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Microsoft's 3D Touch software nearly made it into Nokia's flagship phones before abruptly being killed off without ever making it. New leaks show what the software would've look liked.
... of Windows updates, Instagram indifference, Apple fashion tips and Office porn
Giveaway: Win the Logitech G910 Orion Spark mechanical keyboard!
Microsoft reveals next set of phones to receive Windows 10
Check out our coverage of Windows 10 for the desktop and phones
VisionTek USB Pocket SSD 120GB - Review
Windows phone 8.1
ESPN has released a new official app for Windows Phone, replacing its outdated ScoreCenter app. The new app brings its Windows Phone offering on par with its Android and iOS apps.
Microsoft's "affordable flagship" Windows Phone, the Lumia 830, is available right now for £199.99 SIM-free - £100 lower than its usual price - including a free Fitbit Flex and free delivery.
Microsoft has teamed up with Air Asia to give 5,000 airline loyalty points to anyone who buys the Lumia 535 in Malaysia - enough to get a return flight to Phuket, Krabi or Singapore.
A video reportedly shows a Microsoft demo of its new 'smart dialler' in Windows 10 for phones - a feature that allows users to quickly find contacts using their handset's alphanumeric keypad.
With Microsoft's unveiling of the Lumia 640 and 640 XL earlier this week and with Windows 10 devices coming soon, is it time for Microsoft to consider a new naming scheme for its future devices?
The Lumia Denim update roll out is gradually picking up pace and being made available on more and more devices across the world, and one of those markets is the huge one in India.
On Sunday, Acer announced its first Windows Phone for four years - and like so many others, the device is targeting the low end of the market. But does the new Liquid M220 actually seem any good?
Microsoft has confirmed via a product listing page that Windows Phone 8.1's Update 2 will bring compatibility with Bluetooth keyboards, something the operating system currently lacks.
Microsoft announced two new additions to its smartphone range today - the Lumia 640 and 640 XL - and we had some hands-on time with both of them, which included some intriguing OS observations.
At Mobile World Congress 2015 today, Acer has finally revealed its first Windows Phone device in four years. Running Windows Phone 8.1, the Liquid M220 is also upgradable to Windows 10 for Phones.
The newly launched low-cost Lumia 435 from Microsoft running on Windows Phone 8.1 has gone on sale in the UK, and is available from various carriers as well sim-free from online retailers.
Microsoft has rolled out the latest update to its OneDrive app for Windows Phone, adding a range of new features, including the ability to add a PIN code, and easily switch between Microsoft accounts.
Microsoft's most affordable Windows Phone is now available for just $94.49 in the US - although the retailer's claims that this represents a $200 discount on the usual price are somewhat misleading.
After launching its first Windows Phone in September, KAZAM is launching two more - the Thunder 450W and 450WL - which both include a three-year warranty and free screen replacement in the first year.
XOLO has quietly revealed its new Win Q1000, which features a 5-inch HD display, 1GB RAM and 8MP camera with 1080p video recording, in a sleek 8.8mm thick body - all for Rs.8,499 (around $137).
From Microsoft's Rooms and Intel's Skylake, to Indian Denim, Windows 10 patches, HTTP/2, privacy intrusions and Sony's wonky smartglasses, we look back at highlights from this week's top tech news.
Microsoft is putting an end to unsupported devices installing the Windows 10 preview for phones in an attempt to stop users from bricking their phones.
After recently launching the Lumia 435 in the UK, and the 532 in India, Microsoft has brought its two most affordable Windows Phones to Thailand, where they are now available from 2,990 baht ($92).
It's been over five months since Microsoft announced the Lumia Denim update, but many users are still waiting for it to arrive. But in India, the company says it will complete its rollout this month.
The Lumia 532 is an entry-level Windows Phone, but it still includes a quad-core processor, 1GB RAM, front and rear cameras and multiple hardware sensors, along with the latest Lumia Denim firmware.
Development continues on Windows 10 for phones, but it seems another update is on the way to Microsoft's mobile OS, as its Dev Center site now includes references to 'Windows Phone 8.1 GDR2'.
You can now get the most popular Windows Phone ever, Microsoft's Lumia 520, brand new for just $29 off-contract - albeit locked to AT&T - but only a 'limited quantity' is available at this price.
The UK's largest mobile network is now selling the Lumia 930 for just under £200 - not brand new, but in 'good as new' condition, including a full manufacturer's warranty and 500MB of free 4G data.
An XDA forum developer has successfully "tricked" the Windows Insider app to get it to download and install the Windows 10 for Phones Technical Preview, it requires a lot of work though.
Love is in the air this week, and even Microsoft's digital personal assistant is in a romantic mood, with some new Valentine-themed additions - but it looks like she only has eyes for one man...
Microsoft has announced that the Denim update is finally available for the Lumia Icon - the first time that Verizon's Windows Phone 'flagship' has received an OS update since its launch a year ago.
T-Mobile says it will only release the latest OS update for its Lumia 521 and 925 - and given the carrier's poor support for Windows Phones in the past, its HTC 8X seems unlikely to get Windows 10.
Microsoft announced the Lumia 435 smartphone last month, and now it seems the device is headed towards UK as Amazon is taking pre-orders for the device with an expected release date of March 1.
Microsoft wants to share the love in Italy this Valentine's Day, with a special promotion - available for a limited time next month - offering a free Lumia 435 when you purchase a Lumia 535.
Microsoft has updated its Tetra Lockscreen app with a plethora of bug fixes and new features. Despite being available in the US only, it can still be downloaded on all WP8.1 devices except Lumia 1520.
Microsoft's affordable Lumia 535 can now be purchased from just £79 off-contract, including a 5-inch qHD display, 5MP rear camera with flash, 5MP front cam, 1GB RAM, and the latest Lumia Denim update.
Twitter's Windows Phone app will now indicate that users can't tweet animated GIFs, one of the features available in its Android and iOS apps. Additionally, People Hub integration has been added.
According to the latest numbers from an Indian import tracking website, Microsoft has imported over 500,000 units of its competitively priced, entry-level smartphone, the Lumia 535, into the country.
Microsoft is expanding the global rollout of its delayed Lumia Denim update, and you can find out now if the update is available for your device, on your carrier, in your part of the world.
Microsoft is pushing the low-end even lower with its latest handsets, which come with Windows Phone 8.1 and Lumia Denim, and will go on sale next month from just €69 off-contract.
Many excellent handsets have come and gone since Microsoft launched Windows Phone 7 Series in 2010 - but there have been a few disappointments too. What's your choice for the worst Windows Phone ever?
With the Lumia Denim rollout behind schedule, and a Windows 10 Mobile preview expected soon, it seems there may be no further Windows Phone updates until the new OS launches at the end of the year.
Samsung is keen on reducing its reliance on Android for making devices, and is currently considering Windows Phone for some of its upcoming devices, despite the ongoing legal troubles with Microsoft.
Celkon's first Windows Phone - which includes a 4-inch display, front and rear cameras, microSD slot, dual-SIM support, FM radio and more - is now available for just Rs.3,999 (roughly $64).
EE has slashed prices on two of its 4G Windows Phones, including Microsoft's Lumia 735 'selfie phone', which is now available for £129.99 off-contract - but you'll have to buy a £20 PAYG top-up too.
Once Samsung's Windows Phone flagship, the ATIV S has since been replaced by a newer model - but at just $109.99, the device may well present an interesting alternative to newer entry-level handsets.
From Windows 10 and modular smartphones, to HTC's new flagship, what's next from OnePlus, premium wearables, epic games and more, we look at some of the cool stuff that's on the way in the year ahead.
A couple of weeks after it was first spotted, iBall has now formally announced the Andi 4L Pulse, and it looks like it may well be India's most affordable Windows Phone ever, at just Rs.4,999.
Microsoft has posted its own Windows Phone app stats in order to get more developers to create unique experiences for the emerging platform, which now supports carrier billing and lesser efforts.
From Android 5.0 and Windows 10, to the Apple Watch, Microsoft Band, OnePlus One, Google antitrust allegations and the console wars, we look back at highlights from the year's top tech news on Neowin.
"Minecraft: Pocket Edition" is a great game now out on Windows Phone, but if you want to play it, do it on a device with a large screen.
After launching its first Windows tablet earlier this year, iBall is now selling its first Windows Phone too - the Andi 4L PULSE, which has an ultra-affordable price tag of just Rs.4,899 ($77).
Microsoft has formally announced that the rollout of its Lumia Denim update has begun for a "limited number of devices in selected markets", with a wider rollout scheduled for early January.
Netflix has given its Windows Phone app a facelift, bringing a new design and several new features that put the app on par with its versions on other platforms.


