiday home in Austria to anyone who will transport her furniture there.
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