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It’s been more than 50 years since The Jetsons’ self-flying cars first appeared in living rooms across North America — introducing the illusion of a technological utopia with integrated artificial intelligence (AI), voice-recognition, advanced robotics and automation technology so smart that your fridge, wardrobe and toilet paper could be re-stocked on demand.
These technologies are now integral in our lives. They connect people and countries, underpin our economy and are driving dramatic change within industries. And this increase in Internet of Things (IoT) — connected everyday objects that communicate with both internal and external environments — is vastly complicating the current networked landscape.
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IoT proliferation is increasing the networking capabilities of devices in our homes, offices, vehicles, factories and supply chains. But this explosion of new tech is also causing cyber risk to rise sharply. It’s predicted that by the year 2050 the number of connected devices will exceed 50 billion.
Many IoT adopters are taking this newfound connectivity for granted and deploying it without any caution or consideration for the serious security implications. We’ve reached a point where it’s become irresponsible and, in some cases, illegal not to have security protocols in place.
No matter the intricacy of the protection system, a network can never be fully immune from an IoT-based attack. That’s especially true as big data platforms implement application program interfaces (APIs) to broaden the connection abilities of devices to more ecosystems.
The 2018 EY Global Information Security Survey (GISS) found that — despite an awareness of risk — only 36 per cent of Canadian companies have a formal data protection program in place. Out of that number, only 17 per cent believe their information security function is actually meeting their organization’s needs. There’s a lot of room for improvement; and the advantages for the company and the public are significant.
Opinion: Internet of Things poses privacy risks
Smart homes: The Internet of Things moving us toward connected homes
Every device connected with IoT adds another access point for cyber criminals to breach our personal devices and potentially steal sensitive data. Think of it this way, embedding IoT is like adding more doors to your home. Convenient, maybe, but it dramatically increases the chance a burglar getting in. And what are they after? Survey results show that the No. 1 target of cyber criminals is customers’ personal identifiable information and passwords.
With more personal data at risk through IoT, companies need to evolve their cybersecurity and privacy strategies to protect Canadians. Consumers also have a big role to play in protecting their own data — and understanding the risk associated with what they voluntarily share. Our personal information has an enormous value and, as such, we need to be selective about what we give out and with who. Building your individual defence strategy is also important. Start with improving password complexity on your devices and choose vendor solutions that support multi-factor authentication to add an additional layer of security.
Cyber threats are dynamic and continuous — so it’s crucial to remain vigilant. The good news is that new legislation means Canadians will be better informed when their personal data is compromised. As of November, the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act requires companies notify individuals when a cyber incident occurs, including the type of incident, when it happened, how it may affect them and what they’re doing to remediate the situation.
No one will ever be able to prevent 100 per cent of cyber-attacks, but through careful due diligence, it’s possible to competitively outpace the threat with early detection and powerful response tactics. Rest assured, you’ll sleep a little better knowing your data security and personal information is protected.
Adam Sultan is the EY Quebec Cybersecurity Leader. He is based in Montreal.


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Some interesting news from the Game Developers Conference has made it ways to the forefront. Google+ product manager Punit Soni has mentioned that Google is working on a unified gaming platform and is expected to launch it by next year.
Soni says “we will not be here talking about Google+ Games, Chrome Web Store games, Games for Native Client and Android games.” Instead, we will be talking about “Google Games.”
We’re not too sure how all of that will play out – especially that Android games part – but it’ll be interesting to see what they have in store. Google is the big underdog in the social networking sect and they need to do all that they can to attract more users from Facebook and Twitter.
Google will also look to utilize Hangouts and notifications to make the experience seamless to share with friends. Being a big fan of Google+ myself, I hope Google continues to do everything they can to allow the platform to flourish – we don’t want another Google Buzz situation on our hands, after all. [VentureBeat]

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Australia's Abbott vows to promote free trade as G20 chair
Published on Jan 23, 2014 7:07 PM
DAVOS (REUTERS) - Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott vowed on Thursday to use his country's presidency of the G20 this year to promote free trade, and called on the group of leading economies to undo protectionist measures.
"I want to make this very clear: As a trading nation Australia will make the most of its G20 presidency to promote free trade," he said in a speech to the World Economic Forum in Davos. "This year's G20 must be more than a talk fest."
"At the very least, the G20 this year should renew its commitment against protectionism and in favour of freer markets.
Each country should renew its resolve to undo any protectionist measures put in place since the crisis," he said.
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- Coinbase has received in-principal approval in Singapore.
- It is the 17th crypto company to receive this kind of approval.
- Coinbase sees Singapore as a vital market and a worldwide hub for Web3 innovation.
The largest cryptocurrency exchange in the United States has received what is known as “in-principle approval,” which the central bank introduced for cryptocurrency businesses last year.
With the clearance, cryptocurrency exchanges like Coinbase will be able to provide services to both people and organizations. However, they will be governed by the central bank’s Payment Services Act.
After a thorough due diligence procedure that is still ongoing, Coinbase is one of only 17 cryptocurrency companies to have received in-principle permissions and licenses from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). In 2020, under a new framework, there were roughly 180 crypto firms that applied to the MAS for a crypto payments license.
This has been a “major milestone,” according to Coinbase. It further stated that the business presently employs close to 100 people and has been actively expanding its footprint in the Southeast Asian nation. Product engineers make up the majority of Singaporean hires, according to Coinbase.
Hassan Ahmed, Coinbase’s regional director for Southeast Asia, stated:
We see Singapore as a vital market and a worldwide hub for Web3 innovation.
In other recent developments, Coinbase announced launching three services to their Australian customers in order to facilitate and secure access to the cryptocurrency market.
The digital currency exchange said that it will be bringing a PayID function to its Australian consumers. The exchange originally joined the Australian market in 2016.
“First, we are launching PayID as a mechanism for Australians to fill up their Coinbase accounts via direct Australian Dollar transactions”, said Coinbase in the announcement, which was published as a blog post.
Recommended News :
Crypto News Land (cryptonewsland.com) , also abbreviated as “CNL”, is an independent media entity — we are not affiliated with any company in the blockchain and cryptocurrency industry. We aim to provide fresh and relevant content that will help build up the crypto space since we believe in its potential to impact the world for the better. All of our news sources are credible and accurate as we know it, although we do not make any warranty as to the validity of their statements as well as their motive behind it. While we make sure to double-check the veracity of information from our sources, we do not make any assurances as to the timeliness and completeness of any information in our website as provided by our sources. Moreover, we disclaim any information on our website as investment or financial advice. We encourage all visitors to do your own research and consult with an expert in the relevant subject before making any investment or trading decision.


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Global gaming, hospitality and entertainment giant Hard Rock International (HRI) has strengthened its existing Scientific Games Corporation alliance, with a new, exclusive three-year contract.
Relating to the provision of a series of lottery instant games, HRI, who owns international trademarks for the iconic brand, has aligned itself with “the world’s largest provider” of such offerings.
Scientific Games, which states that it supplies “the largest portfolio of licensed brands for lottery game entertainment,” believes the latest deal with Hard Rock solidifies its provisions for lotteries in Europe and North America.
Kyle Rogers, executive vice president of lottery licensed brands for Scientific Games, explained: “Scientific Games is known for our game innovation, and our game design studios cannot wait to begin creating products featuring the Hard Rock brand, to add a cool edge to our customers’ instant games.
“The Hard Rock brand is ubiquitous with music, fun and good times. We welcome this legendary brand into the Scientific Games’ licensed properties portfolio, and believe lottery players will share our enthusiasm.”
Hard Rock, which owns the world’s most valuable collection of music memorabilia, sees its venues stretch to 74 countries, including 185 cafes, 26 hotels and 12 casinos, with HRI also owning, licensing and/or managing a number of hotel and casino properties on a global scale.
Kresimir Spajic, SVP of online gaming for HRI, added: “We’re excited to extend our collaboration with Scientific Games Gaming and Interactive groups to another vertical, and look forward to seeing the Hard Rock brand reach new audiences globally.”
This deal builds upon a recently announced deal between the two parties, which will see Scientific Games’ comprehensive system and games package power the recently opened Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City.
Upon confirming the deal, Cath Burns, SVP of gaming systems at Scientific Games, stated: “We have a long-standing partnership with Hard Rock and the Seminole Tribe, which has included collaborating on innovative new technologies for casino operations, which enhance both the employee experience and as well as the end customer experience.”


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Espinosa Premium Cigars is adding a new member to its Laranja lineup, the Reserva Azulejo. It becomes the third member of the Laranja series, which debuted in 2014 and added the Laranja Reserve Escuro in 2019.
The cigar uses a dark Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper, a Brazilian Arapiraca binder, and fillers that come from all of Nicaragua’s growing regions, according to the company. “This is a special cigar and I believe it is the perfect blend to join the Laranja family,” said Erik Espinosa in a press release. “I can’t wait for our retailers to try it. The original Laranja and the Laranja Escuro have done incredibly well for us. I am looking forward to this Azulejo launch.”