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Image of Greenpeace's Report Cover, found at Greenpeace.
Greenpeace had a presence at this year's CES 2009, and had in hand their report ranking the greenest products of the 15 manufacturers participating in their study. The group held a press conference to discuss the findings of the report, and what their expectations are for the electronics industry.
Read on for the greenest of the green in the main gadget categories, according to Greenpeace.Greenpeace Report Basics
"We're on the hunt for a truly green product that is free from toxic chemicals and excels in energy efficiency and durability," said Casey Harrell, Greenpeace International toxics campaigner. "We're pleased to say that the electronics industry has taken encouraging strides towards increasing the green features on some gadgets over the past year but none stand out in all environmental categories. The race for the green winner is still on."
Greenpeace started a conversation with 15 different companies who submitted their products for analysis and ranking according to Greenpeace's strict standards. The goal of the project was to not just find out who has what, but to engage the companies in a dialog about their entire company's philosophy. Looking at the chemicals in products submitted lead to conversation about getting harmful chemicals out of all products, not just those being marketed as "green."
Analysis of how products are marketed lead to conversation about educating consumers and giving honest, straightforward and easily accessed information about the products from cradle to cradle.
Extended lifetimes of more durable devices lead to discussion about cutting back on consumer waste, which then lead to takeback programs and companies taking full responsibility for their products, even at end of life.
The Greenest Gadgets
Greenpeace looked ran the rankings and found the following to be the greenest of what was submitted to them:
Laptop: Toshiba Protege R600 laptop
Mobile Phone: Samsung SGH-F268
Smart Phone: Nokia 6210 Navigator
Television: Sharp LC-52GX5 (sold in Japan only)
Monitor: Lenovo L2440x LCD
Lenovo's monitor was actually the highest scorer across the study, pulling in 6.9 points. That alone shows you how strict Greenpeace was on their points system. And that was with the group giving brownie points for innovative green thinking and going above and beyond legal and industry standards.
From the discussions, Greenpeace found that we have a long way to go — that most companies pick an aspect of a product to green up. What needs to happen is whole company changes, and green products taking a priority position within the company. From the look of booths at CES and eco relegated to corners, we do indeed have a long way to go.
More on CES 2009:
CES 2009: Nokia Working to Walk the Green Talk
CES 2009: Schwinn's Tailwind Bike Uses Exclusive Toshiba Battery Tech (Video)
CES 2009: Motorola Launches The First Carbon Neutral Cell Phone
Are Green Gadgets Really Greener This Year At CES?
CES 2009: The Greener Gadgets Wild Goose Chase
CES 2009: Fuji Rolls Out Greenwashed EnviroMAX Batteries

domain: news


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The Nike Air Monarch IV has become a staple of “Dad Style.” Not only has Nike released a multitude of colorways, but customizers have started to put their own flavors on the Monarch. With all the attention that the Monarch has received, the Swoosh is dropping a new colorway of the silhouette.
In celebration of Father’s Day, the “Weekend Campout” Air Monarch IV has been treated with a green leather upper, gum outsole and merit badge-inspired tongue logos.
The Nike Air Monarch IV releases today in North America for $120, on June 14th in Japan and in Europe in July.
The post Nike Air Monarch IV Releases in New Colorway Ahead of Father’s Day appeared first on SLAMonline.


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Highly organised Russian groups have transformed mobile hacking into an industrial scale business, a kind of “malware-as-a-service,” complete with marketing affiliates, distributors and customer support.
There’s a good chance a few zombie phones are feasting on your mobility budget, and you don’t even know it. They’re draining dollars and making you look foolish. It’s time for a zombie kill of the week.
Microsoft on Thursday took an unexpected $900 million charge to account for what it called “inventory adjustments” for the Surface RT, the poor-selling tablet that debuted last year.
A rebound for IBM failed to materialise in the second quarter, as profit and sales declined along with a slump in revenue from hardware and services.
The European Commission has introduced new caps on mobile data roaming charges, making it cheaper to use maps, watch videos, check emails and update social networks while travelling in the EU.
Google will pay US$7 million to settle complaints from dozens of U.S. states about its unauthorised collection of personal data …


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McWaiter, there’s a gross pretence in my burger
WE’RE not loving it any more. McDonald’s has been having a torrid time: profits down 15% in America, calls to ban it from Russia and contamination scandals in China. Meanwhile, Britain’s TV chefs have spent years trumpeting healthier eating, sustainability, the provenance of food and the calamities of obesity. Many middle-class Brits have fled the yellow arches for ever.
So it is not surprising that, last week, the fast-food multinational was testing table service in some of its UK branches, like a proper restaurant. Or that its “food development director” had designed a Signature Collection (™): bigger burgers in a “brioche-style bun”. (This apparently had input from Michelin-starred chefs, although McDonald’s refused to tell me which ones.)
Sensing itself outflanked by Five Guys, Shake Shack,


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Seaforth Foodland owners to retire
In the over two decades Steve and Barb DelChiaro have owned the Seaforth Foodland grocery store, one night stands out in their minds as providing unquestionably the greatest professional challenge they've ever weathered.
It also spawned what they believe was one of their greatest achievements.
April 27, 2013.
In the early hours of that fateful spring day, a suspicious looking blaze gutted the community's only grocery store, threatening to spell the end for one of the anchor tenants of Seaforth's Main Street.
As the DelChiaros prepare to retire at the end of the month, transferring ownership to MJ and Kevin Baer who also operate the Lucan franchise, they maintain that there was never a moment when they considered not rebuilding the store.
It was the right thing to do, not just for them but also for the community.
"We had a sense of need to do the right thing (and) rebuild the store - (to) do what is right for the community, do what is right for the employees," Steve said in a lengthy interview with the Expositor conducted inside that newly rebuilt Seaforth store. "People asking me on the very first day, 'do you plan to rebuild?' And we said yes."
Reflecting back, he said the roughly eight month reconstruction process represented the "hardest challenge" he had encountered over the course of his entire 43-year long career in the grocery business.
Meanwhile, the opening of the new modern-looking Seaforth store in December 2013 was a "proud accomplishment," as well as a record rebuild for Sobeys Ontario, the parent company of Foodland, the DelChiaros said.
"We’re proud of the outcome of this. We moved at such lightning speed, right from the demolition - they were pulling the rubble away and it was still smouldering,” Steve explained, adding that the actual construction of the new store only took about 16 weeks.
“We couldn’t have done it without the support that we got from our staff, our head office,” Barb added.
Now that, in the words of Barb, the "store is all put together," the couple decided to retire while they were still young enough to travel the world.
As owners of what is likely Seaforth's busiest retail operation, the DelChiaros said they've been unable to squeeze in more than two consecutive weeks of vacation time since they first started at the local Foodland store back in October 1994.
Citing the example of comedian Jerry Seinfeld, Barb said the couple wanted to "get out while still healthy and doing good," and did not want to make their exit "too late."
"I'll be 59 this summer, so it's time to retire. We want to travel, now is the time, while we're young, to travel - it's hard to do that when you own a business" Steve said, noting that a 13-day trip to Europe last year was the longest they were away from work in about 28 years.
Although planning to visit England and Quebec in the near future, the DelChiaros maintain that they have no intentions of permanently leaving Seaforth, where they've raised their children and own a home.
In fact, the community's quiet and peaceful rural charm was one of its strongest appeals to the DelChiaros when they first decided to set up shop.
The couple, working in the Greater Toronto Area at the time, said they were lured by the opportunity to return to more familiar terrain - Steve is from Stratford, while Barb hails from London - and Seaforth's more relaxed pace compared to the bustle of the infamously congested region centred around Canada's largest city.
"It seemed to be a nice, quaint small town - a good place to raise your family," Steve said of his first impressions of the community.
"And it was, I don't think we have any regrets." added Barb.
While eager to start retirement, the DelChiaros acknowledge that they’ll leave a bit of family behind in the Foodland staff, some of whom predate their tenure in Seaforth.
“We do enjoy our staff, they’re good people,” Barb said.


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J&J was found by the Court to have used systematic deceptive marketing and is liable under California’s Unfair Competition Law and False Advertising Law.
As a matter of law, Johnson & Johnson (J&J) lied to consumers regarding the safety and efficacy of their transvaginal mesh product as pronounced in a major ruling by the Honorable Eddie C. Sturgeon in the Superior Court of the State of California in San Diego County, Central Branch, ordering civil penalties in the amount of $343,993,750 to be paid by J&J. Though the company seeks to blame doctors for its misdeeds, it may be more difficult now for J&J to blame them for failing to warn patients of the risks associated with the implantation of their devices via the Learned Intermediary Doctrine. Simply stated, J&J was found by the Court to have used systematic deceptive marketing and is liable under California’s Unfair Competition Law and False Advertising Law.
The California Court found that all of J&J’s “sales training materials and outward-facing marketing materials about J&J’s mesh products-including doctor-directed sales aids, professional education training materials, and patient-directed marketing materials” were approved by the company’s medical, regulatory, and legal management. Unfortunately, for a generation of women, the California Court found that J&J marketing “concealed what they knew about the risks and downplayed FDA warnings.”
“The door is closing on the mesh manufacturers…as their devices are defectively designed and the risk of severe debilitating pain does not justify their use and the warning is still inadequate.” – Dr. Greg Vigna
The California court found that since 2000, a mere two years after the TVT launch, “J&J did not include the risk of or potential need for removal of pelvic mesh in its IFUs until 2015,” and in fact affirmatively acted multiple times to conceal known risks of their transvaginal mesh product lines. An example of this includes in 2005, “Ethicon instructed marketing employee, Kimberly Hunsicker, to remove dyspareunia data from the abstract of a presentation about Prolift because including that information “IS GOING TO KILL US.”
As a Matter of Law, the California Court found that J&J “knew about the risk and dangers of their pelvic mesh devices.” The Court was unconvinced by J&J expert testimony of Dr. Peter Rosenblatt, Dr. Charles Nager, and Dr. Karyn Eilber that “mesh does not cause or pose additional dangers aside from vaginal exposure and erosion.” In fact, the court found that the defense experts’ opinions contradicted the company’s own internal documents “that these mesh properties can lead to multiple serious and long-term complications.”
Not only did the California court find J&J experts’ testimony unconvincing, it found that their testimony was biased, noting that Dr. Rosenblatt has implanted “over 3,000 mesh devices over his career [and] he has also been a paid consultant for almost every U.S. mesh manufacturer for the past 18 years” with compensation “somewhere in the range of $2.2 million to $5.5 million from mesh manufacturers.”
Greg Vigna, MD, JD, practicing physician, national pharmaceutical injury attorney, and Certified Life Care Planner states, “The door is closing on the mesh manufacturers, even with the change in warning, as their devices are defectively designed and the magnitude of the risk of severe debilitating pain does not justify their use and the warning is still inadequate. We are investigating cases involving retropubic slings causing ilioinguinal neuralgia and transobturator slings causing obturator and pudendal neuralgia including those mesh implants inserted by J&J’s unconvincing and biased experts.”
For articles, video resources, and information, visit the Pudendal Neuralgia Educational Portal (https://tvm.lifecare123.com/pudendal-portal.html) or https://tvm.lifecare123.com/. Click here for information regarding sling related complications: https://tvm.lifecare123.com/slingebook.html


