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Mexico’s Tourism Industry Gets Ready — And Anxious — To Fight The Pandemic
Tourism is one of the main sources of income in Mexico, which is the most popular destination for U.S. travelers. But the pandemic has imperiled tourism there.
And the Mexican tourism industry is trying to revive its once vibrant tourism sector.
Mexico is, by far, the most popular destination for U.S. tourists traveling abroad — and Americans are the main source of foreign tourism in Mexico.
But the country’s tourism industry is struggling as it adapts to the pandemic’s “new normal.”
Before the pandemic, the main square of Valle de Bravo would have plenty of visitors at dusk. But now, the square of this tourism-driven town in central Mexico is closed — and only birds are back.
“We worry about asymptomatic guests, but the main concern all over town is the lack of visitors," said Juan García, manager of the Puesta del Sol hotel, a few blocks away.
Since mid-July, the government is allowing hotels to operate only up to 30% of their capacity, following strict sanitizing rules and hygiene protocols.
“The state government has supported tourism businesses by temporarily eliminating the occupancy tax," García said.
But many people, like artisans or boat drivers, depend on the money out of the tourists’ pockets. And the ones arriving are not enough, while some recreational activities are still closed due to the pandemic.
“We understand President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s policy of favoring the poor, but of course it’s also concerning what many honest business owners will do," García said.
The federal government requires companies to keep paying workers, and García says this is becoming a real struggle, particularly as they compete with less regulated services, like AirBnB.
Ready To Fight Back
Roberto Zapata is the tourism vice president of Mexico’s National Chamber of Commerce. He says their economic expectation for 2020 is much lower compared to last year.
“We are going to be reaching, at the most, 45%,” Zapata said.
According to Zapata, 9% of Mexico’s GDP comes from the tourism sector, but it has been losing around $180 million per day since the pandemic, with 1 million jobs at risk.
“We have 10 million people that are employees in tourism," he said.
Zapata said some of the government’s financial institutions have provided credits that are insufficient and with high interests. Zapata says some local authorities have been supportive, but not the federal government.
“So, yeah, we’re just doing everything by ourselves," Zapata expressed.
Last year, the López Obrador administration disbanded ProMexico, the agency to promote tourism internationally. Zapata says that has also worsened the situation, but the industry has developed world-class standards, ready to expect more visitors regardless of the authorities.
“We’re completely prepared to receive the people, we’re very concerned, we have learned our lesson, in terms that we’re providing a better service," Zapata stated.
Solidarity and Hope
“When it pours, it rains," President López Obrador said, as he visited the Mayan Riviera after the hit of Hurricane Delta. But he said tourism is going up, forecasting that things will go back to normal by the end of the year.
And in Cancún, many worked for days to clear the damages left by the hurricane.
“Problems really started two years ago with the expansion of organized crime and a seaweed plague," said Laura Orrostieta, owner of Cancún Transfers and Tours, a private land transportation company in the Mayan Riviera.
But she says things started to look much better by the end of last year — until the pandemic struck.
“Without tourists, this place is dead," she said.
But Orrostieta notices the continuous, yet slight return of visitors, particularly from the rest of Mexico and the U.S. That makes her optimistic despite being disappointed by the federal government.
“It’s a moment for bringing solidarity," the entrepreneur said.
She said she knows of many people who’ve been affected, including COVID-19 victims who died. Others have had to close their businesses or start something new to survive. But she says everyone is following the sanitary rules, because everyone needs to start over again.
And she says the best way to help the industry and her country is by traveling, while staying safe.
Arizona Tourists Flock To Sonoran Destinations
As the coronavirus pandemic drags on, many people are looking for safe ways to get out of the house. That’s been a boon in recent months for Rocky Point, a beach town in neighboring Sonora, Mexico known for its popularity among Arizonans. And some Sonoran leaders hope that trend will spread to other parts of the state, too.
Music rumbled across a crowded beach in Puerto Peñasco, or Rocky Point, where Hunter Spanier and a few friends spent a weekend in early October.
“There were so many people,” said Spanier, 19. “Just tents and tents and tents. It was packed.
Despite crowds, and the ongoing pandemic, Spanier says it was worth the trip from her home in Tempe — with days full of great food, banana-boat rides and shopping.
“I had the best time of my life. It was amazing,” she said. “It’s a rough time for everyone. And I think as long as you’re being safe, it’s OK to find happiness. And it’s OK if that happiness is across the border.”
And she’s not the only one. In recent months, Arizona tourists have flocked across the border to Puerto Peñasco, known by some as “Arizona’s beach.”
“Fabulous! That’s the word,” Rocky Point Visitors and Conventions Office President Héctor Vázquez said, thrilled with the uptick in visitors. “Everything is going really well.”
He said 80% of Rocky Point’s economy depends on tourism. So when the city locked down earlier this year to prevent the spread of the coronavirus — during what should have been its high season — it was economically devastating.
But now, things are starting to look up.
“But in September, look, it’s so interesting, in the month of September, now that beaches are open, we surpassed the number of visitors compared to last year,” he said.
That’s even with the city’s continued safety protocols, including a curfew, mask mandate and limited capacity at hotels, restaurants and other public spaces. As well as travel restrictions at the U.S.-Mexico border that have been in place for nearly seven months.
But Rocky Point Mayor Kiko Munro says those restrictions haven’t impeded southbound travelers.
“It hasn’t had that big of an impact on us because people are allowed to come freely, because there are no restrictions on the Mexican side. And going back to the U.S., there are standard procedures by (U.S. Customs and Border Protection), but there are, again, no conditions for you as a U.S. citizen to get back to your homeland,” he said.
Munro means that while technically non-essential travel like tourism is barred on both sides of the border, Mexican officials are not enforcing those rules. And northbound restrictions have meant little to many Arizona travelers, because the return of U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents is considered essential regardless of what brought them to Mexico.
That’s frustrated some U.S. officials, who say tourists could be spreading the coronavirus.
But Munro said Rocky Point has taken measures that prioritize both health and tourism.
“We are demonstrating that you can actually live with an economy being active and health situations being controlled,” he said.
So far, Rocky Point has had relatively low numbers of reported coronavirus cases and deaths. According to the most recent data, published Wednesday, Oct. 14, there were 242 confirmed coronavirus cases and 33 deaths in Puerto Peñasco. And Munro hopes if the spread of the coronavirus remains low, Rocky Point will continue to attract Arizonans seeking safe ways to travel amid the pandemic.
Tourism from Arizona is also a key aspect of Sonora’s economic reactivation efforts, said Sonora Tourism Promotion Coordinator Luis Nuñez.
“We’re working to reestablish tourists’ trust,” he said.
They’re doing that in part, he said, by providing coronavirus safety trainings and supplies to hotels and tourism operators in popular tourist destinations, including beach towns like San Carlos.
Nuñez is optimistic that reticence to fly or travel long distances could not only help the state recoup former levels of tourism from Arizona, but even increase the state’s tourist appeal now and into the future.
“As the pandemic lift and potential visitors are able to travel, we want Sonora to be one of the principal options,” he said. “And when they come back, we’ll be ready.”
He said Rocky Point has been a model of how to safely spur tourism amid the pandemic.
“It really has been an example, at the national level,” he said, citing the city’s use of checkpoints and careful monitoring to ensure safety. “It’s a model we can use in other areas to make sure tourists feel comfortable.”
Sense Of Security
During her visit to Rocky Point, Hunter Spanier said it did feel safe.
“Some places kind of a little bit more than in the states, even,” she said, noting that face coverings, hand sanitizer and temperature checks were ubiquitous at restaurants and public spaces in Rocky Point.
That sense of security makes her want to come back. Though, especially during the pandemic, she said visitors hoping for a Rocky Point getaway should also keep the well-being of local residents in mind when they travel.
“There are people that live here, and it’s not just a playground, it’s somebody’s home,” she said.
Mickey Medina, who owns Rocky Point restaurant Chef Mickey’s Place, said he thinks tourists are respecting the city’s new rules. And he’s glad to have them.
“Puerto Peñasco is pretty much back to normal, I guess,” he said. “We are experiencing lots of tourism, which is great. And things are looking a lot nicer right now than they did a few months ago.
Businesses like his can’t survive without cross-border visitors, he said. Though, that’s not the only challenge right now for communities south of the border right now.
“We are also struggling because we do our grocery shopping over there. A lot of the products that I need come from the states,” he said.
Unlike U.S. citizens, whose travel into Mexico has been basically unhindered by ongoing border restrictions, many Mexican citizens have been cut off from habitual trips to the United States.
Luckily, Medina said, some of his U.S. customers have been doing his shopping for him.
“They say, ‘Hey, I’m heading down this week. You need anything?’ ‘Yes! Butter, please. Heavy cream, gorgonzola cheese.’ Stuff like that that we need,” he said.
He said he hopes border restrictions will lift soon, although he supports measures to slow the spread of the coronavirus. And in the meantime he’s just trying to follow safety guidelines to a tee to keep Arizonans coming.
“They can feel safe that when they come to a restaurant in Rocky Point, they’re going to be well taken care of, now more than ever,” he said.
Because everyone knows the tourism bringing life back to Rocky Point right now depends on keeping the pandemic under control.


