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November 25, 2011
Research In Motion BlackBerry Bold 9790 BlackBerry Curve 9350 BlackBerry Curve 9380 Augmented Reality NFC Research In Motion
August 4, 2009 |
NEW DELHI: Canada-based Research In Motion today launched a BlackBerry mobile phone priced at Rs 15,990 in India targetting young professionals and students. The handset, BlackBerry Curve 8520, would be available across India on Airtel service from August 7. Research In Motion Vice President (India) Frenny Bawa said, "The new BlackBerry Curve 8520 will help appeal to a much wider audience of customers in India. " Airtel Chief Marketing Officer, Mobile Services, Raghunath Mandava said, "We believe that the BlackBerry Curve 8520 will appeal to young professionals, students and a broad spectrum of customers who want the mobile for messaging, social networking, email, music and entertainment.
June 17, 2010 |
MUMBAI: Cellular services provider, Tata Teleservices Limited ( TTL ) and Research In Motion, together have launched BlackBerry Curve 8530 smartphone for the CDMA customers on Tata Indicom network. The handset will be available at all authorised Tata Indicom retail stores across the country and will have a combination of pre-paid and post-paid plans, Tata Indicom said in a statement here today. "The CDMA smartphone market is developing rapidly.
January 13, 2012 |
NEW DELHI: Bharti Airtel , the world's fifth largest mobile phone service provider, launched a new BlackBerry service plan for its postpaid customers Thursday, the same day its competitor Vodafone announced a similar plan. Airtel's BlackBerry Messenger or BBM plan is available at Rs 129 per month that offers unlimited use of the messenger service along with free 300 local and national text messages every month. By launching the service, Airtel aims to target a new segment of customers that are 'keen on leveraging a best-in-class messaging platform for real time social messaging', it said in a statement.
July 2, 2013 |
NEW DELHI: BlackBerry has started a month-long programme allowing users to trade their older mobiles for the newest model Z10 for hefty discounts of up to Rs 11,000 as the smartphone maker seeks to push sales. "Customers across 17 cities will get discount of up to Rs 11,000 if they buy BlackBerry Z10 under this scheme. We have given reference rates to dealers for existing BlackBerry users willing to shift to BlackBerry Z10," BlackBerry India's Director for Channel Sales Prosenjit Sen told PTI. Users of BlackBerry Bold 9900 can get discount of up to Rs 11,000 under this scheme while users of entry level models like BlackBerry Curve 8530 can get discount of Rs 3,000.
May 23, 2013 |
NEW DELHI: Smartphone maker BlackBerry will sell BlackBerry Z10 and BlackBerry Curve 9220 on easy monthly installments in India from this weekend and has tied up with credit card providers including Axis Bank , Citibank, HDFC bank , HSBC , ICICI Bank , Kotak, SBI Card and Standard Chartered. BlackBerry is the latest to take the EMI route after Apple, Samsung and Nokia started selling their smartphones on staggered installment basis. Early this week, Apple offered Rs 7,777 cash back to customers who were willing to exchange their existing smartphone for the iPhone 5. Customers had to pay a part of the cost of the handset upfront and could pay the rest in installments.
July 21, 2008 |
MUMBAI: Private telecom operator Reliance Communications and Canada-based company Research in Motion (RIM) have launched the BlackBerry Curve 8330 smartphone in the India market. Starting July 8, Reliance Communications' customers across India have been able to enjoy the option of choosing the new sleek and stylish high-speed smartphone, a company release said here on Monday. The new phone, priced at Rs 25,990, offers a powerful combination of communications and multimedia capabilities, it said.
January 12, 2012 |
KOLKATA: Vodafone India, the domestic arm of the world's largest private mobile phone company by revenues and customers, is launching a new BlackBerry service plan christened Go BBM for its prepaid and postpaid customers. The plan, which will be commercially launched next week, will offer unlimited access to BlackBerry Messenger Services (BBM), which is one of the largest mobile social networks in the world at Rs 5 per day for prepaid users and Rs 129 per month for postpaid subscribers, according to a company media statement.
April 30, 2013 |
NEW DELHI: Smartphone maker BlackBerry today launched a plan offering all its services for Rs 129 per GB in 15 mid- and low-revenue generating circles, including Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan, targetting a deeper penetration in these regions. The monthly plan would be available on the network of Aircel, Idea Cellular and Vodafone , BlackBerry India's Director for Commercial Relationship, Hitesh Shah told PTI. However, in metros and top four telecom circles of Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh , Maharashtra and Karnataka, the plan is limited to use of BlackBerry Messenger only.
February 13, 2012 |
NEW DELHI: Facing competition from smartphone-makers like Samsung and Nokia , BlackBerry-maker Research In Motion (RIM) has chalked out an aggressive plan for India where it will be increasing its footprint to 160 cities, besides launching new devices and the latest Operation System 10 soon. The BlackBerry maker has a presence in 80 cities in the country now and is keen to tap the burgeoning demand for smartphones here. "In terms of expansion, we would like to strengthen our existing presence.


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Computer security company, Symantec has made an announcement that its Veritas division has been sold off to private equity firm The Carlyle Group, for $8 billion in cash. The move is being made so that the company can focus solely on its security business.
The news comes in succession of the revelation that the company was splitting into two separate publicly traded companies- Symentec and Veritas, handling security and serving as a storage vendor respectively. However, the split could not be completed officially. Nevertheless, the company received a good return which gave them a fillip to move forward with better security technologies.
The company is now shifting to the cloud and employing subscription model for monetization, reports Techcrunch.
“The sale allows Symantec to double down on their core by buying them time to deal with the cloud revenue conversion,” R Ray Wang, Founder at Constellation Research told TechCrunch.
The freshly gained $8 billion, gives the company time to refurnish and bolster its sales and marketing which is a mandate to move to a cloud model, as explained by Wang.
The purpose of selling Veritas off has been that the company never really had a sense of how to take advantage of an information management asset like Veritas, which explains why it was spinning it out as a separate company, stated Wang.
As of Carlyle, the company stated that it is committed to helping Veritas to eventually become a successful independent company. “We are wholly behind growing this business and growing a company that we hope to take public in the future,” Patrick McCarter, a Carlyle Managing Director said.

domain: news


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The New York apple industry contributed fruit for a statewide promotion.
The Fishers-based New York Apple Association donated thousands of apples for Big Apple Crunch events in New York City and Syracuse, N.Y., according to an association news release.
At the Big Apple Crunch, now in its third year, people bit into an apple simultaneously at noon Oct. 24.
Kinderhook, N.Y.-based Samascott Orchards donated more than 2,000 galas and empires for a Big Apple Crunch at New York’s Union Square Greenmarket. Other Big Apple Crunch events were held in New York’s other four boroughs.
The event in Syracuse was attended by Jim Boeheim, coach of the Syracuse men’s basketball team.
Seventeen other New York colleges and universities participated in this year’s Crunch.


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In the college town of Austin, Texas, a disgruntled hacker apparently managed to override a remote vehicle-immobilization system called Webtech Plus, effectively shutting down dozens of cars and setting off alarms on dozens more. According to Wired News, the alleged hacker is Omar Ramos-Lopez, a 20-year-old Texas resident.
In February, Mr. Ramos-Lopez was laid off from his job at Texas Auto Center, a used car dealership. Within a week, the troubles began.
“We initially dismissed it as mechanical failure,” Texas Auto Center manager Martin Garcia told Wired. “We started having a rash of up to a hundred customers at one time complaining. Some customers complained of the horns going off in the middle of the night. The only option they had was to remove the battery.”
The alleged capers of Ramos-Lopez have shone a spotlight on vehicle-immobilization systems, which allow car dealerships to power down cars in the case of delinquent payments. Texas Auto Center, for instance, reportedly kept a database of more than 1,000 customers; if a customer began missing payments, an employee would sign onto the database, and use Webtech Plus to turn off the automobile through the same network technology that powers pagers.
Ramos-Lopez, who was eventually apprehended by a high-tech crimes unit in Austin, broke into the database using another employee's account, Wired reports. “Omar was pretty good with computers,” said Martin Garcia, the Auto Center manager.
Many analysts have argued that vehicle-immobilization systems are a clear violation of customers' rights. "I think it's the level of control that bothers me," Ken McEldowney, executive director of Consumer Action, a national non-profit group based in San Francisco, told a reporter for the Virginian-Pilot four years ago, when the systems were first gaining popularity.


