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Lesotho-born and raised, Nancy Messieh, The Next Web's Middle East Editor, is an Egyptian writer and photographer based in Cairo, Egypt. Fol Lesotho-born and raised, Nancy Messieh, The Next Web's Middle East Editor, is an Egyptian writer and photographer based in Cairo, Egypt. Follow her on Twitter, her site or Google+ or get in touch at [email protected]
A recent survey conducted by VoIP service Rebtel has given insight into how mobile subscribers are reacting to call quality, how they deal with the choice between VoIP or a mobile carrier, and more.
One of the key findings of the survey is that a whopping 128 million American mobile subscribers, accounting for 39% of the total, experience more than 5 dropped calls per month.
It also revealed that 9 out of 10 respondents would be more than willing to switch carriers as a result of having to put up with poor call quality.
The survey also shed some light on the differences between men and women when it comes to their phone-related preferences:
- Men are 90% more likely (38% vs. 20%) to use a mobile VoIP app as an alternative to their carrier’s regular calling service.
- Men have a 20% higher response to being very likely to switch smartphones as a result of poor call quality (33% vs. 27% respectively).
- Women are 47% more likely than men (44% vs. 30%) to use a text messaging service as an alternative to their carrier’s regular calling service.
While a good connection is an issue that 89% of the respondents found important, 84% are likely to switch smartphones to see an improvement in quality. 78% said that they’d probably ditch their carriers.
For all the stereotypes about women loving to talk on the phone, the survey reveals that given the choice, women would rather text. Women are 47% more likely than men (44% vs. 30%) to use text messaging as an alternative to making a call.
While men, on the other hand, might prefer a phone call to a text message, that phone call will probably be done on a mobile VoIP app, with men 90% more likely (38% vs. 20%) to use a mobile VoIP service, rather carrier minutes.
Another interesting tidbit that emerged from the survey is the fact that iPhone users ranked highest in terms of customer loyalty. iPhone users were least likely to switch carriers due to poor call quality, followed by Blackberry users, with Android users bringing up the rear.
Not only are iPhone users more loyal to their carriers, they’re also loyal to their choice of phone, as they are least likely to switch phones due to call quality issues. 29% of iPhone users said they probably wouldn’t make the switch, while only 18.7% of Android users and 17.5% of BlackBerry users said they’d stick with their original choice of phone. The US average is about 22.5%.
When it comes to looking for an alternative to traditional carrier minutes or a data plan service, 34% (112 million mobile subscribers) opt for a text messaging service or app, while 32% (105 million mobile subscribers) prefer a mobile VoIP app. Social networking apps didn’t fare as well chosen only by 18% (59 million subscribers), and instant messaging apps did even worse with just 16% (52 million).
Speaking about the survey, Rebtel CEO Andreas Bernstrom said, “The findings of our first call quality survey demonstrate mobile users have high expectations for a clear connection during calls, and with 40% of American mobile users experiencing multiple dropped calls each month, it’s clear that carriers and handset manufacturers have a long way to go to provide the level of service that customers demand and expect.”
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MULTICHANNEL MERCHANT » ECOMMERCE
Fanatics will provide fans with an enormous selection of team sports apparel and merchandise at JCPenney.com with over 300,000 licensed products spanning all the major sports leagues.
To prepare for the modern customer journey, ecommerce retailers need to localize the website, customer communications and the mobile experience.
Jayson Humphrey, strategic partnership manager for ChannelAdvisor, offers key insights on how to create a winning strategy for online marketplaces.
While online retail has seen rapid growth, an overwhelming majority of U.S. retail sales take place offline (92%) according to Forrester Research. A survey done by Ripen eCommerce took a look at why consumers would most likely make the purchase in-store vs. online.
While Best Buy saw its domestic revenue decline by 2.4%, its online revenue increased by 22% or $581 million in the second quarter, the company said in a press release.
With the drumbeat of bad news about online credit card breaches continuing, retailers can use tokenization to protect against consumer data theft.
It is hard to believe the summer is nearly over and Labor Day is just days away. Retailers know that this time of the year is a unique opportunity for sales, according to this infographic by Nextopia. Here is a look what consumers are buying this Labor Day.
The key to implementing a successful omnichannel strategy is to prioritize your tactics based on your business goals and to walk before you run.
As retailers continue to battle Amazon’s quick and cheap approach, omnichannel strategy is becoming an increasingly important weapon in their arsenal.
Most marketers focus early holiday planning on campaign and promotional details because they influence almost every detail in marketing efforts and are essential for driving sales. However, there are other factors that can be easily overlooked that can also help shape the success of the busiest time of the year.

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Thank you for standing by for Missfresh Limited third quarter 2021 earnings conference call. Participants today will be Mr. Zheng Xu, our founder, chairman, and CEO; and Ms. Catherine Chen, chief financial officer.
BEIJING, Nov. 11, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Missfresh Limited (“Missfresh” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: MF), an innovator and leader in China’s neighborhood retail industry, today announced its unaudited financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2021. Third Quarter 2021 Operational and Financial Highlights Total net revenues reached RMB2,121.9 million (US$329.3 million) for the third quarter of 2021, representing a 47.2% increase from RMB1,441.2 million for the third quarter of 20
Missfresh Limited ("Missfresh" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: MF), an innovator and leader in China's neighborhood retail industry, recently launched a new "Missfresh Premium Dishes" brand of high-end ready meals, adding to its existing range of "3R" (ready-to-cook, ready-to-heat, and ready-to-eat) products. Customers of Missfresh's on-demand online grocery delivery platforms, the Missfresh app and WeChat mini program, can now choose from more than 800 3R products, including the popular hot pot opti


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Etisalat has now joined the league of 4G LTE network just like MTN Nigeriawhich started testing the service sometime ago and Glo Nigeria whose own version of the LTE network was launched about two weeks ago.
The announcement was made by the CEO of Etisalat Nigeria, Mr Matthew Wilsher, who reckons that Etisalat is bringing something different from the other major players in the industry.
According to him:
The 4G LTE technology offers our customers increased access to high speed data and quality voice services real time. With the new technology, our customers will enjoy efficient broadband internet and uninterrupted connectivity to clearer voice calls, increased access to online streaming and ultra-high definition videos,”
4G LTE technology or network offers significantly faster speeds and internet connection than 3G networks which is what has been operational until now.
It is a shame the GSM operators see it fit to introduce the technology in the largest market in Africa so late. One wonders why telecom companies in Nigeria are rather reluctant to leverage the huge population of the country to the benefit of their businesses.
But like a wiseman once said, ‘It is better late than never.’ I guess that applies to this situation.
The LTE technology, when fully operational would expose subscribers to a new level of internet experience. The major concern here is the speed. Because LTE is significantly faster that 3G, downloading huge files would be a breeze, while streaming videos or audio from the internet would be flawless.
Now it would be easy to watch live events like football matches without the annoying buffering you get with most of our 3G networks.
I guess Mr Wilshere was just reiterating that point when he further said:
We are in a knowledge-based economy and more than ever before, efficient telecommunication is being globally acknowledged as an enabler of economic and social growth. For us at Etisalat, our passion is to be at the forefront of promoting a vibrant economy for Nigeria by leading the digital revolution. Hence, the 4G LTE service that we have just launched reaffirms our commitment to this cause,”
With Etisalat joining the LTE bandwagon, only one telecom company is left without the service in Nigeria. I hope Airtel, the company yet to roll out 4G LTE network, is planning something bigger by the time they decide to join the fray.
For instance, how about rolling out the service all over the country at once. Because for now, roll out by the other telecoms is restricted to only major towns and cities in the country.
Which begs the question of why it is so difficult to do it at once. I mean, they already have infrastructure all over the country, so why limiting the service to only the major markets?
Anyway,what do I know? I am sure they would do that if it made economic sense.
Another issue is the fact that almost all of them require subscribers to buy compatible SIM cards before they can enjoy the service. For instance when I tested MTN ‘s 4G to see if my phone is compatible with 4G, I got the go ahead to use the phone; but I was asked to do a SIM swap with a 4G enabled SIM.
Somehow it didn’t make sense to me. But I am sure it made sense to them though.
Etisalat must have been reading my mind when they declared that subscribers don’t have to swap their SIMs for 4G enabled cards. According to them, all their cards are already 4G enabled.
That is what I am talking about. There is no point subjecting customers to another round of SIM registration just because you want to make more money from them.
Now we await the official list of cities to have the Etisalat 4G service. I heard only some areas in Lagos state have it.
Image credit: image credit: itnewsafrica.com; mobileinfoguru.com; connectnigeria.com; www.commscope.com


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Super Bowl 2023 ads sneak preview
As reported by People.com, "The 2023 Super Bowl is sure to be a star-studded event — and that includes all the commercials.
"While the football game will bring fans together as they watch from the stands and their couches — and witness the Rihanna concert interrupted by a football game (a.k.a. the halftime show) — everyone knows one of the best parts of the game is watching the ads.
"Last year brought us [read more...]


