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One of the most important benefits of Amazon Prime has long been the free two-day shipping on almost everything. But that time may come to an end – Amazon talks about going for free delivery for one day. Oh yeah.
In a conversation with investors yesterday, Amazon's CFO Brian Olsavsky said the company is working to set Prime Shipping standard one day. He said they "worked on developing the Prime Shipping program" with one day's delivery and said they will "build the bulk of this capacity through the year 2019".
The word on the street is that Amazon will spend up to $ 800 million for the necessary infrastructure changes for the change to take place. They will also expand partnerships with USPS, UPS and FedEx – along with their own delivery service, of course – to make a daydream a reality.
Although this is probably unlikely, we see a day's delivery here All articles before the end of 2019 already make Amazon to get this shindig started earlier. For example, the minimum requirement of $ 35 for the current delivery option for a day fell and extended authorized postcode only last month. So the plan is already running.
This is a smart move from Amazon, as many competing retailers, such as Wal-Mart and Target, now offer free two-day shipping on most items. This makes buying from Amazon less compelling for users, especially when considering the fact that you do not have to charge $ 120 per year to the other guys to take advantage of the two-day option. Moving to a day's shipping will once again provide the Amazon distribution advantage.
However, the big question is one that has not yet been addressed: will this raise Prime Membership costs? If I were a gambling man I would put a healthy sum on "yes, probably" – if an increase does not happen immediately, it will inevitably happen.
In other news, smartphones do not upgrade so often, Disney looks like taking control of Hulu, Walmart opened the "store in the future" and more. Let's talk about it.
- Upgrades of smartphone slowly: According to latest reports from Verizon and AT & T, consumers do not upgrade their smartphones as often. Both companies reported record low upgrades from a year ago. Smartphones are just too good now! [The Verge]
- Disney may take 90% control over Hulu: Disney currently owns 60% of the shares in Hulu, but it is in talks to buy Comcast's 30% stake as well. It will give Disney 90% ownership of Hulu. There are many unanswered questions about what this means for Hulu content, but they will likely be answered if the deal goes through. [CNBC]
- Walmart's "future store": Walmart recently opened a concept store with AI-enabled cameras to monitor layers and interactive displays. Walmart calls Levittown, NY Store "Intelligent Retail Lab" or "IRL" for short. Cheeky. [Techcrunch]
- Hackers can remotely kill cars: In a little (or incredible?) Scary news opened a hacker to the motherboard with a crazy story of how to kill car engines at a distance by exploiting vulnerabilities in GPS tracking apps. What a world. [Motherboard]
- GoDaddy acts against fraud: The company has reportedly taken down 15,000 domains used for fraud, as well as restoring "several hundred" compromised accounts for the account. [ZDNet]
- Samsung Orders Fold teardown takedown: iFixit has removed its teardown by Galaxy Fold on Samsung's request. It's still on the Internet Archive, but who knows how long. [Android Police]
- Amazon builds a top music service: While Amazon offers free ad-based music to Echo users, the company works with a high-quality music streaming service on la Tidal. Interesting choice – we all know how well Tidal does. [The Next Web]
- Xiaomi patented a phone with a reverse notch: You know how to fight slots? Put the camera over the phone! It's Xiaomo's idea, anyway, and it's so laughably bad I want everyone to see it too. Seriously, lol. [TechRadar]
- PS5 is more than a year left: Sony says PlayStation 5 doesn't come between now and April 2020. At least I know I don't have to buy one within the next 12 months. Jippie? [Engadget]
In some fun news, Google has a new Avengers: Endgame-themed Easter egg. Go to Google, search for "Thanos" and then click on the glove on the right side. It's not a night stay in a giant potato, but it's still pretty cool. Enjoy the


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The United States Olympic Committee and Oakley, Inc. announced the latest additions to the Team USA collection, an array of special-edition products with colors and highlights that honor the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic teams. Customized versions of two eyewear designs and two snow goggles have been added.
“Many Sochi 2014 hopefuls rely on and trust Oakley eyewear while competing in often adverse winter weather conditions, and we are proud to partner with a company that has earned such a distinguished reputation for performance technology,” said Peter Zeytoonjian, USOC managing director of direct marketing, consumer products and events. “The partnership also allows consumers to show their support for Team USA by purchasing products from the Team USA Collection, which is refreshed each Olympic cycle.”
The specially-rendered products share the same technologies that serve athletes in Olympic and Paralympic competition. A percentage of Team USA eyewear collection sales supports the training of U.S. Olympic and Paralympic athletes and hopefuls.
“Oakley shares the relentless dedication to performance that defines Olympians and Paralympians, and we are proud to expand the Team USA collection with new additions that feature premium performance innovations,” said Oakley CEO Colin Baden. “The drive behind decades of Oakley innovation has been fueled by world-class athletes who accept nothing but the best from themselves and their performance gear. The Team USA collection honors them with special editions that are available to all, and it lets fans show their support,” Baden continued.
Oakley has expanded the collection with two elite performance eyewear designs that utilize Switchlock interchangeable lens technology. The Team USA RadarLock and Team USA Fast Jacket make the process of lens changing quick and hassle-free so athletes can adapt to changing light by taking advantage of the company’s wide array of accessory lens tints. The customized eyewear is highlighted with U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Team colors, and the Team USA mark is laser etched at the corner of the lens.
Carrying the colors of patriotism, the new Team USA Airbrake Snow and Team USA Crowbar Snow goggles are part of the collection. Airbrake Snow features Oakley Switchlock interchangeable lens technology, and both designs are optimized with a balanced fit and a wide range of performance and comfort features including triple-layer fleece foam.
These latest additions join current Team USA products including custom renditions of Oakley Radar and Flak Jacket® XLJ performance eyewear, and a popular lifestyle sunglass called Fuel Cell.
Oakley eyewear and goggles optimize visual clarity and impact resistance with the patented innovations of High Definition Optics (HDO). The products are engineered for maximized comfort to help eliminate distractions that can compromise performance. Additional benefits include the 100 percent UV filtering of Plutonite lens material, wind protection via lenses that contour around the sides of the eyes, and glare filtering via HDPolarized accessory lenses that help reduce squinting and subsequent eyestrain.
Hundreds of athletes relied on Oakley performance innovations during the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and many more will take advantage of Oakley goggle and eyewear technology at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games this February.
The first-ever performance-based eyewear supplier to Team USA, Oakley provides product to the U.S. delegation at the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Through a partnership with the USOC, the company will serve as the official eyewear supplier to Team USA through 2020. Oakley owns licensing rights for protective, active, lifestyle and corrective eyewear. This includes glasses, sunglasses, goggles and associated accessories.
The Team USA collection is available through Oakley.com, Oakley’s domestic distribution channels, TeamUSAShop.com and through storefronts at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo. and Chula Vista, Calif. In recognition of Visa's support of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, the USOC is proud to accept only Visa at TeamUSAShop.com and its training centers.

domain: news


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To read the full article, please download the MEGPlay App on the AppStore / PlayStore. If you already have the app, tap on the button below:
MEGPlay 8 Jun, 2019
The official details for the upcoming cloud-based gaming service, Google Stadia, were released in an official livestream yesterday to much excitement!
While Google Stadia may be a step into the unknown for many gamers, the list of games that have been confirmed will offer a modicum of comfort to many—a gaming system is only as good as the games you can play on it, after all.
List of games confirmed so far...


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Eee PC, which was launched in Taiwan in mid October this year, sold 30,000 notebooks within two months. Eee PC, which is a 0.92 kg laptop with 7 display, 512 MB RAM and 4 GB hard disc, is primarily targeted at the younger generation between 10-20 years of age. Francis Kao, business development manager- NB and mobile system, ASUS Technology, says We are expecting a sale of about 1,20,000 laptops in India within the first year and we are targeting around 2,00,000 if the response is good.
The firm has tied up with major hardware retail outlets in India like Croma, Vijay Sales, E-Zone and others for its initial launch in Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata. The product will also be taken to tier I and tier II cities. So how is ASUS going to handle the rush in India After the launch in January, we will gear up allocation of distributors and establish our distribution channel and by March, we are expecting to be much more stable in the market, says Kao.
The laptop, which is being manufactured in Taipei, Taiwan and China, costs Rs 13,000 in Taiwan but with the product coming to India, the prices could go up to Rs 18,000. With the import and sales tax charges getting added up, we can expect it to cost about Rs 18,000 in India, says Kao. An improved version of Eee PC is expected by mid 2008.
Moreover, come January and the Indian market will be loaded with a number of low range laptops, so how is ASUS going to handle the competition Even if the market has a product in a similar range, ASUS has an advantage of having such product in the market for a year now. We also have a strong R&D capabilities, Kao adds.
ASUS Technology, which is ranked the 8th notebook brand worldwide, is expected to take a leap as the 5th largest notebook brand in the coming three years.


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In the Brief:
“A New $15 Billion Project Is Set to Utterly Transform Our World”. Alibaba is doubling its funding in Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things, and the quantum computers. The company has announced its current week’s plan of investing $15 billion in research and development on the automation and technologies that will benefit both the company and to the world on a very large scale. Read the Post Alibaba’s one of the Biggest Project will be Transforming the World!
In the Brief:
Quantum physicists picked apart the unified theory of physics that Einstein’s theory has relativity offered, during the mid- to late-twentieth century. However, the physics of the large was governed by gravity and only quantum physics could describe observations of the small. Since then, a theoretical tug-o-war between gravity and the other three fundamental forces has continued as physicists try to extend gravity or quantum physics to subsume the other as more fundamental. Although repeated tests are required to confirm these abnormalities and a confirmation in this would signify a turning point in this one of the most fundamental descriptions of particle physics till date. Read the Post Possibility A New Quantum Physics
Facebook came up with a new low-cost virtual reality headset.
Yes, that’s true!
Brief: A virtual reality headset that will work without needing the requirement of an expensive computer, a progress designed to kickstart the promising technology’s slow start. Read the Post Facebook launches new low-cost virtual reality headset
Concisely, Universal Basic Income (UBI) has been considered as a possible answer to automation-linked job…
Tesla has revealed its first electric segmented truck, designed to challenge diesel trucks as king of the road. This ultimate articulated lorry can run up to 500 miles on just a single charge. The vehicle in the US is known as the semi-trailer truck that will go into production in 2019. Read the Post Tesla’s first truck and roadster: The Tesla Semi Truck!


