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Google is killing off its proposal for “Web Environment Integrity API” as a new web standard, though Android phones may still have to deal with it. According to Google’s proposal document, the primary goal of the project was to “allow web servers to evaluate the authenticity of the device and honest representation of the software stack”—basically Google wanted a DRM gatekeeper for the web. The project got widespread coverage in July and was widely panned.
The ominously vague plan was to allow web browsers to detect if your computer was “modified” in a way that the webpage didn’t like. Presumably, this could be anything from a rooted/jailbroken phone to having an undesirable plug-in (read: ad blockers) installed. When you tried to access some protected content, a browser supporting the Web Integrity API would first contact a third-party “environment attestation” server, and your computer would have to pass some kind of test. After having your local environment uh… scanned? passing environments receive a signed “IntegrityToken” that points to the content you wanted unlocked. You would bring this back to the web server and would finally get the content unlocked.
Google’s proposal did not go over well. The explainer was full of conflicting information about just how invasive it wanted to be and what its goals were. Google pinky-promised it wasn’t meant to “enforce or interfere with browser functionality, including plugins and extensions”—this is a vague reference to ad blockers—but also the proposal’s very first example had to do with more accurately measuring ad impressions. Even more alarming was that this wasn’t a discussion—Google never publicized the feature for any kind of feedback, and the company was already actively prototyping the feature in Chrome before the Internet really found out about it.
On the Android Developer Blog, oddly, Google has formally announced the death of the proposed web standard. The company says: “We’ve heard your feedback, and the Web Environment Integrity proposal is no longer being considered by the Chrome team.” I believe this is the first time Web Integrity has ever been mentioned in a Google blog post, but hooray! It’s dead. On to the next problem:
Pivot to Android, ensuring YouTube Vanced doesn’t rise from the grave?
The project isn’t totally dead, though. Google has now pivoted to “an experimental Android WebView Media Integrity API [emphasis ours].” Unlike the web version, which would have been a big step “forward” for invasive DRM solutions, Android already has environment attestation, so it doesn’t sound like this is doing that much. Google said the inspiration for the original Web Integrity project was Android’s Play Integrity API, which already scans your phone for root privileges and denies access to things like games, media, and banking apps. Google now wants to be able to do that through embedded Android WebViews (web content displayed in apps), claiming that “media content providers” would be interested in such a thing.
If you are Spotify or YouTube, you could already block modified devices at the app level before the embedded WebView even boots up, via the Play Integrity API. Google also has a preinstalled unremovable Android DRM called “Widevine” made specifically for media playback. Netflix famously demands preinstallation of Widevine on devices in order to show HD content, and problems with the DRM are a common support issue.
Google obviously sees that this proposal is disliked, so its pivot to an Android WebView component suggests it has some specific internal need for locking down WebViews with DRM. Google is so suspiciously vague about these projects, though, that it’s hard to know what exactly the company’s intent is. The blog post notes that while Android’s WebView system brings “a lot of flexibility… it can be used as a means for fraud and abuse, because it allows app developers to access web content, and intercept or modify user interactions with it. While this has its benefits when apps embed their own web content, it does not prohibit bad actors from modifying content and, by proxy, misrepresenting its source.”
Other than the usual malware boogeymen, that sounds a lot like the use case of YouTube Vanced, a (now dead) modified YouTube Android app. Vanced used a WebView and tricked YouTube into playing ad-free videos and unlocked YouTube Premium features like background playback. Because Vanced was just an app, it didn’t require root and wasn’t stopped by the Play Integrity API. Allowing YouTube to reach into your phone via the WebView sounds like something that could shut down these “alternative” clients, though. Google has become increasingly hostile toward ad blockers in recent years, and while the Google legal department already killed YouTube Vanced with a cease-and-desist letter in 2022, having the technical department put a stake through the heart of modified clients sounds like the next plausible step.


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Walmart continues to envision flat same-store sales at its U.S. stores after reporting weaker than expected profits on weak U.S. sales results that were negatively affected by a winter that wouldn’t end.
Brick-and-mortar operators may be able to take solace in the fact that a growing number of consumers are reverse-showrooming, or 'webrooming,' according to a report published Friday by Merchant Warehouse.
Interactions, a firm that organizes product demonstrations for retailers and brands, on Tuesday released its second Retail Perceptions trend report, “The Rise of Webrooming: A Changing Consumer Landscape.”
On April 25, this group of senior executives and keynote speaker — Walmart SVP OTC, health and wellness Carmen Bauza — gathered for the latest Elevation Forum the day prior to the kickoff of NACDS Annual Meeting in Scottsdale, Ariz.
This year the 18th Annual Webby Awards, an international award honoring excellence on the Internet, featured applications for health and wellness mobile health apps, including CVS/pharmacy, Walgreens and GlaxoSmithKline.
Retailers and technology vendors convened at the third annual Health, Wellness and Technology Roundtable to discuss what they see in the current technology today, what they expect in 2014 and some of the unmet technology needs.
According to a survey released Wednesday by Retale, a location-based shopping platform aggregating weekly circulars from more than 60 top-line retailers for mobile and digital devices, 71% of mobile app users say they don't like the idea of being tracked into a store via their smartphones, and 56% say they are not interested in receiving push notifications while shopping.
"It is the race to attract shoppers and gain trips that is causing some retailers to lose their core identity which can potentially lead to puzzlement among consumers," writes Dave Wendland, Hamacher Resource Group vice president, in his latest entry.
AmazonFresh recently launched a new tool called the Amazon Dash that allows users to scan items or speak the items aloud as part of a new way to shop for groceries without having to go into the store or shop online.
The month of March saw a steep rise in smartphone-generated traffic, orders, and revenue by consumers to retailer smartphone-optimized websites over the year-ago period, according to mobile commerce platform Branding Brand.
Kroger on Wednesday partnered with eInfochips and Wincor Nixdorf on a new enterprise IT architecture called Retail Site Intelligence, the companies announced at the International Security Conference and Expo.
Earlier this month, Sally Beauty confirmed a security breach and is now offering one free year of credit monitoring and identity-theft protection for those customers who may have been affected by the incident.

domain: news


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Our key takeaways from our first ever conference focusing entirely on claims, industry trust and transparency
Friday 10 May saw more about 120 industry professionals gather in West London for a full morning of claims; to talk about statistics, sharing stories and connecting with customers. Here are five key things that we took away from the day: 1. As an industry we should be sharing positive news stories to truly build consumer trust The day started with an engaging keynote session from Alan Knowles, chair of the Protection Distributors Group, who spoke about the lack of consumer trust in...
New channels, specialist advisers and mortgage brokers
Travel insurer 'surprised'
Going above and beyond
51% would use personal wealth