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Queensland-based Web specialist, Fuzion, has launched a new product to simplify Web site creation and management in the SME market. Managing director, Stuart Mullins, claimed its new Sitewizard would enable users to build a Web site in less than 20 minutes.
“Not only can you build a site quickly but you can incorporate a range of some of the most advanced Internet technologies and services available,” he said.
Fuzion operates three distinct businesses — Internet service provider (ISP) hosting access, Web building and applications development.
Mullins said the idea for Sitewizard first came to him when he noticed a lot of “redundant work” in the Web building process.
“Web building is basically writing lines of code so we set about modularising it so that lines did not have to be re-written for every customer,” he said. “This has proven to be tremendously beneficial because we can now build Web sites very quickly. A process that did take four to six weeks is now finished in less than a week.
“The economies that has given the business is significant, customers get their products faster and we can pass some of the savings on to them.”
The idea for Sitewizard became a concrete proposal when Fuzion was working on a large Brisbane City Council community development program.
“They [Brisbane City Council] wanted to develop the project so that community groups could build and manage their own Web sites,” Mullins said.
“We were a long way down that path and thought we had won the contract but they went in another direction. It was something we had been working on anyway so we decided to complete the project and Sitewizard is the result.”
Sitewizard is available from $24.95 a month and has already proven to be a hit among SoHo businesses and SMEs, such as franchise operations where a certain degree of uniformity is required. Community and sports organisations are also benefiting. Netball Australia supplies Sitewizard to its 5000 clubs.
Small Web companies can resell the product through a range of flexible partner or affiliate packages.

domain: news


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Swiss Post, Switzerland’s equivalent to the United States Postal Service, has confirmed it is testing a delivery service that uses drones.
A spokesman for the national mail carrier confirmed a report in local media to Agence France Presse, detailing a partnership with US drone maker Matternet and the freight division of Swiss International Air Lines.
The tests will involve mail delivery to regional sorting centers and are expected to be conducted over the summer. Both the extent of the trials and carrying capacity of the drones is not known.
Matternet’s current flagship product, the ONE, is relatively small compared to the needs of a mail carrier. Its unique architecture makes it light and strong enough to transport 1 kilogram over 20 kilometers on a single battery charge, which while handy for some applications, like video photography, might not be so useful for transporting heavy bags of letters over long distances.
What could be more interesting to the Swiss is Matternet’s autonomous flight systems. The software on the ONE allows the drone to adapt to weather, terrain and airspace and thus allowing it to fly autonomously beyond line of sight, without the need for a human pilot.
For Switzerland this may be particularly important because Swiss towns and villages can be tough to reach in winter. Getting the mail through despite snow, ice or avalanche has obvious benefits.
Another key benefit would be the lack of human involvement. Swiss Post, like its peers in the United States and England is bleeding money as it tries to meet service obligations and revenue targets. Drone based delivery might help it overcome these financial challenges.
Swiss Post joins Amazon, DHL and Google in testing the waters.Stay Connected


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Rogers beats estimates on smartphone activations
The gain comes despite a lower profit line and competitive pressures from Wind Mobile, Mobilicity and other new market entrants.
Despite a lower profit line, Rogers Communications beat earnings estimates on higher smartphone activations.
Rogers, which secures the bulk of its revenue and earnings from wireless phones, posted first quarter earnings of $335 million, against a profit of $368 million in 2010.
Stripping out one-time charges, Rogers saw its adjusted profit come to 76 cents per share, exceeding Bay Street estimates.
Overall revenue was up 4% to $2.98 billion.
Rogers saw its media revenue from broadcast and print rise 17% to $339 million, on the strength of a recovering ad market.
At the same time, operating costs for Rogers’ media arm – due in part to expensive NBA and NFL programming rights – jumped by 22% to $349 million, producing an operating loss for the division.
Wireless data revenue remains Rogers’ biggest money-earner, however, as the media group continued to sign up smartphone customers during the latest quarter.
That gain came despite competitive pressures from Wind Mobile, Mobilicity and other new market entrants.
From Playback Daily


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Cloudtail — a joint venture between e-commerce company Amazon and Infosys co-founder NRN Murthy’s Catamaran Ventures — has been served with a service tax demand of ₹ 54.5 crore. According to reports, the company has received a show-cause notice from the Directorate General of Goods and Service Tax Intelligence and interest and penalties for service tax-related matters.
“Cloudtail has disputed the service tax claim by the authorities, and the matter is before the adjudicating authorities. Cloudtail has been disclosing this as a contingent liability in its Annual Report since 2019 as per Indian Accounting Standards. Since this matter is subjudice, we are unable to comment any further. Cloudtail reiterates that it is in full compliance with the laws of India,” Cloudtail said in a statement.
Controversy amidst rising profits
Cloudtail reported revenue of ₹ 11,413 crore for FY20, a rise of 27.76 percent compared to ₹ 8,945 crore of the previous year. The company made a profit of ₹ 67.5 crore for FY20. Cloudtail, which is one of the largest sellers on Amazon India, is owned by Prione Business Services.
Catamaran Ventures had increased its stake in Prione in 2019 to 76 percent from the earlier 51 percent. Subsequently, Amazon’s stake became about 24 percent in the company. Amazon’s stake in Cloudtail has come under fire from several traders’ associations in the country.
Both Confederation Of All India Traders (CAIT) and Delhi Vyapar Mahasangh (DVM) alleged that Amazon had a direct relationship with Cloudtail and was giving it preferential treatment and another seller, Appario. Appario Retail is a subsidiary of Frontizo, a joint venture between Amazon and the Patni Group.
“There seem to be numerous inconsistencies in Amazon’s selling tactics with Cloudtail, and the true picture will emerge if the probe continues. If Amazon is found to be in violation, it will face a significant financial penalty,” said Sonam Chandwani, managing partner at KS Legal and Associates.
Like other retail suppliers and online retail players in India, legal experts said Amazon had exploited policy loopholes. It signed both Cloudtail and Appario deals between 2014 and 2017. However, the revised e-commerce laws restrict marketplace platforms’ shareholdings in direct retail suppliers.
Probe for preferential treatment
Meanwhile, on June 11, the Karnataka High Court dismissed the pleas of Amazon and Flipkart against a probe by the Competition Commission of India (CCI) for alleged violation of competition laws.
In 2020, the CCI had announced an investigation of Amazon and Flipkart deals following a complaint filed by Delhi Vyapar Mahasangh (DVM), representing the small and medium business owners in Delhi. The complaint accuses the two e-commerce giants of favoring some sellers, which is hurting small businesses.
Both companies have managed to get a stay on the CCI probe by saying they had done nothing wrong until now.


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Nioh 2 Director Fumihiko Yasuda wants to innovate with new experiences by building a game that utilises the PlayStation 5’s haptic feedback capabilities.
“We considered a lot of different ideas for how to support these features [in Nioh 2]”, he told DailyBits. “For a really intense action game, utilizing the haptic feedback too much may take away from the player’s experience with the game and could hurt their overall enjoyment of the title.”
Yasuda-san also suggested that, although the team are focusing on new projects for now, a follow-up to Nioh 2 remains a possibility.
Haptic Feedback is Here: Astro’s Playroom remains the most impressive game to utilise haptic feedback so far. Titles such as Call of Duty: Cold War and FIFA 21 have dabbled with the feature that is sure to become more commonplace soon.
Nioh 2 Freebies Drop: Two new armour sets will be available to all Nioh 2 players between Feb. 5-26, to celebrate the game’s remastering and release on PS5. The Ornate Gold Armour and Sohaya Deserter Garb are worth a look for the head pieces alone.
DailyBits was talking to Team Ninja Game Director Fumihiko Yasuda, and you’ll be able to see the full interview in today’s issue of our free gaming e-zine, so don’t miss it!


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At an event in San Francisco just now, software company Microsoft has taken the wraps off its forthcoming desktop operating system, and no, it’s not called Windows 9. Codenamed Threshold, the new operating system is named Windows 10. Also Read - Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella to 'nearly double' the budget for its employee salaries to retain them
Terry Myerson, Microsoft chief for Operating System, said that Windows is used by over 1.5 billion people worldwide. “Windows is at a Threshold and now it’s time for a new Windows,” she announced. Also Read - Microsoft Teams tips and trick: Top features to make hybrid working easier
The company says that Windows 10 will be its most comprehensive platform. The operating system will also deliver the “right experience… at the right time.” Microsoft realizes that the enterprise users are one of its main focus. To ease things for them, Microsoft promises that all the tools these users have been using on other versions of Windows will also be available in Windows 10. The new operating system is compatible with all traditional management systems, Myreson noted. Furthermore, the company has also separated corporate and personal data across its devices. Also Read - Microsoft might introduce an Xbox TV streaming device and app next year
A Revamped Start Menu
As we had seen in leaked videos earlier this month, a revamped version of Start menu has made its return back to the desktop platform. “We want all these Windows 7 users to have the sentiment that yesterday they were driving a first-generation Prius… and now with Windows 10 it’s like a Tesla,” said Windows Phone Chief Joe belfiore. “They don’t have to learn any new way to drive,” he added.
The Start menu, as we had previously learned, now showcases both traditional as well as Modern apps. In addition, it also features a “Universal search”, which not only shows apps, but also web results right on the Start menu.
Microsoft is also making it possible to run Modern apps on the desktop mode. “We don’t want that duality, we want users on PCs with mice and keyboards to have their familiar UI,” Belfiore said.
As rumored earlier, Windows 10 will run Universal apps, while utilizing the Snap view feature in the desktop mode. The new operating system comes with a feature called Task view. This feature shows one to view all the apps a that are running in the background, as well as acts as virtual desktop feature.
It needs to be pointed out that a vast majority of features that the Windows 10 will come with aren’t fully baked yet. And this particular event was aimed towards business users. You can expect a couple of more events in the coming days. Meanwhile, the company has just announced that the “Technical Preview” of Windows 10 will be available to download starting tomorrow.