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|Colombia imported 78,000 tonnes of fish worth US$188 million last year, up 41 per cent in volume compared to the previous year.— Photo vietstock.vn
HA NOI (VNS) — Viet Nam was the number one fish provider for Colombia in 2013, with a 36 per cent market share in the South American country.
It was followed by Argentina (9 per cent), Cote d'lvoire (8 per cent) and Ecuador (8 per cent).
Colombia imported 78,000 tonnes of fish worth US$188 million last year, up 41 per cent in volume compared to the previous year, according to the Virtual Business Centre (Centro Virtual de Negocios - CVN). Tuna and tra fish made up 19 and 16 per cent of frozen fish imports respectively.
The website dinero.com, a Colombian online newspaper, quoted aquaculture expert Fernando Bages as saying that tra fish imported from Viet Nam was highly competitive thanks to its low price and good quality. .—VNS


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Chicago Town launches £3m ‘ultimate pizza hit’ campaign
Dr Oetker has launched a movie themed “ultimate pizza hit” national TV campaign to promote its Chicago Town branded pizzas.
The 30 sec commercial kicks off a £3m promotional campaign intended to increase market share for the largest brand within the frozen pizza category, currently at 25.2%.
It coincides with a new pack design and tailored ‘movie review style quotes’ for each product.
Tadio advertising will run from April, alongside social media activity and a new website.
Strategic planning for the campaign was divised by Life, with media planning from MEC Manchester.
Paula Wyatt, UK marketing manager for Dr Oetker, said: “Consumers tell us that it is our big, bold American values and promise of generosity that draws them to the Chicago Town brand, followed by the unique product range and individual sub brands.
“By dialing up these attributes our aim is to strengthen our unique and unmistakeably proud personality and help consumers understand why Chicago Town Is the brand of choice.”
The Gate Films produced the television campaign and was directed by Richard Oliver.
Content created with:
LIFE is an award-winning full service creative agency driven by an obsession for what real people with real lives want from brands right now.Find out more
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Centerplace shopping center growth begins to heat up
January 23, 2013
It's been a good 12 years since the Centerplace shopping center started building up around its grocery anchor.
This year will see marketable activity, with new construction in a vacant lot just north.
So far this year, city planners expect the opening of Chick-fil-A, Panera Bread, Goodwill and a Homewood Suites hotel, all in the same mostly vacant lot just north of Safeway off of 46th Avenue and Centerplace Drive.
"I believe that people are feeling a little more comfortable about doing (projects)," said city planner Darrell Gesick. "So, I wouldn't be surprised that this stuff starts to fill in, as long as the economy keeps going in the right direction and there are no more setbacks."
The other projects are:
» Chick-fil-A. Developers have planned a 4,833-sqare-foot restaurant with a drive-through and an outdoor patio on the northeast corner of 46th Avenue and Centerplace Drive.
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Construction was expected to begin in March, but Gesick said he hasn't heard anything from the restaurant for about four months.
A representative for the restaurant did not return calls.
» Panera Bread, operated by Breads of the World, has planned a 4,530-square-foot restaurant, also with an outdoor patio and a drive-through. The restaurant's plans must still go through the planning commission for approval, Gesick said. A representative from Panera also could not be reached.
The 16,000-foot Goodwill store and the planned 80-room Homewood Suites were announced last year.
Westminster developer David Amin has plans to build his extended-stay hotel with a 150-person meeting room directly behind Lowe's home improvement store. He has yet to apply for a building permit, however.
Goodwill is planned to open by summer. Goodwill's existing Greeley store, at 1012 11th St., will then be converted into a career connections center, a free career resource center offering residents job skills and career support, company officials said.
Much like the first wave of retail that hit the city in 2000, population numbers may reaching a point that triggers more stores, Gesick said.
"I just think the city demographics are starting to meet what they typically look for in their placements," Gesick said. "The population is growing. Once you hit that threshold, you start seeing" more retail growth.
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Laval, Quebec — August 16, 2017 — Hot on the heels of the acquisition of Go! Glass & Accessories just three months prior, Uniban Canada has announced the acquisition of Star Auto Glass’ trademark and franchising rights. Star Auto Glass specializes in windshield repair and replacement.
Uniban Canada is the franchisor for the brands VitroPlus, UniglassPlus, Go! Glass & Accessories and Ziebart in Canada. A statement from the company says it has been strengthening its position in the Canadian market, particularly in the Greater Toronto Area, by adding six service points.
“This acquisition is a continuation of a strategic deployment for Uniban Canada. Star Auto Glass is an important player in the Greater Toronto Area. With an impressive number of mobile units and commercial business volume, the largest in Ontario, we will increase our presence in the region,” said Marc Desmarais, President and CEO of Uniban Canada. “This transaction was part of our strategic pursuit in enhancing our coverage of service centres to solidify our vertical integration strategy.”
Through this transaction, Uniban Canada is expanding its network to more than 150 stores and 300 mobile units.
“I am very enthusiastic about this transaction, which consolidates a longstanding relationship between our two companies. The equity of confidence and trust that has been built between us is a determining factor in my choice for the future direction of the Star Auto Glass banner. This transaction provides us with new tools to expand our presence and influence in the Greater Toronto Area and to support my project to open new locations,” said Bassam Betou, founder of Star Auto Glass.
For more information, please visit unibancanada.ca.


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Chicago International Casual Furniture Market
Just in the nic of time for the Chicago International Casual Furniture & Accessories Market, ASID Eye On Design, reported on the "Luxury Tracking Report: Consumer Spending Trends" survey conducted by marketing consulting firm Unity Marketing, a year-over-year increase in spending on luxury goods and services suggests that affluent consumers’ economic confidence is bouncing back. For a majority of those surveyed, the worst of the recession appears to be over, with 48 percent predicting that their personal financial situations will improve over the next 12 months.
According to Stephani Miller of the Custom Home Magazine, "Although many economists predict the economic and housing industry recoveries will be long and slow, glimmers of a rebound are emerging. The good news for the custom home building segment is that even though financial portfolios have been hit hard and lending institutions are continuing their tight grip on credit (particularly for large construction loans), affluent consumers still have money. They are being more selective in their spending choices, however.
In particular, affluent homeowners’ spending on outdoor living products—such as patio furniture, grills, lighting accents, fencing, outdoor stoves and fireplaces, garden shelters, water features, and decorative accents—has increased steadily in the past two years. Luxury outdoor living purchases among those surveyed rose 22.6 percent from 2007 to 2008 and climbed another 33 percent in first quarter 2009, compared with the same period in 2008.
"Affluents have cut back on travel and dining out, but they are spending more on the home overall," says luxury marketing expert Pam Danziger, president of Unity Marketing. Many of the affluent consumers surveyed in Unity’s report have made significant improvements to their houses and are now turning their attention outside the home, creating living spaces that allow them to enjoy the outdoors."
Hopefully, this news will encourage lots of activity next week in Chicago.
These are my outside views…Marcia Blake


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Big changes are ahead for Zipcar, Inc., the worldwide car sharing network as the company announced today that car rental giant Avis Budget Group is buying the Cambridge-based company for approximately $500 million.
Robin Chase, co-founder and former CEO of Zipcar and founder of Paris-based Buzzcar, says it’s a smart move for Avis, and a profitable one for Zipcar. But Chase also asks whether Avis’ acquisition will create a culture clash for Zipcar’s devoted members.
“Car sharing is not car rental and I’ve known that from the beginning, and the question is — does Avis understand that? Will they be able to maintain a cutting edge innovation and bring together a community of people who want to be co-creators and participants in a new style of consumerism? That will be the question,” Chase said.
Avis Budget expects to generate $50 to $70 million in annual cost savings by using both companies’ fleets to meet the demands of both renters and car-sharers.
If Zipcar shareholders approve, the deal is expected to be completed by spring of this year.


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Rumours have been circulating for a while now that Victoria’s Secret will be opening a shop in B.C’s largest shopping mall, Metropolis at Metrotown. Well now it can be confirmed as I’ve received word that a HUGE Victoria’s Secret store will be opening up in the mall sometime in 2013. This is official, no rumour.
Metropolis at Metrotown is already getting a VS Pink Store. That is expected to open November 2012.
It’s also 99% certain that the old HMV spot will be a Victoria’s Secret. LEDCOR construction signs have been placed in the windows, meaning an official announcement will be imminent as to who has secured that retail spot. It is expected to be one of the largest Victoria’s Secret locations in the world.


