text:
Remember how up in arms users were when Verizon raised its early termination fee to $350, in order match the subsidizing fees of its new batch of smartphones such as the Motorola Droid? Well, that bar has just been raised by The Nexus One.
Those who terminate their contracts for the T-Mobile Google phone will be charged a whopping $550. That’s more than the price of an unlocked version of the phone–a cost which, theoretically, is supposed to be impetus for such fees. The $550 fee breaks down to $200 for T-Mobile termination and $350 for “equipment recovery” on Google’s part. Ouch.
Google defended the price to The Wall Street Journal, stating, “This is standard practice for third-party resellers of T-Mobile and other operators.” Standard, maybe. Expensive, definitely.
Google: $550 Nexus One Early Termination Fee is “Standard”
By gearlog 01.13.2010 :: 10:02AM EDT 01.13.2010


text:
An uncertain economy has many companies reeling in capital spending and cutting payroll. A few companies, however, are doing just the opposite, keeping headcount and inventories at about year-2000 boom levels. From a business perspective, laying people off may save money in the near term, but it also destroys valuable relationships, hurting the potential for future sales. And lower sales will ultimately trigger more layoffs. Many companies that pursued this route are no longer around. Those that have invested, on the other hand, have actually gained market share.
One reason these companies are growing is that years of downsizing have gutted many engineering departments, leaving them ill-equipped to select and install appropriate automation and motion-control technologies. Short-staffed, these organizations rely on outside help with applications and are willing to pay for it.
A slowing in capital spending has also hit technology suppliers. Fewer suppliers are now entering the market and many smaller companies born of the boom have gone under or been absorbed. This trend also happens to mesh with the general push to reduce supplier count. Greater focus on fewer suppliers allows everyone involved to become more polished on existing technology and product lines. It also tends to make suppliers more responsible.
In our experience, as a motion-control and factory-automation distributor, we go so far as to implement action plans for our suppliers with measurable milestones. This approach stimulates not only the development of products, but custom solutions based on detailed specs and needs.
This attitude should not be confused with the “any order is a good order” mentality some distributors have adopted to keep afloat. Adding value can spiral out of control. For instance, there is a big difference between installing connectors on motors and building panels and full-blown system integration. Many distributors bite off more than they can chew. If such added services are necessary to adequately solve a problem, there’s nothing wrong with looking outside to get the required help.
Training is another area where tech companies, especially distributors, must invest wisely. A corporate trainer might be best to teach selling skills, while Web-based tools such as testing software might be better suited to verify technical skills. Suppliers can also help, providing benchmarks and test questions to measure competence. Ultimately a better trained, more focused workforce means more value and satisfaction for all.

domain: news


text:
Reaction came swiftly from the business community, already hit last year with increased
corporate income taxes, to the governor's proposal to raise the minimum wage. The Illinois
Retail Merchants Association says the state already has the fourth highest minimum wage in
the country and raising it again would kill jobs. Meanwhile, East Peoria State Representative Mike
Unes says the governor's speech, in Unes words, lacked details in regards to fixing the state's
fiscal problems. Unes says the governor's speech was far too focused on social issues and
not nearly enough on fiscal issues.


text:
United Parcel Service UPS has announced a collaboration with Wingcopter, a German-based electric vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft startup, to scale up its drone delivery operations in the U.S. and across the world. Wingcopter will be working with UPS Flight Forward (UPSFF), the drone delivery subsidiary of UPS, to create this next generation of package delivery drones.
"Drone delivery is not a one-size-fits-all operation. Our collaboration with Wingcopter helps pave the way for us to start drone delivery service in new use-cases. UPS Flight Forward is building a network of technology partners to broaden our unique capability to serve customers and extend our leadership in drone delivery," said Bala Ganesh, vice president of the UPS Advanced Technology Group.
The drone delivery segment has gained momentum in recent years, thanks to the ever-growing importance of expedited delivery, especially within the ecommerce market. With delivery speed being considered an important marker of end consumers' satisfaction, logistics companies see the relevance in investing across two distinct unmanned VTOL drone segments – long-range heavy-haul and short-range light-haul aircraft.
While heavy-haul drones are typically used to deliver across remote and impoverished regions, light-haul drones are helpful across the last-mile delivery segment, particularly for hastening delivery in urban spaces with frequent traffic deadlock.
For UPS, the partnership with Wingcopter will be within the heavy-haul VTOL aircraft segment, following Wingcopter's track record in "delivering a variety of goods over long distances in multiple international settings."
The Wingcopter collaboration is UPSFF's first venture with a drone manufacturer. In a statement, UPS has stated that the companies will jointly work to gain regulatory certification for commercial flight of unmanned drones in the U.S., as well as building a diverse fleet of drones with varying capabilities to meet different customer needs.
"We are proud to partner with UPS, a global giant in delivery and logistics. Together we aspire to extend the speed and reach of package delivery," said Tom Plümmer, Wingcopter chief executive officer and co-founder. "Our vision has always been to leverage technology to improve the lives of people around the world, and the strategic relationship with UPS will further accelerate our growth and global expansion, strengthening our role as an industry leader in drone technology."
Wingcopter comes into this partnership fresh from the successful completion of its first drone delivery trial this February with healthcare giant Merck, delivering a shipment from a Merck & Co., Inc. MRK lab in Gernsheim, Germany, to the Merck headquarters in Darmstadt, Germany. The test was a beyond the visual line of sight (BVLOS) project, which meant that the drone flew over inhabited regions that included buildings, electric power lines, traffic and people.
The drone startup has considerable experience in delivering shipments for BVLOS projects across several domains, including commercial factory-to-factory deliveries, humanitarian programs and medical emergencies.
Wingcopter's VTOL aircraft is unique in the market, as its patented tilt-rotor mechanism enables a seamless transition between two drone modes – multicopter for hovering and fixed-wing for low-noise forward flight. These modes help the drone to stabilize itself even when faced with harsh weather conditions, including wind speeds of up to 45 mph. The aircraft can reach speeds up to 150 mph with a range of approximately 75 miles.
© 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.


text:
BELGRADE/PRISTINA (Reuters) – The red box of the buttery ‘Plazma’ cookie, one of ex-Yugoslavia’s best-loved snacks, offers a quick introduction to the dilemma of businesses trapped in the political tussle between Serbia and Kosovo.
Belgrade, which vows never to accept the secession of the Albanian-majority territory, wants product labels to refer to Kosovo as part of Serbia, drawing on its constitution and on laws that ban “false advertising”.
Kosovo, however, insists that all products on sale in the new state must include details for the ‘Republic of Kosovo’, the name it took at its February 17 independence proclamation.
In a strange compromise, the Plazma box lists the cookie’s Kosovo distributor under the country section for Albania. It is a sign of the uncertainty and confusion that has cut the robust trade between Serbia and Kosovo by half in a single month.
“According to our figures, trade between Kosovo and Serbia dropped by 50 percent since February 17,” said Milovan Spasic of the Kosovo Chamber of Commerce, a Belgrade-based Serbian government office that treats Kosovo like any other province.
“The decline is due to uncertainty over how institutions on either side will react and what regulations will be introduced.”
Kosovo is recognized by 30 states, but its United Nations membership is blocked by Serbia’s ally Russia. Meanwhile, firms either side of the border play cat-and-mouse with bureaucrats, or take the easy way out by smuggling.
In a rival “Kosovo Chamber of Commerce” in Kosovo’s capital Pristina, an official said Serbian goods were entering Kosovo
“easier than before”, especially since ethnic Serbs in north Kosovo had burnt customs posts in protest at the secession.
“Trade is like water, it finds a channel,” said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. “For example, we know that some 20 fuel tanker trucks enter Kosovo each day from the north with no papers.”
COWS, DRUGS, JEANS
There is no single reliable estimate of the volume of trade between Serbia and Kosovo.
Serb sources say that in 2007 it was $200 million, mostly Serb exports of construction material and machinery, with smuggling accounting for an additional $50 million a year.
Kosovo estimates are much higher at around $750 million, $450 million of that illegal.
“The most commonly smuggled goods are cattle, narcotics and jeans,” said Dejan Jovovic of Serbia’s Chamber of Commerce.
The smuggling channels mostly go through the Sandzak area of southern Serbia, a region famous for its prolific production of fake Levi’s jeans in the 1990s, when Serbia was under international sanctions for its role in the Yugoslav wars.
Milan Kovacevic, a Belgrade-based business consultant, said legal trade will suffer until bilateral ties are cleared up.
“Goods will take illegal routes until Serbia and Kosovo resolve the dispute by signing a political agreement,” he said. “Only after that will trade boom: Kosovo and Serbia are linked, they are neighbors and were once part of the same country.”
The trade barriers in this case are not official state policy, since both Serbia and Kosovo have signed the Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA) and could face fines if they break it with tit-for-tat measures.
Instead, they are ad hoc measures that amount to petty, yet obstructive red tape from both sides.
“CEFTA makes trade easier,” said Mihailo Vesovic of Serbia’s trade ministry. “The problem is the mostly indirect barriers.”
Businesses cite as examples Serbian labeling rules, and Kosovo’s refusal to recognize Serbian quality certificates.
NOT A WORD
A company, Serbian or foreign, can face fines of up to 1.0 million dinars ($19,000) if it mentions Kosovo as a separate territory on labels used on products sold in Serbian stores.
Terms allowed are ‘UNMIK/Kosovo’, referring to the United Nations mission that took over the province in 1999 after NATO expelled Serb forces, ‘Kosovo, Serbia’ and ‘Kosovo/1244’, the number of the Security Council resolution that put Kosovo under U.N. administration.
Kosovo is also sticking to its guns: Kosovo police seized a shipment of Serb-made medicine going to a hospital in the Serbian-minority enclave of Gracanica, saying it did not have the approval of the Kosovo drug agency.
Some Serbian companies, keen to defend their place in Kosovo’s market, have found novel ways to bypass legal pitfalls.
“On paper, goods go through Albanian distribution centers,” said Stevan Santo, general manager of confectioner Pionir. “But in practice, they are being transported through Serbia.”
Others say the uncertainty is already hurting business.
“Since February 17, our business with Kosovo stopped,” said Mirjana Ignjatovic, a sales director in Keramika Mladenovac, a Serb manufacturer of bathroom ceramics. “We haven’t heard a word from our buyers in Kosovo since.”
Experts expect the impasse and obstructions to carry on for years, until attitudes soften and relations are normalized through parallel progress towards European Union membership. Kosovo’s cookie-lovers certainly hope so.
“Plazma are one of the most wanted and best-selling Serbian products, people really like them,” said Tahir, an employee at a big supermarket in Pristina. “We tried with some similar Italian cookies, but in the end sold only two packs.”