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LEDs, or light-emitting diodes, were created to lend a helping hand. Forty years ago the little-lights-that-could told you when your household appliances were on and helped you tell the time. Uses for the early versions of these semiconductors were limited by their ability to produce only the colors red, yellow and green -- perfect for stoplights, electronics and exit signs, but not overly useful in most daily residential applications. Then, illuminated life as we knew it changed virtually overnight. Shuji Nakamura, a Japanese scientist, created the world’s first blue LED, which, when mixed with phosphors, produces white light. This discovery, made in the 1990s, paved the way for LED technology and infinitely increased its possibilities for applications both inside and outside the home.
“The most exciting thing that’s happening is that LEDs are changing the industry and changing how [we] interact with lighting,” says Paul Vrabel, director of Energy Efficient Products Group at Sea Gull Lighting and Generation Brands partner Monte Carlo Fan. “It’s a truly disruptive technology, probably synonymous with going from punch cards in computers to using a microchip or going from a rotary dial phone to a cell phone that fits in your pocket. In the future, you won’t buy a light fixture with a [separate] screw-in light bulb. All of a sudden, you buy a lighting system, and the LEDs are incorporated into it and everything is together.”
As they attract more of the national spotlight, LEDs are beginning to catch on with the general public, sneaking into homes under several different guises. LED Christmas lights, a perfect application for a monochromatic light source, seemed to be on everyone’s wish list this past holiday season. GE released a statement that retailers stocked 34 percent more LED light strings in 2008 than in the previous year.
The potential for LEDs continues to grow in more practical uses throughout the home, as well.
“One application in which LEDs are very much in practice at this point is downlighting,” says Marc Ledbetter, manager of the Emerging Technologies Program at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. “It’s going to vary by home and geographic location as to whether that application is cost-effective, but the price is coming down significantly on some of these high-performance residential LED products.”
According to Ledbetter, downlights are an effective application for LEDs because they take advantage of the directional nature of the light. Similarly, other LED characteristics, such as their small size, lack of infrared heat and long lifespan, make them a sensible choice for undercabinet, accent and task lighting.
LED technology is also finding a home in the great outdoors. According to McGowan, LED floodlights and landscape lights -- many of which come equipped with smart features like occupancy sensors for added energy-efficiency and safety -- have recently seen marked advances.
“I have seen LED landscape lighting come a long way this year,” McGowan says. “I bought some and put them in the backyard as my own little experiment. The light is a little low, but we will be seeing better output, adjustability and ease of use [in the near future].”
One of the most attractive aspects of LED technology continues to be its potential to save massive amounts of energy. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, LEDs’ annual energy savings in 2007, as studied in twelve niche markets, was about nine terawatt-hours, which equals the annual electrical output of 1.4 large coal power plants. The decrease in energy consumption saved consumers almost $1 billion in electricity costs last year. As the technology behind LEDs continues to improve, the energy savings is certain to increase.
LEDs are currently as efficient as compact fluorescents, but many experts believe that the new technology will eventually surpass its energy-efficient predecessor. According to Vrabel, LEDs will soon emit more than 100 lumens per watt, while, even at their best, CFLs reach only about 75 lumens per watt.
“The improvements on LEDs continue at a very quick pace,” Ledbetter says. “We’re seeing at least annual, significant improvement in the amount of light emitted from a single LED. We’re also seeing improvement in the efficiency with which the products can produce light, and we’re seeing improvement in the quality of light that’s being emitted.”
Although exciting, these sudden advances in LED technology are a cause of concern for those in the industry. Rapid improvements have left little time for regulations and adequate testing.
“[As a result], there’s a lot of inconsistency, a lot of unknowns around LEDs,” Vrabel says. “The industry -- everyone from the trade associations and technology experts to those who help write standards and specifications and testing procedures -- is figuring out how we put this together so that we can get the life out of it that is expected. How do we test it to make sure it’s going to last? When you buy a car, they tell you how long the motor will last or how long they are going to warranty the motor because they know how long certain parts will last. With LEDs, those standards are just becoming available now. That’s the biggest challenge. There are a lot of technical challenges and testing standards that need to be developed.”
McGowan agrees that more testing and structure must soon be added to the market. There is a lot of buzz around LEDs, and people are excited about their energy-saving potential, despite knowing little about how they actually work. Claims of “no heat” and “lasting forever” are top of mind for many consumers, Vrabel says, but most people do not understand the current limitations of LEDs. Many are unaware that, in terms of general household illumination, LEDs are still falling short. And for consumers who are excited about putting this emerging technology to quick use, some run the risk of becoming disappointed and frustrated with products that don’t live up to their hype.
“That is an issue that varies by manufacturer,” Ledbetter says. “There are a large number of LED manufacturers that currently sell fixtures that are prone to failure, or are prone to rapid lumen depreciation or prone to poor color quality. On the other hand, there are a number of manufacturers that are making very good products that perform very well with regard to lumen depreciation. It’s extremely important that people who are purchasing the technology at this stage of its commercialization ask a lot of questions about the performance characteristics.”
For now, it all comes down to applying LEDs to the appropriate usage. While general illumination still has a ways to go, in the realm of task lighting and undercabinet fixtures, LEDs are making some real headway. In these types of applications, LEDs can be twice as efficient as CFLs.
The measured growth in the residential market may be, in part, due to low demand. LED has made great strides in lighting parking lots and parking structures in the last year, Ledbetter says, but getting LEDs into homes is an entirely different beast.
“The residential market has been much slower to respond than the commercial market,” Vrabel says. “The technology will definitely mature in the commercial market. For the residential market, you have some early adopters, but as far as putting it in most homes, builders [are hesitant]. Right now, the market is so beaten down that builders are trying to make affordable homes for people because everyone [is feeling the stresses of the current economy].”
In the meantime, consumer education is a big issue, according to both McGowan and Vrabel. After all, an educated consumer is the best consumer—but that may mean starting from scratch.
“When it comes to lighting, Americans just don’t know [much],” Vrabel says. “Everyone thinks a watt is the measure of the amount of light that is given off by the light bulb, and that’s not true; it’s the lumen. The American consumer has never been taught about lumens per watt, which is key to understanding efficiency.”
In addition, cost is going to be an issue, no matter how far the technology comes. Right now, it’s the main complaint among consumers, retailers and builders.
“Cost is a big one,” Ledbetter says. “It has to come down for the product to be more attractive to consumers and more cost-effective for the range of applications in the residential spectrum.”
Cost and efficiency go hand-in-hand. According to Ledbetter, as the light source becomes more efficient, you need less LEDs to do the job. So, you can solve the cost equation by making the product more efficient.
Despite formidable challenges, the future is bright for LEDs. McGowan says that virtually every dollar being spent by the Department of Energy is going towards LED technology, and most lamp manufacturers, including bigwigs like GE and Philips, are on the LED bandwagon. Now, there just needs to be a better way to get the word out to the consumer.
“People in the industry are asking the same questions,” McGowan says. “We have to organize in some better fashion than we are right now. [By not fully embracing the advantages LEDs have to offer residential lighting], we are shooting ourselves in the foot at a time when we could really use every dollar of a sale.”
-- LEDs have a long life, but like all light sources, they slowly fade over time.
-- LEDs do not radiate infrared heat, only visible light. However, waste heat is produced during the conversion from electricity to light and may harm the LEDs if it is not properly removed from the lighting system.
-- By any measure, illuminance or luminance, LEDs have enough light output for use in even very large outdoor daylight-visible installations.
-- The ROI for the use of LED lighting systems in an installation is surprisingly rapid when taking maintenance and energy cost savings into consideration.
Source: “The Seven Great Myths of LEDs,” Philips Solid-State Lighting Solutions


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Zimbabwe brings different meaning to 'money laundering'
- Published: Nov 22, 2020, 8 AM
Money laundering has taken on a new meaning in Zimbabwe, where worn Federal Reserve notes are being unofficially refurbished for use in commerce.
The country, long an economic basket case, has subsisted for years with the U.S. dollar as the basis for its daily trade and commerce, while hyperinflation wrecks the Zimbabwean dollar.
Collectors, especially, remember Zimbabwean bank notes with denominations as high as a 100 trillion dollars, making it understandable that the U.S. version of the dollar offered more stability.
Zimbabwe chose to abandon its own currency in 2009 after inflation reached 5 billion percent. In 2019 the government tried again. It issued a new version of its own currency and prohibited use of foreign currencies in local transactions. Last March, it changed its mind and removed the ban on dollars, but as NewZimbabwe.com reports, authorities still say it is illegal for foreign notes to be used in commerce and often raid currency traders to seize their foreign currency and impose fines.
People don’t seem to care. In a Nov. 14 story, the online journal said that the $1 Federal Reserve note in particular is what people use for their “daily bread.” Unfortunately, the economy is so weak that it does not generate enough of an inflow of the U.S. dollar notes badly needed for a local business climate dependent on them.
As a result, the populace is so desperate that traders have taken to repairing old U.S. dollar notes for their customers. For a small percentage of their face value, they are buying notes on the black market that are in such wretched condition that here, the Federal Reserve System would shred them. They are then repairing them by any means that works, including tape, thread, or glue.
One currency dealer said, “I don’t care how torn it is, I take it. All I want to see is the serial number, the serial number should be visible on all the sides. Even if it’s shredded by rats, I take it, I do this every day that’s how I survive.”
Although many shops reject them, traders often, after some negotiation, accept the repaired notes.
John Robertson, an economist in the capital, Harare, said, “The main problem is that we do not have faith in our own currency, and so the Zimbabwe dollars that exist are now of such a low value we don’t want to carry them around because you need a large quantity just to buy a loaf of bread.”
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Customs officials at Chattogram yesterday filed a case against an importer for allegedly importing Tk 2 crore worth of cosmetics under a false declaration.
Customs sources say the false declaration was an attempt by the importer, Only One International, to dodge around Tk 1.3 crore in taxes.
However, the company’s manager, Md Zakaria Hossain, claims it to be a mistake of the exporter. “We have already contacted the exporter for remedy,” he said.
Stating that this was a lie, Chattogram Customs House Deputy Commissioner Nooruddin Milon told The Daily Star that the importer had loaded the goods onto three trucks and tried to get them released last week.
Papers show that 2,000 water pumps worth Tk 51.70 lakh were being brought from China, said Milon.
The consignment arrived at the Chattogram port on November 5 and physical examination revealed it to be 37 tonnes of hair gel and oil, shampoo, soaps, facewash, bodywash, and some other cosmetics, he said.
Water pumps carry 1 percent duty, while cosmetics 100 percent, he added.
If any customs officials are found to be involved in the incident during investigation, the authorities will take action against them, he said.