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Also, in yesterday's editions, an article on the latest report on the gross national product erroneously stated that the dollar value of GNP rose by 13.7 per cent during the third quarter. The correct figure is 9.2 per cent.
The nation's economy slowed markedly in the third quarter from its [WORD ILLEGIBLE] rate of expansion earlier this year, the government reported yesterday.
Prelimary [WORD ILLEGIBLE] by the Committee Department showed that the real Gross National Product or economic output after allowing for inflation rose at an annual rate of only 3.8 per cent in July through September. That was only three fifths of the economy's previous pace and was below the 4 per cent growth rate that is needed to keep unemployment from rising.
Although the third quarter figures were not a surprise to economists, they were disappointing. In one disturbing note consumer spending, which accounts for about two-third of GNP fell off [WORLD ILLEGIBLE] sharply than anticapted.
The new hatch of statistics served to heighten the split within the Carter administration over whether the economy needs a quick tax cut.
Secretary of the Treasury W. Michael Blumenthal discounted the impact of yesterday's figures, telling a bankers' group in Dallas that the slump "should be short-lived" and that the economy would return soon to a more respectable 5 per cent rate of growth.
But Juanita Kreps, the Secretary of Commerce, called immediately for further stimulus to the economy. In a statement accompanying the GNP figures, Kreps said the new statistics "strongly suggest the need for further tax reduction."
Analysts at one point had figured the economy would slow even more than it did in the third quarter, but a pickup in some key indicators in recent weeks had led to predictions that the growth rate would be in the 3 to 4 per cent range.
Nevertheless, Courtenay M. Slater, the Commerce Department's chief economist, conceded that the third-quarter pace was "obviously . . . below the 5 per cent . . . necessary to achieve a rapid reduction in unemployment." She acknowledged that yesterday's figures "did not quite measure up to" administration targets.
The latest White House forecasts show the economy is likely to speed up in the current quarter and grow at a 5 per cent rate until mid-1978. However, after that the outlook is more uncertain. The projections show a slump to a 3.5 per cent pace.
But Slater warned yesterday that the unexpected fall-off in consumer spending "raises a rather big question mark as to what's going to happen in the fourth quarter." She termed it "just one more piece of evidence" that the Carter administration will have to turn to tax cut in order to meet its targets in 1978.
The President is considering a Treasury proposal to speed up the tax cuts he is planning as part of his tax-revision package and urge Congress to enact them next year instead of in 1979. The White House had no comment on that yesterday, but Jody Powell, the President's press secretary, conceded it's "possible the economy will need some additional action."
The falloff in consumer spending was marked. Real final sales, the braodest measure of buying activity, rose at a disppointing 3.9 per cent rate, compared with 5.1 per cent the previous quarter. Personal comsumption was up at a scant 1.8 per cent annual rate.


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The fast-expanding coffee shop chain Triple Two has opened its latest venue in Quakers Friars between Broadmead and Cabot Circus in Bristol.
Triple Two started in 2016 with a kiosk in Swindon’s shopping centre and some four years later can boast 18 branches.
As well as offering an extensive menu for coffee lovers, it serves a wide range of food including vegan and gluten-free options. Food includes Italian flatbreads, bacon rolls, wraps, sandwiches and a selection of salads all made fresh every day.
The Triple Two name is inspired by Swindon’s railway heritage, paying tribute to the 2-2-2 steam trains that were used by Isambard Kingdom Brunel.
Triple Two said: “Since the opening of our very first store, a kiosk inside the Brunel Centre, Swindon, the brand has gone from strength to strength. Four months later we opened our flagship 3,000 sqft store.
“You may think after achieving so much over the past year we are sitting back and relaxing, in fact, we haven’t even started yet.”
The brand recently partnered with Cooks Global Foods PLC to grow the franchise with branches overseas.


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LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Kings and AM570 KLAC today announced a new and unique promotion – FLY WITH THE PRESIDENT – as fans will have the opportunity to purchase this special travel package that features Kings President of Business Operations, Luc Robitaille.
The FLY WITH THE PRESIDENT promotion will allow fans to fly with Robitaille to Denver to watch the Kings-Colorado Avalanche game at the Pepsi Center on January 21. The group – which also features team mascot Bailey, members of the METAL Kings Ice Crew and Kings alumni – will travel from Los Angeles to Colorado on January 21st – the day after the 44th President of the United States will be inaugurated. This special package includes a roundtrip flight, hotel, tickets to the game, transportation and Kings merchandise.
For more information on FLY WITH THE PRESIDENT, and for all Kings ticket information, call 1-888-KINGS-LA.


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Sustainability is a hot topic in both the specialty coffee and packaging industries.The UN predicted that if consumption and waste management don’t change, the world will be home to some 12 billion tonnes of plastic waste by 2050.
Coffee businesses around the world have been focusing on creating a more sustainable, circular economy. They do this by adding value to products and materials they use. They have also made progress replacing disposable packaging with “greener” solutions.
We know that single-use packaging poses a threat to the global ecosystem. However, there are ways to minimise the use of single-use packaging. These include to avoiding fuel-based materials and recycling the packaging that is already in circulation.
Packaging accounts for around 3% of the coffee supply chain’s total carbon footprint. If plastic packaging isn’t properly sourced, produced, transported, and discarded, it can be detrimental for the environment. To be truly “green”, packaging must do more than simply be recyclable or reusable – its entire life needs to be sustainable.
For now, the focus is on using renewable raw materials, lowering the carbon footprint through production, and safely repurposing materials at the end of the product’s life. So, what more can roasters do to make their packaging more sustainable?
Many packaging companies are investing a lot of time and money into researching sustainable packaging ,such as recyclable, biodegradable & compostable coffee pouches. Options that are being considered include cornstarch, sugarcane, cellulose, and wood pulp, as well as various other forms of organic matter.


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Yes, we’re sounding the new client klaxon yet again! Manchester’s leading leisure and destination complex, The Printworks, has appointed us to drive positive awareness of the venue both in the North West and nationally.…
The JAM Jar
We’re very excited to announce some huge news this week, as JAMpr and JAM Creative have joined forces to become Jam!
Our new identity comes just over a decade after the agency was established, and we’ve got a brand new website to showcase our integrated offering….
May 14th – 20th is Mental Health Awareness Week. Hosted by the Mental Health Foundation, the focus this year is on stress.
Here’s a few things we do at Jam to keep stress at bay….
Last week, the Brand Passion Report 2018 revealed the UK’s most trusted brands. Those at the top of the list are household names, with Apple (a brand we know well from working with our excellent client Sync), Google and Adidas making it into the top ten. The list was topped by sports brands Nike….
If you’re attending any PR awards this year, you just might hear about us. 2018 has been another amazing year for JAM, as we’ve been shortlisted for an amazing 15 awards!…
Around three quarters of the UK population have a social media account that they use everyday to connect with the outside world – including the brands they like….


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Replika, an app that creates an artificially intelligent doppelgänger, offers a glimpse into the future of human-bot interaction.
The company aims to harness 5G data speeds in building a new class of wireless, always-connected medical devices.
Prezi is using augmented reality to make presentations more immersive and engaging.
Two well-known DIY technologists have published a tutorial that lets you change the faces on your money.
The medical gadget hasn't been revamped in almost 200 years. A group of designers hopes to change that.
The second-generation Pixel phone, two new Google Homes, an upgraded Daydream View, and more.
The age of Instagram has given rise to a new genre of installations, which seem to exist only to produce the perfect photo.
What happens when you double Twitter's iconic 140 character limit? A small group of users will find out.
No, you can't turn your living room into a battlefield. But you can see what that sofa would look like if you bought it.
It's not all iPhones.


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Italian two-wheeler manufacturer Piaggio Group partnered with (RED) to launch the Vespa RED special edition scooter in India as part of its commitment to the fight against AIDS. The special edition scooter is priced at Rs. 87,009 (ex-showroom, Mumbai) and on every purchase, it will trigger a $50 (around Rs 3,275) donation to the Global Fund to fight AIDS in India.
(RED) is a highly respected worldwide brand that partners with the world's most iconic brands that contribute up to 50 per cent of profits from (RED)-branded goods and services to the Global Fund.
Based on the Vespa 125 model, the new Vespa RED sports a red body colour to support the organisation along with complementing 12-inch red alloy wheels. The version also receives a red art leather seat beside the other standard features of the scooter.
Powered by a 125cc, three-valve engine, the Vespa 125 offers 10PS of power and 10.6Nm of torque. The engine comes mated to a CVT automatic gearbox.


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Google is developing a single operating system that could replace both Android and its Chrome OS for netbooks.
Images of what is codenamed ‘Fuchsia’ have surfaced online.
Unlike its predecessors, which are based on the widely used Linux system, the new operating system uses Google's own internal software known as ‘Magenta’.
It appears the new system is specifically designed for ‘modern phones and modern personal computers with fast processors’ - meaning it could be an Android and ChromeOS competitor.
Fuchsia was first spotted in August 2016, but, at the time, was just a command line.
Now, it seems Google has bigger plans for its new operating system (OS), as it now boasts an interface, nicknamed ‘Armadillo', that could one day replace Android.
The latest update of the prototype was spotted by Ron Amadeo with Ars Technica, who determined Google is taking a different route with this OS.
Unlike Android and Chrome OS, Fuchsia runs on a microkernel called ‘Magenta’.
The tech giant’s documentation describes it as targeting "modern phones and modern personal computers with fast processors, non-trivial amounts of RAM with arbitrary peripherals doing open-ended computation." Amadeo also noted that this OS could be the design if Android was built today, as when it was created, Android did not have the billions of users it has now – which may be the reason it is riddle with problems.
However, Fuchsia could be the answer to Androids problems as it seems to focus on a more simplistic and organized design.
Kyle Bradshaw with HotFix.net put together a short video to give users a hands-on look of the new system and how it stands out from Android.
One difference is that the homepage, which appears to be much larger, takes a more personal approach, rather than focusing on applications.
In the center is the user’s profile picture, which when tapped, gives them access to a range of settings such as brightness, volume and other quick settings – some have compared the layout to Chrome OS’ quick settings menu.
However, when a user swipes down on the main screen, their recent apps will appear in chronological order, just like Android.
Swiping up from the bottom activates another menu that suggests apps for a user should open, as well as other shortcuts.
And the keyboard shown in the video looks very similar to that of Google’s Gboard.
The home screen also contains a split-screen interface that is capable of scaling up to the dimensions of a tablet.
Google has also incorporated cards into the new system to manage apps.
In one of the screen shots, there are a bunch of cards, entitled ‘Stories’, which are placed above the user’s profile image.
However, it is unclear what these cards mean, but Ars Technica said they may be a grouping feature, as when you tap a card it becomes a full-screen interface.
And it seems that Fuchsia is able to support three apps at ones with a 33/33/33 split, or even four apps at 75/25/75/25.
This means that users are able to use parts of the new operating system and run it on their Android device – a smartphone or tablet.
Although it seems Google is gearing up to release Fuchsia to the masses, it is not clear exactly what the tech giant has in-store for the new operating system or even if it will be launched into a full-fledged product.