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| ITC chairman Y. C. Deveshwar with directors Anup Singh (extreme left) and K. Vaidyanath in Calcutta on Friday. Picture by Kishor Roy Chowdhury
Calcutta, July 25: ITC chairman Y. C. Deveshwar today unveiled his vision of positioning the tobacco major as the “Wal-Mart of India” — a retailing powerhouse “with the lowest-cost fulfilment capability”.
Over the last few years, ITC has been focusing on its fast moving consumer goods business, and has introduced a gamut of products ranging from incensed sticks to readymade garments.
ITC is also expanding its e-choupal network at a “break-neck speed” and has plans of using it as “a distribution superhighway” for consumer goods in rural India. ITC would even distribute goods produced by others through this click-and-mortar network.
The e-choupal network now straddles 12,000 villages in Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. With 2,150 installations — each costing around Rs 3 lakh — the network connects 13 lakh farmers in the country.
The company is test-marketing various products through this network. Deveshwar said: “We could even sell motorcycles and bicycles through e-choupals.” ITC is giving final touches to its plans of distributing insurance products through the channel.
Alongside its efforts to establish itself as a leading player in the consumer goods segment in India, ITC is eyeing overseas markets as well for its apparel business.
Deveshwar said the company had bought out the ‘Wills’ brand for apparels in the United States and Japan, and was in the process of registering it in many other countries in the developed world.
Cigarettes, however, still contribute three quarters of ITC’s revenues, but the company is trying to reduce its reliance on the segment due to the pressure on the industry from lawmakers.
Speaking at the company’s annual general meeting today, Deveshwar said if regulations forced ITC to exit the tobacco business, it would, but it would be through an “orderly withdrawal without affecting the livelihood of the people connected with the industry”.
Being the head of a diversified company, Deveshwar looks at every business dispassionately. He said: “We would not hesitate exiting from any business if we do not gain a leadership position within a reasonable length of time.
“We have exited financial services and AgroTech in the past, but at the same time have also turned around the paper and paperboard business despite having sub-optimal financial results for many years.
“We are committed to every business, but if a segment does not perform, we’ll first change the leader, then seek a strategic partner, and if nothing worked, exit it altogether. But in every business we must be prepared to see through the first few years when we look only at the topline.”
While seeking to reposition itself as a consumer goods company, ITC wants to invest in water resource management in rural India in partnership with other companies or governments.
Deveshwar said, rough estimates indicate that creating artificial water-bodies in 1 lakh villages would entail an investment of Rs 6,000 crore. “We cannot do it on our own, and are looking at partnerships.
“I have spoken to M. S. Banga (the chairman of Hindustan Lever Ltd) during my recent visit to Mumbai. His response was positive. I have given him material on what we are trying to do on villages. He has promised to get back to me soon.”


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ICTQatar: Internet access increased to 96% in Qatar
In a recent report on ICT usage, the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology concluded from a survey that overall ownership rate of laptops is 93%, mobile phones nearly 100%, and smartphones 65%. Qatar is leading in Internet connectivity and digital device access.
The report also highlights the increasing tablet ownership in Qatar. The penetration rate jumped to 29% in 2013, tripling that of 2012.
Social network was used by nearly 93% of the 2,207 people surveyed.
Increasing effort from business and organizations to offer tech-based services corresponds to rising interests in mobile wallet (72% respondents) and mobile money transfer (69% respondents).
Putting Qatar on a global perspective, the report says:
The study compares household penetration levels of ICT devices in various countries. Qatar enjoys higher penetration rates for laptops, smartphones, and tablets compared with more mature ICT economies such as Sweden and Singapore, which trail Qatar significantly. Korea lags far behind in terms of laptops and tablets, and is equivalent to Qatar in terms of smartphone penetration.
By Penny Yi Wang, with information from ICTQatar report.


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Yesterday, MOP’s Brendan reported on the startling news that CCP Games, long known for its flagship MMORPG sandbox EVE Online and more recently known for its persistent probe into the virtual reality space, is closing down two of its studios, letting over 100 employees go, and essentially putting the kibosh on its plans in the VR market in the short term.
One of the substudios affected, the Newcastle studio now being sold off, was specifically focused on EVE Valkyrie, the VR dogfighter spun out of the EVE universe. But it doesn’t appear that game, which last month launched on Steam with apparently lukewarm reception from the PC crowd, is over. In fact, CCP is calling it “the beginning of a new chapter.”
“We can confidently confirm that EVE: Valkyrie – Warzone is not going away,” writes the company. “We love the game just as much as we love our players, so you can rest assured that we’ll continue to support the product into the future. The development team at the Newcastle studio will remain intact and complete work on the upcoming Winter Update for EVE: Valkyrie – Warzone. So don’t panic! You’ll still receive in-game support for custom matches, tournament tools and a spectator mode before the end of this year.”


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A 1986 hit movie made the Ferrari 250 GT California Spider famous among non-enthusiasts, but the California Spider had a rich life before that film. Enthusiasts have revered the car as a pinnacle Ferrari classic since it left the factory more than a half-century ago. The Ferrari collectors who restored this 1962 California Spider bought it in lightly damaged condition in 1972 for – wait for it – $2,400! It is expected to sell for up to $22 million at the Gooding & Company Amelia Island auction.
A 1969 ZL1 Camaro sold at the Scottsdale Auctions for a whopping $1.094 million on the Barrett-Jackson stage. The ZL1 was an all-out performance package that also included heavy-duty suspension and drivetrain components.
At the Mecum auction in Kissimmee, FL this month, one of the two Highland Green 1968 Mustang GT fastbacks featured in the Steve McQueen movie “Bullitt” sold for a breathtaking $3.75M (including buyer’s premium).
Mecum’s first auction of the decade is happening now through January 12th. Get a preview of the auction with some of the most highly anticipate cars going up for auction, including classic and exotic, in a rainbow of colors.
Steve McQueen’s Highland Green 1968 Mustang fastback from the movie Bullitt is going up for sale at Mecum’s auction in Kissimmee, Fl in January. It was a daily driver in the 1970’s, and has now made its way to the auction block.
Looking for a reason to take your classic or exotic car out of the garage? Look no further, this weekend boasts automotive events in every corner of the country. Whether you drive the latest Huracan or prefer to cruise in a vintage Corniche, there’s bound to be a gathering nearby that suits your fancy.


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Fat Face coming to town
IPSWICH received a jobs boost today as a clothes retailer announced it will take on up to 25 people for a new store.Fat Face, the urban clothing chain, will open in the former Laura Ashley store in Buttermarket.
IPSWICH received a jobs boost today as a clothes retailer announced it will take on up to 25 people for a new store.
Fat Face, the urban clothing chain, will open in the former Laura Ashley store in Buttermarket.
And there was more good news as it emerged that the ladies' fashion and furnishings chain could stay in Ipswich after all.
Laura Ashley has set up a clearance store in the Buttermarket shopping centre and it could find a permanent home there.
In the mean time contractors working for Fat Face have started renovating the old Laura Ashley store and the trendy clothes retailer will open in mid-March.
The arrival of Fat Face comes after the Evening Star launched its We're Backing Ipswich campaign, designed to raise the profile of the town's traders.
- 1 Firefighters called to Ipswich house fire
- 2 Baby and toddler retailer Mamas & Papas set for Ipswich return
- 3 Ipswich residents' frustration over parking chaos
- 4 Man detained after early morning incident in Ipswich road
- 5 Man who stole over £1,000 in power tools jailed for 876 days
- 6 'Severe' delays on A12 outside Ipswich after crash closes road
- 7 Boy, 14, arrested after serious sex attack in Suffolk town is released
- 8 Some East of England Co-op stores unable to take cash
- 9 Men charged with heroin and crack cocaine offences in Ipswich
- 10 Tree works to begin after residents left 'fed up' for two years
The new store will sell clothing for men, women and children and will also feature Any Place accessories.
A spokesman said: “We've chosen to bring Fat Face here as Ipswich has the type of customers who will appreciate the range, diversity and style of our product.
“We're delighted about opening a new store here and it will be big enough to showcase the Fat Face range.”
The Ipswich branch will have a mix of full and part-time staff.
Laura Ashley closed last month but has set up a short term clearance store in Buttermarket.
That is set to operate for about four weeks and if the firm is likely to apply for a licence to have a traditional Laura Ashley store there permanently.
Colin Roberts, Buttermarket centre manager, said: “We are absolutely delighted. They are applying for a long-term lease. We are keen not to lose their presence in Ipswich.”
The fully-fledged Laura Ashley store could open in two months, following a re-fit.
The Evening Star launched an appeal to revive shopping in the town centre after revealing in September that more than 100 shops were empty.
The We're Backing Ipswich campaign wants to see neglected retail areas revived and more shops opening in the town centre
What stores do you want to see come to Ipswich? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail firstname.lastname@example.org
Fat Face was started in 1988 by two self-confessed “ski bums”, who sold printed sweatshirts and fleeces out of their rucksack in the Alps, to fund their skiing trips.
The first Fat Face store opened in London in 1993.
Today there are 151 stores across the UK, as well as stores in Iceland, Dubai and France, with further international expansion currently in progress.
Fat Face's headquarters - Fat Base - are in Havant, Hampshire. Fat Face employs 1,500 Fat Face 'crew' and is headed by chief executive officer Louise Barnes.
It sells clothes, shoes, sunglasses, jewelry, watches other accessories and outdoor wear.


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World renowned glass artist Dale Chihuly is bringing something extra special to the natural beauty of Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden.
It’s lunch among the lily pads at The Botanical Gardens just across the street from the Miami Beach Convention Center. Michelle Bernstein, Miami’s celebrated chef, is the official caterer and chef of Art Basel.
Sand sculptors took to the sand Thanksgiving weekend for the International Sand Art Competition in Key West.
Art at Fairchild is back again, this time it includes a garden exhibition by renowned American artist Dale Chihuly.
Wynwood’s explosive job growth really is a double-edged sword.
Bank of America cardholders can cash out big this weekend on art, science, and culture.
‘Life imitating art or art imitating life?’ was a question on the mind of Trend Tracker® Tara Gilani during her recent one-on-one with Mera Rubell, famed art collector and exhibitor.
When artist Hugh McLeod first starting scribbling cartoon art with motivational messages for businesses on the backs of business cards years ago he had no idea his work would eventually adorn the walls of some of the top corporations in the world including Microsoft and Facebook.
South Beach’s unmistakably unique style, known as Art Deco, turns 35 on the historic registry this month.
A judge dismissed fraud and theft charges against a man accused of using county money for a giant watermelon statue.


