text:
BAY CITY, MI — Candace Bales says taking in downtown Bay City during the holiday season is a bit like washing your hair — shop, dine, repeat.
Bales, the executive director of the Bay City Downtown Management Board and Downtown Development Authority suggests this general itinerary is the best way to tackle the annual Sunday's in the City promotion that begins Sunday, Nov. 10, and continues each Sunday through Dec. 15.
"Start with a late breakfast at one of our wonderful downtown restaurants and strategize," Bales said. "Then walk and shop and don't go back to your car again until you're ready to load it up."
She suggests a coffee and sweets break at some point, followed by more shopping, perhaps a carriage ride and maybe taking in a holiday movie at the historic State Theatre.
After that, dinner awaits.
"Then repeat that two to three times on Sundays," she said. "The real bottom line is you've got to do it all on more than one Sunday."
Originated in the 1990s, Sundays in the City is an annual promotion where downtown Bay City businesses offer special deals and open houses, and the city comes to life with horse-drawn carriage rides, carolers, festive wreaths, holiday films and a chance for one lucky shopper to take home a sleigh of gifts worth upwards of $2,000.
“Sundays are the second most popular day of the week to shop,” said Bales. “It's also family time. We encourage people to come down and enjoy downtown during the holiday season.”
With 34 downtown businesses participating this year, there is plenty to do each weekend.
High on the list of offerings are the holiday movie classics being shown at the historic State Theatre, 913 Washington Ave.
The fun begins on Nov. 24 and continues Dec. 1, 8 and 15. Here's a schedule:
1 p.m. — "A Christmas Story"
4p.m. — "A Miracle on 34th Street"
1 p.m. — “Christmas Vacation”
4 p.m. — “It's a Wonderful Life"
1 p.m. — "The Polar Express”
4 p.m. — “A Christmas Carol”
1 p.m. — “Elf”
4 p.m. — “White Christmas”
Movies are free for those who bring a food donation for the Good Samaritan Rescue Mission.
Another popular tradition are the free horse-drawn carriage rides, which are offered this year on Nov. 24, as well as Dec. 1, 8 and 15. The rides depart from in front of the State Theatre and take riders around the downtown area.
Also returning this year are Santa Bucks, which allow shoppers to take $5 off their one-time purchase of $25 or more at many of the participating businesses. This year's Santa Bucks are worth up to $160. Santa Bucks are available at participating businesses, by calling 989-893-3573 or online at www.downtownbaycity.com.
Terri King, owner of My Secret Garden, 600 Saginaw St., said the annual promotion was started for two reasons.
"We wanted something that would make store owners stay open on Sundays and something that would draw people downtown," she said. "The event is very successful. Saturday is always a retailer's best day of the week, but this makes it that Sundays are right there with that.
"It's been successful, which is why we've been doing it so long."
King said she is ready to welcome shoppers to her store, which features a new area called "The Christmas Shop at the Garden," a holiday wonderland created in space previously occupied by Kuhn Young Design, which recently moved to Columbus Avenue.
"It's gorgeous. It's magical," said King of the new area. "You go in there and it's all Christmas with different themes and different looks."
King encouraged all area residents to take part in Sundays in the City and to bring their out-of-town guests with them.
"It's wonderful to support local businesses," she said. "When you shop local you get more of what the community is all about plus you get more unique things because you're not doing the big-box thing. I know a lot of our cusotmers like brining out-of-town guests. When they come here they really see something unique and different."
Sundays in the City also gives shoppers the opportunity to enter two drawings for a chance to win a holiday wreath or the Sleigh of Gifts.
The annual Festival of Wreaths features unique wreaths decorated by participating businesses. A drawing for the wreaths takes place on Monday, Dec. 16.
“They have a lot of fun decorating them,” said Bales. “St. Laurent always puts candy on theirs, the State Theatre uses old film. Violet's Blue uses antique bulbs. The businesses take a lot of pride in the wreaths.”
A drawing to select a Sleigh of Gifts winner takes place Tuesday, Dec. 17. The sleigh, filled with gifts donated by downtown merchants, is on display in the front window of Herter Music Center, 901 Washington Ave.
In addition to these raffles, individual stores also conduct their own drawings for merchandise. For example, Do-Art, 810 Washington Ave. and Izzies on the Avenue, 805 Washington Ave., plan to conduct weekly drawings of one-of-a-kind artwork by a local artist.
Many businesses also offer free gift wrapping, holiday treats and special classes and workshops throughout the holiday shopping season. And almost all of the downtown merchants have invested their time to create beautiful storefronts and in-store displays, which Bales said are always a highlight for her.
"Our merchants work very hard to create a magical atmosphere," she said.
Karen Schmidt, owner of Hidden Treasures Gift Boutique, which opened for business on June 20 at 107 Fifth St., said she and her husband Randy decided on a traditional holiday display for their front window.
"We have Christmas trees and poinsettias … a manager scene; very traditional decorations," she said. "My husband and I were working here all last weekend putting things up."
Schmidt said Hidden Treasures is offering many in-store specials as part of Sundays in the City.
"We'll have our different dips out. We're going to have a corner with stocking stuffers, a lot of different candles and warmers. There's just so many different things in the store," she said. "We are very much looking forward to this."
Aside from the bustling Sundays on tap in downtown, several other popular holiday-related events are scheduled this year, including the arrival of Santa in Bay City at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 29. Santa and Mrs. Claus are to arrive in Wenonah Park, light the Christmas tree and then greet visitors from 7-9 p.m. at the Delta College Planetarium, 100 Center Ave.
“It's a huge tradition,” said Bales. “The lights will be turned on as he comes down the riverfront."
Santa is planning one other stop downtown, at 9 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 8 at the Doubletree hotel and conference center, where he'll have breakfast with those who make reservations by calling 989-891-6000.
“People love this event,” she said. "It's tremendously popular."


text:
Tractor companies are often identified by the color of their machine, but for at least one Massey Ferguson tractor the color scheme is different - for a reason. Agco Corporation, owner of the Massey Ferguson name, partnered with NBC's show "Deal or No Deal" to raise money for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. And starting at 8 p.m. EST Oct. 31 - tonight - that tractor will be for sale on eBay.
Game Show Host Howie Mandel, left, signed this special-edition Massey Ferguson 1547 tractor that will now be auctioned off to raise funds for breast cancer research. The pink machine is a one of a kind tractor.
The machine, in a nice pink color, was autographed by show host Howie Mandel, and that machine is on the electronic auction block through Nov. 11. Agco provided the tractor on October 12 because contestant PJ Dykes races lawn tractors and was given the opportunity to take a "deal" that included a MF compact tractor with a front-end loader and a large sum of cash. She instead said "no deal" and went for more money.
As for the pink color, it was Dykes's favorite and she says she "instantly fell in love" with the machine, according to an Agco release. Dykes races a pink and purple tractor, and she says knowing the Massey Ferguson special model was for the Komen effort filled her with pride.
Since the show was aired the tractor has been decaled with pink ribbons and a one-of-a-kind pink MF logo. The machine is a 1547 model with a 47-hp diesel engine, hydrostatic transmission and matching front loader. Suggested list price for the machine is $30,434.
In a press statement, Phil Jones, manager, brand marketing for Agco, says "this tractor donation is being made in honor of our customers, as many of their lives have been touched by cancer, and the loss of a loved one can be devastating and not only to the family, but to the farming operation as well."
Interested in bidding? Just check out the tractor starting after 8 p.m. EST on eBay by visiting www.ebay.com/pinktractor. Auction Cause, a premier online auction management agency specializing in high profile celebrity and charity auctions, is managing the event on eBay.

domain: news


text:
With all the news about the latest operating system, Windows 11, most people were expecting it to be the future of Microsoft computing. But this may not be the case, as there recently have been leaks about a new product Microsoft are developing, currently known as Cloud PC. From what we know, this is a virtualised desktop experience that can be deployed from the Microsoft Cloud.
Microsoft already have some services like this. Windows Virtual Desktop (sometimes known as ‘WVD’) is their current remote desktop service, and Microsoft Azure comprises all of Microsoft’s cloud computing products. Cloud PC will use these existing infrastructures to create an even better experience for the end user.
TechQuarters, an IT Support London provider, spoke to us about the news. “With the advent of hybrid working, remote and virtual desktops are becoming a more popular solution,” says TechQuarters. “Microsoft has already experienced success with WVD, and Cloud PC will probably be an improved, more widely accessible version of their virtual desktop service.”
It seems that, like with Windows Virtual Desktop, Cloud PC will still be primarily for professional use. “Based on the evidence,” says TechQuarters, “Cloud PC will probably be aimed at small to medium-sized businesses, instead of larger enterprises, as with WVD.”
According to TechQuarters, the advent of ‘Windows as a Service’ is good news for them and other IT providers. “We are a Managed IT Services London provider, but we are also a Microsoft Gold Partner.”
Microsoft Partners work directly with Microsoft to offer businesses contracts that include Microsoft licensing, and their own IT support services. Through Microsoft partners, businesses can access a wider array of IT services to accompany their software. “Cloud-based virtual desktops can be managed by us for the customer,” says TechQuarters, “this makes support even more accessible for the customer. We can deliver Manchester IT support from 200 miles away with the use of our cloud tools, and Cloud PC could make us even more effective at our job.”
Microsoft appear to have been working on delivering Windows 10 from cloud servers for many years now; and it is reasonable to assume that they are banking on this being the future of Windows operating systems, as a consumer addition of Cloud PC is also expected to be announced in the not-so-distant future.


