text:
Editor’s Note – Find out why Europe and the U.S. went on different paths in the genetically modified food industry.
This article was originally posted on The Conversation and written by
There is a myth that circulates on both sides of the Atlantic: Americans accepted genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in their food supply without question, while the more precautionary Europeans rejected them. But GMOs went through a period of significant controversy in the US during the early years starting in the 1980s.
A boomerang effect is only now being felt in the US, as the last half-decade has seen a rise in consumer concern, state-based initiatives for labeling and the emergence of “GMO-free” claims on a growing number of products marketed in the US.
In Europe, meanwhile, the controversy seems to have never subsided. Earlier this month, half of the European Union’s 28 countries indicated they intend to opt out of a new GM crop plan, apparently over concerns over food safety, in a blow to the biotech industry.
Why have EU and US consumers and policymakers taken such different routes? A look at the recent history of GMOs helps explain why.
An uproar over dairy cows
The first two genetically engineered food products in the US were recombinant chymosin, or rennet (an enzyme used in cheese production), and recombinant bovine somatotrophin (BST), a growth hormone used to extend the lactation cycle in dairy cows. Both are produced in a genetically engineered microbe in much the same manner as many drugs. Recombinant rennet was accepted without a whisper in both the US and Europe. Recombinant BST caused an uproar.
It began in 1985 when economists predicted that recombinant BST (rBST) would lead to concentration in the dairy industry. The US dairy industry was already starting to consolidate due to computerized record keeping, herd management and control of milking equipment. Yet there were worries that small dairies across the United States would go bankrupt as the industry transitioned to milking not dozens or hundreds but thousands of cows thanks to the longer lactation cycle.
rBST went through an extraordinarily long and drawn-out approval process at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and was in fact withheld from the market after it was approved by a highly unusual act of Congress. The special review mandated by this act concurred with the FDA’s assessment of safety and further stated that the US government had never before regulated a novel technology in light of predicted socio-economic consequences. The moratorium against rBST was allowed to expire during the early years of the Clinton administration in the early 1990s, allowing rBST to go on the market.
This did not end the controversy, however. There were numerous attempts to promote labels for “rBST-free” milk, especially in New England where people love their small dairies. And in general, there is a tendency for any food-related claim to be regarded as a health claim by a subset of consumers. The FDA judged the rBST-free claim to be misleading since all milk contains BST, and they had already concluded that rBST milk was as safe as regular milk.
The agency was quite aggressive in policing these claims. Ben & Jerry’s ice cream was one of the few companies willing to jump through all the hurdles to maintain its “rBST-free” label. The company added disclaimers saying that all milk has BST and that sourcing their milk from non-rBST dairies was found to have no health implications. By the time they added further required language stating that they couldn’t be sure all of their suppliers had done the same thing, the label that satisfied the FDA was a paragraph long.
Meanwhile, agencies in Canada and Europe ruled against rBST on animal health grounds. Inducing higher milk production is accompanied by a statistical increase in the risk of mastitis.
The US, by contrast, was primed for a political environment that was pro-biotechnology and hostile to demands for regulation or labeling on any but the strictest of health-based claims.
If the larger social context in agriculture was pro-biotech, this was certainly not true for a loose-knit coalition that was to prove its mettle in the years to come.
An almost forgotten document from 1990, Biotechnology’s Bitter Harvest laid out a series of complaints. Foremost among them were concerns about small-farm bankruptcies and concentration in agriculture and the tendency for US agricultural research to underfund and ignore more environmentally-friendly alternatives to large-scale monoculture, mechanization and chemical inputs.
The authors of Biotechnology’s Bitter Harvest predicted that genetic manipulation would follow this path and they demanded that land-grant universities and the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) expand their portfolio to be more accommodating to production methods, which today we associate with organic farming. It is at least arguable that had agricultural research institutions followed this advice, we would not see the extreme alienation and bifurcation between industrial and alternative agriculture that exists today.
There may also have been a brief moment when the biotechnology industry itself could have endorsed such a move. During the early 1990s, the nonprofit Keystone Center facilitated a series of “national conversations” on new genetic technologies, discussing the ethical issues associated with both medical and food applications. I attended one of these sessions and read all the reports.
The effort testified to significant and growing dissatisfaction with mainstream agriculture, but the human medical questions were clearly the gorilla in the room. The upshot of these talks was recognition that people want drugs that could be developed by manipulating genes, but saw ethical issues with applications of genetic engineering to the human germ line. Similar ethical concerns with the manipulation of food crops and especially food animals tapered off.
In any event, although concerns were being expressed, US regulatory agencies were reluctant to base their decisions on factors that are not clearly articulated by Congress in the authorizing legislation. US regulatory decisions can be and regularly are challenged in court.
Although the internal discussions at the USDA, EPA and FDA are not made public, we can presume that legal advisers at these agencies would have urged them to resist the pressure to consider anything but health and environmental impact, narrowly construed. The first genetically engineered crops were approved in the late 1990s, and by 2000 a large percentage of US corn and soybean farmers were growing GMO varieties.
Safety and regulation
What about food safety? Understanding this part of the story requires a look at how food is regulated in the US. The FDA has clear authority to regulate additives (like coloring agents or preservatives) and animal drugs (like rBST). Foods themselves, however, are not subject to any mandatory review under US law, and the FDA has long circulated a list of foods and food ingredients that are Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS). Food companies combining items on the GRAS list have a blanket endorsement from FDA that shields them from arbitrary lawsuits that might otherwise be brought under US liability law.
Meanwhile, dating back to the days of the first Bush administration, regulatory agencies had been directed to use existing laws to regulate biotechnology – that is, no mandatory review of GMO foods. This is a decision that remains controversial to this day. The Union of Concerned Scientists and Consumers Union continue to argue for mandatory regulatory review of GMOs.
The FDA eventually announced that it would treat any gene product, such as the protein or active agent produced by a genetic modification, that was not itself from a source on the GRAS list as an additive, giving the agency strong authority over truly novel introductions into food.
But given that it had no authority to require regulatory review, the FDA was in the position of relying upon voluntary action by biotechnology companies to report what genes had been introduced into crops. The case for animals has been different: all genetic modifications are regulated as animal drugs – a difference that may explain why no transgenic animals have yet been approved for food use in the United States.
This approach has subsequently been called “substantial equivalence,” which falls short of a regulatory approval since the FDA only reviews data submitted by companies on the chemical composition of GRAS foods. GMOs do receive formal approval from the US Department of Agriculture and the Environmental Protection Agency, but these agencies are reviewing environmental rather than food safety risk.
The approach has endured in part because nothing has gone wrong (at least nothing we know of) and because the alternative is difficult to define. Natural variation in the chemical composition of virtually all common foods is quite large, which means the use of standard toxicological methods for testing the safety of whole foods is subject to many confounding variables.
Food safety experts are well aware that there are many ways in which ordinary plant breeding can produce unsafe whole foods. This would be especially true for foods such as tomatoes or potatoes, which are known to carry the genes for potent toxins. However, there is no law in the US that would require any whole food to be subjected to any regulatory review. The only protection that keeps toxic plants off the shelves of grocery stores in the US is the professional ethic of plant breeders, reinforced by the fear of a product liability lawsuit.
Indeed, the litigious nature of American society and the ready supply of trial lawyers anxious to have a shot at any well-heeled company that might market an unsafe food is an important feature that is often overlooked in comparing the US regulatory approach with the rest of the world.
US biotech goes to Europe
The development of GMO foods in Europe played out at the same time as the initial steps toward integration of national food safety systems into the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) were taking place. It was politically contentious because national constituencies were losing some of their influence over home-based regulation. For example, the Reinheitsgebot, or German beer purity laws, had virtually insured that anything labeled as beer had to have been produced in Germany. The economic interests of individual countries threatened by EU-wide food safety rules created a touchy political climate.
What is more, a series of high-profile food safety debacles undercut Europeans’ confidence in the food and agricultural industry, as well as the regulatory science behind government mandated food safety risk assessments. Mad cow disease in the UK was the most prominent of these events, while the radioactive contamination of European fields after Chernobyl led Europeans to be especially leery of bad scientific decisions made elsewhere.
The US biotechnology industry blustered its way into this already touchy regulatory environment with GMO crops that they hoped to sell to European farmers. They insisted that Europeans simply accept the safety assessments that had already been made by a trio of US regulatory agencies – the FDA, USDA and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Needless to say, the Europeans were not having any of it.
At the same time, European scientists themselves were moving into GMOs. A canned and labeled GMO tomato had been successfully test-marketed in the mid-1990s through a cooperative agreement between Sainsbury’s, a major UK grocery chain, and the University of Nottingham.
As news about the US biotechnology industry’s attempt to force its way into European markets began to break, activists began campaigns against “Frankenfoods.” Sainsbury’s competitors began to advertise that their store brands were “GMO-free” and Sainsbury dropped the experiment, saying “our customers have indicated to us very clearly that they do not want genetically-modified ingredients.”
One lasting legacy of this episode is that European grocery stores are willing to compete against one another by making claims that impugn the safety of foods being sold by their competitors, while American grocery chains are generally not. The aggressive approach taken by FDA against claims about rBST may well be a contributing factor to a legacy of American stores accepting the safety of GMO products. And as FDA has relaxed its efforts to police claims about the alleged health benefits of foods, the American food industry has shown signs of willingness to attract customers by touting the attractiveness of organic or “GMO-free” foods. The putative benefits of either are still not recognized by US regulatory agencies.
A slightly more complete history would point to a number of other incidents that have led to the sharp division of opinion that exists today. The Flavr Savr tomato in 1994 was the first genetically modified crop to be commercialized. Designed to stay ripe and firm longer, the product failed to meet the needs of the US tomato industry. But there is also ice-nucleating or “Frostban” bacteria; StarLink corn; the Pusztzai incident; African rejection of US food aid – the list continues.
At the same time, contemporary activists, who have probably never heard of Biotechnology’s Bitter Harvest, are now building steadily on the dissatisfaction expressed a quarter of a century ago to create an economically and politically vibrant “food movement” that wants nothing to do with biotechnology or genetically engineered foods.