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From generation to disposal, the industry’s contribution to climate modify and CO2 emissions continues to be a pressing worry. Unquestionably, relocating towards a greener, more ecological option provides an great enterprise move for auto manufacturers, providing significant likely to drive a more sustainable upcoming.
Resultantly, organizations are actively looking for to launch their electrical car or truck in the sector. Current figures highlight the transformative effect of inexperienced electrical power on the automotive sector, with electrical car (EV) revenue witnessing amazing expansion.
In accordance to the Intercontinental Electrical power Agency, a history 10 million electric cars had been sold globally in 2022, up from 6.9 million in 2021. China, Europe, and the US claim most of the current market share.
India, even though a small guiding in electric autos, registered EV income across all vehicle segments for 12,43,258 units in 2022, a 154% increase above 2021 gross sales, with electric powered two-wheelers accounting for the most profits.
This surge in need for greener transportation signifies a paradigm change in direction of a far more sustainable potential for the automotive business in India.
Evidently, top EV businesses like Tesla and BYD have also began defending their systems in India.
In the last 10 years, Tesla has submitted and obtained all over 30 patents related to EV batteries. At the similar time, BYD has submitted 125 patents. When Tesla is pushing to build in India, BYD appears to be expanding quick in the past couple of decades.
Tesla had even registered a organization named Tesla India Motors And Electrical power in Bengaluru but did not approach further more thanks to significant import duties. At any time considering that there is been to and fro talks about it. Even so, PM Modi’s the latest conference with Elon Musk through his US check out exhibits positive symptoms that Tesla will shortly set up their foundation in India.
On the flip side, BYD built an extraordinary debut in the Indian market with their to start with electric powered SUV, the Atto 3. Within two months of its start in November last yr, BYD productively delivered 700 units. With an bold target of providing 15,000 units this 12 months, BYD intends to grow to be the next-greatest electrical car (EV) vendor and solidify its foothold in India’s burgeoning EV market.
Even so, India-based mostly Marketplace giants this kind of as Tata Motors, which counts Jaguar Land Rover between its subsidiaries, Mahindra and Mahindra, and Ola are preserving a sturdy foothold in the Indian market as international firms seek out the probable for placing up production units for both equally EV and its elements in India.
Tata by yourself was accountable for 85% of the EV sales in India in 2022, followed by MG Motor India. The enterprise has submitted above 70 patents across various nations in EV, Hybrid, as very well as EV charging stations and units.
EV Startups like Ather Power, with 23 patents in the residence state, are producing a mark in the EV sector with their indigenous innovations. Using Cloud IoT Core and BigQuery, Ather Electricity created an clever electrical scooter with route optimization and predictive routine maintenance to support people in India’s dynamic economic climate. Their synergy with Cloud IoT solutions resulted in a one-of-
a-type mobility platform for India and outside of.
As international locations intensify attempts to overcome climate modify, polices are being enforced to lower the environmental impact of auto emissions.
Automakers have a distinctive possibility to lead the cost towards a greener foreseeable future by adopting eco-helpful alternatives. Even OEMs are actively innovating environmentally pleasant motor vehicle sections. GiTi Radial Tire (Anhui), a China-centered international provider, is operating on a super abrasive high-mechanic gas-conserving environmental security VAN tire.
By prioritizing sustainability, the automotive field can appreciably minimize CO2 emissions and pave the way for cleaner transportation.
India’s groundbreaking automotive firms, alongside their world counterparts, have established their sights on harnessing the enormous likely of eco-friendly technologies inside of the automotive sector. As the momentum for sustainable transportation grows, India’s automotive industry stands poised to direct the demand toward a greener tomorrow.


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WALTROP, Germany—Russian carbon black manufacturer Omsk Carbon has appointed Tomasz Celka as the managing director of its European headquarters in Waltrop.
He succeeds Rainer Jung, who left Omsk Carbon Europe GmbH on April 1.
The firm said in an April 25 release that Celka has been working in the chemicals sector for more than15 years and was previously responsible for the development of Omsk Carbon Group in eastern Europe.
He will focus on implementing the Omsk Carbon Europe development strategy and coordinate sales and distribution in the European market, Omsk said.
“There are many challenges ahead, but we are ready to continue our work,” Celka said in a statement.
The executive added that Omsk Carbon Europe has been successful in Europe and that the company was ready to develop work in new areas.
“At present, Omsk Carbon Europe is working closely with pigments and inks manufacturers to introduce new special grades into the European market,” Celka said.
Promoting specialty grades in the company's priority markets will be one of the key tasks for Omsk Carbon Europe in 2016 and 2017, he added.
Omsk Carbon Group also stated that the completion of its new 200 kilotons per year carbon black plant in Mogilev, Belarus, was on track.
The company expects to commission the $107.5 million plant this summer.
Omsk Carbon is developing its international network of representative offices and developing special grades of carbon black.
The company expects to open its first U.S. distribution facility in Bishopville, S.C., very soon.


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Verizon is near an agreement to purchase Intel’s Internet-based pay-TV startup, according to Bloomberg.
A deal between Verizon and Intel could be completed as early as this week. The sale may be valued at less than $200 million, according to The Wall Street Journal, well below the chip maker’s reported asking price of $500 million.
Verizon will use Intel’s OnCue to extend its pay-TV offering beyond the geographic footprint of its FiOS fiber-optic service. OnCue is designed to provide pay-TV programming over any high-speed Internet connection, with so called Over The Top delivery.
Verizon is also interested in mobile video and has 36 million LTE subscribers.
The company plans to broadcast the February Superbowl in HDTV over their LTE network. LTE Broadcast utilizes one channel to “multicast” to hundreds (or even thousands) within the coverage of a local cell tower.
Dyle, which will deliver mobile television over broadcast television channels, uses the brain-dead ATSC-M/H standard in the United States. Like the defunct MediaFLO, it requires a special phone with a tv tuner. Resolution is low and range is limited. In contrast, LTE Broadcast works with smartphones on cellular channels. No tuner required.
LTE Broadcast requires end to end implementation of three new standards:
- eMBMS (Evolved Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service) – a 3GPP standard, it enables mobile networks to offer broadcast/multicast services.
- HEVC (High Efficiency Video Coding/H.265) – the new video compression standard promises to halve the bandwidth required to transport video content compare to today’s leading implementation of MPEG-4 AVC.
- MPEG DASH (Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP (DASH) – simplifies and standardizes the adaptive delivery of video to consumer devices, ensuring a better quality of service, greater efficiency and introducing opportunities for monetization.
Mobile data traffic is expected to grow 15 fold by the end of 2017, driven mainly by video. LTE Broadcast enables operators to launch media services over LTE more cost/effectively.
Related Dailywireless articles include; Aereo: Looking for Partners?, LTE Broadcast Mobilizes at MWC, H.265 Gets Real, Aereo Vs LTE Broadcast: Fight!, Mobile Video on Diet with Social Graph, DIAL: Smart TV App Browses for Movies, Mobile: The New Television, Verizon & AT&T Launch Targeted Advertising CBS Helps Launch Dish Hopper with Sling, What is Miracast?,Mobile TV at NAB 2012,


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Applications from leading cyber security firms were found to be exported from Apple Apple to Apple after exporting users’ browsers history.
Many anti-malware applications have been updated by cyber security company through Microsoft.
Read More:Giuseppe Conte: Prospective Italian prime minister fails to form government
However, trendy Microsoft denied the allegations that apps are “stealing user data” and send it a server in China.
Last week, security researchers saw the behavior of apps.
Three applications made by Trend Micro, Dr. Cleaner, Dr. Antivirus and the app installed, were removed from Apple Mac App Store, although Tech Giant has not yet confirmed.
Trend Micro said in a statement that “trendy Microsoft” is absolutely wrong in stealing user data and sending reports to an unknown server in China. ”
He further added that he has completed the initial investigation, which confirmed that many applications, including Dr. Cleaner and Dr. Antivirus, collected “a small snapshot of browser history at once” in the installation. And uploaded
The firm said it was done for “security purposes”, so that the user had recently encountered adware or other threats.
However, he further added that he has decided to remove the function from the apps.
Read More: Local elections 2018: Mixed picture for Labour and Tories
In an update in the statement, Trendy Mike said, “We apologize for our community to worry that they may feel and can ensure that their data are safe and it is not understood. Goes. ”
User browser login logs, which have already been held for three months, are now deleted.
The BBC has contacted Apple for comment.


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Rihanna has an interesting fashion sense and this past week, she had people talking with her choice of shirt. The singer sported a see-through shirt revealing everything underneath as she didn’t wear a bra; nipples, cleavage, the works! And while she may have felt comfortable wearing the shirt out in public, her fans aren’t really sure what to make of it. Surely, many people won’t be heading down to their local clothing store to see if they can find something like it.
In fact, according to a PEOPLE poll, readers think that the singer’s choice in fashions these days has crossed the line. 83.63 percent of voters believe that Rihanna‘s see-through top was too much and the singer had crossed the line. There is nothing sexy about revealing everything. Perhaps she wore it to get the attention of her ex-boyfriend Chris Brown who she is supposedly trying to win back, but someone should tell her that class could get her further.
16.37 percent of voters believed that the singer can do and wear whatever she wants whenever she wants. She doesn’t want to answer to anybody, especially about her choice in clothing. But one has to wonder just how her parents must feel about her daring choice in clothes.
What do you think of the see-through breast shirt?


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Qatar Airways Adds Two Freighters into Houston
Qatar Airways, the industry renowned 5 star carrier and the fastest expanding airline in the world, added two weekly Boeing 777 freighters into IAH. While capacity is shared with Atlanta, there is plenty of new opportunity for freight forwarders on Wednesdays and Saturdays for the European and Orient markets. There’s no shortage of freight that can be uplifted out of Houston. Qatar Airways parks right behind Air General’s warehouse for a very convenient handling. Houston’s monthly throughput will now exceed 3 million kilos per month.
Air General immediately increased warehouse space, and has agreed to provide segregated office and operations accommodations for Qatar Airways Air General and staff.