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July 19, 2019
Rev PR are celebrating after being shortlisted for ‘Outstanding Small Consultancy’ in the 2019 PRide Awards run by the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR).
The CIPR PRide Awards recognise the outstanding work that companies like Rev PR have been delivering for clients and employers across the UK over the last 12 months. Entries for the coveted ‘Outstanding Small Consultancy’ award are judged by a team of leading industry experts from across the UK and have been whittled down to just four finalists.
Founded in 2015 by Sally Anne Butters and Lucy Archer, Rev PR is a specialist franchise PR agency. With over 30 years’ combined experience in the PR and franchise industries, the team at Rev PR help franchisors to recruit franchisees and support franchisees to grow their businesses. They focus on moving brands forward by getting them into the press and creating valuable content to feed their online and offline presence.
“We’re over the moon to have been shortlisted,” says Lucy. “The team works so hard to deliver outstanding results for our clients, so to be recognised by our peers is such a proud moment. As a PR agency, we’re focused on generating awareness and raising the profile of our clients – it’s a wonderful feeling for us to be in the limelight for a change!”
“We always refer to ourselves as ‘TeamRev’ and the results the judges have seen are down to everyone in the business pulling together and giving it their all, day-in, day-out. We love what we do, and it shows!” adds Sally.
Winners will be awarded at a glitzy ceremony on 19th September in Cambridge. As the CIPR themselves affirm, winning a PRide Award marks agencies out as industry leaders in their area, boosts team morale and demonstrates the value of PR to the wider business world. TeamRev will have their fingers crossed for the big day!


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Two Maldives properties named in the Condé Nast Traveler’s 2017 Hot List
Two recent openings in the Maldives have been named in the Condé Nast Traveler’s 2017 Hot List. The two resorts which made it to the 21st edition of the Hot List, both of which opened its doors last year, are Four Seasons Private Island Maldives at Voavah and The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort.
A total of 75 outstanding properties were named in the list from Africa & Middle East, Asia, Australia/Pacific, Caribbean & Mexico, Central & South America, Europe, and the United States. Unveiling the list, Condé Nast Traveler said the 75 outstanding winners represent “not just the vanguard of the world, but where travelers are headed next”.Four Seasons Private Island Maldives at Voavah, the world’s first exclusive-use hideaway in a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, is a truly private island that couples legendary service with limitless living. Four Seasons Private Island Voavah is far more than a luxury retreat that couples legendary service with limitless living. It opened on December 2, 2016.The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Island is nestled in a secluded enclave in Dhaalu Atoll and unveils contemporary and luxury designs featuring the Maldives’ largest three-bedroom overwater suite. Boasting 22 acres of land, the all-villa resort features 77 on-land and overwater accommodations, each with a private pool. It opened it shores on November 1, 2016.
To list down the 2017 Hot List, the Condé Nast Traveler team of 60 reporters, editors, and photographers flew a collective 529,500 miles ‘sausaged’ in coach, slept in roughly 200 beds, and had passports stamped in more than 50 countries between them. The list this year had been the “most selective ever”, said Condé Nast Traveler, as only 11 percent of the 675 contenders they started with made the list this year.


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Google Wallet Hits The Market
Visa, Discover and American Express and many other cards will be added to the service later on. Previously, the news said that all those users who want to use the Google Wallet in their non NFC (Near Field Communication) phones will be getting an NFC sticker that will make their smartphones compatible. In the official launch, however, Google has not discussed anything about the NFC sticker. So far, the user is required to have Sprint nexus S 4G Smartphone to take advantage of Google Wallet. This is perhaps not a very smart way to launch such an interesting app, but we hope it comes to other smartphones as soon as possible.
Among those merchants who are currently swiping the smartphones with Google Wallet are American Eagle Outfitters, Bloomingdales, Foot Locker, Jamba Juice, Macy's, RadioShack, Subway, Toys "R" Us, and Walgreens. Many more merchants will be added in the list in the near future.
Do you think it is going to be a big hit? It will only if it comes to a larger number of smartphones, rather than only one. We're very interested in your views about the official launch.


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Celeste Carey and Cecil Prescod host a debate on Oregon Ballot Measure 97,
This description is from ballotpedia.org.
The Oregon Business Tax Increase Initiative, also known as Measure 97, is on the November 8, 2016, ballot in Oregon as an initiated state statute.
A "yes" vote supports this initiative to increase the minimum corporate tax by establishing a 2.5 percent tax on corporate gross sales that exceed $25 million.
A "no" vote opposes this initiative to establish a 2.5 percent tax on corporate gross sales that exceed $25 million and retains the existing corporate tax structure.
If approved, the new tax would be implemented on January 1, 2017. Between January 1 and June 30, 2017, state revenue would increase by an estimated $548 million. Thereafter, additional revenue from the measure would be expected to be around $3 billion per year.
Speaking for Measure 97 - Shamus Lysnky, executive director of the Oregon Consumer League.
Speaking against Measure 97 - Ryan Deckert, President of the Oregon Business Association, representing the coalition to Defeat the Tax on Oregon Sales


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8th ministerial meeting of India-US Economic & Financial Partnership Dialogue
Eighth ministerial meeting of “India-United States of America (US) Economic and Financial Partnership Dialogue” was held on October 15, 2021 at Washington D.C.
- Union Minister of Finance & Corporate Affairs, Nirmala Sitharaman and Secretary of Treasury of the United States, Dr. Janet Yellen, chaired the meeting.
- During the meeting, both sides held discussions on a range of subjects, such as macroeconomic outlook, financial regulatory & technical collaboration, recovery from COVID-19 pandemic, climate finance & anti-money laundering, multilateral engagement, and combating the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT).
- They affirmed their commitments for continue collaboration at bilateral as well as multilateral fora in order to address mutual and global economic issues and strive towards friendly strategies and solutions.
Conclusion of the meeting
This meeting was concluded with adoption of Joint Statement by both the ministers.
Economic Relations between India and USA
The bilateral trade between India and the USA was at USD 88.75 billion, in 2019-20. USA is among those few countries with which India is having a trade surplus. In the year 2019-20, India’s trade surplus with the USA rose to USD 17.42 billion as compared to USD 16.86 billion in 2018-19. India is the sixth largest supplier of services imports for USA. India’s large market, progress towards development and economic growth make it an essential market for USA exporters.
Issues in the Trade Relationship
- Market barriers including tariff and non-tariff barriers as well as multiple practices & regulations are the biggest concerns in the bilateral relation between both the countries
- Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) Programme is another issue as under this system, USA decided to withdraw duty-free benefits to Indian exporters.
- For India, another issue is USA’s temporary visa policies. It affects Indian nationals working in the United States.
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Gay.com founder launches gay advertising network
A leading gay entreprenuer has joined forces with many of America’s leading internet and regional LGBT titles to create a new online ad network.
Gay Ad Network was founded by Mark Elderkin, a 13-year industry veteran and pioneer in developing gay online advertising and subscription-based businesses.
As president of PlanetOut, Inc. he was responsible for global advertising sales, online editorial and business partnerships.
He founded Gay.com, which he built into the largest gay online community.
“Independent web publishers have been successful in creating great quality content and attracting loyal and passionate audiences, but they have been less effective in attracting national advertisers due to their limited individual size,” said Mr Elderkin.
“By developing content-rich marketing programmes that span our aggregated audience, we can provide unique marketing vehicles for our advertising partners.”
According to Harris Interactive/Witeck-Combs Communications, 64% of gay Americans are more likely to buy products that are directly marketed to them in gay media.
DoubleClick reports that 68% of gay web users are between the ages of 18 and 34 and are generally better educated, highly paid and have more discretionary income than average Americans.
Launch partners represented by Gay Ad Network include Window Media properties such as:
Washington Blade, Southern Voice, New York Blade, Express South Florida, David Atlanta and Genre magazine;
RealJock.com, a health and fitness web site for gay men;
Out in America Network, a collection of local content web sites;
Connexion.org, a social networking service for gays and lesbians;
OutSports, a gay sports community;
GayCities, a gay travel community;
Windy City Times; Bay Windows; Pride Source, Philadelphia Gay News;
JustMen; TheLWordOnline.com; GayOrbit; GayWeddings.com;
Bgay.com; GayWebSource; The DataLounge;
and ProudParenting.com, a gay parenting network.
Together they represent a large percentage of the US gay media not owned by PlanetOut, who own The Advocate, Out magazine and Gay.com
“Our national magazine and newspaper brands attract a loyal, affluent audience across both our print and online products,” said William R. Kapfer, PhD., co-president, Window Media.
“Now as part of Gay Ad Network we have gained another layer of online sales expertise, aggregated reach, and the broad agency and client visibility we need to continue to attract high-profile brands and their national online campaigns.”
The gay online advertising business has grown by an average of 33% annually over the past five years.
Once concentrated on a few gay portals, the gay online audience is now fragmented across mainstream social networking sites and a large number of smaller gay information, news, community and niche social networking sites designed for the various segments of the gay market.
Gay Ad Network aims to aggregate these fragmented communities under one umbrella, providing online media planners an easy, efficient way to reach a large segment of the gay and lesbian market and sell integrated media and sponsorship programmes to Fortune 500 brand advertisers.