text:
Find Your Element in Central Florida
Posted on March 15th, 2013 by Rebecca Thompson
Have you seen the new website? Visit Central Florida, the official destination marketing organization for Central Florida’s Polk County, has redesigned its tourism website, www.VisitCentralFlorida.org, which will be complemented by a newly launched marketing campaign. Visually pleasing images of Polk County’s tourism assets, that underscore the core elements of Air, Earth, Fire and Water, are key to the new marketing campaign’s tagline, “Find your element in Central Florida.”
The revamped website features spotlight pages that focus on each element, which click-through to landing pages that suggest activities and attractions related to each element. Images of kayakers enjoying Polk County waterways, golfers on stunning vistas of green, a couple floating in a fire-powered hot air balloon and children soaring through the air on roller coasters all represent featured elements. Ads supporting the new marketing campaign began running January 1 in publications throughout the U.S. and online. Key markets for Visit Central Florida include Michigan, Ohio, Georgia, Pennsylvania and New York. In addition to these out of state markets, during the summer months Visit Central Florida will target in state travelers, who make up more than 50 percent of Florida visitors (according to VISIT FLORIDA statistics).
The tourism website is one of many important tools to attract visitors to Polk County and to assist them in planning their vacation. A major objective of the website is to insure that the information visitors are looking for is attractive, compelling and easily found. “It’s really about the conversion of visitors into Polk County customers,” said Mark Jackson, Director of Visit Central Florida. “Our e-marketing efforts are critical to success in an extremely competitive marketplace. In fact, 41 percent of travelers used user-generated content and 24.6 percent used social media for travel planning in 2012” said Jackson.
With society becoming increasingly mobile and on-the-go, more people rely on mobile devices for area information than ever before. PCTSM’s decision to offer a corresponding mobile version of the tourism website in 2012 has yielded great return on investment, with website visitation via mobile devices showing triple digit gains over the past year. To see the newly redesigned website, go to www.VisitCentralFlorida.org.


text:
Bitcoin slumps to $10,000, half its peak price, as regulatory fears grow
Bitcoin skidded a further 12 percent on Wednesday, marking an almost halving in value from its peak price, with investors spooked by fears regulators could clamp down on the volatile cryptocurrency that skyrocketed last year.
The price of bitcoin, the world’s biggest and best known cryptocurrency, fell to as low as 10,000 US dollars on the Luxembourg-based Bitstamp exchange, the lowest since Dec. 1.
Bitcoin touched a peak of almost 20,000 US dollars in December – and indeed crossed over that threshold on some exchanges – but has since been roiled by several large sell-offs.
Other cryptocurrencies plunged as well. Ethereum and Ripple were both down heavily after reports South Korea and China could ban cryptocurrency trading, sparking worries of a wider regulatory crackdown.
“There is a lot of panic in the market. People are selling to try and get the hell out of there,” said Charles Hayter, founder of Cryptocompare, which owns cryptocurrencies.
“You have more regulatory uncertainty...and because of these falls you have these other outfalls,” he said, referring to the collapse of some cryptocurrencies in the recent slump in prices.
With South Korea, Japan and China all making noises about a regulatory swoop, and officials in France and the United States vowing to investigate cryptocurrencies, there are concerns that global coordination on how to regulate them will accelerate.
Officials are expected to debate the rise of bitcoin at the upcoming G20 summit in Argentina in March.
“Cryptocurrencies could be capped in the current quarter ahead of the G20 meeting in March, where policymakers could discuss tighter regulations,” said Shuhei Fujise, chief analyst at Alt Design.


text:
California pizza chain to open first Arizona branch at Desert Ridge Marketplace
The round space features a 33-foot ceiling with skylights. Old Italian movies will project on a wall. The central feature: a live olive tree.
A fast-growing, California-based pizza chain that blends fast-casual dining with a high-end experience is coming to Desert Ridge Marketplace this summer.
MidiCi The Neapolitan Pizza Company is opening this summer at the outdoor mall in northeast Phoenix, the first Arizona restaurant for the chain. It joins Desert Ridge newcomers such as Sizzle Korean Barbecue, lauded for its grilled meats of exceptional quality; and Mexican restaurant Barrio Queen, with plans for a late-summer opening.
Currently, there are six MidiCi locations across the U.S., with 25, including the Desert Ridge branch, scheduled to open soon.
A slew of fast-casual pizza chains have opened in Arizona over the past several years. MidiCi is confident it will stand out.
“Compared to other mid-tier pizza chains, MidiCi is more upscale,” said Craig Early, the local owner. “Instead of fast-casual, it’s ‘fast-fine,’ minus the white tablecloths, of course.”
SHOP AND REFUEL:A guide to 10 food courts at Phoenix-area malls
The first — but not only — difference starts with the pizzas.
- MidiCi offers Neapolitan-style pizzas, from ingredients to baking.
- Pizzas bake in 90 seconds at 900 degrees in ovens imported from Italy.
- The dough is made from “00” Italian flour, and the San Marzano tomatoes also are from Italy.
Early, who has called the Valley home for nearly two decades, owns two Arizona Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt locations and several branches of Wendy’s. He said he was drawn to MidiCi because it was a different fast-casual model, with restaurants designed with atmosphere in mind.
“Other pizza chains aren’t designed as a place to hang out,” he said. “You go in, you eat, you leave. MidiCi is a place to meet friends and stay a while.”
The 3,500-square-foot restaurant will seat 100 inside and 25 to 30 on the patio. The space is unique — it's round — and features a 33-foot ceiling with skylights. Music will be piped in over a Bose sound system. Old Italian movies (without sound) will project on a wall to add ambience.
A central feature in all MidiCi restaurants is a live olive tree. That has been a challenge for the new franchise operation, which was founded in 2015, but Early said the company has found a type of tree that is suited to the indoors.
Pizzas will be the stars, but the menu also will feature antipasti (meatballs, meat and cheese boards), salads and burrata dishes.
MidiCi developed a signature dessert calzone, made with its pizza dough and stuffed with berries and Nutella. After it’s baked, the calzone is drizzled with more Nutella and a balsamic reduction, and garnished with more berries.
While the menus are standardized across the chain, each outlet has a say over the craft beer and wine selection, adding a local flavor.
Details: MidiCi The Neapolitan Pizza Company at Desert Ridge Marketplace, Loop 101 and Tatum Boulevard, Phoenix. mymidici.com.
RECENT DINING NEWS:


text:
Manufacturers will also be able to produce tools on demand. BMW, an HP Multi Jet Fusion customer, already claims to have reduced tooling costs by 58 percent and project time by 92 percent in this Deloitte University Press report.
In the future, it may even be possible to custom print entire vehicles for different types of customers.
The materials ecosystem is being built
Printers are only part of the system. With HP’s Open Materials Platform, we are removing barriers that prevent 3D print from being adopted. We are innovating with materials. Manufacturers can be confident that compatible, HP-branded materials will be safe and will meet quality standards.Earlier this year HP introduced the world’s first 3D Open Platform Materials and Applications Lab, in Corvallis, Oregon, USA. There, engineers are using the most advanced equipment to help materials companies develop, test, certify, and deliver the next generation of materials and applications for 3D printing.
Currently, HP is working with four of the world’s leading materials companies to co-develop new materials and refine the materials certification process. However, we will continue to add partners to the program. Arkema, BASF, Evonik and Lehman & Voss announced their commitment to the HP Open Platform and are working on certified materials for the HP Jet Fusion 3D 4200 and HP Jet Fusion 3D 3200 printers.
HP Multi Jet Fusion technology is a pioneer for future platforms that could transform color, texture, and mechanical properties at the voxel level. By manipulating printing materials, 3D printed objects could be created with conductivity, flexibility, embedded data, and translucency. That is only the beginning. There are no limits to the combinations and potential applications.


text:
With many families in Connecticut facing added financial strain due to rising prices, the legislature went into special session earlier this week to provide some relief. A bipartisan bill passed by the General Assembly and signed into law by Governor Lamont extends the current suspension of the gasoline tax, provides additional funding for energy assistance programs, and continues premium pay for frontline workers.
The CIF was established in 2021 with the goal of promoting economic and community development in Connecticut’s Public Investment Communities and Alliance Districts. Such municipalities, as well as community development corporations and nonprofit organizations serving such municipalities, are eligible to apply. Applications for the second round of CIF funding, totaling up to $98,522,165, are due by 4:00 PM on Friday, January 6, 2023.
This weekend, several new laws in Connecticut will go into effect on October 1. These laws are a result of my colleagues' hard work during the 2022 session. Below are just some of the laws that will take effect and what they mean for you.
Connecticut's 2022 Sales Tax Free Week is August 21 through August 27. This is a great opportunity to take the kids back-to-school shopping or to treat yourself or your loved ones while saving money.
Many retailers in Connecticut offer additional discounts on clothing and footwear during Sales Tax Free Week, providing consumers with even more savings.
I am pleased to announce that Hartford will receive $4.5 million in funding for various projects that will significantly improve our city.
The state targeted funding to the City of Hartford, the Capital Region Development Authority (CRDA), the Connecticut Science Center, and several local neighborhood non-profits to help with their missions.


