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Don Valley Stadium, local TV, retail report critical of government
The Don Valley Stadium, England's largest athletics facility, is to close. Plus Britain's retail bosses brand Portas a missed opportunity, and will local TV work? With Peter White.
The Don Valley Stadium in Sheffield is to close. The city's council say they can't afford to keep England's largest athletics facility open meanwhile Sport's Minister Hugh Robertson says it's sad but insists the Olympic legacy remains intact.Local TV will launch this summer but will it be any more successful than previous attempts to offer a more localised service.The health needs of the homeless costs more per capita than any other group of people; what can be done to offer more effective treatment for Britain's rising population of homeless people.Boardgames are making a comeback. It is not only old favourites but also new games invented by people raised on video games and web apps that are setting the tills ringing. A new map of England is being constructed to include hundreds of data sets in one interactive map. The Royal Town Planning Institute say it will be invaluable for planners and the public alike as they look to future development of their communities.Magazines are in decline; we hear from two editors about why and what can be done to boost the sector.Top athlete Colin Jackson reflects on his glory days at the now doomed Don Valley stadium and what it means for athletics in England and the Olympic legacy.Comedian Mark Watson's red nose day comedy marathon.Britain's top retail bosses brand the Portas Towns project as a missed opportunity and demand more focus on reducing bureaucracy and business charges as key to the revival of retail and the high street.
Don Valley Stadium
The closure of the Don Valley Stadium in Sheffield will be confirmed by councillors
Local TV Stations
Local TV stations will be launched across the UK – but will anyone watch?
The UK’s first international conference on homeless health.
Sales of a new generation of traditional board games are growing.
Mark Watson - Comic Relief
Comic Mark Watson is doing a 25 hour non-stop comedy improvisation show for Comic Relief.
Don Valley - Colin Jackson
Former Great Britain Olympic athlete Colin Jackson is disappointed at the decision.
Consumer Magazine Sales figures.
Map of Britain
A Map of Britain to help communities and planners understand their locale better.
High Street Survey
Britain’s top retail bosses criticise government’s high street policy in new report.
Download the Smart Consumer podcast


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Microsoft will use "Windows 8" or "Modern" as replacements for the now-discarded "Metro" label to describe apps and their environment in the upcoming operating system, according to reports yesterday and today.
Veteran Microsoft watcher Mary Jo Foley, citing unnamed sources, reported one possible substitute Thursday in her "All Things Microsoft" blog.
According to Foley, the phrase "Metro style application" will be replaced by "Windows 8 application." Other Metro references will also take on the new term, with "Metro user interface" morphing to "Windows 8 user interface" and "Metro design" changing to "Windows 8 design."
Last week, The Verge reported that Microsoft was stepping back from Metro as the label it's used for more than a year to describe the new tile-based environment and associated apps in both Windows 8 and Windows RT.
Microsoft confirmed the deprecation of the term, but claimed that it had used Metro only as a code name, an argument that held little water as the company had never said as much regarding Windows 8 or Windows RT. Microsoft executives, and the company itself in innumerable press releases and developer documents, had used Metro to describe the apps and the WinRT-based environment they run in.
Microsoft has been using Metro to define a wide range of concepts in Windows 8 and Windows RT, from the underlying typographical-heavy design to the color-subdued user interface (UI) for Windows programs and services, including the upcoming Office 2013 and the previewed Outlook.com email service.
Foley's bet was not the only one in the name-this-name game.
Today, The Verge's Tom Warren pointed to an increased use of "modern" by Microsoft to claim that that word is the real substitute for Metro.
Warren spotted "Modern" in several places, including a Thursday blog on the MSDN (Microsoft Developer Network) site and a listing for an upcoming event aimed at IT professionals. In the latter, for example, Microsoft used "Windows 8 Modern UI Apps" to refer to Metro apps, and "Modern UI Style" to label the user interface of such software.
Microsoft has long used "modern" to describe Metro and Windows 8.
The two new terms, Windows 8 and Modern, could indicate confusion on the part of Microsoft or simply a placeholder status for one -- perhaps the former -- and the actual replacement.
Microsoft declined to comment on the usage of "Windows 8" and "Modern," with a spokeswoman saying, "We have no information to share."
Windows 8 is set to reach some customers this month, but will not go on sale until Oct. 26.
A description of an Aug. 16 event for public sector developers shows a widespread use of "Modern" as a label for what was once known as "Metro."
Gregg Keizer covers Microsoft, security issues, Apple, Web browsers and general technology breaking news for Computerworld. Follow Gregg on Twitter at @gkeizer, on Google+ or subscribe to Gregg's RSS feed. His email address is email@example.com.
Read more about windows in Computerworld's Windows Topic Center.

domain: news


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4/15 Update: An employee of the Arlington location has told us that the Downtown Silver Spring reopening has been delayed approximately two weeks.
Kaldi’s Social House to Reopen Tomorrow (Thursday, 4/15/21)
Kaldi’s Social House in Downtown Silver Spring has been closed for remodeling, but will reopen tomorrow, according to a post on its social media.
The remodeling will include “the roof raised and enclosed, replacing the louvered roof that was in place, with soundproofing and insulation partly due to Thayer and Spring apartment residents being unhappy with the noise coming from the rooftop,” according to Source of the Spring.
Kaldi’s, which is located on 918 Silver Spring Ave., is a popular coffee house that also serves food and alcohol in its two locations (second location in Arlington).
Below you’ll see a couple rendering of the new enclosed roof, courtesy of Kaldi’s website. In addition to the remodeling, the restaurant will also be returning with a brand new menu.


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The likes of Alcatel, ZTE and Huawei are involved in the Firefox OS initiative, making handsets with this platform on board. ZTE has already rushed the process and came up with the first devices and now it’s Alcatel’s turn to make a mark in the mobile industry. This time they showcased the Alcatel One Touch Fire at MWC 2013.
Alcatel One Touch Fire is basically an entry level phone that’s a remake of the One Touch T’Pop handset announced at CES 2013. It packs a 3.5 inch HVGA display, a 1 GHz CPU, 256 MB of RAM and 512 MB of storage. There’s a 3.2 megapixel camera at the back and other predictable features: WiFi, Bluetooth 3.0, GPS, FM radio and a microSD card slot. Finally, there’s a removable 1,400 mAh battery in here.
Bundled with the phone there’s a 2 GB card and you’ll use a mini SIM card on this device. The Fire has a glossy plasticky body, available in orange or pink, but it does feel like a solid machine overall. Performance may not be the best, since this is still one of the initial Firefox OS handsets, but this is still an appealing idea, a handset that will launch in June.


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Think Imagine Angel Tree meets an Amazon wish list, and you’ll get the gist of what a team of entrepreneurs at UNC is trying to create with their for-profit social venture.
Called CommuniGift, the super-early startup, based at 1789 Venture Lab in Chapel Hill, bills itself as a one-stop shop for giving and gifting online.
Users can sponsor disadvantaged families directly through the platform. Additionally, they can request, organize and purchase gifts for family and friends – and that’s where the for-profit side comes in.
Co-founder Thomas Doochin says the idea came to him last Christmas.
“I’d given my parents of wish list of 20 items and they got six items for me,” he says. “Everything was a surprise.”
But he started thinking about people whose holiday wish lists would go unanswered. People, he says, want to give. They just need the convenience factor provided by his service.
“They don’t have time to go out and research a nonprofit, go to Target, get a gift,” he explains. His service allows people to find vetted families and get to know them through a description before giving. And, while they’re there, they can fill out their own wish lists. His platform allows a family to see what everyone is asking for, so that your grandma and your aunt don’t buy you the same video game.
“You can do this with your friend group as well,” he says.
And an Amazon Partnership means up to 15 percent of the purchases made through the site go back to the business. Some of that will also go toward helping needy families, but the amount has not yet been determined.
The team has raised $10,000 to pay for legal fees via a sole angel investor, and plans to raise between $100,000 and $200,000 in the early part of of 2014 to flesh out the concept.
“We have a lot of ideas we want to build on,” he says.
Aaron Scarboro, founder of 1789, calls the trio a “feel-good story” in time for the holidays.
1789 Venture Lab is a Franklin Street-based entrepreneurial co-working space in Chapel Hill that focuses on recent and current students at UNC. The space opened in May and intends to work with earlier-phase startups than their other Chapel Hill counterpart, Launch Chapel Hill.