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It looks like Google’s watch might finally make an appearance. According to the prolific leaker Evan Blass, the rumoured Pixel watch is codenamed the ‘Pixel Rohan.’
It begins (eye candy): https://t.co/pTug1z59Ec
— Ev (@evleaks) April 19, 2022
Additionally, 91mobiles has shared a render of the upcoming smartwatch. The design offers a round watch face and shows heart rate and steps icons, as well as Fitbit integration.
This render matches what we’ve seen from the not-as-accurate but also tipster Jon Prosser (Front Page Tech).
It’s unclear when we’ll get an official look at the Pixel Watch, but some rumours are pointing towards a launch at Google I/O in May alongside the Pixel 6a.
Image Credit: Front Page Tech


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While the country wrestles with the coronavirus pandemic, the federal government and many state governments recently made key determinations that could shape the future of the cannabis, hemp, and CBD industries for years to come.
First, is the Drug Enforcement Agency’s (DEA) removal of the CBD drug Epidiolex from the Controlled Substances Act’s (CSA) Schedule of Controlled Substances, in its entirety. Epidiolex, the only FDA-approved cannabis-derived drug, was previously classified as a Schedule V drug by the DEA. It is also the only cannabis-derived drug product considered to be “lawful” and therefore capable of trademark registration by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). This declassification of Epidiolex can have significant ramifications for the future of CBD drugs and products generally, as this paves the way for those items get to the marketplace whenever the FDA ultimately approves CBD for public consumption.
Next, is the USPTO’s allowance and registration of a litany of patents including or relating to cannabis and CBD. Most recently, the USPTO issued a notice of allowance for U.S. Patent App. No. 15/494,514, purported to be a method to use chewing gum composed of cannabinoids (including CBD) and tobacco to treat nicotine addiction. Interestingly, this trend reveals that the USPTO’s patent division appears to be far more progressive than its trademark division, which generally refuses to register trademarks used in connection with cannabis goods and services.
The trademark division currently allows for the registration of many goods and services relating to “hemp” (which is defined as cannabis containing a THC concentration of not more than 0.3 percent on a dry weight basis). However, it refuses to register trademarks used in connection with the most common CBD products on the market — dietary, nutritional, and ingestible hemp products containing CBD — on the basis that, since the FDA has not approved CBD generally, the sale of those products is unlawful in interstate commerce. Hopefully, either the FDA approves the use of CBD generally in the near future (although that is unlikely), or at the very least, the USPTO revises their approach to the registration of these trademarks.
Lastly, but perhaps the most important development, is the determination by 28 states and the District of Columbia, that cannabis dispensaries are “essential businesses,” allowing those businesses to continue operating despite the ongoing pandemic. In fact, every state that allows the use of medical and/or recreational cannabis, which has enacted some type of stay-at-home order, has designated cannabis dispensaries as essential, with the exception of Missouri and West Virginia. One caveat however, is the fact that three states (Maine, Vermont, and Massachusetts), as well as Washington, D.C., which typically allow recreational dispensaries, are currently only allowing medical dispensaries to remain open.
Regardless, with at least 56 percent of states declaring at least medical cannabis to be essential to their constituents during a time of crisis, along with the federal government’s recent actions, we may be witnessing the turning point in the cannabis, hemp, and CBD industries unfold before us. Moreover, as a result of the ballooning federal deficit, which is growing larger in light of the COVID-19 stimulus bill, the country may look for new ways to decrease the deficit when the pandemic ends. Hopefully, this will include further relaxation of the federal government’s current position on cannabis and CBD products, which will jumpstart these industries and generate significant additional tax revenue for the country.


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Spending is key to Fed rate cut
THE US Federal Reserve faces a no-win situation in which policymakers will not want to be seen letting Wall Street dictate matters this week, but risks a disappointed and volatile market if interest rates are not cut by at least half a percentage point, say economists.
Meanwhile, the Bank of Japan has gambled its reputation on manipulating the money supply, rather than interest rates, to get the economy back on its feet.
In a departure from policy, the BOJ, under Masaru Hayami, will pump up its reserves from four trillion to five trillion yen and let the market set interest rates. It said the move would effectively return interest rates to zero. The BoJ will run the new policy until the consumer price index, which has fallen for the past two years, stabilises above zero.
In America, Fed fund futures have priced in about 75% odds that the central bank will cut its key lending rate by threequarters of a point.
The equity market's swoon last week, plus recent signs of consumer retrenchment, have led investors to hope the Fed will act aggressively to correct the teetering economy. But economists say the two half-point reductions in Fed funds that it engineered earlier this year need more time to take effect.
Plus, several Fed governors have recently expressed confidence the economy will soon pick up. A large rate cut would run counter to the most recent public comments. 'The Fed's image will be harmed if they are seen to give in now to a bunch of battered stock traders,' said economist David Jones of bond dealer Aubrey Lanston. The guide they will use is consumer spending - not what is happening in the stock market but what is happening to consumers because of it.'
Figuring out the impact on consumer spending is not easy. Personal consumption in the first part of the quarter is thought to have been about 2 1/2%, however the data for early March are looking weaker. With more than half of US households investing in stocks, the impact of the first serious bear market in a decade takes on a significance that is hard to quantify with any confidence. Many economists believe the US is skirting close to recession and will not rebound until much later in the year.
Inflation is measurable, however, and Wall Street and the Fed should get some good news there on Wednesday when the Consumer Price Index for February is expected to settle down to a rise of 0.1%, after a surprising 0.6% jump the month before.
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Golden Wii Controller is Almost as Cool as Being Bond
This gold-colored Classic Controller Pro may not give you any gameplay advantages, but it will sure as heck make you a lot cooler than your friends–at least during intense four-player deathmatch sessions. Many gamers of the Nintendo 64 era rememeber the glory days of sleepovers with their friends as they played endless hours of GoldenEye on the classic Nintendo console. You would play until your friends fell asleep one by one, and the clock on the wall said 4AM. It didn’t matter, it was summertime, and you didn’t have to be anywhere. Most of us grew up and had to get jobs. Welcome to the real world. Goodbye fun times.
Those days may be coming back, if not to us mid-20s gamers, to a younger generation who will experience gameplay in splitscreen mode. Something developers are all too fond of avoiding these days.
Along with the new controller Activision announced that the game will have various control methods. David Pokress, Head of Marketing for Licensed Properties at Activision, said via press release, “In addition to the Wii Remote and Nunchuck, GoldenEye will also support the Wii Zapper for ‘point and shoot’ gamers, giving players several ways to experience GoldenEye on the Wii.”
“We also couldn’t pass up the opportunity to pay homage to the golden gun with the gold Classic Controller Pro, which looks cool and also gives shooter fans a familiar control scheme to use as they blast their way through the game,” Pokress added.
As he says, the controller is obviously inspired by the golden gun, and some fans will remember that the golden gun was even available in the original GoldenEye game, and feared any player who happened to be carrying it.
Nintendo first announced the game during their E3 press conference in Los Angeles, which was regarded as one of Nintendo’s strongest showings in years, perhaps since the original showing of the Wii when Shigeru Miyamoto conducted an orchestra of Miis to the tune of the Legend of Zelda theme.
This is definitely cool if you were on the fence about the Classic Controller Pro, which was released earlier this year. Those of you old enough to remember the N64 days may be interested in checking out this mod that literally placed a Nintendo 64 into a handheld gaming device. Sure, it’s clunky, but it’s a Nintendo 64!


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If you bought movie tickets between 2009 and 2013 on Fandango’s mobile app, your credit-card information may have been an easy target for hackers.
Fandango settled a lawsuit with the Federal Trade Commission on Friday over charges that it failed to take basic steps to protect user data on its app for iPhones and iPads.
Credit Karma, a credit-checking service, settled similar charges Friday with the FTC for failing to protect mobile-app data.
Neither company is required to pay any financial penalty as part of the settlements, although both Fandango and Credit Karma are required to establish “comprehensive security programs” and to undergo independent security assessments every other year for the next 20 years.
According to the lawsuits, the companies disabled a default encryption process, known as SSL certification. As a result, hackers could have easily intercepted private information, especially on public Wi-Fi networks often found in coffee shops, shopping centers, or airports, the FTC said.
Despite the vulnerability, Fandango assured customers that their credit card information was safe as they checked out. Credit Karma claimed it was using “industry-leading security precautions.”
In a statement Friday, Fandango said it upgraded its security in March 2013 and that it is not aware of any customers who had their information stolen.
“Security is among Fandango’s top priorities, and we are fully committed to protecting our customers’ personal information,” the company said. “We have reviewed and heightened our security program to protect our customers’ personal information, across all of Fandango’s products and platforms, and we test regularly for data security.”
A Credit Karma spokesman said the company has addressed the security issue and is not aware of any lost data.
FTC Chairwoman Edith Ramirez noted that consumers are increasingly relying on mobile apps to make purchases and handle sensitive financial information.
“Our cases against Fandango and Credit Karma should remind app developers of the need to make data security central to how they design their apps,” she said.
Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Jay Rockefeller, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy, and other lawmakers are pushing bills that would allow the FTC to fine companies for inadequate data-security practices.
The FTC is currently investigating Target over last year’s massive hack of credit-card information.
What We're Following See More »
"Wikileaks published more than 8,000 documents purportedly taken from the Democratic National Committee Friday, just days before the start of the party's convention in Philadelphia. The documents included briefings on off-the-record fundraisers and candid photographs."
Hillary Clinton "is widely expected to announce her choice" of vice president "in an email to supporters while on a campaign swing in Florida on Friday afternoon." The consensus: it'll be Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia, although Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack are also said to be in the running.
- A Rasmussen Reports poll shows Donald Trump ahead of Hillary Clinton, 43%-42%, the fourth week in a row he's led the poll (one of the few poll in which he's led consistently of late).
- A Reuters/Ipsos survey shows Clinton leading 40%-36%. In a four-way race, she maintains her four-point lead, 39%-35%, with Gary Johnson and Jill Stein pulling 7% and 3%, respectively.
- And the LA Times/USC daily tracking poll shows a dead heat, with Trump ahead by about half a percentage point.


