text:
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — 8 News Now looks into the cyber risk of cryptocurrency and how to navigate through it all.
Lt. Allen Larsen with Metro Police describes what cryptocurrency is as interest continues to grow globally.
“It’s essentially a virtual asset, meaning it’s based on the blockchain, and a specific set of numbers in a specific order,” he said.
A specific cash value and widespread popularity have also led to a rise in crypto cyber risk.
“There’s a lot of very high risks associated with cryptocurrency, unlike banking institutions, there’s no FDIC insurance on crypto funds,” Lt. Larsen added.
How to regulate cryptocurrencies is being figured out, there’s no third-party watchdog.
“The safety of it really depends on who’s holding the cryptocurrency,” he tells 8 News Now.
Cybercriminals can essentially crash a party, that’s still being planned.
The crypto cyber risk involves phishing, malware, hacked trading platforms, and laundered money.
“One of the primary uses for cryptocurrency is by criminal elements,” Lt. Larsen said. “To be able to move those funds quickly, without any detection by investigative entities.”
When war breaks out, cryptocurrency is relied on to avoid sanctions and move money.
“Whenever there is war or any type of major conflict, the value of cryptocurrency generally spikes during those conflicts,” added Lt. Larsen.
He also tells 8 News Now about the upsides to cryptocurrency.
“If you want it to be private, and to be able to do quick transactions, you know without banking regulators, or the federal government, or somebody else being involved, I would say it can be a useful tool,” Lt. Larsen said.
To capitalize on this new opportunity, and stay cyber safe, Lt. Larsen advises those interested to look to the bigger outfits and to steer clear of the scammer, who wants to buy crypto for you.
“If it’s not a big-name cryptocurrency exchange, I would stay away from it,” Lt. Larsen said. “There’s a lot of scams out there, there’s a lot of people who say, oh, go through me and I’ll buy you bitcoin or Ethereum, but a lot of those people are scammers.”
He also warns of other ways crooks can target your hard-earned money.
“They might even create a wallet or an account that you can log in to be able to see your money, then when it comes time to pull your money out, now they’re trying to charge you a fee to pull your money out – and once you give them even more of your hard-earned cash, they disappear,” Lt. Larsen added.
For cryptocurrency investors prepare for inconsistencies when it comes to gains and losses.
“It can fluctuate wildly from day to day,” he added. “There is some opportunity there for some massive gains, but what most people don’t talk about is the massive losses that happen as well.”


text:
Over 20,000 additional online businesses supported by Worldpay, accept the e-wallet
MasterCard today confirmed MBNA as the UK’s first card issuer to offer a MasterPass powered digital wallet to its customers.
The MBNA Wallet, powered by MasterPass, has been launched initially as a pilot to MBNA employees with a full roll out to cardholders expected in 2015. When the trial is complete and available to customers, those who use the e-wallet will be able to buy goods, or pay for services, at a diverse range of online sites both in the UK and overseas.
In November, Worldpay enabled over 20,000 small and medium sized online businesses to accept transactions via MasterPass. This compliments 6000 existing sites in the UK which take payments via MasterPass, including large retailers such as Currys and PC World.
Scott Abrahams, head of acceptance and emerging payments at MasterCard UK & Ireland commented: “Working with MBNA and Worldpay has helped MasterPass reach several milestones in the UK. MBNA customers will have the convenience and security of using the MasterPass service at over 30,000 online businesses in the UK and 60,000 across the world. Together we are offering a real alternative to consumers when paying online, removing the need to always input card details and the improved peace of mind that comes with this.”
For more information on MasterPass visit: https://masterpass.com/#en-uk

domain: news


text:
Face masks and outside goodbyes are the new normal at the Victoria International Airport (YYJ), where a new awareness program is reminding passengers of the airport’s pandemic safety directives.
TravelSafeYYJ was rolled out July 1 with a goal to inform the public on the new expectations for airport visits.
“At YYJ, the health and safety of our passengers, partners and employees is our top priority,” says a statement from Geoff Dickson, CEO of the Victoria Airport Authority. “TravelSafe YYJ is our commitment that we are doing our part to help stop the spread of COVID-19 and to ensure that passengers and staff feel safe and confident while at the airport.”
Alongside its own enhanced cleaning and sanitization measures, YYJ asks that only employees and travellers with valid tickets enter the terminal – a measure with exceptions for those accompanying a person who needs extra assistance. Passengers are also being asked to collect their baggage and leave the terminal as soon as they arrive. Short-term parking remains free of charge.
The airport will also have dedicated one-way entries and exits, physical distancing floor and seating decals and Plexiglass barriers at check-in and departure counters, car rentals, retail stores and food beverage service counters. Personal protective equipment will be available for purchase.
The terminal now has 60 hand sanitization stations and staff are implementing increased cleaning measures for all high-touch areas.
The airport experienced a 90 per cent drop in traffic after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and is a handful of domestic flights each day. In March, Canada and the U.S. agreed by mutual consent to close the border to non-essential travel. Those restrictions have been extended until July 31.


text:
US aims to attract 2 million visitors from India in 2018Published By: 24newsmedia
Brand USA, the nations first public-private partnership to market the US as a premier travel destination, said a number of initiatives were creature launched to tell the country
The US is aiming to attract as regards two million visitors from India in 2018 as it undertakes a number of initiatives to song around the country as a preferred destination, an qualified said.
Last year, the US witnessed 1.17 million arrivals from India who spent $13.6 billion there, positioning India at number six in terms of visitor spending in America.
We are expecting coarsely two million arrivals from India in 2018. India was 11th by start numbers to US in 2016, but it was at number sixth in spending, Brand USA global trade enlarge supervisor Suzana Shepard Durini told PTI.
For 2017, we are expecting a single digit accrual from last year, she relationship.
Established by the Travel Promotion Act of 2009, Brand USA is the nations first public-private partnership to market the US as a premier travel destination and to communicate the countrys visa and entry policies.
Asked not quite the steps the organisation was taking to flavor the US as a preferred destination here, Durini said programmes bearing in mind India Mission and intellectual seminars are organised regularly.
This year 37 companies from US following 51 delegates participated in the India Mission, she said, adding happening together that companies from US included those from tourism boards and hotels, tourist attractions and auxiliary services.
Brand USA will after that be conducting hours of hours of day long scholarly seminars for trade across the year in various cities such as Ahmedabad, Pune and Hyderabad and Jalandhar, Durini said.
We promise consumer campaigns, we then acquit yourself a lot of advertisements, content distribution. India is a deeply sudden growing source pronounce, she appendage.PTI.


text:
Treyarch has announced that Double XP is coming to Call of Duty: Black Ops 3, in both MP and Zombies, starting Friday, July 8 at 10AM PT and ending on July 11 at 10AM PT.
Longing for another leisurely, holiday weekend? Don't worry, we've got you: 2XP goes live tomorrow. You're welcome. pic.twitter.com/gFxnyJ4QDJ
— Treyarch Studios (@Treyarch) July 7, 2016
This Double XP is to celebrate the upcoming launch of Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 Descent DLC Pack 3, which will be available July 12 on PS4.


text:
China Mobile has commenced efforts to merge its two instant messaging (IM) services Fei Liao and Feition.
Sina Tech reported Monday that China Mobile sent out an SMS notice to Fei Liao users, saying they will not be able to send and receive messages from its other IM platform, Fetion. They were asked to download Fetion instead, according to the SMS which noted that the change will be effective from July 10.
Fei Liao offers an additional feature that allows users to send and receive voice messages, which will be integrated into Fetion. The report added that promoting both Fetion and Fei Liao as separate products will be detrimental as it would affect their customer appeal.
China Mobile also is more keen to promote Fetion due to its larger user base of around 90 million. In comparison, Fei Liao only has a few million users, according to the report.
said the Chinese telco was planning to integrate its two platforms and would launch a tender calling for technical support services of the combined platform for multiple providers. China Mobile launched Feition in May 2007 but its popularity had since fizzled out, compared to other communications platforms from Internet giants such as Tencent and Sina.


text:
New Delhi, May 18 : Ace designer Manish Malhotra, who has crossed the 4 million mark on his Instagram account, says the reach of digital space in fashion industry is phenomenal as people now have become more vocal about their opinions and craftsmanship, and this helps a brand grow.
"I feel the reach of the digital space in our industry is phenomenal and the impact it has on your brand is incomparable.
People from across the globe can now access your brand and get a window inside your world that was initially not a possibility.
"They are now becoming vocal with their opinions on craftsmanship and designs we showcase or the national and international influencers we dress.
Lastly, I am grateful to everyone who has shared their support and this would not have been possible without them," Malhotra told IANS in a statement.
Malhotra is one of the few Indian designers to reach the 4 million mark on Instagram.
"It is an overwhelming experience to reach the 4 million mark on my social media handle. Currently, the label is reaching out to over 8 million people across platforms," said the designer, whose label registered a 300 per cent growth last year.
"It (the digital world) has allowed me to stay connected to the world at the click of a button enhancing accessibility and thus, transcending the constraints of brick-n-mortar, all at once," he said.
Malhotra is Bollywood's favourite designer as he has redefined and modernised costumes in films like "Rangeela", "Raja Hindustani", "Dil Toh Pagal Hai", "Kuch Kuch Hota Hai", "Mohabbatein" and "Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham" apart from dressing up biggies like Kajol, Karisma Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Rani Mukerji, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Preity Zinta.
He has also designed for young Bollywood stars like Alia Bhatt, Parineeti Chopra and now Sara Ali Khan.