text:
Work on a new browser for Windows 10 has been underway since January. For months it had been codenamed as Project Spartan, today Microsoft has finally unveiled this browser with a new name, Microsoft Edge. New features like faster rendering, voice assistant Cortana, note-taking mode, customizable reading note, these gave the Project Spartan an ‘edge’ upon the traditional Internet Explorer.
Here are the new developments:Break-up with Internet Explorer
It is definitely a replacement for the Internet Explorer because it features a new and faster rendering machine called EdgeHTML. With a basic and minimal designing [...]
Back in March, Microsoft announced the release of the highly-anticipated Windows 10. The company said that the latest OS would come this summer in over 190 countries and 111 languages. Microsoft hasn’t yet disclosed when the latest Windows is going to debut, but we have some details about its arrival.
As stated by TechCrunch, Windows 10 will release at the end of July. The online tech publisher contacted some officials who disclosed the release date of the next Windows OS.
In October 2014, Microsoft released the Technical Preview of Windows [...]
When Microsoft made official its biggest innovation of the year, Windows 10, everybody was excited to hear about all the modifications it brought with it. It was not just another Windows upgrade, but was a whole new effort to push something fresh. Among other revelations that thrilled the audience, a huge amount of attention was gathered by the modern browser Spartan.
Spartan is an entirely new web browsing platform for Windows 10 that holds a bunch of really cool new features. The browser has been designed to meet the demands of the today’s fast striding world with a pinch of simplicity. Spartan is the way ahead [...]
Microsoft is going for a major revamp with its new operating system, Windows 10. The latest OS will also come with an all new browser, known at present as “Project Spartan”. Microsoft has unveiled Spartan during the consumer preview of Windows 10 in January, and it looked competent enough to take on the likes of Chrome, Safari and others. The latest technical preview of the Windows 10 has now been released, and Microsoft is now giving developers the chance to play with the new browser.
Project Spartan comes with a brand new rendering engine. This new engine will be faster and will facilitate the new sharing features. [...]
It was once the only way to connect to the internet in most personal computers. For years, Microsoft’s Internet Explorer brought internet to the masses. Before the arrival of multiple tabs, search from address bars, and a multitude of browsers to choose from, there was the Internet Explorer (IE). Now it’s the year 2015, and we have come a long way from 1995 when IE first came into existence. The browser landscape has changed dramatically, and Microsoft has decided to slowly say farewell to the good old IE.
Microsoft launched the Internet Explorer in 1995 as an add-on package Plus! for Windows 95. After its [...]
Last night, Microsoft lifted the veil off the consumer version of its much-anticipated operating system Windows 10. The event saw some amazing offerings that were absent in the business version of Windows 10, launched in September the preceding year. Microsoft announced that its new upgrade would be same on all platforms and would be more user-friendly and impressive that ever before.
We have summed up Top 9 features that make Windows 10 unique-:1. Start Menu
To start off, Microsoft has added the much-needed tool that was absent from Windows 8 and 8.1 – the Start Menu. [...]
Microsoft was serious when it called yesterday’s Windows 10 event as the unveiling of the ‘next chapter’ for the software giant. The company not only showed that it’s slowly moving away from its past failures but also managed to introduce some wildly futuristic concepts.
We are listing the top 7 announcements from yesterday’s Windows 10 event.1. Cortana Comes to the desktop
Microsoft’s sassy virtual assistance has become first amongst others to get a desktop support. As rumored earlier, you can find Cortana just next to the task bar on your Windows 10 desktop. Cortana will be able to answer your typed or spoken questions and [...]
Anyone who has been a fan of Windows, has also made fun of Internet Explorer. With the rise of new and lighter internet browsers like Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer lost the race miserably. The main reason was the heavy size of the browser and its inability to catch up with the latest trends such as extension support, tools and much more.
However, with an exciting new announcement at yesterday’s event, Microsoft has taken its first step to change all that. At the Windows 10 event, Microsoft announced the much-talked about browser app which is codenamed Project Spartan. Microsoft’s new [...]


text:
A Stuff article.
Dairy prices leapt 3 per cent at Tuesday night’s global dairy trade auction, the seventh consecutive lift for the commodity.
Over that run of increases, prices jumped 22.9 per cent and were about 20 per cent higher than a year ago.
All monitored products showed price increases at the most recent auction; the highest price gains went to whole milk powder, which jumped 4.3 per cent, butter 2 per cent, and cheddar 2.4 per cent.
To read more, click here.


text:
Updated Tuesday September 6, 10.10am: Polly Bean has been signed by VOGUE.COM UK to become the site's latest fashion blogger. The model cartoon character, discovered by comic strip creator Neil Kerber who has drawn the Supermodels strip for Private Eye for more than 20 years, will be blogging about her fashion life from October - and until then she'll be popping into our Vogue Facebook page now and then to update us on what she's been getting up to. This week she's involved with Wool Week; she's planning to join Gwyneth Paltrow at the Coach store on Bond Street for the Fashion's Night Out celebrations - and she remembers meeting VOGUE.COM editor Dolly Jones in Claridge's to discuss her latest signing. Welcome Polly.
SEE THE POLLY BEAN CARTOON STRIP
Updated Thursday July 7, 8.54am: Premier Model Management has signed the first ever supermodel cartoon to its Special Division. Named Polly Bean, the character is a development of its creator's satirical comic strip, Supermodels, which has been running in Private Eye for the last 20 years.
"Polly Bean was born after many years of creating my Supermodels strip in Private Eye, which has now been running for approximately two decades," said the cartoon's creator Neil Kerber. "After appearing in many of the strips, Polly is now emerging as a true star, breaking away and slowly starting to build her own following inside the fashion world. Apart from Polly's obvious stunning beauty, and fantastic talents as a supermodel, what makes Polly so special is the wonderful way she commentates on the latest trends and issues, using incredible wit and humour, entertaining as she informs. Polly Bean is talking, and the fashion world is starting to listen."
The comic strip is known for its witty and funny take on the fashion industry. Fans include Nicole Kidman, Philip Treacy and the late Isabella Blow.
"I have been following the Supermodels comic strip in Private Eye for the last 20 years, and have managed to collect every issue of the magazine, so I was extremely flattered when Neil initially approached us about Polly. We are all excited to be working with her," said Chris Owen, co-founder of Premier.
To read more about Polly Bean click HERE.
YOU SHOULD SEE: The Premier model that went from Morrisson's to Prada in two weeks...
YOU SHOULD SEE: Carole White's advice to aspiring models...


text:
As consumers quit traditional cable-TV companies in droves, Consumer Reports has just ranked providers with the best TV viewing options -- and none is a traditional player.
Consumer Reports, a publication of Consumers Union, which tests product and services, also ranked bundled services that combine TV, internet and phone, as well as internet providers. Here again, the major cable companies didn't head the list. Legacy cable operations, such as Comcast (CMCSA) and Charter Communications (CHTR), which just bought Time Warner Cable, generally are the chief providers of internet access.
In addition, polls by the publication showed high public dissatisfaction with internet providers' unauthorized use of their browsing data and efforts to limit customers' access to content.
Dismay over the cable giants' practices, as well as their prices, have spurred an exodus of customers. Almost 800,000 Americans dropped their traditional cable package in the year's first three months, according to research firm Moffett-Nathanson.
In Consumers Reports' survey of companies offering the best viewing options -- in terms of value, reliability and channel selection -- the champ is EPB Fiber, a service offered by a Tennessee electrical utility owned by the city of Chattanooga.
No. 2 is Google Fiber, a division of colossus and Google parent Alphabet (GOOG). Verizon Fiber, a part of telecom behemoth Verizon Communications (VZ), that delivers access over its fiber-optic network known as Fios, is seventh, and Charter is 13th.
Similarly, Bright House, recently bought by Charter, is the leader for bundled services. And Google Fiber leads the list for internet providers.
Consumer Reports polling also finds that 80 percent of respondents thought internet providers should need to get permission from customers to share their data. And 60 percent contended that the providers should be barred from selling or sharing it at all.
Under rules that the Obama administration enacted, the companies must ask consumers' permission to share their data. But the GOP-led Congress and the Trump administration have squelched those restrictions.
By the same token, those surveyed were opposed to the Federal Communications Commission's plan to overturn its previous practice of requiring net neutrality -- a policy that forbids internet providers from blocking a rival service, say movie streaming, or at least slowing down the competitor's speed of delivery. Under the FCC's new leadership, the previous 2015 policy would be done away with.
In the poll, 67 percent of respondents said providers shouldn't be able to block a rival, and 62 percent said the same about slowing it down.
for more features.


text:
It turns out content and commerce can be a valuable mix.
Earlier this week, NBCUniversal announced the acquisition of Craftsy, a Denver-based startup that sells videos of crafts classes, as well as craft supplies and kits.
The media giant didn’t disclose the price, but sources have told Recode that NBCU paid around $230 million in cash for the seven-year-old website. A few Craftsy executives can earn a bonus on top if they stay with the company for four years.
Craftsy had revenue of between $60 million and $65 million in 2016, according to multiple sources, and was around break-even. The company makes about half of its money from the sale of online video classes like “Knit Faster with Portuguese Knitting” and “How to Master Outdoor Cooking,” and the other half from e-commerce sales of craft supplies and kits, according to one of these people.
An NBCU spokesperson declined to comment. Craftsy CEO John Levisay did not respond to a request for comment.
When the deal was announced this week, NBCUniversal Cable Chairman Bonnie Hammer wrote to her staff, saying, “Just as Universal Cable Productions and Wilshire Studios develop and produce content for our networks and other outlets, Craftsy's lifestyle learning studios supply content for its own branded online network. And we believe that the interests and passions of our shared audiences naturally align."
The acquisition is the latest digital deal for NBCU, which has invested $400 million into BuzzFeed and $200 million in Vox Media, which owns this site. The media company also invested $500 million into Snapchat parent company, Snap, at its IPO.
Sources say the outcome was a good one for Craftsy’s early investors like Tiger Global and Harrison Metal. But not as good for some of the startup’s later investors, who will likely only get back the money they invested because the sale price was lower than the company’s last private valuation.
Craftsy had raised more than $100 million from investors, including Stripes Group and Adams Street Partners.
Axios first reported the deal price in Dan Primack’s Pro Rata e-mail newsletter on Friday.
This article originally appeared on Recode.net.