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RioCan Living will launch sales of Verge Condos, its first condominium project without a development partner, in Toronto in August.
RioCan acquired the site at the southwest corner of The Queensway and Islington Avenue in Etobicoke in 2010 to add to its retail portfolio, as it included a 100,000-square-foot Cineplex movie theatre, three restaurants and a bank branch. The Cineplex land was acquired by a former partner, so RioCan was left with a 25,000-square-foot plot to intensify.
“It also came with the benefit of the leases for the three restaurants and the bank having very limited lease term left,” RioCan senior vice-president of asset management John Ballantyne told RENX. “One of the toughest parts of converting retail properties into residential through intensifying them is freeing up the leases. This one had it already built in.”
The mixed-use project will include 545 units in 17- and 11-storey buildings, a podium with 30,000 square feet of retail space, a public park and a new service road on the south side of the property.
Unnamed institutional investment partners RioCan has done business with in the past have an 80 per cent financial stake in Verge. RioCan has retained a 20 per cent ownership interest along with project oversight as general partner and sole development manager.
The location offers accessibility to the Toronto Transit Commission’s Bloor subway line and Mimico GO Transit station as well as the Gardiner Expressway, Queen Elizabeth Way and Highway 427.
It’s about equidistant to downtown Toronto and downtown Mississauga, has retail close by and is a relatively short drive to Toronto Pearson Airport and Humber College.
Verge Condos units and amenities
Turner Fleischer is Verge’s architect and DesignAgency is overseeing the interior spaces.
Verge’s unit breakdown will be: 33 per cent one-bedroom; 35 per cent one-bedroom-and-den; 22 per cent two-bedroom; and 10 per cent three-bedroom. Units will range in size from 430 to 1,060 square feet. Pricing hasn’t yet been announced.
“We’re going to have integrated smart living throughout the buildings,” said Ballantyne. “Everything is going to be app-based, be it communicating with management or other residents within the building, booking amenity spaces, managing deliveries of parcels, access into the building and thermostats.
“The whole nine yards is going to be fully automated.”
There will also be a focus on creative work-from-home spaces, including: home offices; meeting rooms; soundproof phone booths; a video-ready content studio with pull-down backdrops and green screens; and an audio recording studio for podcasts and other presentations.
Verge’s other amenities will include: full concierge service; a fitness centre; a yoga/meditation studio; a pet spa; a party room; a cocktail lounge; an outdoor terrace with barbecues, chess and shuffleboard games; and an outdoor lounge offering south-facing views.
If sales go as well as anticipated, construction should start in the second half of 2022 with occupancy in Q1 2025.
Condo vs. purpose-built rental
RioCan Living was launched in 2018 to deliver purpose-built rental apartments and condos while leveraging RioCan’s more than 200 major market retail and mixed-use properties. The RioCan Living portfolio has grown to more than 2,000 units in seven completed rental residential and condo developments.
It was decided to go the condo route with Verge as part of a capital allocation strategy.
“We’d love to build all of it as purpose-built rental, but the reality is that you need to fund that development through condo development as well,” said Ballantyne.
There’s less condo development activity in Etobicoke than in neighbouring Toronto and Mississauga, according to Ballantyne, which also played a role in the decision.
Ballantyne expects RioCan Living to have about 10,000 residential units built by 2023.
“With the pandemic it has been a bit more difficult, both with the complexities of building in a pandemic as well as with costs going up,” he said. “But, we’re very excited about what we’re going to complete over the next few years.”
Other RioCan Living developments
Ballantyne highlighted several Toronto- and Ottawa-area developments.
Queen & Ashbridge’s 367 condo units at the corner of Queen Street East and Coxwell Avenue in Toronto, a partnership with Context, are 90 per cent sold. Construction will start later this year and occupancy is expected in November 2024.
Metropia and Capital Developments are partners on 11YV, which is under construction at 11 Yorkville Ave. in Toronto. Ninety-eight per cent of its 578 units are sold. May 2024 occupancy is being targeted.
Litho, a nine-storey, 210-unit purpose-built rental developed in partnership with Woodbourne Capital Management at 740 Dupont St. in Toronto, is just starting to lease now.
Strada, an eight-storey, 61-unit purpose-built rental at College Street and Manning Avenue in Toronto, will come online later this year.
RioCan and Woodbourne’s 592 purpose-built rental units at the 46-storey Four Fifty The Well, at Spadina Avenue and Front Street West in Toronto, are scheduled for completion in 2023.
The 503 units in U.C. Tower and the 153 units in U.C. Towns, a partnership with Tribute Communities at the Windfield Farms site in Oshawa, are sold out. The townhomes should be ready for occupancy later this year while the tower is targeting May 2022 for move-in.
“We’re about to launch a second set of tower products that will just be shy of 1,000 units over two towers,” said Ballantyne. “That has been an extremely strong project and RioCan continues to build a retail component all around it.”
Latitude at Frontier, a 20-storey, 209-unit purpose-built rental in the Gloucester section of Ottawa near Ogilvie Road and Highway 174, is about to come online. It’s a partnership with Killam Apartment REIT.
Rhythm, a 24-storey, 213-unit purpose-built rental near Carling Avenue and Merivale Road in Ottawa that’s half-owned by Woodbourne, will come online in 2022.
So will Luma, a nine-storey, 168-unit purpose-built rental near St. Laurent Boulevard and Smyth Road in the same city that has Killam as a partner.


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Fans of Halo have been waiting in anticipation for news on when the next game in the franchise will be available to play. We heard rumors that Halo 5 was delayed until late 2015. We have also heard rumors that Halo 2 Anniversary would be launching this year.
This week Microsoft Studios' Phil Spencer tweeted a tidbit that will make fans of Halo really look forward to E3 2014 this summer. Spencer tweeted that Halo news will be coming at E3. He also noted that 343 Industries has a great plan in place, exactly what plan he is talking about is unknown.
The tweet came in response to a gamer that tweeted at Spencer a question about what was going on with the next Halo game. It's always cool when a fan can ask a simple question and get a response from someone with Microsoft that knows. It's cool to get a response even if the response really doesn't offer any more information than wait and see.


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We’ve got breaking news out of Bloomberg bright and early Friday morning:
Tesla Inc. will start delivering China-built cars on Monday, a major milestone for Elon Musk’s company as it mounts a push to expand in the world’s largest electric-vehicle market.
The first 15 units of Model 3 sedans assembled at Tesla’s new multi-billion-dollar Shanghai plant — it’s first outside the U.S. — will be delivered to company employees on Dec. 30, a Tesla representative said by phone on Friday.Bloomberg
Okay, it’s only fifteen cars. But it’s a symbolic milestone as Tesla goes from muddy field to first deliveries all in the course of 2019. The company likely wants to start deliveries in volume in Q1 to try and smooth out sales volume –– you don’t want too many deliveries in Q4 and not enough in Q1.
The launch will also provide clues about Tesla’s ability to truly go global. The company is planning to follow up with a production facility in Europe, where it is enjoying burgeoning sales growth in several markets.Bloomberg
If Gigafactory Shanghai is in any way indicative of how Tesla’s Europe expansion will go, the future looks very bright.
Earlier Friday, the China-built Model 3 was included on a list of vehicles qualifying for an exemption from a 10% purchase tax in the country. Tesla said in October the locally built Model 3 will be priced from about $50,000. Further helping Tesla, the China-built model this month qualified for a government subsidy of as much as about 25,000 yuan ($3,600) per vehicle.Bloomberg
This is the start of a new chapter in Tesla’s history.
BREAKING NEWS: Tesla will deliver the first China-made Model 3 on Monday. @elonmusk @teslaTweet


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German lubricants manufacturer Liqui Moly has agreed a deal to sponsor the 2019 edition of the men’s World Handball Championship, which will be co-hosted by Denmark and Germany.
Liqui Moly will benefit from LED advertising exposure during all 96 matches of the tournament, which runs from January 10-27. The company will also give customers the chance to attend matches as part of the agreement.
Liqui Moly holds sponsorship deals across a host of sports, including the MotoGP motorcycling championship and the TCR touring car series.
Liqui Moly marketing director Peter Baumann said: “We want to increase our brand awareness outside of motorsport and this World Handball Championship is a great opportunity. The international orientation of a World Championship and the associated worldwide media presence will benefit us.”
The most recent World Handball Championship took place in France in 2017 and was won by the host nation.


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According to the Business Mirror, the Philippines Banana Planter and Exporter Association (PBGEA) stated that profits in the banana export market dropped by 15% because the outbreak of Covid-19 increased shipping costs and delayed transport.
Bakani, the head of the PBGEA, explained that the shipping cost increased by 15%-20% this year, and the transport period increased from an average of 25 days to an average of 30-33 days. The main reason for this delay in transport is the spillover effect from back logs in Chinese and Singaporean ports in late 2020. Back logs in one port mean that supply ships miss their rendezvous, which leads to further delays.
The Philippines suffers more from distribution problems in comparison with countries like Vietnam and Cambodia that are closer to the Chinese market. That is why Vietnamese and Cambodian bananas gradually push bananas from the Philippines out of the Chinese market. Last year almost 90% of the Chinese import bananas came from the Philippines, while only 10% came from Vietnam and Cambodia. This year almost 40% of the Chinese import bananas come from Vietnam and Cambodia.
According to Kabani, the decline in volume and value of banana export in the Philippines has people worried. Data shows that banana export declined by 51% in January to a mere 186,000 tons of bananas, while the export value declined by 47% to 85 million USD. Japan is still the largest export market for bananas from the Philippines in terms of export value, but China is the largest market in terms of volume. The income from banana export declined by 20.6% in 2020 to 1.55 billion USD. Bananas are the sixth most important export product in the Philippines.