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Twitter launching music discovery app Video
Twitter launching music discovery app Video Transcript
It's time to tweet to the beat. I'm Bridget Carey, and this is your CNET update. Twitter is about to launch its own music app. As of Friday afternoon, the site music.twitter.com was up, but not active. But Ryan Seacrest got an invite. He's tweeted about how he's been testing it out and loving it. CNET was first to report on Twitter working on a music app that would suggest artists and songs to listen to based on different things, like the accounts you follow or artists that are trending. Looks like Twitter might want to launch this during the Coachella Music and Arts Festival in California. Stay tuned for updates on that. The Facebook Home interface came out Friday, but only a few of the newest Android phones can get it. However, Facebook updated its Messenger app on Android to give everyone access to the Chat Heads feature. Once installed, if a friend sends a text or Facebook message, a circle with their head will pop up and float on your screen, reminding you to get back to them-- that is until you remove it. Some of the latest gadgets were on display at the Digital Focus Technology Showcase in New York. You may have heard about the Nest Smart Thermostat, but Honeywell is also coming out with an advanced connected system for the home, called the Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat. It has the connected features you expect, like being able to change the temperature and set timers from an app. It also sends alerts when the environment changes greatly, or if it's time to change the filter. It learns how long it takes to heat or cool the home, so it's ready when you wake up or arrive from work. And you can set the screen color to match your home dÃ©cor. It comes out in May for $250, same price as the Nest Thermostat, and it will be sold at Home Depot. Also making an appearance at the show was the Linkase, a case for your Smartphone that has a built-in antenna to boost your Wi-Fi connection signal by up to 50 percent. It doesn't mean you'll have a faster connection, just that the connection is stronger when on Wi-Fi. It costs $50, comes in multiple colors, and right now, it's only for the iPhone 5, but the company is making it for the Galaxy S4 and the iPad, and I'm told they are looking into ways the case can boost cellular signals. Now, that would be helpful it ever happens. Duracell showed off a new iPhone 5 wireless charging station and case, which has a backup battery that you could snap on to the back for extra juice. There's a new smart tag coming up from iFi Systems. It keeps track of your phone and other items. An alarm will go off if this tag gets too far from the phone, and it serves as a pager if you can't find your phone or your keys. The company now has separate versions for Android and Apple devices, but in two months, one Silver version is coming out, that works on both, costing $30. That's your tech news update. You could find more details on these stories at CNET.com/update. From our studios in New York, I'm Bridget Carey.
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More than just an app, Facebook's latest product is a new skin for Android devices. Bridget Carey explains how Facebook Home changes the interface of a phone.Honeywell Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat matches home decor
Honeywell takes on Nest with its own Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat that can be programmed with a smartphone app. Bridget Carey takes a look at the system and its screen, which can be set to match any room color.Ep. 1108: Where we're not looking from behind
Joseph Kaminski and Bridget Carey help me kick off a week of 404 episodes without Jeff, and we'll start by questioning the use of technology in the Olympics--do advanced equipment like Speed's LZR swimsuits and Nike's Speedsuits give athletes an unfair advantage? We'll also brainstorm the best music to motivate a workout, and look at a Web site that uses Twitter for pure evil.Apple WWDC roundup: iTunes Radio, iOS 7, Mavericks, and MacBook Air
CNET's Bridget Carey gives a quick explanation of the new Apple products and software revealed at WWDC 2013, including the new look of iOS 7 and the iTunes Radio streaming music service.Ep. 1117: Where we get lost in time
Gems Peterson and Bridget Carey stop by the 404 studio to help out with today's stories that include a century-old time capsule, the absolute death of the cassette tape, Facebook launching a faster iOS app, and LL Cool J bringing the boomdizzle on a home intruder.Vuzix M100 Smart Glasses
Bridget Carey tries the Vuzix M100 Smart Glasses, a wearable wireless headpiece with an HD camera and a floating eyepiece display.Google I/O news roundup
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Tablet gaming is about to take an evolutionary leap. Bridget Carey chats with CNET senior editor Scott Stein on the best iPad games and where the industry is heading.What you must see at CES 2014
CNET's Bridget Carey highlights some of the most interesting products on display at the Consumer Electronics Show, including Sony's 4K Ultra Short Throw Projector, Intel's wireless charging bowl, and the Audi A7 self-driving car.


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The FCC is stepping up its data collection on mobile broadband service, bringing its information on wireless on par with the statistics it holds on fixed Internet access.
The Commission has already taken steps to produce accurate measurements of fixed broadband service, but its data on the performance of mobile broadband has been limited.
Under a newly announced expansion of its broadband measurement program, the FCC will use "statistically sound methodology" to analyze cellular service on smartphones and other devices.
“We know from experience: Transparency on broadband speeds drives improvement in broadband speeds," FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski said, citing improvements in wired broadband linked to its performance studies.
The agency's new Measuring Mobile America initiative "will empower consumers and encourage improvements in mobile networks and programs,” Genachowski said.
The program has already been approved. Commission staff will go over methods for collecting and analyzing data at the FCC's next open meeting on Sept. 21.
CTIA and a number of top wireless operators have already committed to cooperate with the agency's effort, including AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile USA and Verizon Wireless.
Last month, the FCC released its first-ever report on the nation's Internet access to include information on mobile broadband. The report used separate sets of data from the State Broadband Initiative and Mosaik Solutions.
The two sources offered conflicting findings on the availability of high-speed wireless service, with the state data showing mobile broadband was more widely available than the statistics collected by Mosaik Solutions.
The State Broadband Initiative reported that just 19.7 million Americans lacked access to wireless service with speeds of 3 Mbps or higher. Mosaik found that between 94 million and 150 million Americans did not have access to mobile broadband at those speeds, with the variance depending on whether it included HSPA+.
In that report, the FCC expressed concerns about the accuracy of the data, saying both sets of information likely "overstated" mobile broadband deployment.


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The US Cotton Trust Protocol has announced a new milestone for the 2021/22 crop, doubling the programme’s participation since its pilot last year.
The initiative is focused on setting a new standard for sustainable cotton production which pushes for transparency and reducing environmental footprints.
“During our second year we doubled the number of US cotton growers in the programme with an estimated 1.1 million cotton acres enrolled,” said Gary Adams, president of the organisation, in a release.
Adams continued: “Our grower members are global leaders when it comes to sustainable cotton production, and as supply chain membership continues to grow, producers are encouraged to join the initiative to help ensure there is enough cotton in the system to meet demand.”
The Trust Protocol said it has welcomed over 600 brand, retailer, mill and manufacturer members since its inception in 2020, including the likes of Madewell, J.Crew, Levi Strauss & Co. and Gap.


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MARRERO, La. -- Michelle Obama brought her 'Let's Move' message to New Orleans on Tuesday.
She told a Latino audience that childhood obesity is an epidemic in the country. The number of Hispanic children affected is 40 percent.
The First Lady reminded the La Raza conference that by overeating, buying possessed foods that are not nutritious and not being physically active, we're making ourselves sick and shortening our lives.
'We often say it is a public health issue, which is true since we spend $190 billion a year treating obesity related illnesses like diabetes, cancer, and heart disease,' Obama said from the podium at the New Orleans Convention Center.
She said her three-year-old Let's Move initiative is making a difference.
'The Food Trust, which is working right here in New Orleans, is bringing fresh food into our communities. Restaurants are offering healthier menus. Mayors throughout the country are refurbishing parks and playgrounds, and we are bringing healthier breakfast, lunches and vending machines into our school cafeterias,' Obama noted.
She says people should use the free market, supply and demand, to make change.
'That starts by using our power as consumers to hold companies responsible for the food they make and how they market it to our kids. In 2008 alone, companies spent well over $500 million on food, beverage and restaurant ads in Latino media markets, many of them for unhealthy products,' Obama said. 'We all have the power to decide whether or not to actually buy those foods. And today, the Latino community buying power is more than $1 trillion. You hear me, trillion with a 'T.''
Later in the day, Mrs. Obama went to actor and entrepreneur Wendell Pierce's grocery Sterling Farms. It is one that stocked with fresh, healthful choices.
'And she just said, 'I'm very proud of you. I know how much of a risk that is for you as a business. I'm glad that you heeded my call. I'm glad that you understand what we're trying to do,' ' recalls Pierce.


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September trade data adds to recent evidence of the worst quarterly performance for the German economy since 2015
A combination of slowing world trade and temporary factors like the new emissions norms for autos hit the German export sector over the summer months. In September, exports dropped by 0.8% month-on-month from a slightly upwardly revised 0.1% in August. German exports have now dropped in four out of the last six months. At the same time, imports decreased by 0.4% MoM, which narrowed the trade balance to €17.6 billion from €18.2 billion.
Today’s trade data ends a disappointing week for German industry. Available monthly data suggests that the economy had its worst quarterly performance in 3Q since the beginning of 2015. The first GDP estimate will be released next week on Wednesday.


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Kolkata, Sep 27 (IANS) In view of the proposed nationwide strike on Friday to demand scrapping of the Centre’s draft notification on sale of drugs by e-pharmacies, West Bengal’s chemists and druggists on Thursday said they would hold a protest march but not shut their shops.
They also urged the Centre to introduce cost-based pricing of medicines and fixing MRP of medicines fairly.
Around 3,000 protesters from the city and surrounding districts will participate in the rally and submit a memorandum to the Governor, Bengal Chemists and Druggists Association President Sankha Roychoudhury told reporters here.
“Our members will also hold rallies in the districts but will keep their pharmacies open so that customers do not face problems,” he said.
The e-pharmacies will completely shadow reporting of adverse drug reaction since the customers cannot go and exchange drugs in case there is any problem, said All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggist (AIOCD) former General Secretary Kamal Kumar Mukim.
The Centre’s draft notification on e-pharmacies says: “Any person who intends to conduct business of e-pharmacy shall apply for the grant of registration to the Central Licensing Authority in Form 18AA through the online portal of the Central government.”
There are more than nine lakh retail and wholesale chemists throughout the country.
“If the proposal is passed, lakhs of pharmacy owners will have to close down due to non-viability of operations leading to huge unemployment,” he said.