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WILMINGTON, Del.— Tesla Inc.
Chief Executive Elon Musk faced another day of grilling over the car maker’s purchase of SolarCity Corp. as lawyers for plaintiffs on Tuesday aimed to show he was heavily involved and helped set the price for the struggling energy company.
Mr. Musk’s testimony, sometimes feisty, marked the second straight day he took the witness stand in the nonjury trial at the Delaware Court of Chancery. A group of shareholders allege that Mr. Musk controlled the 2016 deal while having a financial interest in both companies, that many of its directors were conflicted and that Tesla overpaid for SolarCity. Mr. Musk has said he didn’t dictate the deal process or price and recused himself from the shareholder vote.
Mr. Musk again dueled with the plaintiffs’ lawyer, Randall Baron, objecting to the attorney’s suggestions that he “co-opted” Tesla’s executives to work on the deal outside of his board of directors’ oversight. Mr. Musk later said the lawyer “shot himself in the foot” as the two men argued over Solar City’s share price at the time of the deal.
This testimony came after a heated first day during which he took aim at opposing counsel, while also arguing he didn’t act improperly during the negotiating process.
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One in four consumers used free gifts as Xmas presents
Tuesday January 6, 2015 at 8:01pm
One in four UK consumers admitted they planned to use free gifts from shops as Christmas presents for friends and relatives over the Christmas period, as cost-conscious Brits looked everywhere to make savings, according to new research from customer insight specialist Aimia. The research showed that while one-third of Brits expected to spend more on the holiday season compared to last year, 88% planned to use rewards, points or deals to cut the cost of Christmas. Over a third of people expected to use more offers and discounts than they did in 2013 and 36% planned to use loyalty points and rewards more than they did in 2013. The findings reveal that while Christmas spending was up, money saving habits, such as collecting loyalty points and bargain hunting, have become a central part of festive household budgeting. For many shoppers they have become absolutely essential at Christmas. One in five (22%) agreed that they would struggle to afford the cost of Christmas were it not for loyalty points and rewards while 32% agreed that offers and discounts were essential for making Christmas affordable. Jan-Pieter Lips (pictured), President of Aimia, EMEA, says: “During the recession we developed new coping mechanisms, such as points collecting and rewards seeking. These have now evolved into normal behaviour, whicwhich is even more pronounced at Christmas.” Aimia’s research shows that the scrimping extended to behaviours such as using free gifts from shops as Christmas gifts for others, buying gifts at a reduced price and waiting until the Boxing Day sales to pick up bargain-priced presents. 71% of people agreed they would be comparing prices between retailers to pick the best deals when doing their Christmas shopping; 47% of people agreed that they were actively looking for discounts from brands they like when doing their Christmas shopping; Around one-quarter (24%) agreed they would use free gifts from shops as Christmas gifts for others this year. Aimia’s Loyalty Lens research took place between 9 Dec – 15 Dec 2014 among 1,489 UK adults. The research was conducted by Research Now.


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Your options for replacing -- or not replacing -- a shattered iPhone screen.
No stranger to insensitivity, social media pours some salt in Brazil's wounds with a deluge of wisecracks.
Design firm Industry has developed a bike that demonstrates how the lines are blurring in design, engineering and manufacturing. This shift will ultimately allow companies to tailor products to individuals.
Commentary: The answer to better, faster video-streaming services over the Internet can be summed up in one word -- competition.
Google Maps finally answers a common bike route question: How hilly is it?
China's Sooall gives exercise an eco edge, letting you charge your batteries while you pedal away.
The tech giant amps up transportation data from England, Wales, Scotland, Vancouver, Chicago, and major cities in Brazil.
These GPS-tracking apps can tell you exactly how far you run and act as a training coach.
The trend in the first quarter was upward for Apple and downward for Samsung. But the reality for all contenders is that overall shipments declined from a year ago -- a first in more than half a decade.
A new patent application reveals how the company's planned delivery robots will collaborate to figure out the best way to get you your stuff, wherever you may be, right now.


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Stefanos Chen on Lunch Break shows us the latest homes vying to be WSJ's House of the Week, including a high-altitude house in Lake Tahoe, a Spanish-style home in Oklahoma, an English manor in Atlanta and a Bedford, N.Y. home built from the remnants of an old dairy barn. Photo: Steve Turner.
NYS Entity Status
NYS Filing Date
AUGUST 19, 2013
NYS DOS ID#
NYS Entity Type
DOMESTIC BUSINESS CORPORATION
2013 - BELLMORE AVENUE DAIRY INC.
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- Vote for WSJ's House of the Week
Friday Jun 8, 2012
- Milk alternatives stunt kids’ height, says doctor with dairy industry ties
By Beth Mole - Saturday Jun 10, 2017
The study has several weaknesses and the author wasn’t exactly forthcoming.
- Dairy Industry Says 48% Of Americans Don’t Know Where Chocolate Milk Comes From
By Laura Northrup - Thursday Jun 15, 2017
Even though the term “chocolate milk” may seem pretty self-explanatory, a large number of people apparently think there is some secret alchemy involved in brewing this mysterious elixir..The Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy surveyed 1,000 adults, representing all 50 states, about their knowledge and use of dairy products. The most attention-getting stat was 48% of people didn’t know how …
- Food & Wine Magazine Will Leave New York for Alabama
By STEPHANIE STROM - Friday Jun 23, 2017
The move reflects a changing business in which traditional food magazines, and a Manhattan address, are less important.
- Park Avenue Home Sells for $26 million---26% Off
Friday Jun 23, 2017
On the Upper East Side, the unit originally sought $35 million in February.
- Danone Looks To Tap Mainstream For So Delicious Dairy Free
Thursday Jun 8, 2017
The campaign also includes two radio ads airing on Pandora from May through October, and print ads running in national lifestyle magazines from June through October.
- Soupman Inc. of 'Seinfeld' Fame Seeks Bankruptcy Protection
Tuesday Jun 13, 2017
Soupman Inc., of “Seinfeld” fame, filed for bankruptcy protection Tuesday, just weeks after a top company executive was charged with tax evasion.
- A Slump in Tech Stocks That Leaves Some Investors Mystified
By LANDON THOMAS Jr. - Monday Jun 12, 2017
Shares of Netflix, Apple and other giant technology companies that have powered a market rally have taken an uncharacteristic pause.


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DENVER -- Hundreds of whiskey fans waited in line outside Stranahan's Colorado Whiskey distillery in Denver Friday night to get up to two bottles of the limited-edition 2019 Snowflake release.
Every year, Stranahan’s releases a limited-edition bottling of Snowflake only available for one day at the Denver distillery.
The Snowflake release has developed a cult following with hundreds of loyal fans and whiskey collectors braving the cold for up to 72 hours to get their hands on a bottle.
"It’s an endurance test. It’s a rite of passage to get a low bottle number," said Cowdin with a laugh.


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Midwestern Economy Report Remains Strong, Shows Inflation Fears | Nebraska News
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – The economies of nine Midwestern and Plains states remain strong following a devastating global pandemic, according to a new monthly survey of business leaders and managers, but the survey index measuring inflation hit a new high.
Creighton Mid-America University trading conditions for May released on Tuesday stood at 72.3, down slightly from April’s record high of 73.9.
Any score above 50 on the survey indices suggests growth, while a score below 50 suggests recession.
While surveyed business leaders showed strong confidence in the region’s economic growth over the next six months, the survey’s wholesale inflation gauge for the month also hit a record high of 96.3 from the previous April record of 96.2.
The survey showed that nearly one in three procurement managers cited rapidly rising input prices as their company’s biggest economic challenge in 2021.
Photos to see – May 2021
“Since June of last year, metal prices have increased 20.8% and wood products have advanced 63.1%, according to data from the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics,” Ernie said. Goss, an economist from Creighton University, who is overseeing the survey.
The survey showed that the region’s manufacturing sector has created jobs at a modest rate, with nearly a quarter of manufacturers surveyed saying finding and hiring skilled workers is this year’s biggest challenge. The shortage of workers is pushing up hourly wages in manufacturing, Goss said.
Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


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Mitsubishi plans to launch Pajero Sport in India by February 15January 20, 2012 by: Bhavesh Kumar
Brand Mitsubishi needs no introduction, but the latest news from the company is their plan of launching global showstopper Pajero Sport by 15th February, 2012. This car is actually the Mitsubishi Challenger 2008 which is being launched under the pseudonym of Pajero in the Asian markets. The reason that caused delay in the launch of the vehicle was Thailand Floods and things returning back to normalcy, it is being launched in India.
First the car is going to come as a Completely Built-Up Units and when the company is sure of the steady demand of the car, the production strategy is going to be shifted to Completely Knocked down Units for which the assembling will be done at HM’s plant in Thiruvallur.
The engine of this SUV is a 2.5 liter Diesel power train with 134 BHP and 320 Nm of torque raising capability. The option of manual and automatic transmission is both available and fuel economy is also very good. 7 Passengers could easily be accommodated in this car and estimates of several experts on the price are about 22 lacs. Toyota Fortuner and BMW X1 are its near competitors to capture the market share.