text:
Go Big? Stay Home?
So I see that Facebook is going for a bigger money goal with the IPO. Again.
Facebook, founded eight years ago by Mark Zuckerberg in a Harvard dorm room, said on Wednesday it will add about 84 million shares to its IPO, floating about 421 million shares in an offering expected to be priced on Thursday.
The additional shares will be sold by early investors including PayPal co-founder Peter Thiel, Accel Partners’ James Breyer and investment manager Tiger Global Management, the company said in a filing.
There are complaints that this will affect the early shareholders given that the stock will probalby not shoot up like it could if it came in on the lower end of its offering. Of course, I think the point that most people miss is that an IPO is designed to raise cash for the company as much as it focuses on return for the individual owners. The management at Facebook appears to think that the company can generate money.
Before the IPO size was increased, Facebook would have raised about $12.1 billion based on the midpoint price of $36 and the 337.4 million shares on offer originally.
At this midpoint, Facebook would be valued at roughly 27 times its 2011 revenue, or 99 times earnings. Google went public at a valuation of $23 billion, or 16 times its trailing revenue and 218 times earnings. Apple Inc went public in 1980 at a valuation of 25 times its revenue and 102 times earnings.
So, sure, raise the roof on it if you can, guys. Operating budget can enable a company to survive long enough to actually generate momentum in the market.
I’m a loyal Facebook user (I think the wife would call me a junkie). I think the company has a pretty good model, though maybe not one that makes it worth more than the companies that sell it the servers that power it. However, if the market will pay, then why not take advantage of the opportunity to raise the cash?
I wish Facebook well in its effort. The company is entering a pretty competitive market, and it now will have to face off with the likes of Google and Apple for the attention of consumer eyeballs in a measurable way. I’ll be very interested to see how it positions itself strategically in its new world.


text:
Thymesia is a new indie Souls-like where the inspirations aren’t slow and methodical like Dark Souls, but rather fast and reflex-intensive like Bloodborne.
Ross Huang, Lead Game Designer at OverBorder Studio, speaks with GamingBolt about the upcoming Soulslike action RPG.
OverBorder Studio and Team17 have announced that the upcoming Soulslike action RPG will also be available on Nintendo Switch at launch via the cloud.
OverBorder's Soulslike action RPG is one to keep an eye on- here's what you should know about it.
Thymesia's developers have announced that the game is getting delayed by 9 days so that the team can make changes to based on feedback from its demo.
Here's why OverBorder Studio's upcoming Soulslike action RPG has us excited as Bloodborne fans.
The Serpent Rogue is a curious roguelike survival game with a few addicting elements on offer under its hazy exterior.
Soulslike action RPG Thymesia will be releasing on August 9th, 2022 for PC, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and PS5, publisher Team 17 has announced.
Team17 has been on the receiving end of widespread backlash for its view on NFTs, but has now walked back on those plans.
The mecha title can be claimed for free on PC until February 10th. Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair is also confirmed as the next free EGS game.
Team17, publisher of Hell Let Loose, has announced the acquisition of the first person shooter IP for an initial sum of £31.
Trepang Studios' upcoming TREPANG 2 is a first-person shooter with bullet-time action, and releases for PC sometime in 2022.
Epic has revealed that Yoku's Island Express will be the free game for next week, replacing Automachef and Saints Row: The Third Remastered.
Developer Black Matter has revealed via Twitter that Hell Let Loose will feature cross-play between PS5 and Xbox Series X/S at launch.
Greak: Memories of Azur is a beautiful platformer from Team17 and Navegante Entertainment, and releases next month, with a free demo available to try out now.
The game is available for free via PS Plus for one month.
Lead designer Adam Findlay speaks with GamingBolt about the upcoming multiplayer title.
Remasters of the first two games are coming to next-gen consoles this year.
Claim them by July 16th and they yours forever.
Next week will see even more free games than usual.


text:
Rising fruit exports in the December 2016 quarter saw wholesale trade sales rise for the third quarter in a row, Statistics New Zealand said.
Seasonally adjusted total wholesale trade sales were up 0.7 percent in the December 2016 quarter, after rising 1.2 percent in the September 2016 quarter and 1.8 percent in the June 2016 quarter.
“Sales of fruit for exports were higher than usual for a December quarter,” business indicators senior manager Neil Kelly said. “The December quarter is non-peak season for fruit exports.”
When adjusted for seasonal effects, four of the six wholesaling industries rose in the December 2016 quarter.
The largest industry increase was in grocery, liquor, and tobacco products wholesaling, which was up 2.0 percent ($150 million) from the September 2016 quarter.
Fruit exports come under this category. The other industries with large sales movements were:
- Machinery and equipment – up 1.7 percent ($79 million)
- Other goods wholesaling – down 1.9 percent ($76 million)
The other goods wholesaling industry includes textile, clothing, and footwear; pharmaceutical and toiletry goods; and furniture and floor covering.
The trend for wholesale trade sales has generally been increasing since late-2009.
The actual value of wholesale trade sales was $25.9 billion in the latest quarter, almost $1 billion up (3.8 percent) from the December 2015 quarter.


text:
Huawei Reveals the Future of Mobile AI at IFA 2017
Today at IFA 2017, Huawei Consumer Business Group unveiled a new era in smartphone innovation. As part of CEO Richard Yu’s keynote address, he revealed Huawei’s vision for the future of artificial intelligence with the launch of the Kirin 970. By combining the power of the cloud with the speed and responsiveness of native AI processing, Huawei is bringing AI experiences to life and changing the way we interact with our devices.
“As we look to the future of smartphones, we’re at the threshold of an exciting new era,” said Richard Yu, CEO of Huawei Consumer Business Group. “Mobile AI = On-Device AI + Cloud AI. Huawei is committed to developing smart devices into intelligent devices by building end-to-end capabilities that support coordinated development of chips, devices, and the cloud. The ultimate goal is to provide a significantly better user experience. The Kirin 970 is the first in a series of new advances that will bring powerful AI features to our devices and take them beyond the competition.”
After years of development, Cloud AI has seen broad application, but user experience still has room for improvement, including latency, stability, and privacy. Cloud AI and On-Device AI can complement each other. On-Device AI offers strong sensing capabilities, which are the foundation of understanding and assisting people. Sensors produce a large amount of real-time, scenario-specific, and personalized data. Supported by strong chip processing capabilities, devices will become more cognitive of user needs, providing truly personalized and readily accessible services.
Kirin 970 is powered by an 8-core CPU and a new generation 12-core GPU. Built using a 10nm advanced process, the chipset packs 5.5 billion transistors into an area of only one cm². Huawei’s new flagship Kirin 970 is Huawei’s first mobile AI computing platform featuring a dedicated Neural Processing Unit (NPU). Compared to a quad-core Cortex-A73 CPU cluster, the Kirin 970's new heterogeneous computing architecture delivers up to 25x the performance with 50x greater efficiency. Simply put, the Kirin 970 can perform the same AI computing tasks faster and with far less power. In a benchmark image recognition test, the Kirin 970 processed 2,000 images per minute, which was faster than other chips on the market.
About Huawei Consumer BG
Huawei’s products and services are available in more than 170 countries, and are used by a third of the world’s population, ranking third in the world in mobile phone shipments in 2015. Fifteen R&D centers have been set up in the United States, Germany, Sweden, Russia, India and China. For more information, visit: consumer.huawei.com/us .
Racepoint Global for Huawei Consumer BG
Ben Haber, 1-671-624-3200
Information om Business Wire
101 California Street, 20th Floor
CA 94111 San Francisco
Følg pressemeddelelser fra Business Wire
Skriv dig op her, og modtag pressemeddelelser på e-mail. Indtast din e-mail, klik på abonner, og følg instruktionerne i den udsendte e-mail.
Flere pressemeddelelser fra Business Wire
ZEPHYRTEL18.12.2018 11:19 | Pressemeddelelse
ZT Acquires Both Mobile & IoT Messaging and Interact Business Units From NewNet
ACCELSTOR18.12.2018 11:02 | Pressemeddelelse
AccelStor Renews License Agreement with Login VSI
AMMERAAL-BELTECH18.12.2018 10:02 | Pressemeddelelse
Ammeraal Beltech and Megadyne Group Announce Their New Merged Name
MOODY’S-ANALYTICS18.12.2018 09:32 | Pressemeddelelse
Belfius Selects Moody’s Analytics IFRS 17 Solution
SEOUL-SEMICONDUCTOR18.12.2018 09:02 | Pressemeddelelse
Seoul Semiconductor Obtained Permanent Injunction against Everlight’s LED Products and Recall of Such Products from German Court
NTT-COMM/CA-RAGINGWIRE18.12.2018 01:02 | Pressemeddelelse
RagingWire Develops New Santa Clara SV1 Data Center in the Heart of Silicon Valley
I vores nyhedsrum kan du læse alle vores pressemeddelelser, tilgå materiale i form af billeder og dokumenter samt finde vores kontaktoplysninger.Besøg vores nyhedsrum