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It’s official — this year’s Reebok CrossFit Games Open has the highest number of registrants of all time. This year, 204,000 athletes competed, compared to 26,000 athletes that competed the first year of the Games, in 2011.
According to the official Reebok CrossFit Games website, athletes Sam Briggs and Dan Bailey won this year’s Open Workout 14.1, which is a retest of the first ever Open Workout in 2011. Both athletes will receive $2,014.
According to her Games profile, Briggs began CrossFitting in May 2009, and is a CrossFit Level 1 Coach with her own Box, called Train in the UK. According to his profile, Bailey has been doing CrossFit for less than two years, and is also a CrossFit Level 1 Coach.
14.1 called for a 10-minute AMRAP of 30 double unders and 15 power snatches.
The CrossFit Games Open workout 14.2 will be announced live in Miami, Fla. at I Am CrossFit at 5 p.m. EST. Visit Games.CrossFit.com to tune in, or keep an eye on BoxProMag.com’s website for an update.
By Rachel Zabonick


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TV show The Office stars Angela Kinsey and on-screen husband – and vegan – Rainn Wilson have made a YouTube video where they bake plant-based brownies.
Wilson, who dropped animal products earlier this year, reunited with his former co-star in Kinsey’s and her real-life husband Josh Snyder to star in their YouTube cooking show, Baking with Josh and Ange.
The actor, known for portraying dorky Dwight Schrute on the series, told the segment hosts he only became plant-based recently – but plans to stick to the diet.
Speaking to Kinsey and Snyder, Wilson said of his plant-based journey: “I tried just for a month to go vegan to just see what it would be like.
“First week kind of sucked and then after that I really enjoyed it. I actually had more energy and slept better.
“Occasionally… there was some cheese popcorn the other night and I had some. Or if I went to a sushi bar, I’ll have like a piece of fish.”
Wilson took to Instagram in October to tell his fans about the dietary transition, saying: “So about six weeks ago or so, my wife Holiday Reinhorn and I decided to try veganism for month. As an experiment.
“We were so dependent on eating animals and animal products, we just wanted to try it.
“Give our digestive systems a change-up.”
You can watch the full videohere


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The highly anticipated trailer for Marvel Studios “Moon Knight” is now officially out! Check it out down below!
Check out the brand new OFFICIAL TRAILER for Spider-Man No Way Home hitting theaters Mid-December!
Watch the brand new teaser trailer for ‘Lightyear’, a movie exploring the origin story of Buzz Lightyear!
The Book of Boba Fett finally has a release date on when it's coming to Disney+! The Mandalorian spinoff series will follow the bounty hunter
Watch the brand new official trailer for Disney's 'Encanto' coming to theaters this year, November 24th, 2021!
Check out our very first look at the brand new Marvel series coming to Disney+ in November, 'Hawkeye', with a brand new trailer!
It's finally here! The brand new trailer for Spider-Man No Way Home has just dropped! Check out the new trailer now!
The final trailer has been released for Marvel Studios' "Eternals"! Check out what this movie has in store for all of us now!
It’s official! Loki, the hit Marvel Studios’ series on Disney+ is now coming back for a second season.
Check out our NO SPOILERS REVIEW on Marvel Studios' "Black Widow" coming to theaters and Disney+ July 9, 2021!
Marvel has just released the brand new official trailer for 'What if...?'. This brand new series is coming to Disney+ August 11!
Marvel Studios' just dropped a brand new teaser trailer for the highly anticipated "Eternals". Check it out now!
Today via Twitter, the Disney+ account revealed a brand new sneak peek at the very highly-anticipated upcoming series, Monsters at Work, Pixar’s first series streaming July 2nd!
Check out the brand new trailer for Disney's Live-Action Movie, Cruella! This live-action adaptation hits screens this May!
After nearly a 6 month delay, Disney's live action 'Mulan' finally hit T.V. screens this Labor Day weekend and here's our QUICK MOVIE REVIEW!
New episodes of 'The Mandalorian' will start streaming October 30th on Disney+ when season 2 officially kicks off!
Actor Chadwick Boseman who stared in the leading role in Marvel's 'Black Panther' & 'Avengers' movies died of colon cancer on Friday.
Paul Rudd has just confirmed that 'Ant Man 3' "Is in The Works" at Marvel Studios. Fans have been wondering whether or not the franchise would continue but now


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Stricter payment rules to small businesses now in force
Large businesses signed up to the Prompt Payment Code must now pay all small businesses within 30 days – half the time previously required.
The reforms to the Prompt Payment Code (PPC), which were introduced last week (1st July 2021), require all signatories to pay 95% of invoices from small businesses (those with less than 50 employees) within 30 days.
The target for paying larger suppliers will remain 95% of invoices within 60 days.
The changes, announced in January, encourage companies to stand by smaller suppliers by paying on time at a critical time for the UK’s economic recovery.
Encouraging best practice
The PPC, first established in 2008, aims to encourage and promote best practice between organisations and their suppliers.
It currently has over 3,000 signatories who commit to paying their suppliers within clearly defined terms.
Yet poor payment practices are still rife.
According to the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), around 50,000 businesses close every year due to late payments.
- Prompt Payment Code strengthened to help tackle late payment
- 14 steps to monitor the creditworthiness of customers in 2021
- Why not supplying bad customers makes perfect business sense
- Why credit control could hold the key as the future brightens
The changes include:
- Confirming the requirement to pay 95% of invoices within 60 days
- Introducing the requirement that 95% of invoices from small businesses (less than 50 employees) must be paid within 30 days
- Requiring small and medium sized signatories to report annually on their payment performance
- Promoting and strengthening the Code website
- Requiring signatories to recognise the right of suppliers to charge late payment interest
- Applications to join the Code must now be signed by businesses owners, Finance Directors or CEOs
- Suppliers should be provided with a contact point for payment queries
What happens when signatories don’t follow the rules?
Any signatories who do not comply can be suspended or removed from the code.
A record of signatories and struck-off companies can be found on the Small Business Commissioner website.
While the PPC has not suspended any signatories during the pandemic, it is expected to now step up enforcement.
What do you think? Will the strengthened Prompt Payment Code help tackle the late payment culture in Britain? Share your thoughts in the comments below.


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Washington: US carrier Verizon will launch recently announced HTC’s flagship phablet HTC One Max this holiday season.
HTC just unveiled the One Max and said carriers would announce when they’d offer the phablet to customers. Verizon is the first U.S. carrier to confirm it will carry the 5.9-inch smartphone.
In quite the role reversal, Verizon is the first U.S. carrier to confirm that it will offer the HTC One Max to its customers. Verizon was the only major U.S. carrier to sit out of the launch of the HTC One.
As the smartphone got more popular, Verizon customers urged the carrier to offer the all-aluminum handset. Verizon finally gave in to its customer’s requests and started selling the device in August.
The carrier has now announced via its Twitter page that the HTC One Max will be coming to its network “this holiday season.” Verizon has not released any specifics and it’s unclear whether it will offer both the 16GB and 32GB options.
The HTC One Max boasts a 5.9-inch display with a resolution of 1080 x 1920 and ships with Android 4.3 Jelly Bean and HTC Sense 5.5. It uses a 1.7GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 processor and 2GB of RAM to keep things flowing smoothly. HTC will offer the One Max in two storage capacities, 16GB and 32GB and, unlike the HTC One, the One Max includes a microSD expansion slot that will allow users to increase their storage. That will come in handy especially when using the HTC UltraPixel rear camera, which features a dedicated HTC ImageChip, BSI sensor, Smart Flash, and ability to record Full HD 1080p video. The front-facing camera is a 2.1-megapixel shooter that can also record 1080p video.
Its wireless connectivity options include 4G LTE radio, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0 LE (low energy), GPS and NFC. The phablet will also include a fingerprint scanner on its rear, which will allow users to unlock the device and launch different applications by assigning a finger to each. Just like the HTC One, the One Max will ship with HTC Boom Sound, which uses dual front-facing stereo speakers with built in amplifiers to provide what some reviewers claim is the best sound experience on any smartphone. HTC ships the One Max with a large and non-removable 3,300 mAh battery.
We’ll have to wait to hear a specific release date from Verizon, but it’s great to know that it’s not taking the same stance it took with the HTC One and customers can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that the new HTC phablet is definitely coming.
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CEOs Are Focused on Core Markets
Deloitte & Touche has unveiled the findings from its 2004 Technology Fast 500 CEO Survey, which indicates that although technology executives are optimistic about the future, they remain focused on their core markets and are looking to improvements in tax structures and equity markets to provide assistance.
About 40 percent of the Technology Fast 500 comprises software companies, primarily those focused on business applications. CRM stalwarts leading the list include KANA, E.piphany, and Unica, with firms crucial to enterprise CRM integration, such as Selectica and webMethods, also represented. Detailed breakdowns of responses by industry type were not available at press time.
Despite record-low interest rates, more than one quarter of CEOs listed "limited access to capital" as a threat to technology growth, more than terrorism or competition. "Other than telecom, which is very heavily leveraged, a lot of tech companies don't borrow much," says Mark Evans, managing director of Deloitte & Touche's Technology, Media, and Telecom group. "The equity markets until recently have not been receptive to offerings, and that is the number one traditional source for a lot of these companies. We are starting to see some tech IPOs on the horizon, but it is not what I would call a robust market for primary or secondary offerings."
Enterprise technology users should be on the lookout for a renewed surge of vendor mergers. Although about two thirds of respondents said they planned to focus on internal growth, nearly one quarter of respondents said they planned to make an acquisition, and that share is nearly double the results of the 2003 survey.
The revival of a growth mind-set has tech executives looking cautiously overseas. Sixty-three percent of CEOs still see the mature North American market as their richest growth opportunity, but that number is actually down slightly from recent years, Evans says: "It still looks highly skewed to North America, but two or three years ago a higher proportion of revenues [was] being predicted from international markets. It's a transition right now, and as the economy improves we will see fewer people relying on North America."
One curious note for students of customer-centric strategies is that Technology Fast 500 CEOs, as a group, does not believe that customer satisfaction factors significantly into tech revenue growth. Although the largest share of CEOs submit that "developing a strong marketing and sales strategy" is the most important operational issue, when asked about their "biggest marketing challenge in sustaining revenue growth," the largest share--26 percent--said it revolves around new products, with "building customer loyalty" trailing at 5 percent, leading only the "other" category.