text:
CHICAGO — American Laundry News is seeking the contributions of today’s leading laundry and linen services professionals as it prepares to pick its “Panel of Experts” for 2012. Each month, the Panel contributes to an article that appears on AmericanLaundryNews.com and in the print edition.
American Laundry News is seeking panelists who are actively involved in institutional or on-premise laundry/linen operations, central or cooperative laundries, or textile rental services. American Laundry News chooses representatives from various industry segments to provide a broad range of expertise and experience. For 2012, there are openings in:
E-mail Editorial Director Bruce Beggs to apply; the subject line should read “2012 Panel of Experts.” He’ll supply a link to an online application that must be submitted by Tuesday, Nov. 1.
To review previous Panel of Experts contributions, click here.

domain: news


text:
With the current conversation around sustainable fashion, and reports that some influencers buy clothes and only wear them once, a Norwegian company Carlings has found an interesting solution: digital fashion.
The idea is similar to online shopping. You browse a selection of clothes, then pick something and order it. Except that you’ll never wear it IRL, because said clothes aren’t made of fabric or anything tangible. They are purely made to be worn virtually.
Instead, you simply send a picture of yourself to Carlings, where a team of 3D designers will digitally fit the item of clothing on you, and then you’re ready to post it to Instagram.
Kicki Perrson, brand manager at Carlings, told ELLE, ‘In real life, these types of designer clothes cost thousands of pounds and will usually be worn on social media once because of their distinct design.’
‘By selling the digital collection at £15 per item, we’ve sort of democratised the economy of the fashion industry and at the same time opened up the world of taking chances with your styling, without leaving a negative carbon footprint.’
The brand also has a ‘normal’ collection, but she says the digital one is becoming more and more popular.
It’ll be interesting to see if it takes off, and you can’t argue it could potentially be a good solution to clothing waste.


text:
ISLAMABAD: The Consumer Price Index (CPI)-based inflation as a result of an increase in prices of vegetables, eggs, motor fuels, hydrocarbons, wheat, sugar and spices, has recorded an increase of 2.5 percent for the first month of the new financial year as it was recorded at 9.3 percent on Year-on-Year basis in July 2020 as compared to 8.6 percent in June, and 8.4 percent in July 2019.
The CPI data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) here on Monday attributed the upward trend in the monthly inflation to an increase in vegetables prices, which have become 23.8 percent more expensive in July in urban areas.
Tomatoes prices jumped by 179 percent and onions 16.6 percent, the statistics office said.
Moreover, the spike in inflation is also attributed to 10.82 percent increase in egg price, 7.57 percent increase in spices price, 7.42 percent increase in wheat price, 4.58 percent increase in potato price, 3.97 percent increase in meat price, 3.82 percent increase in sugar prices, 3.07 percent increase in beans rates, 2.88 percent increase in cigarettes price, 2.6 percent increase in chicken price, 1.74 percent increase in milk products price, and 1.37 percent increase in fresh milk prices.
The data said that motor fuel prices witnessed an increase of 27.01 percent in July against June, liquefied hydrocarbons rates jumped by 7.27 percent, house rent escalated by 1.58 percent and medicines rates went up by 1.04 percent. According to data, during the month only transport rates witnessed a decline of 7.55 percent.
The inflation rate increased by 2.5 percent on month-on-month basis in July 2020, as compared to an increase of 0.8 percent in the previous month, and an increase of 1.8 percent as compared to July 2019.
On an annual basis, the prices of following commodities witnessed an increase: tomatoes by 100.16 percent, potatoes 62.98 percent, moong 46.25 percent, eggs 43.11 percent, spices 39.48 percent, chicken 36.69 percent, mash 35.86 percent, beans 34.3 percent, wheat 28.52 percent, masoor 23.79 percent, vegetable ghee 22.29 percent, wheat flour 18.52 percent, vegetables 17.83 percent, cooking oil 17.28 percent, sugar 16.98 percent, and wheat products 15.99 percent.
While during the period, onions prices witnessed a 19.59 percent reduction and fish prices a reduction of 6.22 percent.
Among the non-food items, prices of following items witnessed an increase: footwear by 11.36 percent, cotton cloth by 10.93 percent, and dupatta by 10.42 percent.
While on an annual basis, motor fuel rates went down by 9.79 percent and transport services by 3.96 percent and liquefied hydrocarbons by 3.65 percent.
The CPI inflation urban increased by 7.8 percent on year-on-year basis in July 2020 as compared to 8.7 percent in July 2019.
On month-on-month basis, the inflation index increased by 2.2 percent in July 2020 as compared to an increase of 0.7 percent.
Whereas, the CPI inflation rural, increased by 11.5 percent on year-on-year basis in July 2020 as compared to 7.9 percent in July 2019.
On month-on-month basis, it increased by 2.9 percent in July 2020 as compared to an increase of 1.0 percent in the previous month.
The Wholesale Price Index (WPI) for July, 2020, increased by 5.41 percent over June 2020, and it increased by 3.23 percent over the corresponding month of the last year.
Price of following items went up on account of the WPI on monthly basis: Kerosene oil 66.82 percent, sugar confectionary 39.88 percent, diesel oil 37.12 percent, motor spirit 36.13 percent, vegetables 33.35 percent, pesticides 27.29 percent, cotton fabrics 26.11 percent, bicycles 16.51 percent, eggs 11.22 percent, wheat 8.34 percent, paints and varnishes 7.15 percent, potatoes 6.62 percent, sugar refined 5.4 percent, wheat flour 3.97 percent, spices 3.96 percent, cement 3.69 percent, air conditioners 3.1 percent, meat of animals 2.7 percent, soaps and detergents 1.63 percent, fresh fruits 1.04 percent.
According to the PBS, during July over June maize rates went down by 4.1 percent, pulses 3.75 percent and vegetable ghee 1.69 percent.
Prices of the following commodities on account of the WPI on annual basis witnessed an increase: potatoes 78.18 percent, spices 71.86 percent, eggs 45.44 percent, cotton fabrics 38.36 percent, wheat 33.07 percent, sugar confectionary 30.49 percent, bicycles 26.93 percent, raw tobacco 26.58 percent, wheat flour 26.27 percent, footwear 21.71 percent, vegetables 18.92 percent, sugar refined 18.1 percent, meat of animals 17.82 percent, pulses 16.44 percent, fresh fruits 15.85 percent, vegetable ghee 13.19 percent, medicines 12.32 percent, hosiery products 11.22 percent, and bricks, blocks and tiles 7.36 percent.
The WPI of following commodities on an annual basis witnessed a decline: Kerosene oil 39.75 percent, diesel oil 29.68 percent, furnace oil 22.1 percent, bajra 13.52 percent, motor spirit 11.72 percent, fertilisers 8.15 percent, fibre crops 6.95 percent, and maize 1.59 percent.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2020


text:
PhoneDog's innovative comparison tool can help you save on cell phones and plans. Find the best phone and plan for you today with PhoneDog!
The Samsung Convoy 3 has not been official announced and is only rumored to be heading to Verizon Wireless Wednesday...
There is much to love about the new Huawei Nexus 6P phablet smartphone. First of all, it comes with a massive 5.7-inch...
1 week 18 hours ago
1 week 4 days ago
1 week 5 days ago
2 weeks 2 days ago
More Featured Articles
More People's Choice
reviewed by ivette_tanairí_ramos_martí
Samsung Galaxy S7 edge
reviewed by alizeeny


text:
There are rumors that consumer electronics company LG might be getting ready to release a blockchain smartphone.
According to CoinDesk, a report out of Korea claims that LG is having difficulty separating its model from Samsung’s previous releases, which included its Galaxy S10 in multiple models complete with its Blockchain Keystore.
“LG has been struggling to apply blockchain to smartphones without any dissimilarity,” a Chosun source said. “I think Samsung is trying to prepare differently in the blockchain field, just as LG responded with a dual-screen when Samsung Galaxy came out with a foldable phone.”
In other news, TokenSoft has announced the launch of a security token administrative panel that allows clients to select or partner with a Transfer Agent of their choice to issue and administer their security tokens. Through TokenSoft’s platform — and security token standards like ERC-1404 — Transfer Agents can maintain and administer security tokens.
“Since 2017, ensuring our clients can easily comply with securities laws has been our number one priority and that’s why today we’re announcing official support and a full set of features for SEC-registered Transfer Agents and their issuing clients,” Mason Borda, CEO of TokenSoft, said in a blog post.
“Transfer Agents are a foundational element of financial services infrastructure. It is exciting to see TokenSoft provide technology support to enable Transfer Agents to support blockchain-based digital securities,” added Jeff Bandman, CEO, BlockAgent Inc.
And Coinbase has announced the creation of the USDC Bootstrap Fund, which will support developers building DeFi protocols by investing USDC directly in the protocol.
“In our talks with countless developers, we consistently heard how hard it was to get liquidity for a new DeFi protocol. With the Bootstrap Fund, we aim to make it easier for developers to launch their protocol and help them to create healthy, liquid marketplaces by leveraging USDC. The USDC Bootstrap Fund is separate from Coinbase Ventures, the venture arm of Coinbase which has made 50+ traditional equity investments in projects across the cryptocurrency ecosystem,” Coinbase Product Manager Nemil Dalal wrote in a blog post.