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Corporate adoption of ISO 14001 standard soars nine per cent to more than 285,000 firms in 167 countries
Global adoption of the popular ISO 14001 management standard has continued to climb, rising nine per cent during 2012 to 285,844 companies, according to new figures from the International Organisation...
On Bob Dylan, World Cups, and the true urgency of the climate challenge
Deadline for entry to this year's awards is 5pm today
Inaugural GGFI ranks the work's financial centres according to perceptions of quality and depth of their green finance offerings
Data from trade body SolarPower Europe confirms continued strong growth for the industry throughout 2017


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AIRLINE Flybe warned demand for leisure travel has slumped as the consumer spending squeeze moves in on the airline industry.
The carrier said that while business travel, which makes up 45% of its passengers, was resilient, the number of passengers flying on holiday or to visit friends and family dropped in February and March.
The airline, which joined the stock market in December, said it was adding a £3 fuel surcharge per passenger to combat soaring fuel costs and was considering selling off aircraft to keep prices down.
Flybe, which flies from airports including Cardiff, Birmingham, Bristol, Doncaster, Edinburgh and East Midlands, saw shares dive nearly 20% following the update, despite confirming its full-year profit expectations of £22m.
Flybe is the first carrier to warn that the clamp on spending – most notably felt by the retail sector in recent months – is starting to hit the airline industry.
Consumer spending power suffered its first fall in 30 years in the final quarter of 2010, as wages failed to keep up with inflation.
Real disposable incomes are likely to be put under further pressure as the rate of inflation continues to surge, wage growth remains muted and the Government’s tough austerity measures start to bite.
Flybe chief executive and chairman Jim French said the airline had performed strongly against the challenging economic backdrop.
Despite the impact on leisure travel, Flybe said total seats increased by 4.5% to 2.6m in the quarter to March 31, while revenue per seat rose 2.2% to £46.14.
The airline, which will report its full-year results in June, suffered from the disruption caused by the Icelandic volcano in April and May last year and severe weather in December.
The carrier said forward ticket sales for this summer were up 5.4% year-on-year.
The Flybe brand is eight years old, but has traded under various names, starting out as Jersey European Airways in 1979.
It later became British European Airways as it expanded with the backing of Sir Jack Walker, the steel tycoon who owned Blackburn Rovers.
British Airways’ parent company IAG Group releases first-quarter figures today and easyJet will issue its half-year results next week.


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Teenagers have grown tired of the Tide Pod challenge, and have moved on to the latest questionable (and dangerously stupid) Internet trend: "The Condom Challenge."
When you search "condom challenge" on YouTube, you actually see two kinds of video challenges: 1) videos of people plopping water-filled condoms over their faces, and 2) teenagers snorting condoms up their nose until it comes out through their mouth. Although the first isn't exactly a good idea, the second is the one that poses a choking hazard, and is currently raising major health concerns.
Newsweek reports that like most other Internet challenges this is not exactly new, "but rather a resurgence of something bored teens have been doing for years." The report also cites an article from 2013, which says that one of the most alarming risks of inhaling a condom is the possibility that it goes down the wrong pipe, and end up to your lungs.
There's no telling what else could go wrong when you participate in this trend, and you really SHOULD NOT try to find out for yourself.
Image via Getty


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The folks from the Progressive Change Campaign Committee have re-launched a 60-second ad titled “Remember. Recall.” featuring last year’s protests at the Capitol and people talking about the effort to recall Scott Walker. The ad will begin airing with a $30,000 ad buy on broadcast and cable in the Madison area, with plans to expand coverage for the ad in the days and weeks ahead based on member contributions at RecallTheRepublicans.com.
“When Scott Walker declared war on working families, Wisconsin inspired America by fighting back. This ad is a reminder of how that fight started — and it encourages folks across Wisconsin to finish the job,” said Adam Green, the co-founder of the Progressive Change Campaign Committee, in a statement issued about the PCCC’s decision to air the “Remember. Recall.” ad in Madison.


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Hey everyone! I thought this was a super worthy cause! I know I’m there!
Black Cow collaborates with chefs to create delicious dishes out of household items which are at risk of going to waste Black Cow Vodka, the world’s first vodka to be made entirely from milk, has launched a “Waste Not Want Not” series by partnering with a selection of chefs from restaurants across the country who have been impacted by the current crisis, in order to help support the industry during COVID-19. The chefs have been tasked to create delectable dishes which consumers can make or use as inspiration, using ingredients which are at risk of going to waste, or are typically seen as “mundane” or “uninspiring”. The participating chefs will either receive a donation for their time directly from Black Cow, or it will be made to a charity of their choice.
Kicking off the series will be Mark Hix, known for his original take on British gastronomy, which will go live on Black Cow’s Instagram channel @BlackCowVodka on Wednesday 22nd April at 6pm. Each following video will go live at the same time every Wednesday.
Chefs who can be expected to take part include Mitshel Ibrahim, Head Chef of popular London restaurant Ombra, Head Chef of sustainable restaurant Cub Matthew Scott, Silo Sous Chefs Lara Santo and George McLeod, and Mircel McSween, Head Chef of the restaurant at Private Members Club The Court, with more to be announced.
Mark Hix says: “”Whilst we’re all stuck at home, it can be hard to think of new ways to use the same old ingredients, and also make sure nothing we’ve bought goes to waste. Getting involved with Black Cow’s ‘Waste Not Want Not’ series felt like the perfect way to give the public a few light-hearted, and hopefully helpful, tips and tricks to use up household ingredients in new and fun ways. What’s even better is that it’s all about helping chefs who are currently out of work and allowing us to do what we love and use our skills.”
The series, which is set to last 10 weeks initially, will also provide a competition element for consumers to win a meal for two at the specific chef’s restaurant once it reopens. Details of how to enter will be provided with each video.
Black Cow Co-Founder Paul “Archie” Archard says: “Sustainability is a huge part of what we stand for, as Black Cow is made of excess whey which otherwise would have gone to waste, so it felt right to give the public tips and tricks on how to use ingredients which are at risk of going to waste, or they are unsure how to use creatively, from amazing chefs. We want to support these incredible chefs any way we can, and hopefully help the public stay safe and learn something new, whilst looking forward to a brighter future ahead.”
The award-winning Black Cow Vodka, which was first launched by Paul Archard and dairy farmer Jason Barber in 2012, is the only vodka made entirely from whey from grass-grazed cow’s milk left over from the cheese-making process. This is fermented to convert the milk sugars into alcohol that is distilled, blended and filtered through coconut-shell charcoal, producing an exceptionally smooth vodka with a unique creamy character.
Black Cow Instagram is here: @blackcowvodka


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ISHPI Five Time Inc. 5000 Honoree
Mount Pleasant, SC, – ISHPI makes the Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing private companies in America for the fifth consecutive year. Only a tiny fraction of the nation’s companies have demonstrated such remarkably consistent high growth, particularly in the difficult economic climate of the past few years. Privately-held bootstrap companies like ISHPI are amongst an even more exclusive group on the list. “The achievement truly puts you in rarefied company”, said Eric Schurenberg, President and Editor-in-Chief of Inc. Magazine.
Inc. magazine ranked ISHPI #1052 on the annual Inc. 5000, an exclusive ranking of the nation’s fastest-growing private companies. Now in its 34th year, the Inc. 5000 list represents the most comprehensive look at the most important segment of the economy—America’s privately-held companies.
“We are truly honored to be recognized for the fifth consecutive year as an Inc. 5000 awardee. It is no secret that our employees are the reason for our success. They are incredibly dedicated mission-focused men and women who have a strong devotion to our clients’ objectives along with exceptional talent, knowledge, and integrity,” said Earl D. Bowers, ISHPI’s President.
About the Inc. 5000
Founded in 1979 and acquired in 2005 by Mansueto Ventures, Inc. is the only major brand dedicated exclusively to owners and managers of growing private companies, with the aim to deliver real solutions for today’s innovative company builders. Total monthly audience reach for the brand has grown significantly from 2,000,000 in 2010 to over 6,000,000 today. For more information, visit www.inc.com.


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|Item||Country of Origin||Beginning of harvest||End of harvest||Updates|
|Baby Corn||Thailand||Year round||Year round||Flooding last year reduced yields on crops, leading farmers to focus on larger sized product. This is decreasing the availability on the 150ct sizing, while demand for this size has not waned. Supply of cut product has not been negatively affected by flooding.|
|Tuna - Albacore||Thailand||Year round||Year round||Catchings are solid. Supply has improved and raw materials costing has improved.|
|Tuna - Skipjack||Thailand||Year round||Year round||Catchings are weaker due to warmer waters, raising raw material costs.|
|Bamboo||China||July||September||New crop is expected to be healthy and in line with 2022. But there is increased demand for domestic use in China so supply may tighten.|
|Edamame/Mukimame||China||July||November||Heavier than normal rain might pose a problem. We do not anticipate an issue overall.|
We are seeing good news on the logistics front. Ocean freight rates are expected to remain subdued as importers work through persistently high inventory levels. Transit times, vessel availability, and schedule reliability have improved dramatically as the slower demand has allowed carriers and ports to catch up from previous congestion issues. Ocean SPOT freight rates are now back at pre-pandemic levels and have seen little movement since January 2023. Service levels are back to pre-pandemic norms.