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Dodge Viper sales have been on a run since the brand repositioned the limited-production hand-built super car in September, and Dodge is building on the momentum, opening the system for dealers to place sold customer orders of the newly equipped 2015.5 Dodge Viper GTS and TA 2.0 Special Edition, which join the SRT and GT models in the Viper lineup.
Posts Tagged ‘Dodge’
The wait is over. The highly anticipated new 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat with its supercharged whine is about to roar into Dodge dealerships across the United States.
Dodge and SRT received more than 4,500 orders for the new 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat in just the first five days after orders opened in September. Those 707-horsepower muscle cars are now leaving the Brampton (Ont.) Assembly plant where they were built and making their way to Dodge customers across the country.
Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Wins “Star of The Show” Award at 2014 South Florida International Auto Show
In its auto show debut at the 2014 South Florida International Auto Show in Miami late last week, the 2015 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat was awarded the “Star of the Show” from the Southern Automotive Media Association (SAMA).
“The new Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat has quickly captured the world’s imagination,” said Bill Adam, SAMA president. “Other automotive manufacturers have made high horsepower vehicles over the years, but none comes close to this one. Dodge has built a family capable performance sedan that is sinister and powerful looking, while still able to achieve impressive gas mileage, making this car the 2014 Star of the Show.”
Like the all-new Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack stable mate, the all-new 2015 Dodge Charger R/T Scat Pack model includes an SRT-powered 6.4-liter HEMI powertrain and paddle-shifting TorqueFlite eight-speed transmission, showcasing the segment’s best combination of power, performance, styling and technology.
At the front, the new 2015 Dodge Charger R/T Scat Pack stares down the competition with its menacing looks. Paying homage to the first Viper coupe built in 1996, the 2015 Dodge Charger R/T Scat Pack receives a power-bulge aluminum hood, with NACA duct to improve engine cooling. A model-specific front fascia features an upper grille in black with dynamic grille texture, which spans between the new projector headlamps for a signature graphic look that highlights Charger’s wide track. Below, a massive lower
Dodge is bringing two new SRT models to market in 2015: the new 707-horsepower 2015 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat and the 485-horsepower Dodge Charger SRT 392, the “ultimate performance” variants of the world’s only four-door muscle car.
“For the last eight years, a large part of the Dodge Charger’s successful formula has been its many personalities for a family capable sedan depending on how the customer chooses to equip their car,” said Tim Kuniskis, President and CEO — Dodge and SRT Brands. “Now our 2015 Charger SRT lineup sets its advanced muscle car personality apart by offering unrivaled capabilities in our ultimate performance sedans.”
The world’s only four-door muscle car is transformed with a healthy selection of Mopar parts and accessories, creating the Dodge Charger R/T Mopar Concept vehicle.
The current Charger’s update of old-school muscle is further fleshed out by plugging in unique new Mopar products, including a front splitter, as well as Mopar side sills and sill extensions that boost handling and aerodynamic characteristics. At the rear, a unique Mopar valance frames the exhaust tips. A unique Mopar one-piece rear spoiler rises high, resulting in more downforce and a more dynamic rear profile.
The Dodge Challenger T/A Concept is a Sublime Green example that the big gun in the Dodge brand’s muscle-car arsenal hasn’t forgotten its roots.
A modern interpretation of the legendary T/A package available in the 1970s for the Challenger, the Dodge Challenger T/A Concept draws on heritage-inspired cues but also calls on present-day performance modifications and new prototype products designed with an eye toward the future.
For 2015, Dodge Charger is totally updated, features a standard across the lineup new state-of-the-art eight-speed automatic transmission and several new models, including the all-new Charger SRT Hellcat, SRT 392 and R/T Scat Pack models, all of which highlight the added performance to the new 2015 Dodge Charger lineup.
Dodge auctioned the first production 707-horsepower 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat VIN0001, the most powerful and fastest muscle car ever, for $825,000 at the Sept. 27 Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas 2014 auction benefitting Opportunity Village, a not-for-profit organization that serves people with significant intellectual disabilities in the Las Vegas area. The Engelstad Family Foundation of Las Vegas matched the auction price, bringing the grand total raised for Opportunity Village to $1.65 million. With their generous donation, the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat raised more money for charity than any other car in Barrett-Jackson history.


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How the New York Times changed its print publishing strategy
New York City’s biggest paper, the New Yorker, has made a splash of its own this year with its debut of a new website, “The New Yorker”, that will be launched today.
The site features interviews with the magazine’s staff and editors, as well as behind-the-scenes features on what goes on behind the scenes of the paper.
The website will also feature live broadcasts and live-streams of editorial events.
As the site comes online, it is being billed as a way to help the magazine survive its shrinking print business, and it is offering to make up the difference with a subscription service.
“We think the platform will enable us to grow as a company and to expand the breadth of what we offer, to give readers a deeper understanding of the business we serve,” said the magazine in a statement.
This is a huge deal for the New Yorkers, who will be able to see behind-scene photos of editors, photographers and writers, and hear from other staffers as they work, the statement said.
According to the NewYorker, the site is designed to help readers “understand the daily news and entertainment stories and trends in the digital era”.
“The New Yorker is the first platform in the business to offer this sort of access to all of our content,” it said.
“It will also allow us to bring our editorial staff on-board with our content and make our content more accessible to a broader audience.”
It is unclear whether the New Jersey-based newspaper will continue to use the site, but it is clear that the online platform is an option for it to expand its reach, and for the magazine to be more of a digital company.
At the same time, the publication’s print business is being increasingly squeezed by its digital rival.
In February, The Wall Street Journal launched a new online service, The Next Web, which allows users to watch all of the news on one platform, while offering a subscription-based plan for the print edition.
Since then, The New York Post has also been experimenting with the launch of a subscription model for its digital offerings, which could include both a subscription for the paper itself and the website.
While The New Yorker is a digital magazine, its website does not provide a platform for readers to watch the news.
Digital platforms such as The New Republic, Vox Media and the Washington Post have all made a lot of noise about the future of their respective digital platforms, which are not necessarily the most relevant news or entertainment stories.


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Maagical St. Maarten pacesetter for large-scale homeporting operations in NE Caribbean
The launch of the largest homeporting operation that the destination has ever seen will commence on Saturday, June 5 at the Dr. A.C. Wathey Cruise and Cargo Facilities in Point Blanche when Celebrity Cruise Lines 2200-passenger capacity Celebrity Millennium departs for a one-week cruise out of Port St. Maarten.
Celebrity Millennium will be a landmark at Port St. Maarten every week as the vessel picks up and drops off passengers for the next eight-plus weeks generating a considerable amount of economic activity for the destination over this extended period due to this deployment.
On Saturday morning there will be the Homeporting Inauguration ceremony to kick-off this historical first for the country.
Speeches will be given by a number of dignitaries, namely the Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunications (Ministry TEATT), Director of Tourism, a representative from Port St. Maarten, a representative of the Cruise Line, and the Prime Minister.
?The homeporting of cruise ships out of St. Maarten is an integral part of the country?s efforts in collaboration with Port St. Maarten and the Princess Juliana International Airport in promoting fly-cruise from the country.
?The continual development of homeporting marks another significant milestone in our destinations longstanding and valuable relationship with the cruise industry.
?St. Maarten is well-positioned to further develop more fly-cruise deployments, serving as a hub for the region in the North Eastern Caribbean. We will continue to work diligently with our partners both local and abroad in building sustainable growth and provide further opportunities for our cruise and hospitality workers,? Minister of TEATT Ludmila de Weever said on Friday.
The country will be getting a lot of exposure during this momentous occasion from the international media as well as social media influencers during the inaugural homeporting launch.
Media organizations include CBS News, The New York Times, ABC News, Cruise Critic, Travel Agent Magazine, The Cruise Guy, In the Loop Travel, The Points Guy, and Travel Age West.
The country can expect a wealth of media coverage in its primary travel market of the United States, further contributing to the awareness of Maagical St. Maarten and further enticing travelers to choose the island as a vacation hotspot this summer and the upcoming winter season.
The homeporting of the Royal Caribbean Group (RCG) vessel is at the forefront of building St. Maarten?s presence for large-scale homeporting operations for the foreseeable future.
St. Maarten is already a premiere cruise destination in the North Eastern Caribbean which has evolved over the past decades.
The island will continue to be a leading pacesetter in the cruise industry offering and delivering memorable destination experiences as the resumption of cruising kicks off.


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Miami, FL (PRWEB) August 06, 2013
The Miami based smartphone accessories maker Casemachine, LLC has recently released its all new Casemachine i5 Slimline v2 case for Apple iPhone 5. The Slimline v2 case is designed “for those who don’t like cases on their iPhone,” states Casemachine’s official online store.
The company has used touch friendly silicone polymer on the new Slimline (v2). The silicone has enabled Casemachine’s design engineers to keep a hyperfine width to the case thus successfully giving off a case-less feel of the iPhone 5. Casemachine’s aim is to provide a tight grip through the usage of premium silicone material in the i5 Slimline v2.
The case is a snap-on silicone-aluminum hybrid. For the sides, Casemachine’s design engineers have used CNC machined aircraft grade billet aluminum inlays which are highly impact elastic. The inlays also help in exuding racecar inspiration which basically fuel the Casemachine innovation. The silky smooth curves, the usage of premium aluminum and suede (for backplate) clearly proves how determined the company is to bring about something different and unique for patrons of exotic racecars.
To prove the impact elasticity of the new Casemachine i5 Slimline v2 case for Apple iPhone 5, the company conducted several tests at the Casemachine headquarters. Tests revealed how the premium silicone and the perfect StrechTight design innovation helped Casemachine in making a case which withstands far more vibrant shocks and movements than the competition.
Casemachine claims that the Slimline v2 hardly takes 2 seconds to slip on. The company has used polymer which does not grip onto fabric thus making the phone sliding in and out of the pockets a hassle. The polymer used easily slips in and lets the phone out without any problem, results state.
The Slimline v2 case for Apple iPhone 5 was also presented to the audience of the Las Vegas CTIA Show 2013. Casemachine received quite a response there from tech enthusiasts belonging to all parts of the world who left best wishes and notable compliments after the briefing.
Casemachine plans to further research and create different designer cases which look stunning to the eye and have minimal fluff or bulkiness. The Slimline v2 is now shipping to all parts of the world. iPhone users can purchase the case through the official Casemachine store at http://www.Casemachine.com.
For further information, please contact the customer support at 305-818-9933.