text:
The UK Gambling Commission has announced that it will be holding a twelve-week consultation to investigate the use of credit cards by online gamblers. The consultation will begin in mid-August.
The idea that betting with credit cards could be banned in the UK was first put out by the UK GC in February 2019 when the commission began bringing evidence together around how and why gambling customers use credit cards. Whilst an outright ban could work to reduce problems with debt brought about by gambling, the commission is looking into ways in which gamblers could get around any ban and what should be done to mitigate this.
The UK GC says it will approach both the public and all gambling industry stakeholders during the consultation to gain further information on the following areas:
Alternative Forms of Borrowing– A ban on the use of credit cards may simply push gamblers into sourcing other forms of credit to enable them to continue you playing, like loans and overdrafts. The UKGC wants to make sure that the industry can work with financial bodies to ensure that gamblers are protected from racking up extensive debt from other borrowed money.
eWallets – A natural work around for anyone wishing to gamble with credit card funds after a ban would be to use an eWallet solution like Paypal. Here the player could simply fund their Paypal account using a credit card and then fund their casino account from Paypal. The UKGC wants to look at ways in which eWallet providers could support future regulation.
Further Evidence – In general the UKGC is seeking further information about why gamblers are using credit cards to gamble, and what benefits credit cards provide. Included in this part of the consultation would be an effort to understand how a ban would harm those who do not have a gambling problem or a risk of one.
Speaking ahead of the consultation period, the Executive Director at the Gambling Commission, Paul Hope, said: “Gambling with borrowed money is known to be a risk factor for consumers, so we think there is a need for action. This consultation will help us decide what that action should be.”
Credit Card Ban Announced in January to Come into Force in April
The Gambling Commission announced the ban on credit card use in January 2020. The announcement prevents online gambling businesses from allowing players in Great Britain to use any credit cards for gambling once the ban comes into full effect in April 2020.
The move to ban the use of credit cards to fund online gambling is seen by most in the financial sector as positive, although some see it as overrated due to several other payment methods that are more popular. Gambling experts believe the impact to be nominal since cards used for online and mobile gambling are not predominantly credit cards.
The ban on credit cards will make a difference in terms of preventing gambling via credit. It ends the use of a payment method that makes it possible to gamble with money players don’t own. Often the first indicator of problem gambling, financial challenges include maxed out credit cards, overdue or late payment of bills, and constantly borrowing money or selling personal belongings.
Although most players simply diverted to alternative payment solutions such as e-wallets, bank transfers, debit cards, and prepaid vouchers. A positive move in terms of security and safety, since most alternative payment methods steer clear of sharing sensitive information online.
Credit Card Gambling Ban Seen As A Positive Step
One of the first to welcome the credit card ban was Gamblers Anonymous, sharing that members claimed that they would never have run into huge debt if not for easy access to credit via credit cards. The ban on all gambling via credit cards does not affect the National Lottery.
Ireland Bans Whistle-to-Whistle Advertising and Credit Card Betting
Ireland followed and banned credit card betting as well as advertising gambling services during live sports. The ban on whistle-to-whistle advertising and credit cards is part of the Code of Practice focused on safer gambling outlining a comprehensive set of operator commitments across numerous player protection measures.
Germany Bans Use of Credit Cards to Gamble
German gambling enthusiasts are no longer allowed to use credit cards to fund their gambling accounts or to cash out funds. Since the ban in 2020, online casinos offering services to players from Germany are prohibited from facilitating transactions through Visa and Mastercard credit cards. This includes the removal of all references to credit cards as a payment method from betting platforms and sites.
New Sites Welcome Ban Contributing to the Well-Being of Gamblers
The benefits of a refreshing new era in online gambling are most visible at new slot sites concentrating on the well-being of all players. A fun and enjoyable experience is the centre of attention, which confirms emphasis on safety, security, fair gaming, and the effective use of prevention and protection tools.
Popular alternative payment methods include Trustly, highly popular due to the ease of use allowing payment to flow from one account to the other. No app download, no registration, and no cards. Trustly’s Pay N Play option combines the registration and deposit option, while the payment service provider assists online gambling operators to fulfill all KYC requirements.
PaySafeCard remains a favourite and provides the safest means to fund online casinos and betting accounts in the easiest way. PaySafeCard casinos provide players from the UK with a way to claim the best welcome bonuses and enjoy the latest slot released via a prepaid voucher.
The main payment methods and new online slot sites share a common goal, the key to enjoying the ultimate online experience is staying in control and playing responsibly. Find a list of the best new slot sites in 2022 licenses by the UKGC at TheSlotBuzz.


text:
Google Music Undergoing In-House Testing; When Will It Get Here?
Earlier this month we saw how the Honeycomb music app let users store their MP3 collections on Google’s servers and stream those libraries remotely, a key component of the long-awaited Google Music. The other part of a complete Google Music service would be a storefront, letting you download new music and add it to your streaming collection. While still not officially available yet, Google employees are reportedly testing the system internally, making us hopeful that Google Music will officially launch in the next few months.
The holdup for getting the music store component of Google Music going is reportedly those pesky record labels. Google needs everyone on board for it to offer a selection of tracks that rivals Apple’s with iTunes. Those licenses would presumably also cover the legal issues involved with storing user-submitted tracks on the company’s servers.
People familiar with the testing have reported that what we saw with the Honeycomb app isn’t necessarily how Google Music will end up working, though it does reflect the current state of the service. It looks like Google still has a lot of work to go, especially on the storefront side of things, but the forthcoming introduction of in-app purchasing may signal that even the storefront is starting to come together.


text:
Those interested in helping the economy by better managing their resources can do it in a few relatively laborless strokes, two organizations say, by setting up direct deposits for receiving and making payments, getting their account statements electronically and paying bills online.
The 2009 PayitGreen Alliance, a coalition of financial services companies coordinated by NACHA-The Electronic Payments Association, estimates that if every American who has access to direct deposit (an estimated 122.5 million people) used it, that would annually:
• Save 11 million pounds of paper.
• Avoid the release of 105.7 million gallons of wastewater.
• Save 4.1 million gallons of gas.
• Avoid the release of 31.6 million pounds of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
It would result in the equivalent of:
• 112.3 million miles not driven.
• 1.3 million trees planted (and grown for 10 years).
• 13.7 million square feet of forest preserved.
The environmental/financial impact information is offered before the start of April, which is considered Earth Month. May is Direct Deposit Month. NACHA is an 11,000-member, Herndon, Va.-based not-for-profit association that oversees the Automated Clearing House Network.
According to information provided by the organization, having one U.S. employee who is paid twice each month use direct deposit instead of hard-copy checks for payroll:
• Saves 1 pound of paper.
• Eliminates the release of 4 gallons of wastewater.
• Eliminates the release of 1 pound of greenhouse gases (equivalent to not driving four miles and half a square foot of forest preserved for 10 years).
• Saves a business $176.55.
Businesses can get an estimate of their specific payroll savings by using a Direct Deposit Cost Calculator, available at ElectronicPayments.org. More on the PayitGreen Alliance can be found at PayitGreen.org.


text:
General Motors may have to reconsider the way it measures and enforces dealership sales effectiveness in the nation's largest vehicle market after a ruling that the company's system violates a state law.
California's New Motor Vehicle Board ruled Aug. 13 against GM's use of a benchmark called the retail sales index as grounds to terminate the franchise agreement of Folsom Chevrolet, a Sacramento-area dealership owned by Marshal Crossan.
The decision capped a long-running battle between Folsom and GM, which had concluded that Folsom failed to meet sales expectations and sought to revoke its franchise in late 2016.
Attorneys representing Folsom Chevrolet argued that GM's reliance on RSI was a violation because it failed to account for various market conditions, including brand preference, geography and demographics.
The decision follows a similar case in New York, where the state's highest court ruled in 2016, on similar grounds, that GM violated state law by trying to cancel a Chevy dealer's franchise for subpar RSI.
The California ruling could have implications for franchised dealerships across the country, according to California law firm Scali Rasmussen, which represented Folsom.
"This outcome provides not only a shield as used in this case, but potentially a sword for recovery of damages caused by GM's application of the faulty metric," said Christian Scali, managing partner of the firm, in a statement.
No plans for change
The board's decision doesn't order GM to change its process, as its rulings are handled case by case. But Halbert Rasmussen, a partner of the Scali firm, noted that the board's decision cited GM's use of RSI as a violation of California law "not only in this case, but generally."
"That is going to cause GM to have to ask themselves, 'What are we going to do in California?' And I don't know the answer to that," he told Automotive News. "They may decide that they'll roll out some sort of modification. They might decide to appeal."
Jim Cain, a GM spokesman, said the company "strongly disagrees" with the board's decision and that it has no plans to revise its RSI calculation for California dealers.
"The Retail Sales Index as currently calculated in California and elsewhere is one of multiple metrics and other sources of information considered by GM in evaluating its dealers' compliance with their obligations," he said in an emailed statement.
Cain said a decision on whether to appeal would come later.
The 2016 New York case, involving Beck Chevrolet in Yonkers, prompted GM to review its policies in the state. While it continued to use RSI to measure dealer performance, it said at the time that it wouldn't use it to assess compliance with franchise agreements, a change that the regional dealer association called "a pivotal moment for New York dealers."
The New York case was cited in the California board's decision. Rasmussen said the case was "not critical but helpful in shaping the board's understanding."
Rasmussen said California's statute is more detailed than New York's, specifying the criteria for evaluating whether a performance standard is reasonable under the law.
Widely used metric
RSI measures dealers' retail sales performance against a statewide average. Other automakers use essentially the same metric to determine whether dealerships are in compliance with their franchise agreements.
GM sets the sales target for individual Chevy dealerships by applying the brand's market share in the state for each vehicle segment against competing brands registered in each dealership's territory.
A store's RSI is its retail sales as a percentage of that target. If GM expects a dealer to sell 100 vehicles, but it sells only 50, its RSI score is 50.
Folsom Chevrolet, according to the ruling, ranked near the bottom of the state's Chevrolet dealers in RSI before GM gave notice to terminate the franchise in November 2016.
In 2013, its RSI was 40.9 — ranking 129th of 133 Chevy dealers in California; in 2014, it was 44.4, No. 124 of 128. The store raised its RSI to 57.1 in 2015, and its rank climbed to 115th of 131. But the rating fell again during the first half of 2016 to 56.55.
Folsom argued that its retail sales were hurt by construction at the store during some of the period and that GM's RSI calculation didn't account for Folsom's successful fleet business, of which the state took note.
The fleet sales were "a big, big bone of contention," Rasmussen said.
GM also cited the dealership's customer satisfaction index scores as cause for termination. But the board said the below-par CSI score didn't constitute a violation of the dealership's contractual obligations.
You can reach Michael Wayland at -- Follow Michael on Twitter: @MikeWayland