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The turnout was huge for the YMA Fashion Scholarship Fund Geoffrey Beene National Scholarship Awards dinner at the Waldorf on January 7. More than 1,300 attendees raised over $3.3 million to fund programs that encourage and assist students at almost four dozen colleges who want to be a part of the fashion and apparel business. The Fund places students in internships and has ongoing programs around the industry that help ensure a steady flow of great talent to participating companies. In addition, it awards over 100 scholarships each year, worth $5,000 each, to students who are chosen by their schools and submit projects for judging.
This year’s honorees were Doug Ewert of Men’s Wearhouse, Chip Bergh of Levi Strauss & Co., designers Isabel and Ruben Toledo and fashion icon Iris Apfel.
The highlight of the evening was the awarding of the nine Geoffrey Beene scholarships of $10,000 and $30,000 to scholars that have been selected from their schools and by a committee of the fund to compete.
All the speakers pointed out the value of education and the importance of nurturing young talent. In fact, Courtney Vander Linden, Levi’s assistant merchant who presented the AMY award to Levi’s CEO Chip Bergh, was a Geoffrey Beene scholar just last year.
In his Retailer of the Year presentation to Doug Ewert, Joseph Abboud first thanked the students for inspiring the industry veterans. He went on to talk about Ewert’s leadership skills, noting his commitment to American manufacturing and adding that Ewert spent his Christmas break with their factory workers in New Bedford, Mass.
For his part, Ewert offered some good advice to young people coming into the business: find a mentor and be a learner (he thanked Paul Fitzpatrick for mentoring him back when he was a buyer at Macy’s); make new mistakes so you can constantly reinvent yourself; and surround yourself with people smarter than you. He concluded by pointing out that we’re in a fabulous industry, one in which each year is more interesting than the one before.


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In a formal announcement, Netflix was informed that it would not be able to stream any new “Star Wars” films nor any content connected to Marvel Entertainment, beginning in 2019. While some might see this as disastrous for the leading streaming service, Netflix’s investors seemed indifferent to the declaration.
Netflix shares rose 0.1 percent during midday trades, closing above the previous day’s $179.25 per share, once Disney chief Bob Iger declared that Star Wars and Marvel content would be exclusive to his own company’s future streaming service. Earlier, Disney had left options open for other streaming rights to moves that would be licensed to other third parties. Disney’s as-yet-unnamed streaming service is planned for a 2019 debut.
When assessing the dull reaction from its investors, it seems Netflix has already been readying itself for reduced content from Disney-Disney has already pulled back on the Pixar and Disney content it has licensed to Netflix. The license reduction resulted in a seven percent drop in shares the week after Disney made that declaration.
While Netflix continues hoping to broker a new deal for licenses to Star Wars and Marvel, it seems to be a longshot proposition. Fortunately, Netflix seems influential enough that it can continue to function without the involvement of a major partner company like Disney. Overall, the Disney movie deals only signifies a shard of Netflix’s overall material. While Netflix pays Disney an annual figure of roughly $200 million, that loss is a drop in the bucket that is Netflix’s projected 2018 budget of $7 billion.
In anticipation of rival studios’ own SVOD services, Netflix has spent the last five years ensuring that its catalog includes unique and exclusive material. The company has furthered its dominance by investing in other enterprises; last month saw its acquisition of Millarworld comics, the original source for adaptations of “Kingsman” and “Kick-Ass,” and last week saw it steal Shonda Rhimes away from ABC studios and working with Oscar-winner Damien Chazelle to bring Parisian drama “The Eddy” to television.
Netflix and Disney originally made a licensing pact within the United States in 2012. At that point, Netflix was ensured access to streaming Disney films since the start of 2016. A similar had been brokered for Canadian Netflix. Unconnected to its pact regarding Disney films, Netflix continued to enjoy a multiyear deal related to Marvel’s street-level heroes that highlights some of the service’s best original content.


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KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s leading home renovation specialist The Makeover Guys (TMOG) has announced the signing of a marketing collaboration agreement with Maybank, officially establishing TMOG as the bank’s preferred home renovator. Both parties have officially launched a campaign to mark this collaboration, and participants will have the chance to win home makeovers worth up to RM1,100,000. The campaign aims to turn dream homes into reality for Malaysians.
Kicking off on Feb 1, 2024, the campaign offers aspiring homeowners, who sign up for Maybank’s home ownership solutions, the exclusive opportunity to win cash rebates and cash vouchers, bringing them one step closer to realising their dream home makeover. Customers will receive holistic financing beyond the financing of new or sub-sale properties, as well as financing for renovations, decorations, furnishings and fittings through the ground-breaking Maybank MyDeco and Maybank Home+Reno financing solutions.
The first of its kind, the Maybank MyDeco Financing is a loan built to finance home interior designs and is distinct as mortgage financing, not a personal loan. The programme offers up to a 30% additional margin of finance or up to a combined total of 120% of property price/open market value (whichever is lower), or a maximum of RM250,000, whichever is lower, in a separate loan account to finance a home owner’s interior design expenses. Maybank MyDeco Financing allows for various interior transformation works for the home, including interior design and decor, furnishings and fittings.
For more extensive full-fledged home renovations catered for landed properties, Maybank Home+Reno Financing is a viable solution. It is a combination of home financing and renovation facility, with the latter offering up to 120% of the property’s price or the latest open market value, whichever is lower.
“The spirit of our collaboration with Maybank aligns with our vision of enabling people to enjoy better homes, to make them accessible and enjoyable for every Malaysian. Now, with this innovative financing solution, we are excited to bring a new level of accessibility and ease to home makeovers for Maybank customers. This collaboration is more than just a partnership. It is a promise to simplify the process, making it not only achievable but also delightful,” shared TMOG founder and chief executive officer Gavin Liew.
“Maybank’s M25+ strategy prioritises customer-centricity, going beyond providing banking services to enrich the homeownership journey. We strive to be more than just a financial partner by offering innovative solutions that span the entire journey from foundation to furnishings, to cater to all your homeownership needs. This inaugural collaboration with The Makeover Guys elevates the experience to new heights, solidifying our commitment to exceed customer expectations,” said Zolkefli Awang, head of consumer finance for Maybank Community Financial Services Malaysia.


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Last week, Apple hosted its annual Worldwide Developers Conference in San Jose, where over 5,000 developers descended upon the McEnery Convention Center for five days of coding labs and sessions, one-on-one consultations with Apple engineers, get-togethers, and even some early morning exercise.
Apple CEO Tim Cook with WWDC 2018 scholarship winners Among those developers were some 350 scholarship winners, who each received a complimentary WWDC ticket, lodging for the week, and a one-year membership in the Apple Developer Program.
Each year, students aged 13 or older at accredited schools and STEM organizations can apply to become a WWDC scholar. This year, Apple [...]
Facebook today announced the launch of a dedicated „Memories“ section on its social network, which the company says is designed to be a single place on Facebook to reflect on „the moments you’ve shared with family and friends.“
Memories, which is an expanded version of the current „On This Day“ feature, provides a look back at posts and photos, friends you’ve made, and major life events.
Facebook says the Memories page will integrate several sections, including „On This Day,“ which will continue to show posts and photos and „Friends Made On This Day,“ highlighting when you added a person as a [...]
Gaston D’Aquino says the Apple Watch saved his life. By sharing his story, he hopes it can help save the lives of others too.
Photo Credit: South China Morning Post According to the South China Morning Post, the 76-year-old was sitting at church when his Apple Watch alerted him to his elevated heart rate. Having read similar stories before, he went directly to a local hospital.
„I told the doctor I don’t know why I’m here, but my watch tells me I have an elevated heart rate,“ said D’Aquino. „He says, ‚Are you feeling anything?‘ I said no, I feel fine, I’m feeling all right, nothing’s wrong.“ [...]
Apple Watch Series 4 models set to be released this fall will feature a new design and a display that’s 15 percent larger, according to predictions shared by KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo in a new note that was sent out to investors this morning (via 9to5Mac).
In addition to a new design with larger displays, the new fourth-generation Apple Watch models will feature a longer battery life enabled through more battery capacity and improved health monitoring capabilities. The display size of the watch could increase due to smaller bezels, and it’s not quite clear what impact a larger display would have on physical device size.
The Apple [...]


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We all love to hate multi-factor authentication. It’s time we did something about it.
Over the past couple of years, customers have become more accustomed to shopping, banking, learning, and managing their health using digital services. Many of these services rely on a username and password combination to authenticate customers.
Unfortunately, there are now a multitude of studies proving that password-based authentication is failing us. The latest ForgeRock Consumer Identity Breach Report found that two billion usernames and passwords were compromised in 2021 alone – an increase of over 35% from 2020. This is a concerning statistic when we also consider the results of a poll by Riskified, which found that over 40% of people would change suppliers if their account was compromised.
In an effort to stem this growing trend, companies everywhere turned to multi-factor authentication (MFA) which has become the recommended conventional approach to strengthen authentication. According to Microsoft, 99% of user accounts compromised by attackers did not use MFA. Google said it experienced a 50% decrease in account breaches after mandating MFA across 150 million customers.
Issues with conventional MFA
What has become clear in recent years is that conventional MFA methods (such as SMS or email) have created a host of their own issues – ranging from a poor user experience to new types of security threats.
For one, it’s difficult to even relay the importance of opting in for MFA to customers who have a tendency to choose convenience over security. The Twitter Transparency Centre notes that despite its efforts to promote conventional MFA, only 2.6% of global users have enabled it.
Secondly, conventional MFA methods create a clunky user experience. They can even have a negative impact on corporate revenues, with a study by the FIDO Alliance finding that 58% of customers have abandoned a transaction due to difficulty signing in. According to the W3C, complicated authentication procedures can discriminate against up to 15% of the population with a commensurate reduction in that potential addressable market.
Lastly, we see that conventional MFA doesn’t always equal better security. Microsoft has urged its users to avoid call and SMS-based MFA because it is susceptible to compromise. We also saw in the 2020 Twitter account hijacking breach that conventional MFA can be turned off.
How new MFA methods are solving these issues
While conventional MFA has reduced instances of password theft, it certainly isn’t where it needs to be to meet security and user needs in today’s digital landscape.
At Haventec, they believe technologies that enhance privacy should do so without negatively impacting the user experience or the adoption of digital services. This is why they have introduced Haventec Silent MFA – to enable enterprises to confidently leverage the proven benefits of MFA without negatively impacting their customer login experience.
Haventec Silent MFA provides a proven alternative to conventional MFA and the high assurance that only Haventec’s patented technology can provide.
With Haventec Silent MFA:
- You don’t need to change your current login process – customers simply enter their username and password like they do now. There’s no one-time PINs, call or SMS messages, authentication apps, tokens, smart cards, USB keys or QR codes.
- You can implement MFA without requiring customers to opt in to activate it. That’s why it’s silent and entirely seamless.
- It delivers significant benefits for customers, being simple to use while maintaining customer privacy.
- It works on all devices, everywhere, and provides high assurance authentication across all customer accounts.
- It integrates seamlessly with your current IAM platforms, including Microsoft and Auth0.
- It is the foundation for evolving passwordless and verifiable authentication methods and aligns with the emerging opportunities of Web3.
Ultimately, Haventec Silent MFA delivers the business benefits of simple to use and high assurance authentication without creating usability issues, introducing new threats, or slowing down business.
Doing right by your customers and leveraging the latest in MFA technology has never been more important. To learn more about Silent MFA, please join Haventec’s webinar.