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Toyota got widespread attention for its decision to close its manufacturing plant in Fremont as it pulled out of the New United Motor Manufacturing Inc. joint venture.
The shutdown next March will lay off 4,700 workers.
But California has been losing the equivalent of 8 to 10 Fremont plants every year since 2001, says Jack Stewart, president of the California Manufacturers and Technology Association.
Here’s a comparison of California job losses and gains by industry (Click on image for a larger view)
With 580,000 lost manufacturing jobs since 2001, California is losing manufacturing jobs at a faster clip than the rest of the nation, both before and during the current national recession, Stewart says. These losses didn’t get the attention of Toyota’s NUMMI shutdown or Buck Knives move to Idaho because they occurred in smaller increments.
Toyota’s action will impact more than 1,000 companies that supply parts to the only automotive plant on the West Coast. Stewart says that is just a sample of what will happen at other companies and their suppliers if state policymakers don’t produce a competitive manufacturing environment.
Uncertainty, regulatory costs and taxes are simply too high in California,” the CMTA asserts. California facilities will be the first to go when tough economic decisions are made.
Other jobs stories….
- 35 more jobs cut at UCI
- Worst may be behind us for major layoffs
- Which sector has the most O.C. jobs?
- Recession is good news for O.C. education company
- 21 UCI workers laid off, 5 more due Aug. 31
- California jobless claims soar to record high
- O.C. chipmaker lays off 100
Other business stories…


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Colonial Fitness and Sports Center in Sinking Spring will be closing its doors in November, and has sold the building, the longtime community staple announced Sept. 28.
“This decision did not come easily nor was taken lightly,” Colonial Fitness representatives said in a Facebook post. “Our building has been sold and we are very sad to say farewell to all the amazing members and staff that we have had the privilege to serve and call ‘friends.’”
The closure will take place Nov. 10, according to the fitness center, located at 172 Shillington Road.
Owners did not respond to a request for comment.
Colonial Fitness Center was initially built by Albert Blough, owner of parent company CHB Sports, as a racquetball club in 1979.
Blough, 87, was also the former owner of the adjacent Berks Lanes bowling alley, Hiester Lanes in Reading and Limerick Bowl in Limerick before selling those properties to New York-based Bowlero Corp. and retiring in 2021.
CHB Sports also formerly owned the Flying Hills Fitness Center in Cumru Township, which was bought in 2021 by Bressler’s Inc., a Lancaster County-based towing equipment company.
In the Facebook post, Colonial Fitness representatives thanked staff and members for their years of camaraderie.
“As much as we brought knowledge of health and fitness, you all gave us the gift of community and a sense of belonging,” the Facebook post said.
Source: Berkshire mont


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Tomorrow’s Apple occasion is visiting be a behemoth. It’s going to take area in San Francisco’s Civic Amphitheater, which sittings a massive crowd of 7,000 individuals. Second, rumor has it that Apple is visiting touch on several line of product– the apple iphone certainly, but also the Apple TV, the iPad and also the Apple Watch. Below’s exactly what to expect.
A Refined apple iphone 6s With A Boosted Video camera Sensor
Supply chain leaks suggest that Apple has actually been dealing with an apple iphone 6s with basically the very same layout as its precursor. Yet nearly every little thing within will get an upgrade, starting with a quicker A9 chip as well as 2GB of RAM.
Apple is going to put a bunch of emphasis on the camera sensor. For the very first time, the iPhone will certainly take 12-megapixel photos and also 4K videos. Lots of people now use their iPhone as their only camera– electronic camera sensor upgrades are always a big bargain. The front-facing cam should obtain an upgrade, as well.
According to 9to5mac, the apple iphone 6s must include Force Touch, an attribute that was presented with the Apple Watch. Designers will have the ability to make the most of new input methods as the iPhone will set apart a tap, a press as well as a further press.
Finally, Apple is switching to lighter and also stronger 7000 series light weight aluminum with a new rose gold variant.
At WWDC, Apple offered several important iOS 9 attributes for 16GB apples iphone. iOS updates are currently going to be smaller, and applications are going to require less storage space. Every one of this shows that Apple will probably keep the 16GB access model for the iPhone Sixes. Find out more regarding the new shape of the new iPhones in our different post.
A New Apple TELEVISION With An App Store
The upgraded Apple TELEVISION is going to be a huge deal. Baseding on our very own Matthew Panzarino, the Apple TELEVISION is going to have a brand-new remote with a touch display, a microphone as well as mention sensing units. It will certainly be better compared to the already existing remote to look for stuff, play video games and connect with your TV in general.
You will be able to look for a film across several services in a combined search interface. And yes, there will certainly be an indigenous SDK as well as Application Shop. Prepare to play Flappy Bird on your Apple TV.
According to BuzzFeed, the new Apple TELEVISION is going to obtain a new A8 chip in a dual-core configuration.
On the material front, Apple will not launch its registration solution for cable cutters. The company will certainly introduce this service in the coming months, but it didn’t really want to wait to announce the new Apple TV. We don’t recognize much about the Apple TELEVISION user interface, so this will be a good surprise.
Are You Prepared For The iPad Pro?
Apple is in an awkward placement with the iPad. Currently that you could do more things with your phone, lots of individuals typically aren’t utilizing their tablet computers anymore. Others do not really feel the should upgrade. That’s why Apple requires to create new things making the iPad a lot more convincing for iPhone and Mac users.
First, the iPad mini ought to get an upgrade with a slimmer design as well as a minimum of an A8 chip so that iPad mini customers can capitalize on split-screen multitasking. The iPad Air might or might not get a spec upgrade.
And then, there is the iPad Pro. The long-rumored 12.9-inch gadget might come with a stylus as a brand-new communication gadget. It would let you do points that you couldn’t do with your hands. A larger display screen also indicates that you will certainly be able to run two apps side-by-side without any sort of issue. It will certainly interest see whether Apple comes up with an official key-board situation for the iPad Pro as well as various other accessories.
Miscellaneous: Apple Watch Bands, OS X El Capitan And also iOS 9 Launch Dates
Don’t anticipate Mac upgrades, however OS X El Capitan corrects around the corner. Apple may introduce a release date for its brand-new operating system. The apple iphone 6s will certainly deliver with iOS 9. You could anticipate to get the update on iPhone 6s release day.
On the Apple Watch front, Apple will certainly release brand-new color options for the Sporting activity band. Apple might also reveal a launch day for watchOS 2.
Finally, one of the most vital information that will certainly come out of tomorrow’s keynote is that Apple will launch motion wallpapers like the ones on the Apple Watch. Are you excited?
Join us tomorrow at 10 AM PT (1 PM ET) on TechCrunch to follow our liveblog and also insurance coverage of the occasion. We will have a group of stone superstar bloggers in the reader to offer you in person impressions.


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Harley-Davidson, the iconic motorcycle manufacturer founded in 1903, has embarked on a transformative journey in recent years, navigating through a changing landscape of consumer preferences, international markets, and manufacturing dynamics. This synthesis delves into the key facets of Harley-Davidson’s evolution, examining its response to shifting trends, international expansion strategies, manufacturing decisions, and the intricate interplay between global economics and its American identity.
Shifting Markets and Customer Demographics
Over time, Harley-Davidson has faced the challenge of evolving consumer demographics in its home market, the United States. With an aging customer base and a lack of younger riders entering the scene, the company’s domestic sales have experienced a decline. This decline prompted Harley-Davidson to explore new avenues, focusing on international markets where a burgeoning middle class seeks premium motorcycle experiences. While the American market remains significant, the company’s growth aspirations have led it to seek broader horizons.
International Expansion and Strategic Partnerships
Recognizing the potential of overseas markets, Harley-Davidson has been actively expanding its global footprint. Countries like India and China, with their growing economies and aspirational middle class, have become focal points for the company’s international growth strategy. A significant move in this direction was the partnership with an undisclosed Asian manufacturer to produce smaller, more affordable motorcycles specifically targeting the Indian market. This approach aligns with the company’s vision of gradually guiding riders up the Harley-Davidson product ladder.
Trade Wars and Manufacturing Decisions
Global trade dynamics and tariff wars have presented challenges to Harley-Davidson’s operations. In response to retaliatory tariffs imposed by the European Union, the company announced plans to shift some of its production overseas. While this decision raised concerns about its American identity, Harley-Davidson emphasized that bikes sold in the U.S. would continue to be manufactured domestically. The complexities of global economics, supply chains, and the potential impact of tariffs have influenced the company’s manufacturing choices.
Redefining “Made in America”
The concept of “Made in America” has evolved as Harley-Davidson navigates a complex global supply chain. While the company strives to incorporate American parts where possible, the intricacies of production often involve sourcing components from various countries. This challenge is not unique to Harley-Davidson; the automotive industry, for instance, faces similar complexities in labeling products as “American-made.” The Federal Trade Commission’s guidelines attempt to delineate the criteria for this label, acknowledging the multifaceted nature of modern production.
Future Prospects and Innovation
Harley-Davidson’s growth trajectory involves innovation and adaptation to emerging trends. The company’s plan to introduce an electric motorcycle, Live Wire, is indicative of its forward-thinking approach. This move aligns with the global shift toward electric vehicles, resonating with markets that prioritize sustainability and emissions regulations. By exploring diverse avenues of innovation, Harley-Davidson aims to position itself as a frontrunner in an evolving industry landscape.
The narrative of Harley-Davidson’s journey encapsulates the complexities of globalization and the imperative to balance tradition with innovation. While its American identity remains deeply ingrained, the company’s growth aspirations have led it to engage with diverse markets, cultures, and consumers. Harley-Davidson’s evolution exemplifies the challenges and opportunities inherent in navigating a globalized world, reflecting its commitment to not only preserving its legacy but also shaping the future of motorcycling on a worldwide stage.