text:
Read the affiliate disclosure page to find out how can you help MSPoweruser effortlessly and without spending any money. Read more
Earlier this week we spotted an entry in the Windows Device Recovery Tool that appeared to hint at a new, open market version of the phone hitting the market. Now it appears that this has been confirmed as what appears to be Alcatel Mobile France (I will note that while we’re confident it is legit, it has no verified checkmark and no way to be 100% certain) has tweeted out that the Idol 4S will be hitting European markets – France included.
Vous avez été nombreux à nous interroger sur l’IDOL 4S Windows 10. Good news : quelques pays en Europe (France ?) vont l’avoir ! #staytuned
— Alcatel Mobile France ?? (@alcatelmobileFR) December 13, 2016
You have had many questions about the IDOL 4S [for[ Windows 10. Good news: Some countries in Europe (France ?) will have it!
The Idol 4S for Windows is currently limited to T0Mobile USA, but this tweet – combined with the earlier reference to “open-market” devices, provides hope of wider availability for the device.
Currently, it is not clear if Alcatel will be selling the device through carrier partners like in the USA, or if it will stick to being an unlocked, online only device.
Nevertheless, there’s no doubt that this is good news for Windows phone fans in Europe who have been waiting for a flagship to replace their fast aging 930s and 950s. While HP’s Elite x3 may provide some relief, that phone is too expensive and large for most people to bother with.
In contrast, the Alcatel Idol 4S ticks the boxes of what one can expect of a modern Windows phone in 2016 – with access to continuum and VR as useful extras.
Interested in the Alcatel Idol 4S for Windows? Read our review here and let us know what you think in the comments.


text:
The United Fresh Produce Association announced today that a new Produce Traceability Demo Center will be added as a featured attraction on the United Fresh 2009 convention show floor, April 21-24, in Las Vegas.
That’s the lead paragraph in this news alert in which it is also mentioned that GS1 staff experts will be on hand to help you sort apples from oranges the issues when it comes to adopting the standard and getting up to speed on the the traceability initiative.
To be even more specific, here’s a list of four major things convention goers can expect to find at the demo center:
Staff experts from GS1, the first step in GTIN traceability and case coding. Companies can even work with GS1 experts onsite to sign up for their company prefix.
Table-top displays featuring vendors with hardware and software traceability solutions.
Daily schedule of informal roundtable discussions with produce and retail companies sharing their experience with traceability.
Private meeting rooms to visit with potential vendors to talk about your unique business needs.
If you would like to attend this event but can’t for one reason or another, and if y0u’re seeking another source of information, Loftware is one alternative you’re welcome to consider. We’ve been innovating product marking systems and software for more than two decades and are actively involved in helping drive the GS1 standard worldwide.


text:
Yesterday’s decision by French legislators to force Apple to remove controls on its iTunes service that restricts customers’ use of the music to its iPod music players could strike a serious blow to the company’s online music model, it was claimed. Apple today hit back saying the decision undermines successful attempts to make legal music downloads viable.
French legislators in the lower house yesterday approved a law that would break the tight link between Apple’s iTunes online music store and the iPod player.
The law requires that songs bought from iTunes — or any other digital music site — can be played on any music player.
The decision was made on the basis that if a particular digital music platform was successful, it might in turn act as a dominant gatekeeper in the digital world that will embrace not only music but movies and games. The law seeks to break down the barriers created by incompatible digital rights management (DRM) formats that prevent music files being played on a rival manufacturer’s device.
The decision has ramifications not only for Apple but also for consumer electronics giant Sony and software giant Microsoft.
However, forcing Apple to allow the music sold on its site to be played on other devices might in turn breach the company’s contracts with music labels.
Apple today hit back at the French decision, warning that the law could force digital music sales to plummet at a point where legitimate alternatives to piracy are beginning to bloom.
Industry groups and analysts have condemned the new law, which they say could undermine the industry’s most successful attempt so far to make legal music downloading viable for both consumers and the music industry.
Apple recently revealed that one billion songs have been legally downloaded from the iTunes music store since it was launched less than three years ago. According to its first quarter results in January, Apple shipped 1.2 million Macintosh computers and 14 million iPods during the quarter.
“The French implementation of the EU Copyright Directive will result in state-sponsored piracy. If this happens, legal music sales will plummet just when legitimate alternatives to piracy are winning over customers. IPod sales will likely increase as users freely load their iPods with ‘interoperable’ music which cannot be adequately protected. Free movies for iPods should not be far behind,” Apple stated.
By John Kennedy


text:
Final replace: January 11, 2023 4:01 PM EST
Chinese language show maker BOE Expertise Group Co Ltd, a provider to Apple Inc and Samsung Electronics Co Ltd, plans to take a position a major quantity to construct two factories in Vietnam, two individuals acquainted with the matter mentioned.
The funding could possibly be as much as $400 million, one in every of them mentioned.
The plan highlights the efforts of tech companies, led by US iPhone maker Apple and Taiwanese gadget assembler Foxconn, to scale back China’s impression on the availability chain amid commerce and geopolitical tensions between Beijing and Washington and manufacturing disruption brought on by measures to include the unfold of COVID-19 in China.
BOE is in talks to lease tens of hectares of land in northern Vietnam so as to add to its comparatively small manufacturing unit within the south, which provides largely TV screens to South Korea’s Samsung and LG Electronics Inc, the sources mentioned, declining to be named as a result of the talks had been confidential. .
The Financial institution of England declined to remark.
North Vietnam has attracted vital funding from electronics giants in recent times, turning into a significant manufacturing middle for smartphones, computer systems and cameras, together with flagship merchandise from Apple and Samsung.
Hon Hai Precision Trade Co Ltd (Foxconn) and China’s Luxshare Precision Trade additionally produce or plan to assemble quite a lot of Apple merchandise on this space, corresponding to laptops and pill computer systems.
BOE plans to lease as much as 100 hectares and use 20% for a $150 million distant management programs plant, one of many sources mentioned.
The remainder will likely be for shows, with BOE spending $250 million to construct a 50-hectare plant, with suppliers utilizing the remaining 30 hectares by 2025, the supply mentioned.
In line with the supply, BOE plans to supply extra refined screens primarily based on natural mild emitting diodes (OLED) reasonably than liquid crystal shows (LCD).
Apple, which has included BOE in its listing of producing companions for 2021, is utilizing OLED screens for its newest iPhone smartphones.
Analyst Kuo Ming-chi of TF Worldwide Securities predicted that by 2024, China’s largest show maker will turn out to be the biggest show provider for brand spanking new iPhones by 2024.
Nonetheless, the American tech large plans to begin making cell screens in-house by subsequent 12 months, Bloomberg reported on Wednesday.
Apple declined to remark.
BOE’s Vietnam plan doesn’t particularly goal Apple merchandise, the supply mentioned.
Buyer Samsung, the world’s largest smartphone maker, manufactures half of its telephones in Vietnam, whereas LG has a big manufacturing base within the nation and is planning new investments.
Learn all the most recent tech information right here
(This story was not edited by the News18 employees and is revealed from a information company syndicated channel)


text:
There’s just no escaping the Wi-Fi hype.
Even modest forecasts, such as those from Cambridge, U.K.-based Analysys Group, anticipate Wi-Fi-related services will generate revenues of up to $3 billion by 2007.
And as the cost of infrastructure begins to fall, suppliers will likely look to add value to Wi-Fi connectivity by providing their customers with customized wireless content—just like the dot-com era entrepreneurs who suddenly rediscovered that “content is king.”
If this happens, Orlando, Fla.-based Kosmo Studios will be ready.
The four-year-old multimedia company specializes in what it calls “Value Based On a user’s specific Location” (V-BOL), a marketing-friendly way of saying that Kosmo develops programming designed to improve a customer’s experience at a sports venue or a theme park by providing entertainment and information through Wi-Fi access on site.
Kosmo Studio’s Digital Media Hub lets companies link customized digital media with repurposed content from a host of devices that their customers can then access on PDAs.
Before getting into Wi-Fi, Kosmo Studios had met with some success in creating interactive media. Since 2000, they have worked with Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, Universal Orlando Resort, the Orlando Magic and the Arizona Diamondbacks to provide interactive media and kiosks throughout their venues.
CEO Richard Mayberry, and the company’s president, John Kaminski, saw the opportunity in early 2002 to use Wi-Fi as another way to add entertainment value to the end-user through interactive media.
The Pittsburgh Steelers did too—they looked to Kosmo Studios, who already provided the stadium’s executive suites with interactive kiosks, to implement the first Wi-Fi Interactive Media System.
Kosmo equipped 6,000 of the luxury club seats at Heinz Field with Wi-Fi access to instant video replay, available from four angles and able to download in eight seconds. The Steelers have also begun using Wi-Fi for merchandise and food sales in the stadium.
But Mayberry and Kaminski refer to their recent project for the San Francisco Giants as the “Rolls-Royce” version of Wi-Fi—SBC Park is estimated to have spent $200,000 on Wi-Fi infrastructure, the largest Wi-Fi access of its kind, with over 120 access points available stadiumwide. (The Steelers spent half that much for their much less extensive version.)
From their seats in SBC Park, fans can access the Giants Digital Dugout, a display of interactive content that includes trivia, video highlights, and links to information on the scoreboard. Fans can look up their favorite players’ stats, visit the Giants’ official Web site, or play interactive games online. On opening day 2005, the Giants hope to offer fans access to instant video replay.
The chance to be the most informed, up-to-speed fan in your section is one way to improve your experience at a game—although others might find this technology distracting.
If Kosmo Studios is right in claiming their technology does improve the satisfaction level of fans, then the Giants will likely benefit from repeat customers: Researchers at the Westlake Village, Calif.-based J.D. Power and Associates say that 86 percent of the most satisfied fans would return to another game.
“With so many different types of entertainment options available, it’s crucial for team owners and event organizers to understand the expectations of sports consumers and to provide them with the best possible service and experience,” says Jim Gaz, director of the sports and entertainment practice at J.D. Power and Associates.
Kosmo Studios predicts that interactive Wi-Fi content will become even more in demand with the introduction of Wi-Fi-enabled cell phones, 7.4 million of which are set to be released in the next two and half years, according to analysts at IDC.
But not everyone agrees.
Ken Dulaney, an analyst at Gartner, Inc., argues that there won’t be an overwhelming use for Wi-Fi enabled mobile phones.
“The move to mobile phones becomes more difficult not only because of the varied screen sizes, but also because each operator has a different portal implementation that makes maintenance difficult,” says Dulaney. He also suggests that marketing initiatives through Wi-Fi generally won’t produce direct profit.
Either way, Mayberry and Kaminski plan to concentrate their efforts in sports venues, but they’re also currently trying to push the Wi-Fi concept into other public spaces, like museums and shopping centers, where PDA’s and cell phones can be used to target location-specific information.
Walking through the mall, a person can use their PDA to have access to discounts and coupons, be alerted of nearby sales, get directions to the closest restroom, or even find where their kids have wandered off to.
What content will be so cool that we’ll want it coming between us and an art exhibit at the museum is anybody’s guess, but, if analysts can be believed, it’ll be worth a slice of $3 billion.