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Heineken USA, an importer of premium beer brands, is set to reach customers through multiple platforms with its What’s Your Play? portfolio retail program running from Jan. 1 through Feb. 28.
The shopper and retailer-focused program during the football playoff weeks and the ultimate Big Game, includes impactful, football-themed point-of-sale (POS) materials, in-store and digital partnerships and a Twitter-driven sweepstakes. Cross-merchandising with premium snack and beverage brands will inspire the LDA+ men and women to share their ‘play’ by choosing Heineken, Heineken Light, Dos Equis, Tecate, Tecate Light and Strongbow Hard Ciders for their game day celebrations.
Last season’s What’s Your Play? program delivered numerous shopper impressions and a 33% lift across the portfolio (Nielsen Scan, Jan. 9, 2016-Feb. 6, 2016). Fans rallied behind the program to share their ‘plays’ to one-up their friends and be the champion of the game day party. Leveraging this success, Heineken is offering cool weekly and daily prizes and new ways to save on Heineken portfolio 6- or 12-packs and cross-merchandised food or beverage items.
“Men aren’t looking for a beer that says they’re an expert on football,” said Juan Luis Barrios Oyarzun, commercial marketing vice president, Heineken USA. “In fact, the Heineken drinker loves the opportunity for a get together with friends even more than the game itself. The What’s Your Play? program inspires men to choose Heineken USA’s premium import brands to share with friends and enhance their game day experience.”
On football game days, Heineken portfolio brands will invite consumers to follow @WhatsYourPlay on Twitter and share their best plays for life’s daily challenges. Fans reply with their entries for a chance to win prizes and receive a digital coupon, driving them back in store for additional purchase and savings. “The program is a win-win for shoppers and retailers and represents an incremental consumption occasion,” added Oyarzun.
Influencers will help drive awareness of the mobile and text offer, driving to each of the Big Game activations on key social media channels. Heineken USA is incorporating eye-catching POS and strategic partnerships to drive traffic in-store to get Heineken on the shopping list for the playoffs and the Big Game party. Consumers can save on a pair of Heineken portfolio 6-packs or a single 12-pack and a cross-merchandised food or beverage item.
IRCs and MIRs (where legal) will deliver shopper value and drive increased basket rings at retail. A microsite experience will give consumers access to sweepstakes details, recipe tips and compelling offers on party essentials including chips, dips and deli platters.
“What’s Your Play? is a winning play for retailers,” said Oyarzun. “This year’s program elements are designed to generate higher basket rings for the retailer and offer compelling incentives for the shopper to return to the store for repeat purchases throughout the program period.”


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Uber Offering COVID-19 Contract Tracing Data to Government Entities
Uber Technologies Inc. has kicked off a new service that provides public health officials immediate access to data on drivers and riders who may have been in contact with someone infected with COVID-19. Weirdly, the company decided against announcing the sharing of your whereabouts with the government with any fanfare. Perhaps they thought average people wouldn’t be interested, or maybe that broadcasting their own participatory role in crafting a nightmare dystopia could be bad for business.
Then again, maybe this is exactly the kind of mass surveillance we need to flatten the curve, stop the spread, or whatever slogan is currently the trendiest. Worried? Don’t be. Uber said this service will be offered free of charge, meaning you don’t even have to spend any additional money to have your information shared.
What a sweet deal!
As this isn’t a medical journal, we can’t speak to the effectiveness of this strategy. We’ve seen it floating around for a while, with Big Tech gleefully eager to lend a hand and help combat the pandemic through contract tracing applications. You may have even seen one pop up on your phone recently following recent software update. From what we’ve seen, contract tracing has plenty of advocates and detractors.
Uber has actually been sharing data for months at this point, according to Reuters. The firm has only gotten vocal about it lately to promote itself to government health officials around the world. Data is collected and then sold to governments so health agencies can decide which persons need to be placed in quarantine.
Uber has long provided data to U.S. law enforcement officials in emergencies or criminal investigations, companies officials said. It first began to focus on health-related issues in 2019, when a resurgence of U.S. measles cases prompted several health departments to request data, the officials said.
In January, company executives flew to Los Angeles to meet with the local health department and CDC officials to discuss how Uber’s data could best be used, according to Uber’s chief of global law enforcement, Mike Sullivan.
The discussion quickly turned to the novel coronavirus, which at the time was only beginning to spread outside of China.
“Our timing ended up being beneficial in that it allowed us to get ahead before COVID started ramping up globally,” said Sullivan, a veteran U.S. prosecutor who leads a team of 100 Uber employees handling data requests around the clock.Uber reportedly designed a portal for exclusive utilization by public health departments. Information can be broken down by either trip receipts or passenger name. From there, the government can tell the company what actions they want it to take in regard to the paying customer they’ve ratted out to the feds.“We want to make sure that they are the experts and we follow their recommendations” on whether to block temporarily a driver/rider from being able to travel, explained Sullivan. Though the company automatically bans anybody it believes is infected automatically for two weeks.Government response varies between regions, with the United States being more passive/fractured than European nations or Australia. Tracing requests in the U.S. has proven more sporadic, often with some states taking a bigger interest in it than others — something which is also true of Canada. Reuters noted that Lyft also confirmed it’s been providing data to North American health officials through its Law Enforcement Request system. It declined to provide additional details however, hysterically citing privacy.For what it’s worth, Uber told us it doesn’t share anything that isn’t pertinent to the public health issue at hand, but that’s an evolving definition left largely to its own discretion. Governments may also decide that additional data could be useful and request it — making it seem like the customer has less control of their data than we’d hope. It’s quite the pickle. Nobody seems eager to get this virus, but the amount that we’ve had to give up just to remain safe (though that seems a relative term based on infection/death rates) has already been a big ask.[Image: MikeDotta/Shutterstock]
Conundrum on Jul 20, 2020
Way back in pre 2010, clutching my new Android smartphone, I checked with Google after a few days. It told me how to get to work, even so far as to tell me to turn left out of my driveway. I really didn't need the advice, having covered the route for 25 years. I turned off location, and have wandered blindly ever since, except on vacation outside my province -- first thing I do when I get a new phone is turn off location. Nobody's business but mine. Google thinks I live in Montreal whenever I deign to use the Chrome browser, but I'm 800 miles away. Montreal is where my cellphone provider hangs out. Baruth suggested using DuckDuckGo as my search engine some years ago, and so I do -- no tracking. Young people like my niece seem perfectly happy broadcasting their whereabouts, and since all these creepy companies want to sell what data they gather, I'd say any chance of personal privacy went up the spout years ago. We say we're democratic and those dastardly Chinese spy on their citizens and give them a social rating. If someone can tell me the practical difference between that and the secret way we go about it here with companies handing over their info on us behind our backs, my retort is that the difference lies somewhere between zero and nothing. We just get to bleat we're free.
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- Syke The expected opening comments. Have had mine for two years now, the car has done exactly what I want out of it, and a little better. I'm quite happy with the car, haven't had to adjust my driving style or needs in the slightest, and . . . . oh, did a mention that I don't give a damn what today's price at the pump is?Probably going to go for a second one in the coming year, the wife's happy enough with mine that she's ready and willing to trade in the Nissan Kicks. Eventually, the not often used van will end up getting traded on a Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, basically ensuring that we don't use gas for anything except the occasional long trip.And the motorcycles.
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Charoen Said to Seek Additional 10% Stake in F&N From Funds
Thai billionaire Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi tried to buy a stake of about 10 percent in Fraser & Neave Ltd. for S$9.60 a share from at least two funds as he competes for control of the Singapore company, said three people with knowledge of the matter.
The deal was not completed, the people said, asking not to be identified as the information is private. Charoen, who already owns about 35 percent of F&N and needs more than 50 percent by Jan. 2 to prevent his takeover bid from failing, enlisted Citigroup Inc. in an offer to buy 144 million F&N shares, they said.
Charoen’s attempt indicates he may seek to top an offer for F&N by Overseas Union Enterprise Ltd. (OUE) The billionaire has extended a deadline for his S$8.88 per share bid for the company four times, while OUE offered to pay S$9.08 on Nov. 15. F&N, with a market value of S$13.8 billion ($11.3 billion), has traded above both bids since Oct. 19.
Citigroup contacted institutional investors about the latest attempted stake purchase starting Dec. 14, two of the people said.
Shares of F&N rose 0.6 percent to S$9.63 in Singapore trading, a record close. The stock has surged 55 percent this year. Thai Beverage gained 3.9 percent to 40 Singapore cents.
Charoen failed to win support for his S$8.88 a share bid from F&N’s board, which has said an independent adviser found that offer “not compelling, though fair.”
OUE has enlisted Kirin Holdings Co., F&N’s second-largest shareholder, in its bid. If its offer succeeds, OUE would get the company’s property business and Kirin, Japan’s largest drinks maker, would take the food and beverage unit.
Both takeover offers are conditional on the buyers getting more than 50 percent of F&N. Without crossing that threshold, either buyer would have to return their shares to selling shareholders, documents related to the bids show. OUE’s offer expires Jan. 3.
Charoen’s TCC Assets Ltd., which made the offer to buy F&N, said in an e-mailed statement it has been approached by beverage company’s shareholders about the sale of their stock, adding that there’s no certainty a transaction would materialize unless it made a formal announcement. The statement was issued through its advisers United Overseas Bank Ltd., DBS Group Holdings Ltd. and Morgan Stanley.
Vichate Tantiwanich, a spokesman for Charoen’s Thai Beverage Pcl (THBEV), the largest shareholder in F&N, and Richard Tesvich, a Hong Kong-based spokesman for Citigroup, declined to comment on the attempted stake purchase.
Charoen, 68, has a net worth of $8.5 billion, according to data compiled and calculated through the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. His unlisted business, TCC Group, has a real estate unit. Thai Beverage, which sells the Chang brand of beer, gets almost all its revenue from its home market.