text:
The United Food & Commercial Workers, the Communications Workers of America and the United Auto Workers resigned from the National Consumers League, citing Amazon’s involvement with the group.
Three main unions have give up the board of the nation’s oldest client advocacy group, claiming funding from Amazon.com Inc. has compromised the group’s progressive mission.
In separate letters final month, the presidents of the United Food & Commercial Workers, the Communications Workers of America and the United Auto Workers wrote that their teams had been resigning instantly from their roles on the board of the National Consumers League, citing the Seattle-based e-commerce big’s involvement with the group.
“Unfortunately, it has become increasingly clear over the last several months that NCL leadership now prioritizes donations from anti-worker companies like Amazon ahead of its historic pro-labor and pro-consumer mission,” the presidents of the CWA and UFCW wrote.
The auto employees’ president stated within the union’s letter that the patron group’s “decisions around partnering with Amazon and the subsequent board discussions” had left it with no different alternative however to resign.
NCL Executive Director Sally Greenberg declined to remark, saying in an e mail that it was “an internal board matter.”
Founded in 1899, NCL says on its web site that the group’s official mission is “to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad.”
The board chair is a consultant of the Service Employees International Union and one of many vice chairs comes from the AFL-CIO. Spokespeople for Amazon, SEIU, and the AFL-CIO didn’t instantly reply Friday to requests for remark.
Amazon’s speedy progress, its enlargement into sectors like grocery shops and parcel supply, and its aggressive and profitable efforts to defeat unionization efforts amongst its employees have made it a main goal and antagonist of the U.S. labor motion and progressive politicians allied with it.
NCL’s donors final 12 months included tech, finance, aviation, and pharmaceutical firms in addition to unions and regulation corporations, in accordance with its 2020 annual report, which famous it had “supported union organizing and minimum wage increases in states across the country.”
In March, the nonprofit group issued a measured assertion relating to the unionization election then-under approach amongst Amazon warehouse staff in Bessemer, Alabama.
NCL stated on the time that it supported employees’ proper to unionize, that staff had been “seeking a stronger voice” on points corresponding to productiveness expectations and that it hoped the corporate would honor the selection its employees made.
“We have partnered with Amazon on issues of great import to consumers, including fighting fraud and supporting financial literacy for teens and appreciate the company’s dedication to those concerns and its pledge to support a $15 an hour minimum wage nationally,” NCL stated in the identical assertion.
Amazon staff voted in opposition to unionization, however a National Labor Relations Board listening to officer has stated that consequence must be thrown out on account of misconduct by the corporate. Amazon has denied wrongdoing.


text:
Apple on Monday seeded the sixth beta of tvOS 16 to developers for testing. The sixth beta release comes a little more than a week after the fifth beta release of tvOS 16.
The tvOS 16 beta is with the Apple TV 4K (1st and 2nd generation) and the Apple TV HD. The new beta can be downloaded to a compatible Apple TV that has the proper profile installed, which can be done by downloading it onto the Apple TV using Xcode.
tvOS 16 brings cross-device connectivity, a feature that allows developers to integrate Apple TV apps with iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch apps to provide new experiences on Apple TV. Multiple user profiles work in tvOS 16 by adding a shared keychain, so users won’t need to sign in and choose their profile when launching an Apple TV app.
Game controller support now supports the Nintendo Joy-Cons and Pro Controller, and HDR10+ support is available in the tvOS 16 Apple TV app. Apple TV will add support for Matter, a new standard that will improve interoperability between smart home accessories from various companies.
As usual, MacTrast and Apple both warn users to not install any betas on their daily driver Apple TV, especially early betas of new operating systems. Instead, only install betas on a device set aside for testing purposes.


text:
We have eight Commonwealth trade envoys representing British business interests in 10 Commonwealth states. We have expanded the British Government’s representation in a number of countries, and we are looking forward to the inaugural Commonwealth Trade Ministers meeting in London in March next year, which will be co-hosted by ourselves and the Government of Malta.
That is something we are concentrating on. Intra-Commonwealth trade is estimated at over $680 billion, and it is projected to surpass $1 trillion by 2020. The Commonwealth includes 53 member states, a quarter of the world’s land mass and 2.2 billion people, and 60% of the Commonwealth’s population is under the age of 30, so there are some huge and exciting opportunities there.
17. Now that we have this wonderful opportunity to boost trade with the Commonwealth, will my right hon. Friend make sure that small countries in Africa and Asia are not left behind in what I believe will be a trade bonanza? (905824)


text:
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S. — The Pet Food Institute (PFI) and National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) announced on Aug. 19 the official program for their first-ever Joint Feed/Pet Food Industries Conference scheduled for Sept. 22-24 in Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
The conference will focus on the most important business trends, food and feed safety developments, and operations issues confronting the animal feed and pet food industries. Fifteen distinct program topics will be addressed by industry and government speakers throughout the conference, which will begin with a welcome reception on Sept. 22 and conclude at noon on Sept. 24. The conference also will consist of a nearly trade show with 30 exhibitors whose companies provide goods and services to the commercial feed and pet food sectors.
The conference program will feature a keynote address by Michael Taylor, deputy commissioner for foods at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Rockville, Maryland, U.S., who is expected to focus on significant changes underway within the agency to implement a more prevention- and risk-based approach to food, animal feed and pet food safety that will affect all feed, feed ingredient and pet food manufacturers and suppliers.
FDA and state feed regulatory officials will discuss the new food/feed safety legislation expected to be approved by Congress later this year, and what it will require of feed, feed ingredient and pet food manufacturers and their suppliers.
Industry experts will discuss how feed, feed ingredient and pet food companies can incorporate hazard analysis and critical control point (HACCP) principles and controls to prevent product safety hazards into their operations.
In addition, given the increased frequency of FDA and state inspections likely to be mandated under the new food/feed safety legislation, another major program session will focus on how companies can prepare for such inspections, including effectively exercising their rights and obligations.
"This conference will be the best opportunity executives, managers and operations personnel with companies involved in the animal feed and pet food sectors – and suppliers to our industry – will have to obtain the tangible information and tools they need to address head-on the most critical business, regulatory and operational challenges they will face in the years ahead," said PFI President Duane Ekedahl.
"I strongly encourage companies to take advantage of this conference!" said NGFA President Kendell Keith. "The program line-up of industry experts and top government officials is really outstanding, and unlikely to be matched anywhere."
Complete program information, as well as conference registration and hotel reservation information, is available at the PFI-NGFA joint conference website: http://www.jointindustriesconference.org/. The conference fee is $365 per person for PFI and NGFA members registering on or before Sept. 6.
For nonmembers, this early bird registration fee is $465 per person. The fee for registrations received from Sept. 7-21 will be $425 per person for members and $525 per person for nonmembers. The on-site registration fee will be $475 for members and $575 for nonmembers. The registration fee includes two receptions, two breakfasts, and a luncheon, as well as admittance to all program sessions and the trade show.
On Sept. 22, in conjunction with the conference, PFI will be conducting its annual board of directors meeting. Also meeting will be PFI’s Regulatory Affairs Committee; all PFI members and affiliates are invited to the committee meeting. Meanwhile, the NGFA will be conducting a joint meeting of its Feed Legislative and Regulatory Affairs Committee and Feed Manufacturing and Technology Committee, to which NGFA-member company representatives are invited to attend.


text:
US private equity house Veronis Suhler Stevenson has sold its stake in Berliner Verlag to minority shareholder Mecom Group plc for reportedly EUR 320m. The financial investor had acquired majority holding alongside Mecom in October 2005 from the Stuttgart-based publishing house Georg von Holtzbrinck.
GP also announced the refinancing of online gardening retailer YouGardem, scoring a 60% cost return
CDP Venture and Tim Ventures take part in the round, alongside Club Digital and Club Italia Investimenti 2
Deal is the second from Bid Equity II, which held a close in November 2019 and targets B2B software
Early-stage investor Italian Angels for Growth and Swiss holding company Brahma also take part in the round


text:
Alfalak to distribute Microsoft Office 365
Dubai, June 6, 2012
Leading provider of technology-based solutions, Alfalak Electronic Equipment & Supplies Company, announced that it has signed an agreement to be the authorised Microsoft cloud licensing distributor for Microsoft Office 365 in Saudi Arabia.
Alfalak has been distributing Microsoft products for more than 10 years to resellers across Saudi Arabia and other GCC countries, and the partnership sustains the company’s strategy to cater to the evolving needs of clients in the region.
Microsoft Office 365 is the only web-based service fully compatible with Microsoft Office, further expanding Alfalak’s cloud-based products and services.
Designed to help businesses boost productivity, collaboration, communication, and worry-free IT, Microsoft Office 365 offers integrated features including email and calendars, conferencing, file sharing, website, office web applications, mobility and security.
Ahmed Ashadawi, president and CEO, Alfalak Electronic Equipment & Supplies Company, said: “Microsoft Office 365 unlocks new possibilities for local businesses to boost their productivity globally through powerful cloud-based applications that allow them to work securely and communicate in real-time from almost anywhere.”
“For more than a decade Alfalak has been distributing Microsoft products to resellers across Saudi Arabia and other GCC countries; our long-standing partnership with Microsoft serves as a strong testament to our commitment to provide premium technology solutions that deliver a significant impact to the business performance of our clients in the region.”
“Today’s announcement of our new agreement with Alfalak, which spans hardware, software and services, is a great example of how we continue to invest in the IT industry through our commitment to empower the important services to our customers,” said Loai Bafaqeeh, executive marketing and operation director, Microsoft, Saudi Arabia.
“This agreement will enable business customers to optimise performance with more simplicity by extending the cloud platform and performing through Microsoft Office 365. Our extended partnership will transform the way large enterprises deliver services to their customers, and help smaller organisations adopt IT to grow their businesses.”
“Microsoft and Alfalak’s objective is to drive the customers to fully realise the business benefits of the cloud and develop a greater business future with more environmentally advanced products in terms of efficiency, productivity and reliability,” Bafaqeeh concluded. – TradeArabia News Service


text:
Waymo Via and Uber Freight team up to deploy self-driving trucks
Listen to this article
Reading time: 2 minutes
Waymo Via is partnering with Uber Freight to deploy self-driving trucks across its US network. This long-term partnership combines the Waymo Driver with market technology from Uber Freight to enable the safe and scalable implementation of the Waymo Driver on US roads.
As part of the agreement, the standalone Waymo Via solution will be connected directly to the Uber Freight platform for shippers to access.
It will start with Waymo Via’s test fleet trucks, and later carriers who purchase Waymo Driver-equipped trucks through its Driver-as-a-Service model will be able to sign up for Uber Freight and seamlessly deploy these on-grid assets, enabling them to optimize utilization and grow their business.
Waymo Via also intends to reserve billions of miles of its freight miles just for the Uber Freight network as part of the partnership, freeing up capacity when shippers need it most.
Waymo is owned by Alphabet.
Charlie Jatt, Trucking Marketing Manager, Waymo Via, said, “Uber Freight’s network of shippers, carriers and market technology is a perfect match for the Waymo driver. Through this partnership, we can enable carriers to fully leverage their investments in the Waymo Via solution through Uber Freight and create a great experience for shippers, while focusing on developing the core Driver technology. We are truly excited to see how this partnership can impact the logistics industry and solve critical challenges over the next decade and beyond.
Boris Sofman, Engineering Manager for Trucking, Waymo Via, adds, “Partnering with Uber Freight opens up some really exciting opportunities for us to help evolve the Waymo driver. By combining the Waymo Via solution with the Uber Freight platform, “We will be able to apply market-proven technology to help carriers dynamically deploy the Waymo driver where it is most valuable and performs best. We look forward to seeing what else comes out of this deep collaboration.”
Lior Ron, Head of Uber Freight, comments: “Uber Freight’s extensive, efficient and reliable digital network is essential to making self-driving trucks a reality. We are uniquely positioned to be the preferred network for self-driving trucks, with the scale and market expertise to deploy self-driving trucks in a way that benefits the entire industry. This partnership is an exciting step forward, and we are proud to work alongside the incredible team at Waymo Via to create a hybrid freight network that truly empowers carriers and will usher in a new era of logistics. .
Currently, Waymo Via is testing Class 8 heavy-duty trucks that are operated by the Waymo driver in California, Arizona, Texas, and New Mexico.
It’s also testing local delivery in Arizona with a fleet of self-driving Chrysler Pacifica hybrid minivans.