text:
Cannabis company Tilray (TLRY 4.56%) reported its first-quarter earnings this month. The headline was great, with revenue soaring 43% year over year (thanks to the inclusion of Aphria) and the company posting a 10th consecutive period of (adjusted) profitability.
And, while all that sounded good, looking beneath the hood there was one number buried at the end of the company's press release that stood out the most to me: Tilray's net cash used, which was deep in the red.
The company burned through nearly $100 million in just three months
Cash burn is a concern for any company because it usually leads to share offerings and dilution. Those are words investors don't want to see or hear because as more shares hit the market, the more supply of them there is, and, thus, the price of the stock goes down.
For the period ending Aug. 31, Tilray used more than $93 million in cash to fund its day-to-day operating activities. A quarter earlier, it generated a positive cash flow of more than $8 million. And, compared to a year ago, its cash burn was still lower at a negative $56 million.
The obvious excuse might be to blame this on the big merger that it completed with cannabis producer Aphria back in May. But even the company's adjusted free cash flow of $61 million (which excludes acquisition-related expenditures and adds capital spend) was far and way worse than the positive $3 million it generated in the previous quarter. And it was only a modest improvement from the negative $70 million adjusted free cash from the same period last year.
Either way you look at it, Tilray is burning through a lot more money than it was earlier this year. The problem is that the situation may only get worse from here on out.
Tilray is going to need more cash
Tilray has an aggressive growth strategy ahead. It is working toward an ambitious target of hitting $4 billion in annual revenue by 2024. It involves many pieces and expansion in many parts of the world, including not just Canada and the U.S. but also internationally. You can be sure that will involve lots of cash going out the door. Today, Tilray is at a run rate of $672 million in annual revenue.
Unfortunately, these promises of explosive growth are not new for the cannabis industry, and the risk is that Tilray is following in some dangerous footsteps. In 2019, seasoned cannabis investors will likely remember another Canadian cannabis producer HEXO (NASDAQ:HEXO) and its target to hit 400 million Canadian dollars in revenue for its 2020 fiscal year. Months later, the company's chief financial officer resigned and HEXO ended up withdrawing the guidance. Also that year, then-CEO Bruce Linton of cannabis giant Canopy Growth (NASDAQ:CGC) projected revenue of CA$1 billion for his company's new fiscal year. It has come nowhere near that, and, over the past 12 months, Canopy Growth has generated just CA$572 million.
There are many examples in the cannabis industry where companies have gotten way too far ahead of themselves, promising too much and delivering too little. The only constant you can count on is that these opportunities will cost lots in the way of cash, and it could also hurt the bottom line.
Perhaps the most concerning item is that Tilray is planning to expand into the U.S. (once it is legal to do so) through multi-state operator (MSO) MedMen (OTC:MMNFF). Taking on the MSO and potentially acquiring it is destined to be a headache. In fiscal 2021 (which ended June 26), MedMen reported a net loss of $158 million on revenue of just $145 million. General and administrative costs of $125 million alone accounted for 86% of the top line. Its cash burn from operations totaled more than $46 million and could quickly exacerbate Tilray's problems.
Investors should tread carefully with Tilray
I'm not a fan of companies that make big promises, especially not in the cannabis sector. It's a recipe for disaster because it creates a high bar for the company to reach. And the more difficult it is to reach, the more likely it is that the company will underwhelm. By setting such a high bar, you can expect Tilray will be aggressive in trying to meet those targets the best it can. Acquisitions appear likely for Tilray, and that can either deepen the cash burn or lead to share issues that will dilute shareholders. Either way, the prospect isn't great.
Tilray looked like a promising stock when it acquired Aphria, but after unveiling its aggressive growth strategy, I can't help but think this will be just the latest example of a company in the sector failing to deliver on some lofty projections it probably shouldn't have made in the first place. That's especially concerning when those projections are contingent on a U.S. market that isn't even legal yet (and there are no guarantees it will be in the near future). But, even without taking on MedMen, there could be loads more cash burn ahead of Tilray as it battles for market share.
For cannabis investors looking for a safer way to bet on the sector's long-term growth, I'd suggest going with an established MSO.


text:
In the opening keynote at Computex Taipei 2017, Intel’s Gregory Bryant, corporate vice president and general manager of the Client Computing Group, declared that the future starts with data and that finding new ways to share, analyze and leverage it will drive transformation in profound and unexpected ways. He showcased from device-to-cloud how Intel is at the forefront of this data-driven revolution, evolving from a PC company to a data company to build a more immersive, personal, smart and connected world.
Press Kit: 2017 Computex
With an anticipated 80 billion devices connected to the internet by 20251, the new data generators will expand far beyond today’s PCs and phones as drones, autonomous cars and new connected “things” become mainstream. Intel’s advantage in the race to innovate at the speed of data is its ability to power every segment of the journey – from the cloud, through the network, to the device – creating amazing experiences.
The keynote went on to reveal how the new data-rich world will change lives through the lens of the cloud, the Internet of Things and next-gen PCs.
Intel introduced the new Intel® Core™ X-series processor family, Intel’s most scalable, accessible and powerful desktop platform. (Credit: Intel Corporation)
Introducing performance with scale: Intel the first-ever Intel® Core™ X-series processor family, the most scalable, accessible and powerful platform ever. It spans from 4 to 18 cores with price points to match. The family introduces the new Intel® Core™ i9 processors, representing the highest performance for extreme performance and extreme mega-tasking. An industry-first, its performance capabilities will revolutionize data-intensive tasks like VR content creation and data visualization. Press Kit: Intel Core X-Series Processor Family
8th Gen Intel® Core™ processor on the horizon: As we move toward the next generation of computing, Intel also shared its commitment to deliver 8th generational Intel® Core™ processor-based devices by the holiday season, boasting more than 30 percent improvement in performance versus the 7th Gen Intel® Core™ processor.2
Always-connected PCs … We talked about our focus bringing new PCs to market that give people the full-PC experience they expect without compromise, at any time, from anywhere. Our work with Microsoft is delivering industry-leading performance, full Windows experiences, long battery life and connectivity in thin and light PCs. More than 30 are available today, including those from Acer, HP and Lenovo, and a new device we previewed with Asus on stage, code-named “Kukuna.”
The Intel Compute Card is a modular computing platform with all the elements of a full computer in a size just larger than a credit card. (Credit: Intel Corporation)
… plus smarter connected devices for amazing experiences: We launched the Intel® Compute Card, timed to start shipping in August 2017, which will allow devices outside of PCs to be connected, integrating compute into everything from smart screens to interactive appliances to VR headsets. In addition, the HTC Vive can operate wirelessly using Intel® WiGig™ technology, which was also demonstrated live from the keynote stage showing how we’re pushing VR forward.
Unleashing data in the cloud: To take advantage of the massive amounts of data being generated by billions of connected devices, Intel revealed the 2nd Generation Intel® 3D NAND SSD Family, including the Intel® SSD DC P4500, P4600 and P4501 Series for use in data centers. Intel® 3D NAND SSDs combined with Intel® Xeon® processors will help organizations future-proof data centers. Intel shared that it is already working with more than 450 Intel Builders to bring the new technology to market.
Intel® Optane™ momentum: We have seen overwhelming support from ecosystem partners for Intel® Optane™ memory, resulting in more than 130 Intel® Optane™ memory-ready motherboards, as well as systems from OEMs and systems integrators. Later this year, we will be sharing more on Intel® Optane™ SSDs.
1 IDC FutureScape: Worldwide IT Industry 2017 Predictions, November 2016
2 Software and workloads used in performance tests may have been optimized for performance only on Intel microprocessors. Performance tests, such as SYSmark and MobileMark, are measured using specific computer systems, components, software, operations and functions. Any change to any of those factors may cause the results to vary. You should consult other information and performance tests to assist you in fully evaluating your contemplated purchases, including the performance of that product when combined with other products. For more complete information visit http://www.intel.com/benchmarks. Based on SYSmark* 2014 v1.5 (Windows Desktop Application Performance). Comparing 7th Gen i7-7500U, PL1=15W TDP, 2C4T, Turbo up to 3.5GHz, Memory: 2x4GB DDR4-2133, vs. Estimates for 8th Gen Core i7: PL1=15W TDP, 4C8T, Turbo up to 4 GHz, Memory: 2x4GB DDR4-2400, Storage: Intel® SSD, Windows* 10 RS2. Power policy assumptions: AC mode. Note: Kaby Lake U42 performance estimates are Pre-Silicon and are subject to change. Pre-Si projections have +/- 7% margin of error.