text:
Social Media Marketing Guru Vol. 2: E-Commerce on Every App
Did you know that Facebook, WhatsApp, WeChat and Instagram are launching E-Commerce features that make it easier for users to shop directly through the apps?
E-Commerce is the latest development in Social Media Marketing (SMM), a tool that has been an effective but limited way to boost your business for more than a decade.
SMM was once simply a great way for brands to establish and promote their image. It was a useful way to drive traffic to their site through engaging content and ads. But now, platforms offer immersive shopping functionalities that reduce friction between product discovery and purchase.
Social platforms are transforming their business models on from basic advertising and expanding them to augmented reality and E-Commerce. This helps both businesses and consumers, as 83% of Hongkongers search online for a product or service to buy, and more than half (4.15 million) are currently E-Commerce users. We’ve got the lowdown on what you need to know to take advantage of each new functionality.
From Immersive Advertising to E-Commerce Stores
So far, Facebook and WhatsApp rank as the best shopping platforms, reporting an impressive two-thirds usage from merchants. These two platforms are the most popular in HK, proving hugely innovative in the field of E-Commerce. Their most notable developments include augmented reality and in-app purchasing with integrated payment solutions.
Other apps or websites like YouTube also feature new technology to entice shoppers and make buying quicker and easier. While Google may not be a social platform, the Google Shopping revolution is something you need to engage. Read our Google Marketing Live blog for more info on what Google and YouTube have to offer.
Over the past year or so, Facebook has been busy testing new ad and shopping features in Stories, Messenger and News Feed. The new business solutions include Story Ads with a swipe up functionality, Augmented Reality Ads that let shoppers try before they buy and Playable Ads, which are great for game demos.
The newly improved Story Ads are set to help brands tap into the 68% of people using stories regularly on at least three apps. Features such as Blur and Slo-Mo effects make Story Ad campaigns increasingly immersive.
Augmented Reality: The Future Is Here
But Facebook’s most exciting business tool has to be Augmented Reality (AR) Ads. The Snapchat-style solution offers a digitized in-store shopping experience with click-through to buy functionality.
Last year Michael Kors was the first brand to test it, and with great success. Many others reaped the benefits of the new AR tech including Sephora with their makeup ‘filter’, and Nike, which sold out of Kyrie 4s shoes in record time thanks to AR Ads.
Through AR Ads, brands can seep into their target market’s real-life world a little bit more. Shoppers can see how items would fit and suit them in real life before committing. What other E-Commerce experience can compete with that level of immersion?
AR Ads and shopping features won’t cost any extra for the advertiser. However, the solution will be sold via the Facebook auction like other ads. AR Insider predicts the AR ads market will grow from $167 million in 2017 to $2.6 billion in 2022. The revolution is here.
Shop on WhatsApp
Traditionally a chat-only app, Facebook-owned WhatsApp launched the WhatsApp Business app at the start of 2018. It was to be as a solution allowing small businesses to communicate with customers and manage inquiries and orders. Meanwhile, WhatsApp Business API offers a similar service for medium to large businesses like Uber and Singapore Airlines.
However in April, Mark Zuckerberg announced that WhatsApp Business is set to expand to include E-Commerce, ad and flash promotion functionalities. The Facebook founder made the revelation during this year’s annual Facebook developer conference – the F8 Conference – in Silicon Valley, California.
The Product Catalogs functionality enables brands to host web shops and display their products to customers they’re conversing with. Users can browse and pay directly through the app – pretty cool, huh?
WeChat Stores and WeChat Pay
Businesses can now set up and manage an online shop within the WeChat platform.
The brand-friendly WeChat Stores/Shop feature is part of the number-one chat app in China. It connects to a business’ bank account and lets them upload and manage products. Merchants can issue coupons, take payment, track orders and handle comments directly through the app.
WeChat users can simply open up the app while they’re waiting for a call or messaging their friends, and shop! Becoming a makeshift electronic wallet for both brands and shoppers, the accompanying WeChat Pay feature is a secure and convenient way users can pay directly through their phone, increasing conversions.
Other sophisticated functions include saving of user details such as email, password, phone number and address after the first entry (upon approval), and offline access thanks to QR codes. Integration of influencer accounts and social sharing – which drives social purchasing behaviors – are useful tools, as well as re-targeting users based on WeChat use patterns.
Ways to Shop on Instagram
More brands than ever are using Instagram, IGTV and Instagram Stories as part of their strategy and new features constantly improve the user experience for 2.6 million HK users.
Users are now able to save tagged products from product stickers and create a virtual wish-list. Businesses, meanwhile, have ever more ways to make shopping directly via Instagram easier and more enticing.
Brands can now turn posts created by influencers into shoppable ads thanks to branded content ads. Meanwhile, as of March this year businesses can sell directly through Instagram thanks to the brand new Checkout solution.
Sophisticated In-App Checkout
Instagram detailed the exciting new Checkout functionality on their Press Info Centre, announcing that users can now buy from brands without leaving Instagram.
If a user sees an item that they love on a brand’s shopping post, they can tap the new ‘Checkout on Instagram’. This allows them to select their size and color preference, enter their details and pay directly through the app.
Their name, email, billing and shipping details only need to be entered the first time they shop and are conveniently saved for next time. Users can track shipment and delivery from notifications right inside Instagram.
The in-app E-Commerce feature is currently available to a limited number of brands in the US. These including Adidas, MAC Cosmetics and Burberry among others. It is set to expand to include more brands and countries in the coming months.
The future is here thanks to new E-Commerce and immersive advertising via social media marketing. Catch up with us next time for more on the implementation of effective SMM – or read our last blog on SMM audiences!


text:
It’s been a disappointing week for Fortnite fans hoping to see a dedicated NFT launch soon. Epic CEO Tim Sweeney denied the possibility, mainly due to a large number of scams on the market.
Why is Tim Sweeney against Fortnite NFTs?
Lately, we’ve seen an impressive amount of Twitter pitches for a potential Fortnite NFT collection. In a way, joining the NFT market seemed logical, since the game has already made billions selling digital items.
At last, Epic founder Tim Sweeney addressed the wave of NFT pitches in a concise Twitter reply:
Of course, the NFT community quickly reacted to the message, with many collectors trying to explain the concept – all in vain.
In fact, the Epic CEO went on to claim that he doesn’t see any utility in owning a non-fungible-token, likening it to a simple social media like button:
“It’s not that digital items must inherently lack utility: I own movies on Amazon Video and outfits in Fortnite, both of which convey ongoing experiential value just like theatrical movies and clothes. But NFT ownership of a .gif and Twitter likes of a .gif seem…fungible,” he says.
The NFT community’s reaction
Sweeney’s affirmations brought an unprecedented series of Twitter replies regarding the non-fungible-token market. Many NFT-powered games and platforms have also joined the discussion, including the popular blockchain game Gods Unchained:
Indeed, more and more players are actively using NFTs to engage in blockchain games. What’s more, collectors seem to love the play-to-earn system, as well as the freedom of trading digital assets.
Are NFT scams a real danger?
Accordingly, Tim Sweeney refuses to launch a Fortnite NFT collection due to scams. Admittedly, there’s plenty of fake digital art, as well as other types of scams surrounding NFTs. Surprisingly, giant companies like OpenSea have even reported insider trading schemes!
However, scams are everywhere – so is that reason good enough to reject the idea of a Fortnite NFT collection?
So far, Tim Sweeney seems to be one of the few big names worried about NFT scams. From Hollywood movies to mainstream celebs and popular games, everybody is happily joining the non-fungible token market.
Snoop Dogg (or Cozomo di’ Medici) has an outstanding $17 million NFT collection. Tom Brady launched his own marketplace called Autograph, which is now worth millions, and many stars like Doja Cat or Eminem launched their own collectibles. So far, all of these initiatives have been successful and scam-free.
In summary, many NFT enthusiasts believe there’s a hidden reason why Sweeney is against a potential Fortnite NFT collection. Some think he might be too focused on Epic’s legal war against Apple, while others claim that the game generates enough money as it is.
Either way, players have plenty of other game-related NFT collectibles to have fun with: t and s are just a few!
All investment/financial opinions expressed by NFTevening.com are not recommendations.
This article is educational material.
As always, make your own research prior to making any kind of investment.


text:
More than a dozen countries and jurisdictions have tightened travel restrictions and tightened border controls in anticipation of the coronavirus pandemic.
The United States, Canada, France, the Netherlands, Australia, New Zealand and Britain have all imposed restrictions or restrictions on travel.
The US imposed travel restrictions on Thursday for American citizens and residents and on Wednesday for those who are traveling on official business, and on Friday, for international travelers.
The European Union also imposed travel and entry restrictions on Monday.
The UK, France and Germany also announced travel restrictions.


text:
Disney CEO Bob Chapek touts 'unrivaled' storytelling
As many major TV networks tout their strengths to advertisers this week, Disney CEO Bob Chapek went as far as to say his brand is "unrivaled" during the company's Upfront presentation on Tuesday.
Why it matters: Disney, and Chapek in particular, have been under pressure this year amid a battle with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and as it seeks to grow its new streaming service.
Details: "When it comes to storytelling, innovation and authority to deep emotional connections to audiences across all demographics, The Walt Disney Company is unrivaled," Chapek said. "In fact, when you look at the entertainment landscape, I believe that Disney stands alone."
- The celebrity-studded presentation showcased its deep portfolio with attention given to the Disney parks, Disney+, Hulu, FX and ABC. Celebs included Steve Martin, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Kerry Washington, Khloe Kardashian, Samuel L. Jackson and many more.
- Disney General Entertainment Content chairman Peter Rice touted the relationships they have with "storytellers," noting many of them work with Disney on multiple projects.
The intrigue: A big portion of the two-hour event was dedicated to sports. The Rock — a repeat Disney actor — was there to announce all XFL games will be broadcast across ABC, ESPN and FX starting in 2023.
- Eli and Peyton Manning announced that the "Peyton's Places" franchise is growing with new shows hosted by Sue Bird, P. K. Subban and John McEnroe.
What's next: All eyes are on the upcoming launch of advertising in Disney+, which Chapek mentioned in his opening remarks.
- In a story published early Tuesday, Disney told the Wall Street Journal that Disney+ will carry about four minutes of commercials an hour.
- While the presentation didn't harp too much on the new ad buys, Disney debuted three new trailers for upcoming Disney+ content: "Disenchanted," "Hocus Pocus 2" and "She-Hulk."


text:
Operating income was up 13.7% year on year for the year to December 31, with net sales up 6%. At 8.3%, Michelin’s operating margin was improved by 0.9% over 2003, to 8.3% of net sales.
Net income rose 60%, after non-recurring items, and net financial debt went down for the fourth consecutive year.
Net sales were €15,689,000, (£10,901,374) an increase of 2.1% on 2003.
Sales volumes rose 2.7%, and operating income was up 13.7% at €1,299 (£902.8). Net income included a non-recurring charge of €206m (£143.1m), of which more than half is to cover a potential loss on the planned disposal of Michelin’s activities in the wheel business, announced on February 16, 2005.
Commenting on the year ahead, Edouard Michelin says: “We look to 2005 with confidence as such momentum is built on our strengths. We are targeting a level of operating result which is at least as good as that achieved in 2004 despite a more difficult environment, in particular because of additional strong raw material price increases".