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Just look at that fucking notch:
They don’t even try to hide it when displaying full-screen images — photos or videos. It’s there like a blister, like a wound, like a screen tumor.
I really expected Google to announce Daydream for iPhone X yesterday. That didn’t happen. The only non-Apple party invited on stage demonstrated a dumbass AR game. It’s clear Apple’s AR vision is limited — despite the past cheerleading from Tim Cook.
So why even bother thinking about virtual reality?
And then there’s that goddammed notch. It’s been years since there was an iPhone without an offensive back camera bulge that spoiled its smooth lines.
Now there’s a damn notch intruding into an “edge-to-edge” (WTF!) screen. Someone has stopped trying over there.
That notch. That fucking notch. Would Apple reject software that tries to hide it by turning its adjacent spaces black? How the hell can any VR software work properly otherwise? Who wants to have a goddammed black notch appearing in their left-side peripheral vision, slicing off the 3D immersive illusion?
Maybe that’s why there’s no Daydream for iPhone X. Maybe Apple is so in love with their own “edge-to-edge” screen bullshit hype that they told Google they can’t hide the notch for Daydream. Or maybe Google tested Daydream and even with hiding the notch Daydream’s immersion just doesn’t work.
That notch is a botch.
Same-day update: There’s an interesting Twitter discussion of That Notch. The two tweets that stick out:
So the “edge-to-edge” screen bullshit hype is bullshit hype. You shrink the screen to look like any other iPhone!
Jobs said, “Don’t ask what I’d do.” It’s clear they’re not!
Second same-day update:
And what a mess! Twitter:


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QSR Automations Opens Louisville, Kentucky, Global Headquarters
The new 37,000-square-foot operation located on more than 8 acres along Buddeke Drive completes the company’s move from a 12,000-square-foot facility in the Eastpoint Business Center. In 2019, the company completed work on a 20,000-square-foot technology center on the new campus to assemble computer components for its kitchen management systems. The project consolidates QSR Automations’ headquarters operations to one location.
“In the last 25 years, QSR Automations has seen tremendous growth, not only within our company but also as we have claimed our position as the leader in restaurant technology,” said Angela Leet, CEO of QSR Automations. “Opening this facility marks a critical milestone for our company’s history, but also our future as we continue creating smart solutions and adaptable technology for restaurant operators, employees and dining guests.”
To encourage investment and job growth in the community, the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority (KEDFA) in October 2014 approved QSR Automations for up to $250,000 in tax incentives through the Kentucky Enterprise Initiative Act (KEIA). KEIA allows approved companies to recoup Kentucky sales and use tax on construction costs, building fixtures, equipment used in research and development and electronic processing.
“Food, beverage and agritech-related companies have been locating and expanding in Kentucky at an impressive rate,” Governor Andy Beshear said. “I want to congratulate QSR Automations on the opening of this headquarters expansion and relocation. The company is helping move the restaurant and hospitality industries forward and creating quality job opportunities for Kentuckians in the process.”
In addition, QSR Automations can receive resources from Kentucky workforce service providers. Companies can receive no-cost recruitment and job placement services, reduced-cost customized training and job training incentives.
“Louisville’s strong reputation as a national leader for food and beverage headquarters and technology innovation makes Louisville the ideal place for QSR Automations to grow and service its clients nationwide,” said Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer. “We have built an ecosystem of businesses that benefit from and strengthen the industry, ensuring that everything food and beverage companies need to succeed is here. QSR Automations remains a valuable part of that ecosystem by providing technology solutions to food service businesses. We are excited to celebrate their expansion!”
The new global headquarters accommodates continued development of the company’s ConnectSmart kitchen display systems for customers that include major restaurant chains such as KFC, Olive Garden, Longhorn Steakhouse, Chili’s, Cheesecake Factory, Red Lobster, Cracker Barrel and Outback Steakhouse.
2022 Top States for Doing Business Provide an Environment for Business Growth
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Major Projects Embrace Wide Open Rural Spaces
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Unlocking Labor Analytics
Workforce Q4 2022


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Amazon –- who earlier this week made some noise by reporting that Kindle books now outsell hardcovers –- is out with another tale of the times stat: customers are now ordering more than $1 billion worth of products per year via mobile devices.
In a statement, Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos said, "The leading mobile commerce device today is the smartphone, but we're excited by the potential of the new category of wireless tablet computers. Over time, tablet computers could become a meaningful additional driver for our business."
Along those lines, the company recently launched an iPad-optimized version of its already popular iPhone app. With more than three million iPads now in circulation, and Amazon apps also available for Android and BlackBerry, it’s no surprise mobile is starting to convert into serious sales for the company.
Amazon’s mobile ambitions don’t stop with shopping, though –- the company now offers Kindle on every major platform, and is also working to bring Amazon Payments (its PayPal rival) to third-party mobile applications.
Today’s news comes as part of Amazon’s second-quarter earnings release, in which the company reported $6.57 billion in sales, a 41% jump from the same period last year.


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AP News's Global Climate and Environmental News Director, Peter Prengaman, discusses Starbucks and their climate focused overhaul of some of their most famous products.
Starbucks is planning to eliminate disposable cups by 2030 as part of its sustainability efforts. The move aims to reduce waste and greenhouse gas emissions but poses challenges in maintaining convenience and marketing for the coffee giant.
The company has been testing reusable cups and offering discounts to customers who bring their own.
Starbucks also seeks to develop more sustainable disposable cups using recycled materials and reducing plastic use. Despite the challenges, Starbucks' ambition to phase out disposable cups could set a precedent for the coffee industry, promoting environmental consciousness while maintaining business appeal.
Source: AP News
(This article was written with assistance from ChatGPT)


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Calling all Disney+ subscribers: it’s time to celebrate! This November, The Walt Disney Company will be hosting an event called Disney+ Day, a global celebration for the 2-year anniversary of the streaming service, as well as the expansion of Disney+ into South Korea and Taiwan. To reward all subscribers for their loyalty to the company, Disney will be dropping a whole slew of new content for fans of Star Wars, Marvel, and all other entertainment released by the family-friendly streamer.
“Since launching two years ago, Disney+ has captured the hearts and imaginations of audiences around the world with its best-in-class originals and robust library of beloved films and series,” said Kareem Daniel, Chairman, Disney Media and Entertainment Distribution. “With Disney+ Day, we are creating an unparalleled experience for our subscribers as only The Walt Disney Company can.”
It’s hard to believe that it has only been two years since Disney+ entered the world of streaming services. As of August 2021, the service had 116 million subscribers worldwide, with numbers still growing as Disney+ expands into new regions. In the short time since it has debut, Disney+ has brought viewers hit original series such as Loki, WandaVision and The Mandalorian. Throughout Disney+ Day, fans will get an inside look into the shows they already love, as well as a sneak peak of future hits Disney has in the works.
Disney+ Day is sure to be the streaming event of the season. So, what and when is Disney+ Day? What will premiere on Disney+ Day? Here is everything you need to know.
WHAT IS DISNEY+ DAY?
Basically, it’s a celebration of two years of Disney+. What that means is that specials will be streaming on Disney+, sneak peeks and other surprises will be rolling out on Disney+’s social media platforms, and fans at Disney Parks will get some photo opps. There will also be sales at Disney Stores online and off. As of this writing there’s no dedicated livestream, or gated off/ticketed events. It’s just a day with a lot of Disney stuff. Cool!
WHEN IS DISNEY+ DAY?
Disney+ Day will take place on November 12, 2021. Currently, the specific timing of events has yet to be announced. For those wondering if this will be an annual event moving forward, we have some good news. Bob Chapek, CEO of The Walt Disney Company, has confirmed that Disney+ Day will become an annual event for subscribers.
That said, if you’re looking for things to stream (see below), new shows and movies usually premiere on Disney+ at 3am ET/Midnight PT, so there’s a good bet you’ll see a slew of new content there, then.
WHAT WILL PREMIERE ON DISNEY+ DAY?
Tons. Although the full list of series, shorts and films set to premiere on Disney+ Day has yet to be released, Disney has given a short list of content we can expect to see. Here are a few highlights:
Jungle Cruise: A family friendly adventure film starring Emily Blunt and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.
Shang-Chi and The Legend of The Ten Rings: Be one of the first to stream this new Marvel Studios film.
Home Sweet Home Alone: A fun sequel to the Home Alone franchise.
Olaf Presents: Everyones favorite snowman sets off on an adventure in these new Disney shorts.
Ciao Alberto: The characters from Disney’s Luca returns in this fun new short film.
The Simpsons in Plusaversary: The Simpsons are back to pay tribute to Disney in this new short film.
The Making of Happier than Ever: A Love Letter to Los Angeles: A documentary honing in on Billie Eilish’s recent Disney+ cinematic concert experience.
Marvel Assembled: The Making of Shang-Chi and The Legend of The Ten Rings: Get some behind the scenes details on the most recent Marvel Studios’ theatrical release.
Enchanted: Finally, Amy Adams’ hit rom-com princess musical is available to stream on Disney+!
Spin: Catch a recent Disney Channel Original Movie about an Indian American teen discovering a passion for DJing.
Fancy Nancy: Watch all episodes of Season 3 as they also become available on Disney Junior.
That’s not all! The total list of content also includes the following: Frozen Fever, Paperman, The Ballad of Nessie, Feast, Get a Horse!, The Little Matchgirl, Tick Tock Tale, Tangled Ever After, The World According to Jeff Goldblum, Under the Helmet: The Legacy of Boba Fett, Marvel Studios 2021 Disney+ Day Special, and Entrelazados.
CAN I WATCH DISNEY+ DAY ONLINE?
Of course! Disney+ Day content will be available for individuals with an active Disney+ subscription, as well as anyone with a computer or phone. You can watch Disney+ on almost all Apple, Android, Google and Samsung devices (including tablets, smartphones and smart TV’s). Disney+ is also available to watch using Amazon Fire TV and Roku. But the events will span beyond just Disney+, you can also check out all their social media platforms throughout the day.
HOW TO SUBSCRIBE TO DISNEY+:
Looking to be a part of Disney+ Day? You don’t have to subscribe, but it can’t hurt. Disney+ subscriptions are available for $6.99/per month or $69.99/annually. You can also purchase Disney+ as part of a $12.99/per month bundle that combines Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+.


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Apple sure is going all out on their iPhone advertising campaigns right now, aren’t they? After a fairly non-challenging (from a technical standpoint) Selena Gomez music video and the incredible “Snowbrawl” by John Wick director, David Leitch, now it turns out that Lady Gaga’s much anticipated new single, “Stupid Love” was also shot entirely using the iPhone 11 Pro.
It does seem to have had a lot of work done to it in post, though. The singer posted a teaser to Twitter yesterday. Just a one-minute clip, which didn’t actually contain the new song, and appears to show some footage that didn’t quite make it into the final music video.