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For some time now we have seen Windows Mobile losing ground to Google and Apple, but Microsoft hopes that they will be able to mount their comeback in the cell phone market at next weeks MWC 2010 (Mobile World Congress). Many believe that it is too late for Windows Mobile, and that they will never be able to catch-up with Android or iPhone OS.
In an article over on the Telegraph, they warn that if you think that you have the latest cell phone, then it could look old-fashioned when MWC 2010 begins on Monday. Many battles are being thought behind the scenes, and things will come to a head at the event when we get to see what hardware advancements have been made.
When it comes to the touchscreen interface, rivals are still playing catch-up to Apple and its ever-popular iPhone. Google have been doing very well, but still have a way to go. However, when it comes to speech recognition, Google have set a benchmark, we now wait to see if the likes of Microsoft or LG can offer anything better.
*Identifying Monetised Links - outgoing links that we monetise are marked with an '*' symbol.


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Facebook took another step in its evolution into a multi-platform virtual company when they changed the company name to Meta Platforms. There’s been a lot of intrigue around the name change as current platforms Instagram and Facebook continue to show strength.
But as tech continues to trend higher at elevated prices, some are wondering if this bull market is getting long in the tooth. And perhaps consumers aren’t quite ready for a full-dose of virtual and augmented reality just yet…
One way to track both of these questions is through Meta Platforms stock (FB). Below is a “weekly” chart highlighting a short-term narrowing pennant pattern. FB is currently testing rising support within this pattern, as well as two key moving averages at (1).
What happens here could be important for the company, as well as the broader tech sector. This looks like a reality test at (1). Stay tuned!
This article was first written for See It Markets.com. To see the original post CLICK HERE.


text: Asia-Pacific hotel chain Shangri-La Asia has announced a 36.6 per cent rise in profit attributable to shareholders to $502.47 million for the six months to June 30. The profit growth was put down to stronger visitor arrivals to Hong Kong and better than expected increase in occupancy at the company's hotels in the Philippines, Indonesia and Fiji. Operating profit for the period increased 39.8 per cent to $638.93 million, while turnover soared 63.2 per cent to $1.4 billion. Earnings per share climbed to 34.07 cents from 33.06 cents a year earlier. Directors announced an interim dividend of 15 cents a share. Net profit and turnover were both marginally higher than the market had expected, and analysts called it a fair to good result. The directors said growth of tourism to the territory saw average occupancy for the Kowloon Shangri-La and the Island Shangri-La rise 6 per cent to 81 per cent in the six months. The average room rate for the two hotels was $1,877, a room revenue increase of 17 per cent. In China, the group's eight hotels achieved an average occupancy of 67 per cent in the same period, slightly down on last year's figures, and a little softer than what analysts had expected. The Portman Shangri-La Hotel in Shanghai saw occupancy grow 8 per cent to 77 per cent, and the Xian Shangri-La Golden Flower Hotel's occupancy rose 19 per cent to 52 per cent. Overall, hotels contributed 72 per cent of the operating profit earned in the period. Properties contributed 28 per cent, compared with 34 per cent in the previous period. Occupancies in China World Trade Centre's serviced flats and offices both declined, to 92 per cent and 93 per cent respectively. The directors said that in other areas of the region, the hotels bought last year performed well ahead of expectations. In the Philippines, the occupancy rate at the Shangri-La Hotel, Manila grew 9 per cent to 84 per cent, and the Mactan Island Resort improved 4 per cent to 83 per cent. In Indonesia, the Shangri-La Hotel, Jakarta saw occupancy rates jump 25 per cent to 74 per cent, and in Fiji, the Fijian Resort's occupancy increased 13 per cent to 56 per cent. Construction on Shangri-La hotels in Qingdao and Dalian, expected to open next year, was progressing on schedule. The directors said the outlook for the second half for Hong Kong and other hotels remained positive, while that for China was less so. Contributions from the mainland are expected to be hampered by start-up losses of the three new hotels opened recently, a softer outlook generally for the hotel industry, and minimal growth in contributions from the properties portfolio. The result announcement helped Shangri-La Asia shares recover some of their early losses yesterday. They closed five cents down at $10.30 after trading as low as $10.25.


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Research scientists at the Cocoa Research Institute in Bole have called on policy makers to commit more resources into research into shea farming.
According to them, the move will help the researchers discover shea varieties with less gestation period.
Speaking to 3news.com in Bole, Senior Research Scientist at the Institute Dr Julius Yeboah said more resources and farmer interest are key in this regard.
He added that the shea tree has become a viable economic venture and if given the needed attention will rival cocoa.
“Just like cocoa and cashew, the gestation period of shea can also be reduced but our greatest challenge is resources which when improved will facilitate our work.”
A plant breeder, Dr. Micheal Teye Barner, noted that enhancing farm value for shea would accelerate development.
He called for more interest and support.
“Shea will do better if we do more work and the policy makers should be serious and place premium on research.”
Chief Executive Officer of the Golden Shea Tree Zakaria Abdul Rashid, who led a team of stakeholders in the shea value chain to the Research Institute, said he is impressed with the efforts by the researchers to reduce the gestation period of shea.
He is optimistic the move will improve yields which will improve livelihoods of industry players while contributing to GDP growth of the economy.
For his part, the Acting Director of Operations at the Tree Crop Development Authority, Patrick Zeal, revealed the demand for shea along the value chain is huge.
He called on the private sector to invest in shea.
“I am impressed with what I have come to see here and coming from the Tree Development Authority, we will take this serious to boost the shea industry”
Shea is one of the largest non-traditional exports of the country.
Over the last two decades, shea exports continued to bring stable income to rural women with over 600 percent export increment.
Data from the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA) indicate Ghana exports over $90 million worth of Shea which is approximately 55, 990 tonnes.
Unfair pricing, felling and burning of shea trees and uncollected shea are some of the challenges associated with the shea industry.
The Cocoa Research Institute in Bole has begun research into hybridization, grafting and cutting of shea variety.
The move is aimed at reducing the gestation period of shea from 15 years to between 4 and 10 years.
In 2020, the World Shea Expo, which is the first of its kind, was held in Tamale.
The expo provided stakeholders the opportunity to showcase Ghana’s shea industry, promote and create local and international markets.
By Christopher Amoako|3news.com|Ghana


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Statiq announced plans to install 20,000 electric vehicle (EV) charging stations across India in fiscal 2023.
EV charging solution provider claims to have over 7,000 public semi-public and captive chargers in the country.
Statiq said more than 1,000 charging stations are equipped with fast-charging technology and are located in strategic locations such as malls, highways, airports, residential & commercial complexes, hotels, and office complexes, among others.
“We have installed over 7,000 EV charging stations in 60 cities across India. We remain committed to playing a prominent role in helping the consumers consider sustainable mobility in the future,” said Akshit Bansal, Co-Founder and CEO, Statiq during the Auto Expo 2023.
In addition to a strong network in Delhi-NCR, Statiq EV charging network is spreading to Mumbai, Chandigarh, Amritsar, Udaipur, and Bengaluru and Agra, among others.


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Volvo Cars USA has recently announced that they’re going to offer free towing for life for any Volvo car with its Tow for Life program. It doesn’t matter what year, make, or model of Volvo it is, and it doesn’t matter if the warranty has already passed. Volvo will take care of the towing cost. But how will this work? We’ll explain the details – including some information that Volvo drivers should know about ahead of time.
What is Volvo Tow for Life and how does it work?
The program is called Tow for Life, and it now extends to all Volvos. Basically, it means that if a driver of a Volvo gets stuck somewhere and needs a tow, Volvo will send a tow truck and cover the cost of the tow. The only thing is that the vehicle must be taken to a Volvo retailer.
Does it really apply to all Volvos?
Even a clunker that’s well-loved and far past its prime will be covered under the program, regardless of whether the warranty has expired. So, a driver who gets stranded on the side of the road when their car quits on them can get a tow. A tow truck will come to the rescue.
The reasoning behind taking the cars to Volvo retailers is that this will mean that drivers can get their cars repaired using genuine Volvo parts. However, it also means the driver doesn’t get to choose where they want the car taken. They can’t get the car taken to their local auto shop or their trusted mechanic who has a shop specializing in European cars. So, that’s one of the details about the Tow for Life program that Volvo drivers need to know about.
So, it’s an interesting tidbit of towing news. It will be interesting to see whether towing companies end up getting an upswing of calls to take Volvos to dealerships so the owner doesn’t have to cover the towing cost (Volvo will.) But maybe many Volvo owners would rather take on the towing charge themselves so they can get their car taken to their local mechanic. It all depends on the driver.
(It’ll also interesting to wonder if Volvo retailers will see an increase in customers or repair jobs due to the Tow for Life program. For drivers of Volvos who take their car to a dealership’s service center when they need repairs anyways, this program sounds great. They don’t have to handle the towing bill if they break down on the side of the road. But for drivers who prefer a third-party auto repair shop, there may not be too much incentive to use the program.)
Need tow truck insurance? Our tow truck insurance experts can help you get the coverage you need to protect your vehicles. Get started with your online quotes by filling out our online form, giving us a call, or messaging us on LiveChat. We’re committed to helping towing businesses get great insurance at a great rate and making the insurance process easy.