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Microsoft Flight Simulator will launch on August 18th for PC. Microsoft has been holding private alpha testing of the new game in recent months, and its ready for preorder and preinstall today. Microsoft Flight Simulator is the latest installment in the hyper-detailed series that has been running since the 1980s. It follows the release of Microsoft Flight Simulator X: Steam Edition in 2014.
We have been thrilled and humbled by the support and dedication that has fueled the Flight Sim community for the past 38 years, says Jorg Neumann, head of Microsoft Flight Simulator. Since the launch of the very first Microsoft Flight Simulator in 1982, we knew it was finally the right time to develop the next-generation version of Microsoft…
The upcoming OnePlus Nord will have a selfie camera with an ultra-wide 105-degree field of view. OnePlus confirmed the news in a video posted to the Nords Instagram page. Although it didnt confirm the resolution of the camera, a previous report from Android Central said that the phone will have two selfie cameras: one 8-megapixel wide-angle camera and a main 32-megapixel selfie camera. OnePlus has previously shown a prototype device with dual selfie cameras during a documentary about the Nord.
In the features announcement video, OnePlus positioned the ultra-wide selfie camera as an alternative to using a selfie stick, meaning it should be helpful for taking selfies of groups, or just of yourself alongside more of your environment….
This weeks list of original streaming shows has a little something for everyone, I think: Tom Hanks as a heroic Navy captain fleeing Nazis, a new series from the creator of Regular Show, a twist on the King Arthur legend that focuses on the Lady of the Lake, and Zac Efron who is traveling the world for some reason.
Ubisoft has announced that the open beta for its upcoming battle royale shooter Hyper Scape kicks off on PC today. In addition to a trailer for the beta, Ubisoft also debuted a new cinematic trailer detailing some of the games story.
Hyper Scape launched first as a technical test on July 2nd, with Ubisoft giving access to some Twitch and YouTube creators so they could stream the game. The launch was a huge success, with Hyper Scape rising to the top of the Twitch charts that day. In his experience with the technical test, my colleague Nick Statt found the game to be a fun and polished take on the battle royale formula.
NPCs were a big part of the first two Watch Dogs games; their colorful histories and biographical snippets would pop up when you scanned anyone in the game world, mostly for comedic effect. But in Watch Dogs Legion, Ubisoft is taking that potential and expanding it into a core part of the game or at least, its trying to.
The idea is simple: all those NPCs, with all their strengths and weaknesses, are now actual playable characters that can be recruited as part of your hacktivist army. Need to sneak into a building site? Recruit a construction worker who can sneak in undetected. And with procedurally generated characters, Ubisoft says that the number of potential recruits ranges in the millions.
Its been nearly two years, but Ubisoft is finally gearing up to release a new Assassins Creed game. Assassins Creed Valhalla is billed as the ultimate viking fantasy, setnot in the fjords of Scandinavia but in the fields and rivers of England during the ninth century Viking invasion. Players are put in the role of Eivor, a Viking from Norway, as they attempt to lead their people to establish a settlement in England.
It may have new Norse trappings and some refreshed gameplay modes and features, but after spending three hours running around Valhallas open world, it feels a lot more like an iteration of 2018s Assassins Creed Odyssey than a drastically different experience.
Ubisoft debuted the first trailer for Far Cry 6 as part of its Ubisoft Forward digital conference today. The cinematic trailer didnt have any gameplay, but showed a city in revolt under the regime of a character played by Giancarlo Esposito, who is perhaps best known as Gus Fring in Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul.
Far Cry 6 is set to launch on February 18th, 2021 for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox One, PC, and Googles Stadia cloud gaming service. Its the latest entry in the series since 2019s Far Cry: New Dawn, a post-apocalyptic sequel to 2018s Far Cry 5.
Ubisoft is hosting a digital press conference to show off what would have been its slate of E3 game announcements. The event is called Ubisoft Forward, and though its a strange time for the studio to announce new projects amid several high-level execs leaving the company after being accused of sexual misconduct and harassment that hasnt slowed it down. You can expect to see plenty of exclusive game news, exciting reveals, and much more, according to the publisher. With several games in development, like Assassins Creed: Valhalla and Watch Dogs: Legion to name two anticipated examples, theres plenty still to show off. Perhaps well see some extended PS5 and Xbox Series X gameplay demos for those games and hopefully others, like…
The latest software update to the Fitbit Charge 4 gives two big upgrades including dynamic GPS, and a smart wake option. First reported by 9to5Google, the new features are now rolling out to all users.
Dynamic GPS allows you to connect with the GPS in your phone if its in range, which may help with location accuracy and preserve the Fitbits battery life. If your phone isnt close enough, the tracker will revert to its internal GPS, which can drain the battery more quickly.
The Smart Wake feature is a pretty cool addition; it will work along with the wearables sleep tracker, and set alarms to wake you at the time youre likely to feel most rested. Another new option allows users to decide how long the screen display stays on once…
I love when books and films take place over really short periods of time, and I recently watched two that work within a similar time frame back to back: Booksmart (which I was seeing for the first time) and Cloverfield (which, if Id ever seen before, I had completely forgotten). Both take place mostly over the course of a single night, which kicks off after a short setup sequence introduces their cast of characters.
The movies arent particularly alike, but side by side, it was clear what a comparably amazing job Booksmart does in getting its events rolling. The main character is set up in all of 30 seconds with a glance over her bedroom, and nearly every other character in the movie is established over the next 15 minutes. Then the…
This weekend, you can still get the biggest discount weve seen yet on Apples AirPods Pro truly wireless earbuds. The sale is happening at Verizon, and you can save $30 on a set of Apple AirPods Pro online only. Most discounts for this model are in the $15 to $20 range, but this deal at Verizon brings them down to their best-ever price of $220. The AirPods Pro are the best truly wireless earbuds for people who own an iPhone, according to The Verges Chris Welch. They sound great and pack in active noise cancellation, and specifically for those who own an iPhone, Apple Watch, or other Apple tech, they can quickly switch between playing audio on different devices.
Another notable deal comes from Best Buy where the GoPro…
We knew a 5G variant of Samsungs vertically folding Galaxy Z Flip clamshell was on the way, after the first images leaked earlier this month. Now, we have an entire leaked video and a set of rumors about the new Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5G that seems to leave nothing to the imagination and suggest it might be ready for Samsungs upcoming August 5th Galaxy Unpacked event.
Basically, it looks like itll be practically the same folding phone but with a faster processor and 5G.
If you, like me, find yourself writing the same email over and over again, or copying and pasting the same message multiple times, Gmail gives you an easier option. By creating and saving email templates, you can insert them the next time you compose a message and save yourself some time.
You can store up to 50 templates at a time, so its easy to create different templates for different situations. Heres how.
Create an email template:
Click on the cog icon in the top right corner of your screen.
Though it might strike some people as obvious advice, Apple has published a support page that warns MacBook owners not to close their laptop with a camera cover in place. Damage like a cracked display could result, according to the company, because the clearance between the display and keyboard is designed to very tight tolerances. MacRumors spotted the advisory, which Apple posted on July 2nd.
Those little plastic camera covers with a sliding mechanism are super common nowadays. Heck, I remember getting one as a holiday gift from The Verges parent company, Vox Media. But they could spell disaster for your laptop screen if you shut the laptop with the cover still on, and Apples laptop repairs are extremely costly. Even with…
HBO Max has announced a new TV series focused on the Gotham City Police Department, which will be a spinoff of Matt Reeves upcoming The Batman film (which is set to star Robert Pattinson at Bruce Wayne / Batman).
The new series will be set in the same world as Reeves film and will be produced by Reeves and Dylan Clark (whos also producing The Batman). Boardwalk Empire creator Terence Winter is set to write the series.
The series promises to build upon the motion pictures examination of the anatomy of corruption in Gotham City and further explore the myriad of compelling and complex characters of Gotham, with the goal of launching a new Batman universe across multiple platforms.
All of those obnoxious marketing emails that crowd your inbox arent just pushing a product. Theyre also tracking whether youve opened the email, when you opened it, and where you were at the time by embedding tracking software into the message. Just type email tracking into your search engine and watch all the software apps appear.
There are a variety of methods used to track emails. For example, one of the simplest is a redirect link. Lets say you click a link in a promotional email that leads to the page for a product you want to buy. The link has been coded to be trackable; it will go to another server with a variety of data, like what browser you are using or where you clicked the link from, before it takes you to the article.
Photo by Salvatore Laporta/KONTROLAB/LightRocket via Getty Images
Staying on top of your email can be overwhelming, time-consuming, and tedious. Its not hard to rack up a large number of unread emails. And for that reason, its easy to keep checking your constant influx of messages at the expense of other tasks.
I have multiple email accounts, and I struggle with keeping that unread count low. So I did some research and compiled advice on how I could get better at managing my inbox. Here are some helpful tips I found for making your inbox easier to handle, spending less time dealing with emails, and making sure you dont forget to respond to an important message.
Dont check all of your emails as they come in
Since emails land in your inbox throughout the day, its easy to get distracted by them,…
Googles 2020 Pixel lineup may look a bit different than usual if the latest product names found in the companys Google search app are any indication. Instead of the expected Pixel 5 and Pixel 5 XL monikers, Google is apparently working on a Pixel 4a (5G) and a Pixel 5, via 9to5Google.
Those two phones were previously discovered under the codenames of redfin and bramble by XDA-Developers. Both were set to offer a Snapdragon 765G processor with built-in 5G support. There was also a third device, codenamed sunfish, featuring a Snapdragon 730. But todays leak confirms which phone names go along with each of those codenames, and it could indicate a big shift for Googles Pixel strategy this year.
This week on The Vergecast, co-hosts Nilay Patel and Dieter Bohn welcome back deputy editor Dan Seifert to examine whats new in the updated iPhone operating system. From home screen widgets to default browser apps to putting captions of photos, the crew covers everything they experienced from using the software themselves.
In the second half of the show, they discuss the news of Google discontinuing its budget smartphone, the Pixel 3A, before any announcement of releasing the next-generation Pixel 4A. What does this mean for the future of Googles…
The Verge is a place where you can consider the future. So are movies. In Yesterdays Future, we revisit a movie about the future and consider the things it tells us about today, tomorrow, and yesterday.
The movie: Starship Troopers (1997)
The future: Two hundred years from now, Earth is governed by the United Citizen Federation, a new world order where people are defined as either citizens or civilians. To be a citizen, you must enlist in the UCF marines, which will earn you the respect of your peers and the right to vote. Not much is divulged about the lives of those not enlisted; its implied they dont really matter much. Everyone wants to be a good citizen, everyone wants to enlist.