text:
It has taken some time, but Google Assistant is finally coming to the Sonos speakers. Two of them, anyway.
If you like your Sonos system, but have been less enamoured with Sonos’ decision to support Amazon Alexa from the get-go as the smart assistant choice, change is coming.
Or rather, choice is coming.
Sonos has this week announced that in July, Australians with a select handful of speakers will receive a long-awaited update to activate Google Assistant as the default assistant on its speakers.
That means you’ll be able to command Google to control your house-wide sound and other things using your Sonos. This includes connecting to the Google Assistant for smart home devices, such as talking to Philips Hue lights and other Assistant-enabled devices, such as security cameras, too.
While music services are a part of what’s offered, controlling music services directly will mean the ability to skip songs, raise and lower the volume, and pause and play music, supporting Spotify, YouTube Music, Google Play Music, TuneIn, iHeartRadio, Deezer, and Tidal, though Apple Music hasn’t been earmarked for support yet.
Perhaps the most interesting aspect of Sonos’ rollout, however, is that it can work not just as the default assistant, but alongside. You can use “Hey Google” or “OK Google” one thing on the Sonos system, and then “Hey Alexa” something else.
“We value freedom of choice, empowering listeners to choose what they want to listen to and how they want to control it,” said Patrick Spence, CEO of Sonos. “Adding voice, now with the Google Assistant, has made that control even easier.”
“We partnered with Google to build this integration from the ground up, layering in the best of the Google Assistant into the Sonos ecosystem of products and partners. Today we’re the first company to have two voice assistants working concurrently on the same system, a major milestone for the industry,” he said.
“We imagine a day where we’ll have multiple voice assistants operating concurrently on the same device, and we’re committed to making that happen as soon as possible.”
Sonos’ dual assistant technology is rolling out this week in America, while Australians will see it from July onwards, alongside the UK, Germany, France, Netherlands, and Canada, and after that, it’ll eventually come to other countries, as well.
Oh, and the speakers that you need? If you have a Sonos system, you’ll want to make sure you have either a Sonos Beam or a Sonos One to control the speaker, as these are the only models that sport a capable enough microphone to handle what’s being said.
Now we just need Google Assistant to play nicely with the rest of the system, because then Google speakers could talk to Sonos, too.


text:
Prime Day: huge Advantages for Brands
Prime Day is the key event and the most important period for brands that want to intercept a huge volume of audiences.
Amazon has announced that the event will be in July, a month ahead of 2021; this year all the big events such as Prime Day, Black Friday and the Christmas season will be in the second half of the year.
The exact date came out recently, revealed by amazon to the industry people, to be able to get to the date with assets and strategies ready to be activated.
In kiliagon, we have helped many brands to face the prime day across all marketplaces and on different product categories; we have developed a refined practice and strategic method with years of experience behind us, to be ready when a Prime Day occurs.
We have identified five long-term advantages, that show how participating in Prime Day is a great idea, not a cost but a great opportunity for brands, to consolidate and expand the sales on the channel.
The growth of Lifetime Value
When a brand drastically increases the number of sales and the number of consumers, in a short time it can go to work on an audience that will go again to buy the product; working on audience trust and customer loyalty there will be purchases even after the prime day and in the long term.
The growth of organic ranking
The growth of sales in a short period but substantial, gives the possibility of growing the organic ranking: the amazon algorithm in fact, that factor that affects the positioning in the search ranking, sees very favorably the growth of sales during a short period; in this way the Brand manages to gain a competitive advantage of the category ranking; therefore the ratio between sales made by advertising compared to organic ones has a shift towards the latter.
One of the objectives for a brand that works on amazon is to increase the marketshare: participating in the prime day you can also positively impact the market share compared to the brands that do not participate. Earning points in market share during Prime Day also gives you the opportunity to have a number of competitive advantages throughout the year.
Growth of Brand Awareness
By exposing the Brand and products to a greater number of potential consumers, even those who do not buy generate memorability, which the Brand will be able to use during the long-term amazon strategy.
By participating in Prime Day, brands ensure protection to the position that the product has reached; by not entering Prime Day, it is highly likely to lose points compared to the brands that participate.
Surely Prime Day must be prepared with a study and a specific strategy that is included in a more long-term strategy; the biggest opportunity it offers is the increase in sales. On Amazon it is good to remember, however, that everything is interconnected; it is necessary to take into account the budget and selection of products, marketing strategy and operations; poorly preparing one of these points all the strategic structure falls.
It is therefore good to rely on experts who help prepare a strategy not only ad hoc for Peak Season events such as Prime Day, but that also brings results throughout the year.


text:
Check your mobile bill for sneaky extras: Orange charged me £200 for something called 'TV subs' and won't cancel it'
- Natalie Pearl has been charged £8.99 p/m since January 2013
- Requests for Orange to cancel service she has never used fell on deaf ears
- This is Money urges users to check phone bills for sneaky useless extras
Orange struggle: Despite trying to cancel 'TV subs' from her account for months, the mobile operator kept on charging Natalie Pearl £8.99 a month
This is Money is urging Orange customers to check their mobile phone bill after a glut of readers contacted us about sneaky extra charges for services they never knowingly downloaded or used.
Natalie Pearl, a 31 year-old nutrition student from Southend-on-Sea, Essex, has been charged £8.99 a month by the mobile giant since the start of last year.
She has tried numerous times over the past few months to cancel a service labelled 'TV subs' on her bill by calling Orange and visiting her local EE store. EE is the parent company of Orange.
Natalie has been told the charge is for a monthly Sky News mobile subscription. However, Natalie says she has never had Sky and rarely uses data on her handset.
Despite promises of having this service removed on separate occasions, it still appears on her bill.
So far, it means Natalie has been charged more than £200 for a subscription she has never used.
Dozens of other readers have also been in touch to complain about the 'TV subs' add-on. They report troubles cancelling the service and battles to get refunds.
An Orange spokesman couldn't confirm how many customers are signed up for TV subs or how many actually actively use the service.
The spokesman said: 'TV subs on a bill refer to Orange's subscription mobile TV services. These can only be activated by the customer actively agreeing to the terms and conditions of use within the app on their device, and this cost is itemised on all bills.'
Orange customers contacted This is Money after we reported in February 2013 a £4.16 a month charge being added for TV subs by Orange.
Sneaky charge: I too had TV subs on my bill from Orange - and wrote about it in February 2013
As in Natalie's case, the user missed details of the charge when they agreed to the terms and conditions for the Orange smartphone app.
After looking into Natalie's case, the Orange spokesman added: 'We have apologised to Miss Pearl after she was not given the correct information about updating her subscriptions.
'We have refunded her in full and offered a gesture of goodwill.'
In an e-mail sent to Natalie after This is Money contacted Orange, the mobile giant admitted its mistakes on how it has handled her TV subs fiasco.
Under fire: Dozens of readers have been in touch about the sneaky charge. Pictured, an EE store, part of joint venture between Orange and T-Mobile
It said: 'I can see that in February 2013 you called to dispute this charge and you were informed you have been unsubscribed and a refund had been done.
'Unfortunately we cannot do this our end as it must be unsubscribed via the handset. This will be raised as a training issue with that advisor.'
Because of the incorrect information initially provided, it has decided to refund Natalie £206.77 as a credit in the New Year. This is 23 months worth of TV subs.
Orange customers are advised to check bills for this charge and contact Orange if they have been charged.
Most watched Money videos
- Renault reinvent The Lollipop Man to test for air pollution
- Capabilities of Mini Urbanaut demonstrated in promo clip
- The Shelby SuperCar Tuatara is the world's fastest road car
- Bugatti shows off its new Bolide track car in impressive footage
- Kar-go Delivery Bot: UK's first autonomous electric delivery vehicle
- UK's first autonomous electric delivery vehicle revealed
- Torsus Praetorian: The 4x4 all-terrain off-road bus
- SF90 Spider: Ferrari's first hybrid-powered convertible supercar
- Ford unveils an electric transit van with a 217-mile range
- An introduction to the online pensions dashboards
- How will stock markets handle a second wave of lockdowns?
- Land Rover Defender 90 in the British woodlands


text:
Shoppers in France can use AR app to find out information on where their rice has come from
Rice brand Uncle Ben's has enlisted the help of augmented reality (AR) technology to help improve the traceability of its supply chain. The Mars Food-owned brand has teamed up with AR app Blippar to...
Three-year trial led by wave energy specialist CorPower Ocean helps to drive technology cost and carbon savings
Two firms offer free household collection service for plastic bottle lids to combat global shortage of hand sanitiser dispensers
Demonstration plant to open next year for lab-engineered enzyme researchers claim can break down 90 per cent of PET plastic in 10 hours
The future we create for our society and our planet will depend on agile, compassionate leadership, argues Eliot Whittington, director of the Corporate Leaders Groups