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As the metaverse continues to expand its horizons, corporations are finding innovative ways to connect with younger generations. Hyundai Motor, a global leader in the automotive industry, has taken a bold step by opening ‘Hyundai Future Adventure’ on Roblox. This groundbreaking initiative aims to not only engage the youth but also offer them a glimpse into Hyundai’s vision of tomorrow. In this article, we delve into the details of this unique venture and its significance in the metaverse landscape.
Hyundai’s Vision of Tomorrow
Hyundai Motor has always been at the forefront of innovation, with a clear vision of the future of mobility. Their commitment to sustainability, electric vehicles, and cutting-edge technology has positioned them as a key player in shaping the automotive industry’s future.
Roblox: The Metaverse Playground
Roblox, a popular metaverse platform, provides a fertile ground for creative expression and interaction. With millions of users, most of whom are young and tech-savvy, Roblox offers a perfect platform for companies to connect with the next generation.
‘Hyundai Future Adventure’ on Roblox
‘Hyundai Future Adventure’ is not just a virtual showroom; it’s a dynamic space where users can experience Hyundai’s innovations firsthand. From exploring concept vehicles to interacting with virtual showrooms, users are immersed in Hyundai’s vision of tomorrow’s mobility.
Engaging the Younger Generation
This initiative is more than a marketing strategy; it’s a way to engage and educate young generations about sustainable mobility and innovative technologies. Through interactive experiences, Hyundai aims to inspire and shape the future aspirations of today’s youth.
Impact on the Metaverse Landscape
Hyundai’s move to Roblox is a testament to the metaverse’s growing influence. It underscores the metaverse’s role as a dynamic and immersive space for corporations to engage with their audience. More companies are likely to follow suit and tap into the metaverse’s potential.
‘Hyundai Future Adventure’ on Roblox represents a synergy of innovative thinking and metaverse technology. Hyundai Motor’s vision of tomorrow comes to life in a way that captivates and educates young generations, shaping their perspective on future mobility. As the metaverse continues to evolve, expect more exciting initiatives that bridge the virtual and physical worlds.


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Sunnyvale (CA) - Upon closing its own subscription music service, Yahoo will switch its customers to Rhapsody as part of a partnership between the two companies.
Yahoo's "Music Unlimited" service has shut down its doors, but users will have their entire account transferred to Rhapsody, a similar service offered by Real Networks.
All user music collections and even subscription fees will be retained, says Yahoo. Its monthly rate is around $9, and users who paid for a year in advance locked in at around $6. However, eventually all subscribers will need to start paying the standard Rhapsody fee of $12.99 per month.
Rhapsody, like Music Unlimited, allows users to access as many songs as they want while their subscription is active.
As part of the newly minted partnership between Yahoo and Real, the two companies will work together for other digital services and promotions. Yahoo has been moving away from direct e-commerce services and has instead focused on service supported by advertising revenue.
"We already have a very significant streaming ad-supported business and that's something that I'm particularly interested in continuing to expand," said Yahoo's head of media Scott Moore in an AP story.


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The Portuguese attacker has officially joined the Nerazzurri.
Sporting CP announced that Joao Mario has officially departed the club for a record fee.
The Milanese will spend €45 million on the Euro 2016 champion, according to the official release issued by Sporting CP.
“It’s the most expensive transaction of a Portuguese player from the Liga,” the release stated. It also equalizes Porto’s sale of James Rodriguez to Monaco.
Inter aren’t stopping with Joao Mario and have also signed Gabigol for a reported €28 million. That deal will be announced in the coming days.


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Penthouse to Roll Out 3D Channel
The company's commitment to 3D draws on the strengths of Penthouse's unique expertise in content delivery, movie making and technological acumen, said Marc Bell, CEO of FriendFinder Networks.
"We started shooting in 3D this past summer, and have significantly invested to perfect 3D production quality," Bell said. "Consumer excitement for 3D content is high, and Penthouse is the one studio that can rely on its broad expertise to deliver 3D in a manner unmatched by any other branded entertainment company."
Penthouse 3D, when it becomes available in the sprint, will compliment the Penthouse HD Channel lineup covering more than 30 platforms in more than 15 countries.


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Farm Aid has launched a web-based Farmer Resource Network to help farmers meet consumer demand for more family-farmed foods.
Across the country, more people are reaching for local, organic and sustainably grown food from family farms. The online network will link family farmers to new, innovative ideas that can help them fulfill this consumer appetite. It also supplies tools to help put new farmers on the land.
“Family farmers are real heroes and true innovators,” says Farm Aid President Willie Nelson. “Every day they’re coming up with new ideas, and now they have a tool to learn about what works from each other. Their ingenuity guarantees a strong future of family farm food.”
Working with organizations like the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service, the Organic Farming Research Foundation and Rodale Institute, Farm Aid created the network to help increase the number of family farmers and ensure good food is available to everyone.
“Eaters everywhere are telling us they want to know that family farmers are growing their food,” says Farm Aid Executive Director Carolyn Mugar. “They want fresh food grown close to home, and they want to know the environment is being protected in the process. This burgeoning Good Food Movement creates a tremendous opportunity for family farmers. The Farmer Resource Network is there to help farmers connect to this rising wave of enthusiasm for good food.”


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In these cold, dark days of winter, you’re likely spending more time indoors — and in close quarters with others — than you would in the spring or summer. Whether that makes you feel cozy or stir-crazy, it also puts you at a higher risk of catching a cold or other virus. To find out if there’s a way to avoid getting sick altogether, we asked five doctors and a nurse practitioner what they recommend for staying healthy. To fend off the flu, the No. 1 thing you can do is get vaccinated, but for the common cold and other viruses floating around, read on for the doctors’ suggestions to keep them at bay. (And if it’s the coronavirus that’s got you panicked, don’t bother buying a face mask. Doctors tell us why, here.)
“A strong immune system is our best defense against any illness,” says family nurse practitioner Marina Yuabova of Integrative Wellness NY. Doctors stress that consistent, healthy lifestyle practices like eating a healthy and varied diet, getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, and frequent hand washing will make you less vulnerable to infections. “When you’re run down and you’re dehydrated or stressed, your body will be more susceptible to [viruses] getting in,” says Erich Voigt, an ENT doctor at NYU Langone. Eating plenty of vegetables and fruits will likely get you all of the vitamins and minerals your immune system needs to stay in top shape, but Navya Mysore, a family practitioner and medical director of the One Medical Tribeca office, recommends supplementing with vitamin D, especially in the winter when we’re not absorbing as much from the sun. “It’s very rare that you find someone who has a perfect vitamin D level in the Northeast during the winter,” she says. She suggests a minimum dose of 2,000 IU per day.
We all know someone who swears by taking a megadose of vitamin C at the first sign of a cold. While emergency room physician Peter Shearer says the evidence of these home remedies is scant, since they often don’t have any side effects, doctors are generally fine with them. Mysore says there is some support that taking vitamin C at the start of a cold can be helpful, but “even then it’s not strong evidence.” And Shearer points out, “There are no scientifically proven boosters for the immune system in the way that people think. The flu vaccine could be thought of as a boost for your immune system because it prepares your immune cells for a real influenza exposure.” So while there are lots of herbal remedies, teas, and lozenges promising to keep you healthy, there are only a few — more on those below — that doctors say are worth trying.
Dr. Judy Tung, an internist at Weill Cornell Medicine & New York-Presbyterian says, “Vitamin C and zinc have been intensely studied. The evidence is mixed, but in moderate quantities, they are not harmful. I do sometimes advise my patients to take over-the-counter zinc at the start of a cold to prevent it from getting worse or lasting too long, too.” According to the Mayo Clinic, it’s speculated that zinc works by preventing the rhinovirus — the virus that causes most colds — from multiplying. Tung says, “zinc gluconate lozenges are what I recommend as there may be some additional benefit through the reduction of viral entry from the zinc coating in the back of the throat that you get from lozenges.”
Echinacea is another ingredient that gets tossed around when talking about supplements that’ll ward off a cold. Like vitamin C and zinc, it may help, though Shearer doesn’t think it has any miraculous cold-fighting powers. “Echinacea preparations may reduce the risk of catching a cold and may modestly help treat the common cold,” he says. “Buyers should know that the research isn’t strong.” He also cautions that because supplements aren’t regulated, the pill or tincture you’re taking may not have as much echinacea as its label claims. If you want to try it out, though, singer Doe Paoro uses this echinacea throat spray to preserve her voice.
According to naturopathic doctor Amy Rothenberg, “The majority of our immune system is generated in our gut, so it’s important to focus our attention there.” She explains that probiotic supplements promote “a diverse and robust microbiome,” which helps the body ward off infections. This LoveBug supplement combines probiotic strains with other doctor-approved ingredients like vitamin C, zinc, and echinacea.
“A humidifier by your bed is super key,” says Mysore, who advises using one, especially during the winter when dry indoor air can irritate your throat and nasal passages, potentially making you more vulnerable to catching cold. “A lot of viruses can increase and propagate in the dryness,” she says. Yuabova says humidifying the air you breathe is also beneficial for easing cold symptoms once you’ve gotten sick. One of our favorite humidifiers, the Honeywell uses ultraviolet light to kill bacteria in the water you put inside.
Like Mysore, Voigt says he’s also “a proponent of keeping your nasal membranes moist and lubricated because when they’re dry, viral particles can get in very easily.” He recommends using a little bit of nasal saline gel to keep your nasal membranes moist. He’ll often do this before flying, when he’ll be exposed to very dry air and lots of germs in an enclosed space.
All six experts agree that regular handwashing is one of the best ways of staying germ-free. There’s no need to seek out antibacterial hand soap, so choose one you’re more likely to use, whether it’s because you like the scent, it leaves your hands feeling soft, or it’s just nice to look at. “Antibacterial soap kills a lot of bacteria, including the natural ones on our hands,” says Voigt. “We have natural protective bacteria on us, so we don’t need to constantly kill all of our own bacteria.” The CDC recommends washing your hands for at least 20 seconds, and Rothenberg says to always wash “after being around a person who is symptomatic, before preparing food, [and] before eating.” Mysore advises taking the time to wash underneath your fingernails as germs can linger there as well; and making sure your hands are clean before putting in or taking out contact lenses as viruses and bacteria can be introduced through the eyes.
For cleaning hands on the go, Shearer says “alcohol-based hand sanitizers are convenient [and] keep bioparticles off your hands.” This doesn’t mean you need to use hospital-grade Purell. Anything with alcohol will work, like this Aesop “rinse-free hand wash,” a favorite of Strategist beauty writer Rio Viera-Newton’s. She says it’s “worth the investment.”
All the things we touch each day, from door knobs to subway poles, are often covered in disease-carrying germs. To minimize these at home or work, Shearer says, “antibacterial wipes are good for highly trafficked shared surfaces.” These Seventh Generation wipes use a botanical disinfectant naturally found in thyme oil, so they’re safe for use around kids and pets.
In her own home, Mysore uses these wipes, which are actually compostable. “I challenged myself to find ones that are environmentally friendly and that would be pet-safe and baby-safe,” she says. “I use them to wipe down counters and doors, especially when we had a round of colds going around our house.”
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National award joy at the double for brewery
A Northumberland brewery has achieved further award success.
Anarchy Brew Co was the winner of the UK Best Pale Ale and UK Best IPA categories of the World Beers Awards, organised by Paragraph Publishing Ltd, with its Urban Assault and Anti-Venom drinks respectively.
This follows on from the accolades achieved by its Sublime Chaos product – including the Best Stout in the UK and Europe title at the same awards in 2015.
Urban Assault and Anti-Venom will now go through to the Best in World awards. The winners will be announced at the end of September.
Widdrington couple Dawn and Simon Miles established the brewery at the Whitehouse Farm Centre site, near Stannington, in January 2012.
Originally concentrating on a small number of cask conditioned ales, its range has grown dramatically and it now makes more than 20 different beers.
Mrs Miles said: “It’s brilliant to receive such prestigious awards like this, especially as they are both really hard categories to win.
“They also give the brewery more credibility in the industry.”
These beers and others will be available at the latest Beer Bash with Longhorns Barbecue at the brewery on Saturday from noon to midnight. Admission is free.
There will be music from Green Day tribute band Green Days and Stephen Docherty, who covers various genres, and those who go along can also try the human table football five-a-side inflatable game.
Anarchy started this seasonal event last October and there will be four of them in total this year.
“The Beer Bash is like an open day for the brewery and we take the opportunity to show customers our facilities.
“Members of the public can come along to enjoy a few beers and good music and camping is available at the site if they want to stay for the whole night.”
The business has also been chosen by holiday rentals site HolidayLettings.co.uk (owned by TripAdvisor) as one of the final 14 competitors in the running to be named the UK’s Most Popular Brewery.
People can vote for it until midnight tomorrow at https://blog.holidaylettings.co.uk/vote-uks-popular-breweryThe winner will be announced next week.
Anarchy Brew Co has grown each year since it was established and it has upped production by 40 per cent over the last 12 months.
Mrs Miles added: “We have wanted to grow the business organically and things are going really well at the moment.
“Our customers know they are going to receive high-quality beers from us and they can rely on us to get the products to them every week.”