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Congressmen Adrian Smith (R-NE) is part of a bipartisan group of representatives that recently launched the Congressional Agricultural Trade Caucus.
Announcement from Congressmen Adrian Smith
Congressmen Adrian Smith (R-NE), Jim Costa (D-CA), Dusty Johnson (R-SD), and Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) announced the launch of the bipartisan Congressional Agricultural Trade Caucus to advance and promote policies vital to U.S. agriculture, including boosting agricultural exports, facilitating food and agriculture trade, and knocking down unnecessary trade barriers.
As co-chairs of the caucus, the members released the following statements:
“American agriculture producers have the capacity to feed and fuel the world, and robust engagement on trade opportunities is vital to unleashing this potential,” said Rep. Smith. “Increasing—and maintaining—market access for our first-class products through rules-based trade strengthens our economy, increases economic security with our allies, and benefits consumers worldwide. I thank my fellow co-chairs for joining me in this effort to advance bipartisan trade policy.”


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SAP and Oracle Go Another Round
Updated · May 17, 2006
SAP threw another blow at the body of rival software vendor Oracle, announcing that is offering technical support and a conversion roadmap for customers running Siebel software.
On the eve of its Sapphire user conference beginning tomorrow in Orlando, Fla., SAP said that it was offering succor to Oracle customers confused and uncertain about the future. TomorrowNow, a subsidiary of SAP based in Raleigh, North Carolina, will provide Siebel customers with a low-cost alternative to their current service contracts. TomorrowNow will also provide Siebel customers with SAP’s Safe Passage program, which is used to help enterprises migrate from Oracle-owned systems to SAP.
Oracle and SAP have been throwing haymakers at one another for almost 18 months, or since Oracle announced its acquisition of PeopleSoft in December 2004.
Oracle then landed a rabbit punch when it announced the acquisition of Siebel Software in September of last year.
But Oracle has confused customers about whether, and for how long, it will continue supporting solutions from the various software companies it has acquired in recent months, including Siebel, PeopleSoft and Retek. And it has yet to deliver on Fusion, which represents its promise to customers to integrate the offerings of those various companies.
SAP has taken advantage of this uncertainty by offering customers of those companies Safe Passage as a migration path to SAP.
“There are a large number of customers of the company formerly known as Siebel with question marks in their minds,” Bill Wohl, a spokesman for SAP, told internetnews.com.
This fight is coming at a critical time for many enterprise customers, as the advent of Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) and other composite applications is forcing them to make significant technology investment decisions.
“There is an imperative for customers to make big strategic decisions,” noted Joshua Greenbaum, principal analyst for Enterprise Applications Consulting.
“They want to have a single infrastructure, not three or four of them,” he told internetnews.com.
Greenbaum also believes that customers have reason to be concerned about their fates.
Oracle’s “initial statements of their intentions when they announced the PeopleSoft acquisition set a negative tone,” he said. “They’ve retracted them since, but the memory lingers in the background.”
Oracle, however, claims that it is being misrepresented.
“We don’t feel that’s a justifiable criticism,” said Karen Tillman, senior communications director for applications at Oracle.
Tillman told internetnews.comthat Oracle has been consistent in its commitment to support all products acquired through at least 2013.
“There was a lot of FUD [fear, uncertainty, doubt] put out by our competitor, but Oracle has been as clear as can be that we will continue to support those products,” she said.
Tillman was equally dismissive of the Safe Passage program.
“A small audience is interested in that kind of third party support. We don’t see it as a big concern to our business overall,” she said.
Oracle also responded to SAP’s announcement with a release of its own, touting recent quarterly sales figures it says proves that momentum is on its side, and boasting that SAP customers are defecting to its products.
According to the release, Oracle revenues from sales of new licenses grew by 31 percent over the most recent quarter, compared with 14 percent for SAP.
The release also said that Oracle had won 500 customers directly at the expense of SAP, and that its OFF SAP (Oracle Fusion for SAP) program has been gaining traction, with 2,000 customers expressing interest in the program.
“The point is they are saying we have no momentum, but we are actually growing our business and taking market share,” Tillman said.
FUD or not, Greenbaum said SAP’s approach allows it to develop relationships with customers who are unsure of whether or not to stick with Oracle in a post-Siebel world. Even if customers don’t choose Safe Passage, the third-party support offered by TomorrowNow allows customers to reduce maintenance expenses while they consider their options.
“It’s a customer-savvy strategy,” he said. “Because customers want different kinds of options.”
But, said Greenbaum, this is not the end of the fight.
“I have no doubt that this back and forth is going to go on for a number of years,” he said.
You can read more about Oracle ERP here.
Article originally appeared on Internetnews.com.
Michael Singer is a career coach, podcast host, and author to help you step into a career you're excited about. Currently, He is a coach and trainer helping entrepreneurs and executives achieve business and leadership success. He is also an award-winning business journalist focused on the intersection of technology, Big Data, Cloud, SaaS, SAP, and other trending technology.