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According to one Seattle Times columnist, Microsoft has a project Argo in the works that will compete with the DS/PSP/iPod/everything else. Some of what he says in the article is pretty damn sketchy. For example, he cites that it may use XNA to run games, but unless MS has been spending a lot of money in secret, this is pretty unlikely. Developing a solid handheld platform takes time and money, and selling it requires hype.
I’m waiting to hear more on this one.
[url=http://www.joystiq.com/2006/07/10/xboys-ipod-murder-plot-exposed-will-involve-major-online-media/]Xboy’s iPod murder plot exposed, will involve major online media service[/url] (Joystiq)


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Hong Kong is conducting a multi-pronged customs, shipping and financial-sector crackdown against fake trade invoicing that allows billions of dollars of capital to leave mainland China illegally.
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority told Reuters it has beefed up its scrutiny of banks’ trade financing operations.
Customs officials are doing more random checks on shipments crossing border posts and conducting raids on warehouses to ensure the authenticity of goods, senior officials working in shipping, logistics and banking said.
The head of a logistics company said surprise customs inspections at Hong Kong border posts have doubled.
The increased efforts began this year and reflected concerns about billions of dollars in illicit cash authorities suspect are being channeled through Hong Kong following a stock market crash in the mainland last year.
“Examinations and investigations reflect one of the strongest trends we are seeing now in the financial sector,” said Urszula McCormack, a partner at law firm King & Wood Mallesons, which helped co-author a report published by the Hong Kong Association of Banks in February that highlighted shipping as a sector where fake invoicing can thrive.
China has become increasingly concerned about capital outflows since the middle of last year, when mainlanders rushed to get money offshore for safekeeping or to invest following the stock market slump and unexpected yuan devaluation.
Hong Kong is the most popular route, analysts say, because of its proximity to China.
Chinese authorities have tried to stanch the outflows by tightening cross-border investment quotas, stepping up enforcement action of existing rules and restricting residents from buying financial products, such as insurance policies, offered in Hong Kong.
A record net US$674 billion left mainland China last year, the International Institute of Finance estimates.
A further US$175 billion left the mainland in this year’s first quarter.
While capital flows reflect legitimate business, analysts say the gap between trade figures reported by the mainland and by Hong Kong for the same goods shows how imports and exports are being used to spirit cash offshore.
In December, for example, the gap between mainland imports from Hong Kong and Hong Kong’s exports to the mainland — a rough indicator of capital flowing through trade — surged to a record US$1.9 billion, which many economists attributed to falsifying trade invoices.
The December figures show that one dollar in every 10 of exports from Hong Kong to China may have been falsified to skirt China’s capital controls, Thomson Reuters calculations show.
By March, the gap was still a relatively large US$1.4 billion.
The Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department said it was looking into the disparity between the trade figures in coordination with local and Chinese authorities.
It said it would “continue to maintain vigilance over the latest trends of money laundering”.
– Contact us at [email protected]


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Posted by Mark J. Miller on December 13, 2013 07:10 PM
Newcastle Drives Drinkers Home
Newcastle introduced a new brew, Newcastle Cabbie Black Ale, and it wants consumers to enjoy it without worrying about how they'll make it home. So Newcastle offered a handful of imbibers a ride in a traditional English taxi at no charge, but there was of course a catch. Riders had to tell everyone what they felt about the new beer via a massive megaphone strapped onto the top of the cab.
Even though that hilarious chapter has closed (after 67 noise complaints), Newcastle is extending the program by offering $5 taxi discounts to people in 60 cities if they book their ride home through the Taxi Magic app, Drinks Business Review reports. More than a million dollars has been set aside to fund the effort through the holidays.Continue reading...
Posted by Mark J. Miller on December 13, 2013 12:48 PM
Back in October, McDonald's named Amazon's Atif Rafiq its first chief digital officer as the space has become critical to the struggling burger chain's success. And now the latest effort—a mobile app—is being tested at select locations across the US.
According to the Chicago Tribune, the simplistic app—which already has a live version in the UK—offers up coupons to consumers that specify what they want to eat. New deals pop up every six weeks, and it also includes a restaurant locator and menu listing.
McDonald's is playing catch-up with competitors like Five Guys and Chipotle, which already attract a younger crowd than McDonald's does and already have apps available that allow for mobile odering—something the McD app doesn't have. "It's premature to speculate on the future of the McD App," Lisa McComb, a company spokeswoman, said in an email to the Tribune.Continue reading...
Posted by Mark J. Miller on December 5, 2013 06:10 PM
International on-demand car-service app Uber has found another unique way to market its services. The company recently partnered with Home Depot to deliver Christmas trees to residents in 10 US cities. Consumers could click on the UberTree button in the app to have a tree, tree stand and Uber-branded scarf delivered to their doorstep for $135, according to Adweek.
Home Depot and Uber are geo-targeting Facebook, Twitter and radio ads to promote the initiative, while utilizing their social media presence as well,” Adweek noted about the promotion, which took place today.
The stunt likely isn't Uber’s only holiday-related marketing effort planned for December. Seattleites can use the Santa on Demand button on their apps and have St. Nick delivered to them. Uber will also have an UberSleigh effort later in December that will see its drivers delivering toys to kids.Continue reading...
Posted by Sheila Shayon on December 2, 2013 07:36 PM
WhatsApp, the free Internet-based messaging service is now the most popular mobile messaging platform, according to a survey of more than 4,000 smartphone owners in the US, Brazil, South Africa, Indonesia and China.
Leapfrogging Facebook, 44 percent surveyed use WhatsApp at least once a week, compared to 35 percent for Facebook messenger. The study also found that mobile messaging apps in general, such as WhatsApp, WeChat and even BBM are more popular than calls and texts: 60 percent of respondents used emails; 75 percent SMS text; 73 percent voice calls; and 86 percent said they used social messaging apps daily.
WhatsApp has a stronger following abroad than in the US, but reportedly has more users than Twitter and carries 25 billion messages a day. Most popular among teens, school friends and extended families who create groups for shared texting, photos and status updates, WhatsApp allows free communication without the threat of divulging personal details—an increasing concern for competitors like Facebook and Google.Continue reading...
Posted by Sheila Shayon on November 7, 2013 11:53 AM
The omniscience of mobile devices has Macy’s adding visual recognition technology to its already robust mobile initiatives to help customers find and buy merchandise more easily and quickly.
“Retail has become a blur. And the blurring is 100 percent driven by technology,” commented Tige Savage, a partner at VC firm Revolution. “Are you at the store? Or is the store at you? And then there’s mobile, the store is in your pocket. The game is to satisfy demand wherever and whenever it is.”
Cutting through the e-tail clutter and focused on the next iteration of ‘gifting on the go,’ Macy’s Star Gifts app lets consumers scan a catalog, magazine ad or outdoor billboard for product information, tips and instant purchasing power.
"Visual recognition technology is the next evolution of our mobile strategy,” said Martine Reardon, Macy's CMO. "This new application of technology will assist us in delivering helpful and relevant content to mobile shoppers while at the same time providing them with the opportunity to get their holiday shopping done with ease."Continue reading...
Posted by Mark J. Miller on October 29, 2013 12:21 PM
HMV, the once-global chain of British music stores, has had a rough couple of years. The company went into the British equivalent of bankruptcy earlier this year, but now with a new owner, Hilco, and 142 stores in the UK offering up everything from music, games, films and TV, the brand is looking to make a comeback. And like the rest of the world, HMV is putting its hope for revival and survival onto the web—the platform that ate its lunch by enabling digital music downloads to bypass retailers.
This week, HMV debuted a revamped website that tries to bring back the “authority” of the experience consumers had in its stores, Britain's Marketing Magazine reports. The site features curated and original content that hopes to inspire consumers to discover “both old and new products.” Trying to woo digital-savvy millennials and music-lovers, the “site will also become personalized, based on users’ interests and past purchases.”
In order to bolster the community aspect of the site, employees from the brick-and-mortar locations will also be posting information based on what’s happening locally. But is it too little, too late?Continue reading...
Posted by Sheila Shayon on October 21, 2013 12:27 PM
As more print brands succumb to the realities of digital, consumers are increasingly looking for more ways to engage with content and have shareable experiences.
So in the November issue of HGTV magazine, readers will encounter the brand's usual "High/Low List" in an all-new way: with the ability to buy items right off the page and share their purchases with friend on social media via the Digimarc Discover app.
Previously, MasterCard teamed up with Wired magazine to enable direct purchases from within the brand's digital edition.Continue reading...
Posted by Mark J. Miller on October 16, 2013 04:42 PM
Much like how Apple is starting to seem like a luxury brand nowadays, Nike is looking a lot more like a tech brand than a sports apparel icon. And it's all because of one device: the Nike+ FuelBand. And now Nike’s nifty wrist-worn activity monitor has got itself an upgrade in the form of the more capable (and colorful) SE.
On sale Nov. 6, one of the $149 FuelBand’s new features, "Win the Hour," keeps track of movement throughout the day and continually reminds those who wear it that they need to get up and move around soon or they won’t “win” that hour. The "Win the Hour feature came from insight we saw in our data," Jenny Campbell, senior director at Nike Fuel and consumer knowledge, said in a promotional YouTube video. "Less than 2 percent of our FuelBand users were actually moving enough throughout the day. We saw that as a huge opportunity to develop a feature that would motivate them to move more."Continue reading...


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Hair and beauty students who discovered a niche market in helping horse riders look their best before and after a day’s competition have won the chance to trade for the first time at an international show jumping event.
Yale College students Dakota Wadeson and Carley Neyers, both 17, were handed the prize business opportunity in Chester following a competition led by Glyndwr University at Bangor on Dee racecourse.
Equine-preneurial challenged students from across north Wales to come up with business ideas targeted at the equine industry.
The students’ Horsed Hands Treatments’ business offered riders hand massages as treatment for rough hands, as well as advice on caring for their hands and keeping their hair tidy when riding.
Fending off entries from teams at Llysfasi College, Deeside College, Llandrillo College and Glyndwr University, they will now trade for the first time at the British Masters International Showjumping event at Chester Racecourse from Friday 2 – Sunday 4 July 2010.
The students will also receive four days of business mentoring from Venture Wales ahead of the event, to add to their two £100 cash prizes from Jones Bros Ruthin and the Welsh Assembly Government.
Dakota said: "Winning the competition is amazing. We’re used to just working in a traditional salon and we didn’t realise that our expertise in hair and beauty would be so popular with horse riders."
Other entries for equine-preneurial included one called ‘Horse Sitters’ and a business which offered short country breaks combined with the opportunity to study for an equine-based qualification.
The competition was judged by Jane Copsey, of Haddon Training, Huw Jones, of Jones Bros Civil Engineers Ltd (Ruthin) and Jeannie Chantler, manager of Bangor-on-Dee Racecourse.
Event organiser Katy Powell-Jones said: "Equine-preneurial proved to be a huge success. Staff and students went to a great deal of effort to present their products and services, with some impressive results.
"We’re delighted that Dakota and Carley now have the chance to trade for real at Chester Racecourse, which will be a fantastic opportunity for them to progress their business idea."