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National Australia Bank (NAB) is rolling out a portal called NAB View for its 4,500 business bankers which brings together information from 12 million customer accounts.
This includes data from NAB accounts, UBank accounts and MLC policies.
Using their PC or tablet, NAB’s business bankers will be able to see all relevant information about a customer on one screen rather than having to go to different databases.
NAB CIO David Boyle said NAB View is designed to help improve customer service.
“Consolidating data in one spot enables bankers to be faster and more efficient, meaning they’ll spend less time finding and reviewing information across different systems, and more time providing advice to customers,” he said in a statement.
“For example, NAB View halves the time it takes for a business banker to complete an annual review with a customer. With this extra time up their sleeves, bankers can spend more time focussing on their clients’ future needs.”
Built on the Oracle customer hub, it combines information from three different sources: core customer and account information, NAB wealth and wholesale banking.
According to Boyle, the bank has 12 million customer accounts.
“It took four months to consolidate the data onto the Customer Hub when we first turned it on – that should give everyone a sense as to how big this task was,” he added.
NAB View is part of the bank’s NextGen program, designed to deliver a digital core banking platform.
In December 2013, the bank announced that 4 million customers would be migrated to NextGen over the next three years.
NAB’s enterprise services transformation group executive, Lisa Gray, said that customers will be able to open an NAB-branded personal account on the NextGen platform from early 2015.
Ubank Usaver Ultra was the first transaction account launched on the NextGen platform in 2013. It can be applied for and verified without human interaction.
CIO Australia has contacted NAB for more information.
Follow CIO Australia on Twitter and Like us on Facebook… Twitter: @CIO_Australia, Facebook: CIO Australia, or take part in the CIO conversation on LinkedIn: CIO Australia


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MIDLAND, Mich. (Sept. 3)—Dow Chemical Co. will increase off-list prices of Voranol polyether polyols, Papi polymeric methylene diphenyl diisocyanate and Isonate pure MDI by 6 cents a pound in North America effective Oct. 1. Increasingly tight supply of both MDI and rigid polyols were cited as the reasons for the hikes. Dow Chemical also said prices for raw material feedstocks and natural gas remain high. The tighter supply and elevated prices for propylene and natural gas trends "could continue even through 2007, based on industry indicators such as new capacity announcements," said Rick Beitel, commercial director for Dow Chemical's polyurethanes business.
Dow Chemical to boost prices
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News Desk: Sajeeb Wazed Joy, Information and Communication Technology Adviser to the Prime Minister, described the various initiatives of Digital Bangladesh and said that Bangladesh will be the next hub for exports in the IT sector. He made the remarks while participating in the 25th World Congress on Information Technology, WCIT 2021 and Associate Digital Summit 2021, a virtual event, on Thursday (November 11).
It is being held at the Bangabandhu International Conference Center in the capital for four days. Joy said one of our goals was to build a digital Bangladesh. Build a sustainable, reliable, trustworthy digital society. We wanted the benefits of digital to reach everyone from the village to the city. It will not be limited to the urban middle class. We wanted it to be easy for people to access digital. This digital must be trusted so that ordinary people can accept it very easily. He added that it must be sustainable. Because our vision was to think about the future. Thinking about the next 40 years. It wasn't just a thought for 5 or 10 years. We did not want any technology that would lose its usefulness in a few days. He said, "After the Awami League government came to power in December 2008, we announced a very Twenty Twenty One." At this time Bangladesh will celebrate 50 years of birth.
We are very happy that in this time Bangladesh has reached the middle income country as per the standards of United Nations and World Bank. Our per capita income is higher than that of neighboring India. "Then we started Vision 2041," he said. During this period Bangladesh will not only be a developing country but our per capita income will be like that of a developed nation. "My plan was to set up a Kori cyber cafe in every part of the country according to walking distance," he said. So that people do not have to go to the city to work. I was able to do that. Now, if one goes to a digital center, one can get any kind of service with a simple fee. We have created the largest portal in the world where you can find links to all government offices in Bangladesh.
All kinds of services are available. Sajeeb Wazed said, "When I show the American smartphone designed and made in Bangladesh to my American friends, they can't believe it." Freelancers of our country are moving forward at a fast pace, he said, adding that many startups have been created in Bangladesh today.


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eSports is no longer the future, it’s the present.
The competitive gaming industry is on the cusp of becoming a mainstream attraction and investors everywhere are clamoring to get in on the action before it really takes off. More and more people are playing video games and more and more people are watching the very best gamers do their thing for potentially huge sums of money. So, is now the right time to put your money into eSports?
Not much is certain in sports. A missed free-throw or a poor pass could cost a game, a tournament and inevitably a whole lot of money. There are so many variables on the field which is why most of the money is made off it. One thing which is certain is popularity. People love sport and it seems that that love is extending to a relatively new area of the sector: eSports.
The idea of people playing video games for millions of dollars was a laughable concept just a few years ago but things have changed. Back in 2011, the worldwide value of the eSports market was estimated to have been less than $100 million. By 2019, that will top $1 billion and by 2022, will surpass $2 billion.
League of Legends and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive are the two biggest titles in the eSports world right now. In March, a Counter Strike event known as ESL attracted 100,000 visitors in person and over one million people tuned in to watch the final on an internet live stream. A number of other tournaments regularly have a seven-figure grand prize.
It’s not limited to those two titles. EA’s FIFA series attracts crowds and there are plans for a new North American basketball eSports league based on Take-Two Interactive’s NBA 2K series. Famed games designer, Blizzard is also getting in on the action with their popular first-person shooter Overwatch. The Overwatch League is scheduled to begin next year, a worldwide league with teams from North America, Europe and Asia. Already, groups like Kraft and Kroenke Sports & Entertainment have purchased franchises in the competition.
So why are they doing it? Well, many investors are viewing it as a chance to get in on the ground-floor of a potential new mass entertainment industry. That doesn’t happen very often and it offers both limitations and opportunities.
For owners, there is a need for diversification. Teams exist within teams and each organisation usually has several different sets of players on various platforms. As previously discussed, the larger titles like League of Legends and Counter-Strike hold tournaments with massive prize pots, this effectively allows some teams to support others within the same organisation.
This structure is good for things like merchandising – fans tend to stick to one team and follow them across various game titles – but it can pose its own challenges. Betting company Betway launched a partnership with popular Swedish eSports team, Ninjas in Pyjamas. It’s a successful agreement which worked well for both parties but the deal violated the rules set by League of Legends and was cancelled for that particular title. The partnership is still in place in some of the organisation’s other teams but be aware of the risk.
But sponsorship is just one source of revenue and this is hardly a traditional sector. Expect income from ticket sales and merchandising like any other sport but it will also come from streaming. The competitive gaming community has its own popular figures that regularly fetch in thousands of daily viewers when they stream their day-to-day games. Most North American players use Twitch, a service which was purchased by Amazon for $970 million way back in 2014.
Differences versus traditional sports
Competitive gaming is unlike any of the more traditional, popularised sports. It’s still in its infancy which means that prices are low. The best League of Legends players in the world are on salaries ranging from $500,000-$800,000. It’s a huge number to amateur gamers but a miniature one to other professional sports stars at the top of their respective fields.
ESports today is similar to the early days of other popular sports. Players are hardly tied down with teams forming and disbanding almost at will. There’s also a difference in the nature of the player base. The utilitarian nature of eSports means that players can come from any background providing they have a decent gaming computer and high-speed broadband. Reactions are crucial in most games so expect more players in their teens than their thirties.
Any investment made now would effectively be a way of laying the groundwork for the future. Some of the largest companies on the planet are doing just that and who can blame them? The growth of competitive gaming has been phenomenal in the last few years and it doesn’t show any signs of slowing. Sure, it carries the same risk as regular sports but now is as good a time as any to get investing in eSports and you don’t want to be one of the endless stories of people who missed the investment opportunity of their lives.


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Why NASA Is Blasting Off at CES for the First Time
NASA is making its first ever appearance at the Consumer Electronics Show, the technology industry extravaganza in Las Vegas that kicks off Wednesday.
The space agency is giving visitors a virtual or semi-virtual ride on board an Orion spacecraft and a you-are-there perspective of the Kennedy Space Center. To get these experiences, would-be astronauts go through demos using headsets like the Oculus Rift and Microsoft HoloLens.
Jeff Norris, mission operations innovation lead at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, explained that NASA is at CES because it wants to build on a tradition of cooperation between the space agency and the consumer electronics industry. In the past, their collaborations have been very productive.
“We’ve been able to use things that are consumer electronics products and adapt them to the unique problems that we face in our work,” Norris says. “That’s been a core part of my lab, which focuses on augmented reality and virtual reality.”
Norris says his lab works through partnerships with all of the major players in the augmented reality and virtual reality business, including Microsoft, Facebook, HTC, Sony, Valve, and Samsung. The Jet Propulsion Lab is currently using PlayStation VR, Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, and HoloLens for various projects and experiments like operating rovers on distant planets and maneuvering robots.
“We’re convinced that these technologies that everyone is excited about at CES this year are going to have a transformative impact on the way that we explore space,” Norris says.
The billions of dollars of investment that are flowing into virtual reality and augmented reality hardware can help NASA. Never mind that much of the industry focus is on video games and helping make Hollywood films more life-like.
“What’s driving the development of these devices is primarily entertainment, but they’re trying to build systems that make people feel like they’re in a different place,” Norris says. “And that’s not too different from making engineers and scientists feel present in a distant environment like Mars that happens to be a real place.”
Norris’ team has worked to apply tools like game controllers and video game engines to NASA problems for many years. That was long before it began exploring virtual reality and augmented reality.
“People make better operational decisions if they’re wearing a headset,” Norris says.
WATCH: For more about NASA and virtual reality, watch this Fortune video:
Norris’ team of a dozen scientists is using virtual reality headsets, including the Oculus Rift, to replicate the experience astronauts will have operating the Curiosity Rover on Mars.
Another project, which is in the testing stage, uses the PlayStation VR to control the humanoid robot, R2, also known as Robonaut 2. R2 is currently on board the International Space Station, and a mock-up of the robot is at the NASA CES booth.
“We’ve previously tested game controllers, Microsoft Kinect, and Oculus Rift to make controlling the robot as easy as moving a human hand,” Norris says. “PlayStation VR allows us to more naturally control a humanoid robot.”
NASA currently has two Microsoft HoloLens augmented reality headsets on board the International Space Station, which is the result of work from Norris’ team. The goal for that project, called Sidekick, is using mixed reality as a tool for augmenting the performance of astronauts aboard the space station.
“We’re focused on how to help astronauts perform tasks more efficiently by connecting them with ground operators and giving them a holographic instruction manual,” Norris says.
Like PlayStation VR, the HoloLens is not commercially available yet. But NASA is able to experiment with this technology very early.
Norris compares the medium of virtual reality to the early days of television in the 1960s, when the Apollo program was shared by the world.
“Over 600 million people watched the moon landing, which is more than the amount of televisions that existed at the time,” Norris said. “That shared experience was transformative for many people, and it was through a new consumer entertainment medium. That’s the opportunity we see with VR and AR.”
In addition to the projects on display at CES, NASA has partnered with Fusion and MIT to develop the Mars 2030 Experience for virtual reality headsets.
“Part of NASA’s purpose is to share what we’re learning with other people,” Norris says. “VR and AR are technologies that are going to be transformative in that domain as well.”
The NASA booth is inside the Gaming and Virtual Reality showcase at CES. The Technology Drives Exploration to Mars app for Android and iOS devices explores the technologies that will allow humans to land on Mars and live on the Red Planet for an extended period of time. And the Exploration 3DV iPad app uses augmented reality to cover several different aspects of NASA’s human deep space exploration.