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Scientists reveal the battery that can be charged in just TWO minutes - and say it could revolutionise smartphones and electric cars
This could be the answer to every smartphone user\'s dream. A battery that can be charged in just 120 seconds. According to researchers in Singapore, Charge the battery quickly and charge up to 70 in just two minutes. They also live ten times longer than the current battery, and now it is often difficult to keep charging after aging. Scientists at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) say their breakthroughs are widespread. Has a wide impact on all industries, especially electric vehicles, consumers have been delayed due to long charging times and limited battery life. The researchers said. Drivers of electric cars can save thousands of battery replacement costs and charge the car in just a few minutes. Electric vehicles can greatly increase their mileage by only five minutes of charging, which is equivalent to the time required for the current car to refuel, said Associate Professor Chen Xiaodong, who led the study. It is also important that we can now significantly reduce the toxic waste generated by discarded batteries, because our batteries are ten times longer than the current lithium battery life. ion batteries. Rechargeable lithium commonly used in mobile phones, tablets and electric vehicles- The charging cycle of an ion battery is usually 500 times. This is equivalent to a typical use time of two to three years, and it takes about two hours for each cycle to fully charge the battery. In the new NTU- Developed battery, conventional graphite for anode (negative pole) in lithium) Ion batteries are replaced by a new gel material made of titanium dioxide. Titanium dioxide is a rich, cheap and safe material found in the soil. It is usually used as a food additive or sunscreen to absorb harmful UV rays. The NTU team naturally found a way to convert titanium dioxide into tiny nanotubes that are thousands of times thinner than the diameter of human hair. This speeds up the chemical reactions that occur in the new battery, thus enabling ultra-high-speed charging. Invented by Associate Professor Chen Xiaodong of Nanda School of Materials Science and Engineering, the science behind the formation of new titanium dioxide gel is published in the latest issue of \"Advanced Materials\", the international leading science magazine in material science. Professor Chen and his team will apply for a certificate. of- Building a large concept authorization Scale battery prototype. With the help of NTUitive, a complete Nanda subsidiary established to support the launch of Nanda- Patent technology has attracted interest in the industry. The technology is currently getting a final production license for a company. Professor Chen expects a new generation of fast- Charging batteries will enter the market in the next two years. It also has the potential to be a key solution to overcome the long-term power problems associated with electricitymobility. The 10,000- The cycle life of the new battery also means that the driver of the electric vehicle will save the cost of replacing the battery, and the cost of each battery may exceed $5,000. According to Frost & Sullivan, a leading growth company, easy to manufacture Global rechargeable lithium market consultancy- The ion battery is expected to be worth $23. 2016 4 billion. Lithium- Ion batteries usually use additives to combine the electrodes with the anode, which affects the speed of electrons and ions entering and leaving the battery. However, Professor Chen\'s New Cross Titanium dioxide linked- Electrode-based electrodes eliminate the need for these additives and can pack more energy into the same space. It is very easy to make this new nano tube gel. Titanium dioxide is mixed with sodium hydroxide and stirred at a certain temperature, so battery manufacturers will find it easy to integrate new gels into their current production process. Professor Richard Yazami Inventor of lithium Graphite anode used for lithium today 30 years ago- Professor Chen said that the invention of ion batteries is the next major leap in battery technology. And the cost of lithium- Professor Yazami said that since Sony commercialized ion batteries in 1991, ion batteries have been greatly reduced, performance has also improved, and the market is expanding rapidly, to adapt to new applications in the field of electric mobility and energy storage, he did not participate in Professor Chen\'s research project. Last year, Professor Yazami was awarded the prestigious Draper Award by the National Institute of Engineering for his research. Breakthrough work to develop lithium Ion batteries with three other scientists. However, there is still room for improvement, and one of the key areas is the power density-how much power can be stored in a certain space-which is directly related to the fast charging capability. Ideally, the charging time of an electric vehicle battery should be less than 15 minutes, as demonstrated by Professor Chen\'s nano-structured anode.


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The Shopping Channel launched last week to no shortage of fanfare, and there’s no question awareness of the channel was boosted significantly by the appearance of Eva Longoria. But by and large, unlike a certain online trading website that launched this week, the Shopping Channel’s much-hyped debut seems to have gone relatively smoothly, and both ACP, which announced its partnership with the channel at a gala event on Wednesday night, and Ogilvy, have big plans for the brand.
ASB's Moodulator, with Spotify and Saatchi & Saatchi, got Facebookers involved through leveraging the year's biggest event, the Olympics.
Being a responsible corporate citizen has worked out well for Nature Shop.
We think illustrator Tane Williams is immensely talented, and we swear we're not biased in his favour just because his cover design for Idealog #31 was a finalist in the Maggies.
Auckland architecture firm Sills van Bohemen is sneaking some green back into Takapuna with the Hurstmere Green. Principal Christina van Bohemen is leading the charge.
With the likes of the Auckland Council and Melbourne's South East Water on the books, Nextspace is scratching the surface of a $2 billion market potential.
Creating fibres naked to the human eye is at the heart of what the Revolution Fibres team does. But add some secret sauce to these fibres and suddenly there's the potential to overturn the cosmetics, health and electronics markets. And that's just for starters.
Solar City's Andrew Booth is taking a different angle to solar rollout, and hopes councils will see the, erm, light.
Bet you’ve never seen a church quite like this before. The 'Reading between the lines' project is the result of a collaboration between Belgian architects Pieterjan Gijs and Arnout Van Vaerenbergh. The use of the horizontal plates aims to challenge the traditional concept of a church, transforming it into a transparent object of art, with the designers saying it “... emphatically transcends the strictly architectural”.
In October we featured a story about ArtBox, an initiative aiming to provide exhibition and retail space for approximately 100 Christchurch artists, craft practitioners and design retailers who have been displaced following the February earthquake. The initiative has moved from its concept stage with the first prototypes launched to members of the public.


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Among all the announcements made at Reliance Industries’ annual shareholder meeting on June 24, one that piqued Indian netizen’s interest was about the launch of the Jio Institute. As Nita Ambani announced that the multi-discipline university would start its first session in 2021, Indians flocked to Google to find more details about the institute.
“Jio Institute website” had breakout interest on Google in India for at least two days after the announcement. However, the portal was nearly impossible to find.
The top search result with the domain name Jio-institute.co.in is a bare-bones WordPress page that is not even run by Reliance Foundation, which is building the 800-acre university on the outskirts of Mumbai. And despite being an unofficial page of the institute, it is still the one that has more information than the real formal website that is obscurely named jievents.com. This official website does not even show up on the first page of Google search results.
Such a shoddy tech job is only the latest in a long list of technology faux pas for the nearly 50-year old oil-to-telecom conglomerate led by India’s richest man, Mukesh Ambani. And it stands out now because the Reliance Group has been trying to establish itself as a leader in internet and new-tech businesses.
“India is the third most attractive destination for investors interested in technological investments,” said Rahul Kumar, CEO and founder of digital marketing firm Rank Soldier. “Therefore, without a doubt, India’s legacy businesses need to maintain a tech presence so that they can attract foreign companies and investors.”
Over on Twitter and Facebook, the conglomerate has set up different handles for all its entities and is relatively active in tweeting out announcements and promotions. However, it has not been able to build a massive following nor does it have much engagement.
Most of Reliance’s brands, except Reliance Jio, have a minimal social media presence. And even the telco upstart, which boasts of over 40 crore subscribers, has less than 10 lakh followers on Twitter and Facebook, each.
The problem lies in a lack of vision, experts believe.
“Legacy businesses need to be more flexible,” said Rank Soldier’s Kumar. “They appear to be too restrictive and do not seem to communicate with their consumers on social media much. They should try to create awareness regarding the latest business trends, update their followers about their latest ventures and investments, or use the platforms to bust any of the myths about any of their ventures that may be circulating on the internet.”
Moreover, tailoring an online presence is not a problem you can simply throw money at. A sound judgment is equally, if not more important.
“They (Reliance) do invest a lot of money, but the processes and approaches of the agencies sometimes fail them,” said Boni Satani, head of marketing and partner at IT firm Zestard Technologies. “The decision-makers are not educated and do not know what they should be looking for in the team. They are mostly riding on the need that yes, we need a website, and we need a social media presence, but they do not understand the overall picture on why they should be online and how they should be communicating their message.”
Experts argue that it is important for businesses, big and small, to quit being lacklustre about their social media presence.
“Digital platforms are here to stay and an escapist attitude is not an option for a brand or a personality who has to survive in today’s competitive world,” Raghav Bagai, co-founder of digital marketing agency Sociowash, told Quartz.
Of course, there are cons to being on social media like customers taking to Twitter and LinkedIn to file negative customers reviews instead of lodging complaints via helplines and email. Companies may struggle to reply to such tweets since it often becomes a damned if you do, damned if you do not situation.
But still, the pros far outweigh these inconveniences.
Social media channels create a direct line of communication between customers and brands. Their presence on social media and constant updates are perceived as a sincere attempt at transparency, says Sathvik Vishwanath, co-founder and CEO of crypto firm Unocoin. “Being able to follow the companies and personalities they are willing to stay updated about makes the common man feel empowered,” he added.
One problem that does need immediate attention, though, is the customer experience.
Besides websites, the user experience on most of Reliance’s tech platforms is also subpar for users.
In 2016 Ambani’s group launched a digital services arm Jio with the promise of becoming India’s next tech bastion, even promising to lead India’s 5G revolution. But its products have turned out to be underwhelming.
Last year, the online grocery app JioMart was launched with a poor interface, where people’s orders got jumbled and they could not find a way to contact customer support. Its video-conferencing platform, JioMeet, was ridiculed for ripping off Zoom completely.
Some say Reliance’s approach to user design and experience is not entirely carelessness. It may just be a function of how recently the incumbent started developing a web presence versus, say, an Amazon.
“We have to understand the basics of digital platforms and how they function, and how are they made glitch-free,” Bagai told Quartz. “Contemporary technologies are AI-driven which requires data, which comes from frequent usage and feedback, to improve their performance.”
For now, some of the attempts to keep the design simple may even be deliberate. “The target audience for these indigenous platforms is different from the global ones,” Bagai added.
But sceptics feel enough effort is likely not being made.
“In Indian companies, the ‘chalta hai’ (anything goes) attitude is quite prevalent,” said Zestard’s Satani. “We are happy being ‘okay’ and having a few bugs here and there.”
Corrections and clarifications: A previous version of this article had wrongly attributed a quote to Sonam Shah, founder and CEO of Treize Communications, a communication consultancy and services firm. This information has been updated to attribute the quote to Raghav Bagai, Co-Founder of digital marketing agency Sociowash.
This article first appeared on Quartz.