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Mega loans to Ukrainian factory-farm MHP halted by The Netherlands
A European mega loan to Ukrainian factory-farmed chicken giant MHP will likely not happen, thanks to efforts of the Dutch Party for the Animals (PvdD). The company should also not call on the nationally-financed European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) for future funding, as far as the Netherlands is concerned. This was unanimously decided by the Dutch House of Representatives last week, following a motion by the Party for the Animals. A great success for the animals and for European agriculture.
Last week, the EBRD was supposed to take a decision on a credit application of 100 million euros by MHP. However, that decision has been postponed, and it is highly unlikely that MHP will get a loan from the EBRD in the future, now the Party for the Animals has urged the Netherlands to actively resist any loans to MHP.
"The use of Dutch tax money for the Ukrainian livestock sector is unfathomable," says PftA MP Esther Ouwehand. “It concerns a massive loan, money that was going to be used to finance gigantic chicken factory farms in Ukraine as well as in Slovenia, resulting in MHP’s chicken meat flooding the European market. We are pleased that from now on, the Netherlands will not only vote against these kinds of loans, but it will also be forced to actively persuade other countries to do the same.”
MHP is by far the largest chicken meat producer in Ukraine. The company’s business strategy is highly expansionary and aggressive: if its plans for expansion continue, by 2023 the company will have produced a quantity of chicken meat similar to that of the entire Dutch chicken meat sector combined.
In the last few years, the export of Ukrainian chicken meat to the European market has increased dramatically. One of the reasons for this is that MHP has conveniently used a back door in the association agreement between the EU and Ukraine. Instead of closing that back door, the European Commission has decided to formalise it, and add the import of the chicken meat to the existing chicken meat quota – something the Party for the Animals has also successfully opposed.


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Representatives of food marketers, cable operators and broadcasters tell B&C that more than 1,700 cable and broadcast programs could be affected if the industry were to comply with new government recommendations on voluntary mandates and restrictions on marketing food to children.
Driven by the real problem of childhood obesity, which translates into adult obesity and projected billions of dollars in related healthcare costs, and by a congressional directive, an interagency working group of the FTC, FDA, USDA, and Centers for Disease Control has recommended that within five years, all foods directly marketed to kids—which includes via TV ads on cable and broadcast—meet a new set of nutritional standards, one that Richard O’Brien, executive VP of the American Association of Advertising Agencies, calls “draconian.”
The industry has already been cutting down on the sweets and boosting the veggies through the Council of Better Business Bureau’s Children’s Food and Beverage Initiative. The working group said it has examined that and other self-regulatory efforts, but suggests more needs to be done, including expanding the age range to 17 for some restrictions. Currently, the industry initiatives are targeted to kids 12 and under. And while the working group went out of its way to say the proposals are guidelines and not new regulations, the weight of those agencies tips the scale toward compliance, industry reps suggest.
O’Brien says the acknowledgement of self-regulation as the right approach is good. “What is troubling is that the suggested standards, which [the agencies] hope will be incorporated into a voluntary, self-regulation program, are so draconian,” he says. “In essence, they basically limit entirely the products you can advertise to children. So in a sense it is like a de facto elimination of a whole category of products.”
The Working Group recognizes that, saying in its report: “If the proposed nutrition principles were fully implemented by industry as proposed, a large percentage of food products currently in the marketplace would not meet the principles.” That is one of the reasons the recommendations are open to further comment and may need to be adjusted, the group says.
The guidelines would apply to virtually every means of marketing.
Jim Davidson, executive director of the Alliance for American Advertising (whose members include the major ad associations, the National Association of Broadcasters and National Cable & Telecommunications Association), says that the recommended limits on the fats, salts and sugars have been adjusted since December 2009, when initial recommendations were outlined, and that it is possible that the limits on marketing to teens may not apply to TV, but only to social media. Both of those are improvements on the original, he says.
But it is not clear what that will mean in terms of whether a particular cereal or juice is in or out, Davidson adds.
Why, however, should broadcasters and cable operators chafe against voluntary guidelines to combat childhood obesity, an acknowledged health risk?
Davidson is not implying that there is not an obesity problem, or that there aren’t steps that can be taken, but that the government has not done its due diligence in concluding that this proposal achieves that result. “Anything that would affect over 1,700 TV shows is something of concern,” says Davidson.
“It is our belief that it would take the vast majority of certain food categories off the table,” adds O’Brien, “though we are still trying to determine what specifi c brands would be affected. Beyond that, entire programs could be taken off because there would be no products to advertise in them.”
The fact that the agencies went out of their way to say this is voluntary, subject to adjustment, and not to be read as a regulatory mandate could be looked at as more of a smoke screen.
When the federal government puts its name and reputation behind a set of recommendations, says Davidson, “manufacturers, advertisers and the media are not inclined to just say no, we don’t believe in these. People want to comply with regulatory agencies.”
One former advertising agency government relations executive thinks the government is going to need to step in.
“The self-regulatory scheme set up by the food industry…was a good beginning, but it is not fair to expect marketers to come up with the next steps on their own,” says Adonis Hoffman, an adjunct marketing professor at Georgetown University and former general counsel for the 4As. “It is not in their DNA to curtail their own marketing practices.”
The FTC is still accepting comments on the proposed recommendations pending final approval.
E-mail comments to email@example.com and follow him on Twitter: @eggerton
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Contributing editor John Eggerton has been an editor and/or writer on media regulation, legislation and policy for over four decades, including covering the FCC, FTC, Congress, the major media trade associations, and the federal courts. In addition to Multichannel News and Broadcasting + Cable, his work has appeared in Radio World, TV Technology, TV Fax, This Week in Consumer Electronics, Variety and the Encyclopedia Britannica.


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THE EXPANSION OF EVEREST.COM CONTINUES AS NEW STOREFRONTS GO LIVE THIS WEEK
The Woodlands, Texas – September 28, 2020 – Everest.com, the first marketplace dedicated to the outdoor recreation community is excited to announce its latest line-up of new storefronts.
Marcus Johnson, EVP of Operations, says, “It’s gratifying to see our B2B efforts come to fruition with more storefronts launching and many more in the pipeline. Everest is continually working to create a robust and diversified marketplace for all outdoor recreational activities.”
Airgun Pro Shop, MIRA Safety, StrongSuit and Caveman, LLC are the latest additions to the Everest family. The new storefronts feature an array of products for shooting sports enthusiasts and emergency preparedness for
civilians. Everest shoppers will now be able to shop for air guns, firearms accessories, personal protective equipment and technical gloves.
“Airgun Pro Shop is very excited to be part of the Everest vendor family,” says Rick Eutsler, President of AGPS. “We hope to show the outdoor community just how exciting, fun, and effective Modern Airguns can be for target shooting, shooter education, and even big game hunting!”
Roman Zrazhevskiy, CEO of MIRA Safety, says, “We are looking forward to educating and protecting Everest.com customers about PPE and proving that our products are the premier masks and filters available for civilian purchase.”
The new storefronts are now live on Everest:
• Airgun Pro Shop – www.everest.com/AirgunProShop
• MIRA Safety – www.everest.com/MIRASafety
• StrongSuit – www.everest.com/StrongSuit
• Caveman, LLC – www.everest.com/cavemanllc
Driven by our Caliber Members, the Everest mission is to create the leading marketplace for the shooting sports, hunting, fishing and outdoor worlds – a place where retailers can sell firearms, fishing gear, camping gear, outdoor products and other related consumer items. The Everest marketplace represents a place where like-minded
consumers can learn, interact, participate and shop. At our core, we are a community of like-minded, non-discriminating, conservation-loving outdoor living retailers, manufacturers, distributors, and consumers.


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- MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell continues to defend Trump and share baseless voter-fraud conspiracy theories.
- His loyalty to the former president is starting to affect his business.
- Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.
As President Donald Trump's corporate allies abandoned him in the final days of his administration, one man was left standing: MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell.
"I'm not backing down on these machines that stole our election," Lindell told Insider last Wednesday, referring to baseless claims that rigged voting machines helped Joe Biden steal the 2020 race.
"I'm not changing my mind on anything like that ever. I'm not going to: 'Oh, please, don't boycott me. Please don't,'" Lindell added.
Perhaps more than any other CEO, Lindell has driven his company straight into the minefield of modern politics, embracing the kinds of controversies and culture-war topics that most businesses consider radioactive and doubling down in situations in which today's corporate playbooks would recommend damage control.
A staple of late-night infomercials, Lindell — whose backstory includes a stint as a professional gambler and drug addiction — and his pillow company have become one of the most curious business phenomena of the Trump era.
Over the past week, Insider spoke with several people who worked with MyPillow, industry experts, and Lindell himself about his company's business during Trump's presidency and what comes next for the controversial pillow brand.
Now the tide may be turning. This week, retailers including Kohl's and Bed Bath & Beyond said they would stop selling MyPillow, citing poor sales. Affirm, a financial-technology company, also cut ties. Even a porn site said its actors would no longer use MyPillows for "sexy pillow fight" scenes. And Lindell personally faces legal threats from the voting-technology company Dominion over his repeated claims of voter fraud.
Lindell said MyPillow thrived in the Trump era, adding that his support of the president fueled "off-the-charts" sales growth. Revenues from the company's website roughly tripled from 2015 to 2019, according to an estimate by GlobalData. And site traffic skyrocketed in 2020 as Lindell campaigned for Trump's reelection.
MyPillow's business is driven by Lindell's instincts. It is hard to say where these instincts will take the company next, especially as Lindell increasingly prioritizes Trumpian politics over running his business.