text:
Growing Labor Woes Could Wreak Havoc on Package DeliveriesJuly 7, 2023
Labor woes and what's at stake in a shipping strike?
While labor issues have been commonplace throughout the pandemic, the news of a possible UPS strike this summer prompted many in the industrial and retail sectors to prepare for yet another disruption to the Back-to-School and holiday shopping seasons. While a compromise can always take a strike off the table, this is a good time to examine the shipping industry’s critical role in ecommerce and how the industry has diversified and used technology to help manage these types of business risks.
Labor woes weigh on retail and industrial sectors
The proliferation of online shopping has dramatically changed consumer buying habits and created expectations for quick shopping and delivery. Those “always on” shopping habits could face significant headwinds with a potential labor strike by UPS or, in the future, another carrier.
The Teamsters union representing 340,000 UPS warehousing, transportation and delivery workers recently announced plans to strike if new contract terms are not met by July 31, when the current contract ends. A strike would set off what could be the largest U.S. labor strike in decades. Given that UPS fulfills about 25% of the parcel deliveries in the U.S. -- or approximately 20 million packages a day-- a work stoppage could have significant ramifications for the flow of goods across the country. While the strike may still be averted through ongoing negotiations, retailers are preparing as they face the critical back-to-school and holiday shopping seasons.
The pandemic’s impact on labor relations
The UPS labor dispute is the latest in a series of labor issues impacting the country, as many employee groups that were on the front lines during the pandemic ask for higher pay and improved working conditions. Many are tracking revenue gains by UPS and other logistics companies and asking for higher compensation. The UPS strike announcement comes on the heels of work stoppages by longshoremen and port workers at West Coast ports and a threatened strike last year by U.S. rail workers.
The 12-month trailing profits at UPS rose 30 percent between Q4 2020 and Q4 2022, according to financial date company Macrotrends. Since the last five-year contract achieved by the Teamsters and UPS in 2018, the company profits increased to $11.5 billion, due in large part to the surge in online shopping during the pandemic. UPS and other shippers are now seeing a modest decline in activity due to a softening in the market, but activity levels are still notably higher than before the pandemic.
UPS workers last went on strike in 1997 in a 15-day walkout that was devastating for the company. While some experts predict that a short strike would be less severe than the strike in 1997 due to the many shipping alternatives today, it might still disrupt the supply chain at a critical time for retailers. As millions of consumers rely on package delivery for clothing, food, electronics and other goods, a strike would bring a large portion of the economy to a standstill. It could also have implications for future labor issues, as unions are trying to organize Amazon workers and those at Starbucks and other companies.
The good news is that the logistics industry has better technology today to help businesses model and plan for strikes and other risks. Many retailers and distributors have already adopted multi-carrier shipping plans to diversify their risks. And, retailers such as Walmart and Target have built their own last-mile delivery operations with a focus on customers picking up items in the stores instead of shipping them. There also is less demand today than during the pandemic and retailers have less inventory to bring in for the key shopping seasons.
Many experts in the logistics sector believe a prolonged strike would be detrimental to UPS and the union, creating plenty of disruption and lost revenue. In essence, both sides have an incentive to work out a deal to avoid a strike or at least keep it from becoming a protracted event. Given that there are many more delivery options today, a strike would drive customers to seek out other shippers to fill the gap, potentially reducing UPS’ client base on a long-term basis. Having both sides come to agreement would bode well for UPS, the logistics industry and the many retailers that are counting on millions of Back-to-School and holiday deliveries.
Sources: CBS News, CNN, Sacramento Bee, Total Retail


text:
Gateway Health Club, which operates as International Fitness at The Shoppes at Gateway in Springfield, Ore., is being sued for $2.6 million in unpaid rent.
According to a report from The Register-Guard, the $2.6 million includes more than $122,000 in back rent, interest and late charges for August through November of 2017, as well as all of the rent due through 2023.
International Fitness President Troy Finfrock said he is negotiating with the landlord and hopes to resolve the dispute and keep the club open.
According to the lease, Gateway Health Club is required to pay $319,000 in 2018 for its space at the mall, with annual amount increasing each year.
Finfrock contends the club got in over its head when a cost associated with a remodel of the gym spiraled out of control, costing a total of $400,000.
International Fitness occupies 18,232 square feet of space at The Shoppes at Gateway. According to the lawsuit, International Fitness’ troubles started in March of 2016.
“In March 2016, (the) tenant began to delay making base rent payments due under the lease. As a result, (the) tenant began to fall behind in its base rent and other payment obligations under the lease. (The) tenant ultimately failed to pay rent and other expenses under the lease for the months of August, September, October and November 2017,” the lawsuit states.
The Shoppes at Gateway has 54 tenants and more than 820,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space, according to its website.


text:
According to a recent report NVIDIA has taped out the silicon for its upcoming Pascal GPU architecture, codenamed GP100. This chip will be the successor to the GM200 silicon that is currently being used in high-end graphics cards like the Titan X. A tape-out is when a company successfully produces a tiny quality of working prototypes for internal testing and further development.
NVIDIA’s Pascal architecture will feature HBM2, which will allow designers to fit up to 32 GB of video memory on each card. The GP100 chip is speculated to have anywhere between 4500 and 6000 CUDA cores. This chip will be fabricated on TSMC’s upcoming 16nm process, which should hit full production by 2016.


text:
Elmhurst MBA student Holly Hayward wanted to volunteer her time and contribute to a worthy cause aligned with the university’s values. As it turns out, the Bluejay Clothing Drive she recently helped organize not only provided clothing for area residents in need, but also gave Hayward something valuable in return.
“Being part of the process from start to finish was very rewarding,” said Hayward, who helped Associate Professor of Business Kelly Cunningham plan and execute the campus clothing drive throughout the month of October.
Hayward ultimately delivered more than 100 bags of donated clothing to Elmhurst Presbyterian Church, which supports DuPage County PADS and other organizations in need of clothing.
“As always, the Elmhurst University team exceeded expectations,” Cunningham said. “I received so many emails from faculty and staff willing to support the effort.”
The Bluejay Clothing Drive called on the Elmhurst U. community members to drop off donations in collection bins around campus. Each Friday in October and the first Friday in November, Hayward and her mom picked up the donated clothes and delivered them to the church, where they sorted the clothing by size and gender. Cunningham also helped pick up and sort the clothes a few times throughout the month.
The church’s pastor, Rev. Traci Smith, called the clothing drive a “gift to the world.”
“One of the things we’re happy about at EPC is helping people who want to do good realize their vision in the world,” Rev. Smith said. “We love to help people serve others and do mission.”
The event’s success has Hayward thinking of future initiatives—perhaps a toy drive during the holidays. For now, she’s happy with what Elmhurst University accomplished for Elmhurst Presbyterian Church.
“Walking out of the donation room in the church on the last day was incredible,” Hayward said. “Seeing the tables covered with stacks of clothing really warmed my heart.”


text:
We just heard about Destination PlayStation 2019 thanks to an interview with Shawn Layden discussing why Sony is skipping E3 2019. The event will be 3 days and 2 nights where retailers can show us what to look forward to for the rest of the year as Shawn explained.
“Now we have an event in February called Destination PlayStation, where we bring all retailers and third-party partners to come hear the story for the year. They’re making purchasing discussions in February. June, now, is just too late to have a Christmas holiday discussion with retailers.”
We have no ide who will be at this event as Shawn just mentions it quickly before moving on. But given it will be taken place this month starting February 25th we should start to hear about who is comin shortly.
It will be interesting to see how this goes for Sony.


text:
Check Out The Gorgeous New Dyson 360 Heurist Robot Vacuum Cleaner
In China Dyson has launched their new robot vacuum cleaner, meet Dyson 360 Heurist which is now packed with a faster processor, LED assisted vision and voice control technology. The new robot vacuum cleaner is powered by a quad-core 1.4GHz processor capable of making the latest robot vacuum cleaner 20 times faster than its predecessor and allowing it to pick up 60 percent more detail from its surrounding environment to help with positioning and proper vacuuming.
The 360 Heurist offers three suction power settings capable of doubling the standard 40-minute runtime and Dyson say the new robot vacuum has 20% more suction power despite using the same 78,000 rpm Dyson V2 digital motor. Thanks to the higher stiff nylon bristle count which is set at 6,947 rather than the lower 5,468 of the previous.
The Dyson 360 Heurist will soon be launching in China during November 2018 priced at 5,490 yuan or roughly $800 providing a more affordable robotic vacuum cleaner than the previously released Dyson 360 Eye. No information on pricing or worldwide availability has been released as yet by Dyson.


text:
Guest Nation Russia at Pitti Uomo 87 is cancelled
The Russian Fashion Council says that the economic crisis and the worsening currency situation in recent weeks have made their visit to Florence impossible
Pitti Immagine announces the cancellation of the GUEST NATION RUSSIA project planned for this edition of Pitti Immagine Uomo, scheduled to be held at the Fortezza da Basso in Florence from 13 to 16 January 2015.
The cancellation of the participation of a special selection of talented Russian designers – at Pitti W and in other sections of the fair - follows an official announcement from the management of the Russian Fashion Council, who had been working with Pitti Immagine on the GUEST NATION RUSSIA project in cooperation with the Russian Federation’s Ministry for Trade and Industry.
The well-known currency problems – the collapse of the value of the ruble which, in the last few days, has rapidly undergone further devaluation – and the economic crisis that the country is currently experiencing, have compromised the economic sustainability of the Russian institutional participation at this edition of Pitti Uomo.
However, Pitti Immagine and the management of the Russian Fashion Council have declared their willingness to get back to work on this project as soon as there are improvements in the conditions of sustainability and the economic scenario.


text:
Back in 2015, a few days before Independence Day, Kevin Rhoades planted a sign on the lawn outside his Texas home that bore a simple message: “Combat Veteran Lives Here. Please Be Courteous with Fireworks.” Read more
Advanced manufacturing is already one of the most in-demand industries in America due to workforce retirements and natural business growth, but it’s also an industry with a severe shortage of skilled workers. Read more
On December 9, 2016, I revisited Workshops for Warriors to find out what had been accomplished in the past four years since I had toured the facility during their first Manufacturing Day on October 5, 2012, and met retired naval officer Hernán Luis y Prado, founder and president of Workshops for Warriors (WFW). Read more
COLLEVILLE-SUR-MER, France – Proud veterans in their 90s and families of fallen soldiers are commemorating the epochal D-Day invasion of Normandy 72 years ago that helped the Allies defeat Hitler. Read more
Skills Gap – the difference in the skills required on the job and the actual skills possessed by the employees.
Dave Welker never met Pat Tillman. But the 33-year-old Air Force pararescueman, whose job is to recover downed crew members in the toughest conditions, knew the story of the NFL player who gave up a multimillion-dollar career to become an Army Ranger after the tragedies of Sept. 11, 2001.
Walmart announced bold commitments to increase domestic sourcing of the products it sells and help veterans find jobs when they come off active duty. Speaking at the National Retail Federation’s annual BIG Show, Walmart U.S. President and CEO Bill Simon also announced the company is helping part-time associates who want to be full time, make that transition. Read more
Keep in Touch
Need help with your Marketing or Social Media for your company? Ask us about our Social Media NICHE Marketing Service, designed to attract and engage with customers looking for your Made in USA product and/or services!