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The Amazon chief’s new patent on an airbaglike system to protect falling cellphones or Kindles raises plenty of questions about its practicality.
Jeff Bezos, don’t quit your day job.
Gee-whiz news reports marveled this past week at the Amazon chief’s new patent on an air-baglike system to protect falling cellphones, Kindles and such.
But plenty of practical factors suggest this invention won’t be stuffed in anyone’s stocking next holiday season, if ever.
Two Seattle experts in consumer-electronics design confess that their own smartphones lack even the minimal protection of an impact-resistant case.
“I’m living on the edge,” admits Redwood Stephens, vice president of engineering for Synapse Product Development.
Sean MacLeod, president of Stratos Product Design, says his phone remains “unwrapped” even though “I go through one about every six months.”
Both designers say that while the idea of more active protection is intriguing, the challenges boil down to technology and money.
“It would clearly be competing with low-cost passive systems” like a plastic case or a rubber bumper, says Stephens, a mechanical engineer by training who has worked on Nike digital technology and other consumer electronics.
“ ‘I’ll be more careful’ —- that’s a fairly cheap solution,” agrees MacLeod, who has done projects for Apple and Microsoft, designed ruggedized laptops and worked on a lot of handheld electronics.
“When it gets down to it, cost is really such a brutal part of the consumer game.”
The patent, filed by Bezos and Amazon Vice President Gregory Hart in February 2010, involves using an air bag, springs or a jet of compressed gas to cushion a portable electronic device’s uncontrolled drop. There’s nothing in the patent’s broad descriptions to suggest Amazon, or anyone, has built such a system.
An automobile air bag seems almost simple by comparison. In a car there’s plenty of room for electronic and mechanical components. The added weight is minimal. The position of the person to be protected is fixed.
And while there’s not much time between the car hitting an obstacle and the rider hitting the dashboard, that 1/20th of a second is enough for the sensor at the front end to detect an impact and deploy the air bag inside.
Saving a phone or tablet computer, by contrast, first requires predicting a serious impact. As the patent explains, the system must determine that the device is falling, measure the distance to the approaching floor, calculate the crash velocity and then determine “whether the risk of damage to the cellphone … exceeds an acceptable threshold.”
To differentiate between dropping the phone on a shag rug and a driveway, the patent says the system might include a “surface-type detector … that may use a number of technologies, such as infrared, radar, X-ray or image recognition.”
Next, the “protection system” would kick in. That could require a “reorientation” element that rotates the device so it falls with the protected side down. This, says the patent, could use “gas expelled from a compressed gas cartridge” or a movable weight.
Finally, there’s the “protection element,” most intriguingly an air bag. Multiple air bags could be used to protect all sides of the device, the filing says.
Stephens says detecting a fall would not be difficult with the accelerometers, gyroscopes and other orientation systems now found in many smartphones. That’s the “lower-hanging fruit,” he says.
The next plausible step would be building a mechanism to “actively deploy mechanical bumpers, which are significantly lower cost than would be required for compressed gas,” he says.
But an air bag powered by compressed gas? “I could envision that getting bulky really quickly,” he says.
And some catlike mechanism to twist the falling device around so its cushioned side lands first? That seems like a tough nut to crack, Stephens says. “The question is how much weight do we have to throw around, or how much air do we have to blast, to accomplish that?”
MacLeod says miniaturizing the various components might be possible but expensive. “If it costs too much to actually develop the solution then it’s impractical from a business perspective.”
Still, he’s not ready to write off the mobile-phone air bag. “I wish I had one.”
There’s also an alternative approach to protection — insurance. One insurer of tech products, Asurion, reports that 53 percent of its claims last year were for damage, as opposed to loss, theft or malfunctions.
Whether it’s financial or physical protection, MacLeod says consumers may not pay much to protect the longevity of their devices “if you’re going to trade in every time there’s a new version, every six months.”
Of course, even if this Bezos patent goes nowhere, the man shares authorship on more than 70 others assigned to Amazon. Plus, he invented Amazon.
And even if this invention succeeds, there’s something air bags or springs won’t do: keep a phone dry and afloat when it’s dropped in the toilet.
That problem is still waiting for its Jeff Bezos.
By Rami Grunbaum, deputy business editor


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CES is about to begin in Las Vegas and Greater Media’s Buzz Knight is there to cover the show for Radio Ink. Buzz recently interviewed Consumer Technology Association CEO Gary Shapiro who said Nine automakers and more than 115 automotive tech companies will be exhibiting across 200,000 square feet of space this year, that’s a 25 percent increase over last year. As for in-vehicle communications, they’re making cars safer and drivers more connected. Exhibitors at CES 2016 will unveil a complete, immersive infotainment experience for the car, with advancements in active window displays, access notifications, navigation systems, and a whole lot more. Here’s Buzz’s interview with Shapiro.
Buzz Knight: Congratulations on once again smashing attendance records. As you look at CES 2016, what are the products and innovations that excite you the most?
Gary Shapiro: That’s a really tough one, because at CES, for me, the excitement is like that of being a little kid in a candy store — a 2.4 million net-square-foot candy store, no less. It’s wondrous. Attendance though is actually not our CES 2016 goal. In fact, we announced we are trying to cut back from our 2015 high of 176,000 attendees.
CES showcases a nearly endless array of breathtaking, innovative products and services on display, from 4K Ultra HD TVs and content to the latest drones to health and fitness wearables to driverless cars to connected smart homes and appliances. Nowhere else in the world will you find all of these together in one place. More than 20,000 products will launch at CES 2016, representing the entire tech ecosystem. Groundbreaking trends at the show will set the industry stage for 2016.
Of particular note, the Internet of Things category at CES is so all-encompassing, we can’t even section it off anymore – just about everything can now be connected. In the audio sector, High-Resolution Audio brings the studio to the listener. Immersive audio creates sound that seems as though it’s coming from infinite points all around the listener. And our automotive and vehicle intelligence exhibits are a major presence at this year’s show.
As you wind your way from one exhibit to the next, you literally never know what to expect next, with each display as jaw-dropping — if not more so — than the one before. I’ve been to CES every January in Las Vegas now for the past 35 years, and each time the experience is just as awe-inspiring as the first one.
BK: How does CES foster so many partnerships that help build brands and establish “win-wins”?
GS: First, remember that CES is the global stage for innovation. It brings together in one place and at one time more than 150,000 people from across the U.S. and 150 other countries, who thrive on the business of consumer technology. And most of these people would likely never otherwise meet, were it not for CES.
CES is where companies big and small come to showcase their latest innovations to the global marketplace and to network with one another. From the show floor to the keynote stages to the conference programs, exhibitors and attendees alike have dozens of opportunities to network, share ideas, and make deals.
As far as making deals is concerned, CES is where business gets done. It’s a platform for innovators of all sizes to build their businesses. Each attendee has an average of 33 meetings at CES. And every year the show saves executives from traveling an estimated 3.5 million miles for business trips by meeting here. Those are two tangible “win-wins” right there.
BK: How is the automotive business represented this year? How is the in-car dashboard evolving and what does this mean to the radio business?
GS: In this era of total connectivity, traditional silos between tech devices, products, and services are breaking down. In May, at CES Asia, Audi’s Luca de Meo called the next generation of cars, “the fastest and most powerful mobile device.” From adaptive cruise control to heads-up displays to mobile hotspot connectivity, there’s so much amazing technology and intelligent design built into today’s vehicles.
The latest in electric and energy-efficient vehicles will be on display, along with car-safety tech, from parking assistance to collision avoidance and emergency braking.
As for in-vehicle communications, they’re making cars safer and drivers more connected. Exhibitors at CES 2016 will unveil a complete, immersive infotainment experience for the car, with advancements in active window displays, access notifications, navigation systems, and a whole lot more.
BK: Your book Ninja Innovation is a rallying cry to all of us to avoid stagnation and to thrive in the midst of a changing world. Are there some lessons this year at CES that we should consider about innovation?
GS: Yes. Embrace the fact that life is about change. That’s what CES is about – change and innovation. At CES, thousands of innovators — from incubator startups to Fortune 100 companies — gather to showcase their game-changing technology. The show embodies the energy, excitement, wonder, and innovative spirit of the tech industry, and we all learn from one another.
Industry leaders from the entire tech ecosystem attend to discover and experience the latest trends and network with peers. They take home with them what they’ve learned at CES and bring it to bear on their own endeavors. In that way, industry adapts as the definition of technology expands to engage and create new industries and markets.
CES has been the proving ground for innovators for nearly 50 years, where breakthrough and disruptive technologies are unveiled — and built upon. This year will be no different. I’m so looking forward to it.
BK: What are the keys to success regarding great user experiences when you think of the vast array of products at CES?
GS: The single most effective thing is to recognize that there’s simply no way you’re going to be able to see, do, and experience everything that CES 2016 has to offer. The show itself runs from January 6 through January 9, and presentations, hospitality suites, and other activities begin two days earlier on January 4. Even in six days it’s impossible to take in everything, but well worth the try, especially if you take a targeted approach to outlining exactly what you’d like to see onsite.
With 2.4 million net square feet of exhibits, hundreds of panel sessions, and a suite of forward-looking keynote addresses — among them, Robert Kyncl, chief business officer of YouTube; Netflix CEO Reed Hastings; Brian Krzanich, CEO of Intel; Ginni Rometty, president and CEO of IBM; and many more — not even I can take it all in and do it justice, try as I may, though, every year.
So, to avoid — or at least minimize — frustration and disappointment at the prospect of missing out on something you want to see or someone you want to hear, CES attendees would be well-advised to plan their schedule in advance, to as great a degree as possible.
Most importantly, we want you to have a safe CES experience. Make a note of our updated security procedures. We are implementing these enhanced measures with the goal of maintaining the safety of all attendees. Most notably, only two bags, each smaller than 12” x 17” x 6″ (30 cm x 43 cm x 15 cm), may be brought into official show premises. And luggage and roller bags are not permitted on the show floor.
Don’t wait for your arrival and check-in to plan your CES experience. Most show information is already online, so make some time to review the schedule thoroughly and compile a list of the exhibits you most want to see and presentations you most want to hear. For example, the Storytellers sessions featuring Internet radio industry leaders from Pandora, Spotify, and others, is taking place all week long at the ARIA. Make note of those times and places — then just do it!