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DAKAR, Sénégal, January 17, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The African Press Organization (APO), the leading African press release wire, announced today an alliance with Dow Jones Factiva (http://www.factiva.com), the world’s leading news and business information research tool.
The African Press Organization (http://www.apo-opa.org) will provide Factiva with an Africa-related news release feed issued by companies, governments, international organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and United Nations (UN) agencies in six languages, including English, French, Arabic, Spanish, Portuguese and German.
“This partnership will allow APO customers to reach Factiva users worldwide and inform them of new developments, investments and product launches done on the continent”, said Eloïne Barry, APO’s Executive Director. “Professionals of big corporations consider the African continent as an asset to their development. Offering them intelligence and company information in real-time will help them make better investment decisions”, added Barry.
The African Press Organization already partners and provides content to PR Newswire, Lexis Nexis, Comtex and EDD.
About the African Press Organization
The African Press Organization is the leading press release wire. With headquarters in Dakar, Senegal, the African Press Organization (http://www.apo-opa.org) owns a media database of over 25,000 contacts and the main Africa-related news online community. It offers a complete range of media relations tools such as press releases wire and monitoring services, distribution online press conferences, interactive webcasts, op-ed placements and events promotion. The African Press Organization provides free services to African journalists, innovative communications products to companies and supports many International institutions in their strategic communications. http://www.apo-opa.org
+41 22 534 9675
African Press Organization


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The popular Japanese Web3 game firm Animoca Brand Japan has completed its latest funding round. The web3 firm raised about $45 million from MUFG Bank, Ltd and Animoca Brands Corporation Limited.
Animoca Brand Japan is now worth about $500 million with this funding round which will be invested in the Japanese web3 industry. The firm also intends to obtain licenses for its numerous intellectual properties. Similarly, Animoca brands Japan is making efforts to engage more people and expand the NFT ecosystem within the country.
According to reports, MUFG bank raised $22.5 million in the funding round, while Animoca Brands Limited, the parent company of Animoca Brands Japan, contributed the remaining $22.5million. Animoca Brands Japanese was established in 2021. It concentrates on the Web3 industry, including the metaverse and NFT.
Animoca Brand is exploring its investments to gain ground
Over the years, the Animoca brand has capitalized on over 340 investments. Its investments include Colossal, Axie Infinity, OpenSea, Dapper Labs (NBA Top Shot), Yield Guild Games, Harmony, Alien Worlds, and Star Atlas.
Animoca Brand made its debut in Japan with a seed funding round of $10 million. In April 2022, it announced an unaudited financial report that revealed its digital assets worth $4.2 billion. The firm focuses on NFTs, GameFi, and Metaverse industry.
Recently, the brand raised over $1.5 billion through its investments. Some of the existing assets of the protocol include USDC, USDT, BUSD, ETH, and BTC. The Animoca brand is planning to enhance its strategic acquisitions within the industry. The company has acquired Grease Monkey Games, Darewise, Eden Games, Notre Games, and Be Media.
Animoca’s Sandbox (SAND) project is one of the leading play-to-earn blockchain ecosystems. The native token of the project, SAND, currently enjoys a market capitalization of $1,422,027,963. As of press time, it is reportedly valued at about $0.96.
Animoca Brands, in recent times, assisted various firms in raising funds. As venture capital, it helped a Singapore-based Web3 gaming network, Planetarium, to raise funds last month. It also raised over $46 million for Gunzilla, an independent AAA game studio. Gunzilla intends to use the funds to develop its new platform, GunZ.
With GunZ, gamers can complete ownership of their in-game possessions. Other participants include Griffin Gaming partners, Animoca Brands, Jump Crypto, Raptor Group, CoinFund, Shima Capital, and many others.
Animoca Brands has attracted various experts around the world. Recently, the chairman of Tencent Weibo, Liu Jiaming, resigned to join Animoca Brands as Chief Business Officer.
- Japan set to change crypto taxation laws to prevent capital flight
- Japanese Crypto Lobbyists Call on Authorities to Relax Crypto Taxation
- Japan regulators argue that the crypto self-regulation experiment has failed
Tamadoge – Play to Earn Meme Coin
- Earn TAMA in Battles With Doge Pets
- Capped Supply of 2 Bn, Token Burn
- NFT-Based Metaverse Game
- Presale Live Now – tamadoge.io


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The Alfa Romeo 8C competizione was launched in 2008 as the forerunner of the Italian automaker’s return to the U.S. market. The limited edition Alfa Romeo sports car features a carbon fiber monocoque, 4.7 Liter Ferrari V8 sitting between the front wheels and curves shaped to move air around the vehicle. That power plant is good for a total of 444 HP and 350 lb-ft of torque that can accelerate the car 8C competizione from 0 to 60 MPH in just 4.2 seconds and reach a top speed of 181 MPH make it one of the most desirable Italian sports cars of the modern era.
If you remember, when Alfa Romeo announced the 8C Competizione they said the car will come in two versions: 250 coupes and 250 spiders. But when the company realized this will cost around 13 million dollars, they dropped the plans for the spider version.
Alfa 8C Competizione was officially launched in Japan today. From the 500 units that will be produced, only 70 will come to Japan, priced at ¥22 million (or $186, 810). And in the same day that the car was launched, it was also sold out. Japan allways has been a strong market for top-end exotica, and also boasts many knowledgeable, super enthusiastic Alfisti. So, no real surprise then that Alfa Japan originally received more than 200 orders for the 8C. Alfa HQ in Italy then decided who (...) More
Making its world debut at Paris Motor Show, the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione is one of the most beautiful car ever. But the brand made a very sad announce at Istanbul AutoShow, where the 8C was on display witn another new models: it will be limited to 500 units. The car is powered by a V8 engine with a maximum output of 450 hp at 7000 rpm and 346 lbs-ft at 4750. Featuring a six-speed computerized gearbox system, the 8C make the 0 to 60 mph sprint in 4.4 seconds and has a top speed of 190 (...) More
Paris Motor Show has ended, but the discussions about what a show it was and all the models presented there does not ended. Based on the significance of the vehicle, MSN has made a Top Ten list with the best cars presented in Paris. And why is no surprise that Audi R8 is on the top of the list? Top Ten Best Cars from Paris Audi R8: The R8 it is powered by a V8 engine with an output of 420 bhp. Peak torque is 430 Newton-metres from 4.500 to 6,000 rpm. It makes the 0 to 60 mph sprint in (...) More
The beautiful dream that was introduced as a concept car at the 2003 Frankfurt Motor Show has made it into production. The gorgeous Alfa Romeo 8C has been presented after three years at the recently opened Paris Motor Show in sales-ready configuration. Fortunately, the car closely follows the lines of the original prototype and is most likely to become the most beautiful Alfa Romeo ever produced. The looks are sustained by Maserati supercar technology offering a 0 to 60 sprint 4.4 seconds, and a top speed of 190 mph.


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Marc Bolland, Marks & Spencer chief executive, said the company's clothing results were "not yet satisfactory":
Our Food business has performed very well with record sales over the key Christmas trading period.
Our General Merchandise performance is not yet satisfactory but we are confident that the steps being taken by the new management team will address this.
Our plan is to transform Marks & Spencer from a traditional UK retailer to an international multi-channel retailer. We are making good progress against this plan.
More top news
The overwhelming support for liberalisation of Ireland’s abortion laws has led to calls for Theresa May to end the ‘anomalous’ situation in
The British Heart Foundation wants to see legislation that adopts World Health Organisation air quality guidelines.
The party wants Health and Social Care Secretary Jeremy Hunt to meet five key tests to bring the NHS back from the “brink”.


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2015 Achievements In 2015, the global economy was fraught with mixed signals. Despite economic recovery in the U.S. and Western Europe, the slowing growth rate of China’s economy and recessions in emerging markets continued. In the automotive industry, Japanese automakers engaged in aggressive marketing campaigns, while surging Chinese automakers intensified the competition in the market. Nonetheless, Kia Motors was able to maintain stable growth in 2015, selling a total of 3.05 million vehicles. Our world-class product quality is now widely recognized, as proven by Kia’s top place finish among all non-premium brands in the U.S. according to J.D. Power & Associates’ 2015 Initial Quality Study (IQS). Meanwhile, according to Consumer Report’s latest New-Car Predicted Reliability study in the U.S., Kia is now among the “Most Reliable” brands, even among premium nameplates. In terms of the brand itself, Kia’s brand value is now estimated at USD 5.7 billion, up 5 percent from 2014, with a 74th place ranking among Interbrand’s Best Global Brands. All of these accomplishments over the past year can be attributed to the hard work of our talented employees and the endearing support from all of our stakeholders around the world.
Preparing for a New Future in 2020 In 2016, the volatile global economy is forecast to affect the auto industry and intensify market competition. Within the auto industry itself, structural changes are occurring in terms of individualizing customer needs for green vehicles and autonomous driving, as well as the growing need to move towards a sharing economy. The new paradigm will set the tone for innovation among our product, marketing and customer channels so as to hone our competitiveness while also allowing us to secure sustainability through fundamental changes aimed at higher efficiency and greater profitability. Moreover, we are building a new management system as part of our human resources management and company-wide CSR practices. These efforts will enable us to successfully attain our vision of becoming one of the world’s top automakers by 2020. Through all of these sustainability endeavors, Kia will remain committed to its social responsibility as a global corporate citizen.
Beyond the company’s growth, everyone at Kia is devoting themselves to making the world a better place economically, socially and environmentally. I humbly ask for your continued support as we embark on this ambitious journey


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Electric bike start-up Moby has raised almost €800,000 in 30 days as the company turned to crowd funding platform Spark Crowdfunding to fund its expansion and move into more cities.
The Dublin-based company, which operates the ebike sharing scheme, initially had a fundraising target of €300,000. It raised €200,000 from professional investors, including Draper Esprit venture partner Brian Caulfield, Movidius co-founder Sean Mitchell, and the Halo Business Angel Network (Hban), and decided to open the round to the customers and the general public. Some 278 backers funded the company through Spark Crowdfunding.
"We always felt that this platform (Spark Crowdfunding) was the right way to go for our fundraising strategy, and also our overall business strategy of having lots of people who live in Ireland invest in their own bike share scheme," Moby founder and chief executive Thomas O'Connell said.
Moby was granted a licence by Dublin City Council last year to operate dockless bike sharing in the city. It plans to launch up to 1,000 electric bikes in the capital. Earlier this year, Moby provided 70 e-bikes free of charge for use by healthcare staff in Dublin.
"The response of the public, customers and the wider investor community to Moby's campaign is testament to how well-loved the brand and the idea is," said Chris Burge, CEO of Spark Crowdfunding.