text:
The transition to 5G is leaping ahead with a French port moving from trials to commercial roll-out.
Ports of Stockholm’s newly built Stockholm Norvik Port has won a prestigious construction prize for its efficiency.
Zero-emission vessels and clean infrastructure at UK ports could soon become a common sight, thanks to a new GB£20m competition to make innovative green maritime ideas a reality.
Green energy will power a new factory being built at a Welsh port in order to cut CO2 emissions.
One port has a new emissions busting rail freight service, the second its announced in seven days.
A cross border logistics service between the Port of Barcelona and the southwest of France is giving customers up to 11 days of savings in transit time saving both cost and emissions.
Green electricity will be exclusively used at an Estonian port to cut almost 7,000t of CO2 emissions per year.
The Port of València has installed two new environmental quality and control cabins to monitor weather, air quality and noise.
In an effort to speed up the transition to fossil free fuel, several transport giants have teamed up to reduce carbon emissions linked to the port.
European ports are applying for EU grant funding to invest in electrification and alternative fuels to help reduce emissions at their terminals.
Associated British Ports (ABP) has invested GB£300,000 in a new rail service at a major UK port to help green its operations further.
The bremenports-managed ports of Bremen (Bremen and Bremerhaven ports) have achieved a key environmental certificate for the fifth time to reflect their commitment towards environmental sustainability.
A 45% reduction in emissions is in reach of one American terminal which has started to use green renewables including wind and solar power.
One Swedish port authority is working hard to increase the reach of its shoreside power system to further cut portside ship emissions.
Associated British Ports (ABP) has completed a GB£50m container handling investment that has reduced carbon emissions, increased capacity and enabled a more efficient service.
HPC Hamburg Port Consulting has been helping a German terminal to digitalise and automate the customs clearance processes for import and export traffic with the UK to improve speed and efficiency.
The Scottish Government is developing plans for a new model of green ports focused on inclusive growth, fair work practices and delivering a net zero economy.
As one of the first german port businesses with a comprehensive green strategy, bremenports wants to ramp up stakeholder dialogue to stay ahead.
Pioneering energy projects and digitalisation have helped one European port lay solid foundations for a sustainable future, despite Covid-19.
A sustainable growth agenda will be a key focus for UK ports in 2021.
Site powered by Webvision Cloud


text:
BlackBerry and Boeing are working together on a new super-secure smartphone. The announcement came at an earnings call at which BlackBerry CEO, John Chen, revealed scant details about the collaboration. What we do know is that the partnership is designed to create a secure device that can be used by US defense and homeland security workers.
Everybody's paranoid nowadays, but the defense sector is one that has a particular need for security. Boomberg reports that the phone is known as the Boeing Black, and it runs on top of BES -- a platform already known and trusted by many enterprise customers.
Microsoft is keeping its promise of delivering Lumia Denim in the last quarter of 2014, as the firmware update is rolling out now. However, most devices which are slated to get it will only receive it starting early next year.
"The Lumia Denim update has started rolling out to a limited number of devices in selected markets, and will continue arriving in waves by device", says Microsoft's Adam Frasier. "A wider rollout of Lumia Denim to all Lumia smartphones running Windows Phone 8.1 is expected to begin in early January, following partner testing and approvals". I wouldn't be surprised if the roll-out ends very late in Q1 2015.
With Windows Phone still struggling to gain considerable traction, Microsoft is trying to boost its operating system's market share by focusing on the low-end of the market, which has real potential of attracting consumers, especially those in emerging markets. And, so far this year, Microsoft has introduced quite a few affordable Windows Phones, with the latest of the bunch being the still-Nokia-branded Lumia 638.
Lumia 638 is a new Windows Phone 8.1 handset that is designed for India. It is touted to be one of the most affordable smartphones with 4G connectivity available in this Asian market, which is sure to attract the attention of price-conscious local buyers. What else does it have to offer?
Windows Phone is a great operating system. If you disagree, you are wrong. Sure, it has frustratingly low app availability, including a lack of Google apps, but the underlying OS is wonderful. Live tiles are useful, and the UI is smart and attractive. Hell, the hardware is wonderful too, and it is often sold at very affordable prices.
Today, Microsoft and Sprint are joining forces to bring the Lumia 635 to Boost Mobile, Virgin Mobile USA and Sprint's own network. Believe it or not, this is the first-ever Lumia handset for Boost and Virgin USA -- two of Sprint's sub-carriers.
Avast has long been a favorite with home PC users thanks to its free antivirus offering, and protects 175 million computers worldwide. It also launched a free mobile product in 2011 and now protects around 50 million smartphones too.
In 2015 it's looking to move into the business market and is seeking beta testers to help perfect its product before launch.
Samsung, the largest smartphone supplier, has had a surprising year and reported losing over 20 million sales, compared to 2013.
Samsung sold 7 million less units in Q3 and 23 million less overall in 2014, compared to the previous year. The Galaxy S5 has been a huge letdown for Samsung, selling less than 20 million units in 2014, a number Apple’s iPhone 6 has already surpassed.
Whenever I read about a company deploying a certain number of smartphones for internal use, it is usually Windows Phones which are given to employees. And Microsoft is the company that proudly does the official announcement on behalf of (or together with) its customer. This time around things are (very) different.
US airline United Airlines has announced that it will deploy iPhone 6 Plus to over 23,000 flight attendants, with the initial goal of giving them the ability to access company resources -- like email, Intranet, policies, and procedures manuals -- and also to handle retail transactions during flights.
Xiaomi has enjoyed great success in its home market of China, becoming the largest vendor in the country in Q2 2014, beating Samsung for the title. The company also was the third-largest smartphone maker worldwide in Q3 2014. And things appear to only be looking up for Xiaomi, with shipments expected to grow at a still rapid pace.
One of the reasons why Xiaomi has managed to reach the top spot in its home country is the permissive local legal system, in relation to patents. The company hasn't really been challenged locally by any of the big non-Chinese players, as quite likely any suits filed against it for patent infringement would be lost by the plaintiffs. Western companies have been dealing with this problem for (too) many years. However, as Xiaomi expands into India, it has to deal with a different legal system, one which just sided with Ericsson in a case of patent infringement. The outcome?
For Nokia to get any real traction with HERE outside of Windows Phone and its former brands, the Finnish company must make its app available to as many potential new users as possible. And that means offering it on the biggest mobile app stores around today -- Apple App Store and Google Play.
Today, Nokia is taking a step in the right direction by making HERE for Android available on Google Play. The app's availability on the largest Android app store comes more than three months after the initial launch, for Galaxy smartphones. HERE still sports the beta label, but continues to offer the same lovely features we have come to expect from it.
Coming to the end of 2014, it's time to start looking to what the year ahead may have to offer. After gazing into its crystal ball, Juniper Research has compiled a list of what it expects to be the biggest technology trends of 2015. Topping the list is a focus on security. Juniper Research predicts that there will be greater interest in encryption and tokenization, as cloud storage providers battle to regain customer trust.
The launch of Apple Pay will help to drive an increased interest in biometrics to help with security, but 2015 is also predicted to be the year that wearables really take off. Now that Apple has entered the arena, there should be a greater focus on aesthetics and smaller players will increase in popularity. Tied in with both security and wearables is a predicted jump in the use of NFC -- for payments, authentication, health and more.
More than two months after it introduced Passport in black, BlackBerry today announces that its latest smartphone is now also available in red and white. The two new color options were introduced for pre-order in late-November, but are only just now shipping.
Both the red and white Passport are officially available from Amazon and BlackBerry's own online store. Both companies list the smartphone as being in stock; taking the Amazon route coupled with one-day shipping will get you a new Passport tomorrow, December 9.
Most consumers who buy one of Apple's latest smartphones end up with the smaller model. In fact, iPhone 6 is outselling its bigger brother, iPhone 6 Plus, by a ratio of three to one in US, and an even higher ratio of four to one in Britain. However, Apple shouldn't be worried that its first phablet is nowhere near as popular as the "standard" iPhone 6.
That is because iPhone 6 Plus is actually a hugely popular device in its category, accounting for 41 percent of phablet sales in US in the three months ending October 2014, despite being on sale only from mid-September onwards. What does that mean in the grand scheme of things?
You know how a slice of bread always falls on the buttered side? Or how a cat, when dropped onto its back, always somehow manages to turn around mid-air and land on its feet?
Well, basically, Apple has been awarded a patent that does just that -- makes sure its products, when dropped, land exactly how they want them to land. Of course, this desired landing will be one that is the least likely to damage crucial components.
Samsung is not as fast as rival makers HTC or Motorola when it comes to rolling out software upgrades to the latest version of Android, but the company appears to be finally cleaning up its act. Not too long after Google released Android 5.0, Lollipop is now available for Galaxy S5.
The epicenter for the Android 5.0 Lollipop roll-out is Poland, a market Samsung has frequently used to commence roll-outs of new major software upgrades. The company is currently targeting users of the SM-G900F version of Galaxy S5, which, as some of you may know, is the model featuring a Qualcomm processor (Snapdragon 801).
Apple will have a record quarter for iPhone sales, if analyst estimates are to be believed. The company is expected to ship more than 70 million units in the last part of the year, nearly 20 million units more than the 51 million units it moved a year ago. It wouldn't surprise anyone if these estimates turn out to be accurate, considering the successful launch of iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, coupled with the high consumer demand for the two devices across the globe.
Today, research firm Kantar Worldpanel ComTech adds more credence to the estimates. Its latest report, on the three months ending October 2014, reveals record market share for Apple's smartphones in Britain, strong performance in continental Europe, and marginal improvements in market share in US and China.