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China said Friday that its attitude on respecting and protecting intellectual property rights (IPR) is serious and its actions are effective, calling the US allegations of so-called IPR theft by China groundless.
"In recent months, the United States has repeatedly accused China of stealing intellectual property rights, but it has never been able to come up with strong evidence," said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying at a daily press briefing, when commenting on the Statement by the US Trade Representative on Section 301 Action released July 10.
"Facts speak louder than words," said Hua, noting that China has . . .
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In recent months, tensions around plastic pollution have heightened and as opposition to plastic straws continues to grow, we are seeing more and more companies implementing strategies to phase out the harmful beasts. A popular trend of late is seeing well-known chains in the food industry, including Starbucks and McDonald’s, build brand equity as an environmentally friendly retailer through sustainable acts. The latest instalment has seen McDonald’s Australia setting their sights on phasing out plastic straws from their 970 restaurants by 2020.
Environmental groups say Australians use about 10 million straws every day, or 3.5 billion a year. From this, and their ever-growing impact on the marine life, paper straws are looking to be the best alternative. As of August 2018, McDonald’s will be trialling paper straws in a few restaurants as they are known for being 100% recyclable and biodegradable. Paper is made from wood, a natural and renewable material. As young trees grow they absorb CO2 from the atmosphere. As a wood product, paper also continues to store carbon throughout its lifetime, making them effective carbon sinks. Being one of the most recycled products in Australia, it’s only natural for companies to replace plastics with paper alternatives.
As one of the largest restaurant businesses, McDonald’s have the opportunity to instil change and lead the way for environmental sustainability globally. This is a strong step in the right direction to welcome paper as a sustainable resource in the food industry and reduce plastic pollution.


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The Economy Minister of the current administration in Germany, Peter Altmaier, was recently quoted as saying that the government there was ready to begin offering support for regional plug-in electric vehicle battery manufacturing, it has been reported.
The German Economy Minister noted that one of the possibilities on the table was the idea of perhaps exempting the firm’s locally manufactured plug-in electric vehicle (EV and PHEV) batteries from some of the country’s current energy levies.
If such a course of action ends up being pursued, it would represent quite a change of approach by the government of Germany, which to date has not done much to support a transition by the auto manufacturers based in the country to plug-in electric vehicles.
The only real support for the industry to date has been the launch of an incentives program for those purchasing such vehicles — the much more important problem of economically manufacturing such vehicles locally has not yet been touched. That still being the case, “support” (of a sort) for diesel cars has remained strong by the German government despite the effects on public health of such support.
Reuters provides a bit more information on the matter: “Speaking at an industry event, he said the production of batteries for electric cars was not necessarily a matter for carmakers, but the future manufacture of battery cells must be guaranteed. The German government would support that.”
“Altmaier said a possibility might be to exempt the batteries’ energy-intensive production from some electricity charges. He added that decisions must be made soon on electric vehicles and future technology in cars.”
That would likely be an understatement, as the German auto manufacturers seem to be positioning themselves for a large amount of lost market share before too long, due to the continued delay tactics used to avoid entering the sector in a serious way (while still appearing to be doing so, so as to appease investors).
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Marina Park on Balboa Peninsula was the place to be on the opening night of the annual Christmas Boat Parade.
The festive parade kick-off event on December 14 included an opening ceremony, front-row parade viewing, and a Holiday Market in partnership with Creative Communal. The Holiday Market feature three dozen local makers plus food vendors, live music, entertainment, photo ops and kid activities.
Marina Park was also prime viewing for the Christmas Boat Parade and the opening night fireworks that marked the start of the parade.
NB Indy photographer Jim Collins was there to capture the action.