text:
BlackBerry Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY)’s ‘Passport’ smartphone was a grand success for the company with positive transformation that the company saw under the leadership of its new CEO, John Chen. Proof for success of BlackBerry’s new phone is the ‘sold out’ signs on Amazon and ShopBlackBerry websites. First 200,000 units of BlackBerry Passport were sold pretty quickly and the company has started taking pre-orders on September 24 for the next batch. A ‘Blackberryrocks’ articles discusses about the Passport phones increasing demand.
BlackBerry Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY) CEO, John Chen said that he is happy with development around the Passport Phone while attending ‘Technologies that Matter’ forum in Hongkong. He feels that if many people are waiting for the device, then that shows the popularity of the device among consumers. BlackBerry Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY) wasn’t expecting this significant demand for Passport though and they were very conservative in offering the units. 200,000 unit in the first batch was very small.
But BlackBerry Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY)’s Passport is a proof that the company is capable of producing a device that can get sold instantly and make people wait to get their hands on it. Many people who ordered their Passport phones through ShopBlackBerry were waiting for quite some time for their devices to get shipped. Good news is that the customers who were waiting for shipment of their Passport device is starting to get mails from ShopBlackBerry that the orders have started shipping. Also ShopBlackBerry has started taking fresh orders for the Passport device.
BlackBerry Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY)’s Passport has some distinct features which attracts many customers. Some of these features include 3450 mAh non-removable battery which has GSM talk time of around 14 hours. Many other smartphones in this sector has major issue in providing longer talk time to consumers. Another distinguishing feature when compared to older BlackBerry smartphones is the wider screen in Passport, which helps the user in viewing and editing spreadsheets and documents.
BlackBerry Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY) has seen both up and down in the smartphone industry and many believe that Passport phone marks the second-coming of BlackBerry into the market. BlackBerry was a favorite among consumers five years ago, but soon lost grounds to iOS and Android based devices. Almost a year ago, when Chen took over the company, his intention were clear, which was to gain the lost grounds. He did many restructuring activities and struck many deals including the most crucial deal with Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN), which has helped the company transform into a major force yet again.
By the way, Blackberry Passport isn’t one of the 10 most expensive smartphones in the World.
Let Warren Buffett, David Einhorn, George Soros, and David Tepper WORK FOR YOU. If you want to beat the low cost index funds by an average of 6 percentage points per year look no further than Warren Buffett’s stock picks. That’s the margin Buffett’s stock picks outperformed the market since 2008. In this free report, Insider Monkey’s market beating research team identified 7 stocks Warren Buffett and 12 other billionaires are crazy about. CLICK HERE NOW for all the details.


text:
Tran Tuan Anh, Minister of Industry and Trade of Vietnam, which holds the ASEAN Chairmanship 2020, chaired the meeting.
The ministers approved the Hanoi Action Plan, which aims to enhance economic cooperation within the bloc and connect supply chains amid the changing circumstances in the region caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The action plan was built on the basis of a joint statement from ASEAN economic ministers, which was proposed by Vietnam and adopted at the ASEAN Economic Ministers Retreat in March.
It includes concrete measures to reboot ASEAN’s economy, such as maintaining commitments to market opening to ensure food security and enhancing the capacity for recovery and sustainability in regional supply chains.
Apart from avoiding new and unnecessary non-tariff measures, the bloc will also build a platform to facilitate regional trade and promote and support supply chain connectivity.
It will also optimise technologies and digital commerce to assist enterprises, especially micro-small- and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).
The approval of the action plan demonstrates the role of the ASEAN Community in responding and adapting to COVID-19 as well as Vietnam’s ASEAN Chairmanship in 2020.
The ministers also looked into joint statements issued by business advisory councils, including the ASEAN Business Advisory Council.


text:
We have uplifting news from Triumph International, the company that brought us the solar-panel bra, the husband-hunter bra, and the environmentally minded No Plastic Shopping Bag Bra, among other novelty lingerie.
Today, on the two-month anniversary of the Japanese quake and tsunami, the company unclasped the "Support Japan Bra," a strapless bustier and matching skirt covered in encouraging messages to disaster victims delivered from around the globe.
Now, it's probably safe to assume novelty lingerie isn't a priority for the many people still reeling from the epic natural disasters. Still, encouraging words from the global community, be they delivered by relief agencies, social media, or brassieres, will hopefully remind victims that they're still very much in hearts and minds the world over. … Read more


text:
YouTube sunsets shopping feature allowing creators to tag products
“We strongly believe that YouTube is the best place for creators to build a business and that an affiliate model will be the most beneficial way for creators to earn money at scale,” said the message from YouTube. “As we invest in the affiliate program as a long-term solution to earn from tagging products on YouTube, we’ll be phasing out the ability to tag products from other brands and related short-term incentive programs.”
As Insider noted, the messaging from YouTube indicates that the social media platform isn’t set to give up on its affiliate model, but is working to develop a more robust option. “We've seen early success with our YouTube Shopping affiliate program, which allows creators in the U.S. to earn commission from purchases on tagged products in their videos and Shorts, and will now begin to move to this model for all creators,” YouTube’s message said.
The change to YouTube comes amid broader shifts across social-media platforms related to social commerce. Meta-owned Instagram earlier this year booted the shopping tab from the home feed of its app. Instagram last month also disabled a tool that allowed creators to tag products in their livestream videos.
TikTok, meanwhile, has only increased its e-commerce ambitions in the U.S. TikTok earlier this year began testing in-app shopping with select retailers and merchants, such as Pacsun and KimChi Chic Beauty, Retail Leader reported. TikTok plans to roll the feature out more broadly later this year.
While social commerce hasn’t been as popular in the U.S. as it has been abroad — especially in Asia — the industry still has an impact domestically. According to a 2022 survey from DISQO, 51% of U.S. consumers who watched live or recorded shopping videos on social media made a purchase, compared to 27.2% who said they had not.


text:
The folks at Engadget’s have taken a stab at Palm last year, citing various issues inside the company. Back then, Palm’s CEO Ed Colligan responded and promised improvements. One year has since passed, and the parting chief editor of the site now took the time to sum up.
Palm OS II aka NoVa has also been a topic – the lack of progress has made the Engadget team recommend Palm to give up its OS exclusivity and start building Android devices(!!!)…
In the end, Ryan doesn’t feel too well about the future of the company. Even though the Centro currently sells very well, he feels that the gains will be “short-term” => the long-time strategy and Ed Colligan’s way of handling the media hasn’t improved too much.
Get the full scoop here:


text:
Every Google Search Uses Seven Grams of CO2
You may have to start buying carbon offsets. In fact, Alex Wissner-Gross, the Harvard professor who did the study, discovered that just browsing a website uses 0.002 of CO2 per second. Google, none too happy with the report, is striking back, saying it has the most energy efficient data centers in the world and that driving a car for a kilometer, or 0.6 miles, equates with the amount of CO2 produced by a thousand Google searaches.Click here for reuse options!
Copyright 2009 Liberaland


text:
Drug Fair reported higher profits yesterday for the second quarter in a row, and President Milton Elsberg told stockholders the company is completing a turnaround started two years ago.
"We may not be free of our problems," Elsberg said at Drug Fair's annual meeting. "Nevertheless, we are cautiously optimisitc that our strong recovery is proceeding according to plan."
As part of the plan, Drug Fair remodeled dozens of stores and launched a more aggressive advertising and marketing strategy. In March, Drug Fair's Wrangler Wranch jeans shops and Scoops ice cream parlors were closed after those diversification efforts proved unprofitable.
Drug Fair's earnings for the 13 weeks ended Arpil 30 jumped 160 percent to $299,000 (18 cents a share) from $115,000 (7 cents) in the same period a year ago.
Sales for the quarter were up 7.5 percent to $67.4 million from $62.7 million.
At the end of last year, Drug Fair set up a reserve of about $1 million to cover losses from discontinued operations, so the closings of the jeans shops and ice cream stores didn't depress this quarter's profits.
"The most encouraging aspect of our performance," is that "our recovery is taking place during a recession that has hit retailers particularly hard," Elsberg told stockholders.
The recession will slow Drug Fair's expansion plans, but the chain still will open eight more stores in the next nine months, the chief executive said.