text:
Slingshot has launched a “Global Mode” option on its accounts – a feature that will allow the ISP's customers to access TV and movie streaming services like Netflix and Hulu in the US that usually geo-block New Zealanders.
The new feature goes live 1pm today.
While tech-savvy internet users know how to beat geo-blocking, Slingshot has legitimised the practice, and made it easy. All you have to do is enable the feature on your account via Slingshot’s website. The company promises it will be enabled within 10 minutes of you opting in.
Global mode is free.
Slingshot (CallPlus’ residential brand) is marketing Global Mode as a service for foreigners visiting New Zealand.
However, Slingshot general manager Scott Page tells NBR there will be no verification process. The ISP will take it on faith that a person is a temporary visitor to New Zealand or that they are, for example, hosting a non-NZ resident in their home who has a legitimate right to access services in their home country.
Mr Page adds, “We expect all consumers to comply with the terms and conditions of the service providers.” Such terms and conditions usually ban proxy servers and other tools for beating geo-blocking.
Last year, when Maxnet spin-off Fyx launched a short-lived global mode, Chapman Tripp gave the service the legal thumbs up in an independent assessment for NBR. But Fyx parent company, Maxnet, was bought by Australia's Vocus shortly after and the new owner shut-off the global mode plans.
Vocus told NBR it did not see legal issues, but did not want the complications that went with the controversial service as it refocused Maxnet on business, wholesale and data centre services.
Asked if Callplus has sought legal advice before launching Global Mode, Mr Page said it had but "we always take legal advice on our product launches so this is not extraordinary".
Slingshot’s news is yet another headache for Sky TV, which is already facing headaches from the pending Coliseum Sports Media launch that has seen its shares slump 6%.
Mr Page says Slingshot has around 150,000 customers.
There is clearly interest in the area of geo-block busting. NBR's story Geo-block busting ISP gets thumbs up from Chapman Tripp, on Maxnet's short-lived service, was easily this site's best read article of 2012.
This article is tagged with the following keywords. Find out more about MyNBR Tags
- Gareth Morgan wades into Awaroa beach
- Apple NZ boosts 2015 earnings while deferring $8.3m in tax against future profits
- MARKET CLOSE: NZ shares join global selloff; Xero, Orion, ANZ decline
- International bank Investec buys into local crowd funder Equitise
- PayPal joins Netflix in fight against unblockers
Most listened to
- Christchurch Chamber of Commerce CEO Peter Townsend on workers re-entering the city's CBD
- Morningstar's David Mueller on JB Hi-Fi's latest New Zealand revenue
- Rob Hosking discusses what John Key needs to do to shut down critics
- MYOB's CEO Tim Reed and executive James Scollay talk about growth and competition
- Nevil Gibson discusses Amazon's expansion into bookstores in his latest Editor's Insight


text:
2013 Nissan Altima Shows It, In Fact, Has At Least One Tail Light
Three seconds. Three freakin' seconds. Out of a seven-second teaser video Nissan made available today for the upcoming 2013 Nissan Altima sedan, not even half the time is spent actually showing the new midsize sedan. And yet, us writer folk are drawn toward talking about it like a mosquito to bug zapper. Nissan is teasing one view per week—the overhead view first, then the headlight. This week, its a tail light. Here's what we can tell you about its tail light: It looks as though it were in inspired by those from both the Nissan Maxima full-size sedan and 370Z sports car. It also looks like it will employ LED technology. Seeing as how Nissan already flashed a high-intensity xenon headlight in front of our faces, an equally premium LED is probably a no-brainer. The tail light is attached to a car that's slightly larger than its predecessor and is expected to ditch its V-6 engine option in favor of a supercharged four-cylinder engine. We've seen camouflaged prototypes driving around Southern California several times and can confirm its shape isn't a drastic departure from the current model's. Nissan is planning to show two more teasers of the 2013 Altima before its scheduled debut at next month's New York Auto Show. Until such time, though, we'll keep showing you the automaker's all-too-brief teaser vids, as we can't resist the temptation.Source: Nissan via YouTube
In Maryland, you can't exit a car while leaving the engine running.


text:
DAYTONA BEACH, FL — As cleanup efforts continue in Volusia County, Daytona Beach businesses are feeling the effects of two storms that landed within weeks of each other.
What you need to know
- Rainforest and damage have revealed a lack of tourists along the Daytona Beach boardwalk in recent weeks
- The destination is one of the most popular places in the city for tourists.
- “It was pretty late,” said Kim Barrett, who works at Michael’s on the Beach.
Most shops near the boardwalk and pier expect fewer visitors as the summer ends, but recent storms have made that all the more evident.
“It was pretty late,” said Kim Barrett, who works at Michael’s on the Beach.
Barrett spends the day after Nicole has been well documented on her phone.
As she scrolls through photos of the storm damage, she’s just grateful that the store she works at kept its doors open after the landfall.
“So we took a squeegee and pushed all the water out,” Barrett explained.
Michael’s is one of several stores on the city’s Daytona Beach Boardwalk.
The destination is one of the city’s most popular destinations for tourists, and Michael’s is one of the many gift shops where you can purchase souvenirs before heading home.
“And I don’t even know where it came from. Can you see those rocks?” asked Barrett, pointing to the debris washed up on the beach.
She has lived in Daytona Beach for 10 years and has been amazed by the strength of the past two storms.
Being so close to the water, the gift shop had shutters to keep the business safe.
These efforts proved vital as powerful waves and winds hit the coast.
Outside the store was a different situation.
“Ian didn’t come out our stairs, but Nicole came. So it was a one-two punch. Nicole hit where Ian didn’t,” Barrett explained.
Overall, Michael’s had several water leaks in the building and sand from the ocean got into the store.
Since then they have been able to clean everything up.
Barrett and her colleagues say they are grateful for the shutters that have helped keep the store safe.
“Given what happened on our coastline, we’re very fortunate that neither of them did much damage to us,” she said.


text:
Subaru XV sales up 139% in August
Subaru became the fastest-growing top 10 brand in August with 4579 vehicles sold, according to official VFACTs figures out today.
SUBARU SOLD 4579 vehicles in August, making it the fastest-growing top 10 brand in the country. Subaru sales grew 36.2% compared to August 2016 and year-to-date (YTD) performance is up 13.1%, in a market that is up just 1.8%, overall, for the month and 0.6% YTD.
According to Subaru, its new-generation Impreza and XV led the sales charge with 970 (up 230% for the month) and 1176 units sold (up 139% for the month), respectively. Also performing strongly was WRX, with 271 sales, up 19.9% for the month. The BRZ also realised growth in August with 71 sales, up 787.5% for the month and 96.3% YTD. Forester sold 984 units, an increase of 5.5% for the month.
Colin Christie, Managing Director, Subaru Australia, said: “August was our 32nd consecutive month of growth, so it’s no aberration and we’re delighted by the broad acceptance of our new generation Impreza and XV in particular, which are introducing many new customers to Subaru”.