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Star Conflict now supports the Oculus Rift.
This game, for those who are unaware of it, is a free-to-play space MMO currently available on Steam. It was created by Star Gem Inc., an independent studio, and published by Gaijin Entertainment. The game’s new update allows the MMO to run on both Linux and the Oculus Rift, allowing gamers to sit in the cockpit of their very own spaceship as they engage in intergalactic battles.
Stanislav Skorb, Director at Star Gem Inc. stated, “We believe that gamers need as many options as possible. Our goal is to provide them with freedom of choice to pick which operating system better suits their needs. Thanks to our new update Star Conflict supports all popular operating systems: Windows, Mac OS, and now Linux (through Steam). And Linux support means that in the future Star Conflict will be available on all gaming platforms based on this OS.”
To help celebrate the two-year anniversary of the game the companies are offering massive discounts for in-game purchases as well as free premium account access for everybody starting today through April 7, 2014.


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iphone 12 – Apple Breakfast: Apple Starts Selling Touch ID Keyboard
Apple generates a lot of news, and it can be hard to keep up. If your mind was on other things this week, our Saturday morning roundup of Apple-related headlines will bring you up to date.
If you’d like to get regular roundups, sign up to our newsletters. You can also follow us on Twitter for breaking news stories.
On the very day that David Price published his Different Think column complaining that Apple doesn’t announce anything in August (read: Different Think: Give us a summer blockbuster, Apple!) Apple launched the new Touch ID keyboard, mouse and trackpad. So you can now buy the Touch ID keyboard – previously only available with the 24in iMac. Just note that it requires a M1 Mac to work. More information here: How to buy a Apple Keyboard with Touch ID.
The Mac Pro also got an update – but not the one we were waiting for. Mac Pro update rumours were pointing to the Mac Pro getting a new Intel Xeon W processor – specifically an Ice Lake Xeon processor. But all Apple’s done is launched a collection of new graphics options for the 2019 Mac Pro. More here: Mac Pro gets new high-end graphics cards.
And if you are wondering where you can buy these new products, Apple’s made it a little easier. You will now see a Store tab on Apple’s website that will take you to a dedicated store front. This new layout is reminiscent of the Apple website navigation from around 1997 to 2015. This change should make shopping at Apple a simpler experience. The homepage of the store is https://www.apple.com/uk/store or https://www.apple.com/store if you are in the US (which is what it used to be).
News in brief
Windows 365 has launched (although it’s only for business/enterprise use right now). Why are we telling you this? Because it will bring Windows 10 AND Windows 11 to Macs, iPad and iPhones! Find out more here: How to use Windows 365 on Mac, iPad and iPhone.
Software, bugs & problems
There was news this week that the Apple TV app has a bug affecting some users. As a result of the bug audio is not playing in rented movies. Reports indicate that the bug affects Apple TVs, smart TVs, Chromecast, Roku, and other streaming products with the Apple TV app. (Read What TVs and streamers have the Apple TV app).
We also heard of a fault with the new M1 MacBooks. Apparently some users are finding that their screens crack for no apparent reason. Read: M1 MacBook Fault: Reports of Cracked Screens.
You may have missed the news that you can now beta test the AirPods Pro. Testers have noticed that the latest update to the beta includes the ability to increase the volume for conversations, a feature known as Conversation Boost. That new feature joins support for spatial sound in FaceTime and improved noise reduction. More here: New AirPods Pro features available in beta.
The rumour mill
It’s pretty clear by now that Apple is getting ready to launch a new iPhone, Apple Watch and even new MacBooks this autumn, but this week we had some more evidence that new variants of the Watch and Mac are coming: Apple registered new Mac and Apple Watch models in the EEC database.
Also coming alongside the new iPhone 13 is a new set of AirPods, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, an Apple leaker with a proven track record. Gurman said in his latest newsletter: “Look for Apple to debut its new low-end AirPods this fall, around the same time as the next iPhones.” Read: AirPods 3 To Launch With New iPhone.
Gurman also revealed that he believes Apple’s new iMac and Mac Pro will arrive by November 2022 – which is two years after the first M1 Mac launched, and, he says, in keeping with Apple’s two year deadline. And another revelation from Gurman’s newsletter: expect a two to three year wait before Apple launches a foldable iPhone. That’ll mean that the foldable iPhone could launch as much as six years after the first foldable smartphone, but nobody is saying Apple aspires to be first.
There’s lots of rumours about the iPhone 13, but what of the iPhone 15. Apparently the 2023 iPhone will have smaller components and bigger battery.
Apple deals of the week
I’ve embedded a list of the best current Apple deals below, but other than that, we’re done for this week. See you next Saturday, and stay Appley!
1. Apple iPad Pro (2021, M1, 12.9in) – Wi-Fi + Cellular
Now: £1085.79 (£63.21 off)
Amazon has a decent discount on the M1 iPad Pro 12.9in (128GB) with 5G. If it sells out, get it at the same price from the BT Shop.
2. Apple iPad Air (64GB, 4th Gen, Wi-Fi + Cellular)
Now: £593.98 (£115 off)
While Costco’s discount on this model is the highest around, it’s only available to those with a Costco membership. If you don’t have one, pick up this decent £115 discount on the same model from Amazon.
3. Apple Music
Was: £9.99 per month
Now: Free up to 6 months on O2 (up to £59.94 off)
New and existing O2 customers can get up to 6 months of Apple Music on eligible plans – whether that’s on SIM-only, device, phone contracts!
4. Apple iPhone 12 (64GB)
Now: £679 (£120 off)
Amazon’s £653 offer from late July has now vanished, but this (hopefully longer-lasting) deal on the iPhone 12 is almost as appealing. Very has the same price but is likely to charge more for shipping.
5. Apple 13in MacBook Pro, M1, 8-core CPU, 8-core GPU, 256GB (2020)
Now: £1,129.97 (£169 off)
6. Apple iPad Pro 11in (2021, M1, 128GB)
Now: £729.34 (£19 off)
Save £20 on the brand new M1 iPad Pro 11in from BT Shop – it’s the best price we can see at the moment.
7. Apple MacBook Air, 1.1GHz quad-core, 512GB (2020)
Now: £979.97 (£319 off)
This is the 2020 quad-core MacBook Air with 512GB storage and it’s a really decent saving if you would prefer an Intel-powered model.
8. Apple MacBook Air (M1, 256GB) – Refurbished
Now: £839 (£160 off with SUMMER10)
This 2020 MacBook Air with the M1 chip costs £999 from Apple, but you can pick up a refurbished model in Pristine condition and save £160 with code SUMMER10 at checkout.
9. Apple iPhone 11 (128GB)
Now: £599 (£50 off)
Save £50 on the iPhone 11 (128GB) from Amazon. It’s the lowest price we can see at the moment.
10. Apple Back to School Sale
From: Apple Education Discount
Now: Up to £280 off Mac, £80 off iPad (with free AirPods)
Apple’s education pricing is available all year round. To be eligible, you just need to prove your status as a current or newly accepted university student, parent buying on behalf of a university student or member of teaching staff at any level. You’ll then get up to £280 off a new Mac or up to £80 off a new iPad along with a free pair of AirPods. Here’s what you need to know.
11. Apple AirPods Max
From: Laptops Direct
Now: £499.97 (£49.03 off)
This near-£50 saving on the AirPods Max is the biggest we’ve seen to date.
12. Apple MacBook Air (2020, M1, 8GB/256GB) – Refurbished “Very Good”
Now: £869.99 (£129 off)
MusicMagpie also has £129 off the MacBook Air (256GB). This option is graded in a “Very Good” condition.
13. Apple MacBook Pro (2020, M1, 8GB/256GB) – Refurbished “Pristine”
Now: £1004.99 (£294 off)
If you prefer, there’s also £294 off an M1 MacBook Pro with 256GB storage in “Pristine” condition from MusicMagpie.
14. Apple 13in MacBook Pro, 2.0GHz quad-core, 512GB (2020)
Now: £1,529.97 (269 off)
If you aren’t ready to move to the M-series of chips, this is a good price for the 2.0GHz MacBook Pro with Intel processor that Apple is still selling (for now).
15. Apple 13in MacBook Pro, M1, 8-core CPU, 8-core GPU, 512GB (2020)
Now: £1,316.99 (£182 off)
Here’s a discount on the best M1 MacBook Pro, it’s a good saving, but you do need to factor in a delivery cost with eBuyer.
16. Apple 13in MacBook Pro, M1, 8-core CPU, 8-core GPU, 256GB (2020)
Now: £1,129.97 (£169 off)
Amazon’s price beats John Lewis, Currys, and AO, each of which are currently selling at £1,167. It’s currently the best price on the market.
Amazon also has £169 off 512GB M1 MacBook Pro, normally £1,499. Get that deal here.
17. Apple Watch SE (44mm, GPS + Cellular)
Now: £323.28 (£25.72 off)
Save over £25 on a brand new Watch SE 44mm from Amazon.
18. Apple iPad Pro (2021, M1, 11in, Cellular)
Now: £957.78 (£41.22 off)
Amazon has knocked over £40 off the brand new iPad Pro 11in with 5G connectivity. It’s strong saving on Apple’s brand-new and exceptionally powerful M1-equipped iPad Pro for 2021. There’s also £62 off the 512GB option.
19. Bitdefender Antivirus For Mac – 1 Year, 3 Devices
Now: £24.99 (£15 off)
One of our top picks for Mac is Bitdefender, which has £15 off right now for up to three devices.
Normally £39.99, this deal lets you protect three Macs for £24.99. Note that this is the price for the first year only.
20. Apple iPad Pro (2021, M1, 11in)
Now: £1018.94 (£30.06 off)
Save £30 on the 512GB 11 iPad Pro with the M1 chip from Amazon. We’re looking at where to buy the M1 iPad Pro at the best price separately here.