text:
Glashütte Original presents a 25-piece limited edition PanoLunarTourbillon with a hand-engraved dial, flying tourbillon and skeletonized hands.
Net-a-Porter and Mr Porter launch strategic partnership and customer campaign with Watches & Wonders
Net-a-Porter and Mr Porter are pleased to partner, as the privileged multi-brand online retailers of Watches & Wonders, a global concept that celebrates watchmaking excellence throughout the world. Hosting digital and offline events, this concept will bring some of the industry’s most revered luxury watch brands to Net-a-Porter and Mr Porter’s extensive customer base, starting from September 28.
The three big auctions held on November 13th and 14th struck a chord with collectors and admirers of fine watches all over the world. At the end of the two days, Christie's confirmed its dominant position with a total CHF 26 million. Patek Philippe is still the most coveted name, followed by Rolex.
At 44, Antonio Calce has taken a stake in the capital of Montres Corum Sàrl which has been under his stewardship since 2007. This is a strong signal for the markets as the Swiss watch sector prepares to face important industrial challenges. The young CEO talks about why he decided to become a shareholder, and gives his expert view of where the branch is heading. (Part 2)
For the 125th anniversary of the Poinçon de Genève, Timelab, the Geneva-based laboratory of horology and microengineering in charge of the hallmark, announced the new criteria that will make this standard of excellence even more demanding.
The exhibition which the Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie organised in Moscow, in the splendid surroundings of the Kremlin, proved a tremendous success. This isn't the first time an exhibition of watches has drawn in the crowds. Indeed, more and more exhibitions tour the world with the most beautiful, most precious timepieces, joining those which the Manufactures themselves organise so as to bring their legacy further into the public eye.
Blancpain proved watchmaking still has ample room for superlatives when it presented the X Fathoms, its new dive watch and worthy successor to the legendary Fifty Fathoms. The launch took place among the 30,000 fish and 400 sharks in the world's biggest aquarium, the Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo. Taking the plunge was Mark A. Hayek, CEO of Blancpain.
Jean-Daniel Pasche, President of the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry, is confident the sector is heading for a record year in 2011, after the CHF 17 million achieved in 2008.


text:
Birmingham-based retailer Floors-2-Go has collapsed into administration with the closure of 53 stores and 192 job losses.
The national chain, whose headquarters are in Newtown, was forced into insolvency after sales plummeted in recent months, said administrators Senate Recovery.
But 35 stores remain trading and 162 jobs safeguarded following a sale of part of the group to new third party owners Nixon and Hope.
The latest collapse comes three years after the chain went bust in July 2008 after a management buyout backed by venture capitalists Alchemy Partners failed following a downturn in the market.
A subsequent rescue package was put together by Robert and Richard Hodges, part of the Hodges flooring and carpeting dynasty, who bought the firm from adminstrators Kroll, saving more than 200 jobs.
But the firm has crashed again after being hit by falling sales following the recession, said administrator Ian Pankhurst of Warwick-based Senate Recovery.
Mr Pankhurst added: “There are a number of factors, including competition within the industry and increased Internet sales, but the main reason is the general downturn over the last 12 months, and a lack of disposable income from consumers.
“Sales have nosedived, particularly in the last 12 months, and the company was not able to operate at a profit.”
Mr Pankhurst said 20 of the redundancies made so far were at the group’s Newtown headquarters in Birmingham.
He was unable to give further details of the third-party sale or the scale of the liabilities which caused the administration.
Jeremy Bowden, director at Senate, said: “We have worked hard with the company, its directors, other parts of the Senate Group and an external funder to achieve this deal despite hostile economic and trading conditions. Everyone involved has worked hard to get the deal through.”
In October 2009 Floors-2-Go confirmed it was looking for up to £5 million in growth capital to fund an expansion of the group, which had been the subject of a £52 million management buyout by Jon Moulton’s Alchemy Partners in 2006.
Robert and Richard Hodges had bought a total of 80 Floors-2-Go stores across England and Wales to run alongside their Floor My Home business.
However, the expansion plans were later left in ruins after the recession hit the high street and sent sales into freefall, precipitating the demise of the chain.


text:
By Joe Osborne From games.com
Games like Zynga's Adventure World and Vostu's GolMania sure look nice in full screen, but how about in a really full screen? That's what London, England-based PlayJam looks to make possible. The company just announced an agreement with Adobe, the creator of Flash (the most common technology behind social games), to bring Flash-based social games to Internet-connected HDTVs.
PlayJam, which works with social game developers to bring social games to HDTVs from Samsung, LG, Panasonic and Sony, will bring both 2D and 3D-based Flash games to said flat screens. "Features such as billing, leader-boards, tournaments and integration with third party social networks and TV programming can be seamlessly integrated via PlayJam's SDK," PlayJam said in a release.
The developer tools are said to release in the second quarter of 2012, so between Jan. 1 and March 31, 2012. PlayJam currently has deals with developers like Relentless--the studio behind console quiz game series Buzz--but these tools will be up for grabs from any developer. And the fact that the company just scored another $5 million funding from investors like GameStop Digital Ventures and Adobe Ventures should nudge social game makers along.
With social game makers including Zynga looking to branch off of Facebook and onto new platforms, it's easy to see a day when we could manage our metropolises in CityVille on the old 55-inch plasma. And when you consider the imminent advent of 3D graphics through Flash, thanks to Unreal, (in theory) PlayJam offers an intriguing prospect. Well, at least the potential end of click-and-drag navigation.
Subscribe to Daily Browser Games News!


text:
A resurgent global economy, led by the US, is likely to boost world trade this year, despite a series of acute disruptions to already strained supply chains, including last week’s blockade of the Suez Canal.
Polls from manufacturers around the world, released Thursday, vividly illustrated the current pressures on global supply chains that supply consumers with everything from computers to garden chairs.
In these surveys, factories found an almost universal complaint: It is becoming increasingly difficult and expensive to procure enough raw materials and other supplies to meet increasing customer demand. Some manufacturers are reporting record export orders.
However, there has been little evidence that the trade-driven revival in factory production that began in mid-2020 is coming to an end.
The global pent-up demand after a year of Covid-19 restrictions was so high that shippers are running out of containers for shipping goods by sea. Despite these bottlenecks, the World Trade Organization expects cross-border flows of goods to increase by 8% this year, more than reversing the 5.3% decline in 2020 when the pandemic hit factory production and shipping.


text:
Sanoma, a division of SanomaWSOY Group, has divested the operations of its newspaper delivery company Leijonajakelu Oy to Finland Post Corporation. Leijonajakelu is responsible for the early morning delivery of newspapers in Southern Finland and the national morning distribution of Helsingin Sanomat and Taloussanomat.
With the divestment, Sanoma aims to secure the quality of early morning delivery, which is an important strength of Finnish newspapers. Selling the delivery operations to the Finland's leading messaging and logistics company improves the possibility to develop the quality and efficiency of Leijonajakelu. Sanoma will continue close cooperation with Leijonajakelu.
The arrangement will not decrease the number of employees in Leijonajakelu. The employees will transfer to the service of Finland Post retaining their existing employment benefits. Mr. Ismo Heikkonen will continue as Managing Director of Leijonajakelu.
The net sales at Leijonajakelu amounted to EUR 69.7 million in 2002, and the company employs some 1,800 distribution operatives and 100 other employees.
The divestment is subject to the approval of the competition authorities.
Sanoma and Finland Post will arrange a press conference in Finnish at 2 p.m. Finnish time in Sanoma House, Töölönlahdenkatu 2, in Helsinki.
For additional information: Mr. Pekka Soini, Chairman of the Board, Leijonajakelu (tel. +358 9 122 3260) and
Mr. Juha Salovaara, Vice President, Finland Post Corporation, Messaging (tel. +358 20 451 4647)
Investor Relations and Group Communications


text:
The drone market has experienced strong growth in recent years. As both hobbyist and professional users alike take great interest in exploring the capabilities these devices have to offer, this growth is set to continue over the long-term, with a huge 76,000 drones projected to be flying the UK skies by 2030, according to Skies without Limits, a 2018 report from PricewaterhouseCoopers. As drones continue to evolve and reach new heights that humans cannot, we...
PARDON THE INTERRUPTION
Publication Archives channel
Every digital replica of the industries leading publication RotorDrone Pro magazine starting 90 days since the last issue going back several decades. Beautifully rendered in a magazine style experience. You can search across all titles or just within an issue. Issues become available 90 days after publication.


text:
Economy of Pakistan In 2019, exports of agricultural products of Pakistan was worth 5.05 billion U.S. dollars. For 2020, exports of goods with a value was around 21.98 billion U.S.
As per the issued valuation ruling No. 1519, by the Customs department, the import tax on computers and laptops has been increased up to 40%. The details of the tax
In 2020 the global camel meat market announced Pakistan to be the top exporter of camel meat of the year. Ismail Suttar, the president of the Employers Federation of Pakistan,
Pakistan Pharmaceutical Association is going to host its first export summit on September 29th at Serena Islamabad. The event is going to be addressed and hosted by Abdul Razak Dawood,