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Burlington Coat Factory, Bealls Outlet, and Home Goods have been announced for the revitalized Arbor Square Shopping Center, located at the intersection of Highway 5 and Douglas Boulevard.
As you may have noticed by all of the construction, along with the demolition of the Chevron Station at the corner, Arbor Square Shopping Center is undergoing a major transformation. Originally built in 1977, the shopping center has seen many changes over the decades. In fact, when it was first built, Douglas Boulevard did not even exist. The Highway 5 - Douglas Boulevard area has boomed in the years since the opening of Arbor Place Mall. When the original anchor store of Arbor Square, K-Mart, closed, the prime location didn't seem poised for an ambitious renovation project.
J.R. Connolly, of Connolly Investment and Development, says that his team was waiting for the perfect combination of high quality anchors to spur the major changes taking place now. His firm has been in the business since 1972. In fact, his father headed the original development of Arbor Square and the company has owned the property for four decades. Connolly Investment and Development has developed more than 40 major projects throughout the southeast with a combined valuation of about $280 million.
Burlington Coat Factory will be the largest anchor in the Arbor Square Shopping Center. Chapel Hill News and Views has confirmed that the well known clothing and accessories chain will occupy a vastly remodeled 42,654 square foot space that was once Ben's Antiques and originally K-Mart.
To the right of Burlington, will be Tile and Stone Express, which will move a few doors down and occupy the 20,553 square foot corner location. Tile and Stone Express, popular with the DIY crowd and contractors, will actually make their move this November.
To the left of Burlington will be Home Goods, a home furniture, decorating, and accessories store that offers "an ever changing selection of exciting top brands and home fashions from around the world, at prices generally 20%-60% below department and specialty store regular prices, on comparable merchandise, every day," according to their website.
Bealls Outlet will be next door to Home Goods. Bealls is a Florida based clothing outlet that offers fashion shoppers discounts at up to 70% off retail.
Monterrey Mexican Restaurant, a popular tenant since the 1970s, will be remodeling to fit the new feel of the shopping center. The restaurant is also launching some new menu items in the very near future.
The entire shopping center will have a new look. Connolly tells us that there will be a new facade, landscaped islands, new lighting, and the parking lot will be completely repaved. On the corner lot (where Chevron once stood) a new structure will be built. The tenant for that space is not yet finalized, but is likely to be on par with the others already announced. Additionally, a new 2400 square foot structure will be built in the outer parking area in front of Burlington. We're excited to report that this will likely be, pending the standard process for new businesses in the city, Del Taco.
Del Taco has seen a major resurgence, now operating over 550 locations across 15 states, and with a focus on growth in the southeastern and western regions of the United States. Currently, the nearest location for Del Taco fans is in Smyrna.
Mr. Connolly is enthusiastic about the changes at Arbor Square. He reminds us that, with so many major renovations, there will be temporary inconveniences, "There will be times that we have to close one parking lot entrance or another, but there will always be access and we will make the inconveniences as temporary as possible." He adds, "We've had ties to Douglasville for four decades and we wanted this renovation to be what the site and the people of the community deserve."
Because they sought just the right tenants for the renovated space, the project was in development for years. Now, the community gets to join in that anticipation and patience for a few more months. The entire project is expected to be completed in April or May of 2018.
One issue many residents of Douglas County have expressed concern about is the traffic problem heading northbound on Highway 5 in front of the shopping center. Traffic tends to back up at the light at the intersection of Highway 5 and Douglas Boulevard. County officials are working on a solution to this issue. According to Rick Martin, Deputy Director of Communications and Community Relations for the Douglas County Board of Commissioners, "The Douglas County Department of Transportation (DCDOT) has had recent discussions with GDOT regarding a northbound turn lane being added as a GDOT project. We received a positive response and they are considering adding it to their program."


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“All proceeds go toward our Environmental Education Program,” said Joanne Maskew, KAB executive director. “It is vital for us to teach students and adults the importance of living in a clean and healthy environmental.”
Volunteer opportunities for the yard sale include collecting donated items, staffing the yard sale booths and working as a food server on the day of the event.
Volunteers are needed all three days — Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Donations of items will be accepted between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Thursday, as well as on Friday, at the Old American Uniform building.
All donations are tax deductible. A receipt will be given at the time the items are donated.
Donations sought include the following:
— Clothing (for all seasons), gently worn and clean
— Lingerie, scarves, hats, gloves, etc.
— Linens (table clothes, bedspreads, comforters, sleeping bags, curtains, sheet sets, blankets, pillows, placemats, towels, napkins, etc.)
— Home décor (frames of all sizes, lamps, pictures, lamp shades, etc.)
— Kitchen items (dishes, pots and pans, baking pans, glassware, plastic, mugs, tins, etc.)
— Infant and children’s items (clothes, blankets, bibs, socks, burp cloths, towel & etc.)
— Books, music and media (hard cover or paperback books, CDs, VHS tapes, albums, cassettes, magazines, etc.)
— Crafts, electronics, small appliances, office supplies, tools, luggage, holiday decorations, jewelry, beauty products, floral arrangements, toys, etc.
— Furniture (chairs, couch, tables, entertainment center, TV's, etc.)
Door prizes will be awarded. Food and beverages will be available at the event.
Money raised will help provide programs in KAB’s Great American Cleanup campaign, such as the planting of basil plants by pre-K through third graders; the designing of “garbage art” by fourth- and fifth- graders; the creation of rain-barrel art by middle school students; and essays by high school students about ecologically related subjects, such as acid rain’s harmful effects and how to reverse its damage; air pollution’s effects on human health; the effects of off-shore oil drilling; and the pros and cons of paper versus plastic grocery bags.
“Your support of the Keep America Beautiful program will help us continue our mission and expand our Environmental Education Program,” Maskew said.
For more information on any of these topics or to volunteer time and items for the upcoming yard sale, call Maskew at 559-3307 or email her at firstname.lastname@example.org.


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People who are vision impaired now have their own mobile phone thanks to NSW-based OwnFone which has developed the special mobile phone in consultation with the blind and low vision community.
The phone was developed in the United Kingdom, it has no touch screen and instead uses 3D printing to customise the handset for each user.
The original OwnFone was developed as a bare bones mobile phone alternative targeted at seniors and children.
OwnFone Australia director, Brad Scoble, said touchscreen technology is problematic for the blind or vision impaired.
“The braille buttons are produced using 3D printing and customised for every customer, which makes OwnFone’s braille phone a world-first.”
The UK-based inventor of OwnFone, Tom Sunderland, said that the prohibitive cost of developing a braille phone versus the market size was previously a barrier to entry.
“3D printing provides a fast and affordable way to overcome this barrier.”
The handset is used only to receive and make phone calls and adds to the company’s existing range of mobile phones for children and seniors.
Users can design their own handset on the firm’s website. They will need to provide up to three contact names. These names are then printed on the front of the phone in braille.
The braille version of the OwnFone is available nation wide. Prices start at $89 and call plans start at $2.35 a week.