text:
Because the reward for mining blocks is so high (currently at 12.5 BTC), the competition to win that reward is also fierce among miners. At any moment, hundreds of thousands of supercomputers all around the world are competing to mine the next block and win that reward. In fact, according to howmuch.com, ” the total power of all the computers mining Bitcoin is over 1000 times more powerful than the world’s top 500 supercomputers combined”.
1. Once your mining computer comes up with the right guess, your mining program determines which of the current pending transactions will be grouped together into the next block of transactions. Compiling this block represents your moment of glory, as you’ve now become a temporary banker of Bitcoin who gets to update the Bitcoin transaction ledger known as the blockchain.
In the process of mining, each Bitcoin miner is competing with all the other miners on the network to be the first one to correctly assemble the outstanding transactions into a block by solving those specialized math puzzles. In exchange for validating the transactions and solving these problems. Miners also hold the strength and security of the Bitcoin network. This is very important for security because in order to attack the network, an attacker would need to have over half of the total computational power of the network. This attack is referred to as the 51% attack. The more decentralized the miners mining Bitcoin, the more difficult and expensive it becomes to perform this attack.
Instead, the ledger is broken up into blocks: discrete transaction logs that contain 10 minutes worth of bitcoin activity apiece. Every block includes a reference to the block that came before it, and you can follow the links backward from the most recent block to the very first block, when bitcoin creator Satoshi Nakamoto conjured the first bitcoins into existence.
Cryptojacking and legitimate mining, however, are sensitive to cryptocurrency prices, which have declined sharply since their highs in late 2017 and early 2018. According to a McAfee September 2018 threats report, cryptojacking instances “remain very active,” but a decline in the value of cryptocurrencies could lead to a plunge in coin mining malware, just as fast as it emerged.
Venture capitalists, such as Peter Thiel's Founders Fund, which invested US$3 million in BitPay, do not purchase bitcoins themselves, but instead fund bitcoin infrastructure that provides payment systems to merchants, exchanges, wallet services, etc. In 2012, an incubator for bitcoin-focused start-ups was founded by Adam Draper, with financing help from his father, venture capitalist Tim Draper, one of the largest bitcoin holders after winning an auction of 30,000 bitcoins, at the time called "mystery buyer". The company's goal is to fund 100 bitcoin businesses within 2–3 years with $10,000 to $20,000 for a 6% stake. Investors also invest in bitcoin mining. According to a 2015 study by Paolo Tasca, bitcoin startups raised almost $1 billion in three years (Q1 2012 – Q1 2015).
The blocks chain is secured by the miners. Miners secure the block by creating a hash that is created from the transactions in the block. This cryptographic hash is then added to the block. The next block of transactions will look to the previous block’s hash to verify it is legitimate. Then the miner will attempt to create a new block that contains current transactions and new hash before any other miner does.
Bitcoin mining is the process by which transactions are verified and added to the public ledger, known as the block chain, and also the means through which new bitcoin are released. Anyone with access to the internet and suitable hardware can participate in mining. The mining process involves compiling recent transactions into blocks and trying to solve a computationally difficult puzzle. The participant who first solves the puzzle gets to place the next block on the block chain and claim the rewards. The rewards, which incentivize mining, are both the transaction fees associated with the transactions compiled in the block as well as newly released bitcoin. (Related: How Does Bitcoin Mining Work?)
In December, 2013, Techcrunch published an interview with researcher Skye Grey who claimed textual analysis of published writings shows a link between Satoshi and bit-gold creator Nick Szabo. And perhaps most famously, in March 2014, Newsweek ran a cover article claiming that Satoshi is actually an individual named Satoshi Nakamoto – a 64-year-old Japanese-American engineer living in California. The list of suspects is long, and all the individuals deny being Satoshi.
Mining is the process of adding transaction records to Bitcoin's public ledger of past transactions (and a "mining rig" is a colloquial metaphor for a single computer system that performs the necessary computations for "mining". This ledger of past transactions is called the block chain as it is a chain of blocks. The blockchain serves to confirm transactions to the rest of the network as having taken place. Bitcoin nodes use the blockchain to distinguish legitimate Bitcoin transactions from attempts to re-spend coins that have already been spent elsewhere.
Ultimately, Bitcoin mining is becoming an arms race. In the early days, anyone with a decent PC could generate Bitcoins through Bitcoin mining. Today, you need to collaborate with other Bitcoin miners in pools, strategically choose the location of your Bitcoin mining operation, and purchase ASIC-powered computers that are specially designed to handle Bitcoin mining.
As specified by the Bitcoin protocol, each miner is rewarded by each block mined. Currently, that reward is 12.5 new Bitcoins for each block mined. The Bitcoin block mining reward halves every 210,000 blocks, when the coin reward will decrease from 12.5 to 6.25 coins. Currently, the total number of Bitcoins left to be mined amounts to 4,293,388. This means that 16,706,613 Bitcoins are in circulation, and that the total number of blocks available until mining reward is halved is 133,471 blocks till 11:58:04 12th Jun, 2020 When the mining reward will be halved.
Bitcoin Core is the “official” Bitcoin client and wallet, though isn’t used by many due to slow speeds and a lack of features. Bitcoin Core, however, is a full node, meaning it helps verify and transmit other Bitcoin transactions across the network and stores a copy of the entire blockchain. This offers better privacy since Core doesn’t have to rely on data from external servers or other peers on the network. Bitcoin Core routed through Tor is considered one of the best ways to use Bitcoin privately.
In the meantime, the basin’s miners are at full steam ahead. Salcido says he’ll have 42 megawatts running by the end of the year and 150 megawatts by 2020. Carlson says his next step after his current build-out of 60 megawatts will be “in the hundreds” of megawatts. Over the next five years, his company plans to raise $5 billion in capital to build 2,000 megawatts—two gigawatts—of additional mining capacity. But that won’t all be in the basin, he says. Carlson says he and others will soon be scaling up so rapidly that, for farsighted miners, the Mid-Columbia Basin effectively is already maxed out, in part because the counties simply can’t build out power lines and infrastructure fast enough. “So we have to go site hunting across the US & Canada,” Carlson told me in a text. “I’m on my way to Quebec on Monday.” As in oil or gold, prospectors never stop—they just move on.
Even in the recent price crash, the miners have maintained their upbeat attitude, in part because they’ve died this death a few times before. In February, a day after bitcoin’s price dipped below $6,000, I checked in with Carlson to see how he was dealing with the huge sell-off. In a series of long texts, he expressed only optimism. The market correction, he argued, had been inevitable, given the rapid price increase. He noted that mining costs in the basin remain so low—still just a little above $2,000 per coin—that prices have a way to fall before bitcoin stops being worth mining there. Carlson is, he told me, “100 percent confident” the price will surpass the $20,000 level we saw before Christmas. “The question, as always, is how long will it take.”
From a widespread adoption standpoint: for the typical consumer, Bitcoin is technically challenging and cumbersome to use for the inexperienced. They also forfeit the consumer protections afforded by traditional credit and debt cards. Merchants already have incentive to accept it in the form of reduced fees for accepting payments over typical payment processors.
Bitcoin’s popularity has undeniably been its number one advantage over the numerous other cryptocurrencies. By gaining a large number of adopters and users, Bitcoin has achieved a network effect that attracts even more users. Users who would otherwise be more apprehensive investing in a relatively unknown and unproven digital currency are reassured by Bitcoin’s performance over time, its growing community, and the fact that people they know are adopting cryptos.
Each time you request blockchain data from a wallet, the server may be able to view your IP address and connect this to the address data requested. Each wallet handles data requests differently. If privacy is important to you, use a wallet that downloads the whole blockchain like Bitcoin Core or Armory. Tor can be used with other wallets to shield your IP address, but this doesn’t prevent a server from tying a group of addresses to one identity. For more information, check out the Open Bitcoin Privacy Project for wallet rankings based on privacy.
For one, proof of work prevents miners from creating bitcoins out of thin air: they must burn real energy to earn them. And two, proof of work ossifies Bitcoin’s history. If an attacker were to try and change a transaction that happened in the past, that attacker would have to redo all of the work that has been done since to catch up and establish the longest chain. This is practically impossible and is why miners are said to “secure” the Bitcoin network.
A full-featured Android app enables access to all account functions on the go. Coinbase’s founders have a proven startup track record and have raised money from very prominent venture capitalists. This gives Coinbase a level of legitimacy unparalleled in the Bitcoin space. They are also one of the only large Bitcoin companies to never suffer a major hack. Click here to sign up.
Bitcoin wallet addresses are case sensitive, usually have 34 characters of numbers and lowercase letters, start with either a 1 or a 3, and never use 0, O, l and I to make every character in the address as clear as possible. That’s a lot to take in. But don’t worry. What they consist of is largely irrelevant to you. Just know they’re a string of characters that denote a destination on the Bitcoin Blockchain.
The domain name "bitcoin.org" was registered on 18 August 2008. In November 2008, a link to a paper authored by Satoshi Nakamoto titled Bitcoin: A Peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash System was posted to a cryptography mailing list. Nakamoto implemented the bitcoin software as open source code and released it in January 2009. Nakamoto's identity remains unknown.


text:
Money-making and advertisement videos may not be Facebook’s strongest suit. But with the social media giant’s re-introduction of the “mid-roll” ad format, things are looking more lucrative to video publishers who would be rolling out videos with income-generating advertisement in the middle of them all.
However, there are two conditions which publishers must meet in order to qualify their videos of getting the wanted money-making feature of embedding ads in them: the video must at least be running a minute and half long and must be viewed for at least 20 seconds’ duration.
Previously, publishers were complaining that Facebook, as a business platform, is not generating enough revenues for video publishers—like BuzzFeed—given that it can only run the so-called “sponsored” video ads which was not without its own controversy.
The inclusion of the video format as part of the popular social media site had long been realized which caused the platform to have as many as 100 million hours of video stream as of 2016.
But despite the ever popularity of videos in a closely-connected community as Facebook, CEO Mark Zuckerberg had never allowed the running of “pre-roll” of video advertisements in its platform which, in business sense, is a lost opportunity for income streams.
It is for this reason that potential Facebook publishers, like sports leagues, had stayed away from the platform as far as putting contents deemed of value is concerned in the platform.
This will all start to change as the giant company begin selling video advertisements whose sales it is committed for sharing with publishers at 55 percent split liken to how the dominating platform, YouTube, shares its ad sales to its own publishers.
But this was not the first time that Facebook has tried something new with regards to creating advertising opportunities for its many publishers.
Almost two years ago, the social media platform was designed to cater for standalone video advertisements with its own section and with the intent of sharing on its income to publishers. Furthermore, the first rollout of the “midroll” video ad format was initially implemented just last year, but only tried with live videos.