text:
Earlier today, the Czech site Samsung Mania published what they claimed were leaked renders of a new controller for the Samsung Gear VR headset. The accessory would be made by Samsung's partner Oculus and would feature one analog stick, four face buttons, two bumpers, a "home" button, and a button for pairing the device via Bluetooth. The most notable feature is that while the Gear VR isn't in use, you could snap it into the space your phone usually fits, making the whole package self-contained.
Oculus has declined to comment on the alleged leaks. The images have unclear sourcing, and the only additional details in the written article are that it weighs 300 grams and should be coming "soon." The gaming fanbase loves trying to trick people with incredibly elaborate fake products, so the red flags are more vivid than usual. That said, input is the big VR battlefield right now — what you can do in virtual reality will have a huge impact on what virtual reality is. And whether or not the design is from Oculus, it's still clearly a concept that someone finds compelling, and a reasonably plausible one. So let's temporarily put aside our doubts and talk about what it would mean for Samsung to release a controller like this in the next several months.
Samsung would be hedging its bets on Daydream...
One of the big questions about Google's new Daydream VR platform is what Samsung — the world's largest Android phone maker — will do with its existing headset once Google bakes VR into Android. We already know Samsung is making a Daydream-compatible phone. But if it's releasing a controller that's substantially different from Daydream's, then it's still investing in the Gear VR as a separate product, and one that could split up the mobile VR ecosystem.
...but maybe not very much.
Here's the weirdest element of this leak: it suggests that Samsung is either releasing a new headset alongside the controller, or planning to keep the old headset around for quite a while. The next Gear VR (if there is one) is widely expected to have phones clip in via a new USB-C connector, instead of the current Micro USB. It would be hard to sell people on a controller that would become obsolete in a few months, and if it's packaged with a new headset, it's a little odd to not include that in what are supposedly private, internal renderings of a product that's coming "soon." Conversely, if Samsung just wants to keep the old Gear VR around, it will have to either keep its phones on Micro USB for another generation, or relegate the Gear VR to a last-generation product.
(Yes, you could theoretically make a cross-compatible device by just making the port a big, empty hole. Not only is that incredibly convoluted, Samsung didn't bother making the current Gear VR work with older phones, so I'm not sure why it would care about backwards compatibility now.)
Oculus would be moving the Rift and Gear VR closer together...
This design is far closer to the Oculus Rift's Xbox One controller than Daydream's little motion-tracking remote. Oculus' biggest strength on any platform right now is its games catalog, which already includes a lot of overlap between the Rift and the Gear VR. You can play some of these games on the Gear VR by buying a third-party Bluetooth controller, but that's an inconvenient extra step. Making it easier for developers to simultaneously build for the Rift and the Gear VR could help keep them on board with Oculus — and by extension, the Gear VR — instead of building games that require Daydream's radically different interface. Theoretically, you could even get the best of both worlds but putting some Daydream-style motion sensors inside the case.
...but not very well.
I'll be honest: if this is a close representation of a product that Oculus is about to unveil, it's a little off its game. Given how much work the Rift's industrial designers put into perfecting every single line and texture on the headset, this design is clunky, with way too much blank space around the controls. Even if it included motion sensors, it would be difficult to use as a Daydream-like remote. And while it looks like a gamepad, it's too stripped-down to directly support Xbox controls, while retaining all the features that make gamepads inaccessible to non-console gamers — like the four identical buttons with labels you can't see in VR.
So what's going on?
Well, last time we got some (incontrovertibly real) leaked Oculus images, they turned out to be early concept renders of the Rift. If these are real Oculus or Samsung designs, they look like something that was mocked up during development of last year's consumer Gear VR but ultimately scrapped, like the front-facing camera on those Rift renders.
Of course, that doesn't mean that a similar product might not be coming. After all, the Rift images also gave us our first look at the Oculus Remote, an accessory nearly identical to its leaked version. And Samsung filed a patent for a somewhat similar gamepad last year.
If Samsung is keeping the Gear VR as a separate, non-Daydream headset, it desperately needs a better controller, and a clip-in device of some sort is an elegant solution. But that's a big "if," and one we won't be able to judge until this fall — when Daydream becomes, well, less dreamy. The verdict on this controller is easier: please, no.


text:
Sport, especially football, often brings out the worst of the competitive spirit in its participants. What then can be expected from the first round of the Network Design five-a-side tournament, which will pitch a team from Fitch against one from exiled founder Rodney Fitch?
The week-long annual awards for creativity has announced its design awards, with top prizes going to sustainable projects.
The Glasgow design studio has attempted to modernise the craft brewery while incorporating the brand’s Scottish heritage.
Design studio SomeOne has rebranded the museum group – comprising seven venues in the Liverpool area – in an attempt to renew its focus.
The illustrator, who has four books under his belt and clients like Little Mix and Drag Race UK, talks brands during Pride, developing his style and the importance of drawing


text:
In 1988, a pint of milk cost 26p, a litre of unleaded fuel was 38p, Kylie Minogue launched her pop career with ‘I Should be so Lucky’, Who Framed Roger Rabbit was a box office smash and Dunmail Park Shopping Centre in Workington opened its doors to the public.
To celebrate its 30th anniversary, the shopping centre is inviting the local community to a party on Saturday 15th September between 11am and 3pm.
As well as a balloon modeller being in the centre, shoppers will be taking part in a game of Pass the Parcel for the chance to win some fantastic prizes.
A member of the crime-fighting quartet, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – which became a popular kids’ TV show in 1988 – will be also be meeting and greeting young shoppers.
Additionally, Dunmail Park will be giving away cinema vouchers and celebratory cupcakes, and shoppers will have the chance to compete against each other to win great prizes during a Fun Fashion Challenge, involving 1980s clothing, and an Anagram Rush searching for a hidden word.
CFM will also be in the shopping centre for the event playing 80s music, hosting fun games and giving away prizes.
At 2.30pm the final event of the day will see balloons drop in the shopping centre and Dunmail Park visitors will search for the 10 balloons that contain a golden ticket, which can be exchanged for £30.
Mr Donald Dixon, Managing Director of J Dixon & Son Ltd, owners of Dunmail Park, commented:
“We’re delighted to be inviting the local community to join us for our 30th anniversary celebrations. The free event is sure to be a fun day and we look forward to welcoming everyone along.”


text:
Honkai Star Rail Version 1.1: Exciting Updates and New Features
Honkai Star Rail, the latest gacha game offering from MiHoyo, has taken the gaming world by storm with its innovative gameplay mechanics, engaging storylines, and fascinating characters. As the successful heir to Genshin Impact, fans are eagerly waiting for the first major update in this new game. With leaks hinting at new characters and banners, gamers have a lot to look forward to in Version 1.1 of Honkai Star Rail. In this article, we dive into everything you need to know about the upcoming update.
The release date for Version 1.1 has not been officially announced yet. However, judging by MiHoyo's previous update schedules for Genshin Impact, we can expect the first major update for Honkai Star Rail within a few weeks after its initial launch. So keep an eye out for any official announcements from MiHoyo regarding the release date.
Version 1.1 is expected to introduce new banners featuring exciting characters that players can add to their roster. While details are scarce at this point, leaked information suggests that these new banners will include powerful heroes with unique abilities and skills that will enhance your gameplay experience further. Fans can't wait to get their hands on these new additions and build even stronger teams in Honkai Star Rail.
A significant aspect of any gacha game is its boss battles, and Honkai Star Rail is no exception. With Version 1.1, players can look forward to encountering a brand-new boss that will challenge their skills and strategies like never before. This formidable adversary promises thrilling combat sequences and rewarding loot upon defeat, making it an exciting addition to the game's current lineup of bosses.
One of the most anticipated features coming in Version 1.1 is a new chat system that will allow players to communicate with each other more efficiently. In-game communication is essential for team coordination during multiplayer sessions, and this new chat feature will enable players to strategize and share their experiences with fellow Honkai Star Rail enthusiasts. This social aspect of the game is expected to strengthen its community and keep players engaged for a long time.
In conclusion, Honkai Star Rail's upcoming Version 1.1 update promises to bring a lot of exciting content and features that will undoubtedly enhance the overall gaming experience for its fans. From new characters and banners to an engaging boss battle and improved in-game communication, there's plenty to look forward to in this highly anticipated update.


text:
Matalan cashes in on spending squeeze to book a sales surge despite 'challenging market'
- The retailer reported a 1.3% increase in revenue to £253.4 million
- Earnings rose from £16.2 million to £22.3 million
Budget clothing retailer Matalan has said it is 'well positioned' to cash in on Britain's slowing economy and a Brexit squeeze on consumer spending as it posted rising sales.
In Monday's trading update the firm reported a 1.3 per cent increase in revenue to £253.4 million for the 13 weeks to 27 May versus the same time period last year, driven by a 21.5 per cent increase in full price sales.
Earnings rose from £16.2 million to £22.3 million, and chief executive Jason Hargreaves noted there is a climate of uncertainty and a 'challenging market'.
Rising sales: Matalan 'well positioned' to cash in on spending squeeze
He said: 'Consumers face tough times at present. Inflation is rising and they are surrounded by economic uncertainty. In such a climate Matalan is well positioned to offer fantastic design and quality at outstanding value.'
'We don't expect the retail environment to improve in the near term, so remain cautious, but are pleased with how the business is progressing with improvements to the ranges, store estate, and strong growth in the online channel.'
His comments come as consumers see their spending power come under increasing pressure from soaring inflation triggered by the collapse of the pound following Britain's vote to leave the European Union, which has in turn had an impact on high street sales.
Recent data from research group GfK shows that consumer confidence has fallen to post-Brexit vote lows, but discount retailers tend to benefit when consumer spending comes under pressure.
Hargreaves said that ladies wear in particular has had a 'great season', and he also highlighted the growth of online and Matalan's next day click and collect service.
Most watched Money videos
- Introducing the new Ford Puma with fuel-saving powertrain technology
- Wireless charging network will be installed in Britain from 2020
- Self-driving car navigates 230 miles on the longest UK journey
- Smartphone-only bank Monzo celebrates 'big year' in 2019
- Hyundai Uber concept flying taxi shown off in promo vid
- Volkswagen unveils concept for robots to deliver chargers to cars
- Nissan unveils their new Juke SUV, the smartest Juke ever
- What will 2020 hold for investors and the UK stock market?
- Check out the greatest discounts for a new car
- How to find shares with growing dividends
- Will the Bank of England cut interest rates?
- Health Secretary: Risk of coronavirus to UK public remains low
No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards.
We are no longer accepting comments on this article.