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Honor has made an official announcement on its Weibo account, regarding the launch of its next flagship, the Honor Note 10. The event will be held on July 31 in Beijing, with a global launch also scheduled for August 30 in Berlin.
Rumor has it that the Note 10 will have a huge 6.9″ display that uses an AMOLED panel. It was also spotted in Geekbench not long ago, revealing what’s most likely a Kirin 970 SoC along with 6GB of RAM.
There’s no information on its cameras just yet, but we can probably assume that it’ll have at least a dual camera setup at the back with AI capabilities. Given the phone’s size, the battery may also be something to look forward to.


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The Boston Licensing Board decides tomorrow whether to let Insomnia Cookies open a storefront on Bromfield Street from which it would deliver warm cookies to downtown residents and students up to 3 a.m.
A representative from the mayor's office agreed to support the proposal after the chain, which has similar outlets in Kenmore and Harvard squares, agreed to add cameras and lighting to try to ward off and catch the sort of ne'er-do-wells one might expect to congregate on a downtown side street so deep into the night. At a licensing hearing this morning, chain officials added they would be agreeable to nighttime removal of the four to six high-top seats it plans to have at a window counter during the day.
But Doug Meyer of the Downtown Boston Business Improvement District, which represents downtown businesses - and runs litter-removal and "ambasssador" programs - said "we just don't feel particularly comfortable" with a 3 a.m. closing time and urged the board to step it back to 2 a.m.
Under its proposal, Insomnia would take its last orders at 2:45 a.m., to allow for a buffer to get all those last-minute cookies delivered by 3.


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“After steadily declining from 2011, consumer credit growth showed early signs of an upturn in 2013. Fluctuations in consumer confidence and developments in the wider economy are key factors behind recent trends in credit growth. New loan products and changes in lending criteria have also been influential.
Lending on credit cards, motor finance and unsecured personal loans declined during the 2008â2012 review period as recession, high unemployment and high loan interest rates undermined consumer confidence and reduced their propensity to borrow for the purchase of high-value, discretionary items. Signs of a nascent recovery have been in evidence in 2013.
In contrast to standard lines of consumer credit, student loans and payday loans have registered strong growth over the 2008â2012 review period. Sustained growth in the former has been due to students borrowing more to cover a rise in university tuition fees, while tight lending conditions through conventional channels have fuelled the rapid increase in sums borrowed from payday loan companies.
The unbanked population played very little part in the traditional consumer credit industry as it has become increasingly difficult for a potentially high-risk customer to receive a loan from a retail bank since the financial crisis. The emergence of Payday loans, together with store credithave, however, played a role in granting these âsub-primeâ groups access to forms consumer credit. ”


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SPRINGFIELD - Tibby's Harley-Davidson, the Berkshire Avenue motorcycle shop that survived a roof collapse in a heavy snowstorm this winter, has announced that it will be closing its doors at the end of this month.
Owner's Jason and Jean Thibodeau told Chicopee-based WWLP-TV, 22 News that the store opened in 1956 and sold its first bike in February, a 1956 Indian Fire Arrow that sold for $445 with $1.20 in sales tax.
On Feb. 2, a 100-foot section of roof at Tibby’s collapsed at about 3 p.m.
Thibodeau, who was on the first floor underneath the part that collapsed said she heard a loud noise followed by “a lot of dust and everything fell off the walls.”
She said she was grateful no one was hurt and thanked the fire department for arriving on scene so quickly.
Veteran riders at Tibby's, told cbs3springfield last month that people need to be more aware on the road and ride under control.
But bikers also warn four-wheel drivers to be aware of where bikes are on the road how vulnerable the riders are, the station reported.
The store is offering 25 percent off in-stock purchases of aftermarket parts, and 25% off
in-stock licensed clothing and gifts, until its last day on June 30, according to its website.


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A really bad new law in Australia gives police the right to force companies like Apple to 'backdoor', or create encryption circumvention alternatives, in all their products. The issue has been controversial in the U.S. for a long time, and spiked in 2016 after the mass shooting in San Bernardino.
It's unclear how the new Australian law will impact things outside of Australia, but it's possible that your phone security will soon be impacted by laws like this, wherever you are and whatever device or carrier you use.
Nellie Bowles at the New York Times:
The law, the Telecommunications and Other Legislation Amendment (Assistance and Access) Act 2018, applies only to tech products used or sold in Australia. But its impact could be global: If Apple were to build a so-called back door for iPhones sold in Australia, the authorities in other countries, including the United States, could force the company to use that same tool to assist their investigations.
The Australian law went into effect last month. It is one of the most assertive efforts by lawmakers to rein in tech companies, which have argued for decades that unbreakable encryption is an imperative part of protecting the private communications of their customers.
Read the rest.
We presume it can tell by the pixels.
Whiskers are a fantastic natural sensor that enables cats, fish, seals, and many other animals to detect not just direct contact but even air flow indicating an approaching object. In a fascinating example of biomimicry, University of Queensland engineer Pauline Pounds and her colleagues have developed tiny whisker sensors for drones. According to the researchers, […]
Finnish company Valkee sells the HumanCharger, a pair of $150 earbuds with integrated LEDs to shine light into your ears. Their claim: This revolutionary device is for your well-being and channels bright light directly to the light-sensitive regions of the brain, right where it is needed the most. HumanCharger® can be used to increase energy […]
This all-in-one computing solution packs a healthy dose of processing power packed inside a 21.5″ HD LED display. It also features an Intel Core i3-2100 Dual-Core 3.1GHz CPU with 4 GB of DDR3 RAM for next-level multitasking and an impressive 250 GB SATA hard drive that can safely store your important files and media. So […]
So you cut the cord and got rid of cable? Join the steadily growing club. But while you’re out picking a streaming service, you might find one big blind spot: Local TV and sports, not to mention first-run programming from the big cable networks. Luckily, there’s a throwback way to get it for free: The […]
Even if you feel like AirPods are worth the price tag, you’ve got to admit there’s a certain anxiety that comes with using them. What if I lose them? What if they get wet in the rain? Or drenched in sweat? Or fall into the drink you dropped them into? Shiny tech is great, but […]


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When Microsoft and Nokia release their first joint WP7 smartphone, they'll essentially be trying to create a third competitor in what is now clearly a two-horse race. The latest U.S. smartphone market share data from The NPD Group shows Google's Android OS and Apple's iOS gaining market share at the expense of No. 3 Research in Motion, with no other company above 5% of the market.
In the second quarter, 52% of smartphones sold in the U.S. were Android-based, up from 33% in the second quarter of 2010. Apple's iOS also gained market share to 29% in the past quarter, up from 22% a year ago. Meanwhile, RIM saw Q2 BlackBerry-maker sales plunge to 11% from 28% a year ago. Which, it should be noted, leaves 8% for every other mobile OS, including one that was officially killed off Thursday (WebOS) and another that's basically starting from scratch (Windows Phone 7). And WP7 will be starting from scratch in a post-iPhone 5 world, not to mention a world with more (and presumably better) Android products. Several months ago IDC caused a stir when it predicted that WP7 would surpass iOS to become the No. 2 smartphone platform by 2015, behind only Google's Android. But the only way that can happen is if WP7 steals market share directly from Android. Is that possible? Of course. All Microsoft and Nokia have to do is create a smartphone that's somehow more attractive than similarly priced Android-based devices. Sadly for them, that's easier said than done. While you can always move some units with marketing, the debut of the Microsoft-Nokia WP7s -- unless it's a killer handset -- isn't likely to change U.S. smartphone market dynamics overnight. And 2015 isn't that far off. What could change the market dynamics, however, is Google's acquisition of Droid-maker Motorola Mobility. For example, soon Google and its Motorola unit will be competing directly with makers of other Android phones such as Samsung, HTC and LG Electronics. Further, Google is choosing to acquire a manufacturer with a shrinking percentage of the smartphone market. Motorola's market share slipped to 12% in Q2 from 15% a year ago, while its share of Android sales dropped to 22% in the second quarter from 44% last year. Bottom line: If Google's purchase of Motorola Mobility causes its Android OS to stumble in any way, it could create an opportunity for Microsoft and Nokia in the U.S. market and elsewhere.