text:
Apple has seeded a new Gold Master version of iOS 4.2, labeled iOS 4.2.1, to developers. Unlike the secondary GM seed of iOS 4.2 released exclusively for the iPad, this new build is available for all capable devices, including the iPad, iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 3G, and the second-, third-, and fourth-generation iPod touch. While it is unclear whether Apple now plans to skip a general release of iOS 4.2 and go directly to iOS 4.2.1, an email from Toktumi, makers of the Line2 VoIP application, suggests a communications bug may have led Apple to release the new build. According to the email, reprinted by Mac Rumors, the GM version of iOS 4.2 contained a “severe” bug that caused any VoIP app running in the background to continuously ring after receiving an incoming call, even after the call is answered. The email states that Apple Developer Support is aware of the bug; it is unknown whether iOS 4.2.1 includes a fix for the issue. iOS 4.2.1 GM is available as a download for paid iOS developers from Apple’s iOS Dev Center.
Apple has announced that it will launch its iAd mobile advertising network in the UK and France this December, with Germany to follow in February. According to the release, the European iAd launch will see new ads from L’Oréal, Renault, Louis Vuitton, Nespresso, Perrier, Unilever, Citi, Evian, LG Display, AB InBev, Turkish Airlines and Absolute Radio. Apple claims that iAd has signed on over half of the top 25 leading US national advertisers in just four months, with a projected 21 percent share of US mobile display advertising revenue for 2010 according to research firm IDC. Also mentioned in the release is a seemingly new iAd website, advertising.apple.com.
“We’re thrilled to add leading global brands to the iAd Network in Europe and create even more great opportunities for developers,” said Andy Miller, Apple’s vice president of iAd. “In just four months, we’ve doubled the number of advertisers on the network and thousands of developers now have a valuable new source of revenue.”
“As the world leader in the beauty business, L’Oréal aims to create the most meaningful connections between its brands and its customers, so iAd was a natural choice,” said Marc Menesguen, L’Oréal’s Head of strategic marketing. “We’re thrilled by the quality, the interactivity and the depth of iAd’s user experience, giving us an unparalleled opportunity to reach and serve the most engaged and discerning customers at the digital forefront of beauty, hence our choice of Lancôme to lead our iAd campaign.”
Apple has announced that Dr. Ronald D. Sugar, former Chairman of the Board and CEO of Northrop Grumman Corporation, has been appointed to the company’s Board of Directors. According to the release, Dr. Sugar served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer at Northrop Grumman Corporation from 2003 until his retirement in 2010, and has also held executive positions at Litton Industries and TRW Inc., where he served as chief financial officer. In his role with Apple, Dr. Sugar will serve as the Chair of the Audit and Finance Committee.
“Ron is an engineer at heart, who then became a very successful business leader. We are very excited to welcome him to Apple’s Board,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “In addition to having been the CEO of a high-tech Fortune 100 company, Ron has a Ph.D. in engineering and has been involved in the development of some very sophisticated technology.”
“I have always had enormous admiration for the people of Apple,” said Sugar. “It is a special privilege to serve on the board of such an amazing company.”
Apple has secured exclusive digital rights for The Beatles’ catalog into next year, according to AllThingsD. EMI spokesman Dylan Jones told the publication that Apple has exclusive digital rights for The Beatles “into 2011,” and noted that the exclusive does not expire at the first of the year. Jones added that the exclusivity period does have a set expiration date, but did not share when that might be. In addition, Jones was vague when asked whether The Beatles would be available from other digital outlets such as Amazon and various subscription services, saying only “[t]hat’s a question, isn’t it.”
As expected, Apple today announced the immediate availability of The Beatles’ entire back catalog on the iTunes Store. All of the Fab Four’s remastered albums are available for purchase individually in iTunes LP format, priced at $12.99 for standard length albums and $19.99 for double-length offerings; also available is the The Beatles Box Set ($149), which contains remastered versions of all the band’s studio albums in iTunes LP format, as well Past Masters Vols. 1 & 2, a series of Mini Documentaries, and a film of the band’s performance at the Washington Coliseum from 1964, a worldwide iTunes exclusive which captures the Beatles’ very first US concert in its entirety. Notably, the concert film will be available for fans to stream and view from iTunes for free for the remainder of this calendar year. All of the band’s singles are offered for $1.29 a song. In conjunction with the release, Apple will be running a series of five TV advertisements, featuring clips of the band’s arrival in America, and the songs “All You Need Is Love,” “Let It Be,” “Yesterday,” and “Here Comes The Sun,” respectively, all of which are available for viewing on the band’s iTunes landing page.
Apple is preparing to announce the arrival of The Beatles’ catalog on the iTunes Store tomorrow morning, according to a new report. Citing people familiar with the matter, the Wall Street Journal reports that Apple has been in talks with the representatives of the band, as well as EMI, the band’s label, as recently as last week, but that Apple could change its plans at the last minute. The report notes that an agreement would represent a watershed event in a decades-old relationship that has seen lawsuits filed against both parties, beginning in 1978 with a dispute over the “Apple” brand that wasn’t fully resolved until early 2007.
Apple is expected to announce the first brands to use iAds in Europe later this week, according to a new report. The Financial Times reports that Apple has twice delayed the launch of its iAd mobile advertising platform in Europe, and has in some cases been willing to discuss taking less than its $1 million minimum spend in order to attract better brands as advertisers. “Apple is in a weaker position than you’d think,” said one media agency’s digital leader. According to the report, early partners for the European launch could include L’Oréal, Renault and Nestlé, with two or three campaigns running in early December, and more planned for 2011. Last week, Apple announced a partnership with marketing firm The Dentsu Group to expand Apple’s iAd mobile advertising platform to Japan early next year; no such partnership for Europe is mentioned in the report.
Apple has posted a large image on its homepage, teasing an upcoming announcement regarding iTunes. The graphic reads, “Tomorrow is just another day. That you’ll never forget,” and instructs users to check back tomorrow “for an exciting announcement from iTunes.” Underneath the text is a series of clocks, used to indicate the timing of the announcement—7:00 a.m. in California, 10:00 a.m. in New York, 3:00 p.m. in London, and Midnight in Tokyo—which suggests that the announcement will be of an international nature instead of being limited to just one country.
Apple has added the ability for iPad users to access their Ping accounts via the iTunes app. The Ping tab allows users to view their activity feed, followers, profile, and a separate section dedicated to concerts, including local shows, artists on tour, and links to purchase tickets through Ticketmaster.com. Ping went live on Apple’s other iOS 4 devices in early September. [via 9 to 5 Mac]
Apple has released a revised version of its iOS 4.2 Gold Master for iPad, amid reports that the software’s launch was pushed back due to a bug. Citing a number of different recent articles, Mac Rumors reports that Apple has posted Build 8C134b of the software on the iOS Dev Center, a newer version than Build 8C134 which was seeded to developers on November 1. According to the report, rumors had indicated that there were Wi-Fi connectivity issues in the initial GM build of iOS 4.2 for iPad, forcing Apple to push back its internal schedule for the software’s release from this week to at least next week, and possibly as late as November 24, as reported by The Telegraph. Apple has said only that iOS 4.2 for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch would be released in November.
Apple has released iTunes 10.1, the latest version of its digital media management software. As expected, iTunes 10.1 brings with it compatibility with iPod touches, iPhones, and iPads running iOS 4.2, the ability to use AirPlay to stream videos from iTunes to the second-generation Apple TV, and a variety of other stability and performance improvements. Notably, there is no sign yet of iOS 4.2’s release, nor of the Apple TV or Remote app updates expected to arrive with the updated software. iTunes 10.1 is available now via Apple’s Software Update utility or as a direct download from apple.com/itunes.
Apple has announced that movies are now available on the iTunes Store in Japan. According to the release, over 1,000 films are now available to rent or buy in high definition and standard definition from a variety of international film studios including 20th Century Fox, Paramount, Disney, Warner Bros., Universal, and Japanese studios such as Asmik Ace Entertainment, Fuji TV, Kadakowa Pictures, Nikkatsu, Shochiku Company Limited and Toei Company Limited. Customers have up to 30 days to start watching their movie, and 48 hours to finish it once a movie has been started. iTunes HD movie purchases in Japan start at ¥2,000 for catalog titles and recent releases and ¥2,500 for new releases, while SD versions are priced at ¥1,000 for catalog titles, ¥1,500 for recent releases and ¥2,000 for new releases. iTunes HD Movie Rentals start at ¥300 for library title rentals and ¥500 for new releases, and SD versions start at ¥200 for library title rentals and ¥400 for new releases. In addition to the movie additions, the second-generation Apple TV is now available in Japan, and sells for ¥8,800, or roughly $107.
Beyond Japan, SetteB.IT reports that the iTunes Stores in Austria, Italy, Spain and Switzerland have been updated and are ready for movie sales and rentals, although no official announcement regarding those countries has yet been made.
Apple has started to sell iBooks Gift Cards in its retail stores. Spotted by iLounge in a Washington, D.C.-area Apple Store, the cards feature a solid color gradient background with the iBooks icon centered on top. Based on an Apple Support Discussions thread from earlier in the year, it appears as though users were able to purchase standard iTunes Gift Cards for use in the iBookstore; the new cards remove any ambiguity customers may have had about whether or not an iTunes GC would be usable in the iBookstore, and will likely be popular add-ons to those purchasing iPads as a gift.
Apple has announced a partnership with marketing firm The Dentsu Group to expand Apple’s iAd mobile advertising platform to Japan early next year. According to the announcement, Dentsu will handle the selling and creative execution of iAds in Japan, while Apple will host, target and deliver the iAds to its iOS users. In addition, Dentsu subsidiary cyber communications, inc. (cci) will provide one-stop services for iAd in Japan including creative production and media planning.
“After an incredibly successful launch in the US where we’ve already doubled the number of brands on the network, we’re excited to bring iAd to Japan,” said Andy Miller, Apple’s vice president of iAd. “Dentsu is one of the world’s most prestigious advertising agencies, making them an ideal partner for iAds in Japan.”
“We’re thrilled to be joining with Apple to introduce such a powerful new ad platform in Japan,” said Ryuichi Mori, Senior Executive Vice President, Dentsu Inc. “Mobile advertising is Japan’s fastest-growing platform and iAd’s rich media experience and engaged audience of iPhone and iPod touch users make it uniquely positioned to capture mobile’s full potential for advertisers and developers.”
Apple has made a change to the way it screens iPods for liquid damage, according to a new report. Citing a screenshot supposedly showing an internal AppleCare document, Boy Genius Report states that employees checking a device for water damage must now look for signs of liquid intrusion beyond the headphone port liquid contact indicator (LCI), even if it is activated. Previously, activation of the headphone port LCI was enough for employees to claim that a device may have been damaged by water or some other liquid, rendering the warranty void. It is unclear whether Apple has made similar changes to its LCI policies for iPhones and iPads, and whether the move is a sign that Apple considers the headphone port indicators overly sensitive and thus unreliable.
Apple has reportedly acquired Wi-Gear, a small San Francisco-based company known for its wireless Bluetooth audio products for the iPod and iPhone. Citing an unnamed source, 9 to 5 Mac reports that Apple purchased the iMuffs maker for an undisclosed sum. The company’s website now states that “Wi-Gear has ceased operations and is no longer in business. We will be unable to respond to any inquiries.” According to the report, Apple is planning to build its own stereo Bluetooth headphones using technology and expertise from Wi-Gear; Wi-Gear co-founder Michael Kim’s LinkedIn profile now lists him as an iOS Bluetooth Engineer at Apple, having joined the company two months ago.
Update: Wi-Gear CEO Mark Pundsack has denied the report that Apple purchased the company, saying it’s still available for sale, and ceased operations due to lack of funding.
According to the latest research released by IDC, worldwide smartphone shipments increased 89.5 percent year-over-year in the third-quarter of 2010, to 81.1 million units. While Nokia continues to hold the top spot in the worldwide smartphone market with 32.5 percent of all shipments, Apple’s Q3 shipments of 14.1 million iPhones — good for a year-over-year unit shipment increase of 90.5 percent — were enough to vault it past BlackBerry maker Research In Motion (RIM) into second place with a 17.4 percent share of the market. RIM ranked third with 15.3 percent of the market, followed by Samsung with 8.9 percent, and HTC with 7.2 percent.
A California woman has filed a lawsuit against Apple, claiming that the company committed false advertising and unfair business practices by encouraging iPhone 3G users to download iOS 4. Wired reports that Bianca Wofford of San Diego is seeking class action status for the suit, and claims that the software upgrade made her iPhone unusable. “The true fact of the matter … is that the iOS 4 is a substantial ‘downgrade’ for earlier iPhone devices and renders many of them virtually useless iBricks,” the complaint reads. Apple admitted to less-than-optimal performance of iOS 4 on the iPhone 3G, calling it a “bug” to be fixed with the release of iOS 4.1.
The complaint also argues that Apple knew installation of iOS 4 on iPhone 3G units would degrade performance, and accuses Apple of releasing it for those handsets purposely to create an incentive for customers to upgrade to the iPhone 4. “Apple has falsely, intentionally and repeatedly represented to owners and consumers of the iPhone 3G that its new operating system for the device, iOS4, was of a nature, quality, and a significant upgrade for the functionality of all iPhone devices, when in fact, the installation and use of the iOS4 on iPhone 3G resulted in the opposite — a device with little more use than that of a paperweight,” the complaint argues. Wofford’s suit seeks damages and will require approval from a judge before class action status is granted.
A supposed Apple internal document outlining the company’s procedures for replacement of devices with dead or abnormal pixels has appeared online. According to the document, a screenshot of which was posted by the Boy Genius Report, it is Apple’s policy to replace any iPod or iPhone with one or more bad pixels—referred to in the document as “pixel anomalies”—and any iPad with three or more problematic pixels. The document also lists procedures for other screen sizes ranging from 11.6 inches to 30 inches, and notes that while employees may offer a replacement unit to customers whose devices have what is considered to be an “acceptable” number of anomalies, the replacement product may have just as many if not more while still remaining within Apple’s acceptable range; the customer will not receive a second replacement device under those circumstances.
Five months after the iPad’s launch in the country, Apple has finally begun offering new release titles on the Australian iBookstore. The Age reports that the store offers titles from a variety of publishers, including Macmillan, Hachette, HarperCollins, Hardie Grant, Murdoch Publishers and Wiley. Previously, Australian iBooks users only had access to out-of-copyright titles from the store; an Apple spokesperson said that new release titles on offer now number in the “thousands.” The report also notes that like in other countries, the iBookstore will compete the Amazon Kindle and Kobo apps already available for iOS. [via Macsimum News]