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The last oranges from the northern hemisphere are still on the market. Mediterranean countries are bringing their last volumes to the market, while the first imports from South Africa are also available. Dutch traders hope for a better overseas citrus season after the oversupply of oranges during the European season. South Africa, however, seems to be waiting a little before starting to export to Europe. Although the volume of oranges is large and the export figures exceed those of last year, there are concerns about, for example, the cheaper Valencias from Egypt that are available in Europe. Moreover, South African producers have been harvesting a larger amount of small calibres, which are better suited for the countries in the Middle East. In Latin America, Chile aims to export more. Brazil expects a smaller harvest and in Uruguay part of the production will be lost due to the impact of hailstorms. Mexico is striving for a protocol for a fruit fly-free region, which will open up the global market. In Argentina, the first oranges have already hit the market.
South Africa exporting more Navels to the Middle East
In week 26, exports amounted to 11.5 million boxes (15 kg) of oranges. The majority of these are Navels; roughly 10.8 million boxes. According to a trader, the Navels are small this year, although those from the Eastern Cape seem larger than those from the north. Since the Middle East is a good market for small sizes, a lot has been shipped to that destination. The large volume has put the market under pressure in that region. More than half a million boxes (15 kg) more than in the previous season were exported to the Middle East this campaign.
In Europe, there is a lot of cheap summer fruit available, and Egyptian Valencia oranges, for example, are on the market (according to an exporter, the quality of those Valencias is not great). Furthermore, the last Spanish oranges are also available. The market for Navels seems to be under pressure everywhere, according to a trader. He points out that the internal quality of the Navels from the East Cape is good.
The first small volumes of Valencia oranges arrived in week 22. The season started about two weeks later than usual due to a slow colouring and a late winter. But if the temperature drops below 10 degrees Celsius, the colouring will go well. Due to the later supply, the world market will be emptier when the fruit becomes available. The first Valencias are now on their way to Europe. However, it is too early to give reliable estimates for the season. Traders say that the demand from the industry is good, according to some, it is even greater than what they are able to supply.
Chile expects exports to increase
The Navel season lasts from June to October. This year, the country's total citrus exports are expected to grow by 15%. Since there was a lot of rain last year, sufficient water is available for irrigation. "We expect that this will contribute to a larger harvest, especially for the mandarins," says a trader. Navel exports amount to around 51,000 tonnes and are the third most important. Mandarins (100,000 tonnes) and lemons (78,000 tonnes) lead the ranking. The US is, by far, the most important market for Chilean citrus, but a trader explains that they are looking for other markets, including those in Europe.
Smaller harvest in Brazil
The prospect for 2018/2019 (marketing year 2017/2018) is to reach 393 million boxes. This entails a 27% drop compared to the previous season. These figures were revealed in a recent USDA report. Due to last year's production and the high temperatures recorded in October 2017, citrus trees have been under stress, which has had a negative impact on the yield this year. A large share of the oranges in Brazil is processed into frozen juice concentrate. The total volume is estimated at 1.032 million tonnes; a considerable drop compared to last year's 1.447 million tonnes. The total export of fresh oranges declined slightly compared to last year and amounts to 0.6 million boxes.
Mexico strives for fruit fly-free region
In order to increase exports to Europe and Japan, growers in Nuevo Leon are working on a phytosanitary pilot plan recognised by the National Health, Safety and Agro-Food Quality Service (Senasica). This means that the region must be certified as fruit fly-free. With this certification, growers can deliver citrus with a better quality and shelf life. In the pilot stage, the plan aims for the export of Valencia oranges to distant destinations. A large share of the citrus production ends up in the domestic market. For export to the US and Japan, disinfection with methyl bromide is currently required. Thanks to the aforementioned recognition, growers would be able to export without having to enforce that measure. Between 900 and 2,000 hectares in the regions of Linares, Montemorelos and General Teran are expected to benefit from the move.
Uruguay hit by hail
Late last month, a large hail storm caused damage to several hundred hectares of vegetables and fruit crops in the Salto area. Some 570 hectares of citrus plantations have also been affected. A first estimate points to several million Euro worth of damage. There is also talk of the loss of 7,110 tonnes of citrus. Although the damage suffered by the growers affected is considerable, only about 6% of the country's total production has actually been hit.
Argentina starts new season
The first new citrus harvest recently arrived to the market in Buenos Aires. The orange season started with the Marrs Early, Trovita and Hamlin varieties. Most citrus crops are located in two regions: the north-west (Jujuy, Salto, Tucumán, Catamarca) and the north-east (Formosa, Chaco Corrientes, Misiones, Entre Rios), as well as in the city of San Pedro de Buenos Aires. In total, the country has 132,346 hectares devoted to citrus cultivation. Just over half (55%) of the acreage in Jujuy is planted with oranges. With the start of the season, there comes also the threat of diseases. This may change if the rain persists. So far, however, the rain has been good for the harvest.
Australian citrus experiencing boom times and start of New Zealand season
The Australian citrus industry is experiencing boom times, with some growers reportedly getting up to three times more than five years ago. The citrus harvest started in early May and this season demand is expected to outstrip the supply, with China accounting for almost a quarter of all citrus fruits exported last year. For the year ending June 2017, 506,391 tonnes of oranges were produced, with 42 percent shipped to be processed, predominantly for juicing. The value of the production stood at $333.5 million. While there was a less than one percent increase in terms of volume, the value grew by 10% compared to a year earlier.
New controls were enforced this week after Citrus Canker was detected at properties in Western Australia and the Northern Territory earlier in the year. They will allow for the trade of citrus fruits from registered businesses, as the industry is trying to contain the spread from contaminated properties.
Meanwhile, the New Zealand Navel orange season is also approaching, with a start date expected in late June and volumes predicted to be similar to those of 2016, with around 9,700 tonnes.
US: Lower Valencia harvest in California
Although the supply of domestic oranges is currently stable, traders see the traditional dip in the demand approaching. At the moment, there are Valencia oranges from California on the market, but due to the summer and school holidays, the demand is falling. The small sizes are especially affected by this trend. Almost all Valencia oranges are grown in District 1, central California. Many large calibres are currently being harvested in that region. In District 2, Oxnard and Venture, smaller sizes are harvested. The Valencia production is 15% lower this year compared to the previous one, and last year there had already been a 15% drop compared to the previous season. There were also fewer Navels available, according to a trader.
The season in California kicked off in mid-March with the export of the first Valencia. "When the Valencia campaign starts, we are still in the middle of the Navel season, but if the Navel supply drops, exporters start with the Valencia," describes a trader. The demand is expected to increase again from mid-August. The domestic season continues until about mid-September. A trader expects the same scenario as last year. "Last year, we were finished with the Valencia in early September and we had to wait another four weeks before the Navels arrived. It was the first time in 14 years that we had a gap in the supply of oranges from California. "In Texas, the season is coming to an end, but Florida will remain on the market for a few more weeks.
Italy: Blood oranges for Chinese New Year
The country is the second largest producer in Europe after Spain. Most of the oranges are grown in Sicily and in Calabria. These regions account for 59% and 22% of the total production. The most cultivated varieties are the Tarocco, Moro, Sanguinello, Naveline and Valencia. Besides these, the Ippolito and Meli are also gaining ground. The season for the market year 2017/2018 has been considered exceptional, considering the quality. Although the harvest was 6% lower due to the drought in the summer, the rain had a positive impact on the fruit in September.
A trader estimates the harvest to be 25 to 30% smaller, not only because of the drought, but also because of the impact of the Citrus Tristeza Virus (CTV). Every year, more plants are affected by this virus, causing production to fall. The CTV is mainly a problem for growers in Sicily.
Moro and Tarocco oranges stand out for the colour of their flesh. The market for this citrus is growing, not only in Italy, but also in Europe. In the United Kingdom, for example, the demand is on the rise. Small volumes have also been exported to distant destinations. For example, there are plans to export the oranges to China for the celebration of the Chinese New Year in 2019. Cooperation with the web giant Alibaba was sought for this. The webshop is said to be interested in supplying Italian citrus. The Tarocco season has lasted until June, which is longer than usual.
The season has had two faces: there has been a high demand for good quality oranges, but little supply. Meanwhile, there has been a great supply of average quality oranges, but little demand.
The campaign has been good for Sicilian organic oranges. This year, there was a great production available, unlike in the previous season (2016/2017), when frosts destroyed a considerable share of the harvest. There is a lot of competition with other countries in the region. Italian growers are unable to compete in terms of prices with the productions from North Africa or other Southern European countries.
Germany: Oversupply of Egyptian oranges
The citrus market in Germany is currently relatively quiet, but stable. This naturally has everything to do with the large supply and the demand for seasonal summer fruits, such as melons and stone fruit, as well as domestic soft fruit. Due to the huge availability of Egyptian (juicing) oranges (Valencia), several traders have largely or entirely stopped getting imports from South Africa. The oversupply, however, is still resulting in very low (purchase) prices of about 8 Euro per 15 kg. This situation is completely different to last year's, when the supply was smaller and the summer season was also more stable in terms of prices. As far as table oranges are concerned, the Spanish Navel Late is currently in an outstanding position, with traders very happy about the fruit's quality. The price of these oranges amounts to around 15 Euro per 15 kg.
The Egyptian orange campaign is expected to continue for about a month longer (KW 30). According to the traders, the demand and prices will not increase significantly until October, once the European stone fruit season is finally over. Although the popularity of red fleshed varieties (like the Cara Cara) is growing rapidly in many Western European wholesale markets, there are also traders who do not believe that this will be a long-term trend and are sticking to classic oranges. This is mainly due to the relatively short season of these red-coloured (blood) oranges, which makes the risk factor too high for some.
Belgium: Oranges largely ignored
In this period of the year, oranges are largely ignored. There is almost no demand and supply of oranges. Importers also see that few oranges are consumed. This is because there is a large supply of summer fruit. The last oranges came from Spain, but because of the low demand, there is also little supply needed.
Netherlands: Light at the end of the tunnel after disastrous orange market
In recent weeks, selling prices of 6-7 Euro per 15 kilos have not been rare, so the market situation has been disastrous. The main cause for this has been the huge supply. Even in terms of quality, not all products were top-notch. Morocco shipped many oranges which used to go to Russia to the European market, and Egypt was also on the market. In the meantime, the supply from these countries is coming to an end and some see light at the end of the tunnel for the orange market. Next week, the first Valencia oranges will arrive from South Africa, after some Navels have already been shipped. Given the great price difference, customers initially had to get used to the high prices, but now people are looking for good oranges. Also, South Africa has exported 20-30% fewer oranges so far, which makes the situation look rosier for the coming weeks. Prices are now at a level above the 10 Euro, with 12 Euro paid for the Navels. With the holidays approaching, prices are not expected to change too much, but given the expected lower supply, orange prices should remain at a normal level.
France welcomes first South African volumes
According to a French trader, the table orange season has been reasonable. "The quality has been good and the volumes have been on par with the demand. We can be satisfied with how the season has gone. We will still be able to supply Spanish production for another two weeks. Next week, the last varieties will be harvested. Other traders have already received the first volumes from South Africa." The trader adds that there is also a good demand for table oranges in July and August.
In the juicing orange market, things are a lot more complicated. "It is a completely different market compared to that of table oranges, and it is difficult to get in. Many countries are hitting the market at the same time, including Morocco, Spain, Greece and Egypt, and there are very specific requirements for juicing oranges when it comes to storage and the period within which the fruits may be consumed." This trader claims to only supply table oranges.