text:
Responding to industry demand, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman today announced a slew of measures aimed at enabling India Auto Inc see a revival in growth.
The Indian government has now taken cognisance of the deepening slowdown in the automotive industry. Retail sales across all vehicle sales have seen negative growth for the past 12 months, and plunged to a new low in July 2019. The downturn which began in July 2018 and continued to impact industry adversely month on month, saw strong demand from all automotive industry stakeholders for the government to support industry with some growth-driving measures.
Responding to industry demand, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman today announced a slew of measures aimed at enabling India Auto Inc see a revival in growth. However, the much-demanded reduction in GST from the existing 28 percent to 18 percent saw no mention. Nonetheless, the policies announced will offer much relief to a beleagured domestic industry and also uplift consumer and market sentiment. What's more, these measures coming a week before the festive season kicks in will help consumers advance their purchase decisions and set off a cycle of growth, something industry has been awaiting for long.
The various measures announced by the government include BS IV vehicles purchased till March 2020 to be valid for their complete period of registration. The proposed increase in one-time registration fees on vehicles has been deferred till June 2020. Further, the government has called for an additional 15 percent depreciation on all vehicles purchased till March 31, 2020, effectively making depreciation on new vehicles to 30 percent.
ICE vehicles and EVs to co-exist, scrappage policy coming
Addressing the concerns among the automakers the finance minister today clarified that the government will not ban sale of Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles, and both ICE and electric vehicles (EVs) will co-exist. She said that the government's focus is to support on setting up of infrastructure for development of ancillaries and components including batteries for export.
The government has also said that it will soon be rolling out the much-anticipated vehicle scrappage policy, which will motivate users to get rid of their old polluting vehicles. In addition, the centre has asked government departments to replace their old vehicle fleet, which may see some growth momentum for automakers in the country.
It may be noted that the country's central bank the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) had reduced repo rate (the rate at which the banks get loan from RBI) for the fourth time in a row, with the last revision on August 7, 2019 witnessing a unprecedented 35-basis point reduction. This may not have yet translated to auto loans getting cheaper but today the Finance Minister asked banks to pass on the rate cuts announced by RBI to customers. In fact, the finance minister said banks will soon launch loans linked to the repo-rate.
An inter-ministerial Task Force is being formed by Department of Economic Affairs to finalise the pipeline of infrastructure projects. The initiative is expected to boost growth and creation of jobs. The government says it will spend around Rs 100 lakh crore over next five years for developing modern infrastructure. This humoungous expenditure by the government on infrastructure will translate into a good portion reaching the medium and heavy commercial vehicle (M&HCV) industry, which is seen as the barometer of the economy.
SIAM welcomes FM's growth-driving measures
Apex industry body SIAM, which has been calling for a growth revival measures since long, has welcomed the steps announced by the central government. Commenting on the measures, Rajan Wadhera, President, SIAM, said: “SIAM is thankful to the Finance Minister, Ms Nirmala Sitharaman, for addressing the difficulties of the automotive sector by announcing specific measures to boost demand. The industry highly appreciates that the FM has responded with a package of measures within two weeks of its consultation with the industry.”
“Affordability and availability of retail finance as well as finance for dealers was a major concern for the industry and the announcement today have adequately addressed concerns on both the fronts. The release of Rs 70,000 crore for PSU banks recapitalisation and Rs 20,000 crore for National Housing Bank will give banks and NBFCs enhanced liquidity in the system. Moreover, the linking of repo rate to interest rates charged for vehicle purchase would support lowering of EMIs for auto purchases, thereby boosting demand.”
“The removal of ban on purchase of vehicles by Government department and 15% higher depreciation for all types of vehicles purchased before 30th March 2020 should also give a definite boost to vehicle demand in the short term, especially vehicles meant for commercial use. The deferment in revision of one-time registration fee until June 2020 is also a very positive step as the industry was reeling under the pressure of price increases and higher registration fee would have further impacted demand negatively.”
“SIAM also welcomes the assurance that a Vehicle Scrappage Policy will be announced soon. Industry is already in the process of establishing scrapping infrastructure in various parts of the country and the announcement of such a policy will certainly give a boost to large investments in this area. The industry will keenly await the release of the detailed policy as it would remove old and polluting vehicles from the road as well as support incremental demand generation.”
“Industry is grateful for the FM’s clarification that both EVs and ICE vehicles will continue to be registered in future also. Further, the clear message by Finance Minister that BS IV vehicles that are purchased till 31 March 2020 will all remain operational for their entire period of registration has cleared the air on this subject and consumers will no longer hesitate to purchase BS IV vehicles.”
Ending his statement on an optimistic note, Wadhera said that the move to lower the vehicle transaction cost will be a very significant step and industry will await the next announcement of the Finance Minister on the GST reduction, after GST Council meeting.
Captains of industry laud measures to revive India Auto Inc
Anand Mahindra, chairman, Mahindra Group, tweeted: “I applaud the methodical approach of ‘bucketing’ key drivers of the economy & administering a healthy dose of 1st-aid to each. I’m naturally enthused that the Auto industry was recognised as a major growth generator & given a bucket of its own!"
Venu Srinivasan, Chairman, TVS Motor Company: “These measures will provide the immediate relief that the industry was seeking. The promptness of this government’s response is reassuring for not just industry, but for the common man as well because it’s putting liquidity into the market and easing the squeeze on the small and medium sector. While there are indications of a global slowdown, this government has demonstrated its resolve to mitigate the impact of that in India through these measures. This is the stability and proactiveness that industry wants.”
Dr Pawan Goenka, MD, Mahindra & Mahindra, said: Announcements today by the FM Nirmala Sitharaman are a big sentiment booster. For auto the financing woes are fully addressed, I believe. Many other indirect demand boosters. With this and “more to come”, we hope to see a good festive demand."
Guenter Butschek, CEO & MD, Tata Motors: “Tata Motors welcomes the comprehensive set of actions laid out by the government and believes measures to improve liquidity, drive growth and reduce cost of ownership of the vehicles, should help the industry get back on track. We thank the government for hearing the concerns of the industry empathetically and doing their best under current conditions."
Vinnie Mehta, director general, ACMA, in a tweet thanked the finance minister for "measures to infuse liquidity, fast track GST refunds for MSMEs, expedite capital availability for infrastructure projects n sustaining automotive demand."
Vikram Kasbekar, executive director - Operations (Plants) and CTO, Hero MotoCorp: “We welcome the measures announced by the Finance Minister today, to improve liquidity, increase ease of lending and transmission of rate reduction to the ultimate borrower. The announcements specific to the automotive sector provide clarity and positivity to both OEMs and customers. However, we would reiterate our request that two-wheelers, which are neither luxury nor ‘sin’ goods, require a reduction in the rate of GST from 28 to 18%. This will help boost demand immediately, leading to an even more positive impact. We hope this will be addressed in the next round of measures.”
Nagesh Basavanhalli, MD and CEO, Greaves Cotton: “The slew of measures announced by the government is a timely step and it will provide the much-needed boost to revive the automobile and allied sectors. Relaxation on usage of old BS IV vehicles, equal impetus to ICE, EV growth, bank recapitalization and passage of repo rate benefit to customers will improve the market sentiment. Time- bound credit of GST refunds and streamlining of norms will help growth. We will start seeing the positive impact on the automobile industry.”
Martin Schwenk, MD & CEO, Mercedes-Benz India, said: “We welcome the firm measures announced by the Finance Minister today. The host of positive measures announced has given the much required boost to the auto sector and also sets a clear roadmap. We are confident that these measures once implemented, will support growth and drive demand for the auto sector.”
Rahil Ansari, Head - Audi India: “We highly appreciate the approach of the government and the support with regard to the automotive industry. Now it is up to the banks and NBFCs to deliver the trust and benefit given. We are confident that the ease of access on loans to consumers will also be improved by banks. Independent of this, we have had and will continue to have strong in-house financing that customers can continuously rely on. Additionally, the clarity on BS-IV vehicles and decision to support all fuels will remove the confusion that customers are facing. We have always maintained that luxury is not a sin and are thus enthused by the government's focus on reviewing the ‘Super Rich’ tax. This should improve customer sentiment specifically in the luxury industry.”
Ashish Kale, President, FADA: "All our points of concerns and suggestions have been listened to seriously and most have been actioned by the finance minister and we welcome all the initiatives. The liquidity easing and confidence building in the banking Industry, which was already actioned, was followed up today by the slew of announcements of increased depreciation rate till March 2020, deferment of one-time registration fees, coupled with the soon-to-be-announce scrappage policy will definitely boost demand.
The release of Rs 70,000 crore capital to PSB' immediately and another Rs 500,000 crore in a phased manner, Linking Retail Loans to Repo Rate, providing more credit to NBFCs for auto and housing loans are all huge demand-generating steps.
Added to these, the announcement of BS IV vehicles being operational for the entire registration pPeriod is a very important snnouncement and will clear the confusion about the existing BSIV petrol and diesel vehicles.
FADA is quite confident that these measures will definitely uplift customer sentiment for the upcoming festive season and the dealer community is very positive that demand in auto sales would soon pick up."
Ongoing fiscal saw the company surpass the 50,000-unit monthly sales mark in July 2022; set to drive past the half-a-mil...
January 2023 sales better previous best of 47,654 units in September 2022; the carmaker is now 48,266 units shy of its F...
Seltos and Sonet remain best-selling products for Kia while the Carens, with 7,900 units, records its highest monthly sa...


text:
Jun 24, 2021 - 05:07 pm
Balearic Islands launch new EV subsidies
The government of the Balearic Islands has launched a new round of subsidies for the purchase of electric cars and the installation of charging stations under the Spanish eMobility subsidy program Moves III.
Mar 6, 2021 - 05:24 pm
Spain increases electric mobility subsidies
The Spanish government has expanded the budget for its Moves II subsidy programme from 100 to 120 million euros. In the course of the programme, the purchase of electric cars will be subsidised by up to 5,500 euros. The following programme Moves III will be endowed with at least 400 million euros.