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China’s Xiaomi officially filed for IPO Thursday, according to its regulatory documents listed on the Hong Kong stock exchange.
Xiaomi reported a revenue of 114.6 billion yuan (around 18 billion U.S. dollars), a gross profit of 14.6 billion yuan (roughly 2.3 billion U.S. dollars) in 2017, and is currently the number four phone manufacturer in the world behind Samsung, Apple and Huawei, as reported in its filing.
The filing didn’t reveal details on the size of the planned IPO, but reports have suggested that it could be worth approximately 10 billion U.S. dollars, marking the largest listing in the world since 2014.
The Hong Kong stock exchange approved new IPO rules on April 24 to allow companies with dual-class shareholding structures and biotech firms with no revenue to apply for listings, which was described as the biggest change to the initial public offering (IPO) rules of the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX) since its establishment 25 years ago.
The new regime went into effect Monday, and Xiaomi could be the first company with great values being attracted to HKEX because of the new policy.
Founded in 2010, Xiaomi has achieved outstanding development as one of the most innovative technology companies worldwide. Its fast-expanding product line includes but not limited to smart phones, smart TVs, as well as a range of smart home products.
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Volvo announced today that come 2019, every car it sells will be powered at least in part by electricity.
The Swedish automaker says the move to place "electrification at the core of its business" will mark "the historic end of cars that only have an internal combustion engine."
Between 2019 and 2021, Volvo plans to introduce five fully-electric models: three will be branded as Volvos, with two more to be sold under the Polestar performance banner. The ultimate goal, says Volvo, is to transition the company to selling nothing but battery electric, plug-in hybrid and mild hybrid vehicles.
Today's news follows a mid-June proclamation that the company's Polestar performance division would gain some autonomy from Volvo with the aim of turning it into a specialist in speedy electric and hybrid cars. The move toward electrification is a response to Volvo's feeling that diesel's day is done and that battery power is the way forward for environmentally sustainable transportation.


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On March 19, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau began letting consumers make their stories about alleged mistreatment by banks, credit card companies and other financial services firms publicly available through the CFPB’s Consumer Complaint Database.
This move will help lift the veil from consumer transactions with banks, payday lenders, and other financial companies. It’s a step that we and our colleagues at U.S. PIRG Education Fund have been recommending for the last two years in our report series analyzing CFPB complaint data on credit card companies, debt collectors, banks, private loans, and credit bureaus.
Those reports provided a 30,000-foot view of the problems consumers were experiencing in the financial services marketplace – something that would have been impossible without the CFPB database, which was first made public in 2011. But the CFPB data shed only a bit of light on exactly how consumers were being harmed. Now, public consumer narratives will let us know, in the consumers’ own words, what actually transpired in those cases.
These consumer narratives, which will be added to the public database in the fall, will go beyond helping researchers. Consumers will be able to look through stories in the Consumer Complaint Database to help make informed decisions about where to bank or take out loans; and the narratives may encourage some financial companies to increase their focus on customer service (companies will also have the opportunity to post responses to consumer complaints).
Allowing consumers to post their complaint narratives online is just the latest example of the CFPB’s leadership in protecting Americans from unscrupulous financial services firms. By continuing to expand and improve its Consumer Complaint Database, the CFPB can give even more Americans a louder voice when it comes to the protection of their financial interests.


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“We’re thrilled, and in this market, doubly thrilled,” says firm founder and managing partner Andrew Whitman.
The firm’s first fund will write checks for $1 million to $5 million in first commitments in branded consumer product companies that may later take an additional $5 million follow-on investment. “We expect that we’re going to be investing significantly more via co-invest from LPs,” Whitman says.
The firm counts Michael Levinthal as a special limited partner. Levinthal is a former 20-year veteran of Mayfield Fund and invested in consumer brands such as Pete’s Wicked Ale and restaurant chain Il Fornaio.
2X Consumer’s focus is on food and beverages, personal care products, home care, pet care and other branded consumer lines. The firm—which recently added Managing Partner Gary Sebek, a former CEO and CFO in various organic businesses—has announced one deal to date, an undisclosed investment in a compostable baby-product company called gDiapers.
The Portland, Ore.-based company is run by a husband-and-wife team that builds eco-friendly diapers. The company says more than 18 billion diapers went into U.S. landfills during 2007 and it aims to decrease the environmental impact of such waste.
Whitman hopes the diaper business will be recession-proof. “Babies are still doing their business, even if nobody else is doing business,” he says.
Venture capitalists have shied away from consumer investing in recent years. But the absence of VCs in the consumer sector has created an opportunity for firms such as 2X Management, Whitman told PE Week in 2007. Whitman said that he and the firm’s operations-focused Partner David Bauserman saw 1,300 inbound opportunities during 2006.
“We are in a space where, quite frankly, few others want to play in,” he said. “There’s a giant gap in the marketplace and our skill sets are relevant, so we’re drowning in deal flow.”
However, not all venture firms are ignoring the sector. Boston-based Highland Capital Partners launched a $300 million consumer fund focused on specialty retail chains in 2007. The fund—led by Thomas Stemberg, the founder of office supply store Staples—expects to make between 15 and 20 investments over the next three to four years. Highland already has several consumer companies in its general portfolio.
Highland and General Catalyst Partners have reportedly invested $40 million in Cash4Gold, a precious metals refiner known for its TV ads and for buying jewelery and gold scraps from consumers.
Whitman and Bauserman were previously with Kraft Foods, one of the largest food manufacturers worldwide. Whitman managed brands, such as Kool-Aid, while Bauserman handled operations and manufacturing. The two have worked with consumer-focused buyout shops on transactions, such as their partnership with Greenwich, Conn.-based Catterton Partners in the deal to acquire Wellness Pet Food.
Whitman also publishes 2X Trend Watch, a consumer industry newsletter that he distributes to more than 10,000 people five times a year, he says. The newsletter covers industry innovations and promising new products. A recent issue highlighted organic ghee producing company Ancient Organics and a series of four premium salt producers that have infused the substance with flavors ranging from bacon to ginger and espresso.


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The August 2018 issue of The Communicator magazine is coming soon online and in your mailbox! Keep reading to see what you can expect from the latest issue of your association’s magazine.
CAAR member Pattison Liquid Systems has developed a 120-ft autonomous sprayer that pairs with the DOT Power Platform. The August issue’s lead story examines the technology looks at the implications an autonomous sprayer has for the ag retail industry.
The Communicator’s second feature story looks at how retailers can emphasize their positions as trusted advisors by conducting efficacy testing on the products they stock. With no industry standard products must before registration, applied research can add value for growers.
In Hiring and Inspiring, South Country Co-op agro centre manager Mike May and Do More Ag co-founder Lesley Kelly talk about how retailers can lend their voice to growing mental health conversations in the industry and support positive mental health for both customers and their employees.
When physical and mental health are taken care of, everyone can focus on getting down to business. Updates to the CSA B620/B622 Standards mean annual visual inspections are now required for anhydrous ammonia nurse and applicator tanks. The Yard examines the process to certification and the benefits for retailers.
The issue also delves into how retailers can help keep Canada’s markets open for all by helping their customers correctly time late-season applications, and profiles an Australian innovator who brought his talents to Canada to create opportunities for independent retailers through AgLink Canada.
New With CAAR
With a special preview of the 2019 CAAR Conference, a look at CAAR’s newly re-established industry partnership with the Prairie Certified Crop Adviser board and updates from CAAR Executive Director Mitch Rezansoff and Director of Member Services Lynda Nicol, the August issue brings you up to speed on some of the activities your association has undertaken in recent months to benefit members.
- Be Featured in the 2019 CAAR Conference Registration Guide Attention CAAR Conference Exhibitors: companies that register to exhibit at the 2019 CAAR Conference before Aug 31. 2018 will be listed in the 2019 Conference Registration Guide, included with the October issue of Th...
- Cultivating Mental Health Agri-retailers can help break the stigma surrounding mental health. The call to action for the Do More Agriculture Foundation (Do More Ag), a not-for-profit initiative that aims to remove the stigma of mental heal...
- Making Buyers Aware Retailers can help their customers make informed decisions by testing for product efficacy. Rigas Karamanos, senior agronomist with Koch Agronomic Services When the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) rem...
- Becoming a Certified Transport Canada Visual Inspection Facility With new requirements in effect, retailers can benefit by testing tanks in-house. Visual inspections for all anhydrous ammonia nurse and applicator tanks are now required annually under the new CSA B620-14/B622-14...
- Applying Automation Pattison Liquid Systems brings automation to ag retail in partnership with Dot Technology Corp. The future of autonomous agriculture took on a whole new shape when the DOT Power Platform rolled out at Ag in Motio...