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BMW Looking To Launch Car Subscription Service Pilot Program
At the moment there are various subscriptions services that we are subscribed to. This includes cloud storage services, music streaming, video streaming, software subscriptions, and more. However it looks like carmakers are really starting to lean towards car subscription services because BMW is tossing their hat into the ring.
BMW Electric Cars Won't Be Mass Produced Until 2020
As demand for all-electric cars continues to grow, many car manufacturers are now rushing to get their models out in the market to get a piece of the piece. However, not all manufacturers are in a hurry. German auto giant BMW has said that its electric cars won’t be mass produced until 2020. The company has a solid reason for its decision to not rush into the production of all-electric […]
BMW To Develop The World's Fastest Racing Drone With DRL
BMW makes some very fast cars so it has great expertise in the area of automotive design and technology. Can it lend some of that expertise to drones? That’s what the German auto giant is planning to do in collaboration with the Drone Racing League. The company is developing the world’s fastest racing drone in collaboration with the Drone Racing League.
BMW To Charge Customers $80/Year To Use Apple’s CarPlay
These days it’s not uncommon to see more carmakers offer their customers options when it comes to smart infotainment systems, such as CarPlay or Android Auto, or sometimes the carmaker’s own system. However it seems that BMW wants to charge customers for that luxury in the form of an annual subscription.
BMW Wireless Charging Pad Headed To The U.S.
BMW offers a wide range of plug-in electric cars and owners can charge by obviously plugging them in. However, the company has been working on alternate methods of charging its vehicles and one includes a wireless charging pad. The BMW Wireless Charging Pad is already available in Europe and the company has now confirmed that it’s going to offer the charging pad for one of its cars to customers in […]
BMW Teams Up With Solid Power For Solid-State Batteries
BMW is heavily interested in the future of the automotive industry and that’s not surprising at all. The company has made a string of investments recently to advance its self-driving and electric car technologies. The company has now announced that it’s teaming up with battery technology company Solid Power to develop and commercialize solid-state batteries that will be used in electric cars.
BMW Spending $118 Million On A Track For Self-Driving Cars
BMW is really digging deep into its pockets to keep up with the rapid changes in the automotive industry. The company recently revealed that it’s going to invest $240 million to build more efficient electric car batteries. The company has now said that it’s spending $118 million to build a test track for its self-driving and electric cars. The track is going to be located in the Czech Republic.
BMW Investing $240 Million To Build More Efficient Electric Car Batteries
When it’s not envisioning a future where electric bikes have their own dedicated lanes, BMW is thinking about developing more efficient electric car batteries that push the envelope further on range. The group has announced that it’s investing $240 million in developing its new “BMW Group Battery Cell Competence Centre” to develop the powertrain for its next-generation electric vehicle.
BMW Envisions A Future Where Electric Bikes Have Dedicated Lanes
While electric and self-driving cars are certainly the future that we are headed towards, let’s not forget that not all of us have the means, luxury, or the necessity to own a car in the first place. For example Singapore has recently announced that they will stop adding new cars to its roads starting next year.
BMW To Bring Alexa Voice Controls To Its Cars Next Year
It is no secret that Google and Apple are interesting in getting their services and technologies into cars, which has led to the creation of Apple CarPlay and Google Android Auto. However it seems that both companies can expect to compete with the likes of Amazon as well because BMW has announced the Alexa will be coming to their cars as well.
BMW Says That Car Keys Could Eventually Be Replaced By Mobile Apps
Our car keys over the years have evolved where these days there are cars that can start in non-traditional ways, such as using a car, pressing a button, and so on. However could it be that eventually we might get to a point where we could start our cars using nothing but a mobile app? That’s what BMW thinks the future could look like.
BMW Reveals All-Electric Mini Concept
There’s no denying the fact that electric cars are going to be a big part of the future. Major auto manufacturers have realized that which is why they’re jumping on the bandwagon as well. BMW has now revealed an all-electric concept of its iconic Mini. One has to say, the possibility of an all-electric 3-door Mini is very exciting.
Microsoft And BMW Bring Skype To Cars
Microsoft today announced that it’s expanding its partnership with BMW to bring Skype to the German manufacturer’s cars. Skype for Business will now get a place in BMW’s iDrive system. This functionality will enable BMW owners to attend Skype meetings from inside their cars using the stock infotainment system. BMW is already one of the first car manufacturers to enable Office 365 services in its vehicles.
BMW Unveils New Zero-Emission Concept Motorcycle
BMW has unveiled its new concept zero-emission motorcycle at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2017. The new concept is inspired by BMW’s Motorrad Vision Next 100 and is called the BMW Motorrad Concept Link. The company says that the concept combines digital connectivity with the demands of urban mobility on two wheels.
BMW To Add 100 EV Charging Stations To US National Parks
What could be more green that installing electric vehicle charging stations at a national park, right? Turns out that’s pretty much what BMW is doing as the company has officially turned on an EV charger that they have installed at the Thomas Edison National Historical Park, where it will be one of 100 EV charging stations they plan to install across US national parks.
BMW Android Auto Support Ruled Out
Car manufacturers are increasingly integrating infotainment systems like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to ensure that their customers have access to the system of their choice. However, there are some manufacturers who opt for one or the other and not both. BMW is one such manufacturer. Even though it offers support for Apple CarPlay in some models as an option, it has ruled out Android Auto support in its cars […]
BMW Brings Cortana To Cars
Microsoft’s Cortana digital personal assistant was launched a couple of years ago. It’s available on Windows-powered smartphones, laptops, tablets, and even gaming consoles. It hasn’t really made its way to the car as yet but the company has worked with BMW on a vision for the future which puts Cortana inside the German auto giant’s luxurious vehicles.
BMW, Mobileye, And Intel Will Test Self-Driving Cars This Year
German auto giant BMW, Mobileye, and Intel today announced that they have teamed up to test self-driving cars in the United States and Europe this year. The companies will deploy 40 self-driving cars for testing on public roads in the second half of this year. The test cars will be BMW 7 Series sedans that are packed with technology provided by Intel and Mobileye.
BMW HoloActive Touch Powers A Revolutionary In-Car User Interface
BMW confirmed late last month that it was going to showcase a new infotainment technology at the Consumer Electronics Show 2017 in Las Vegas. The technology, called BMW HoloActive Touch, powers a revolutionary in-car user interface that combines the advantages of the BMW Head-Up Display, BMW gesture control, and intuitive touchscreen technology.
HoloActive Touch Puts A Responsive Floating Display Inside BMWs
BMW is going to show off a new infotainment technology at the Consumer Electronics Show 2017 next month. It has provided a preview of the new technology called HoloActive Touch today. It basically puts a responsive floating display inside the car, the floating display is actually capable of providing the driver with tactile feedback so it would actually feel like they’re tapping on a real display when they’re just interacting […]


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Michigan dispensary offers delivery jobs & some profits for veterans
The Greenhouse of Walled Lake wants to hire up to a dozen veterans to deliver marijuana and they’ll pay up to $50,000 per year and provide the car and gas.
Oakland County’s first fully licensed medical and recreational marijuana dispensary is launching the new home delivery service on Tuesday, just two days before Veterans Day, and is seeking “12 good men and women” for the jobs that can pay up to $50,000 per year.
Not only that, The Greenhouse will provide cars and gas to the delivery drivers.
No knowledge of the cannabis industry is necessary to apply but a valid Michigan driver’s license and good driving record are both required.
And the Greenhouse has already started hiring. Todd Hopper is a disabled veteran who served nine years in the U.S. Army had a tough time finding work. Until the Greenhouse’s job opened up.


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When Gizmodo recently asked DisplayMate to do a detailed tablet display comparison for us, who’d have thought that the revised Galaxy Tab 10.1 would edge out the iPad 2? The new 10.1 model is also said to be thinner than the tablet o’ magic, but will it be cheaper? We’ll find out next Thursday when Samsung promises to reveal all.
Perhaps they’ve been waiting for the 10.1’s new TouchWiz interface and Samsung Media hub software updates being released this week over in the States. I’m excited for this one.


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As differences between Gen Y and Gen Z continue to shape products and services and create new customer interactions and experiences, American Express is evolving how it relates to consumers by joining Amazon’s Alexa ecosystem. The Amex/Amazon partnership will serve American Express members with Alexa devices as a new skill for eligible U.S. consumer and OPEN Card Members.
— American Express (@AmericanExpress) May 11, 2017
The two cohorts, Gen Y (ages 23 to 37) and Gen Z (ages 16 to 22) are both sweet spots for brands and this latest American Express launch is the first credit card-related financial skill for the connected home via Alexa.
By linking an online American Express account to the Amex skill, consumers with an Alexa-enabled device can check account balances, review recent charges, make a payment and get more information through voice commands. The Amex skill also links to the Amex Offers ecosystem, where card members can peruse limited-time offers and add them to their cards to activate.
American Express SVP of Enterprise Digital Luke Gebb commented on bringing the Amex brand to the Internet of Things with Amazon that “Our Card Members are redefining how they engage with our brand across the digital platforms of their choice, and we want them to have great experiences wherever they are.”
American Express first partnered with Amazon in 2010 making Membership Rewards available Amazon purchases. Now it’s exploring the new world of payments in a secure proven setting with a trusted partner.
Rob Pulciani, Director of Amazon Alexa said in the release, “American Express is known for innovating on behalf of customers and providing top-notch service, values we share at Amazon. With the Amex skill for Alexa, Card Members are just a question away from getting account information, offers, and more.”
The news of the Amex skill launch comes with a new study into Gen Z consumers by American Express conducted by Forrester Consulting, “Raising the Bar: How Gen Z Expectations Are Reshaping Brand Experiences.”
The data shows Gen Z’s unprecedented expectation of brands regarding engagement and customer service. Already an empowered and mobile-first cohort, 81% of Gen Z’s make purchases on their own, with 59% having made a purchase via mobile app in the last year, while 46% said data security and privacy are must-haves to keep their business.
The research surveyed 1,027 North American Gen Y and Gen Z consumers and findings were shared at American Express’ Innovation showcase yesterday in a panel discussion including partners Amazon, Delta and Facebook.
“Over the past few years we’ve modernized our approach to service and increased our investment in mobile technology to best serve our Card Members, including the always-on, always-connected Gen Y,” said Amex’s Luke Gebb.
“Our research shows that Gen Z is two steps ahead when it comes to interest in payments solutions and technology and their expectations of brands. We’re focused on meeting our customers where they are as we continue to reinvent how we deliver an exceptional service experience.”
Gen Z and Gen Y have similar expectations when it comes to trust and service. Compared to Gen Y, Gen Z cares more deeply about the reputation and brand image of the brands they use (50% vs. 42%). Gen Z was twice as likely as Gen Y to stop using a product, brand or service due to responsiveness on social media (21% vs. 9%).
According to the study:
• Gen Z is 22% more likely than Gen Y to prefer in-app notifications to receive offers, incentives and sales notifications.
• 23% more likely than Gen Y to prefer interacting via social media to receive offers, incentives and sales notifications.
• 100% more likely than Gen Y to prefer interacting via online chat technology.
• 81% of Gen Z survey reported they make purchases on their own, with 77% keeping track of finances and 72% have a checking/savings account.
• 43% have used a card branded checkout solution in the last three months, compared to only 29% of Gen Y.
• 33% have used a device specific mobile wallet in the last three months, compared to only 22% of Gen Y.
• Twice as many Gen Z consumers ranked using text/SMS messaging, searching online resources and talking over the phone with an automated system as their top three preferred customer service channels to solve a problem.
• Gen Y was twice as likely to want to use chat messaging on a company’s website and 25% more likely to resolve an issue via phone.
• Gen Z is twice as interested as Gen Y in features that enable instant gratification: one-hour drone delivery, purchasing products or services via chat apps or social media, personalized experiences via bots and AI and the ability to pay via a watch or other wearable device.
American Express also just announced the launch of an updated Amex bot for Facebook Messenger, enhanced by AI and servicing technology. It’s a brave new world for next-generation financial services and customer experience indeed.