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Are We Headed for Another Recession?
Economic indicators aren't too optimistic, particularly for small companies. But if the past few years have taught us anything, it's that the news isn't all bad.
In March, as the U.S. military began its invasion of Iraq, many American businesses feared the impact of the battle on commerce. Yet they hoped a quick victory would provide a post-war boost to the economy. An end to the war, they hoped, would prompt exuberant and relieved consumers to open their wallets, depress the price of oil, lead to increased spending on domestic travel, and allow companies to more easily make plans for capital spending.
Unfortunately, it does not appear that a post-war boom is likely. In fact, many economists and businesspeople now worry that America actually is headed for another recession--one that could prove the final blow to many small companies already struggling from more than two years of economic weakness.
The signs are not good. A well-known index of economic indicators, the Conference Board report, fell in March; meanwhile, March's index by the Institute of Supply Management, the nation's leading forecaster of manufacturing activity, dropped below 50, signifying that the manufacturing sector is contracting, and employers eliminated more than 100,000 jobs in March, after slashing nearly 300,000 the month before. Overall, companies are hiring at their slowest pace in more than a year. "It does appear increasingly likely that we're headed for another recession," says Robert E. Scott, an economist at the Economic Policy Institute, a Washington, DC, think tank.
"It's one of the most difficult periods I've ever seen," concurs Al T. Lubrano, president of Technical Materials Inc., a Lincoln, Rhode Island, company that manufactures specialty metal products. "Where's the hope on the other end?"
Unlike in the past, economists say, this war has not--and will not--provide much stimulus for U.S. economic growth. "Despite the defense spending for the Iraq war, the amount of spending this time is still quite small, proportionally, compared to previous conflicts," says John Nye, an associate professor of economic history at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri.
What's more, the end of the war in Iraq has not significantly reduced the uncertainty felt by many Americans--an uncertainty that keeps consumers from spending as much as possible and prevents businesses from making long-term plans. Although the price of oil has dropped, America still remains dependent on potentially unstable nations--Nigeria, Venezuela--for a considerable percentage of its petroleum.
Many U.S. businesses and consumers remain unconvinced that another war is not on the horizon. "The victory in Iraq hasn't resolved this uncertainty, because we don't know it will be the last conflict," says Joel Marks, executive director of the American Small Business Alliance, a Washington, DC, trade group. "Given the fact that we're continuing to fight against terrorism, we don't know that we won't have a conflict soon with Syria, or Iran, or North Korea."
Indeed, the Federal Reserve's weekly assessment of lending to businesses dropped throughout April, suggesting that most companies are holding off on new investments. As Craig Thomas, an economist at West Chester, Pennsylvania, forecasting organization Economy.com, notes: "Why would anyone want to invest in equipment [right now]? I just don't see it."
Meanwhile, housing construction fell in March, suggesting that American consumers, who are carrying higher levels of personal debt than they did during the 1991 Gulf War, also are becoming more cautious. In the past, the government was able to stimulate spending and growth by slashing interest rates, but the Federal Reserve has cut rates 12 times since 2000, to its current rate of 1.25 percent.
The arrival of SARS in North America has further heightened uncertainty. Already, Stephen Roach, chief economist at Morgan Stanley, has predicted that the world will fall into recession this year, in part because of SARS. "Right now, SARS is in Toronto, and we've seen how it's decimated the economy of that economically powerful city," says Marks. "Tomorrow it could be in Des Moines."
SARS, the possibility of future conflict and the continuing threat of terrorism also are complicating shipping logistics, cutting into companies' profits. For example, over the past six months, freight rates have risen by more than 30 percent for companies shipping through the Middle East, as marine insurance companies raised rates on shippers since the Iraq war by as much as 50 percent. In fact, according to marine insurance companies, shipping rates have been pushed to their highest level in years.
More expensive logistics, along with increased tension between Europe and the United States due to friction over the Iraq war, is putting a damper on global trade. "The pace of free trade expansion has slowed drastically," says Scott. "If we engage in more conflicts in the Middle East, that could further alienate Europe, which is already hurting economically, and damage trade." Indeed, unlike in the wake of the 1991 Gulf War, when Europe and Asia were growing and helped pull the American economy out of recession, today Europe and Japan are struggling on the verge of their own recessions.
America's burgeoning deficits--its national deficit and trade deficit with other nations--also are constraining the economy. The federal government will run a 2003 deficit of at least $200 billion, and states also are facing their biggest deficits in ages. Many states are taking almost laughably drastic measures: In Missouri, the governor has ordered every third lightbulb unscrewed in state buildings. At the same time, as the American trade deficit has grown, the U.S. has become increasingly dependent on foreign capital to finance growth. If that capital pulls out, it could shave as much as 10 percent of U.S. growth and drastically weaken the dollar, Scott says.
Small Companies Bracing Themselves
As all these signs of economic weakness build, small companies have the most to lose. Thus far, small firms have largely been shut out of contracts for post-war reconstruction in Iraq, though the Bush administration has promised to share the wealth. And according to Marks, many small companies do not possess the kind of cash reserves to deal with another prolonged period of economic downturn, since banks have become more willing to turn away small clients than they have larger companies. "Small companies have spent down much of their cash already, in the previous recession, and they didn't have time to build it up again," Marks says. "There's numbness out there in the small-business community, wondering whether they can hold on to the cash they have and numbed by each economic shock."
Lubrano agrees. "I look at competitors in the field, and I see many of them are going bankrupt," he says.
Meanwhile, small companies rarely have the capital needed to create the redundant, alternative supply chain networks that can allow goods to bypass world hotspots and generally avoid logistical problems. And owners of small companies often are ill-prepared to deal with the effects of continued anxiety and uncertainty on their workers, since few have the kind of dedicated in-house counseling services large companies employ.
Small companies also usually are more reliant on obtaining business from other entrepreneurs. "Unlike bigger companies, small firms usually depend on getting paid by a large number of small clients, many of whom can't pay now," says Marks. "Small companies can't extend them the kind of credit they need to last until an upturn that big corporations could."
Always a Silver
But not all signs of the economic future are negative. In the immediate aftermath of American troops arriving in Baghdad, stock markets, which can be leading indicators of economic expansion, posted stronger gains than they had since September 11. What's more, since the beginning of the Iraq war, the price of oil has fallen by more than 25 percent. A decrease in the value of the dollar actually could help American entrepreneurs, as it would make them more competitive with companies from the developing world.
And despite high levels of debt, American consumers often prove willing to keep shopping. Corporate credit became slightly easier to obtain in March. The fact that companies have spent so little over the past three years ultimately will leave them with no option other than to increase business spending. Last week, Federal Reserve Board Chairman Alan Greenspan told Congress the economy is poised for growth even without further tax cuts--though the Bush administration continues to push for a $550 billion, 10-year tax-cut plan that may or may not stimulate the economy. (In February, a group of 10 Nobel Prize-winning economists concluded that the tax cuts would not have a significant short-term stimulus effect--some leading economists worry that further tax cuts could exacerbate federal and state deficits.)
Perhaps most important, small companies have internalized lessons from the 2000-2001 recession to prepare themselves for more economic turbulence. "Small companies that are around now are leaner than they were two years ago, and they've learned how to cut fat or adjust in other ways--merging with competitors, going into niche markets, renegotiating their contracts, conserving cash," says Marks. "Three years ago, two guys and an idea could raise capital; today those guys are living in their parents' basements."
"If you haven't already prepared for economic tough times, either by cutting all extraneous things or moving into niche markets where you can survive a downturn," says Lubrano, "after all we've been through the last few years, you have yourself to blame."
|Nothing's certain in
today's economy, but it appears business owners aren't
letting a potential recession stop them from seizing opportunities
for growth, according to an OPEN Small Business Network 2003
Monitor from American Express. While the number of small businesses
reporting that they foresaw growth opportunities for their
companies in the next six months fell to 56 percent, down from 64
percent last fall, growth remains their number-one priority.
These business also plan to add jobs--35 percent of those surveyed indicated they would hire full- or part-time staff within the next six months. The reasons for the additional new-hires are varied, with 48 percent saying it's to help drive business volume increases; 34 percent, for new business ventures; and 10 percent, to fill a vacancy that's been open for a long time.
And there's more good news: While these companies position themselves for growth, they're also cutting costs, with 30 percent cutting back on expenses and 24 percent cutting back on personal spending. Fewer businesses (57 percent) are reporting cash-flow woes than they were in the fall (63 percent).