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Women’s weekly magazines are a brand marketer’s nightmare. Apart from the names of the titles, there is very little to distinguish between them on the newsstands, leaving consumers with little choice.
IPC’s group managing director for Weeklies and the Southbank group of titles Nigel Davidson is leaving the market just as it appears to have regressed by 11 years to the time before the German publishers broke the mould of what was a very predictable and undynamic sector with Bella and Best.
Media specialists agree that most of the weekly publishers have failed to hit on a winning Nineties formula yet, let alone one which will take them into the next millennium.
The main criticism is the lack of variety between the different titles – that they all follow an almost identical formula of celebrities, gossip and problems.
Sarah Jennings, planning director of MBS Media, says: “Many of the titles are looking tired. When the Germans (Gruner & Jahr and Bauer) entered the market in the late Eighties, their titles looked fresh in terms of content, design and layout. There has been very little innovation since then.”
Unlike the time before the German invasion, the market has recently emerged from a year which Davidson describes as having suffered “unprecedented disruption”.
All the main weekly publishers have launched new titles: Now, Enjoy! and Here! Two of these have already disappeared. And the total number of sales in the women’s weekly market fell by 272,864 (4.8 per cent) between 1995 and 1996 according to the Audit Bureau of Circulations – greater than the circulation of either Women’s Realm or Eva.
Observers predict that the next set of ABC figures, out next month, will reveal further decline. Although each of the major publishers have at some time blamed the National Lottery, there is no evidence to prove this – on the contrary, Hello! magazine, with eight per cent sales growth to 536,000 last year, has shown that a strong editorial formula will bring the weekly readers in.
Davidson admits that all the publishers need to work on making their brands more individual and that the competitive nature of the market has increasingly disrupted reader’s brand-buying habits.
Paul Mukherjee, press and radio buying director at the Ogilvy & Mather-owned The Network, says as all the titles are so similar they have lost the brand loyalty that is needed to keep magazine markets alive. He says: “Publishers have got to do something really different to expand the women’s weekly market.”
Jennings agrees: “Because readers find it increasingly difficult to differentiate between the titles, they randomly take their pick from the week’s front covers.
“What’s more, there are only so many times a major scandal breaks and the same story tends to be covered time and again. It also gets covered in the tabloids, which seem increasingly to steal the weeklies’ thunder.”
G&J’s managing director Holger Wiemann says the Lottery has been blamed for a decline in multiple purchasing – readers buying several titles during the week – but he also says the Lottery gets people into newsagents where magazines are sold.
Despite falling sales, the weeklies sector is still a profitable market. The weeklies group at IPC is rumoured to contribute a quarter of the company’s annual profits of 57m. For this reason IPC proved its continued commitment to the market by buying Here! from G&J this year and merging it into its new Now magazine.
Wiemann denies rumours that G&J is moving away from the weekly sector, following the sale of Here! to IPC in April. He too admits the market is the cash cow for every publishing house.
Media specialists agree that under Davidson IPC’s weekly group has managed to consistently shelter itself well from the storms that have arisen since the German invasion, and are consequently in a strong position to do something new.
Mukherjee believes IPC has successfully converted its women’s weeklies over the years to appeal to the daughters of its original readers. But Jennings says publishers should focus on some of their traditional titles with an older profile to secure new readers.
She adds: “They do not seem to be rising to the challenge and instead are using younger models on their front covers in an obvious attempt to recruit younger readers. This market has real strength among over-45s and it’s a shame they’re not exploiting it.”
Jane Ratcliffe, director of press buying at media agency Mediacom, believes that the weeklies will only get back on track once publishers develop titles which are unique enough to convince women that they need a different magazine every couple of days.


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In 2000, there were more than 20 semiconductor foundries investing in research and development and manufacturing to develop the leading edge of semiconductor wafers.
By the time GlobalFoundries, then AMD, announced they would build a chip plant in Malta, there were 10 companies. Today, there are four — TSMC, GlobalFoundries, Intel and Samsung.
That consolidation has pushed GlobalFoundries to become the largest privately held foundry and the second largest foundry by revenue in the world.
“You need economic scale to do this,” said Thomas Caulfield, general manager of GlobalFoundries’ factory in Malta, during an interview with the Business Review. “ To do business, you need to spend to get scale.”
Since 2009, GlobalFoundries has increased its scale by eight times through organic growth and acquiring other semiconductor businesses, such as Chartered Semiconductor and IBM’s chip business.
The company spends about $1 billion a year in research and development to compete in the market. Caulfield said that figure can’t be more than 15 percent of budget because the company needs about $8 billion a year to operate.
The cost of designing new chips continues to increase, as Moore’s Law allows chip makers to fit more chips on each square of silicon. Designing smaller chips takes longer and costs tens of millions of dollars more than earlier technology.
The current size — 14-nanometer — took years for GlobalFoundries to produce in mass, and only came with help from Samsung. The next size at 7-nanometer, an even smaller, faster chip, is expected to come in the next three to five years. Research on developing chips that size is taking place at SUNY Polytechnic Institute in Albany.
“You need innovation and it needs to be a part of the business model,” Caulfield said. “It’s a different model with Samsung, R&D is longer, it’s a shared investment. Now, collaboration is needed because at some point consolidation is past its point.”
When consolidation is no longer an option, Caulfield said innovation comes down to collaboration.
To offset some of those mounting costs, GlobalFoundries licensed the 14-nanometer technology from Samsung, and the two companies are working together to produce computer chips that are smaller, faster and use less power.
“If you’re down to two or three companies, government will not let [acquisitions] happen. At some point, consolidation ends,” he said. “To get value captured, it needs to move from single company thinking to collaboration.”
What’s next? Second chip plant
Last year, GlobalFoundries confirmed that it has secured the right to buy another 135 acres in Luther Forest that would give the company enough space to build a second manufacturing plant.
There has been speculation for years that GlobalFoundries will build a second plant, but the company has not committed to move forward with that investment. While the decision is years out, Caulfield said if they need another factory, it has to be in Malta.
“Greenfield is a tough thing to do,” Caulfield said. “All things being equal, next time we do an expansion it has to be here.”


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Amazon is seeking to accept Bitcoin payments “by the end of 2021,” and is looking at creating its own token for 2022, says a person inside the company.
The internet giant has sent Bitcoin fans into overdrive over the weekend after posting a job advertisement for a crypto and blockchain leader.
The vacancy, clearly a sign the company is starting down a path towards crypto transactions, calls for someone who can “leverage expertise in distributed ledger, blockchain, cryptocurrency and central bank digital currencies.”
It adds that it wishes to “create the case for these capabilities which should be created, drive vision and strategy, and get leadership and investment for new possibilities.”
It does not take a genius to know where Amazon is going with this, and according to an insider, the plans go much deeper than just hiring someone to look at possibilities.
“This is not going through the motions to create a cryptocurrency solutions at some time in the future – this is a well-researched, integral part of how Amazon will work in the future,” she said.
“It starts with Bitcoin – this is the initial stage, and the directive is being pushed from the top… Jeff Bezos himself.”
The insider also said that directors of the company were also going to move towards accepting the other big cryptos once it accepts Bitcoin.
“Ethereum, Bitcoin Cash and Cardano will be the next ones in line before they come out with eight of the top cryptocurrencies,” she said.
“It won’t take very long since the plans are already done, and they have been pushing for this since 2019.”
Ready to go
“This whole project is pretty much ready to go.”
It is possible that the involvement of a huge player with the size of Amazon in the crypto space would increase adoption and the value of Bitcoin and the popular alt coins, but it is Jeff Bezos’ next plan which might lead to even greater intrigue.
“With all these crypto ducks being lined up, there is another twist to drive things even more into Amazon’s favor – a native crypto token,” the insider said.
“After a year of having cryptocurrency as a way to make payments for goods, it is seeming increasingly likely that we are going towards tokenisation.”


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Bangladesh-India joint investments underscored
15 November 2015, Nirapad News: Business community leaders have underscored the need for joint investments of Bangladesh and India to set up industries in the private sectors to expand regional trade and commerce.
Leaders of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Rangpur Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) made the call at a views-sharing meeting organised by RCCI at its auditorium in the city Saturday afternoon.
The RCCI organised the meeting before the upcoming interactive meet styled ‘North Bengal Business Summit’ to be organised by North Bengal Zonal Council of CII at Savin Kingdom in Shiliguri city of West Bengal in India on November 30.
The main objective of the meeting was to search possibilities and prospects of setting up industries and other business establishments in northern Bangladesh and northern region of West Bengal under joint private sector ventures and investments.
Presided over by RCCI President Md. Abul Kashem, Chairman of North Bengal Zonal Council of CII Naresh Agarwal attended the meeting as the chief guest.
The Indian delegation members also included Deputy Director of North Bengal Zonal Council of CII Laksmi Limbu, its Executive Members Sanjet Saha and Kumar Protim Basu Mitra.
Former Vice-president of FBCCI Mostafa Azad Chowdhury Babu, its Director Mosaddek Hossain Bablu, President of Rangpur Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RWCCI) Anowara Ferdousi Poly, took part in the open discussion.
Executives, Directors and officials of RCCI and RWCCI, noted industrialists, businesspersons, civil society members, journalists from the print, electronic and online media were present.
Agarwal delivered two presentations narrating prevailing bondages between peoples of India and Bangladesh, economic progress made by Bangladesh and West Bengal in recent years, prospective sectors for joint investments and other related issues.
He invited RCCI leaders and entrepreneurs to participate in the upcoming ‘North Bengal Business Summit’ in Shiliguri city and set up a stall there to showcase the prevailing prospects of joint investments in various sectors.
Highly appreciating the CII delegation for the initiative, Mostafa Azad Chowdhury Babu said investors of both countries could look for setting up agri-based industries to begin the process for expanding business, trade and commerce in the region.
He hoped that governments of both the countries would definitely take pragmatic steps to remove some barriers prevailing in cases of private sector joint investments, including transferring of money in foreign currencies and few other barriers.
RCCI President Abul Kashem thanked CII delegation for time-befitting thoughts about joint investments to set up industries by private sector entrepreneurs in Bangladesh and West Bengal to further boost economy in the northern region.
After commissioning of regional connectivity in near future, both Bangladesh and India would be highly benefited and the process of expanding regional trade, commerce and business among India, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal be accelerated fast, he said.
Later, the RCCI authority organised a colourful cultural evening at the same venue in honour of the CII delegation at night.