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Apple shareholder R. Andre Klein is suing Apple for financial losses due to misconduct by senior directors at the company, namely for Apple’s “Hands Off (Do Not Call List)” anti-poaching agreement. This illegal pact was made between Google, Microsoft, Palm (RIP), and a list of other tech companies, as each promised to refrain from poaching each other’s engineers, helping companies to keep wages low.
The shareholder is accusing Apple management, Steve Jobs, and current Apple CEO Tim Cook, of violating anti-trust laws and issuing misleading financial proxy statements to stifle worker wages. According to BGR, Klein accuses the companies of being dishonest to Apple investors, and ultimately hurting the company’s stock, reputation, and innovation.
This isn’t the first time we’ve seen Apple sued over this illegal pact. Apple and other tech companies proposed a $324.5 million settlement with employees, where each affected employee would receive $2,000-8,000. However, Judge Lucy Koh denied the settlement, saying that Apple and other tech companies should “pay their fair share” for the violation.
Image Source: ssalonso


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BT will launch an Ultra HD sports channel in August. The assumption of many has been that BT has stolen the first-mover advantage from Sky, although a response seems likely. BT will continue to offer its BT Sport channels, including its exclusive coverage of the UEFA Champions League and Europa League, for free to its broadband customers taking BT TV, or otherwise for £5 a month. It is an expensive loss leader for its broadband business.
BT Sport Ultra HD will be launched in August, with a new BT Ultra HD set-top box. It will feature selected games from the Barclays Premier League, UEFA Champions League, FA Cup and Aviva Premiership Rugby.
BT is saying that it will be the first Ultra HD or 4K channel in Europe, although other demonstration services are already available on satellite.
Timeline TV has designed the first purpose-built Ultra HD outside broadcast vehicle in Europe, which BT will use for the provision of its coverage. It features Sony HDC-4300 cameras, a Snell Kahuna vision mixer and EVS servers.
Jamie Hindhaugh, the chief operating officer for BT Sport and BT TV said: “Our Ultra HD coverage of the UEFA Champions League alongside other competitions will bring a truly cinematic experience into fans’ living rooms.”
The Ultra HD channel will only be available to BT broadband customers with its Infinity service, which offers download speeds of up to 160 megabits per second. It will also require a new BT YouView+ Ultra HD box from Humax, currently being trialled in some BT homes. It is also reported to support the Netflix Ultra HD streaming service.
Sky has been conducting tests of Ultra HD and can be expected to respond with its own service via satellite and a new set-top box, which has been in development for some time as Project Ethan.
Ultra HD could be significant for screens in pubs, clubs and commercial premises, where many people are likely to get their first experience of sports coverage in this format.
Although there are now many 4K screens on the market, there are still relatively few in homes. The BT announcement and any response from Sky will help to promote the sales of Ultra HD or 4K screens, but consumers should beware of apparent bargains. Transmission standards have yet to be agreed, so some screens could be incompatible with features such as high dynamic range.
BT is clearly convinced that taking on Sky with exclusive sports coverage is the best way to sell its broadband services. For those in rural regions still struggling with downstream speeds of less than a megabit per second, Ultra HD may still seem like a pipe dream.
BT has 1.14 million television customers and 3.01 million Infinity broadband customers, up by 905,000 over a year. It has a total retail broadband base of 7.71 million, an increase of 432,000 over a year.
In the year to March 2013, before the launch of BT Sport, BT added 568,000 Infinity customers and a total of 339,000 broadband customers.
Only BT really knows whether its sports service has really retained existing subscribers or attracted new ones. BT appears to be adding slightly more broadband subscribers than in the past, and slightly more than its competitors, but demand for broadband is still increasing, irrespective of football.
The BT Sport channel barely figures in the BARB ratings. It had an audience of 1.26 million for a Premier League match on New Years Day and 1.02 million for a match in February but has otherwise failed to exceed a million individual viewers.
BT might argue that more may have watched in bars and online, but the fact is that for all the hype it is only reaching a minority audience.
BT is rolling out other enhancements, such as a connected red button service to allow users to switch between matches and track the action with a goal alert function and match stats.
Viewers will also be able to watch online and through an app, with a game timeline feature providing instant access to goals and highlights, allowing key events to be seen from multiple camera angles.
A new free to air channel BT Sport Showcase will also present a limited number of UEFA matches free of charge, showing each participating British team at least once.
Time will tell whether investing billions in sport is a better strategy than accelerating the upgrade of its network. In the short term it may actually be a cheaper option.


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(WatchDogReport.org) – It is estimated that Ford will lose an estimated $3 billion by the end of 2023. The losses are mainly centered around the production and sale of electric vehicles (EVs). In March of 2022, Ford announced a split in operations. One division will focus on traditional gasoline vehicles, while another division will focus on the development and production of EVs such as the Mustang Mach-E SUV and the F-150 Lightning truck.
Ford’s website still has the option to order the F-150 Lightning, the first electric truck on the market, and touts the benefits of the EV. These include saving on fuel, a 320-mile range per charge, strong towing capacity, and the ability to use the truck as a backup power source for your home during power outages.
Buyers appear to be losing confidence in Ford’s electric vehicles. Several orders for the Lightning have been canceled, presumably due to price increases. In 2021, Ford announced a retail cost of under $40,000, but prices for the vehicle now exceed $60,000. Ford explained the increase stating that material costs have risen since the original estimate was announced.
In February of 2023, Ford announced a temporary halt in producing the F-150 Lightning trucks due to an unexplained potential battery issue discovered in pre-delivery quality inspections. Vehicles already on a sales lot were not to be held back and were authorized to be sold. Details of the potential battery issue have not been disclosed.
Ford recently released first-quarter earnings and details by division. Losses incurred on electric vehicles before interest and taxes totaled around $700 million. Only 12,000 EVs were delivered in the first quarter of 2023. These numbers show that Ford lost an estimated $53,000 for each EV sold.
Losses indicate that consumers have concerns. Price hikes, production halts, long waits for delivery, and safety and efficiency concerns appear to be at the top of the list.
Copyright 2023, WatchDogReport.org


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Wattles Named Chairman of Ultimate Electronics12 Jan, 2005 By: Erik Gruenwedel
Home entertainment and electronics retailer Ultimate Electronics has named Hollywood Video founder and CEO Mark Wattles chairman of the board.
Denver-based Ultimate, which operates 65 stores in 14 states, made the announcement while filing for financial restructuring under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code.
The company, which listed debts of more than $160 million against assets totaling $329 million, said Wattles purchased 6.85 million shares of common stock for $4.4 million, with separate two-year agreements to purchase 1.85 million for $1.2 million and 1.8 million shares from Ultimate founder and chairman William Pearse for no more than 65 cents per share.
The transaction gives Wattles more than 31 percent control of Ultimate's stock and the right to name a majority of the company's board, according to company declarations.
Ultimate said it had obtained more than $118 million in debtor-in-possession financing subject to a borrowing-based formula from Wells Fargo and Wattles to keep daily operations going.
“After weighing all available alternatives, we believe this the best solution for Ultimate to remain a viable business going forward,” said Dave Workman, Ultimate's president and CEO.
Wattles' interest in Ultimate would appear to signal a change in career paths as Hollywood on Monday said it had agreed to an $850 million dollar merger with No. 3 video rental company Movie Gallery.
In a statement, Wattles said he was excited to be part of the Ultimate's future and committed returning it “to the growth company it was.”
“I think he has put in enough money to suggest to me that he has resolved himself that he is not going to be part of Hollywood from this point on,” said analyst Arvind Bhatia with Southwest Securities in Dallas. “He is probably [still] running it right now, but his interest definitely seem to be elsewhere.”


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U.S. chipmaker Qualcomm has told regulators across the globe that it opposes Nvidia's $40 billion acquisition of chip design company ARM.
As the two firms near a deal, it has come under increasing scrutiny. Qualcomm, for example, has registered objections to the Federal Trade Commission, the European Commission, and similar agencies in the U.K. and China, CNBC reports.
The San Diego-based chipmaker is said to oppose Nvidia buying Arm because it fears the former company could become a gatekeeper of ARM's chip technology. Qualcomm doesn't believe Nvidia can capitalize on the deal without crossing lines that people are worried about, sources said.
Currently, the FTC's investigation of the acquisition has entered a "second phase," which entails the agency asking Nvidia, ARM, and current ARM owner SoftBank for more information on the deal. That process could take months, since it involves producing a number of lengthy documents.
According to CBNC, industry sources believe the deal has a high chance of being blocked by one or more regulator. Nvidia, however, is confident that regulators will give the deal a green light.
Qualcomm believes its opposition will play a significant role in whether the deal can continue. Other companies that have publicly opposed the Nvidia takeover include China-based Huawei and AI startup Graphcore.
Arm licenses its chip designs to more than 500 companies, including Apple. The Cupertino tech giant's A-series chips, as well as its new M1 Mac chip, are based on Arm chip instructions.
There's significant concern in the chip industry that Nvidia could prevent its rivals and licensees, like Apple and AMD, from using ARM chip designs.
Nvidia and Arm have said that the merger would create the world's "premier computing company for the age of AI." Both companies have pledged to keep ARM's headquarters in the U.K.