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Wayfair Inc. (NYSE: W) reported its most recent quarterly results before the market opened on Thursday. Overall, the company lost a fair amount this quarter, nearly double the amount from last year, but in this case with more sales. If anything, Wayfair is showing that it is having a hard time scaling.
The company said that it a net loss of $1.62 per share and $1.94 billion in revenue, compared with consensus estimates that called for a net loss of $1.60 per share and $1.92 billion in revenue, as well as the −$0.91 per share and $1.40 billion posted in the same period of last year.
During the first quarter, direct retail net revenue increased $542.3 million to $1.9 billion, up 39.0% year over year.
The number of active customers in the Direct Retail business reached 16.4 million. Also, last 12 months net revenue per active customer was $442, an increase of 2.3% year over year.
Orders per customer totaled 1.85 for the first quarter, compared to 1.79 for the same quarter of 2018. Repeat customers placed 66.0% of total orders, compared to 64.3% last year.
Niraj Shah, CEO, co-founder and co-chair of Wayfair, commented:
We are excited to report a strong start to 2019 marked by another consecutive quarter of exceptional growth with Direct Retail net revenue up $542 million dollars, or 39%, year over year, for a total net revenue of $1.9 billion. Our ongoing investments in building our logistics infrastructure, deepening our product offering, and finding new ways to serve our customer are just a few of the many areas that are driving the momentum we are seeing today. Once again, Way Day, our biggest retail event of the year, was a tremendous success for the business breaking our record for the highest revenue grossing day in company history. We look forward to the sizeable opportunity ahead as we continue to transform the experience of shopping for the home and remain well positioned to take share of the dollars that are coming online in the home category.
Shares of Wayfair were last seen down nearly 11% at $146.27, in a 52-week range of $73.64 to $173.72. The consensus price target is $159.62.


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I wrote an article last year about how the fashion industry has the fourth largest environment impact on the world and every time I read this fact, it still shocks me. The reason that it shocks me so much is that by working closely with sustainability professionals, I recognise how hard some of these people work to make their brands more environmentally friendly in ways, (until recently), I didn’t even know existed. They conduct extensive research into innovative fibres, examine their impacts on forests, oceans and people and create comprehensive plans and policies. Yet again and again, there seems to be barriers against gaining the most from corporate sustainability policies.
Millennials are more engaged with sustainable fashion than any other generation. Alice Goody, retail analyst for Mintelsays; “young consumers are driving this shift in attitudes. 44% of younger millennials – the 17-26 age range – said they would like to see more eco-friendly fabrics used in clothes.” This is compared to 34% of generation X and 30% of baby boomers.
H&M are a great example of a fashion brand who actively engage with their consumers about their sustainability efforts. They shout about all the activities that the brand is taking and their website explains why: “We want our customers to be proud of what they wear. Not only about how good they look, but also about the way the clothes are made and the environmental and social impact the garments have across our value chain.” By engaging these consumers and making them aware of the great work that your business is making towards more sustainable fashion items, you could just boost your customer base.
Innovations in fibre recycling – creating a circular economy
As technology has developed, innovators have developed processes by which we can use, reuse, and in some cases, create fibres in sustainable and ethical ways. This no longer needs to be limited to reusing second hand clothes, but rather creating something new from something old.
Sustainability or responsible innovation is by far the biggest trend in the industry right now,”
Chief Executive of Global Fashion Agenda
New innovative fibres are being created every day. One example of this is Orange Fibre, and yes, it is what it sounds like. Orange Fibre is a textile that is created by extracting the cellulose from fibres discarded during the processing of oranges. Apparently, the fibre is even enriched with oils that make it nourishing for the skin!
Embracing supply chain technology
One thing I see a lot is the repeated suggestion that fast fashion is a barrier to sustainable fashion – and at Segura, we believe that simply isn’t true! Fast fashion isn’t going anywhere and the brands who fail to keep up, well, they could be left behind.
All the signs are pointing to brands trying to speed up production and get it to market quicker, because that’s where the money is.
Journalist and writer of To Die For: Is Fashion Wearing Out The World?
In fact, it is possible to create fashion that is ethical, desirable and has a quick lead time, but this cannot be achieved without embracing supply chain technology. The Segura platform gives users the ability to submit a purchase order and then track the processing and production of that order all the way down to component level and beyond. The user is notified if any supplier fails to fulfil an order on time – so the brand is always aware if a shipment is at risk of being late and they can take remedial action before it becomes a bigger problem. They can also see whether a component was ordered out of their supplier list. So, your fashion can be fast, and ethical.
The efforts that sustainability professionals go to, to create a more ethical fashion industry is highly commendable. The great thing is, it seems like businesses are now catching up.


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You are here
BJ's Wholesale Club, Inc. yesterday posted net income for the first quarter of 2009 of $24.3 million, or 45 cents per diluted share. For the year-ago period, the company reported net income of $17.2 million, or 29 cents per diluted share.
Net sales for the first quarter of 2009 rose by 0.2 percent to $2.26 billion. Comparable-club sales declined by 1.5 percent, including the negative impact from sales of gas of 9.0 percent. Excluding the impact of gas, which has declined dramatically in price from last year, merchandise comps increased for the first quarter of 2009 by 7.5 percent. Last year, net sales increased by 12.3 percent to $2.25 billion and comps grew by 9.6 percent, including a contribution from sales of gas of 3.9 percent. Excluding the impact of gas, merchandise comps went up last year by 5.7 percent.
BJ’s also revised its earnings guidance yesterday: For the year ending Jan. 30, 2010, the retailer now expects to report earnings per diluted share in the range of $2.44 to $2.54 vs. previous guidance of $2.42 to $2.52.
Natick, Mass.-based BJ's operates 181 BJ's Wholesale Clubs in 15 states.


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Published: 2 2020
Playboy Signs Agreement with PBB Entertainment to Relaunch Magazine in Brazil - Playboy Enterprises
LOS ANGELES, Monday, December 7, 2015 — Playboy Enterprises, Inc. (PEI) announced today that it has signed a new license agreement with PBB Entertainment to relaunch Playboy PBB Entertainment will serve as the magazine’s new publisher, handling all print and digital publishing operations for the Playboy Brazil is expected to relaunch in early 2016.
“Playboy has a very long history in Brazil, and we are thrilled that PBB Entertainment will help us carry on that tradition,” said Mike Violano, senior vice president, Playboy Enterprises, “We look forward to a successful partnership with our new publisher as we continue to grow our print and digital audiences.”
Playboy first entered Brazil in August 1975 through a partnership with Roberto Civita, the founder of Editora Abril. Under Abril, Playboy Brazil set a standard in men’s entertainment with interviews and pictorials that captured a large and faithful following among readers.
“We are thrilled to be partnering with such an iconic brand, and look forward to upholding Playboy Brazil’s tradition of excellence,” said André Sanseverino, senior vice president, PBB “The magazine will continue to offer readers the same high-quality photography, and engaging, thoughtful and provocative content they’ve come to know and love.”
Over the course of its 62-year history, Playboy has become one of the world’s best-selling men’s monthly In addition to Playboy Brazil and the magazine’s US edition, there are 22 foreign editions of Playboy published around the world.
# # #
About Playboy Enterprises, Inc.
Playboy is one of the most recognized and popular consumer brands in the world. Playboy Enterprises, Inc. is a media and lifestyle company that markets the brand through a wide range of media properties and licensing initiatives. The company publishes Playboy magazine in the United States, and licenses foreign editions of Playboy around the world; operates a leading men’s lifestyle and entertainment site; and creates content for distribution via television networks, websites, mobile platforms and radio. Through licensing agreements, the Playboy brand appears on a wide range of consumer products in more than 180 countries as well as retail stores and entertainment For more information, please visit: .
About PBB Entertainment
PBB Entertainment is part of a diversified Brazilian company based in Curitiba with offices throughout the country. PBB Entertainment is managed by an investment firm with a portfolio of companies that include Employer and Webfopag, HR Solutions, People & Sports Management, Talent Management and Soccer Careers, and Agrocars.
Hong kong movie stars naked