text:
Honda - News, Features, and Slideshows
Honda in pictures
Google may be planning to launch a version of Android Auto for vehicle infotainment centers -- also known as head units -- that will eliminate the need for a smartphone to be connected, giving native access to the Internet and mobile applications.
For all the volatility of a gas like hydrogen, which combusts with one-tenth the energy required for gasoline, fuel cell vehicles are safer than internal combustion engines, according to industry experts.
At the L.A. Auto Show this week, leading car makers revealed their plans for hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, which use the most common molecule in the universe for power and release only water vapor as exhaust.
The world's 19 biggest automakers have agreed to principles they say will protect driver privacy in an electronic age where in-vehicle computers collect everything from location and speed to what smartphone you use.
Honda is enhancing its smart car technology with a system that can detect pedestrians and nearby vehicles.
- Report: Marketing teams must be restructured
- How virtual reality stole the show at Sundance Film Festival
- Qantas tests virtual reality for in-flight entertainment
- Report: Data-driven marketing the norm as marketers aim for 1-to-1 customer connections
- Updated: Jeanswest sets sights on customer growth with new omni-channel capabilities


text:
Formula E reveals all-electric generation 3 car17 May, 202210 mins
The other week, Formula E unveiled its new Gen3 car. Debuting for the 2022-23 season at Mona...
The other week, Formula E unveiled its new Gen3 car. Debuting for the 2022-23 season at Monaco’s Yacht Club ahead of the principality’s E-Prix, the all-new car boasts a redesign that Formula E states were inspired by the dynamics of a fighter jet.
Despite weighing 60kg less than its predecessor - with an increase in the number of parts on board – the key feature of the Gen3 machinery lies in its increased power capability. The car possesses a new-gen drive motor that produces 350kW at the rear axle. And under regen conditions, now co-exists with a front-mounted 250kW motor. This means that in sum, the car is capable of producing 600kW of regenerative power.
Formula E has estimated that now, 40% of the race in Monaco will be run using energy harvested from on the track, meaning that as a result, the car has a reduced battery capacity.
In addition, the car will have no rear brakes. Instead, its full stopping power for the rear axle will be handled by the motor under regen.
CEO of Formula E, Jamie Reigle, stated that “The Gen3 disrupts and challenges the conventions of motorsport, setting the benchmark for performance, efficiency and sustainability without compromise.”
This year – despite the organisation often accused of greenwashing – Formula E has focused on employing sustainable materials within its construction of the Gen3 cars. The design includes the use of linen and recycled carbon fibre that is incorporated into the bodywork.
Moreover, the new tyres – as Hankook replaces Michelin – continue the theme of sustainability. Natural rubber and recycled fibres contribute to more than 25% of the materials used in their construction.
Finally, the new batteries, designed by Williams Advanced Engineering, have been carefully produced to be recycled at the end of their life, whilst carbon fibre from the cars can also be recycled and reused.
With the eyes of the world on the principality, Formula E has unveiled a new generation of race cars. Two years in the making; the Gen3 pushes the boundaries of possibility in EV technology further than ever before.


text:
When officials at all levels urge people to stay away from large gatherings in public places, when they list in-depth sanitary measures and urge higher risk individuals to just stay home, they hope to significantly reduce the number of individuals who get sick or die from the COVID-19 virus.
But, their messages are also killing our restaurants and bars.
More than 6,000 people worldwide have already died thanks to the coronavirus, according to Worldometer, an online statistics site.
Food and drink establishments throughout the United States are adapting to empty dining rooms by putting more emphasis on pickup and delivery in order to minimize person-to-person contact. They are reducing seating capacity and increasing sanitary procedures even beyond the measures set forth by local health departments.
“I’ve never seen anything quite like this before,” says Tony Vallone, iconic Houston restaurateur who has weathered economic depressions, natural disasters, and even personally survived the West Nile Virus in his nearly 55 years in operation. “We are going to do whatever it takes.”
Vallone says he’s seen quite a bit of business in pickup orders and has started delivering within a close radius of the restaurant along with using third party couriers like Favor and UberEATS.
In the restaurant industry—barring future government and/or other handouts—we stand to be the most affected as independent restaurants make up 68 percent of the total U.S. restaurant landscape, according to CHD Expert, a global foodservice data company.
On March 9, after a sharp spike in confirmed COVID-19 cases in Italy, Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte ordered all restaurants and shops in his country to close, with only the essentials, grocery stores and pharmacies to remain open, effective until March 25. Spain, who is right behind Italy in the amount of people confirmed to have the virus, followed suit on March 13. France, the same, as of midnight the very next day.
Sunday on NBC's Meet The Press, Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and a member of President Trump's coronavirus task force, did not rule out shutting down all bars and restaurants for two weeks. "You always want to be ahead of the curve," he said.
An article by Peter Sullivan titled “Ohio Health Official Estimates 100,000 People In State Have Coronavirus” published in the online The Hill on Thursday March 12, estimated a much higher number of cases than what the Ohio Department of Health posted the following day (13 confirmed cases and another 159 people tested and whose laboratory results are pending.) Ohio Department of Health Director Amy Acton said at a press conference that the slow rollout of testing means the state does not have good verified numbers.
So. The reality is we are living with it.
Of the 600 COVID-19 tests issued by the federal government to the Houston Health Department as of Thursday, March 12, spokesman Porfirio Villarreal stated, “We are nowhere near [using] 600, we have plenty of capacity.” He also stated hospitals and commercial labs would begin testing soon.
However that number may be reassuringly deceiving since the strict criteria used to justify administering the tests has lowered the amount of testing and the potential number of affected individuals. Private healthcare diagnostic companies like LabCorp and Quest are now offering tests from $50 to $100 — costs that soon might be covered by insurance companies.
In the coming weeks, the Houston restaurant industry continues to brace for the impact of COVID-19. Support, right now, from Houstonians is imperative. Restaurant and bar professionals can't work from home. For small-scale operators, the risk of closing and never re-opening is real, is close.
What follows is a compilation of possible solutions, ideas, and resources: that restaurants may employ:
Promote pickup: Offer to take and run credit cards over the phone to minimize contact. Tell the guest you will run the order out to the car. Make sure when handling cash to either use gloves, or wash your hands immediately afterward. Scott Taylor, Ph.D. and Assistant Professor at the University of Houston Conrad N. Hilton School of Hotel and Restaurant Management says, “I love all three of those ideas, I think we should be urging people to use credit cards when possible and if people are willing to give the numbers over the phone.”
The Rainbow Lodge, among many if not all others, are now offering this, and on top of that they are handing out a $20 gift card through April 10 and may extend beyond that date.
Consider transitioning to a ghost kitchen model and/ or put a heavy push on delivery:
A ghost kitchen is essentially a cooking facility that offers delivery-only meals. Third party delivery businesses like Favor and UberEATS can charge a restaurant up to 30 percent on each takeout order, and that’s on top of one-time fees ranging in the hundreds of dollars.
Turning waitstaff into delivery drivers is an option. According to a seasoned, local commercial insurance agent who insures bars and restaurants and declined to be named in this article, here are a few things to consider:
1. What auto coverage does your employee have? Make sure there is no exclusion in the policy for food delivery. Also make sure the minimum is at least 30K bodily injury/60K accident /25K property damage, which is the state limit. You might want the person delivering to have a higher limit, he says.
2. The restaurant needs Hired and Non-Owned Auto Coverage, which when talking with your provider can be added as an endorsement onto existing coverage or you can buy it as a stand-alone policy (more expensive.) Again, make sure there is no exclusion for food delivery. This insurance will sit on top of your employee’s insurance.
3. Make sure you have Worker’s Compensation Insurance. Texas is the only state in America that doesn’t require you have it, but it is also one of the most punitive. If an employee is hurt, and you don’t have workers comp. all they have to do is prove 1 percent negligence and you must pay 100 percent of their bills.
4. Make sure you have checked your employees' Motor Vehicle Record and licenses,. You could be liable if you “should have known,” and knowingly put them on the road, he says.
In a press release issued Friday, Grubhub, a leading online and mobile food-ordering and delivery marketplace, has announced an “Economic Relief Effort up to $100 Million for independent restaurants and delivery partners impacted by COVID-19.” The initiative will provide “immediate and substantial cash flow relief,” to qualified independent restaurants that make up the existing community and drive more than 80 percent of the company’s orders. Also, they’ve created a fund that will take proceeds from their Donate the Change fund and put it toward charitable organizations that support restaurants and drivers impacted. Let’s hope Favor, UberEats, and Door Dash are not far behind them.
Close temporarily: Like it or not, this reality might hit soon, as we are seeing chefs like Tom Douglas (Seattle) and Danny Meyer (New York) choosing to temporarily close their restaurants to weather the storm after a significant decrease in business. In China, after implementing heightened sanitization and social distancing procedures, on March 5 Starbucks announced that 90 percent of their stores are open again.
ATTN Influencers: now is the time to where you must offer your craft for free. Volunteer to pay and spread the word.
Restaurants don’t need to offer price incentives, and customers should offer to pay full price: The severe drop in business is fear-based, price incentives don't have the draw they usually do, restaurants need to save their money. We are quickly entering, if not have arrived, crisis mode. ATTN Influencers: now is the time to where you must offer your craft for free. Volunteer to pay and spread the word.
Inquire about rent forgiveness with your landlord: Soon there will be resources popping up from the government and city alike, if not already, but if you don’t directly ask your landlord, you’ll never know. Landlords, consider your costs, what you can accept, but consider thousands of those like you in the same position and what the impact of losing these tenants will be on a larger scale.
Set to take place on March 28, Southern Smoke Spring, which entailed a goat-inspired dinner featuring fellow James Beard Awarded chef Stephanie Izard as well as a Caribbean Carnival after party has since had to be cancelled out of consideration of the City of Houston's state of emergency. The fundraiser was projected to raise $200,000 for the emergency relief fund.
Executive Director Kathryn Lott says in regards to the coronavirus, the Southern Smoke Foundation is working business as usual assessing each and every crisis and that the application, anonymity, and vetting processes are still very much strong and in play.
To date, James Beard award-winning Chef Chris Shepherd’s vision to "take care of our own," so far has awarded 1.6 million dollars to individuals as well as organizations that represent the needs of the people in the restaurant industry.
Texas Restaurant Association: The Texas Restaurant Association has launched a COVID-19 Resources & Guidance section that can easily be found on their website. Several resources in regards to human resources, employment, legal, and public health and sanitization can be found here.
Keep your head up, Houston. And your hands off your head.