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Star heroine Kajal Aggarwal has already had two releases in the first half of this year. The actress is currently busy shooting for two movies in Telugu and Queen’s Tamil remake. In a latest interview with a popular Telugu daily, Kajal opened up about her plans to produce movies.
“If I come across a strong script which compels me to back it at any cost, I will surely produce it depending on how manage my schedules,” said Kajal. The actress, who had already turned entrepreneur by launching her designer jewellery brand a couple of years ago, says that she is looking for the right kind of partners to expand her business ventures.
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- Tamannaah makes interesting comments about a Tamil director


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FP TrendingAug 03, 2021 14:58:15 IST
Realme is soon expected to get into the laptop space and launch the Realme Book. The Realme laptop has been rumoured several times in the past and now it has been officially teased by the company. The new teaser reveals the colours that the laptop will come in.
Realme India’s CEO, Madhav Sheth took to Instagram and posted an image of him carrying the Realme laptop. The image reveals that it will come in Blue and Grey colours. There are chances that this will be in addition to an unnamed third colour option.
The image also reveals that the laptop will come with a 180-degree hinge. From the looks of it, the Realme Book appears like a MacBook Air clone with a minimal design. This is also similar to the Mi Notebook design.
It is also suggested that more details on the laptop will be revealed during episode 28th of Ask Madhav. The episode could also include the announcement of the Realme Book launch date in India, which is still not revealed.
As for the specifications, not much is known. As per a report by 91 Mobiles, the laptop is rumoured to come with a 14-inch LCD display with a Full HD screen resolution. It is likely to be powered by 11th gen Intel processors and is highly expected to come with Windows 11 out-of-the-box.
Other details remain unknown, including the price. However, the laptop is expected to fall under Rs 40,000.
Realme is also expected to launch its first tablet, purportedly called the Realme Pad too. It is expected to come with a slim, unibody aluminium design and come with a dual-tone finish. It is expected to be backed by a 7,100 mAh battery, get s 10.4-inch display, and be priced under Rs 22,000.


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January trade deficit narrows over lower imports
Sri Lanka’s trade deficit slumped to US $ 617 million in January, from US $ 701 million recorded in the same month in 2018, as the country’s import bill declined significantly while recording a modest growth in exports.
The country imported US $ 1.6 billion worth of goods in January, indicating a notable decline of 17.8 percent from the same month in 2018, mainly due to lower import expenditure on fuel, gold and fertiliser.
Sri Lanka’s exports grew by 7.5 percent to US $ 1.03 billion in January 2019, driven entirely by higher volumes, which offset a drop in export unit values compared to the same month of last year.
“The export volume index increased notably by a 13.7 percent in January 2019 while the export unit value index declined by 5.4 percent, implying that the growth in exports was driven entirely by higher volumes in comparison to January 2018,” the Central Bank (CB) stated.
The textiles and garment exports grew by 9.5 percent year-on-year (YoY) to US $ 475.9 million contributing to over 45 percent of the country’s export earnings, amidst a high demand for garments from the EU and USA as well as non-traditional markets such as India, Japan, Australia, China and Canada.
Meanwhile, the CB noted that the policy measures targeting constraining imports contributed significantly to the notable decline in the import bill.
“Continuing the declining trend observed since November 2018 that reflected the impact of policy the measures taken to curtail imports, expenditure on personal motor vehicle imports showed a significant decline. Expenditure on almost all non-food consumer goods imports decreased in January 2019, compared to the corresponding month of the previous year,” the CB said.
In particular, the personal vehicle imports in the month came down by 47.9 percent to US $ 49.5 million, compared to the same month last year.
However, the government removed the margin deposit requirement on both vehicle and non-essential consumer goods imports against letters of credit in the 2019 budget.
The gold imports, which stood at US $ 93.7 million in January last year, has almost vanished, only having imported a negligible US $ 0.1 million worth of gold to the country this January, after the government imposed 15 percent custom duty on gold imports.
The overall decline in imports was driven by low volumes as well as low prices of imported goods in comparison to the corresponding period of 2018.
Sri Lanka’s fuel import bill in January was contracted by 9.1 percent YoY to US $ 329 million due to lower average import prices and lower volumes of crude oil and refined petroleum products, despite a higher import volume of coal.
However, the expenditure on the importation of investment goods, including building material, machinery and equipment, also declined in January.
The CB cited that the lower expenditure on commercial cabs and auto trishaws categorised under transport equipment and iron and steel categorised under building material as the main reasons for this decline.
Further, the expenditure on rice imports continued its declining trend in January, with higher supply in the domestic market.
For the first time since February 2018, earnings from agricultural exports recorded a growth on a YoY basis, in January 2019, mainly due to the growth in coconut, seafood, vegetables and unmanufactured tobacco exports.
However, export earnings from tea declined marginally by 0.9 percent YoY to US $ 207.6 million in January, due to lower average export prices of tea.


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Samsung Electronics has alleged that three recent products from Apple, including the iPad mini, infringe on its patents.
Although Google and Microsoft don't exactly get along, that hasn't stopped Skype from updating its Android app with tablet support and improved audio quality.
At long last, third-party Lightning-connector accessories, for the latest generations of iPhone, iPad, and iPod, are starting to hit the market, and those add-ons form the bulk of this week's accessory roundup.
A man who exposed a major privacy weakness that divulged email addresses of iPad users on AT&T's network plans to appeal his conviction on two felony charges.
Nokia's new Here Maps for iPhone and iPad launched in the App Store Monday, the latest offering in the flood of navigation apps trying to take advantage of widespread dissatisfaction with Apple's new native Maps app that, in iOS 6, replaced Google as...
Apple is expected to begin placing orders for the 'iPhone 5S' (also dubbed iPhone 6) and next-generation iPad early next year, according to new reports.
First-time surprise entrant Wipro tops the list of rankings in the 18th edition of the Greenpeace "Guide to Greener Electronics," with Apple dropping two spots to sixth compared to last year's study.
Survey: iPad mini appealing to first time tablet buyers ditching PCs, not eating away at 10in iPad sales
The iPad mini's cannibalisation of the full-size iPad could be smaller than anticipated, a new survey has revealed.
Apple's iPad shipments for China nearly doubled in the third quarter, after Apple settled in July a lengthy dispute over the iPad trademark name that once threatened to ban the device from store shelves in the country.
Don't expect HP to have a change of heart about building Windows RT devices anytime soon.
Need a mouse for your Windows 8 laptop or a keyboard for your Windows RT tablet? These devices from Microsoft and Logitech are solid options from proven peripherals vendors.
Some users of Microsoft's new Surface tablet are complaining about connectivity issues that are preventing them from getting on the Internet, according to posts on Microsoft's Surface support forum.
Apple has begun notifying customers who have ordered 4G LTE compatible iPad minis that their devices have been shipped.
Apple's iPhone 5 is proving difficult for hackers to jailbreak, but it looks like they're getting closer.
Apple has patented a design for an iPhone package that can transform into a simple charging dock.
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Amazon's Dash button could hurt new brands if it becomes widely used to re-order old favorites, according to one economist.
Amazon Dash works like the e-commerce site's Buy It Now button on the web, except it will be an actual button sent to the customer. With a push of the button, consumers can order the products they need without having to visit the Amazon website or app, according to the company's website.
But it could trap Amazon shoppers into sticking with specific brands and force them to do extra work in order to discover new—and potentially better—products, according to Max Wolff, chief economist at Manhattan Venture Partners in an interview with CNBC.
So far, well-known brands such as Whirlpool and Brita are participating in the Amazon Dash Replenishment Service program.
Read MoreAmazon's latest TV play to rival Google's Chromecast
The buttons are currently available for Amazon Prime subscribers by invitation only, Amazon said on its website. Its Dash Replenishment Service will be widely available this fall, according to the company.
"The question is, how much is it a gimmick that really busy technophiles go for and how much can you make it a lifestyle product for millions of busy people to streamline their purchase," Wolff said.
An Amazon spokesperson confirmed the Dash button program to CNBC on Wednesday.


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World News: 11:11 GMT Friday 21st April 2017. [Research and Markets via Businesswire via SPi World News]
Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "Pectin Market: Global Industry Trends, Share, Size, Growth, Opportunity and Forecast 2017-2022" report to their offering.
According to the latest report Pectin Market: Global Industry Trends, Share, Size, Growth, Opportunity and Forecast 2017-2022, finds that the global pectin market has grown at a CAGR of around 6% during 2009-2016.
According to the report, the global demand of pectin is currently being driven by its capability to create customized textures and its natural association with fruit and fruit pulp. The report provides a comprehensive insight into the industry including its market break-up by region, market breakup by end-uses, value chain analysis, import and export trends, key players and market outlook. The report also gives an in-sight into the manufacturing process of pectin, covering key success and risk factors for manufacturers, manufacturing process flow, the reactions involved, raw materials and their requirements, etc.
The report has analysed the global pectin market on the basis of key regions and found that Europe represents the largest market for pectin accounting for more than a third of the total global consumption. Europe is followed by Asia, North America and South America. Assessing the global imports and exports of pectin, the report has found that the United States is the largest global importer of pectin followed by Germany, Russian Federation, Japan and China. Mexico, on the other hand, is the largest exporter of pectin.
Value chain analysis
Key Topics Covered:
2 Research Methodology
3 Executive Summary
5 Global Pectin Industry
6 Market by Raw Materials
7 Performance of Key Regions
8 Market by End Use
9 Competitive Landscape
10 Pectin Manufacturing Process
11 Pectin Feedstock Market Analysis
For more information about this report visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/d2hkfg/pectin_market
Business Wire: 11:11 GMT Friday 21st April 2017
SPi News is published by Sector Publishing Intelligence Ltd.
© Sector Publishing Intelligence Ltd 2017. [Admin Only]
Sector Publishing Intelligence Ltd.
Ground Floor Offices, Little Keep Gate, Barrack Road, Dorchester, Dorset DT1 1AH
Registered in England and Wales number 0751938.