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Infiniti has stocked up on QX50 and QX70 inventories to make it through the winter after halting production in preparation for new models to come.
Nissan's strategy to pull back from the midsize-car competition in favor of compacts paid off in September, with bigger Sentra sales helping to lift the brand 9.3 percent.
With the Prototype 9, Infiniti imagines a 1940s racing heritage for a brand that did not debut until 1989.
Nissan North America's July sales fell 3.2 percent to 128,295 vehicles as weak car sales dragged down rising truck sales, in line with the industry trend.
Crossovers may be the rage, but Honda, Nissan and Toyota have a long legacy of successful cars in the U.S. market, and each brand is keen to hang on to the considerable volume these segments still bring in every year.
Infiniti will enter 2018 with a pair of updated products that represent the brand's highest volume product potential.
Infiniti has killed its QX70 midsize crossover, effective immediately, as it prepares to shift more attention to other crossovers.
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Nissan sold fewer cars and more light trucks in June, while Infiniti sold fewer trucks and more cars.
Aston Martin has cut production plans for its its Tesla-fighting RapidE electric model. The result, though, may be an even more exclusive car.
Nick Saban is popular enough to do just about anything he wants in college football-crazy Alabama. And what he wants to do now is sell cars.
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Ontario isn’t keeping pace with global tourism growth, costing the province an estimated $16 billion in revenue, says a new report co-authored by the London Chamber of Commerce.
The report, Closing the Tourism Gap: Creating a Long-term Advantage for Ontario, takes a critical look at the province’s tourism industry and makes sweeping recommendations on how to attract more visitors.
Tourism contributes $25 billion annually to Ontario’s economy, making it the 16th-largest industry, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce says in the report prepared with the London chamber.
But tourism in the province has been sluggish over the past decade and hasn’t kept up with global growth, costing an estimated $16 million in lost visitor spending between 2006 and 2012, the report said.
“We think that Ontario is missing a significant chunk of opportunity,” said London Chamber of Commerce president Gerry Macartney, who suggested the province take a page from London’s tourism playbook as a model for co-operation.
In recent years, London has hosted Country Music Week, the World Figure Skating Championships, the Memorial Cup and the Tim Hortons Brier.
The city’s facilities played a role in attracting the events, Macartney said, but it was the work by individuals and organizations, especially Tourism London, that was instrumental in landing the events.
“I think we could take a lesson from them and encourage the province to do likewise,” he said.
John Winston, Tourism London’s general manager, highlighted a joint bid between London and Windsor to host the 2019 world junior hockey championship as an example of regional collaboration.
If the bid is successful — the winner will be announced in December — it will be the largest sporting event ever held in Southwestern Ontario.
“I think one of the biggest challenges we face, is how do you brand regions? How do you brand the province?” Winston said.
“It takes money, it takes co-ordination, it takes intense long-term commitment in order to create that awareness that you’re there.”
Winston once served on the board of the Ontario Tourism Association, an organization that collaborated with the Ontario Chamber of Commerce on the report released Thursday.
It features eight recommendations including developing a provincewide tourism strategy with measurable targets, better defining the roles and responsibilities of the province’s tourism organizations, leveraging the sharing economy and incorporating tourism consideration into Ontario infrastructure investments.
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Ontario tourism by the numbers
$25B: Contribution to Ontario GDP
16th: Largest industry
36%:Workforce aged 15-24
Based on statistics from 2012
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B.C. to cut retail liquor markup to help hospitality sector's COVID-19 recovery
Province is expanding measures to support restaurants, bars and tourism operations hard hit by pandemic
The Ministry of the Attorney General says a temporary wholesale pricing program will mean liquor licence holders can purchase beer, wine and spirits at reduced cost.
The program is set to begin at the end of July and will be in place until March 31, 2021, when it will be reviewed.
Restaurants, bars and pubs currently pay for liquor purchases at full retail price, which is the wholesale price, plus a retail markup set by the ministry's liquor distribution branch.
The new system will eliminate the retail markup.
It comes as welcome news to an industry reeling from the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ian Tostenson, president of the B.C. Restaurant and Foodservices Association, said Tuesday's announcement is among the most significant changes to the province's liquor policy in a generation.
"It's going to add some much needed margin into the operations of an industry that continues to be on its knees," said Tostenson.
He said most restaurants rely on liquor for at least 30 per cent of sales, so reducing the cost by roughly 20 per cent will make a huge difference.
'It was absolutely desperate'
Tostenson said he doesn't expect the savings to be passed on to customers, as restaurants and bars are now just struggling to stay afloat.
Kelly Gordon, co-owner of Romers restaurants in Metro Vancouver, agreed that it's unlikely liquor prices on the menu will see any change after the costs go down for businesses.
He said until the last few weeks, his restaurants were operating at about 20 per cent in sales, compared to the same time last year. He estimates that has now increased to 65-70 per cent.
"It was absolutely desperate," said Gordon. "It was tough, it was really tough."
He heaped praise on Attorney General David Eby and Tostenson for the changes.
"I've got to be honest, we've been pushing this for years and to actually see it come into reality is almost unbelievable," said Gordon.
He said some quick math done on a coaster showed the reduced liquor cost would mean roughly $200,000 in added profitability across the four restaurants he co-owns.
The ministry said in a statement that it is also working on several proposals from a separate report, including creating a new rural liquor licence regulated by its liquor and cannabis regulation branch later this year.
Attorney General David Eby said changing the pricing system for liquor sales will help the hospitality industry, which has been one of B.C.'s hardest hit sectors, affecting as many as 190,000 jobs.
"Offering a wholesale discount for licensees was something we were exploring before COVID-19, but after the onset of the pandemic we accelerated efforts in order to support these community businesses as they try to find their feet," Eby said in the statement.
The province didn't say in its statement how much the change is expected to affect tax and liquor distribution branch revenue.
With files from Rafferty Baker and the Canadian Press


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Farmers this year have taken to cotton cultivation in a big way in the drought-prone Padampur sub-division of Bargarh district. With land being bone dry for most of the year due to lack of rain, farmers in large numbers are giving up traditional crops like pulses, cereals and oilseeds.
Similar is the trend in the bordering Balangir and Nuapada districts. This kharif season, cotton has been grown in over 1,250 hectares (ha) against 640 ha in the corresponding season last year in Padampur block. In Paikmal block, cotton has been cultivated in over 205 ha against 100 ha last year. Likewise in Jharbandh block, cotton has been grown over 350 ha for this kharif season compared to 35 ha last year while in Gaiselet block, cotton has been cultivated in 480 ha.
Sources said soil of the region is best suited for cotton. Moreover, the crop is drought resistant.
A farmer, Sukhdev Patra of Dahigaon village in Padampur block, said he had taken to cotton cultivation for augmenting his income. “I used to earn just ` 5,000 by growing pulses, but the profit margin has now gone up to ` 20,000 to ` 25,000 after I switched to cotton,” he said.
Sadhu Rana of Dahita village, said he undertook cotton cultivation a few years back for better use of his fields. “I started cotton cultivation as my field was under-utilised,” he said.
They are, however, apprehensive of lack of a platform to sell their produce. In Balangir and Nuapada, lack of government support has been forcing cotton growers to opt for distress sale of their crops.
However, District Agriculture Officer Tapan Kumar Mohapatra said the State Government had been moved to declare the area as ‘Cotton Growing’ and extend support to the farmers.


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Apple the Cupertino technology giant is all set to launch a range of new products at its headquarters in California on Monday. The launch will include a Netflix competitor, a revamped news service and a subscription-based gaming offering.
The event will take place at the Steve Jobs theatre on campus where the company plans on entering the fast-growing global content streaming market.
According to the Verge, "Apple has been looping a video from the theatre, teasing its focus on television".
The upcoming live streaming video has been stylised to look like a TV set and has been switching between a handful of different angles of the Steve Jobs theatre.
The company has invested over 1 billion dollars into making the new content and streaming service that will compete with the likes of Netflix, Amazon and Hulu.
Reports suggest, "The company is building a new content store focused on offering bundles with cable services like HBO, Showtime and Starz. Put more simply, Apple may be looking to disrupt cable TV by essentially becoming a cable TV provider"
The tech giant, Apple has been working on developing contents that include
"Amazing Stories" by Steven Spielberg; crime show "Are You Sleeping?" that has been produced by Reese Witherspoon and stars Octavia Spencer; "Calls" which is an adaptation of a French short-form series; "Central Park" that is an animated musical comedy from Loren Bouchard and "Defending Jacob" -- a thriller adapted from William Landay's novel, starring Chris Evans, and more.
Other reports from TechCrunch suggest that there will be another Apple project "Shantaram" that will be a series based on the novel by Gregory David Robert. This will be the story of a man who escapes from an Australian prison and ends up in Bombay (now Mumbai).
There will also be an untitled M. Night Shyamalan series and untitled Oprah Winfrey projects, among others.
How and where to watch the live stream
The Apple special event can be live streamed from Apple's events page and will go live at 10:30 pm IST (10:00 am PDT). Apple recommends its users to watch the stream on Apple devices like iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad and MacBook etc.
(With IANS inputs)