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A new marketing insights survey found that just over half of US respondents who said they had “some knowledge” of psychedelics believed that psilocybin should be legalized in some capacity.
The survey, which interviewed 1,000 adults across the US, found that, overall, 38 percent of respondents believed psilocybin mushrooms should be permitted in the US — with restrictions, of course. But, when the respondents were broken down by age group and knowledge levels, significant differences in responses were revealed: Among respondents who said they possessed “some knowledge” of psychedelics, 53 percent, or just over half, thought psilocybin ought to be legalized or allowed in some form.
The latest clinical studies indicate psychedelics like psilocybin offer medical promise, potentially treating mental health disorders that conventional medicines cannot. Private companies are also currently developing medicines from psychedelics.
Within age groups, younger respondents supported legalization more than older ones. Among “18-34 year-olds, 45% believe psilocybin mushrooms should be legal under at least some circumstances; among 35-49 year-olds, 40%; and among 50 , just 23%,” the survey found.
The survey was conducted by the New-York-based company Green Horizons, which describes itself as a market research and consultancy firm for the “cannabis and holistic health industries.” Green Horizons is part of Horowitz Research. Horowitz Research’s website lists corporate heavyweights like Hulu, ABC, Hearst, Discovery, and Consumer Reports among its clients. However, Horowitz also lists non-profits among its clients such as The Partnership for a Drug-Free America and Sesame Workshop, the company that produces Sesame Street.
Why would a marketing research firm ask Americans how they felt about legalizing psychedelics when US companies currently cannot legally sell psilocybin to the public?
According to Adriana Waterston, the Senior Vice President of Insights and Strategy at Horowitz Research, the survey responses were part of a larger survey about cannabis. And cannabis is legal for sale in some enlightened states.
“We included questions about receptivity to legalizing psychedelics to provide clients and potential clients with future-forward research on this emerging topic,” Waterston wrote to MERRY JANE in an email. “As we continue to research consumers and their growing appetite for cannabis, we will also continue to measure shifting consumer attitudes to psychedelics, as well, and we anticipate that perceptions and attitudes will change and continue to improve over time.”
Granted, there are a few caveats to this survey. First, 1,000 respondents is arguably a bit small for a statistically solid sample size — but, in all fairness, this was a marketing insights survey for businesses, not a peer-reviewed scientific study that could influence public policy.
Second, since this is Green Horizon’s first survey on consumer attitudes toward legalizing psychedelics, the company has no previous data for comparison. In other words, the survey doesn’t show any shifts in Americans’ beliefs about tripping balls, but it could upon further research.
Third, the survey’s figures that indicate support for reforms may not thoroughly reflect how most people truly feel about the topic. After all, someone may be nervous going on record to a complete stranger about whether they believe psychedelics should be legal. Green Horizons had this part covered, though.
“The survey sample included both cannabis users and non-users. The questions about psychedelics were asked to everyone in a neutral way and [were] included at the end of the survey,” Waterston explained. “We asked about general knowledge of psychedelics and then support for legalization” [emphasis ours].
“[W]e never asked about actual psychedelic usage for the exact reason that we were concerned about getting truthful answers given the stigma around psychedelic usage,” she continued. “In addition, survey respondents were able to respond ‘Don’t know’ if they were not able to [or were] not comfortable answering the question.”
A previous survey from YouGov suggested that Americans are warming up to the idea of legal psychedelics. And according to Marijuana Moment, a recent poll among Washington, DC voters showed that nearly 60 percent would vote to decriminalize psychedelics through a new ballot proposal. Denver, Oakland, and Santa Cruz, California have already decriminalized or effectively decriminalized psilocybin mushrooms for personal use and cultivation. Sales for psilocybin shrooms remained banned in these three cities, however.


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Today, Facebook has become a medium for entertainment, and not just for talking with friends. Videos are watched by millions of people on this platform. You’ve obviously seen Facebook videos to pass the time and a lot of videos that you might have liked.
But such an option is not available on Facebook where you can download the video. So today we tell you something special here. With the help of this trick, you will be able to download and watch the video without the internet.
How to download Facebook videos?
- First of all login into Facebook on your computer or laptop
- You open the video which you want to download or like
- You see three dots on the right side of the video, click on it
- You will see many options; press the copy link between them
- Then the video link will be copied
- Now go to the FBDOWN.NET website and paste this link
- After pasting the link, click on the download button and go to more options below, and hit Force HD Download.
- I hope that you have filled all the steps mentioned above and downloaded the videos so far, and you can watch them without the Internet.
Soon a new feature on Facebook
Facebook reporters told us that Facebook is working on a new feature. With the help of this feature, users will be able to share Instagram reels to Facebook feed. Facebook has begun testing the new feature and it will be available to users soon.
By the way, Facebook also has its own main reels feature which is on Facebook itself, and users can create short videos as they like. As reported by Reuters, “Facebook says we’re testing a feature for Instagram creators in India, after which they can share their reels on Facebook’s news feed.


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The Dopod U1000 is an ultra hybrid of portable computing, imaging, telephony, multimedia enjoyment and Internet browsing. Hotly anticipated, this mini notebook has finally entered retail circulation. If you have never been a big fan of lugging around a notebook while you're travelling, there's now the Dopod U1000 for you to consider.
After more than five years in development, Windows Vista was finally launched. Never mind that the Singapore launch was two days later than the global launch, Microsoft Windows Vista is finally here.
HP promised us an evening of glamour at its regional consumer press launch in Seoul last week. Join us as we show you HP's upcoming consumer desktops and notebooks, including a new, one of a kind touchscreen PC.
Macworld 2007 has just come to a close and wrapping up our Macworld coverage is a spread of interesting products and sights that caught our attention at the exhibition floor. The iPod as usual was showered with most love from the industry, but there's more than just its accessories; Read on!
After the Apple TV announcement, we move on towards the product that really shook the floor this MacWorld, the Apple iPhone. In this article, we take you through a virtual tour of the iPhone, its features, functionality, operation and our take on Apple's most anticipated hybrid device.
The first hardware product announced in the keynote is the Apple TV (formerly dubbed the iTV). We got around to see how it works, its hardware specifications, and of course details on pricing and availability.
It's that time of the year again when the industry launches an onslaught of new products and gadgets to capture our fascination and Apple is at it again in Macworld 2007. Before the event gets started, we thought of feeding your inquisitiveness with what's around at ground zero with an appetizer article.
Already shaping up to be a yearly feature from Sony, the recently concluded Sony Christmas Fest 2006 was held at Suntec Convention Centre Room 201-210 from 15th - 17th December. Almost everything was going at an attractive rate.
Alongside its Customer Service Centre and Canon Digital Hub at Keppel Bay Tower, Canon's LiNK store, a massive 3,500 square feet outlet, has just opened its doors at VivoCity, effectively turning the Harbourfront area into a Canon Hub.
Shirking the strict business look, Fujitsu unveiled a series of ultra-slick concept laptops at their latest showcase, along with a preview of their latest notebook, the P7230, and a couple of interesting tablet PCs. So hop in and take a good look at these new 'models'.
- Fujitsu's New Lifebook UH90 Features 3200 x 1800p Touch Display
- Kabini Motherboards Spotted at Computex 2013
- AMD Announces Elite A-Series Desktop APUs at Computex 2013
- Roccat Flaunts Kone Pro Optical and Ryos MK Pro Keyboard at Computex 2013
- Intel Goes Mobile with Bay Trail Platform
- ASUS Reveals New Gaming Platform of Formula Motherboard and Poseidon Graphics
- Western Digital Begins Shipping World's Slimmest 1TB Drive
- ASUS Unveils World's First Combined Mouse and TouchPad, the VivoMouse


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The Hyundai Motor Group has been releasing a plethora of universally-acclaimed EVs, and that momentum is about to get even stronger.
The Genesis Electrified GV70 is a unique and well equipped Luxurious SUV many people forget about.
The all-new 2023 Genesis GV70 Electrified comes with a power-packed performance and elegant design features
Genesis might be at the beginning of its journey, but what a journey it will be!
Genesis' first EV is a standout premium all-electric crossover that hits the high notes in terms of design, luxury, and performance
The Kia EV6 is no slouch, but this EV drag race shows its no match for its luxury cousin, the Genesis GV60
Genesis Face Connect system allows owners to access and start the GV60 using an onboard face recognition system
The flagship Genesis sedan shows us that lavish luxury in an executive-size package doesn’t need to come with an eye-watering price tag
As Genesis parades out a series of new EVs, let’s not forget about its most affordable, sportiest model - the G70 sport sedan
The South Korean automaker has come from nowhere and now poses a threat to some of the biggest names in the business
Though a little short on driving range, the GV60 is where concept car styling meets high performance in an electrically charged luxury car
Here's your rundown on one of the biggest auto events of the year, the LA Auto Show
Genesis' newly debuted convertible concept is simply stunning
It wasn't born electric but Genesis' first attempt at a luxury EV is mostly a success
Find out if the flamboyant G80 has what it takes to compete against its rivals from Germany
Preparing for Electrification, Genesis Reveals a Sporty EV Interior Concept
The GV60 is Genesis' first attempt at making an electric car, and here's all that makes it a masterstroke
Could the GV70 be the best affordable luxury SUV on the market?


text: A new survey found that 91% of us have tried at least one diet, with more than 50% of those surveyed saying they have tried 11 different diets. Then there are the 25% who say they have tried at least 16 different diet plans. Maybe the reason we try so many different diets is that we keep hoping one of them will stick. According to the survey, 32% of respondents said they have lost weight on a diet – but then gained it all back. Just 28% said they lost weight and were able to keep it off.