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November 17, 2023
Sick and Spatchcocked
Programming note: Our weekly newsletter will return December 1. Have a happy Thanksgiving!
Bird is the word of the week, with discussion of poultry taking many flavors.
- Thanksgiving gets slightly more affordable.
- Avian flu rages in the Midwest.
- USDA attempts to make poultry production more fair.
“Transparency is necessary in any supply chain as a bulwark against anticompetitive or harmful manipulation and abuse of workers.”Billy Hackett, National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition
Quick Hits: Thanksgiving Countdown
It’s that time of the year, and the usual sources chimed in with a cornucopia of trends, costs, safety precautions and freaky products to try. Check out The Washington Post link below for the latest on spatchcocking and mayo-lathering your turkey next week. Yes, those are two of our favorite gerunds.
- Cost of Thanksgiving Dinner Down Slightly from Record High in 2022 | American Farm Bureau Federation
- 2023 Farmer’s Share of Thanksgiving Food Dollar | National Farmers Union
- Frozen or Fresh: Which Turkey Should You Buy? | USDA
- Practice Thanksgiving Food Safety Basics | Iowa State University
- Your Thanksgiving Costs, Broken Down | Wall Street Journal
- Retailers Tout Deep Thanksgiving Discounts | Specialty Foods Association
- Brine it, bag it, fry it, smoke it: A century of Thanksgiving turkeys | The Washington Post
- 15 Thanksgiving Turkey Recipes to Show Off on the Big Day | Serious Eats
- Our 27 Most Popular Thanksgiving Desserts | The New York Times
- DiGiorno Launches a Limited-Edition ‘Thanksgiving Pizza’ | Food & Wine
This Flu Hasn’t Flown
After a slowdown of cases, avian flu is back with a vengeance. USDA posted that state and federal officials demanded the culling of almost 63 million birds to contain the disease’s spread since the outbreak began last year. Avian flu is not only affecting the U.S. consumer supply (and prices), but it’s putting the robust export market on notice.
- A recent spike has hit Minnesota and Iowa the hardest. The Des Moines Register reported a recent outbreak in southeastern Iowa added another 1.2 million to the toll.
- The Associated Press noted that while this outbreak is more widespread than the last big one in 2015, it will prove to be less costly overall, as consumers aren’t seeing a large impact on poultry and egg prices.
- This recent uptick in outbreaks came after the South African Department of Agriculture lifted its ban on poultry imports from 27 states. From this, the USDA predicted U.S. export sales for poultry could grow by $50 million.
- While there may not be a short-term solution, scientists from the University of Edinburgh, Imperial College London and the Pirbright Institute have announced some success in fighting the highly pathogenic virus. Using the gene-editing tool CRISPR, the teams developed the first chickens that are partially resistant to the virus, an advance that could prevent future outbreaks.
- The Philippines Department of Agriculture is testing a non-mandatory vaccine that is aimed at “highly vulnerable areas,” according to Meatingplace.
Fighting for Chicken Little
On November 8, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced a final rule around transparency of poultry growers’ contracts. The legislation updates the Packers and Stockyards Act of 1921, an antitrust law governing relationships between livestock producers and meatpackers. It’s a post-pandemic bingo: workers, supply chains, consolidation and food prices.
- Alongside labeling reform and funding for small meat processors, Secretary Vilsack described the rule as part of several “critical steps in USDA’s competition and farmer fairness agenda.”
- The new rule will require more transparency for “tournament” system contracts that offer higher payouts for poultry farmers who produce larger birds. National Farmers Union President Rob Larew praised the rule for addressing “opaque and secretive” practices of “monopolies across agriculture.”
- Contrarily, National Chicken Council President Mike Brown fretted: “This rule was specifically designed to chum the water for lawsuits.” Brown further accused the administration of “pushing increased regulations, red tape and costs onto businesses causing record inflation and input costs, and threatening food security.”
- The following day, Agri-Pulse reported that fifth-largest poultry processor Koch Foods agreed to stop charging penalty fees to chicken farmers who break contracts to work with other companies.
The Capital Press summarized the general appreciation expressed by agriculture industry groups for extending the 2018 Farm Bill one year through September 2024. President Biden approved the extension as part of a larger funding bill on November 16. American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall said, “The current farm bill was written before the pandemic, before inflation spiked and before global unrest sent shock waves through the food system. We need programs that reflect today’s realities.” We’re just delighted to have this to discuss for another year.
Olive Oil’s Pricey Dilemma
Climate change and high production costs aren’t the only reasons olive oil prices have tripled since 2019. The Los Angeles Times reported that thieves in Greece, Spain and Italy are now stealing branches or the entirety of centuries-old olive trees for profit, exacerbating a global olive oil shortage. Despite some farmers harvesting early to mitigate the impact of theft, global production is expected to drop by 36% this year.
Food Goes Extraterrestrial
If humanity one day inhabits the moon or Mars, what will we eat? Feedstuffs detailed how engineers with the University of Nebraska are working to pioneer space agriculture in hopes of developing ways to grow food sustainably on space stations and other celestial bodies. As technology supporting the university’s objectives continues to develop rapidly, one thing is certain: the space race has never been so nutritionally focused.
On November 15, the Federal Trade Commission issued warnings to the American Beverage Association and The Canadian Sugar Institute for deceptive marketing practices around the safety of the sweetener aspartame. The move came just two months after Washington Post writers Anahad O’Connor, Caitlin Gilbert and Sasha Chavkin exposed financial ties between the industry groups and registered dietitians with a combined 11 million followers on TikTok and Instagram. Truth in Advertising Executive Director Bonnie Pattern told The Post: “That is a big step and could have ramifications for social media influencers more broadly.”
Ultra-processed: What’s Up With That?
In early November, Consumer Brands Association CEO David Chavern defended food manufacturing in a post on Real Clear Policy: “[The term ‘ultra-processed’] has infiltrated hashtags and trending topics, appearing in newsfeeds as a boogeyman set on undermining consumers’ autonomy … while attempting to discredit the actual attributes of processing.” On November 14, The Wall Street Journal’s Andrea Peterson explored the ultra-processed topic, noting that the term is neither clearly defined nor regulated. But perhaps not for long: “For the first time, the government is asking its scientific advisory committee to consider how diets consisting of varying amounts of ultra-processed foods influence body composition and obesity risk.”
Kudos to Perdue’s PR team for the excellent introduction of Chix Mix, which bombarded food media early this week. The poultry processors’ entry into the snack category is a mix of corn, wheat and edamame: “Chix Mix is made from most of the same ingredients that go into the company’s chicken feed. Plus, we added a dash of tasty BBQ spices just for humans.” CNN explained further: “Chix Mix likely isn’t going to become a revenue driver for the 103-year-old brand. Instead, Chix Mix is designed as a marketing opportunity as the industry faces controversy about antibiotics in chicken feed and treatment of its animals.” Tasty too.
Weekly Newsletter | April 18, 2024
Grocery and restaurant chains rethink how consumers buy food. The USDA rethinks how it aligns nutrition assistance with nutrition guidelines. ...
Sick of It
Weekly Newsletter | April 11, 2024
As the disease jumps species, Avian Flu concerns increase. As aid to Gaza suffers, hunger worries increase. As food prices ...
Penny Poor, Water Wise
Weekly Newsletter | March 28, 2024
Food prices: a consumer and campaign issue. Avian flu: a contagion concern for cattle. Water: a conversation on conservation.
Proteins and Proxies
Weekly Newsletter | March 21, 2024
Meat and its imitators fought for supremacy. Or at least relevance. Migrant workers remain a political hot potato. And an ...
A Slice for Your Pi Day
Weekly Newsletter | March 14, 2024
Texas churned out a spate of news this week. Wildfires ripped through the Panhandle as the South by Southwest (SXSW) ...