text:
Amid Boston Overdose Crisis, a Pair of Harvard Students Are Bringing Narcan to the Red Line
At First Cambridge City Council Election Forum, Candidates Clash Over Building Emissions
Harvard’s Updated Sustainability Plan Garners Optimistic Responses from Student Climate Activists
‘Sunroof’ Singer Nicky Youre Lights Up Harvard Yard at Crimson Jam
‘The Architect of the Whole Plan’: Harvard Law Graduate Ken Chesebro’s Path to Jan. 6
As the Red Sox played for gold rings at Fenway Park yesterday, Harvard Square’s businesses tried to make some gold of their own.
Bars with plasma televisions and shops serving up Sox paraphernalia drew crowds yesterday, when Boston’s home team played yesterday’s second World Series game against the Colorado Rockies—whose blacks and purples were noticeably absent from the streets.
At Uno Chicago Grill on JFK Street last night, fans lined up at the bar, focused on the widescreens behind the counter.
Travis H. Bleidt, a bartender, came up with the idea of giving away food and prizes in the restaurant’s basement bar to attract more customers. Uno’s plans to continue hosting “Soxtober” as long as the series lasts.
Other businesses have already jumped on the Red Sox bandwagon.
Alpha Omega Jewelers in Harvard Square became official sponsors of the Red Sox last year and this year began selling Sox-themed jewelry. Jordan A. Hislop, a store associate, said Sox merchandise has sold well as fans celebrate recent victories.
Farther down Mass. Ave., Billy Bartley, manager of the iconic Bartley’s Burger Cottage and a Red Sox fan for 47 years, also noted a slight increase in customers, but did not attribute better business to the Sox’s recent victories. Rather, Bartley believed his store attracts a certain kind of customer.
“All of us here are Sox fans. I can’t stand people who eat here and are fans of other teams,” he said. “That’s ridiculous.”
Even during the first Series game, John Harvard’s Brew House was at full capacity, according to bartender Fran Forrestall.
“I can’t even begin to estimate how many people were here,” Forrestall said. “You couldn’t even walk, all the good people in this world were here.”
Cardullo’s Gourmet Shoppe has already received press for the “Chair Club” that gathers outside the main store window to watch games from the TV behind the glass. Although the public game-viewing is not officially sponsored by the store, employee Matthew B. Becker said allowing the crowd to watch games outside the store has generated excellent publicity.
While many storefronts embraced the Red Sox craze, a few saw little or no difference in business. Flat Patties employee Manuel Hernandez pointed out only businesses that open late or have a TV can reap the benefits of a hungry crowd.
“Since we have no beer and Felipe’s is open later than we are,” Hernandez said. “I don’t really see how [the Red Sox] are helping.”
Want to keep up with breaking news? Subscribe to our email newsletter.


text:
From pv magazine India
U.S. e-commerce group Amazon has announced its first utility-scale renewable energy projects in India – three solar farms located in Rajasthan. These include a 210 MW project to be developed by Indian developer ReNew Power, a 100 MW project to be built by Amp Energy India, and a 110 MW project to be developed by Brookfield Renewable.
“Combined, these solar farms can generate 1,076,000 MWh of renewable energy per year, enough to power over 360,000 average-sized households in New Delhi annually,” stated the company.
Amazon will also deploy 23 rooftop solar arrays totaling 4.09 MW across 14 cities in India. This brings the total number of its solar rooftop projects in India to 41, with a combined capacity of 19.7 MW.
“We are bringing new wind and solar projects online to power our offices, fulfillment centers, data centers, and stores, which collectively serve millions of customers globally, and we are on a path to reach 100% renewable energy across our entire business by 2025,” said Adam Selipsky, CEO of Amazon Web Services.
Amazon’s 210 MW deal with ReNew Power in Rajasthan is one of the largest corporate power purchase agreement (PPA) and the largest single business-to-business (B2B) project that ReNew Power is developing in India.
Amazon also announced that it is expanding its renewable energy portfolio globally, with an additional 2.7 GW of clean energy capacity across 71 new renewable energy projects. This includes the company’s first renewable energy project in South America – a solar farm in Brazil – and its first solar farm in Poland.
This content is protected by copyright and may not be reused. If you want to cooperate with us and would like to reuse some of our content, please contact: email@example.com.


text:
The following stocks were among those that moved substantially or traded heavily Wednesday on the New York Stock Exchange:
Yum Brands Inc., down 49 cents at $34.37
Despite a jump in profit, the restaurant operator said it expects even weaker U.S. sales in the final three months of 2009.
Monsanto Co., down $1.03 at $74.33
The world's biggest seed maker's fourth-quarter loss widened to $233 million on lower revenue, led by a drop in sales of a herbicide.
Abercrombie & Fitch Co., up $1.10 at $32.66
An analyst said expense pressures on the teen apparel retailer are lessening and upgraded the stock to "equal-weight."
Family Dollar Stores Inc., down 27 cents at $28.21
The discount retailer predicted first-quarter earnings and revenue growth, expecting continued business from value-conscious consumers.
Stoneridge Inc., up 35 cents at $8.36
An analyst raised his price target on the maker of engineered electrical and electronic products by 50 percent.
Costco Wholesale Corp., up $1.07 at $59
The members-only warehouse club chain's profit slid on a stronger dollar and higher employee health care costs, but beat expectations.
Repros Therapeutics Inc., up 97 cents at $1.86
The company reported positive clinical trial results for a drug candidate designed to increase testosterone production in men.
Google Inc., up $18.80 at $517.54
A federal judge set a deadline for a revised agreement in the battle over Google's effort to get digital rights for out-of-print books.


text:
The Energy Information Administration is forecasting that the U.S. retail price for regular gasoline will average $2.25 per gallon (gal) this summer (April through September). The forecast price is lower than the 2015 summer average of $2.63/gal, but higher than the forecast from the April 2016 Short-Term Energy and Summer Fuels Outlook. The change in the forecast since April is largely attributable to increases in crude oil prices.
EIA now forecasts Brent crude oil prices to average $46 per barrel (b) for the summer driving season, up from a projection of $35/b in April. The deviation of prices from the April forecast should be considered in the context of the uncertainty suggested by market prices for futures and options contracts in early April. Rising unplanned global supply outages, particularly in Nigeria and Canada, have also contributed to higher crude oil prices in recent months.
The $11/b increase in the average Brent price for the summer driving season relative to EIA's April forecast of July prices translates into about a 27 cents/gal increase in the gasoline price ($11/b increase divided by the 42 gallons in a barrel). The 27 cents/gal increase in the Brent price forecast is partially offset by lower margins for both refiners and distributors, resulting in an increase of 21 cents/gal in the price of retail gasoline from the April outlook.
For the rest of the summer, EIA expects gasoline prices to decline from $2.37/gal in June to $2.19/gal in September. Declining retail prices are expected to be driven by declining gasoline wholesale margins, which are forecast to fall from 49 cents/gal in June to 33 cents/gal in September.
Wholesale margins typically decline towards the end of summer as seasonal gasoline consumption falls. Crude oil prices are expected to be relatively unchanged at around $47/b for the rest of the summer.


text:
Tocca is hitting the road.
Best known for its fragrances capturing the spirit and personality of girls who inspired them, Tocca’s newest collection takes its cues from famous locations. Called Voyage, the home fragrance range evokes the scents of Bora Bora; Capri; Marrakech; Montauk, N.Y., and Valencia, Italy. The products include hand-poured candles, hand soaps and lotions.
“We picked five incredibly beautiful places we love and worked with our perfume team to develop scents that are reminiscent of those locations. We want to take people on a sensorial trip around the world,” said Gordon Finkelstein, Tocca’s president and chief executive officer.
Voyage bows this month exclusively at Bluemercury and bluemercury.com. On Aug. 1, Voyage travels into independent and specialty stores worldwide. Voyage will also be sold internationally, including exclusively at Mecca in Australia. Prices range from $20 for a hand soap to $42 for a 10-oz. candle.
“This is the evolution of what Tocca has become,” Finkelstein explained. “It addresses a segment of our business that’s very important,” he added, referring to the network of specialty retailers both in the U.S. and abroad. “We’ve built a story around our fine fragrances such as Cleopatra and Stella, but we felt it was time to draw some clean lines and introduce a new collection anchored in the home.”
You May Also Like
Finkelstein explained Voyage has a broader, unisex appeal versus the whimsical and feminine positioning of Tocca’s fragrances. In addition to bringing in new users, the line is giftable. Building out its home fragrance portfolio comes at a key time in the industry as the segment is showing some of the healthiest growth in the business.
“As the upsurge in prestige sales and consumer statements attest, the home scents market is growing rapidly. This is a reflection of the consumer movement toward a different type of gift to self: more holistic sensory experiences,” said Karen Grant, global beauty industry analyst at The NPD Group, earlier this year. “Consumers tend to use candles, diffusers and other scented home products not out of necessity, but out of a desire for a warm and intimate space that brings both the consumer and — especially during the holidays — their guests, comfort, joy and positivity.”
Finkelstein added that people are pumping more money into their homes. “This is where the consumer is spending money now. Maybe we’re not traveling as much, but we are putting money into our home,” he said.
The distribution in independent and specialty retailers also offers growth potential to augment the 23-year-old company’s existing business in retailers such as Sephora, Birchbox, Anthropologie as well as 42 Tocca stores in Japan. “We think as a brand, we’ve only scratched the surface,” Finkelstein said of specialty doors. “This is a channel of distribution we have had our foot in the door for years, but we thought it was time to give them something new and refreshing.”
Bora Bora’s composition was crafted to conjure memories of white sand beaches and swaying palms. Capri harness ingredients to capture the mystery of Capri’s secluded coves and legendary Blue Grotto. Amber-infused Marrakech evokes the city’s imperial palaces and brightly colored bazaars. Montauk, expected to be one of the bestsellers, brings home the fresh and clean scent of salt air, wild mint and crisp cucumber. And Valencia is a tribute to the passion of the Spanish city. There are plans in the pipeline to expand the collection and with new scents and forms.
“What we really wanted to do was evoke each of the locations,” explained Patricia Amarose, vice president of marketing and product development. She predicted the candles will be the briskest sellers, following by the hand soaps and then lotions.
Several in-store activities are planned to promote Voyage in Bluemercury including gifts with purchase. The company also expects to make optimal use of social media, a natural link with the travel positioning.