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Love is still in the air at White Castle. COVID-19 might have prevented the family-owned fast-food hamburger chain from offering indoor dining the past year, but it won’t stop them from providing a unique dining experience on Valentine’s Day.
This year, White Castle restaurants will transform into classic drive-ins, complete with carhop service, allowing customers to celebrate the holiday while remaining socially distanced. Customers with reservations will pull into a parking space, where they’ll be greeted by a White Castle team member who will take their order and deliver it to them in their cars.
Reservations for this limited experience are expected to go quickly, so customers are encouraged to reserve their parking space now through the OpenTable app or website. Hours vary by Castle.
“COVID forced us to re-imagine our annual Valentine’s Day event,” says Jamie Richardson, a vice president at White Castle. “This creative and safe solution allows us to celebrate a tradition our customers love. We’re happy to share that once again this Valentine’s Day, White Castle will become Love Castle.”
Since 1991, White Castle restaurants have been celebrating Valentine’s Day by transforming their dining rooms into fine dining establishments complete with hostess seating, tableside service and festive holiday décor. About 30,000 people – both first-timers and repeat customers – dine at a Castle each Valentine’s Day.
White Castle didn’t want to abandon the annual tradition because of COVID, especially since 2021 marks the 30th anniversary of the event. So more than 300 participating Castles will turn their parking lots into “Slider Lover’s Point” and invite couples, families and friends to celebrate the holiday of love with a drive-in dinner at White Castle.
Customers will receive a brochure with suggested activities to entertain them while they wait for their food to arrive. And if that’s not enough, a specially curated Spotify playlist will add to the entertainment. Called “Slider Lover’s Luv Channel,” the playlist will feature shoutouts to loved ones and love stories from Cravers around the country. White Castle will solicit shoutouts through social media prior to Valentine’s Day.
For those who can’t get a reservation or simply prefer to celebrate at home, there’s always the option of getting White Castle to go. Customers can pick up a few boxes of Sliders from grocery stores and retail outlets across the country that carry White Castle’s famous fare. They can pick up a carryout meal in the drive-thru by ordering on the spot or in advance using the White Castle app. Or, customers can remain in the comfort of their homes by ordering through one of White Castle’s delivery partners. Just for the day, the 20-Slider Crave Clutch will showcase a new, irresistible design befitting the Valentine’s Day festivities.
“What better time to host such a one-of-a-kind celebration than the 100th birthday of White Castle and the 30th anniversary of our Valentine’s Day festivities,” Richardson says. “Castle is the epicenter of where love is alive in 2021.”


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Google Maps is still the most used mapping application for smartphones as Apple Maps isn't available on Android. In October, Google Maps had over twice as many smartphone users as Apple Maps.
When Apple Maps first debuted on iOS it was plagued with problems but Apple has gradually improved the service and turned into one of the best mapping services available.
“We are fast learners and we are fast at fixing things,” said Apple VP Greg “Joz” Joswiak. “We learned the maps business incredibly fast.”
The Boston Globe says that Apple is now collecting data from over 3,000 sources for business listings, traffic and other information.
In adding transit, Apple sent teams to map out subway entrances and signs. That results in more precise walking directions, as stations can stretch for blocks and the center point used by some services isn’t necessarily the closest. Apple also started sending out vehicles with sensors to map roads, similar to Google’s longstanding practice.
Apple says its not finished improving Maps and it definitely still has some work to do, especially in rolling out transit directions. However, the service is now good enough that most users aren't turning to third party products instead.
Let us know Maps performs in your area. Do you still use Google Maps or are you happy with Apple Maps?


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In a blatant act of bigotry and religious intolerance, a Californian brewery produced a speciality seasonal beer, Witch's Wit Ale, with a hatefully misogynistic image on the label: a witch being burned at the stake.
One group was particularly offended by the vileness of the picture: the real life witches.
Vicky Noble, a well-known Wiccan, saw the beer in a liquor store and immediately shot off a cry to arms (brooms?) to her e-mail list asking:
Can you imagine them showing a black person being lynched or a Jewish person going to the oven? ... Such images are simply not tolerated in our society anymore ... and this one should not be, either.
And, her followers responded to this assault on paganism in exactly the way you'd expect of a coven of angry witches ...
... with a barrage of complaints to the Lost Abbey brewery, requesting that it change the label.
Luckily, this story has a happy ending: The brewery's owners said they meant no harm and admitted to being “ignorantly unaware of the mistake” they had made. Witch's Wit was just one of many in a line of religiously themed beers -- which also includes Judgement Day, The Ten Commandments, and Gift of the Magi -- that lightly poked fun at religious imagery.
Nevertheless, Lost Abbey agreed to change the label and hope to have a contest to determine the new image for the limited edition Belgian-style ale, which is spiced with grapefruit zest, orange peel and coriander.
And the Wiccans for their part are happy with the decision, particularly Noble who stated, "“I like beer."
Everyone's happy. The world is one step closer to religious tolerance. Now, who wants a drink?
Do you think the label is offensive?
Image via Lost Abbey


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Next time when you want to drink water, you can try drinking from REBO. A technology-enabled water bottle is under progress to help fight plastic pollution and create a sustainable planet – leveraging blockchain and IoT. The concept is simple – every time a user drinks water from the REBO bottle, the inbuilt sensors record the water intake. The consumption data is then available on the user’s mobile app and with the help of blockchain technology, it will then get shared with third parties, who will finance the plastic waste collection.
As of now, the project is in a prototype stage and it comes from the company based out of Geneva, Switzerland founded by Pierandrea Quarta, the man who was involved in the design and development of the first FMCG recyclable bottle made with beach plastic by P&G.
The smart technology-enabled water bottle highlights two key beneficiaries and the role of technology in making a positive difference –
1. USER – It is ultimately for the consumers to drive it
Firstly, oftentimes, in our busy lives, we tend to forget or become a little lazy to quench our thirst. Secondly, the plastic water bottle which we buy from a grocery store gets consumed in a matter of minutes, but the same bottle if not recycled takes hundreds of years to decompose.
REBO which will come with a mobile application will –
- Encourage people to remain hydrated and consume water at regular intervals by triggering alerts
- Discourage people from buying a new plastic bottle which leads to plastic pollution and instead use reusable bottle(s)
- Motivate people to bring a positive change in society, by giving them ‘green credits’ whenever they consume water from the REBO bottle. The app will notify users of the number of bottles that are getting collected to help them understand the positive impact caused due to their efforts.
2. SOCIETY – Making a positive contribution in the livelihood of the less privileged
The recycle part is not easy, either due to inconsiderate attitude from individuals or inefficient waste management systems, and thereby leading to a large part of plastic being strewn all over the planet. Public litter is a huge concern in many of the developing economies of the world and it is mainly the underprivileged section of the society who are necessitated to provide the cleanup services extremely low prices.
In order to address this, the startup plans to –
- Finance investments to eliminate existing plastic waste which is already littered across the globe especially the beaches and oceans.
- Partner with credible organizations like Plastic bank, which pays considerably better rates to local communities in Haiti, Brazil, Philippines, and Indonesia for plastic collection
Technology innovation driving the change
Apart from building a durable stainless steel bottle, to deliver the results, technology will be extensively used –
- A sensor in the bottle will measure the water levels and will also recognize if the water is being used only for drinking and not being thrown down the sink
- An integrated mobile application will help users to measure their water intake levels against some preset goals and lifestyle
- The mobile app can also guide a user to the nearest refill point
- The LED light (supported by the rechargeable battery) to remind people to drink water
- Emerging technology blockchain will ensure that data is seamlessly shared with 3rd parties in a transparent and secure manner
As mentioned by the founder and CEO, Pierandrea Quarta, in the video, “every minute 1 million plastic bottles are consumed worldwide” and many of these are discarded in the ocean. Hence any initiative which can help in reducing that will do good for the world.


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On Tuesday, May 18th, PluraCoin (PLURA) saw a dramatic increase in value, rising by an astounding 110.97%. This impressive growth outperformed the entire crypto market and caught the attention of traders and investors alike. So, what exactly is PluraCoin and what led to this sudden surge in price?
PluraCoin (PLURA) is a privacy-focused cryptocurrency that aims to provide users with anonymous and secure transactions. The coin is based on the CryptoNote protocol, which is known for its focus on privacy and security. PluraCoin is designed to be used in everyday transactions and allows users to send and receive money without revealing their identity or personal information.
The sudden surge in PLURA’s value on Tuesday can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, the overall crypto market was experiencing a bullish trend, with many coins seeing a rise in value. Secondly, PluraCoin had recently undergone a hard fork, which is a software upgrade that can lead to changes in the coin’s functionality and usability. This hard fork may have sparked renewed interest in the coin and encouraged investors to buy in.
Furthermore, PluraCoin recently announced the launch of its new wallet, PLURA X. This wallet is designed to be user-friendly and easy to use, making it accessible to a wider range of users. The wallet also boasts advanced security features, including private keys that are stored locally on the user’s device. This announcement likely contributed to the increased demand for PLURA and the subsequent rise in value.
The PluraCoin team has also been actively working to expand the coin’s utility and accessibility. They have partnered with several online merchants to accept PLURA as payment, and have also been listed on several crypto exchanges, including ProBit and Crex24. These efforts have helped to increase the coin’s visibility and appeal to potential users and investors.
The increase in PLURA’s value on Tuesday also reflects a broader trend in the crypto market. Many coins have been experiencing a bullish trend in recent months, with Bitcoin and Ethereum leading the way. This surge in value can be attributed to several factors, including increased institutional investment, growing mainstream adoption, and a general sense of optimism about the potential of blockchain technology.
However, it is worth noting that the crypto market is notoriously volatile, and sudden spikes in value can be followed by equally rapid declines. Investors should always approach crypto investments with caution and conduct thorough research before buying in.
Overall, the rise of PluraCoin (PLURA) on Tuesday highlights the potential of privacy-focused cryptocurrencies in the current market. As concerns around online privacy and security continue to grow, coins like PluraCoin that offer anonymous and secure transactions may become increasingly valuable. The PluraCoin team’s continued efforts to increase the coin’s usability and accessibility also bode well for its future success.
It will be interesting to see how PLURA’s value continues to develop in the coming weeks and months. As the crypto market continues to evolve and mature, innovative coins like PluraCoin may prove to be lucrative investments for those who can navigate the risks and rewards of this exciting and unpredictable sector.