text:
Honda WRV Sells 50k Units A Year, Surpasses Jazz & Amaze
The top-spec VX with the sunroof is the highest selling variant!
Honda entered the popular sub-4m SUV space with the launch of the WR-V in March 2017. The recipe was simple: it took the Jazz, stretched its wheelbase to make more space inside, added plastic cladding to make it look rugged, and most importantly, increased its ground clearance to 188mm. And voila! It worked for the Japanese carmaker. In its first year in India, the WR-V managed to cross 50,000 sales, even outselling the Jazz in 2017. Also Read: 2018 Hyundai Elite i20 vs Honda Jazz vs VW Polo - Specifications & Features Comparison
Honda says that the WR-V’s top-spec VX variant makes up 80 per cent of its total sales in the country. The reason behind the popularity of the WR-V’s top variant could be the sunroof, a sought-after feature that might not be very practical for a country like India but often considered to be a premium offering.
The WRV's 188mm of ground clearance could have also contributed to its sales, especially in the tier-II and tier-III cities, where roads are not the most well paved. Honda claims that 30 and 32 per cent of the WR-V’s total sales come from tier-II and tier-III cities respectively.
The WR-V was also launched when both the EcoSport and i20 Active were ageing and Tata had not launched the Nexon. Besides that, it had the option of both petrol and diesel engines in its arsenal. With the 1.5-litre diesel engine paired with a 6-speed manual transmission, the WR-V diesel was also the most frugal sub-compact SUV at launch. Even in our tests, the WR-V turned out to be more fuel efficient the both the Brezza and the Nexon out on the highway.
Honda says that the WR-V accounted for 28 per cent of the brand’s entire sales in FY-2017-18. However, it is not the best selling (second best) Honda in country, as the City leads the pack with average monthly sales of around 4,000 units against WR-V’s 3,500 units. Related: Clash Of Segments: Honda City vs WRV
In its segment, the WR-V ranks third in the average monthly sales after the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza and the Tata Nexon. Since the launch of the Nexon in September, the WR-V’s average monthly sales numbers have seen a decline of about 25 per cent.
Read More on : WRV diesel
0 out of 0 found this helpful


text:
HTC just announced that it has appointed the company’s Chairwoman Cher Wang as the company’s CEO effective immediately, replacing Peter Chou. He will now head HTC Future Development Lab andwill be instrumental in identifying future growth opportunities for the company, said HTC.
Wang co-founded HTC in 1997. HTC said that Wang had been increasingly involved in the running of various aspects of the business, to allow Mr. Chou to focus on product development over the last two years.
Regarding her new position in the company, Cher Wang, chairman and CEO, HTC, said:
We are seeing rapid changes in the industry, with the smartphone as our personal hub connecting us to a growing world of smart devices. We pioneered the smartphone industry; now we are applying that thinking to realize the potential of a new generation of connected products and services. The overwhelming response that our virtual reality product, HTC Vive, received earlier this month underlines the importance of these new connected technologies for our future.


text:
A man with a phone walks past a signboard of Chinese company ByteDance’s TikTok app, known locally as Douyin, at the International Artificial Products Expo in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, China, 18 October 2019.
TikTok’s explosion in popularity has put the app in the spotlight of the biggest tech companies. While geopolitical issues around privacy and security continue to be exacerbated, tech companies cannot ignore the platform’s impact on audiences.
Google, Apple, and Microsoft all have TikTok accounts with over 8.5 million likes between the three. While Apple has more than 1.3 million fans on the platform, Google and Microsoft have 403,000 and 143,000 respectively. But unlike Facebook, Instagram and Twitter or other social platforms where these companies are also present, TikTok is used to showcase the brands beyond traditional advertising.
“Younger audiences tend to be in ad-free environments. So where are they exposed to things like Microsoft?” said Hanna Kahlert, an analyst at research and analytics firm Midia Research, where she specializes in social media, culture/consumer trends, and marketing/advertising.
“It begs the question, ‘Where else are you going to reach these younger consumers and create a bit of awareness?'” Kahlert said. “Tech companies are leaving [to TikTok] because it’s the best way to reach them.”
The audience is already on TikTok
Big Tech’s surge in activity on TikTok reflects a larger cultural movement.
“Brands can no longer only exist as brands,” said Kahlert. “You have to have an interface, something that the audience can really engage with. These big companies need to become more accessible and personable as audiences become more accustomed to being able to interact with the creators they like.”
Proximity to the consumer is also important. “Social is a place where we can be more personal, more relevant and in some ways more open because we’re literally in the same space where our audience exists for themselves,” said Kelley Myers, director of social media for consumer brands at Microsoft.
Big tech companies find success on TikTok by not only creating personable content, but creating content that already follows TikTok trends – often coupled with corporate humor and professional advice.
This makes content resonate with younger audiences, a demographic that isn’t necessarily related to specific products or services.
“A lot of tech companies focus on the product and not the message, which is great, but a lot of them are so caught up in the weeds of the product,” said Brian Easter, co-founder of Nebo Agency, a marketing agency in Atlanta, Georgia.
“One of the challenges is pulling [brands] out of that and say, ‘Hey, if we go to TikTok and just brag about your technology, nobody’s going to pay attention,'” Easter said. “What we have to do is find a way to tell stories and tell stories to be human.”
When brands make human connections, video drives engagement, he added.
“We have a lot of fun. We’re out there, observing trends, listening to current audio trends, and then finding ways that are super brand relevant for us to participate in this space,” said Myers.
Big Tech needs to be on TikTok and it’s easy for them
According to Insider Intelligence, TikTok became the third largest social network in the world last year, ranking behind Facebook and Instagram. It is estimated that by 2022, TikTok will have 755 million monthly users worldwide and its market share will exceed 20%.
As more users flock to TikTok, Easter said big tech companies could be missing out if they don’t invest in content creation.
“Google, for example, would be remiss if they ignored a younger audience,” Easter said. “It’s not like, ‘Hey, I’m Google over here. Please search.’ It’s about making sure your brand builds and wins hearts and minds wherever users are.”
Users of products like Google’s search engine are declining. In 2021, TikTok.com was the most popular domain on the internet, surpassing Google.com, Facebook.com, Microsoft.com, and Apple.com, according to Cloudfare, an internet hosting provider that also has its own TikTok account.
While Big Tech is vying for audiences on TikTok much like other brands, these big companies are actually finding it easier to rise above the noise.
“I think TikTok is much easier to implement as a larger brand,” said Hayley Filippone, social and public affairs strategist at Nebo Agency.
“Google, Apple, Facebook, and Twitter have the time, money, and resources to really commit to the platform, but you’ll see that video production can be very challenging for smaller brands. It’s time consuming and can be expensive,” added Filippone.
Kahlert said TikTok’s algorithm is also sophisticated, requiring frequent posts in order to be prominent in its feed. The algorithm requires brands to post at least one TikTok a day, which can mean smaller developers actually spend more time marketing themselves than manufacturing their products.
“These larger companies compete for airspace on the exact same platforms as everyone else, but they can hire teams to produce content quickly and at scale,” Kahlert said.
TikTok is popular now — but maybe not forever
It is uncertain how long TikTok will remain popular and influential.
“First of all, nothing is permanent, but as permanent as something can be, TikTok has all the ingredients it takes to stay in power,” Easter said.
Kahlert said our digital society has passed the point where a single platform would completely turn the social media market on its head. Facebook was the first social platform to shake up the game, followed by Instagram and Snapchat. She said each platform adds a new aspect or feature, but TikTok could be just another part of the mix.
“It might be TikTok that stays, but it might as well be another company that comes out and does it. I don’t think we’ll see exactly one is everything,” Khalert said. “We’ll always see that at least a handful of these apps are really important at the same time.”
While Big Tech should be on TikTok, Kahlert said that compared to traditional advertising, not all social media presence and publicity is synonymous with positive awareness or increased sales.
“It’s a lot less reliable than that, so you’ll have one [social post] that goes viral for good reasons, and then there’s one that goes viral for bad reasons,” Kahlert said. “So it must be you [on TikTok]. But be careful what you wish for when it comes to that kind of popularity.”


text:
For years, luxury fashion houses have strived to bridge the gap between fashion and consumer technology. Although a number of products from these brands tend to fall into the fashion side of the spectrum rather than the function, their ambitions live on. (Understandably so.)
This week, Louis Vuitton launched a new consumer tech product in its latest attempt to connect these two worlds. Enter the Tambour Horizon Light Up: a luxurious digital timepiece that takes after the statement-making style of its analog counterpart. This year’s Tambour Horizon is a third-generation connected watch,.
The stainless steel Tambour Horizon has a 1.2-inch circular display crafted from sapphire glass, which lights up when a notification arrives thanks to 24 LED lights built beneath the so-called Monogram dial ring. This year LV upgraded the processor the Tambour runs on, choosing Qualcomm’s top-of-the-line Snapdragon Wear 4100 platform.
Perhaps the biggest change was made to the smartwatch’s software. Louis Vuitton decided to abandon Wear OS, the Google-made smartwatch system, joining companies like Motorola, Huawei and OnePlus in developing a proprietary operating system. The absence of Wear OS has several implications, including the fact that Tambour Horizon no longer supports Google Pay. Instead, wearers can turn to Alipay, a hugely popular Chinese payment app owned by Jack Ma’s Ant Group.
The to-be-named OS, which is compatible with Android and iOS, has a basic feature set including an alarm, stopwatch, notifications for calls, emails and messages. On the health side, there is heart rate monitoring and a daily step count, served up via the My Day tab. You can also keep track of air quality and weather as well as a travel itinerary or explore LV’s curated city guides in the My Travel section. In terms of personalization, you can select from various watch faces to change the always-on display or even add your own initials in a color or font of your choice. Unfortunately, the watch was unable to pair with the companion app, Louis Vuitton Connect, on either my iPhone 12 Pro Max or my Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra so I didn’t get the chance to test these features. A spokeswoman for LV said a software update will be available on Jan. 14.
Although LV wants to be seen as a more innovative company, this digital timepiece isn’t quite for the average tech consumer due to things such as its limited features coupled with a prohibitive price tag. But LV isn’t necessarily seeking to cater to tech geeks or the average shopper. Instead, the uber-luxe timepiece will likely appeal to big-spending fashionistas looking for a tech fix. After all, this is a haute couture smartwatch from a French heritage brand known for commanding eye-watering prices for its luxurious products. LV is traditionally synonymous with posh designer handbags, but the French label has expanded its portfolio through high-end consumer electronics for several years now. Last year, it launched a a range of colorful wireless earbuds emblazoned with its signature logo.and prior to that
The Tambour Horizon Light It Up went on sale worldwide on Friday via Louis Vuitton’s websites and retail stores. In the US, the Tambour Horizon will start at $3,300 for the polished steel model and steps up to $3,600 for the matte black and brown models.
- Case diameter: 44 millimeters
- Case material: Stainless steel
- Front and back material: Sapphire glass
- Display: 1.2-inch AMOLED touch screen
- Display resolution: 390×390-pixels (327 ppi)
- Water resistance: Up to 30 meters
- Battery: Quoted to last for one day
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 4100
- Storage: 8GB
- RAM: 1GB
- Optical heart rate sensor
- Colors: Polished steel, matte brown and matte black