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Sunda International Group, a Chinese multinational trade enterprises, and its partner, Keda Ceramics, have donated detergents to the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research.
The items include softcare, Dr X Medicated Soap, Kleesoft, Dr K Savon Medical Soap, Athene Beauty Soap, among others.
The donation of the truckload of detergents aims at helping Ghana’s fight against the deadly coronavirus disease.
It also aims to keep the premises of the Institute clean and safe due to its nature of research which sometimes involves highly infectious diseases.
Ghana has so far recorded 53 confirmed cases of the virus, with two deaths.
Officials of Sunda International were led by the President of the Ghana Rugby Association, Herbert Mensah, to make the donation on Tuesday, March 24, 2020 in Accra
Director of the Institute, Prof. Abraham Annan, thanked the company for its kind gesture.
Prof. Annan is optimistic that it will go a long way to support the work of his outfit.
He stated that the Institute is at the forefront of testing for coronavirus in Ghana.
According to him, the Institute since its inception has been assigned the front runner role for disease detection in Ghana.
He indicated that the first HIV/AIDS case in Ghana was diagnosed at the Institute, and that it has helped with the testing of other global health pandemics and epidemics.
He stated that the Institute has found out that there are a lot of COVID-19 cases coming out of Ghana and that because of the imported cases, Ghana is now having a lot of community transmission.
He stated that the Institute has upscaled its testing and has had 100s of samples.
Managing Director of Sunda International, Victor Zhang, prayed for the coronavirus pandemic to come to an end quickly.
As a company, he said, Sunda wants to make more contributions to organizations in Ghana and Africa to help combat the COVID-19.
He said the vision of the company is to provide factory products to Africans in these trying times.
About Sunda International
The Sunda International Group was formed in 2000 and is one of the international trade enterprises which penetrate into overseas markets such as Africa and South America at the earliest.
It insists on the operational concept of appointing people with merits and advancing with the times.
After over ten years of efforts, the Group has become a comprehensive transnational industrial group integrated with overseas industry manufacturing, international trade, industrial investment, consultation service, information technology service.
Sunda dedicates itself to development and production of ceramics, sanitary ware, hardware accessories, daily cleaning products and personal care products.
Moreover, the Group also has a marketing network covering more than 20 countries and regions.
Keda (Ghana) Ceramics Company Limited, manufacturers of Twyford tiles based at Aboadze in the Shama District of the Western Region.


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Mazda Setting Up for 2030 Push
Somewhere along the way we were hopeful every OEM on the planet wasn’t preparing their 2030 EV strategy…our hopes are quickly waning.
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Mazda began catching up to the rest of the market with a 43% production increase in September and an announcement of a new brand purpose.
The new brand purpose is expected to include a new EV strategy and roadmap to 2030 amidst Mazda’s rollout of the new CX-70 and CX-90 in the U.S. and the CX-60 and CX-80 internationally.


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Google Glass has spent the past year becoming the coolest new product among the tech nerd crowd, giving instant geek credibility to those who have been able to score the early bird still-in-development version of the wearable computing glasses. But at some point Google will have to market Glass beyond the geek crowd, and that requires making it not just cool from a technical standpoint, but also cool from a mainstream fashion standpoint. That time may be now, as Google Glass is gaining the services of fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg.
Right now, Google Glass looks like a set of futuristic eyeglasses with a laser-cam hovering over one eye. It’s instantly recognizable, and the only quasi-mainstream product of its kind. But it’s also become a bit of a branding tool. A handful of altercations have seen Glass wearers assaulted, and though each of the incidents has involved arguments which went beyond Glass itself, it’s only served to reinforce the notion that Glass is a product for geeks.
The swiftest way to change that perception is to make the next generation of Google Glass look less like a Star Trek accessory and more like a set of eyeglasses that the average mainstream person would be comfortable wearing in public. Diane von Furstenberg has been relevant in the fashion world since the 1970s, helping to shape the course of fashion for decades across multiple continents.
Google Glass made an appearance at her fashion show last year, but it was little more than a cameo. Now the partnership becomes more fundamental, and Glass could quickly shift from its current nerd chic status to mainstream fashion forward in short order.


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Revolut, a UK-based financial services company, earlier this month launched a new online investing platform. The company’s app, which already provided support for payments and access to savings accounts, cryptocurrency trading and budgeting resources, now features a commission-free stock trading platform with access to 1,100 securities and more than 200 ETFs listed on the NYSE and Nasdaq. Revolut also announced it will allow US customers to transfer money to bank accounts in Mexico, without fees and in as little as 30 minutes.
Part ofwhich conduct business primarily online and without physical branches, Revolut and its initial competitors — including Chime, Current and Varo — typically offer customers a range of financial services via an app and website.
With its expansion into stock trading, Revolut’s offering positions it to now also compete with upstarts such as Robinhood and Webull as well as stalwarts including Fidelity, Charles Schwab and TD Ameritrade. Revolut, which operates in more than 35 countries, launched its business in the US in 2020 and was granted its broker-dealer license in June of last year.
Revolut’s stock-trading platform features more or less what you’d expect: access to real-time stock charts, price alerts, graphs, performance data and global market news. Customers can trade full and fractional shares directly on the app, and queue orders after closing times. However, you won’t be able to trade on margin — a riskier maneuver, which involves borrowing money to buy and trade securities.
Robinhood, which hasfor a corps of new, inexperienced investors, has . In 2020, a college student killed himself after seeing a negative balance of more than $700,000 in his account, though some of his trades were incomplete. It’s worth noting that many other players in the field, including Webull, Fidelity and Schwab, support margin trading — though some require brokerage customers to apply for access.
Revolut offers a range of service plans for individuals (as well as services for businesses). The free tier of personal service provides access to a basic set of features including a checking account with ATM access and a savings account — with a laggardly 0.05% APY — as well support for some more unusual benefits: access to a Revolut junior account for kids, foreign exchange services and commission-free crypto trading.
The Premium tier ($10 per month) and Metal tier ($17 per month) each add benefits that will chiefly appeal to international travelers: overseas medical insurance, delayed baggage and flight insurance and access to some exclusive airport lounges.


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Ben VanderHart describes himself as "kind of stubborn," so when the coronavirus pandemic hit just about a week or two after he'd signed a lease on a building on Main Street, he dove head first into opening the Yellow Racket Records store he has dreamed of owning for several years.
Like everyone else, he has had to adapt his original vision, so the coffeeshop and live music aspects of the store are on hold, and customers can't actually enter the store to browse his inventory. Instead, they can go online at yellowracketcha.com and shop. They can either have the product shipped to them, or they can drive up to the front door, text him and get the item brought out to the vehicle.
"We launched at the end of June," VanderHart said.


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With ‘Millions’ Of Users & Growing, Google+ Set To Power All Google Products
With the Google+ user base already in the millions and growing, Google is planning heavy investments in it and will eventually use Plus as the infrastructure behind all of the company’s products.
Speaking to reporters this week in Idaho, Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt said Google is pleased with the early response to Plus and is planning to use its core identity and “circles” features across Google products.
“The current inclination of the company,” Schmidt said, “is to invest heavily … we test stuff and, when it works, we put a lot more emphasis on it. So, Google+ — all the signs are very positive, so now the whole company is ramping up on top of it.”
Schmidt said he didn’t know the exact number of Google+ users, but said it was in the “millions.” (Early this week, Google+ user Paul Allen — who co-founded Ancestry.com and is now Chief Revenue Officer at FamilyLink.com — used surname distribution data from the US Census Bureau to estimate that Plus had about 1.7 million users as of Monday.)
Plus is still in its infancy, so Schmidt was non-committal about a lot of specifics, but he made repeated references to Google+ being used to power and improve other Google products. Consider these three quotes:
As we move our stuff onto what you think of as Google+, there’s a nice set of product improvements in core search, YouTube, maps, and so forth, which should drive adoption.
We’re trying to use the identity infrastructure to make Google products really interesting. Imagine all of those properties adopting the circles metaphor — Buzz adopting it, Gmail adopting it.
The assumption is that as it grows and ramps up, everything will move over to using the + infrastructure.
Schmidt said that he’s pleased with two particular aspects of the Google+ launch: One, that many people have been unhappy about not having an invite and, two, that many users seem to understand how it differs from Facebook.
You can listen to all of Schmidt’s comments on TechCrunch.


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One of Western Sydney’s hidden cultural gems is set to be uncovered as part of a new campaign led by City of Parramatta Council.
A popular section of small businesses in Harris Park, known by many as ‘Little India’, will be promoted as a destination of choice for visitors near and far, with its unique food and cultural offerings.
“With more than 20 eateries and shops selling everything from colourful saris and glittering arm bangles, to Indian spices that will transport you straight to Mumbai, Harris Park is a little slice of India in Western Sydney,” City of Parramatta Lord Mayor Cr Bob Dwyer said.
“Harris Park is already known by locals for its authentic Indian cuisine, vibrant cultural events and celebrations, and diverse range of businesses. We are keen to share this local treasure and encourage visitors to experience what this colourful precinct has to offer.”
Marion Street, Wigram Street, and Station Street East in Harris Park will be branded ‘Little India’ as part of an initial six-month campaign.
The initiative follows the establishment of the Little India Harris Park Reference Group, a committee of business, community and Council representatives, set up in 2020 to explore ways to promote the suburb across Greater Sydney to deliver economic and cultural benefits to the area.
Council also sought feedback from local businesses and residents, with more than 80 per cent supporting the use of ‘Little India’ to promote parts of Harris Park.
“The City of Parramatta is home to the largest population of people of Indian descent in Australia, with nearly half of those living in Harris Park born in India,” Cr Dwyer said.
“We are proud to support and celebrate the Indian community’s contributions to our wonderful City through this initiative, which will provide a boost to businesses and the local economy.”
The campaign will build on several recent Council-led initiatives aimed at supporting the local economy, including the successful ‘Go Local’ campaign and AT Parramatta Gift Card program.