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Local artists and shop owners will have a chance to peddle their wares Friday at the second Bear Town Market, a bazaar consisting of local vendors selling a variety of products and gift items. Organizers are hoping to make it an regular market event, coinciding with cruise ship visits.
The Bear Town Market was conceived as a way to get cruise ship passengers into the community to visit shops and galleries that aren’t within walking distance of the waterfront. Kodiak Island Convention and Visitors Bureau executive director Janet Buckingham said she’s been brainstorming with organizer Fran Kelso for the past year on how best to make that happen.
— (Buckingham 1 17 sec. "Fran Kelso took the … the cruise ship passengers.")
Buckingham said the first Bear Town Market was held June 5th, and that 16 local vendors participated, filling all available spaces. She said that while the first installment was somewhat slow, she expects it to grow each week, especially since there will be more advertising and signage, and this week, no construction in the area.
— (Buckingham 2 25 sec. "It is designed to get … there’s music and food.")
Kelso said she is viewing the first year of the event as a learning experience toward making it bigger and better as it develops this cruise ship season and hopefully into the future.
— (Kelso 1 44 sec. "It was an idea that I had … signing and selling books.")
Kelso said that each event will feature a slightly different collection of vendors. One of the ways she hopes to see it develop is in the area of food and entertainment.
— (Kelso 2 35 sec. "Right now what we have is … won’t be the only time.")
Kelso and Buckingham encouraged local residents to visit the Bear Town Market throughout the summer, whenever there is a cruise ship in port. They said their support is helpful in making it an annual event. The second Bear Town Market will take place Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. downstairs at the new Kodiak Convention Center on the corner of Shelikof and Marine Way. There will be 14 more such events held through September 17th.
I’m Erik Wander.


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Google’s streaming services and hardware have slowly been making their way back into Amazon’s ecosystem. It started with Chromecast return to the Amazon store in late 2018. T hen YouTube app coming back to FireTVs in July. It was only a matter of time before YouTube TV followed suit. Today Amazon announced that you can get all your movie and TV streaming on Amazon’s Fire TV streaming Firesticks and boxes.
The app should be available in the Amazon app and should work similar if not identical to the Android TV version. Amazon says it will be compatible with the following devices:
List of all the Amazon devices that are compatible
- All Toshiba, Insignia, Element, and Westinghouse Fire TV Edition Smart TVs
- Fire TV – 2nd Generation
- Fire TV – 3rd Generation
- Fire TV Stick (2nd Gen)
- Fire TV Stick 4K
- Fire TV Cube (1st and 2nd Gen)
The first-generation Fire TV Stick and Fire TV are left out of this list. Support may come later with a software upgrade. If you have one of these devices and you aren’t seeing the app, make sure your device is running the most up to date software.


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China is ripe for a surge in mergers and acquisitions, even as investors continue to have diverging opinions about Chinese companies, said Frank Tang, chief executive officer of Hong Kong-based private equity firm FountainVest Partners.
Speaking on a panel at the China Everbright Investor Conference in Qingdao, China, Tang said: “The fact that you have many buyers and sellers means now is the time for M&A.”
He pointed to a potential pipeline of deals in industries such as healthcare, upgrading of consumer services, and advanced manufacturing.
“There is no secret sauce when it comes to the key investment industries,” Tang said. “These are megatrends – if you don’t ride along the trend, you won’t be able to seize these opportunities.”
Last month, China-focused FountainVest closed its largest fund to date, securing $2.1 billion of commitments for FountainVest China Capital Partners Fund III. The fund is targeting growth equity and venture capital investments in Chinese consumer goods companies.
“At the moment, China’s slowing growth means it is challenging for investors like us, because there are industries (such as internet and fintech) that are growing at Ferrari speed, some are at tractor speed, and there are some that are growing backwards. Sectors are inherently different, so it’s important we seek complementarity with our partners.”
Tang added that FountainVest’s strategy is to invest as a main stakeholder and work with portfolio companies to identify investment projects together.
When asked about the Chinese government’s push to restructure heavily-indebted state-owned enterprises, Tang said FountainVest will continue to target private companies. “Chinese SOEs could be potentially interesting, but we remain focused on private companies.”
FountainVest manages about $4 billion of assets. Among its recent investments are Shenzhen-listed outdoor advertising firm Focus Media, Beijing-based widescreen film provider IMAX China Holdings, and Michigan-based automotive components company Key Safety Systems.
Investors in the firm’s funds include the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board, Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan, and Temasek Holdings, according to PEI data.


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With so many smartphones entering the market week after week it can be hard to keep track of the latest and greatest devices available to purchase, with HTC's One X and the Samsung Galaxy S3 both recent...
The leaked documents offered step-by-step guidance about how to pass the CREST exams
Remote working has expanded the digital perimeter of many organisations, and that opens them up to risks
More than four in five SMEs say they need a broadband connection to operate successfully
How do you address IT leaders' dual concerns around remote working and cyber security?


text: Associated Press Writer Standing in line at the airport, Marco Aurilia could almost hear his family and friends' stomachs growling. The 44-year-old electrician knew that a five-hour plane ride away in North Hollywood, Calif., two generations of illegal Guatemalan immigrants had gathered and that neighbors from El Salvador had dropped by bearing Budweiser and black beans. Everyone was waiting to devour the $100 of fried chicken from Pollo Campero he and his three sons were bringing. "That's why my mother-in-law has a microwave. To heat up the chicken," said Aurilia, holding up a steaming box of Pollo Campero that would be cold by the time it arrived in California. "We will eat the minute we arrive." With 73 Guatemalan locations and almost 100 restaurants elsewhere in Central America, Mexico and Ecuador, the eatery whose name means "Country Chicken" has become one of Latin America's most profitable fast-food chains. It's so popular that thousands of Guatemalans hopping flights to visit relatives living in the United States forsake carry-on luggage to lug orange and yellow boxes of Pollo Campero along with them. The restaurant's locations at airports in Guatemala City and El Salvador ring up more than $4 million in sales a year _ leaving the terminals reeking of thighs and fries. Nostalgic Central Americans living in the United States are so hooked on the world's most-traveled chicken that Pollo Campero came to them, opening three restaurants in southern California and one in Houston last year. "They have eaten at the Campero restaurant in Los Angeles, but they say it doesn't taste the same," Aurilia said of his family in North Hollywood. "They still ask us to bring them the real thing." Indeed, the U.S. franchises have done little to slow the torrent of chicken pouring across America's borders. And because it arrives fully cooked, customs has no problem with it. In April, Pollo Campero will open in Washington and plans to expand to New York, Dallas and Chicago later this year. By 2007, it hopes to have more than 200 restaurants across America. "We aren't ruling out the possibility of opening a restaurant in Kentucky," said market director Rodolfo Jimenez, joking that the company is ready to invade the backyard of fast-food chicken leader, Kentucky Fried Chicken. The opening of Campero's first U.S. restaurant in downtown Los Angeles last April sparked a fast-food frenzy not seen since the first Moscow McDonald's opened its doors in the Cold War 1980s. Some costumers arrived at 4 a.m. Others waited in line for nine hours, buying lunch from hot dog vendors and dreaming of the chicken they would have for dinner. In seven weeks, the restaurant tallied more than $1 million in sales. The Houston location caused a similar stir _ opening to blocks-long lines in December. Pollo Campero was created in 1971 by Dionisio Gutierrez, the godfather of the Guatemalan chicken business. Offering sit-down service and crunchy, golden-brown chicken, the company grew steadily in Guatemala, then spread throughout the region. Francisco Perez served as president of Pollo Campero until 1994. He recently authored a book chronicling how executives experimented with different combinations before settling on Pollo Campero's recipe: A blend of adobo spices mixed in a marinate that leaves the chicken juicy both inside and out. "We now have two generations of Guatemalans who love our chicken, our spices, our flavor," Perez said. The company also benefited from the absence of KFC, which has a notable presence elsewhere in Central America but pulled out of Guatemala years ago. Colonel Sanders wasn't missed by many here. "Kentucky Fried Chicken is good, but it's not Campero," said Lorena Flores, who was bringing a box of Pollo Campero to relatives in Cincinnati. "Campero is special." Jimenez said the company had discussed moving into the U.S. market for years, but finally began looking for franchisers in 1999, after executives from Grupo Taca, Central America's main airline, began complaining about the smell of chicken overwhelming their planes. The restaurant also wanted to squash dishonest entrepreneurs who opened Pollo Campero clones in Miami and other U.S. cities, hoping to hoodwink homesick Central Americans with logos and menus similar to those at their favorite chain. Until last year, signs outside Pollo Campero's Guatemala City airport location warned costumers "not to be fooled by inferior knockoffs" in the United States. The company has also set its sights on Europe. Pollo Campero opened in Spain in November and will expand to Poland and Portugal before the end of the year. Eager franchisers have even asked to open restaurants in Indonesia and South Korea.