text:
L Brands Inc. posted gains in fourth-quarter and full-year profits.
For the three months ended Jan. 31, net income rose 15.4 percent to $564.8 million, or $1.89 a diluted share, from $489.6 million, or $1.65, a year ago. Net sales rose 6.6 percent to $4.07 billion from $3.82 billion. Comparable-store sales rose 6 percent, the company said. Wall Street was expecting $1.80 in EPS on sales of $4.03 billion.
By nameplate, comps at Victoria’s Secret stores were up 4 percent, with Bath & Body Works up 8 percent. Comps at Victoria’s Secret Direct fell 2 percent.
For the full year, net income was up 15.4 percent to $1.04 billion, or $3.50 a diluted share, from $903 million, or $3.05, in 2013. Net sales were up 6.3 percent to $11.45 billion from $10.77 billion.
Leslie H. Wexner, chairman and chief executive officer, said, “We focused on the execution of fundamentals in the business in 2014, and we continued to get better throughout the year. I am optimistic heading into 2015.”
The company posted results after the markets closed, and will hold a conference call today. Shares of L Brands rose 1 percent to $92.47, but fell 2.6 percent to $90.03 in early after-hours trading following the report of results. The after-market decline was due to the company’s full-year 2015 and first-quarter guidance, lower than the current Wall Street consensus estimates.
Wall Street was projecting $3.83 in EPS for the full year and 62 cents for the first quarter. Instead, the company for 2015 forecasted full-year earnings per share at between $3.45 and $3.65 a share, which includes a first-quarter guidance range of 50 cents to 55 cents. The company added that it expects to report February comps to increase in the mid-single digit range.
Total company-owned stores in the U.S. and Canada were 2,969 at the end of the fourth quarter, while there were 650 franchise stores in operation overseas. L Brands includes the Victoria’s Secret and Bath & Body Works brands, Pink, Henri Bendel and La Senza.


text:
Report shows Korea is one of the top markets for luxury carsSales of luxury cars in Korea have exceeded those of several wealthier countries, according to industry data released Sunday.
Numbers provided by foreign carmakers and the Korea Automobile Importers and Distributors Association showed Koreans bought more new BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class cars than Germans and Japanese from late last year to early 2017.
The data also showed that demand for Mercedes-Benz’s top-of-the-line S-Class and Rolls-Royce models with price tags in the hundreds of millions of won was high.
BMW said Korea was the second-largest market for its new 5 Series cars after the United States. In September alone, the company said it sold 3,200 of its midsize executive 5 Series cars in Korea, compared to 3,600 in the much larger U.S. market.
The number of such cars sold in Korea, Asia’s fourth-largest economy, exceeded those of the United Kingdom, Germany and Japan.
The Korea Automobile Importers and Distributors Association said Mercedes-Benz sold 5,606 cars last month, which placed it as the best-selling foreign car brand in Korea for four consecutive months. Yonhap


text:
You may be able to simultaneously surf the web while you make a phone call, but now your iPhone might also be dubbed a killer.
The very people that make the iPhone for our convenience are reportedly committing suicide because the working conditions at Foxconn -- the contract manufacturer that makes Apple’s popular device -- are so poor.
Any complaints I have about my job seem trivial when Foxconn workers are reportedly working 12, 14, 16-hour shifts; doing the same task over and over; and have little time for anything more than eating, sleeping and working.
Foxconn says employees have access to a pool and other perks, but when do they have time to play? I know from experience that working a 12-hour shift in a factory can be very draining. I certainly wasn’t about to swim laps after working long hours. Instead, sleep and food were all I had on my mind.
Regardless of the reason for Foxconn’s mass suicide attempts, workers in China now have the upper advantage. Foxconn, hoping to raise morale, recently gave workers a hefty 30 percent pay raise, which could set a standard for the rest of China’s workforce. I expect that we haven’t heard the last bit of news in this ongoing story. China’s labor market will be soon be fighting for even better wages and working conditions. And that’s a good thing.
But what amazes me is Apple’s lack of reaction to the plight of Foxconn’s workers. For most companies, this sort of news would be a deal-breaker. Instead, Apple, Dell and Nokia -- all Foxconn customers -- said they’ll ‘investigate’ working conditions. But it’s likely they won’t find anything wrong. In this economy -- even in China -- workers will do and say what they need to in order to keep their jobs. Whistleblowers need not apply.
If China’s workers were looking for leverage to fight back, they now have it. The media has drawn more attention to the working conditions many face in Chinese factories. But if U.S. manufacturers with operations in China are willing to turn the other cheek, then the labor battle has already been lost.


text:
Primark expects 'further significant input cost inflation'
Associated British Foods, the parent company of Primark, has this morning issued a trading update ahead of its annual general meeting later today, 9 December 2022.
Associated British Foods Chairman, Michael McLintock, will tell the business group: "Our outlook for the full year is unchanged. We continue to expect further significant input cost inflation, but the volatility of our input costs has diminished.
"At this early stage, Primark trading in this financial year has been encouraging. We are on track to open 27 new stores this financial year, ten of these opening in the run-up to Christmas, and to date we have opened six new stores, including one today in Angers, France. For the full year, we continue to expect significant growth in sales for the group, and adjusted operating profit and adjusted earnings per share to be lower than the previous financial year."
Last month, Primark reported that revenue jumped by more than a fifth to £17 billion in the year to 17 September 2022, as pre-tax profit increased by nearly half to £1.1 billion.
Primark has also committed to making a number of investments in retail over the next five years. The company expects to reach 60 US stores by the end of 2026, and 530 stores by 2026 globally.
Primark is investing €100 million to strengthen its store portfolio in Spain, with plans to open at least eight new stores over the next two years. The business also pledged a £140 million investment in UK retail over the next two years, which includes the opening of four new stores across the UK.


text:
Huawei has confirmed that its new lineup of Y-Series affordable smartphones will launch in South Africa.
The 2018 lineup comprises three new devices, which will be priced from R1,999.
Huawei said its new smartphones will launch in May and will include features such as face unlock, improved storage capacities, and high-resolution FullView displays.
The devices will also feature dual-SIM support, a dedicated slot for expandable storage, and good battery life.
The Y-Series will run Huawei’s EMUI 8.0 operating system, built on Android 8.0, said Huawei.
Huawei 2018 Y-Series devices will be priced as follows:
- Huawei Y5 – R1,999
- Huawei Y6 – R2,499
- Huawei Y7 – R2,999


text:
Xiaomi Redmi Pro 2 Specs Rumor: 3GB of RAM, Dual Camera, LCD Screen
In a recent report, Xiaomi is expected to unveil the Redmi Pro 2 anytime soon. Last month, some of the specifications of the Redmi Pro 2 had shortly appeared on the company's website, however, a new report now gives us a hint at some of the specifications that can be expected from the upcoming Redmi Pro 2.
The original Redmi Pro featured an OLED display and most likely the Xiaomi Redmi Pro 2 will follow the suit and could also feature a Full HD resolution of 1920 x 1080, which will be manufactured by TCL. Earlier reports claim that the Redmi Pro 2 would have a screen with Full HD resolution, and added that this would be a full-screen display with an aspect ratio of 18:9. The Xiaomi Redmi Pro 2 smartphone is expected to be powered by a Snapdragon 660 processor and will be backed up with 3GB of RAM. Just like last year's version, the Redmi Pro 2 is also believed to retain the dual-camera setup on the back.
The upcoming smartphone may come with a combination of 12-megapixel Sony IMX362 main sensor, and a 5-megapixel Samsung S5K4E8 secondary sensor on the back, reported by GSMarena. For selfies, reports claim that the Redmi Pro 2 could come with 16-megapixel Samsung S5K3P8 sensor on the front and other features like Bluetooth, Gyroscope, Wi-Fi, and Accelerometer.
Rumores are rife that the Redmi Pro 2 will come in multiple variants, 4GB of RAM with 64GB storage, and a 6GB of RAM with 128GB storage. The device will come with a 4,050mAh battery. At the moment, there's no official word on when the Redmi Pro 2 will be unveiled, though theories point to a July launching with a price tag starting at $177.
Xiaomi Mi Max 2 Matte Black Color Variant Launched
Xiaomi announced a couple of days ago a new Matte Black variant of the Mi Max 2 phablet that was originally available only in golden color.
Essential Phone Gets FCC Approval; Launch Date Imminent?
Andy Rubin's new Essential Phone was found passing through the FCC which is an important step in the process of being able to sell a tech product in the United States.
Asus Zephyrus Is A Skinny Gaming Laptop
The ASUS Zephyrus With GeForce GTX 1080 Max-Q has a pricetag of $2,699 that comes with powerful specs and impressive features.
Honor 9's Spec Sheet Has Tempting Offers
The recently launched Honor 9 is available today offering high-end specs and impressive features with an affordable price.
New Xiaomi Mi Band 5 is Official: Could the $30 Beat the Fitbit Inspire HR?
Could the new $30 Xiaomi Mi Band 5 beat the Fitbit Inspire HR.
MORE IN ITECHPOST
At-Risk Mental Health for Students: Developing Resilience Among Students amid the Coronavirus Pandemic
At-Risk Mental Health for Students to help students struggling with their mental health, especially now amid the pandemic. It focuses more on developing students' resilience.
Tech Leaders and Health Authorities Join Forces, Launch New Initiative to Help Fight Pandemic and Future Epidemics
Two contact tracing apps have been successfully launched recently in Canada and Ireland. The open-source code underlying these apps has been contributed to a newly launched initiative to help other countries and U.S. states in the fight against the pandemic.
Fairy Tail Game Releases a Season Pass, a Week After It Was Launched
The anime RPG Fairy Tail from Koei Tecmo has just released a season pass that will release additional characters and content into the game, just a week after it was launched.
The 10 Longest-Running Anime Series Still Ongoing That You Must Not Fail to Watch [Top 1 Has 7000 Episodes]
Here are ten (10) of the longest-running anime series still in production until now. You wouldn't want to miss especially the holder of a Guinness World Records with 7000 plus episodes.