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TinyGemsBreaks – Freight Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ: FRGT) Announces New Alliance, Fr8App Integration with FourKites(R)
Freight Technologies (NASDAQ: FRGT) (“Fr8Tech”) is a technology company based on its custom-developed Fr8App platform, which is powered by AI and machine learning, that offers a real-time portal for B2B cross-border shipping and domestic shipping within the United States-Mexico-Canada (“NAFTA”) region. The company today disclosed its integration with FourKites(R), a leading supply chain visibility platform in the U.S. With the integration, Fr8App can send automatic locations to FourKites(R)’s New Unified Customer Interface so that its enterprise company users are able to receive real-time locations from drivers using Fr8App. “A leader in track and trace in the U.S., FourKites(R) is used by many enterprise companies and some of our current customers. With this integration we empower our Fr8Radar product, making the track and trace monitoring process more efficient for our customers currently using FourKites(R)’s monitoring system,” said Javier Selgas, CEO of Fr8Tech. “By integrating with Fr8App, FourKites(R) has validated our services and increased our access to new, large customers. We believe this alliance will be a long-term revenue driver and we look forward to reporting on our progress.”
To view the full press release, visit https://ibn.fm/rWS74
About Freight Technologies Inc.
Freight Technologies is a technology company developing solutions to optimize and automate the supply chain process. Its wholly owned subsidiary Freight App Inc. (“Fr8App”) is a B2B cross-border shipping marketplace in the NAFTA region powered by AI and machine learning. Focused on making shipping transparent and efficient, Fr8App provides carriers with increased growth opportunities and shippers with flexibility, visibility and simplicity for the once-complex process of international over-the-road (“OTR”) shipping. Fr8App uses its proprietary technology platform to connect carriers and shippers and significantly improve matching and operation efficiency via innovative technologies such as live pricing and real-time tracking, digital freight marketplace, broker, transportation management, fleet management, and committed capacity solutions. The company is headquartered in Houston, Texas. For more information, visit the company’s website at Fr8Technologies.com.
NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to FRGT are available in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/FRGT
TinyGems is your guide to the best and brightest in the under-appreciated small-cap sector. As one of 50+ brands within the InvestorBrandNetwork (“IBN”), TinyGems provides: (1) access to a network of wire solutions via InvestorWire to reach all target markets, industries and demographics in the most effective manner possible; (2) article and editorial syndication to 5,000+ news outlets; (3) enhanced press release solutions to ensure maximum impact; (4) social media distribution via IBN to reach millions of social media followers; and (5) a full array of corporate communications solutions. It’s time to uncover some of the best-kept secrets on Wall Street. TinyGems features innovative small-cap companies with huge potential, putting a spotlight on the best and brightest of these disruptors that have the technology, the talent, the drive, and the business models to make a huge impact in the markets and in portfolios. Whether it’s a game changing technology, a new more profitable product or service, or a star in a hot sector, TinyGems is the go-to source for actionable intelligence.
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For more information, please visit https://www.TinyGems.net
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It's what the rumour-mongers have been calling it, but now it seems Apple will follow suit and brand its smaller iPad the iPad Mini.
According to Apple blog site Macotakara, an iPad insider has told it that the yet to be unveiled tablet will keep its adopted moniker with the traditional iPad logo emblazoned on the back of the device.
The iPad Mini is expected to house a seven-inch display, putting it in direct competition against the likes of the Google Nexus 7. An iPad Mini would be Apple’s fourth-generation tablet device, but the first to feature a display that measure less than 9.7-inches.
Though Apple is yet officially to confirm the existence of the iPad Mini, speculation has been mounting that the Cupertino outfit will wait until October to unveil the device, with the arrival of the iPhone 5 expected on 12 September before being rolled out on 21 September.


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BEAVERTON, OR, U.S. – March 16, 2021 – The Open RF Association (OpenRF™), an open industry consortium dedicated to creating a 5G ecosystem of functionally interoperable hardware and software across RFFE (RF Front End) and chipset platforms, today announced that NI has joined the organization and will chair the OpenRF Compliance Working Group. As a leading developer of automated test and measurement systems that help engineers solve some of the world’s toughest challenges, NI will work with OpenRF to address the interoperability challenges facing the 5G ecosystem.
“We are pleased to welcome NI to OpenRF and lead our Compliance Working Group,” said Kevin Schoenrock, President of OpenRF. “NI’s global scale, strong brand and long history of system testing expertise will be an invaluable asset to the organization as we embark on developing a robust compliance program improving the cost, efficiency and time-to-market of OEM wireless devices.”
“With 5G introducing significant changes in how we interact with each other, it also introduces new ways of interacting with and testing 5G devices,” said Chen Chang, Strategic Business Development Director, NI. “As Compliance Working Group Chair, we are excited to work alongside other companies to continue addressing the evolving needs of the industry and advance OpenRF’s mission to accelerate 5G innovation and adoption.”
OpenRF members are working together to develop an open framework that standardizes hardware and software interfaces without limiting innovation while enabling 5G device OEMs to realize time-to-market, cost, performance, and supply chain benefits. The OpenRF Working Group 5: Compliance was officially formed in January 2021 and will develop a program to support a robust ecosystem of interoperable RF front end and chipset platforms. The OpenRF Release 3: Compliance is targeted for completion in Q4 this year.
OpenRF is open to smartphone chipset, RFFE, and OEM vendors and related industry companies. For information on membership benefits and to complete a membership application, visit www.OpenRF.com/join.
The Open RF Association (OpenRF) is an industry consortium dedicated to creating a 5G ecosystem of functionally interoperable hardware and software across member multi-mode RFFE (RF Front End) and chipset platforms. OpenRF is led by industry leaders Broadcom, Intel, MediaTek, Murata Manufacturing, Qorvo, and Samsung. For more information, visit www.OpenRF.com.


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Barbie may have turned 60 this year, but she is certainly not letting grass grow beneath her pointy feet. She is working to inspire a new generation of young girls to dream beyond stereotypes by modeling every profession from surgeon to news anchor to veterinarian. And she can now lay claim to representing the Civil Rights movement and space exploration.
Mattel this week announced two new Barbies: Historical female role models Rosa Parks and Sally Ride. Rosa Parks was an American activist known as the Mother of the Modern Civil Rights movement and Sally Ride was the first American woman – and youngest American – to fly in space. They are for sale at Barbie.com for $30.99 each.
Each doll comes with educational material about each woman’s contributions to society, authentic clothing and accessories. Because of their historic importance, we think they will be wanted by future collectors.
Photos: Collectspace.com; Mattel.com


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Every April, the watch industry will usher in a grand event – the Geneva Watches and Wonders Fair. This exhibition brings together the world’s top watch brands, bringing countless expectations and surprises to watch enthusiasts. However, on the eve of the exhibition, Rolex’s new predictions were one of the topics of most interest to the media. Although every prediction every year is full of speculation and expectations, as an industry leader, Rolex’s new watches always attract much attention and are full of unknown mystery and suspense.
Whenever we talk about predictions, we always look back to the past and recall all the previous speculations and results. We must lament Rolex’s strong confidentiality ability and the elusiveness of the brand’s research and development strategy. However, although reality is often far from predictions, this does not prevent the media from guessing and speculating about new models every year. After all, prediction itself is full of adventure and fun. Even if the guess is occasionally correct, it adds a touch of mystery before the watch exhibition. Best replica watches.
Looking back at the new models launched by Rolex in the past, we will find some unexpected innovations and designs. For example, the left-crown version of the GMT-Master II, the Oyster Perpetual with a colored bubble dial, and the Day-Date 36 with a colored puzzle dial made of enamel craftsmanship demonstrate Rolex’s eclectic style. The brand constantly introduces new products, giving people a refreshing feeling, which is different from its usual conservative image.
Here are some recent predictions for 2024 Rolex models released by Time+Tide Watches:
Prediction 1: Titanium Water Ghost
Considering that Rolex has recently been exploring the production of titanium cases, the brand is predicted to launch a titanium case Submariner. When commemorating the 70th anniversary of Submariner in 2023, the brand behaved relatively low-key and only slightly adjusted the green bezel of Green Submariner. However, if Rolex launches the titanium Submariner in 2024, it will trigger a new craze and can also be used as a continuation of the 70th anniversary of the Submariner. Rolex replica watches.
Prediction 2: Coke Circle GMT-Master II
In response to rumors about the discontinuation of the Pepsi Circle GMT-Master II, the brand is predicted to launch a new red and black ceramic “Cola Circle” GMT-Master II. Although there have been problems with the supply of red and blue two-color ceramic rings on the market, Rolex will likely launch such a highly anticipated new model on the series’ anniversary to maintain its market appeal.
Prediction 3: Milgauss returns
The Milgauss magnetic series has gradually declined due to poor performance in the past and was eventually discontinued in 2023. However, the brand is predicted to re-adjust the shape and launch a new Milgauss magnetic watch in 2024. Considering Rolex’s relationship with CERN and the historical significance of the Milgauss lattice magnetic series, such a prediction is not impossible.
Prediction 4: Three-Color Gold Day-Date
It is predicted that the brand may re-launch the three-color gold Day-Date series. As early as 1988, the Day-Date had used the Tridor three-color gold design, but not in large quantities. In 2024, Rolex may re-launch such a classic design to enrich the selection of the Day-Date series.
Prediction 5: Full Calendar Moon Phase 1908
With the initial success of the 1908 series, the brand may continue to develop this series and launch a full calendar.
Band Width: 20mm
Dial Color: Black Dial
Case Size: 40mm


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A black Mercedes CL500 Coupe and a red Renault Clio were in collision at the Tesco roundabout junction at around 11.10pm on Wednesday, December 14.
The Mercedes made off from the scene.
Pc Grant Fryatt, from the Stanway Roads Policing Unit, said: “The vehicle will be heavily damaged and have no front bumper.
“It is likely to be difficult to repair as it is a rare and heavily customised vehicle. As such it may well be hidden in a lock-up on a side street.
“I am urging anyone who has seen the vehicle, or witnessed the collision, to contact Essex Police.”