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Cryptocurrencies are challenging the status quo of remittance services. Will they also shape the future of cross-border payments?
In this era of global economies, where cross-cultural exchanges and international transactions are increasingly common, the demand for efficient and accessible cross-border money transfers has reached new heights of importance. Whilst traditional remittance providers have long dominated the market, the rise of cryptocurrencies has introduced a disruptive force that is challenging the status quo. As cryptocurrencies gain momentum, the question arises: Will crypto remittances shape the future of global money transfers?
The dominance of traditional remittance services
This evolving payments landscape has opened up new opportunities and prompted us to rethink the traditional models of remittance services in the face of technological advances and changing consumer preferences.
For several decades, traditional remittance services, such as Western Union, have been the go-to option for sending and receiving money across borders. According to the Migration Data Portal, global remittances reached a staggering $682 billion in 2022, with the top five countries being India, China, Mexico, the Philippines, and Egypt, demonstrating the global scale of these transactions. These countries have consistently been the top recipients of remittances since 2008, underscoring the importance of cross-border money transfers in supporting economies and livelihoods around the world.
These services have established a widespread network of physical branches and partnerships that facilitate the transfer of funds to various regions worldwide. However, despite their widespread use, traditional remittance methods suffer from several setbacks that limit their efficiency and accessibility, hindering the full potential of remittance flows.
Setbacks of traditional remittances
The drawbacks of traditional remittance services become increasingly apparent when examining the time-consuming processes involved. For example, according to Western Union, a direct deposit to a bank can take between 2 to 5 business days, depending on the country. This delay in transaction processing poses challenges for individuals who need funds urgently or have to meet immediate financial obligations.
In addition to the time it takes for transactions to be processed, the fees involved can significantly impact the overall cost of remittances. In many cases, the sender is responsible for paying the fees associated with the transfer, so the recipient receives the full amount without any deductions. However, there are scenarios where the recipient may be required to pay a fee or a portion of the fees. For example, if the recipient chooses to receive the money in cash at a Western Union agent location, a fee may apply.
These setbacks to traditional remittance services are particularly burdensome for individuals in underprivileged countries who rely heavily on remittances from their family members abroad. For many of these recipients, the funds they receive through remittances are essential for their basic needs, education, healthcare, and overall well-being. Any delays or deductions in the remittance amount can have a significant impact on their livelihoods.
Moreover, the high fees associated with traditional remittance transfers exacerbate the financial challenges faced by these underprivileged recipients. The fees eat into the total amount sent, reducing the actual funds available to them. This creates a situation where the intended financial support is diminished, limiting their ability to improve their living conditions or invest in their future.
The potential of crypto remittances
Unlike traditional remittance services, cryptocurrencies offer a compelling alternative that overcomes many of the limitations of traditional methods.
First, cryptocurrencies are available worldwide because they operate on the internet and can be accessed by anyone with an internet connection, regardless of geographic location. This accessibility empowers individuals in underprivileged countries to receive remittances seamlessly, without the need for complex documentation or access to traditional banking services.
Another significant advantage of crypto remittances is the speed of transactions. While traditional methods can take several days for funds to reach recipients, crypto transfers are typically faster, even during times of high network congestion. This is because cryptocurrencies bypass intermediaries and rely on blockchain technology for instant transaction processing, ensuring that funds reach those in need quickly.
Moreover, the fees associated with traditional remittances pose a significant financial burden, particularly for underprivileged recipients. Traditional remittance services often charge fees averaging around 6.4%, reducing the actual amount received by the recipient. In contrast, crypto remittances involve lower transaction fees imposed by blockchains, which are generally more cost-effective than traditional services. The affordability of crypto remittances enables recipients to maximize the financial support they receive, enhancing their ability to improve their living conditions and invest in their future.
Cryptocurrencies also offer greater financial inclusion by eliminating the need for a bank account. Many people in underprivileged countries face barriers to accessing traditional banking services, but with crypto, they can hold and transfer digital assets using self-custodial wallets. This enables them to participate in the global financial system without requiring extensive financial certifications or meeting minimum requirements.
Additionally, the inherent volatility of cryptocurrencies is mitigated by the ability to quickly convert them into stable fiat currencies or stablecoins. This minimizes the impact of price fluctuations and ensures that recipients can secure the value of their remittances. Furthermore, crypto remittances provide access to decentralized finance (DeFi) services through self-custodial wallets, allowing individuals to access alternative banking services such as trading, staking, and lending. This opens up new financial opportunities for the unbanked and underbanked, empowering them to leverage their digital assets for economic growth and development.
Challenges along the way
There are undoubtedly challenges to the widespread adoption of crypto remittances. These include a lack of mainstream acceptance and awareness among businesses and governments, unclear regulatory frameworks, the technical knowledge required to navigate crypto wallets and blockchain technology, limited access to reliable on-ramps and off-ramps, the volatility of cryptocurrency prices, and security concerns regarding hacks and fraud. Addressing these barriers is crucial for facilitating the broader adoption of crypto remittances and unlocking their potential for efficient cross-border transactions.
Revolutionizing cross-border remittances
As the hurdles and challenges surrounding crypto remittances are addressed, such as regulatory clarity, improved accessibility, and enhanced security measures, the appeal of cryptocurrencies as a means of cross-border money transfer will continue to grow. The transformative potential of crypto remittances lies in their ability to offer faster transactions, lower fees, financial inclusion, and reduced volatility. As more people experience these benefits firsthand, the shift towards cryptocurrencies as a preferred remittance option is expected to accelerate, ultimately shaping the future of global money transfers.


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Latin American brand, Carmen Steffens, has entered the India and Middle East markets and plans to open 50 stores this year. The Brazil-based brand is known for its handmade leather shoes, handbags, and clothes. Brazil’s category leader is aiming to target middle-income and high-income group consumers.
Carmen Steffens Maison consists of 70 percent luxury clothing and 30 percent divided among shoes, purses, and accessories. This makes the brand the most unique and classic of the group. CS Club, the fast fashion store with shoes, handbags, and accessories, and CS Young, the business model that targets a younger audience, are part of the brand's portfolio. Additionally, Raphael Steffens is a brand exclusively designed for modern men, offering shoes, accessories, and clothing.
Explaining the brand’s entry into India and the Middle East, Mario Spaniol, Founder and President of Carmen Steffens Group, said, “Entering India with our brand Carmen Steffens is a huge opportunity for us to grow both in terms of revenue and our global footprint. I have visited India for the first time and went to a couple of malls, where I saw multiple international brands are present at one place. In India, we plan to open our outlets in malls and high-traffic areas.”
He further stated, “I think there is a good possibility for the brand to grow in India and the Middle East because the consumer patterns in both India and Brazil are similar. We offer good quality products, designs, and competitive prices for our consumers. While we are a luxury product company, our prices are not as high as premium Italian or French brands. We see a good opportunity in India to grow among medium-income and higher-income group individuals.”
Regarding brand expansion in India and globally, Spaniol said, “We plan to open 30 stores in Brazil and 10 stores in other countries this year. Every year, we aim to open 10-15 stores around the world, with a potential for opening 50 stores in India, Dubai, and the Middle East.”
Carmen Steffens clocked 250 million euros in revenue last year and plans to grow by 20 percent the next year. Mario said, “We have been growing exponentially across our categories, and with this growth, we also plan to enter 4 new countries every year. We plan to enter Portugal, China, Australia, etc. The international business is all franchise-based, and we are the category leader in Brazil. Particularly, this business segment will grow threefold in India.”
Carmen Steffens have their flagship stores in Argentina, Mexico, Aruba and Panama. It has footprints across 20 countries with 560 stores. The brand is also planning to increase the number of flagship stores across the globe.
Copyright © 2009 - 2024 Franchise India Holdings Ltd


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Everstream Analytics Wins AI Technology Award
- Posted: Friday, June 17, 2022 7:37 AM
Everstream Analytics, the global supply chain insights and risk analytics company, announced that it has received the SupplyTech Breakthrough Award in the category “Best Use of Artificial Intelligence in SupplyTech”.
The SupplyTech Breakthrough Awards recognize innovative products, solutions and companies in the supply chain and logistics technology markets. Nominations are reviewed, evaluated and scored by a panel of industry judges and the judging criteria focus on the concept of innovation. This year, SupplyTech Breakthrough’s range of supply chain and logistics categories received more than 1,200 nominations worldwide.
A big data company, Everstream provides predictive and prescriptive insights for the world’s most complex supply chains. Everstream’s platform combines billions of supply chain data points with powerful AI, advanced analytics and graphing technology to produce long-term strategic risk scores, assessed at the level of material, supplier and installation location. By integrating procurement, logistics, and business continuity platforms to drive insights, more accurate analytics, and accurate forecasts, companies can turn supply chains into business assets.
To see the full list of 2022 SupplyTech Breakthrough Awards winners, visit https://supplytechbreakthrough.com/


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OZZY LOOK-A-LIKE RAIDS WASHINGTON STORE:
December 28, 2007
A man claiming to be rocker Ozzy Osbourne held up a convenience store in Vancouver, Washington on Christmas Eve.
The raider, dressed exactly like the former Black Sabbath star, threatened a store assistant with a handgun after telling him to hand over cash to the Prince of Darkness, Osbourne’s nickname.
However, the faux-Ozzy was disturbed by shoppers, allowing the clerk to alert the emergency services.
According to local reports, paramedics arrived on the scene and transported the man to a nearby hospital.
Courtesy of www.starpulse.com