text:
Can’t Find Chlorine Tablets for Your Pool? Here’s What to Do Instead.
Between the pandemic and a catastrophic fire, the U.S. is currently experiencing a major shortage of chlorine tablets. But it doesn't have to end your summer swimming fun.
The COVID-19 pandemic caused waves in the world of shipping and manufacturing, leading to shortages of appliances, lumber, electronics, and more. The latest product to be affected? Chlorine tablets. Pool owners might have noticed that it was hard to find chlorine tablets in the spring of 2021, and interestingly, it’s not just because of the global health crisis.
Read on to learn more about the chlorine tablet shortage and how you can still enjoy your pool during the hot summer.
What caused the chlorine shortage?
The demand for chlorine jumped in 2020 because people were spending more time at home and enjoying their backyards. In fact, according to a recent report from Goldman Sachs, the United States saw 96,000 pools being built in 2020, which is a 23 percent increase over the number from 2019. On top of this increased demand for chlorine, one of the biggest producers in the country experienced an unexpected crisis that sent shockwaves through the industry.
In late August 2020, Hurricane Laura hit the coast of Louisiana, and on August 27, the Bio-Lab plant in Westlake experienced a catastrophic fire. Bio-Lab makes treatment products for pools and spas, including many chlorine-based products. Importantly, they produce most of the chlorine tablets sold in the United States.
While, thankfully, no employees were injured, there was “significant damage to the facilities,” according to the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB).
With Bio-Lab forced to cease production, the country was left with only two other producers of chlorine tablets: Occidental Petroleum and Clearon Corp. The Bio-Lab plant isn’t scheduled to recommence production until 2022, so the industry should expect to be off-kilter until then.
RELATED: The Pros and Cons of Saltwater Pools
How will this affect chlorine prices?
According to the Goldman Sachs report, experts estimate that chlorine prices will jump by 58 percent when compared to the same period last summer.
A standard bucket of chlorine tablets weighs 50 pounds and will last the average pool owner one season. Typically, those buckets cost approximately $75 to $85, but many across the country have seen those prices double in 2021. When trying to shop online from retailers like Amazon, prices are even higher, with a 40-pound bucket of Clorox Xtra Blue tablets priced at more than $250 at the time of writing.
Chlorine tablets are the most popular method for keeping residential pools clean, with 70 percent of residential pools using tablets. However, public pools typically use alternative methods of chlorination so they’re unlikely to be affected.
Should you stock up if you find chlorine tablets?
If you manage to find a pool supply store with a wealth of chlorine tablets, it might be tempting to stock up in case the shortage continues. The reality is, however, the shortage will only become more severe if people purchase more than they need for the season. Some store owners are even imposing limits to ensure everyone has access to chlorine.
What should you use instead of chlorine tablets?
While chlorine tablets have a number of advantages—including their ease of use and a long shelf life—liquid chlorine is a good choice if they’re not available. Chlorine tablets and chlorine liquid have a lot in common. They both sanitize the water, preventing the growth of algae and bacteria.
One of the major downsides of liquid chlorine is that you need a lot of it; 1 gallon is equivalent to two chlorine tablets. That’s because the concentration of chlorine in the formula is typically between 10 and 12 percent while the rest is made up of water and some salt. This means you’ll either have to buy a massive quantity to get you through the season or you’ll have to head to the pool supply store to stock up every couple of weeks.
Another disadvantage of liquid chlorine is that it has a short shelf life, lasting just a couple of weeks before it loses potency. Be sure to store it in a cool location to ensure the solution lasts as long as possible. Liquid chlorine might affect your pool’s pH levels, so it’s important to monitor them throughout the season.
Despite that, liquid chlorine is pretty easy to use. You don’t have to mix the formula with anything and can simply pour it into the pool as needed. Generally speaking, when there are no shortages, chlorine liquid is more affordable than tablets.
The bottom line is that liquid chlorine gets the job done, and is a great alternative if your regular tablets are unavailable.


text:
A preeminent venture capital firm was victorious in Silicon Valley's biggest sex discrimination suit. A jury ruled in favor of Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, which had been sued by Ellen Pao, the interim CEO of Reddit and former partner of the firm.
Dow Chemical sells off its Chlorine business to Missouri-based Olin Corp. in a Dow Chemical Co. CEO Andrew Liveris confirmed that, they are going to spin off from their Chlorine business and sell it to Missouri based chemical maker Olin Corp in a $5 billion ...
BlackBerry chief executive officer John Chen says the company is a "little ahead" of its turnaround plan. next play/pause pre 1/1.
Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen said Friday that continued improvement in the U.S. economy means an increase in the Fed's key interest rate could come later this year.
In this March 13, 2015 photo, a worker prepares a chassis to receive an engine on a 2015 aluminum-alloy body Ford F-150 truck at the company's Kansas City Assembly Plant in Claycomo, Mo.


text:
The Elephone P9000 has been the first Elephone smartphone equipped with the Mediatek Helio P10 and probably amongst one of the most sold devices from the …
Our Elephone P9000 has just arrived with all the available Elephone P9000 accessories. Take a look at this Helio P10 phone now and read our first impressions.
Yesterday we reported that OPPO would launch new power and camera technologies at MWC, now we might know what those techs could be.
A feature of the Elephone P9000 we weren’t aware of until this morning was wireless charging!
Oukitel are testing wireless charging in a unnamed mystery phone set for release this year. During 2015 Oukitel quickly made a name for themselves building …
Otium are launching an all new phone with original design ahead of Christmas this year. Here are the exclusive first images of the new Otium Z6.
ZTE are looking to follow up their range of ‘Grand’ devices with the ZTE Grand S Ext, a phone which uses a new “nano moulding” process.
Mediatek are reinventing themselves with a new logo, new slogan and new technology. Is it time for them to go global?
Mediatek have a few interesting items on show at MWC we take a look at the ones which GizChina readers have been waiting for the most! LTE and Android 4.4 KitKat support!
The octa-core iBerry Auxus Nuclea N2 went a step closer to availability with pre-bookings open for the device.
Taiwanese chipset maker Mediatek have made headlines once again but this time it isn’t for a processor but rather a new multimode wireless charging solution.
Taiwanese based phone maker BungBungame are in the process of developing a $299 Android smarphone with 3GB RAM, 2K display and 8-core processor.
A leaked image of the Hike Z1 has been posted online showing an all new design for the Chinese phone manufacturer.
We already know almost everything there is to know about the Mediatek 8-core MT6592 processor, but it’s nice to see what it all means up in some good old Antutu benchmarks!
JiaYu will only be selling the Snapdragon powered JiaYu S1 through physical stores and authorised online distributors and not their own online store.
The TCL N3 is possibly one of the hottest Mediatek powered phones to launch out of China this year, but as usual it is us here in China who will have the first chance to bag one.
Later this month Chinese phone fans will be able to chose between either the all new JiaYu S1 or Xiaomi Mi3 for roughly the same price. Which one of these new phones is the better buy? Which would you choose?
It took hours to get out there, but the trip to the JiaYu Shenzhen factory proved fruitful as we got to play with the JiaYu S1!
Chinese phone maker and owners of Alcatel have just received the official stamp of approval for a new 6-inch FHD phablet named the TCL Y910.
Many of you might have been excited about the JiaYu G4, but the JiaYu S1 is going to be in another league and have features never before seen on a JiaYu phone!


text:
According to GamesIndustry’s Christopher Dring, Metroid Dread has now had the third biggest launch of a Metroid title in the history of the United Kingdom, second only to Metroid Prime 1 and 3. It has already become the best selling 2D Metroid game in the UK. This is according to sales figures from GfK. While they only accounts for physical sales and does not include digital, it’s a strong indicator that the game will soon become the best selling Metroid game overall, if it hasn’t already.
Source: Christopher Dring


text:
NEW regulations about how staff payments are registered with HMRC will create an additional bureaucratic burden for businesses, a payroll specialist has said.
The start of PAYE Real Time Information (RTI), which takes effect from April, will create time-consuming red-tape for enterprises just when they cannot afford to be diverted in the tough economic climate, according to Sue Espiner, head of payroll at JWPCreers.
Under RTI, a business’s accountant, bookkeeper or payroll service will be legally required to send details electronically to HMRC every time payment is made, rather than doing so in one total at the end of the year.
Although HMRC says RTI, which is designed to provide accurate wages and tax records for the forthcoming universal credit scheme, will increase efficiency and reduce end-of-year pressures, Ms Espiner – whose department handles 3,500 payroll payments every month – says it will be “a bureaucratic headache” for enterprises trying to focus on sales and business development.
“RTI is a burden on employers and they need to get ready now,” she added.
RTI will mean that all businesses have to “cleanse” their payroll data to comply with new requirements, invest in updates to payroll software and keep abreast of updates and changes to RTI through the HMRC website.
JWPCreers, which has offices in York and Selby, is holding a free breakfast seminar to advise businesses on how to prepare for RTI at The Parsonage Country House Hotel Escrick, York, on February 7 at 8.30am. To book a place, email email@example.com by January 31.


text:
European Restructuring Monitor (ERM)
Supermarket operator Tesco has announced plans to create 250 new call centre positions in Dundee. The move follows the decision to close its centre in Cardiff with the loss of 1,100 jobs. Some of the affected Cardiff workers are expected to be offered the opportunity to relocate to Dundee, though given the distances involved, few are expected to accept the offer. The site at Dundee already employs 1,100 people and, with the closure in Cardiff, will be company's main site for customer engagement. No details have been given about when the jobs will be filled, though the Cardiff centre is due to close in February 2018.
Eurofound (2017), Tesco, Business expansion in United Kingdom, factsheet number 91433, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/91433.