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Virgin Mobile USA is set to refine its rate plans and data speeds, moves that align the company with its direct rivals and could provide a peak at the future of parent company Sprint Nextel Corp.’s (S) plans for data services.
Citing the increased data usage by consumers, Virgin Mobile USA said it will adjust the pricing of its Beyond Talk plans beginning July 20. The company’s entry-level plan will go from $25 to $35 per month for the same 300 anytime calling minutes, unlimited messaging and data, but will now include the previous $10 BlackBerry add-on.
The $40 plan that included 1,200 anytime calling minutes, unlimited messaging and data will now be priced at $45, but will also include the $10 BlackBerry add-on.
At the high end, Virgin Mobile USA cut the pricing of its unlimited Beyond Talk plan from $60 to $55 and is also throwing in the BlackBerry add-on for no charge.
Virgin Mobile USA noted that existing Beyond Talk customers could remain on their current plans as long as they don’t let their accounts expire. This includes device upgrades.
Virgin Mobile USA’s Beyond Talk plans were introduced last year and were seen as a very aggressive move in the prepaid mobile space targeting consumers that focus more on data and messaging services. Along with fellow Sprint Nextel subsidiary Boost Mobile, Virgin Mobile USA has been at the forefront of the strong prepaid growth posted by its parent company over the past several quarters.
The new rate plans position Virgin Mobile USA closer to Boost Mobile, which offers an unlimited plan for $50 per month – a rate that can shrink to as low as $35 per month over time. The new pricing is also more in line with pricing from prepaid rivals MetroPCS Communications Inc. and Leap Wireless International Inc.’s Cricket service.
A recent J.D. Powers and Associates survey found that prepaid consumers were increasingly turning to monthly rate plans and away from more traditional pay-per-minute plans.
Data throttling set for October
Beginning in October Virgin Mobile USA is also implementing data speed throttling for consumers that exceed 2.5 gigabytes of data transmission per month. The carrier has been using that threshold and data throttling for its Broadband2Go offering. Once a customer exceeds that data threshold, they will have their regular 3G connection speeds cut to 256 kilobits per second through the end of their billing cycle.
Virgin Mobile USA noted that less than 3% of its customers use more than 2.5 GB of data per month.
Currently Sprint Nextel is the only nationwide operator that does not cap or throttle data usage for smartphones on its network, a selling point analysts feel could benefit the operator. However, with data usage continuing to skyrocket, many feel that it will be only a matter of time before Sprint Nextel is forced to implement some form of control.
Sprint Nextel CEO Dan Hesse has said the carrier was looking at some form of data management, but has yet to decide on a plan. But, with the capabilities for throttling already in its system, the move for Sprint Nextel into that realm would appear to be smooth.
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Bingo Entertainment Shows 48% Revenue Hike in UK Market
While the poker industry is fluctuating and floundering in the aftermath of Black Friday, the online gaming businesses are seeking to promote other gaming sectors like bingo.
Bingo Entertainment, one of the top providers of bingo gaming services, recently announced that its revenue had picked up in the year 2011. The online bingo company’s revenue reports also indicated that Bingo Entertainment’s position in the UK bingo market has greatly improved with the site making a 48% profit.
Bingo Entertainment which was established in 1999 did not make a big hit on the online bingo market in the UK until it launched the reputed bingo site titled Gina Bingo. In the past year, Bingo Entertainment has noted a steady growth rate and watched its revenue jump from $1.29 from the first quarter of the year 2011 to $1.92 million in the first quarter of the year 2011.
According to a statement made by Bingo Entertainment, the surge in revenue in the past year was due the launch of the Gina Bingo site which was later followed by yet another successful bingo gaming site by the name of Ritzy Bingo. The company also announced future plans to expand its presence in the UK bingo gaming market and has taken steps towards that goal by launching several other bingo sites on their network such as Yes Bingo, Britain’s Got Bingo, Bingo Shake and Bingo Blowout.
One of the reasons for the success of the Bingo Entertainment network in the UK gaming industry and its 48% hike in revenue may be because the company offers bingo sites the opportunity to link to 3 different networks. This means a better choice of games and promotions for the site in question.
The land based and online bingo giant Mecca Bingo have rejected a recent takeover bid. The parent comapny "Rank" is currently listed on the London stock exchange. Major share holder, Malaysian investor Quek Leng Chan recently increased his stake in the company to over 40%. Whether [...] Read More>>
Mr. Gary C, turned out to be a very lucky player when he recently won the huge £54000 jackpot while playing Tiki Temple at the Jackpot Joy Bingo site. Gary later commented that he never expected to win and that he was just playing to [...] Read More>>
The UK government is on a campaign to improve internet literacy in the country after they discovered that around 9 million Brits have never used the internet in their lives. To alter this sad circumstance, the government has launched the Race Online 2012 Campaign which [...] Read More>>
People played bingo to raise funds for the repair of a war memorial at an entertaining event, which was held at the Seaham-based Marlborough Pub. According to a news report in the Sunderland Echo, the venue decorated with sandbags and netting looked as if it [...] Read More>>


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But a new survey of 18,000 workers shows 1 in 3 are merely pushing papers. Here are 4 quick tips to help your company use automation and AI to boost productivity
It turns out the new way of working looks a lot like the old way. New research shows we're still wasting time doing things that don't add value to our companies or our careers. And we're missing opportunities to be more productive, like making better use of artificial intelligence (AI) and automation to speed up our most time-consuming, repetitive tasks.
The employee view
The latest Slack State of Work Report is based on a global survey of more than 18,000 workers. It shows that even as many companies talk about the need to become more efficient, they're not necessarily equipping employees with the tools to make it happen.
Customer intimacy is all about discovering what matters most to each customer, and delivering that experience every time.
Customer intimacy, the marketing strategy that helps you make powerful connections with your customers, is not new. The unconventional term has been around for three decades: Harvard Business Review wrote about it in 1993, Forbes caught up with it 10 years later, and today, we're still talking about it. What is customer intimacy, and why is it relevant now?
Although the definition has shifted with the digital landscape, the basic concept of customer intimacy - building relationships through personalization, consistency, and outstanding experiences - has stayed the same. What's changed? Consumers have more choices than ever. Showing that you understand them on a deeper level is critical to your company's success and differentiation.
See all Archived Salesforce News articles
See all articles from this issue


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- All
- Week that was
- Interviews & Opinion
- Focal Point
- Job News
- News
MakeVR Pro Improves 3D Modelling In VR
Pro upgrade from Vive Studios and Sixense adds functionality to award-winning CAD software.
HTC Now Hiring For VR
Several positions now available to work with Vive in America, from artists to evangelists to internship.
Dunkirk VR Experience Out Now On Vive
Warner Bros prepares cinema audiences for Dunkirk by taking them into the battle on land, sea and air in VR experience, Save Every Breath.
Vive Studios Releases New WWII Shooter
Front Defense launches on Viveport today, Steam release next month.
New Vive Controllers Incoming
Valve is now sending second generation VR control hardware to developers, enabling finger tracking and gestures.
Viveport Subscription Gets 75 New Titles
Star Trek: Bridge Crew Free With Vive
Vive To Get WiGig Wireless VR
HTC and Intel announce a partnership to produce wireless solution with less that 7ms latency.
HTC Vive Finance For UK Market
British consumers can buy now, pay later, as HTC Vive reveals new finance package; rest of Europe to follow.
Vive Eye-Tracking Is Here
HTC announces bolt-on solution from Beijing ViveX partner, pre-orders open next month.
New London Premises Open To Demo VR
Shoreditch business enables the public to experience room-scale VR; businesses to showcase their products.
Viveport Subscription Goes Live This Week
HTC Vive to launch world’s first VR subscription on Wednesday with a library of 50 curated titles; price revealed; pre-registration opens.
HTC Vive Marks First Anniversary With Vive Day
Vive Studios' Arcade Saga free to existing customers and £100 hardware discount for new customers.
Interview: HTC Vive’s Graham Breen On Ecosystems And Accelerators
Graham Breen, Program Manager EMEA Virtual Reality at HTC Vive, talks to us about trackers, audio straps, Viveport, performance to date and what’s next for Vive VR.


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Launched in January 2016 as a community on Facebook to address the challenges in the fitness industry, Squats now claims of over 70,000 fitness transformations, and a highly-engaged community of 500,000 members. Its mobile app, Fittr, has received more than 200,000 downloads since September 2018, and the company says its cumulative revenues over the years have touched $8.5 million.
Squats said it will use the funds to enhance its technological framework, strengthen team, and expand operations pan-India.
“Suniel has continuously set new benchmarks in his acting career, business and fitness. His success across domains is driven by the clarity of his vision. Even at 58, he is fitter than most people in their mid-20s. This coming together of mutual synergies is testament to the strength of the Squats’ result-oriented approach to fitness,” said Jitendra Chouksey, founder, Squats.
Shetty said that the investment is influenced by the bootstrapped company’s high growth and profitable business operations.
“In today’s time, when all kinds of false information about fitness is common, there is a critical need for companies like Squats, which address the issues of trust and credibility in the Indian fitness space, focusing on ‘balancing quantified nutrition with weight training’. I truly believe in the vision and approach of its founding team, and its future growth potential as India’s preferred fitness brand,” Shetty added.
The company aims of making 50 million people fit and create one lakh jobs in the fitness space.
- Front Page
- Pure Politics
- ET Markets
- Crypto Exchanges Accused of Laundering ₹1,000 Crore
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is probing at least ten cryptocurrency exchanges for allegedly laundering more than ₹1,000 crore identified as proceeds of crime of the accused firms under investigation in the instant loan app case in which most have a China link, said people aware of the matter.AIFs Due for Closure Struggle to Sell Holdings in Startup Firms
Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs) that are scheduled to wind up in the next few months have been struggling to sell their holdings in unlisted ventures and startups, as investors stay clear of risky investments due to tightening liquidity.New RBI Norms Keep 3rd Party Out of Digital Lending Process
The Reserve Bank of India on Wednesday said disbursal of loans and collection of repayments must be executed only between borrowers and entities regulated by it, and that no third party should be involved in this process.
ETPrime stories of the day
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