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Britain’s blue chip aero and marine engine maker Rolls-Royce and the Finnish marine and energy power plant company Wartsila each issued statements today (Thursday) confirming they had been in talks on a takeover deal, but that the discussions were now over, at least for the time being.
Wartsila and Rolls-Royce both noted recent press speculation that said the British company had approached Wartsila to buy its marine engine business and speculating that the Finnish company might not have welcomed the approach.
The Helsinki-listed firm said: “Wärtsilä Corporation notes the recent speculation about a potential transaction between Rolls-Royce Plc and Wärtsilä.
“We confirm the approach by Rolls-Royce with a preliminary proposal for a possible offer for the company. In case the company receives such proposals, the Wärtsilä Board has an obligation to evaluate such proposals.
“However, we confirm that there are no longer ongoing discussions with Rolls-Royce.”
In similar vein, Rolls announced: “Rolls-Royce notes the recent press speculation and confirms that it has been in preliminary discussions with the Board of Wärtsilä regarding a possible offer for the company. However, those discussions are no longer continuing.”
Wärtsilä is a €4.7 billion (£3.9bn) turnover company with around 19,000 employees in 70 countries.
Copyright Ken Hurst 2014


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SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- Arrow International Inc. arro after Wednesday's closing bell said higher costs lowered third-quarter net income to $13.9 million, or 31 cents a share, from $15.8 million, or 35 cents a share, during the same period in the prior year. Analysts polled by Thomson First Call had expected a per-share result of 33 cents. The medical supplies company said quarterly revenue rose to $122.3 million from $118.1 million. For the fourth quarter, the company sees sales of $124 million to $128 million, and earnings per share of 39 cents to 41 cents.
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text: The wholesale price index (WPI) based inflation jumped to a new high of 15.1% in April due to soaring commodity, food and fuel prices. WPI inflation was 14.6% in March and above 10.7% in April last year, data released by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) on Tuesday showed. The high rate of inflation in April 2022 was primarily due to the rise in prices of mineral oils, basic metals, crude petroleum and natural gas, food articles and food products and chemicals & chemical products. This is the 13th consecutive month of double-digit WPI inflation and the April number is the highest in a shade over nine years in the current series, which began in April 2012. It is the highest in 31 years going by the 1981-82 series when it posted 16.3% in September 1991.


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According to new amendments made into the crypto regulation of Turkey, the region may be seeing a completely revamped reality for the blockchain industry.
Earlier this week, The Capital Markets Board of Turkey, also known as the CMB addressed the public in a press release, saying that additional changes to the reinforcement of investor security would be made to the Turkish crypto regulation.
What this means is that the current regulation on allowing crypto trading, investing, selling and purchasing will remain as it is, legal. However, the government will most likely start paying a lot more attention to who is buying these currencies, where they are buying them and how they are buying them.
Overall, it's an amendment to the regulation in order to have a better understanding of just how much the Turkish population is participating in the market, and prevent any unnecessary risks for local investors.
Should there be outrage?
The crypto community is usually divided into multiple sections by critics, experts, and whatnot. But in a very subjective case, the market is divided into two types of investors. The realists, and the delusional.
The reason why this division of the market is a bit more relevant is because of how little most crypto investors care whether or not the government knows about their crypto transactions. The large majority of the market views cryptocurrencies as an investment rather than a medium of exchange, meaning that registering their assets and formally recognizing them as their property is in their best interest.
Therefore, giving the government a bit more information in exchange for additional security is something they can definitely afford. Those who refuse to hand out information and usually meet the intrusion on their privacy by the government very harshly, tend to be those who have the most to hide from said government.
Such attitudes are what creates the demand for information from the blockchain industry. Handing it out freely would most likely decrease the "exclusiveness" factor and make the government a bit more forgiving. But right now, the Turkish government is actually offering something in return for the data, which is more than acceptable.
How Turkey can help Bitcoin
Turkey is one of the best-performing nations in terms of economics if we don't count the last couple of years. However, in the last decade or two, the country has truly shown its worthy to be sometimes confused with a superpower. Its geopolitical location, financial resources and the influence it has on its neighbors cannot be ignored. Therefore, it supporting the adoption of Bitcoin is good news for the global markets.
Furthermore, we need to consider the logistical power of Turkey and how it connects Europe to Asia. The bosporus is the best way to connect these two continents as long as the logistical mission is being conducted via land. This gives Turkey amazing income through customs and fees for transportation.
In the past, the government was considering adding the blockchain technology to their logistics industry but scrapped it before it could develop further.
Should these new amendments be successful in the eyes of Turkish crypto investors and business owners, it's highly likely that Turkish customs offices will start implementing blockchain in the future.
Once the blockchain is implemented though, it will become obvious just how much additional profit can be made from using this technology, thus the introduction of Bitcoin payments.
Overall, it's a very loose chain of events, but it has the potential of being true after these adjustments to the local regulation.


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ORLANDO, Fla. – EA Sports is bringing college football back to home video game consoles.
The company posted the announcement on Twitter Tuesday morning.
Electronic Arts also rolled out a new social media handle to go along with the game’s announcement: @EASPORTScollege
In a news release on the company’s website, EA announced it is working with College Licensing Company to “be the exclusive developer of simulation college football video game experiences.”
The two companies plan to work together to include the logos, stadiums, uniforms and gameday traditions of more than 100 schools in the game, according to the news release.
Currently, the game will not include any student-athlete names, images or likenesses, according to EA. The NCAA does not allow athletes to sell their “NIL” rights.
In general, to maintain NCAA eligibility, Division I student-athletes may not promote or endorse a commercial product or service, even if they are not paid to participate in the activity.
Athletes may use their image to continue participating in nonathletically related promotional activities if they were initiated before college enrollment.NCAA


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As iPhone batteries age, their chemical aging slows phones down, Apple recently said in a public statement. Due to what it sees as non communicating the issue effectively, the company's statement doubles as an apology for a lack of transparency.
"First and foremost, we have never – and would never – do anything to intentionally shorten the life of any Apple product, or degrade the user experience to drive customer upgrades," Apple said in its statement. "Our goal has always been to create products that our customers love, and making iPhones last as long as possible is an important part of that."
While the company acknowledges batteries age will impact iPhone performance, it stresses it's nothing the company does behind the scenes to incentive users to upgrade phones. Rechargable batteries, the company says, are "consumable components that become less effective as they chemically age." This aging affects a battery's ability to hold a charge.
"Device use also affects the performance of a battery over its lifespan," Apple continues. "For example, leaving or charging a battery in a hot environment can cause a battery to age faster. These are characteristics of battery chemistry, common to lithium-ion batteries across the industry."
Addressing user feedback about slowing phones, Apple announced it's "reducing the price of an out-of-warranty iPhone battery replacement by $50 – from $79 to $29 [USD]." Additionally, the company said it's releasing a new iOS update next year with "new features that give users more visibility into the health of their iPhone’s battery, so they can see for themselves if its condition is affecting performance."


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Taiwanese sources indicate that there will be a significant shortage of blue-laser pick-up heads (PUHs) in the fourth quarter of this year.
Blue-laser PUHs are currently manufactured by only a few makers, including Pioneer,
Philips, Hitachi and Sony. Citing Taiwanese industry sources, Digitimes reports that the
production is insufficient to meet increasing global demand for blue-laser DVD players,
recorders, drives and burners.
Although the global market for next-generation blue-laser drives, burners and
players/recorders is still in its infancy, international vendors of desktop and notebook
PCs as well as consumer electronics have placed OEM orders for such products to test the
market during the traditional peak season next quarter, the sources indicated. The Sony
PlayStation 3 (PS3, with a built-in Blu-ray Disc drive), which is scheduled to be
launched in November, accounts for part of the demand, the sources noted.


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Editor’s note: Metehan Oguz is on the Turkish Heritage Organization Board of Trustees and is president and CEO of Oguz Consulting.
While most tech followers might not know it yet, there’s a new country emerging as a leader in technology. Turkey’s rapid economic growth, even in the face of the global economic downturn, has made it a model for dozens of countries across the world looking to develop everything from a robust banking system to health care reform. While this growth was impressive, it has set up the country for an even more exciting period: an explosion of technology-based businesses and homegrown innovation.
With its young and connected population, Turkey is becoming a hotbed of invention and a target for investment. Half of the country’s population is under 30, and Turkey has a higher expected college graduation rate than Italy. Eighty-four percent of the country owns a mobile device, and…
View original post 706 more words


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Suzuki's Hungarian production halts due to Russia/Ukraine gas dispute
In the meantime, the effect is already being felt in the European industrial sector. Hungarian government restrictions on industrial gas usage have forced Magyar Suzuki to cease production entirely. The automaker's Esztergom plant, located around 30 miles outside Budapest, produces the Suzuki Swift; the Suxuki SX4 and Fiat Sedici; and the Suzuki Splash / Opel Agila twins. Suzuki hopes to get Esztergom back online this coming Monday.
[Sources: WaPo, WSJ, Reuters]
- Most and least efficient car companies
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Air New Zealand [NZX: AIR] the national carrier, has appointed an international corporate travel services expert, Linda Jenkinson, to its board, replacing Jim Fox who plans to retire in August.
Jenkinson, who lives in San Francisco and Sydney, will officially join the airline's board on June 1, the company said in a statement. She chairs LesConcierges, a San Francisco-based global concierge services provider.
Les Concierge's website says it runs a global business tied to customer loyalty programmes and "VIP lifestyle" product offerings, including wine, corporate and personal gifting, art, car hire and limousine, nightclubs, retail and golf.
"We are looking forward to working with Linda once she joins our board,” chair Tony Carter said. “She has a significant amount of international business experience, which will be a great addition to the Air New Zealand board.”
Jenkinson is one of two women on the seven member board, with Jan Dawson serving as deputy chair.
Fox will retire from the board on Aug. 1, ending an eight-year stint with Air NZ.
The shares rose 1.2 percent to $2.195 today, and have climbed 32 percent this year.
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