text:
If you think you've spotted more shiny utes and trucks on our roads, you're dead right.
The new commercial vehicle population is enjoying a growth spurt, spurred on by road building, plenty of construction work for tradies and, at times, a decent import exchange rate.
Goods vans and utes are finding flush customers in the farming world, while plumbers, builders, carpenters and electricians are using utes for their tools during week and for their families at the weekend.
The sales surge story last year went like this: just over 31,400 light commercial vehicles were sold - up about 5000 on the year before.
Heads were turned when the Ford Ranger won the battle for ute supremacy.
The venerable Hilux drove away dented when New Zealand sales of the American marque ended a long-run at the top for Toyota.
But whether you're a die-hard fan of Ford or the Japanese brand is neither here nor there; dealers are shifting a whole lot more of what they call 'light commercials'.
David Crawford from the Motor Industry Association says, when it comes to overall vehicles sales, vans and utes are the ones to watch, because flash cars are no longer the measure of how well its sector is performing.
He says the indicators changed after dealers enjoyed another year of double-digit growth in sales of light commercial vehicles.
"Traditionally we look at the sale of luxury marques like your BMWs, Mercedes, Audi vehicles, etc, as a lead indicator to how the economy's going.
"They were the first vehicles to decrease in volume leading up to the global financial crisis, and they were the first ones to climb out of it.
"Except in this case, the big growth has been led by the commercial sector, which indicates it is the economy that has been growing, and it's grown for some time before passenger vehicles have caught up."
Mr Crawford says going for a good-looking ute can indicate a tradie's pride, but the strong sales also demonstrates a move towards the pick-up becoming the smart family wagon at the weekend.
'We are seeing the tradespeople buy utes and use them as a commercial [vehicle] during the week and a family [vehicle] during the weekend because the standard of fit-out in, particularly your double-cab utes, is getting a lot better than what it used to be."
The Motor Industry Association is anticipating vans and utes will sell well throughout this year but might not match the volume growth recorded over the past couple of years.
Trucks in luck, too
It is also boomtime for large trucks, such as long-haul freighters and big tippers.
Known in the industry as 'heavy commercials', 4966 were sold last year - up by almost 1000 on sales figures from 2013.
Mitsubishi's Fuso brand is a significant player in the sector, shifting 730 trucks last year - a rise of 200 on the previous year.
I visited the headquarters of Mitsubishi Motors, which is based in a small corner of the historic Todd Park in Porirua, a sprawling plant which was home to car assembly lines from the 1970s to the late 1990s.
Here, the company showed off its HD Euro - one of the company's top sellers.
The national sales manager of Mitsubishi Motors, Mike Davidson, says sales have shifted up a gear throughout the industry, with his firm and its dealer network taking on more staff to cope with the extra sales enquiries
"The market last year was up by 22 percent. For Fuso, our sales were up by 38 percent. In terms of what happens in the future, maybe ... We see a continuation of that at least for the first half of this year".
So what's driving the heavy truck sales? For the Motor Industry Association's David Crawford, the answer lies in roading, rebuilding and buyers deciding to opt for more efficient vehicles.
"These are being driven principally by infrastructure rebuild in Christchurch, post the earthquake, and some of the big roading projects in Auckland. And thirdly there's been an increase in what we call the high productivity trucks.
"These are the big trucks that are over 45 tonnes - where fleets like Fonterra's fleet, or the big furniture movers - they are kitting out these bigger trucks because there are significant efficiency gains."
Bodybuild blockage beyond the border
Motor bodybuilding businesses are struggling to keep pace with the demand for fitted-out heavy trucks.
Once the vehicles come into port - mostly from Japan - there's up to an eight-month backlog for buyers.
Mike Davidson of Fuso says with sales success comes delays in the delivery of the finished product.
"From a Fuso perspective our stocks are quite good, and many of those other manufacturers are in similar positions. But there's quite a blockage in that with trucks, and with heavy trucks in particular, you bring the truck into the country in a cab chassis format and from there the truck is built up to the specification of the customer.
'It's that build period which is very over-subscribed at the moment."
Mike Davidson says the backlog's having a knock-on effect for the used truck market, too.
"There is short supply [of trucks] overall. The demand is increasing so quickly that a lot of us as suppliers can't really keep up with that. So used trucks are also in demand because they're sitting there, they're ready to go, they're already fit for purpose and they're in hot demand."
The Motor Industry Association says the commercial vehicle sector still has a spring it its step, noting it has been the strongest February on record for new commercial vehicle registrations.
And the battle to become king of the utes is back on: last month 427 Toyota Hilux rolled out of the car yards, compared to 381 Ford Rangers.


text:
Unannounced PSP Game Dead Nations Revealed by Eurogamer
Today a Eurogamer Germany listing (linked above) for GamesCom 2009 appears to have revealed an unannounced PSP title scheduled to be shown, specifically Dead Nations.
Currently nobody has heard of the game, however, according to reports it is expected to be revealed tomorrow in Cologne.
The only facts known are it's name and that it's a PSP game.
Here is to hoping SCEE's presser taking place tomorrow night will reveal more on it!
To quote from the Eurogamer listing: Sony: Gran Turismo PSP, Dead Nations, Eye Pet, Uncharted 2, Heavy Rain, MAG, Modnation Racers, God of War III (the stand).
More PlayStation 3 News...


text:
The threat and opportunity of the Internet of Things
CIOs should be readying their organizations for an era when 60 billion sensors dominate the Internet, says Dr Joseph Reger.
For a video with English subtitles, please click on CC above or the appropriate subtitle icon during play.
The IP-enabling of all kinds of currently passive objects – the coming technology wave known as the Internet of Things – will deliver a huge array of benefits across business and society, but it will also generate some serious threats too.
Dr Joseph Reger, CTO of Global Business at Fujitsu, believes that the Internet of Things will bring the analog and digital worlds much closer together, with almost every kind of object being connectible to the Internet — from food packaging and household appliances to medicines and physical infrastructure such as roads and bridges.
The shift is already well under way, he observes, in I-CIO’s exclusive video interview. “Already today there are more things than humans connected to the Internet. Currently, we have something like 10 billion such devices [including sensors, monitors and machine-to-machine communications], and by 2020 everyone is expecting 50 to 60 billion ‘things’ on the Internet. So it will be a device-dominated network.”
Most of the key technology components are already in place. Cloud computing and big data will be vital for processing the vast volumes of data that will be produced by deployed sensors, he says.
There are already some solid examples of such deployments. One example that Reger has pointed to on numerous occasions is SPATIOWL, a cloud-based location data service that Fujitsu and its partners have introduced across Tokyo to enable urban management applications.
While observing such early successes, however, IT leaders need to be conscious of the new security and privacy challenges that will accompany the large-scale adoption of the Internet of Things. The sheer numbers of components amplify the issues we’ve encountered in the Internet to date, says Reger. “Problems [such as security] will become much more difficult to deal with, so we will have to develop new techniques and approaches. There also needs to be a consensus in society about how we deal with some of the ethical problems that will arise.”
He illustrates that with the example of an IP-enabled light bulb, a product that is already commercially available. While adding intelligence to such commonplace objects will bring huge efficiencies in terms of energy use and convenience, they also pose a threat. Connecting networks of light bulbs to the Internet could open them up to cyber-attacks. “Any Internet device, if they have a vulnerability, can be easily and quickly reprogrammed, and since there will be billions of them they could be used as a pre-programmed army to carry out denial of service attacks or things of that kind,” he says.
Extrapolating such threats from light bulbs to other everyday objects such as motor vehicles only underscores the point, he says, arguing that with the early technologies coming on stream, now is the time for the ICT industry to start considering such important issues.
Of course, that should not overshadow the enormous opportunity that is emerging here, he says. “Developments with great impact typically come with a great potential for misuse. However, responsible ICT vendors will develop innovative technologies that counter such misuse, ensuring the benefits and advantages presented by the Internet of Things far outweigh any threats.”
• Dr Reger will be delivering a keynote on Open Source at Fujitsu Forum 2015 in Munich, November 18 and 19


text:
Editor’s Note: The following column, authored by Nickey Friedman for The Motley Fool, offers a different perspective on Thor Industries Inc.’s recent earnings statement that analysts said fell short of expectations.
When Thor Industries reported its most recent results, the market let out a yawn. But investors who only look at the overall numbers are missing out on a fantastic growth story. While it’s true that this is the off-season for RV sales, one segment of Thor Industries’ business is nonetheless taking off like a rocket.
Thor Industries reported its fiscal first-quarter results on Dec. 2. Overall revenue inched up 5% to $800 million while net income from continuing operations shot up 27% to $36.4 million, or 68 cents per share.
Of the $800 million in revenue, the towable RV segment saw sales slip 3% to $662.9 million. While that’s certainly uninspiring, the motorized RV segment saw sales explode 45% to $177.1 million.
Here’s where it gets interesting
Thor Executive Chairman Peter Orthwein pointed out that this past quarter and the next are “characterized by a more seasonally competitive environment.” Of course, purchasing and using RVs tend to be more popular activities in the warmer months than the colder ones. Yet despite this, motorized RV sales actually increased sequentially by 5.3% in this fall quarter when compared to the previous summer quarter, even given an unusually cold October.
This suggests that demand for the motorized RV segment is accelerating very fast, and could be much more pronounced beginning in the spring selling season. Motorized RV sales still only made up 22% of revenue this quarter, but that’s up from 15% a year ago. As motorized RV sales continue to grow as a percentage of overall sales, the impact of its contribution might increase further.
The backlog story
Backlog further paints a picture of growing demand for motorized RVs. While backlog was up significantly for both segments, the motorized RV portion is frankly going bananas. Towable RV backlog was up 13.5%, or $49.9 million, to $419.8 million. Motorized RV backlog was up a jaw-dropping 113.6%, or $166.6 million, to $313.4 million.
Motorized RV backlog is now at 42.7% of the overall total backlog. In terms of absolute dollars, the motorized backlog grew 234% higher than the towable RV backlog. At this pace, motorized RV demand could overtake towable RV demand.
To read the entire article on Dailyfinance.com click here.