text:
This spring, Sotheby’s Hong Kong is auctioning a 15.10-carat lavish blue diamond. The De Beers Cullinan Blue is estimated to have the best greenback quantity ever placed on a blue diamond minimize at public sale, with a whopping US$48 million. It should even be the most important vivid blue diamond ever to be provided.
In 2021, a 39-carat tough diamond was found on the Cullinan mine in South Africa. After which, worldwide company De Beers and diamond producer Diacore purchased the uncommon gem for US$40.2 million. For the previous 12 months, the 2 firms have been working collectively to good the step-cut diamond. The De Beers Cullinan Blue is described as the biggest internally flawless vivid blue diamond ever graded by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA).
In line with ARTnews, chairman of Sotheby’s Asia Patti Wong mentioned, “nothing of remotely comparable calibre has appeared at public sale in recent times”. Throughout a Sotheby’s sale in Geneva in 2015, the multinational dealer set the document at US$48 million for the costliest diamond ever offered at public sale with the Blue Moon of Josephine. Then, the 14.62-carat regular-cut Oppenheimer Blue overtook the document with a value of US$57.5 million in Might 2016.
As per Wenhao Yu, chairman of jewelry and watches for Sotheby’s Asia, the blue diamond is on par with a few of the most interesting works by Monet, Picasso, Botticelli and Warhol. Given its rarity and desirability, Sotheby’s is anticipating world bidders, particularly consumers from Better China. The market accounted for greater than 70 per cent of Sotheby’s Hong Kong gross sales in 2021.
“In 2021, Hong Kong gross sales have been all led by diamond items, significantly colored diamonds which proceed to see robust demand,” Yu mentioned.
The magnificent diamond was unveiled on 17 February in New York and will probably be touring exhibition areas in London, Dubai, Singapore, Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen and Taipei. It will likely be auctioned off in April, through the Sotheby’s Hong Kong Luxurious Week.
In different diamond public sale information, the 555.5-carat black diamond, particularly “The Enigma”, was offered on 10 February 2022 for US$4.29 million by way of cryptocurrency.
For extra reads on auctions, click on here.


text:
Mitsubishi’s electric car effort has roughly stalled since the launch of the i-MiEV and the Outlander PHEV back in 2012. But the Japanese automaker is now expected to get back into electric cars more seriously under its alliance with Renault and Nissan.
Now they confirmed that they will unveil their next electric car at the 45th Tokyo Motor Show next month and they released the first teaser image of the concept – pictured above.
The automaker didn’t reveal much beyond the image, but they confirmed that the vehicle will have a ” SUV coupe shape”:
“This very high performance automobile will blend Mitsubishi Motors’ signature 4WD and electric powertrain know-how with advanced Artificial Intelligence technology under a low slung aerodynamic SUV Coupe shape.”
The vehicle is called “the MITSUBISHI e-EVOLUTION CONCEPT” – a reference to the automaker’s previous Lancer Evolution flagship vehicle equipped with Mitsubishi’s signature 4WD system.
The vehicle will be unveiled to the press on October 25th and the public will be able to see it at the show during the last week of October and the first week of November.
Mitsubishi ran into a lot of difficulties over the past decade and it ended up shutting down European and American production. Interestingly, an electric vehicle startup recently took over their plant in the US.
Their troubles were aggravated by their involvement in the Dieselgate scandal, but Nissan partly bought the company last year and aims to revitalize its brand.
Between Renault, Nissan, and Mitsubishi, they plan to launch 12 new all-electric vehicles within the next 5 years and this new e-EVOLUTION is expected to be the first look at Mitsubishi’s part of the effort.
Aside from the ridiculous-looking i-MiEV, the Outlander PHEV was a great first effort in electric vehicles from the Japanese automaker back in 2012, but the program has become stale.
They were supposed to launch the vehicle in the US back in 2015, but it was pushed to 2016 – then to 2017 and it’s still not here.
Therefore, this new vehicle is an opportunity for the Japanese automaker to show that it is ready to take the electric revolution of the industry seriously.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.


text:
Who purchases Bitcoin and its digital money kind?
A generally little portion of the populace, as per a June overview by digital money application Gem and investigation firm Harris Insights.
About 8% of Americans put resources into digital forms of money, for example, Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin, the survey of more than 2,000 grown-ups uncovered. In correlation, around 52% of Americans claim stock, as indicated by a Gallup survey from 2016.
What is maybe all the more overwhelming to Bitcoin’s supporters who want to help the benefit’s prominence: About 41% of those same grown-ups say that nothing could propel them to put resources into such computerized resources.
The study comes amid a year when the estimation of digital forms of money, including Bitcoin, have dove from a $20,000 high in December. As of Wednesday, the cost of a solitary Bitcoin remains at generally $6,300. A significant part of the energy around cryptographic forms of money from 2017 has offered approach to worries about how to control Bitcoin and other alleged computerized monetary standards.
Presently, in any event in the U.S., controllers seem, by all accounts, to be searching through the plenty of digital currencies to choose which ones ought to be liable to more cumbersome securities laws. In the interim, a significant part of the crypto circle lies in a condition of vulnerability.
Another intriguing goody from the exploration: Those gaining more than $100,000 every year are more averse to put resources into cryptographic forms of money than those with bring down profit.
In view of the overview, 6% of those with over $100,000 in yearly family unit wage possess some cryptographic forms of money. In correlation, around 11% of those gaining between $50,000 to $74,900 can state the same. What’s more, a significantly higher level of those procuring under $50,000 claim to hold crypto: About 7%, as indicated by the overview.
“We locate that more youthful individuals with less salary are all the more ready to place cash in crypto,” said Gem author and CEO Micah Winkelspecht. “My figure is that crypto is of the advanced age. What’s more, the more youthful age is of the advanced age and used to doing everything on the web.”
He recognizes that the marvel of less well off financial specialists entering the digital currency shred may likewise be expected, to some degree, to a “get brisk rich” mindset. Despite the fact that not an immediate examination, it’s significant that individuals in bring down levels of pay will probably enter the lottery, as indicated by 2011 research in the Journal of Gambling Studies—notwithstanding when the probability of making it big is miniscule.
“The digital money space is still in its Wild West stage, so there’s conceivably a portion of that going on,” he said. “When you have less to ensure, you are all the more ready to go for broke.”
All things considered, as a startup author in the digital money space, Winkelspecht is confident that we’ll see expanded selection by the standard open. Diamond appointed the overview to a limited extent to comprehend what could influence speculators to buy computerized resources. What’s more, in reality, half of respondent said they will experiment with the benefit class later on.
In that gathering, it’s the absence of effectively reasonable essential data about digital money that introduces the biggest hindrance to passage, with 20% of respondents saying more data could spur more cryptographic money buys.
“On the off chance that these potential speculators approach better data and slice through a considerable measure of this commotion, that could be a major open door for crypto,” said Winkelspecht.


text:
Asus Transformer Prime to get Ice Cream Sandwich after January 12th
The Asus Transformer Prime, or what is known now as the Eee Pad Transformer (due to legal issues with Hasbro and the Prime name) will be getting an Ice Cream Sandwich (or also known as Android 4.0) shortly after 12th of January. The Asus UK Branch confirmed recently on Facebook that it would certainly be getting the long awaited upgrade to ICS, possibly the first tablet to get this upgrade (which makes sense considering this the the premium Android tablet out on the market right now).
While the company isn’t exactly disclosing when the tablet would be getting the upgrade or if it will be a rolling or worldwide update, but either way you can be sure that Asus will disclose that information as soon as it’s possible. We’ll get that information out as soon as we can thought, so keep on on waiting.