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adidas launches new share buyback program
Through its new strategy ‘Own the Game’ adidas expects to drive significant top-line growth and strong bottom-line expansion until 2025. As a result, the company will generate substantial cumulative free cash flow over the next five years. adidas plans to share the majority of this – between € 8 billion and € 9 billion – with its shareholders through regular dividend pay-outs in a range of between 30% and 50% of net income from continuing operations, complemented with share buybacks.
Against this background and with the approval of the Supervisory Board, the Executive Board of adidas AG has decided today to launch a new share buyback program in the second half of 2021. Starting on July 1, 2021, the company plans to buy back shares worth up to € 550 million until the end of the year. Taking into consideration the dividend payment of € 585 million which was made in May, the total amount of cash which the company will return to its shareholders in 2021 is expected to exceed € 1 billion.
While the company may use the repurchased shares for all purposes in accordance with the authorization granted by the Annual General Meeting in May 2021, the company intends to cancel most of the repurchased shares, which would reduce the number of shares and the share capital accordingly.
Update October 14, 2021:
The Executive Board, with approval of the Supervisory Board, has decided to launch an additional share buyback program. Starting on October 18, 2021, the company plans to buy back shares worth € 450 million until the end of the year. Taking into consideration the share buyback completed at the end of September, adidas will buy back shares in a total amount of € 1 billion in 2021. Including the dividend payment of € 585 million in May, the company will return nearly € 1.6 billion to its shareholders this year.
You can find the transactions in a detailed form here.


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Frontier Developments’ David Braben recently weighed in on why so, so many games are going with a deep multiplayer mode at the possible cost of a strong single-player campaign. Namely, used games. Here’s the most interesting quote of the article:
“People will say ‘Oh well, I paid all this money and it’s mine to do with as I will’, but the problem is that’s what’s keeping the retail price up — prices would have come down long ago if the industry was getting a share of the resells.”
We’ll give Braben this: he’s not Jameson Durall.
Still, we think this is more than a little simplistic (we won’t even get into the whole “consumer rights” thing nobody in the video game industry seems to get). It’s no secret that multiplayer is appealing to developers who can’t design a good single player game; you don’t have to code AI, you don’t have to design levels that are clever or engaging to just one player. And, as Braben is correct in pointing out, it’s a lot cheaper because of those factors.
However, we’re skeptical that prices would have come down if used game stores had somehow put developers into the loop.
If that were true, GameStop wouldn’t being turning around and selling the hot new game used for $55. After all, developers don’t set the price, publishers do, and it’s not like we all sing and dance about the fairness and generosity of EA or Activision.
We think part of the drive towards multiplayer is simple: it’s expected from many titles, and very few can get away with not having it. Even big titles built around a single-player experience like “Mass Effect 3” have multiplayer now. And the biggest franchise in gaming, “Call of Duty”, was built on it.
Braben is obviously biased: he’s got a single-player game, “The Outsider”, that he’s trying to sell. And we recommend you give the full article a read: it’s insightful and rarely blames the gamer, for once. Still, especially in light of the success of Kickstarter funded games, we wonder if the problem is really used games…or just shortsightedness in the games industry.


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Health privacy — The World Privacy Forum filed comments today about how medical records and other health information is intersecting with online advertising and online activities. The WPF comments were filed with the Department of Health and Human Services in response to its request for comments on personal health records, privacy, and social media.
Opt-out and how-to — The popular WPF Top Ten Opt Out List has been newly updated. We have added a new section to our list with step by step details on how to opt out of RapLeaf. We encourage consumers to view any of their profiles that exist at RapLeaf and to opt out of RapLeaf permanently. We have also updated the phone numbers and other information on the rest of our opt out list. To see more, visit our Opt Out List.
Data brokers — WPF will be speaking at the CFP conference on two panels. On June 15, Pam Dixon will participate in a plenary session on data brokers. On June 16, Dixon will moderate a health care privacy panel. This panel will focus on electronic health care in the state of California and the current privacy issues in electronic health exchange.
Digital Signage Privacy Principles — The nation’s leading consumer and privacy groups released a set of baseline consumer privacy principles to be included in digital signage networks. The principles were released at the Digital Signage Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada, where World Privacy Forum executive director Pam Dixon spoke about the principles to a large group of digital signage industry professionals.
FTC Privacy Roundtable — Thursday, January 28, WPF Executive Director Pam Dixon will be speaking at the FTC’s Privacy Roundtable about the privacy implications of digital signage networks and will be specifically discussing the new report: The One-Way Mirror Society: Privacy Implications of the New Digital Signage Networks. Few consumers, legislators, regulators, or policy makers are aware of the capabilities of digital signs or of the extent of their use. The technology presents new problems and highlights old conflicts about privacy, public spaces, and the need for a meaningful debate.


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CLEVELAND — Lowe’s, the home improvement retailer, announced that it’s hiring more than 50,000 workers this spring at stores across the country, including in Northeast Ohio.
The company announced it will pay out an additional $80 million in discretionary bonuses and plans to existing workers while still hiring additional associates this spring.
Active hourly associates at U.S. stores, distribution centers and call centers will receive the bonus on Feb. 5 in recognition of their continued dedication working throughout the pandemic.
Full-time hourly associates will receive $300, and part-time and seasonal associates will receive $150. This will be the seventh bonus or special payment Lowe's has provided to hourly associates during the pandemic.
"As we approach spring, I am enormously proud of the way our associates have served customers and supported each other this past year through an unprecedented health crisis," said Marvin R. Ellison, Lowe's president and CEO, in a statement. "We are honored to be an essential business to help our customers keep their homes safe and functional during these very challenging times. We're pleased to provide this additional bonus to support our current associates and excited to welcome these new associates so we can better serve customers across the country."
Job seekers can visit jobs.lowes.com/spring or text "JOBS" to LOWES (56937) to learn about nearby opportunities and apply.


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The Google TV platform, which by all measures has been quite a flop up to this point, is ready for its first significant upgrade.
If you purchased a Sony Internet TV or Logitech’s Google TV set-top box over the last year, chances are you’ve been disappointed. Despite a lot of lofty language about how Google TV was supposed to change the way we interact with TV, it has remained either on par or actually inferior to other Internet TV options offered by manufacturers like Samsung and Philips.
One of the things we’ve been waiting for is the addition of Android Market in the Google TV software, which would make the level of content explosive and potentially game-changing.
So far, the only apps on Google TV have been staples like Netflix, news channels, and weather information. And it wasn’t an open platform, so an indie developer with an awesome TV app idea would be unable to deploy said idea.
However, on October 30, Google will be pushing an update to all existing Google TV users that will open up the Android Market – finally. Yes, these apps are the same ones that appear on your Android phone. That is, the ones that have been accepted as compatible with Google TV.
Obviously, ones that rely on touch-screen controls, GPS, accelerometer functions, etc, won’t work. But useful apps including games and content discovery apps are all set for deployment.
A couple of the things we’ve been looking for since Google TV launched is a way to make it social – tune into a TV show and chat with others in real-time as the show’s plot unfolds. Or have an app that can intelligently predict what you want to watch and when to change the channel.
Now that the platform is a bit more open, we’re hoping for big things. But the question is whether it’s too little too late. We’ll wait and find out.


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GM is strengthening the Volt's battery pack to prevent coolant leaks in accidents.
Ironically, the liquid coolant that keeps the Volt's lithium-ion battery from overheating on the road is likely what caused it to catch fire three weeks after a crash test. But Volt drivers don't have to worry about coolant catching flame in the same way they might worry about gasoline spills. A source briefed on the Volt's investigationthat crystallized coolant resulted in an electrical short, causing the battery to catch fire.
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration has been investigating the Chevrolet Volt in response to a fire that started in the vehicle's battery several weeks after it completed side-impact crash testing last June. NHTSA was not informed of, and did not follow, the Volt's post-crash safety protocol, which requires the battery to be drained of power.
GM and investigators have been examining all aspects of the 16kWh battery, including circuit boards, the chemical reaction that stores and discharges energy from the battery, and the coolant itself, to figure out what started the fires in dormant vehicles. Although the findings haven't been finalized, coolant is the likely culprit, sources say. GM believes that if they can prevent the coolant from leaking, they can prevent future battery fires, and they're close to a solution, according to a Reuters article.
Engineers are proposing to laminate the 400 pound battery's circuitry and reinforce its case to better protect the coolant system in a side-impact crash, Reuter sources say. The fix is expected to cost approximately $1,000 per vehicle including labor, and can be performed in a dealership.
The findings and solutions could help other manufacturers before they introduce new electric vehicles to the market. Tesla and Mini also use liquid-cooled batteries in their electric vehicles, as will Ford in its upcoming electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. Nissan and Mitsubishi use air-cooled batteries.
Although no real-world fires have occurred, GM is offering Volt owners the option of selling the vehicle back to the manufacturer or receiving a loaner vehicle until the investigation is resolved. To date,.
Last week fire investigators cleared the Volt and its Siemens-manufactured electric charger of starting a North Carolina house fire that caused $800,000 in damage to a $1.5 million house. Although the cause of the fire has not been determined, investigators say the charger was a victim of the fire, and not the cause of it.
(Source: Associated Press)