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FOLSOM, Calif. – Visionary Integration Professionals (VIP), an award-winning consulting, technology, and outsourcing firm, announced today that it has been recognized by UBM Tech Channel as a part of CRN’s 2013 Solution Provider 500 list, which identifies the top technology integrators in the U.S. and Canada based on revenue size. Formerly known as the “VAR 500,” the Solution Provider 500 (SP500) ranks the highest producing solution provider organizations in the IT channel from hardware sales, software sales, and managed IT services. VIP placed #144 in the annual ranking.
“We are pleased to once again be recognized as one of the nation’s top solution providers,” said Jonna Ward, CEO and founder of VIP. “This award is a testament to our ability to deliver innovative solutions while adapting to changing market demands and continuing to make customer satisfaction our top priority. VIP’s success wouldn’t be possible without the hard work and support of our employees, business partners, and clients.”
“We aim to highlight the ‘best of the best’ among the channel community, and the Solution Provider 500 is no exception. Now in its 18th year, this prestigious list serves as a valuable industry resource to help end users quickly identify top performers and make the most well-informed choices for their business,” said Robert Faletra, CEO for UBM Tech Channel.
“The companies listed have a forward-thinking approach to solutions sales. They are also highly dedicated to putting their customers’ needs first to accelerate the adoption of innovative technology and drive immediate results. We congratulate VIP for making this year’s list and look forward to covering their continued success.”
The 2013 Solution Provider 500 list category awards will be presented at the BoB thought leadership conference in October. A sampling of the 2013 SP500 list is featured in the June issue of CRN Magazine and is featured online at www.crn.com. The complete list of 500 companies will be available in the CRN Tech News app, available for iPad and Windows 8.
Visionary Integration Professionals (VIP) is a consulting, technology, and outsourcing firm with more than 900 federal, state and local, and commercial clients. VIP helps clients achieve measurable results by maximizing revenue, mitigating risks, and reducing costs. VIP has five offices across the U.S. including its headquarters in Folsom, California. Learn more at trustvip.kinsta.cloud.
About UBM Tech Channel
UBM Tech Channel, a UBM company, is the premier provider of IT channel-focused events, media, research, consulting, and sales and marketing services. With more than 30 years of experience and engagement, UBM Tech Channel has the unmatched channel expertise to execute integrated solutions for technology executives, managing partner recruitment, enablement, and go-to-market strategy in order to accelerate technology sales. To learn more about UBM Tech Channel, visit us at http://www.ubmchannel.com or follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/UBMTechChannel.
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According to a recent European Commission Survey the UK is well below average in harnessing the benefits of e – business.
Overall on e-business indicators, the UK came in at 28th out of 31 countries according to the scoreboard report published by the EC. The report shows the performance of countries delivering on the agreed targets of the Digital Agenda for Europe.
The Digital Agenda, launched last year, commits the European Commission and its member states to carry out specific actions to boost investment in, and use of, digital technologies.
In e-business, the EC ranks countries against indicators such as the number of businesses that share electronic information on the supply chain and how many enterprises use e-invoices.
The UK performed the worst against the electronic supply chain management indicator (6.7 percent of firms) and on exchanging business documents suitable for automatic processing (14.5 percent of firms), coming in 30th place on both, above only the Netherlands and Cyprus, respectively.
The top performers in these categories were Italy for automatic exchange of business documents and Croatia for electronic supply chain management.
The UK also ranked in the bottom five countries for the number of large (60.7 percent, 28th place) and small (26.1 percent, 29th place) enterprises that use software to share information on sales and purchases electronically and automatically, and for the number of enterprises that send or receive e-invoices in a format suitable for automatic processing (13.6 percent, 27th place).
Against these indicators, the UK only ranked higher than countries such as Lithuania, Romania, Bulgaria, Slovenia and Hungary.
These figures are quite surprising, and certainly don’t reflect the trends we at Prime Document are seeing, indeed we are experiencing considerable growth in our ecco service.


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The Chief Executive Officer of the newly launched Vodafone Samoa has clarified that the wave of Vodafone Samoa signage that has recently taken over Bluesky across Upolu and Savaii is a brand transition only, and not a merger or acquisition as some may have suspected. Speaking at a closed session launch to abide by […]
Home Tag "Digital TV"
Samoa Levels-Up to Digital Television Technology
Samoa joins the rest of the world with the launch of its first official transmission to digitize television. All Samoan households will be able to access 8 Free-to-Air channels with increased competition expected to foster quality programs at lower costs. The move is part of the Digital Terrestrial Television Project which the Office of the […]


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Kourtney Kardashian and Scott Disick take their son Mason out for his birthday in Miami on Dec. 14, 2012. The family visited the Gold Coast Railroad Museum before heading to a zoo.
Fashion and pop culture collided last evening to recognize sartorial excellence at the 2015 CFDA Fashion Awards.
Age is just a number for Kylie Jenner.
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In the iPhone version of a lottery, Apple was ready to celebrate when it reached 25 billion apps downloaded. That milestone was reached when Chunli Fu of Qingdao, China, chose to download the free version of Disney’s Where’s My Water?
The lucky iPhone owner was awarded a $10,000 iTunes Gift Card and a tiny place in digital entertainment history. Where’s My Water? (pictured) is a physics-based game in which players have to overcome multiple and sometimes strange obstacles that keep the water from reaching Swampy’s shower.
Apple said that there are now more than 315 million iPhone, iPad and iPod touch devices worldwide, and there are over 550,000 apps in the Apple’s App Store available in 123 countries around the world.
At least 14 million of those iPhones are on China Mobile, according to the carrier’s chairman Wang Jianzhou, which is interesting since China Mobile’s 3G does not yet officially support the iPhone.
“We’d like to thank our customers and developers for helping us achieve this historic milestone of 25 billion apps downloaded,” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of Internet Software and Services. “When we launched the App Store less than four years ago, we never imagined that mobile apps would become the phenomenon they have, or that developers would create such an incredible selection of apps for iOS users.”
Press release – http://tinyurl.com/7pmxgp3


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Apple's next iPhone could have a serious advantage over the Google Pixel 4 and the OnePlus 7T
Apple only just released its latest batch of iPhones last month – the iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max – but that hasn’t stopped rumours circulating about the exciting new features planned for its 2020 handsets.
The latest piece of speculation about Apple’s upcoming iPhones comes courtesy of DigiTimes. The outlet has claimed Apple’s next flagships could boast displays with boosted refresh rates up to 120Hz.
If true, the American firm’s next devices could eclipse Android rivals like the Google Pixel 4 and the OnePlus 7T series in terms of sheer smoothness.
Why do refresh rates matter you ask? In a nutshell, they make using a device buttery smooth, more responsive and feel faster overall.
Although DigiTimes has a mixed track record when it comes to iPhone rumours (especially 11 months ahead of their expected release), it would make perfect sense for Apple to up the quality of its mobile displays.
Back in 2017, Apple introduced what it called ProMotion display technology for its iPad Pro series. ProMotion is a feature that allows the tablet to dynamically adjust its refresh rate up to 120Hz depending on what’s being displayed on-screen.
At the time, the tech firm boasted about how ProMotion delivers “fluid scrolling, greater responsiveness and smoother motion content”.
It’s clear Apple sees ProMotion as a Pro-only feature. The firm hasn’t granted any of its other tablets a higher refresh rate display. So, surely it would make sense for the firm to introduce 120Hz to its Pro iPhones too, right?
Apple unveil new features on iPhone 11
There are currently very few smartphones on the market that boast 120Hz screens. These include the Razer Phone, Razer Phone 2 and Asus ROG Phone 2.
In contrast, the likes of the OnePlus 7T and Pixel 4 have 90Hz refresh rates, meaning they’re not quite as smooth as their gaming-focused competition.
A higher refresh rate might not be the only change coming to the displays of new iPhones. Of course, there’s been speculation Apple could finally get rid of, or shrink, the notch currently present on all its flagships in 2020.
Additionally, renowned analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has claimed screen sizes will be altered slightly next year. The successor to the iPhone 11 Pro Max has been tipped to boast a larger 6.7-inch screen while the regular ol’ iPhone 11 Pro has been tipped to downsize to 5.4-inches from 5.8-inches. The successor to the standard iPhone 11 has been claimed to stick with a 6.1-inch screen, though.
Kuo also said Apple’s most premium iPhones will boast support for 5G networks, too.
Of course, all rumours about Apple’s next iPhones should be taken with a huge pinch of salt, primarily because they’re so far away from releasing.


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The Media Edge has a new proposition for its clients – to offer customised solutions. Keeping in line with this, the agency has redefined its brand identity to reflect the new thinking.
An official communiqué quoted: “TME brand was launched in India as a media independent from the Rediffusion DY&R stable in 1999. In these seven years, the organisation has gone from strength to strength, and currently handles clients and brands, many of which are market leaders like Colgate, Parle, Taj, DHL, LIC and so on.”
The agency believes that with the industry becoming increasingly competitive, the number of players in most industries is only growing by the day, be it FMCG, durables, financial companies, retail, realty, or even media products like channels, publications and Internet sites. “Fragmentation is a universal truth and the concept of the ‘long tail’ is becoming a reality,” said Anupriya Acharya, President, TME.
Therefore, there are many clients in the market that have similar market shares, but very different products, customer segment focus and positioning. This has given rise to the need for agency partners that can help in giving solutions specific to the client’s requirement. One size surely is no longer fitting all. “Acknowledging this fast emerging reality, coupled with all its strengths, TME articulates its sharply defined proposition as ‘customised solutions’,” Acharya said.
The new mantra is to customise the media solution for the client and use different strokes for different folks. The communiqué quoted: “Customisation at TME is both at a market level as well as client level.”
At a market level, TME, in partnership with Rediff.com, has developed media tools that specifically cater to the Indian market and take into account the parameters and dimensions that govern this market.
At the client level, there are tools that address specific brand needs and help generate unique solutions for each brand. Additionally, the organisation structure that TME has put together is such that it allows itself to focus on the client’s specific needs and pulls in resources as per the requirements.
“In line with this proposition of ‘customised solutions’, TME’s new identity is based on an extremely creative and befitting concept — Origami — the Japanese paper art, where one can make innumerable forms, all of which emerge from the same starting point: a perfectly square piece of paper,” said Acharya.
Some of the key clients of TME include Colgate Palmolive, Indian Oil Corporation, LIC, Parle, Taj, Yahoo, Tata Motors, DHL, Bacardi, Travelocity, Bank of Maharashtra, Videocon, Budweiser, Heinz, Wyeth, Go Air and Religare.