text:
Pelican takes 13th Gold for Stormwatcher’s Winterfest, Bronze for Beak Bender at Europes’s most prestigious beer competition
Pacific City, Oregon (November 13, 2019)—Prost! It’s Lucky Number 13 for Pelican Brewing Company’s uber-decorated Stormwatcher’s Winterfest English-style Barleywine which came out of the brewery’s vault to land it’s 13th Gold Medal—and 39 medals overall since 2003. The latest honor was bestowed today at the European Beer Star international beer competition in Nuremberg. Beak Breaker Double India Pale Ale was decorated again with a Bronze at the prestigious European competition making it the seventh award since it was first brewed in 2016.
Pelican initially brewed Stormwatcher’s Winterfest as the perfect beer to savor on a stormy Oregon Coast day—its deep amber-red color, massive toasted malt, toffee and caramel aroma, and full-bodied malty flavor lead to a smooth, soft, warming finish. The floral aroma and flavor come from Hersbrucker & Goldings hops, while a rich, toasted malt sweetness balances a mild, subtle bitterness in the finish. Its big, warming flavor makes it the ideal complement to nasty weather!
Beak Bender has become a favorite of hopheads looking for great big punchy aromas. Pelican has been packing hop aroma into beer for over 20 years but Beak Breaker pays homage to big, hoppy aromatic innovation. With massive additions of Mosaic, Citra, and Centennial hops this beer delivers a bright citrus-tropical aroma with notes of ruby red grapefruit and sweet pine, blasting your olfactory sense—enough to break your beak! Beak Breaker is available year-round as part of Pelican’s core lineup.
“We are incredibly humbled to be recognized again at the European Beer Star—the judging is at an extremely high level, and the competition is fierce. To come away with two medals—gold and bronze—is truly an honor,” says Darron Welch, founding brewmaster Pelican Brewing Company.
There was record attendance at the 16th annual 2019 European Beer Star where 2,483 beers from 47 countries across all continents competed for recognition. A 145-member judges panel, master brewers, beer sommeliers and established beer connoisseurs from 28 countries took part in a two-day blind tasting to determine the winners of the Gold, Silver and Bronze Medals for 67 different beer styles. Objective ranking criteria were applied like those beer consumers themselves utilize—appearance, foam, smell, taste and characteristics typical of the variety. This ensures transparency and the propriety of the evaluation process. Stefan Stang, Managing Director of the Bavarian private brewers’ association Private Brauereien Bayern, says this is one of the reasons the Beer Star competition has such a strong worldwide reputation.
“The phenomenal rise of our competition shows how important artisanal brewing has become and the great variety of beers being produced,“ says Stang.
Welch continues to be one of the most decorated brewers in the Pacific Northwest, earning well over 450 medals including several Gold last year alone at the World Beer Cup, Australian International Beer Awards and North American Beer Awards.
For a list of all of Pelican’s award-winning beer, click here.
About Pelican Brewing Company
Pelican Brewing Company was born at the beach in 1996. Here, in front of a rundown old building at the water’s edge, stood three enthusiastic young folks whose thirst for great beer overshadowed their understanding of what it would take to build a brewery. They did it anyway. Thanks to the vision of founding owners Jeff Schons and Mary Jones, Oregon’s only beachfront brewpub became one of the state’s most popular destinations. And now twenty-four years later, Pelican Brewing Company is an iconic beach brand and one of the most decorated craft breweries in Oregon. Pelican has been honored with more than 450 awards including the prestigious 2015, 2016, 2017 Australian International Beer Awards Champion Medium International Brewery; 2014 World Beer Cup Champion Small Brewery; 2013 Great American Beer Festival Large Brewpub of the Year. Why? Pelican brews are playful, but not frivolous. Brewed with purpose, passion and a deep respect for the craft. Pelican operates brewing and brewpub facilities in Pacific City, Cannon Beach, and its state-of-the-craft brewery in Tillamook, Oregon where it brews 40,000 barrels of award-winning beer annually and distributes to six states. Pelican’s vision, its beer and values were born at the beach where the team wakes up each day in a place that reminds them that amazing is possible. Cheers, Fellow Fanatics!
For more information, visit Pelican Brewing Company.


text:
For Italian eyewear manufacturer Luxottica, an effort to expand its use of predictive analytics beyond CRM and direct mail marketing will help it see the “next best action” for all its customers, across all channels, according to Tiziano Cembali, Senior Director of Consumer Analytics.
“We need a 360-degree view of the data, but it is not simple,” said Cembali, who spoke at a recent Predictive Analytics World event in Chicago.
With net sales of $9.9 billion last year, Luxottica Group is a leader in premium, luxury, and sports eyewear, with more than 7,000 optical and sun retail stores in North America, the Asia-Pacific region, China, South Africa, Latin America, and Europe. Its own brands include Ray-Ban, Oakley, and Vogue Eyewear, among others, and it additionally licenses many more eyewear brands, including Giorgio Armani, Bulgari, Burberry, Chanel, Coach, and others.
In addition to a global wholesale network involving 130 different countries, Luxottica Group manages several retail chains in major markets, including LensCrafters, Pearle Vision, and ILORI in North America, as well as several others internationally.
This diversified footprint makes data integration and governance a very complex challenge, Cembali said, noting that the company has to integrate various dimensions of data, including purchase history, customer service, marketing, and a database of 40 million customer records.
Adding to the challenge, he said, new types of data, such as photos of customers wearing glasses, will have to be integrated into the current database.
But Cembali said he expects that the investment will be worth the cost because the Next Best Action decision engine should increase the return on investment (ROI) of marketing by between “30 percent and 80 percent,” depending on the channel.
Among the promising new generation of predictive models are time to next purchase, discount sensitivity, customer lifetime value, and association models, he said.
Cembali said other benefits of the Next Best Action decision engine include the following:
- Building long-term customer relationships
- Maximizing customer value
- Standardizing messaging (which will reduce multiple messages and also reduce multiple offers)
- Creating a seamless shopping experience across different customer touch points and channels
Cembali sketched out Luxottica Group’s plan to use a variety of predictive models for the company’s direct mail campaigns and, eventually, all of its marketing initiatives. He said the decision engine, which will include both predictive and heuristic models, will need to be tested for efficacy and repeatability. New opportunities for the wider use of the models, he said, include customer account, call center, and point of sale.
Subscribe to Data Informed for the latest information and news on big data and analytics for the enterprise.


text:
Next-Gen Porsche 911 Turbo Spied
Styling evolution, not revolution
Our spy photographers have caught the next-generation Porsche 911 Turbo testing for the first time wearing its production body.
Expected to debut sometime this year, the next generation of Porsche's iconic sports car will feature an evolutionary exterior design and feature some new elements that should help differentiate it from the car it replaces.
The biggest giveaways that this particular prototype is a 911 Turbo are the square-shaped quad exhaust tips and the wide rear fenders.
Additionally, there's a fixed rear wing in the back and air intakes in the rear fenders, further hinting that this particular 911 isn't your standard Carrera model.
Some new design cues like the double LED daytime running light strip up front and a slightly revised front fascia further indicate that this is the next-generation model.
Powering the next-generation 911 Turbo will likely be a twin-turbocharged flat-six, possibly displacing 3.8 liters like the current model.
Power output isn't known yet but 600 hp isn't out of the realm of possibility considering the current-generation 911 Turbo S already pumps out 580 hp and the bonkers 911 GT2 RS makes well over 600 hp with the same 3.8-liter unit found in the 911 Turbo and Turbo S models.
Porsche's eight-speed PDK dual-clutch automatic transmission could also find its way into the 911 Turbo for the next generation. As with past 911 Turbo models, all-wheel drive will likely come standard and should help give it explosive off -the-line acceleration.
Earlier this year, we also spied the next-generation 911 Cabriolet with the top down and a rear end that's more bulbous, hinting at possible upgrades to the car's powertrain.
Photo source: CarPix


text:
The Genoa Area Chamber of Commerce recently announced a new website, but just in the past month has launched a new branch of the Genoa Area Chamber called Explore Genoa, whose mission is to “Promote and Educate the Community,” to Think Local, Shop Local First.
With the new branch, the Genoa Chamber also has launched two new logos, including a new chamber logo. With the help of Mike Milinac of Genoa, the chamber has created a new look to further promote membership and enhance community. The chamber thanks Milinac for sharing his marketing talent and creating such wonderful new logo designs for Explore Genoa, as well as the Genoa Area Chamber of Commerce. Both designs capture the essence of the community as chamber members.
The Explore Genoa logo supports the local community, by continuing to incorporate the COG design, and the new chamber logo includes acknowledgement of being a Tree City, USA, as well as the beautiful Kishwaukee River.
The new website was created by Morning Star Media and is hosted by Armor Technologies.
For more information about the Genoa Area Chamber of Commerce membership and community events, call 815-784-2212 or visit www.genoacc.com or email firstname.lastname@example.org.


text:
What's inside this month's issue of Women's Running?
It really does feel as though running is helping to save the world right now. It gives us the headspace we need, some precious alone time: it almost makes everything feel normal again. Our May issue is packed with the motivation you need to keep getting out there and running and, if that’s not possible where you are, we’ve got plenty of home workouts, interviews and gear reviews to keep you going…
Our warrior this month is ultramarathon runner Kelly Ruck, who shares the awe-inspiring story of how she processed her grief through running. We also learn her top tips for fuelling (Nutella sandwich, anyone?) and how she manages her health on a 14-hour adventure.
Elsewhere, we speak to the women who are smashing sporting barriers and societal expectations: meet the female leaders of the running community. From filmmakers and podcasters to retailers and running guides, you need to hear what these amazing women have been up to.
Our review team have been putting the latest summer gear to the test, and fitness experts explain why weightlifting could be the key to improving your running. Don’t reckon you can run 10K in 8 weeks? Our new training plan says otherwise.
Find all this and more in the latest issue of Women’s Running.


text:
Consumers have been cutting the cord with cable and satellite TV service for years. A new study from Consumer Reports proves they might be right because cable companies were basically asking for it with hidden charges like “Regional Sports fees” and “HD Technology fees.”
The average cable subscriber sees $37 per month in extra fees, or a whopping 28% mark up of a typical bill, which isn’t a surprise considering that the average cable bill contains more than a dozen line-item charges, including the base package price, company-imposed fees, regulatory fees, and taxes.
“Cable companies are notorious for advertising a low price but charging much more by adding a long list of confusing fees to monthly bills,” Jonathan Schwantes, senior policy counsel for Consumer Reports, noted in the report. “These sneaky fees are a real budget-buster that enable cable companies to jack up their rates and disguise the true cost consumers pay each month.”
According to Consumer Reports, company-imposed fees, from Broadcast TV and Regional Sports Fees to Set-Top Box Rental Fees, add what amounts to a 24% surcharge on top of the advertised price. It’s a big business for cable companies, letting them earn an estimated $28 billion a year from charging company-imposed fees, according to Consumer Reports.
When consumers see the cable bills and all their hidden fees, it may have them running to cut the cord. According to market tracking firm Convergence Research, more than one-third of U.S. households won’t be paying for cable or satellite TV by the end of this year as they flee cable. But the proliferation of streaming services may not make things much easier for customers, who are facing a future where they have to sign up for Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, HBO Max, Apple TV, Disney+, Peacock, and who knows what else just to watch a dang TV show at the end of a long day.
In short, as they say on Reddit, everyone sucks here.