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ELSTREE, England—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Aug. 2, 2006— ARC International (LSE: ARK), the world leader in configurable multimedia subsystems and CPU/DSP processor cores, today announced its unaudited financial results for the six months ended 30 June 2006.
Highlights from the First Half of 2006 (Compared to 1H 2005):
-- Good financial foundation
-- Revenue up 10% to GBP 6.0 million
-- Royalties up 32% to GBP 1.5 million
-- Bookings up 31% to a record GBP 8.3 million
-- Cash generated from operating activities was GBP 0.5
million; Net loss was GBP 1.7 million
-- Processor license agreements up 18%
-- 20 processor contracts closed in 1H 2006 bringing the
total number of ARC(TM) licensees to 127
-- ARC(TM) Media Subsystems and the 600/700 family of cores
contributed 95% of processor license revenues
-- Lower value legacy products no longer appreciably
contributing to turnover
-- New ARC(TM) Video and ARC Sound Advanced Subsystems
-- Launched in February, ARC Video Subsystem already licensed
by 6 companies
-- Introduced ARC Sound Advanced Subsystem; already licensed
by 2 companies
Commenting on the company's performance, Carl Schlachte, president
and chief executive officer, said, "During the first half of 2006, the
company delivered a good financial performance by closing the highest
number of contracts in the company's recent history and aggressively
selling our newest configurable subsystems and processors. ARC has a
strong foundation that will support the company's continued growth
into the future.
"For the second half of 2006, ARC will focus on winning more tier
1 licensees while making strategic investments to boost our ongoing
sales and marketing efforts in key regions. We are optimistic about
the prospects for the company and confident about trading in the
second half of this year."
Commenting on the financial results, Victor Young, chief financial
officer, said, "We are seeing increased opportunities and new business
fuelled by our multimedia subsystems, as evidenced by the increase in
backlog and sales pipeline. Costs were slightly ahead of plan, due to
higher sales commissions related to the increase in revenues in Asia,
increase in professional fees, and other investments made in growing
ARC's subsystem offerings. Bookings in Asia increased by approximately
four times compared to the same period a year ago. We look for
continued revenue growth in the second half of 2006."
Statement from the President and Chief Executive Officer
During the first half of 2006 ARC delivered a good financial
performance and strengthened its position as the leader in
configurable processor technology. The results were driven by twenty
new processor license agreements for ARC's patented subsystems and
cores that will be designed into a range of high-growth applications.
ARC's licensee base now stands at 127 OEM and semiconductor companies
-- many industry leaders. Our newest products continue to sell well
and command higher per-agreement prices. Today the ARC(TM) 600 and 700
core families and ARC Media Subsystems contributed approximately 95
percent of total processor licence revenue, which completes the shift
in revenue away from lower value legacy products that the management
team set out to achieve starting in 2004.
In 2006 the configurable ARC Video and ARC Sound Advanced
Subsystems were introduced and licensed by companies for chips going
into next-generation consumer devices. ARC launched ConfigCon(TM), a
worldwide developers conference series designed to educate the
semiconductor industry on configurable processor technology and
increase the adoption of our configurable solutions. The first event
in Taiwan surpassed expectations, with almost 400 attendees and close
to 20 companies participating in the event.
Licensee Adoption of Configurability
ARC's patented configurable subsystems and processors help
companies developing semiconductor chips to gain a competitive
advantage by enabling the creation of highly differentiated, lower
cost products. These are reasons why industry analysts forecast that
chips based upon configurable solutions will grow more than five times
faster than chips using "fixed architecture" alternatives. ARC is
leading this trend and helping accelerate the adoption of
configurability globally. During the first six months of 2006,
companies that announced they took licenses for an ARC configurable
subsystem or core included:
-- Atmel Corporation -- has taken a license for the ARC Video
Subsystem. It will be designed into Atmel's next generation
products targeting consumer electronics multimedia
-- BiTMICRO Networks -- has taken a license for the ARC 700
family of configurable cores. BiTMICRO will use ARC's
configurable processors to develop low cost, next-generation
system-on-chip (SoC) devices for their state-of-the-art
E-Disk(TM) storage solutions.
-- RF Microdevices -- has signed a license agreement for the
configurable ARC, 600 core family, which will power future
products in RFMD's fast-growing product line of programmable
-- SMSC -- has taken a license for the ARC 600 family of
configurable processors for computing applications. The ARC
605 core is an optimal replacement for legacy 8-bit
microcontrollers, while the ARC 610D and 625D cores are cost
effective 32-bit CPUs/DSPs ideal for a wide range of general
purpose embedded applications.
-- TTPCom -- has taken a license for a configurable ARC 700 core.
TTPCom has combined the ARC 700-class processor with its
proven baseband technology to develop a highly optimized SoC
design for its 3G Cellular Baseband Engine (CBEmacro) product.
-- Undisclosed aerospace company -- has taken a license for the
configurable ARC 725D core for use in a government satellite
application. The ARC processor will enable the company's
designers to create a chip that is ideally suited to the
rigorous operating environment of space.
ARC's Configurable Multimedia Subsystems
ARC is the only company to provide configurable subsystems
specifically designed to meet the requirements of multimedia
applications. The ARC Media Subsystem family offers a range of audio,
video, and imaging solutions as a single integrated, configurable
platform. Each ARC Media Subsystem includes the necessary hardware,
software, and development tools needed to complete an ARC-Based design
and get to market quickly.
-- ARC Video Subsystem -- In February of 2006 the ARC Video
Subsystem was introduced. Within less than five months, six
companies took licenses for the product for chips that will be
designed into a range of multimedia consumer devices. This is
the fastest rate of adoption of any of ARC's standalone
-- ARC Sound Advanced Subsystem -- In March 2006 ARC introduced
the latest in its line of configurable multimedia subsystems:
ARC Sound Advanced. Ideal for devices needing high definition
audio capability, the ARC Sound Advanced Subsystem consumes
low power and is programmable to enable licensees'
differentiation to be added to the platform. Licensees include
Oki Electric of Japan, which adopted the ARC Sound Advanced
Subsystem for in-car audio applications.


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Everything Amazon has to offer.....
In addition to selling physical media like CDs, DVDs and books, it sells digital copies of these products as well. Amazon Unbox, which lets customers download movies and TV shows to their computers and certain TiVo boxes, opened in the fall of 2006.
In September 2007, the company rolled out its Amazon MP3 store, a rival to Apple's iTunes that makes downloadable music available without the cumbersome anti-copying software called D.R.M., or digital rights management. The service now has the participation of all the major music labels.
Amazon has also positioned itself as a technology company through a fledgling effort called Amazon Web services, in which it rents out parts of its back-end infrastructure to other companies.
Among the tools it offers was Amazon S3, which let companies store their data on Amazon's computers, and Amazon EC2, which let customers use Amazon's computers for large-scale computational tasks.
July 19, 2010 was a day for the history books — if those will even exist in the future. Amazon announced that during the previous three months, sales of books for the Kindle had for the first time outnumbered sales of hardcover books.
In that time, Amazon said, it sold 143 Kindle books for every 100 hardcover books, including hardcovers for which there is no Kindle edition.


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Chip giant Intel is looking to make an investment in mapping company Here, Reuters reported, citing a filing made with Germany’s cartel office.
Here was acquired from Nokia by a consortium of carmakers – Audi, BMW and Daimler. And last week, it was announced that Chinese players NavInfo and Tencent had formed a partnership with Here to address their home market – a deal which sees the companies, along with investment firm GIC, jointly acquiring a 10 per cent stake in Here.
NavInfo and Tencent were linked with Here previously, before Nokia announced its deal.
At the time of this deal, Edzard Overbeek, Here CEO, said: “Our intention has been to broaden our shareholder base to reflect how location intelligence will fuel invention and expansion across different industries in all parts of the world”.
With Intel working hard to build its presence in the IoT space, a deal with Here will enable it to boost its position in the automotive market, at a time when autonomous driving and advanced driver assistance is a real industry hot-topic.
In November 2016, the US company announced a $250 million investment over two years “to make fully autonomous driving a reality”, with chief Brian Krzanich keynoting at the LA Auto Show’s AutoMobility conference.
It has also created a dedicated Automated Driving Group to focus on this sector.


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The Government has proposed a new regulation that requires all cars to come with a front passenger airbag. The new rule is scheduled to be implemented from April 2021.
In recent years, the Government is working on enforcing more stringent safety standards for vehicles in the country. From last year, a new set of safety standards were implemented for all new car models in the market. Under the new safety regulations, all vehicles are required to be equipped with driver-side airbags, ABS, reverse parking sensors and speed warning system as standard.
The Government proposes to make front passenger airbags mandatory in all vehicles
These new requirements have created positive changes in the automotive market with more and more India-spec vehicles to achieve higher safety ratings at the Global NCAP test. It is good to know that the Government is not entirely content with the current situation. According to a draft notification issued by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highway, the Government has proposed making the front passenger airbag compulsory for all car models in the market.
As per the draft notification, the proposed timeline for the new regulation implementation is April 2021 for new car models. The same regulation will be implemented from June 1, 2021, for all existing models.
Before this new rule goes into effect, many car manufacturers have made dual front airbags standard in their ranges of vehicles. However, there are a few cars that are not equipped with dual front airbags like Maruti Celerio, and Renault Kwid. Also, expect that the adoption of this new rule will cause price hikes for entry-level variants of some models.
Commenting on this proposed regulation, Mr Vinkesh Gulati, President of Federation of Auto Dealer Association), said:
“FADA welcomes MoRTH’s (Ministry of Road Transport and Highways) intention for mandating dual front airbags. This is a much-needed safety norm which India should adopt and be at par with global standards.”
He also added:
“We hope OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) absorb the major cost of input due to the second airbag as it will impact the sales in the short-term. It will be bad for the industry, which is able to show growth on MoM (month-on-month) basis, but still lags in YoY (year-on-year) basis after Covid-19 hit us hard.”
Recently, various models in the Indian market have taken the Global NCAP Safety Test. Some of the models have gained the full star ratings at this crash test, for example, Mahindra XUV300, Tata Altroz, and Tata Nexon. However, there are also some models that end up with disappointingly low scores like Maruti Swift (2 stars), Maruti Wagon R (2 stars), Hyundai Grand i10 Nios (2 stars), Hyundai Santro (2 stars), Renault Kwid (1 star), Datsun Redi-Go (1 star), Maruti S-Presso (zero star). Most of the vehicles tested on the Global NCAP Test were the entry-level variants and missed out on some basic safety features, explaining the underwhelming results. Hopefully, after the new regulation is implemented, the safety level for all cars in the market will be improved.