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Yamaha India wants to concertrate on the 100cc scooter space that witnesses 80-90% customers and doesn’t think moving higher up with larger engines is needed at this point.
It’s not a surprise that the popularity of scooters in India has urged bike manufacturers to join the bandwagon in a bid to grab a share of the growing pie. Yamaha was one of the recent entrants to the group retailing three scooters in the 110cc segment. While the said segment may be a heavily contested space, the future promises higher capacity scooters to be introduced. However, the Japanese auto giant does not see the potential growth as positively as other companies and recently confirmed that it has no 125cc or higher scooter planned for India in the near future.
In a recent interview, Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Yamaha India, Mr. Roy Kurien stated that the company is currently concentrating on the 100cc segment where around 80-90 percent customers are present and the they do not need to make any innovations in a bid to tap the 125cc or 150cc scooter space. Clearly, Yamaha is following the herd when it comes to introducing new products and is looking to establish itself in a segment otherwise ruled by Honda, TVS and Hero MotoCorp.
Yamaha entered the Indian scooter market three years ago with the Ray and Ray Z, which was followed by the Alpha and more recently the Fascino. All scooters from the automaker use the same underpinnings and draw power from the same 113cc single-cylinder air-cooled motor. The models, albeit praised for a number of reasons have also been criticised for being underpowered and a higher capacity mill would’ve made a big difference, at least for the scooter enthusiast.
Despite a long lineup, the Yamaha Fascino is the only one to make a difference in terms of sales and the retro-cool styling has worked in favour of the model. The scooter is drawing close to 20,000 units every month as per the company, making it the automaker’s best selling model at present. The 125cc scooter segment is slowly growing in India with Honda and Suzuki having already established presence. So, is Yamaha missing out on an opportunity once again or does the wait and watch strategy make sense? Let us know your thoughts in the comments box below.
Source – BikeAdvice.in


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Sub-Saharan Africa leads in mobile subscription
Sub-Saharan Africa remains the fastest-growing region in terms of mobile subscription, with 477 million mobile subscribers at the end of 2019, with an additional 137 million subscribers over the period to 2025, representing a CAGR of 4.3%.
This is according to the GSMA’s annual Mobile Economy Sub-Saharan Africa report that explores the latest data, forecasts and trends for the region.
It coincided with the organisation’s Thrive Africa 2020 hosted virtually in September.
According to the report, 272 million of the 477 million are now mobile internet users, representing 26% of the population. In 2019, mobile technologies and services generated 9% of GDP in Sub-Saharan Africa, a contribution of more than US$155-billion.
“The findings from our Mobile Economy Sub-Saharan Africa report clearly show the importance and value of digital connectivity,” said Akinwale Goodluck, Head of Africa, GSMA. “Realising the full potential of a progressive digital future requires an informed policy debate of the sort that GSMA Thrive Africa will deliver.”
Business leaders representing technology firms Orange, MTN, ZTE and others have agreed that the digital divide remains a challenge in Africa and that addressing the need for inclusivity and affordability will require sustainable infrastructure, collaboration and ongoing investment.
Chairman and CEO of the Orange Group Stéphane Richard raised the issue of the usage divide or residents who are covered by mobile networks but who do not access the internet.
He said 520 million people in Africa fall into this category, mainly because of the high cost of smart devices and mobile services, and that content made available through these devices is not always relevant and/or users do not have the skill sets to take advantage of the technology.
“On a global level 7% of world’s population lacks mobile broadband coverage, less than six hundred million people, whereas in SSA, the gap is currently almost 30% of the population. The lack of internet excludes individuals from opportunities to overcome the social and economic impact of the current crisis. It also limits the ability of governments to effectively manage the pandemic and its economic fallout. If we don’t take action now, we run the risk of reinforcing existing inequalities in the digital world and further marginalising vulnerable people.”
Ralph Mupita, recently appointed Group President and CEO of MTN, said the company is excited about the acceleration of a digital society across its footprint, and the importance of a sustained level of investment to ensure that the connectivity is there and the different types of technologies for this connectivity are there.
“In many of our markets our customers or subscribers are still using 2G phones … our emphasis and investment is really around investing in data-capable technologies, the 3G and 4G, and obviously increasingly into 5G. We believe that investment will yield benefit.”


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According to Bloomberg, Tesla Inc.’s fourth quarter Kathy Wood even raised concerns over CEO Elon Musk’s ability to manage the business, potentially reflecting his faith in the billionaire and electric vehicles.
Exchange-traded funds backed by Arc Investment Management LLC bought more than 445,000 shares of the electric vehicle maker since Oct. 3, when they launched their latest purchases, according to Arc trading data compiled by Bloomberg. This is the first quarter in seven that Arc has bought Tesla shares on a net basis.
Arc’s purchases so far last quarter are worth about $88 million, based on Tesla’s average trading price from October 3 to December 20. Yet Tesla’s weighting among the firm’s flagship funds has moved from pole position to third. It was set for its worst annual return before October as its share price plunged 61% this year.
Elon Musk has been in the news for growing criticism over his involvement in Twitter Inc as well as growing concerns from investors who have been vocal about the need for governance changes at the electric automaker. Longtime investor Ross Gerber, CEO of Gerber Kawasaki Wealth Management, recently tweeted about an alleged lack of leadership at Tesla and said it was “time for a shakeup.”
Wood’s flagship Arch Innovations ETF is down 66% for the year, compared to a 32% decline in the Nasdaq 100 index, as historic tightening by the Federal Reserve and fears of a global recession hit growth stocks.


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Delta is looking at cutting unprofitable international routes — but it has no specifics on how Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport might be affected. The airline, along with its partners, accounts for 74 percent of the passenger market at MSP.
Updated: April 16, 2015, - 10:49 AM
Eagles singer, known for protecting his trademarks, accepts a public apology from Duluth Trading.
Updated: April 15, 2015, - 09:13 PM
Third-quarter results were strong compared with last year, with gains in energy trading and protein and animal nutrition.
Updated: April 10, 2015, - 06:07 AM
The reviews are in for Apple's first smartwatch and they're generally good, although reviewers caution that the gadget isn't as intuitive as the company's previous gizmos.
Updated: April 08, 2015, - 11:27 PM
Internet Broadcasting Systems becomes the base operation for the newly formed firm Lakana.
Updated: April 07, 2015, - 09:40 AM
SPS Commerce, the Minneapolis-based maker of business software, gave itself an edge about a decade ago by letting customers access...
Updated: April 04, 2015, - 11:58 AM
Best Buy will stop using the Future Shop brand in its Canadian operation, closing 66 stores and renaming 65 others, the company said Saturday. The move, part of a $200 million revamping of store and digital operations in Canada, will result in 1,500 job losses.
Updated: March 28, 2015, - 07:26 PM
The layoffs at Target Corp. are the most dramatic and painful part of CEO Brian Cornell’s plan to boost profits in the next five years, but they’re not the most potent financial move the company plans.
Updated: March 11, 2015, - 01:44 PM
The Minneapolis Fed said 2014 turned out better than expected.
Updated: March 06, 2015, - 09:05 PM


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Next year Mecc Alte are to take part in The Middle East Electricity Exhibition (MEE) for the eleventh consecutive year; employing their most modern and innovative stand design to date.
Over the years at The Middle East Electricity Exhibition (MEE) the Mecc Alte stand has grown and transformed in both size and design stature. Next year marks not only the eleventh year exhibiting at the exhibition but also the most modern stand design to be utilised by the company. The event is one of the largest power industry exhibitions in the world with every major player in the power generation business represented. So, the need to stand out from the crowd is imperative: this is to be met by Mecc Alte’s unveiling of new products and software’s totally aimed at the customers’ requirements.
Next year’s MEE18 stand design will feature many of the elements that have been utilised in previous years, see the image attached: graphics that have been recently updated and developed are to remain one of the most focal points of the stand along with the exhibition products, which have stood out as some of the most eye-catching and cleanest designs in recent years
UNDERSTANDING THE VALUE OF POWER


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A few days back we have reported on how Verizon and HMD are teaming up to launch the Nokia 2.1V. On his Twitter account, Evan Bliss posted some photos suggesting the same. Now he also claims that HMD and Verizon deal is indeed happening with Verizon written on the Nokia 2. Verizon will be selling the Nokia 2 as a prepaid smartphone.
(As suspected, this will indeed be sold prepaid, as the Nokia 2V.)
— Evan Blass (@evleaks) October 16, 2018
As we discussed earlier this deal will bolster Nokia’s exposure in the USA market. However, an official announcement regarding the same is yet to come.
Talking about its specs, Nokia 2 comes with a 5.5-inch display, 4000 mAH battery, a new design, stereo speakers and is powered by Snapdragon 425. You also get 8MP AF camera with LED flash and a 5MP FF camera. Head over to this page for more information about the Nokia 2.


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09 January 2019
Honor has announced a new smartwatch for kids named Honor K2 Kids. It has currently been announced only for the Chinese market and is already up for pre-orders. It should be noted that Honor is yet to showcase the smartwatch formally which is expected to happen at company's December 26th event meant for Honor V20 launch.
The Honor K2 Kids smartwatch can be pre-booked by paying a deposit ranging between CNY 20 and CNY 40 which is about $3 to $6. The actual cost of the wearable product is unknown but is expected to become official at the same event. It will also go on sale starting the same day which is December 26th.
In terms of specifications, the Honor K2 Kids smartwatch sports a 1.3-inch TFT display with 120 x 120 pixels resolution and support for touchscreen input. There is 4MB of RAM and 16GB internal storage which should be good enough for installing apps and storing some data. It also has support for nano-SIM cards for the on-the-go connectivity.
It has all the common features that one would expect from a kids smartwatch. It will allow adding friends, chatting them, send alerts and notifications. As for parents, it will allow them to track their kids' current location. It has a 660mAh battery which should make it last a day with ease. It is compatible with both Android and iOS smartphones.