text:
Bandwidth Blog’s Editor Theunis van Rensburg and General Manager Bryan Smith recently appeared on SABC 3’s Expresso Show; catch up on their tech updates here!
NASA has announced that it is designing its Double Asteroid Redirection Test to see where it can crash a satellite into an asteroid to avert disaster.
Google’s AlphaGO AI has successfully beaten Ke Jie, the world’s number one Go player, in the first game of a three-part series.
According to a new study conducted by the National Safety Council, smartphone use while driving has reversed a 40-year decline in road accidents.
Reebok has launched a new initiative dubbed Cotton + Corn, which is developing sneakers that can be composted after they’ve been worn out.
Sony Mobile has filed a new patent which could allow a user to charge their phone by wirelessly draining power from another handset.
Elon Musk’s SpaceX has revealed its plans to send two private citizens around the moon – the first mission of its kind in more than 45 years.
Digital forensics has never been more useful than it is today, no thanks to the dramatic rise in cyber-attacks. Here’s everything you need to know in one infographic!
Japanese government has confirmed that all medals for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic games will made from recycled smartphones and other electronics.
Apple has announced its plans to join Microsoft, Google, Facebook, Amazon and IMB in a research group focussed on the development of AI.


text:
Despite the ups and downs of 2021 due to the ongoing global health crisis, the Atlanta dining industry continues to showcase the resilience and wild creativity of the people working in its restaurants and bars. Dining rooms reopened and patios were given serious upgrades. New state and city policies brought to-go cocktails, on-street dining (parklets), and open-container districts to metro Atlanta. Unionization efforts in Georgia’s hospitality industry ramped up. And while food halls boomed in Atlanta, more pop-ups than ever before came on the scene, as people struck out on their own to launch dream businesses.
We’ve already asked Atlanta food writers, restaurant industry insiders, and a few Eater readers to name the best new restaurants and pop-ups of 2021, their best meals in Atlanta this year, and to offer up their favorite spots to regularly dine in Atlanta. Now, each shares their thoughts on what got them excited in 2021 for the future of restaurants and dining in Atlanta.
Check back Friday, December 31, for more Year in Eater feedback from the experts and from our readers.
Kris Martins, Eater Atlanta contributor
I really love the explosion of pop-ups. The variety and representation of cuisine is so exciting. The model is more accessible for pop-up owners and gives diners more to love about our food scene, while encouraging the growth of new talent and fresh perspectives. Plus, Mondays have never been more fun for dining out!
Mike Jordan, editor of Butter ATL
I really liked seeing more collaborations that seemed rooted in a genuine kinship of spirit, from the decision for Ration and Dram to become Dead End Drinks and host pop-ups, like Humble Mumble, to Lyla Lila earning major respect for two chef partners who named the joint after their daughters, all the way to Lorenzo Wyche linking up with the guys at Virgil’s Gullah Kitchen and Bar in College Park to open The Breakfast Boys. It is very much the best breakfast spot along that very brunchy strip. Teamwork makes the dream work, especially if that dream is a great Atlanta restaurant or dining experience.
Sam Worley, deputy editor of Atlanta magazine
I’m not overly attached to the traditional restaurant model—you sit down, someone waits on you, etc.—and I really like all these new businesses that blur the lines, whether that’s Kinship (sandwiches + terrific coffee drinks + butcher and grocery options), Poco Loco (breakfast burritos both fresh and frozen, plus a cold case full of various goodies), or Le Bon Nosh, the new all-day eatery in Buckhead that’s a bunch of things at once: restaurant, deli, coffee shop, wine bar, etc.
Another happy trend: Atlanta restaurants (Little Tart Bakeshop, Ticonderoga Club, JenChan’s) adding surcharges to the bill to cover employees benefits including health insurance—in hopes of making the industry a more sustainable place for workers. As Little Tart owner Sarah O’Brien explained in an Instagram post announcing the 4 percent fee that’s now a line item on receipts there: “It does not have to be terrible to work in the restaurant industry. It can be a personally rewarding and financially secure career.”
Chef Thip Athakhanh, owner of Snackboxe Bistro
This year, I attended an Asian bake sale at Sweet Auburn BBQ featuring local chefs, bakers, homemakers. It was there that I indulged in some of the most amazing desserts, pastries and got to meet some cool people.
Jennifer Zyman, Eater Atlanta contributor and host of podcast The Food That Binds
I loved seeing how many women, especially immigrant chefs, were lauded this year. After watching white men dominate the culinary scene, watching more women claim their space, whether in pop-up or restaurant form, gives me great hope for the next evolution of Atlanta dining. I also loved seeing more establishments, like Staplehouse (which creates work-life balance for culinary folks) supported by our city and thrive.
Beth McKibben, editor of Eater Atlanta
Sure, food is ultimately what draws people to a restaurant and can make or break it in terms of success, but if the pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that there are other, often unseen aspects at play in the success of these businesses.
Patios, pop-ups, forward-thinking restaurant, city, and state policies, and parklets are what continue to keep me excited for the future of dining and restaurants in and around Atlanta. The major upgrades to restaurant patios and emphasis on providing quality all-season outdoor dining options have led to city policies surrounding on-street dining (aka parklets) becoming permanent, therefore promoting walkability and public transportation or ride sharing and de-emphasizing parking for cars. It’s also thrilling to see many Atlanta restaurant owners embracing putting their employees’ needs for work-life balance, health insurance, and living wages above profit. People power restaurants.
Then, there was the formation of entertainment districts and community gathering spaces with open-container policies and the legalization of to-go cocktails in Georgia. Both help bolster the economy and provide much-needed flexibility in operations and revenue for restaurants and bars in Atlanta (sorely needed during the ongoing health crisis).
Eater readers surveyed
Eater readers who participated in the 2021 Year in Eater dining survey listed the addition of parklets at Atlanta restaurants and smaller, more refined menus focused on a few solid dishes as exciting dining trends spotted this year. The return of brunch and the proliferation of brunch restaurants, pop-ups, casual fine dining as seen at restaurants like Lyla Lila and Little Bear, and the opening of more local, neighborhood bakeries and sundry shops around town also got Eater readers excited for the future of food in Atlanta.
All Year in Eater coverage [EATL]


text:
Which auto repair shop is the best in town?
The best auto repair shops in the capital are almost always owned by the same family, said Chris Brown, president of the local chapter of the American Automobile Dealers Association.
He said he’s seen the number of auto repair businesses dwindle.
But, he said, there are still more than 200 in the city, many of them well-known for their good repair service.
“The reason they’re there is because they know how to fix cars, they know about their equipment,” Brown said.
“They understand how to do maintenance, they understand how they can fix it.”
The group of auto shops in Washington is the largest in the country.
Many of them are owned by local car dealers, and their prices are higher.
But that’s because they can charge more for parts, labor and parts.
Some shops also have a wide array of repair and maintenance services, like full-body air bags, air filters and airbags.
The group also includes an auto repair center that has a reputation for being the most efficient repair shop in the Washington area.
“There are some shops that you can’t go to if you don’t want to pay the price, but if you’re a regular customer and you want to fix a problem, they’ll fix it,” Brown added.
The Washington area’s auto dealers have been pushing for a local car repair shop, and for years the auto parts store owners have been lobbying for a similar center.
Last year, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority announced it would build a new station in the heart of downtown that would be staffed by a local auto repair team.
The $3.6 billion project is scheduled to open in 2020.
Brown said he knows that some owners will resist the idea, and that’s OK.
“I’ve had customers come up to me and say, ‘You guys are the best,'” he said.
But many of the owners said they understand why others might oppose the new station, which would add more parking.
Brown agreed that people will still come to his shop, but said he’d have to do more to attract them.
“We have a reputation in the community for not doing business with the big guys, and I just think we’ve got to take that on,” he said of the new auto repair business.
“If you want the service, you have to go to us.”


text:
A Garland photographer recently installed a series of 22 black-and-white images of live music in the windows of an empty retail space in a Plano shopping center.
Rick Rembisz chronicles live music images in the exhibit titled “Live Music: The Bands, the Fans and more.” The project opened Wednesday Oct. 2 at Windhaven Plaza, 3309 Dallas Parkway, Suite 603 in Plano, and runs through Nov. 6.
Rembisz said the images are mounted from the inside, allowing anyone passing to view the exhibit at any time.
“I liked the idea of shoppers finding a random and hopefully interesting set of photographs,” he said.
For more information, visit from209.com.


text:
Jan 14, 2018, 12:01 am150 ptsAfter a few years away (at least in the US) Ford's midsize truck, the Ranger, will return for the 2019 model year. Just unveiled ahead of the 2018 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, it's one of two new models that Ford is releasing th...
Can Tesla's Batteries Power Puerto Rico? Slashdot 108
Lyft Announces It Will Make All Rides Carbon Neutral Slashdot 105
Former Reddit Executive Sees 'No Hope' For Reddit Slashdot 104


text:
The Telegraph is currently on a two-year business transformation journey as it looks to attract and retain readers.
One big aim is to reach younger consumers. And to achieve this, the brand is joining Snapchat’s Discover platform in the UK. The Telegraph will publish a ‘Story’ every day at 5pm, and will increase its frequency before and after the General Election to ensure Snapchatters have access to the latest news as it happens.
Snapchat users will also be able to subscribe to the brand on the platform. The Telegraph is not the only news brand on the platform; it will be joining a host of competitors including Sky News, The Sun and the Daily Mail.
“Digitally we reach a huge cross-section of people. Some 23.9 million unique individuals consume our content digitally every month. Snapchat still has a highly engaged younger audience – although its reach is broader than you may think,” Robert Bridge, chief customer officer at The Telegraph, tells Marketing Week.
“My job and overall the business strategy is to bring younger people into the brand and expose them to the quality journalism we produce.”
He adds The Telegraph is “very careful” to stay true to the brand on a platform that is skewed towards younger audiences, and has learnt from its app relaunch last year, which was built with 25- to 45-year-olds in mind.
“We’ve become more product-centric around certain demographics. Our new app launched last year, and the way we curate our content has hints of Instagram and a younger generation within that product by being very visually led,” he explains.
Earlier this year,…