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AlleyWire is a new media company with a built-in creative agency that’s covering the New York City innovation economy through video. We visited their Innovators’ Gala in March. AlleyWire operates both out of WeWork in Manhattan and the MINY Media Center in Dumbo.
The company has made videos about 250-plus New York City companies, according to its website. Founder and CEO Neil St. Clair told Technical.ly that AlleyWire plans to expand to Boston, D.C. and Philadelphia by the end of the summer. The team is working to expand to London by the end of the year.
A revenue source for the company is its work as AW Creative Services, a division that brings its editorial technique to content marketing, St. Clair told us. This is a model that will be familiar to those who follow the workings of Williamsburg media giant, VICE Media.
However, St. Clair explained that the vision is to take this model much further.
He described AlleyWire’s model as a “unique space, between content marketing and editorial distribution.” Going forward, the company is looking to build custom campaigns with brands and businesses that will engage in a conversation with their clients, partners and users over time. This content will appear as sponsored content on the existing AlleyWire platform.
By building in-house expertise around certain business verticals (starting with innovation and potentially moving into spaces like commercial real estate or finance), AlleyWire believes it can provide the best content in each vertical it enters. Its consumer-facing editorial videos then function as lead generation for more ongoing client work. In this way, it’s entering a space not unlike that of NewsCred.
Currently, AlleyWire’s revenue comes primarily from its creative services and sponsors, who join with AlleyWire as lead generation themselves, to reach the companies the site is covering, St. Clair explained.
In a recent video, AlleyWire profiled a veteran angel investor, Brian Cohen, who describes growing up in Brooklyn as a motivation to go into entrepreneurship.
In another video, AlleyWire profiled Technical.ly via our State of Startups event at the Dumbo Startup Lab.
AlleyWire has approximately 40 freelance editors, reporters and other freelance staff who make its videos, St. Clair says. The company has been bootstrapped thus far, though St. Clair explained it is now fundraising to build out its back-end as the company moves to strengthen its business model. A Kickstarter campaign for a special project by the company, “100 Startups in 100 Days” was unsuccessful.
Knowledge is power!
Subscribe for free today and stay up to date with news and tips you need to grow your career and connect with our vibrant tech community.


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McCormick, the world's leading herbs and spices business, has launched an exciting new range of Schwartz Street Food seasonings.
From October we will be the exclusive distributor within the wholesale, convenience and impulse channels for three brands from The English Provender Company
The Mary Berry’s brand is set to expand once more with the introduction of a range of premium condiments made from the finest ingredients
Mary Berry’s Foods was among the star performers for RH Amar this festive season as shoppers traded up to premium dressings for the holidays and new year.
We’re positively relaxed and delighted to announce that RH Amar has partnered with Tranquini®, a very exciting and innovative new brand
Cooks&Co has added a 300ml Coconut Oil to its popular range of speciality oils, as sales of the ingredient continue to soar
Cooks&Co has launched a 2.27 litre American-Style Mayonnaise aimed at professional caterers to help them create perfect sandwiches, dips and salads
Geeta's is launching an innovative new range of Two Step Sauce Kits that allow consumers to prepare a delicious restaurant quality meal in just 15 minutes


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In recent years, China’s import trade has continued to yield benefits as the country has made active efforts to expand imports, which epitomizes not only the country’s concrete practice of constantly deepening reform and opening-up and improving people’s living standards, but its practical actions to open the domestic market to the rest of the world.
Last year, when the COVID-19 pandemic took a heavy toll on global trade in a way rarely seen before, China became the first country in the world to resume work and production after bringing the epidemic under control in a relatively short time through scientific and effective measures. Meanwhile, the country’s imports recovered faster from the impact of the pandemic than that of other countries.
China imported 14.23 trillion yuan (about $2.2 trillion) worth of goods in 2020. Despite the impacts of the COVID-19, the country’s import trade in goods recorded a V-shaped rebound last year, demonstrating strong resilience.
China’s huge domestic market has provided powerful support for expanding imports, said Li Kuiwen, spokesman of the General Administration of Customs (GAC) of China and director of the department of statistics and analysis of the GAC.
China’s advantage of a huge domestic market was particularly prominent under the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and helped ensure stable demand for imports, Li added.
Import of consumer goods in China has improved the living standards of domestic consumers. In recent years, the country’s food imports have witnessed continuous growth in terms of value, quantity, and categories of imported products, connecting huge consumption potential in the Chinese market with the real needs of consumers.
In 2020, the volumes of China’s grain and meat imports increased by 28 percent and 60.4 percent respectively.
China’s imports have played an increasingly important role in driving the world economy. From 2001 to 2019, the country’s goods imports expanded continuously at an average annual growth rate of 12.6 percent, while that of the world’s imports stood at 6.3 percent during the same period.
Even in the eventful year of 2020, China’s import trade outshone that of other countries.
According to monthly estimates of trade in goods of major economies released by the World Trade Organization (WTO), the share of China’s imports in the global market reached 11.5 percent in the first ten months of 2020, 0.7 percentage points higher that the country’s historical peak, which made the country a strong support for the economic growth of various other countries.
As a matter of fact, China’s domestic demand for imported products has not been fully unleashed. As Chinese people’s income continues increasing and their consumption upgrading keeps gaining momentum, the country is expected to witness greater domestic demand for imported goods and a significant change in consumer preferences.
While there will be a growing demand for various high-end goods and luxuries, the domestic market is also going to see a gradual increase in the demand for high-quality consumer goods and cost-effective branded products from overseas. It can be a precious opportunity for any foreign enterprise, especially large transnational enterprises.
The COVID-19 pandemic has made a profound impact on the global economy. It has plunged the global economy into the worst economic recession since the World War Ⅱ, said a report of the World Bank.
Against such a backdrop, the decision of foreign companies to actively expand exports to China bears more strategic significance than ever.
It’s beyond doubt that China will remain one of the largest markets, and the most promising and the best market in the world in the next five years and even beyond. The Chinese market is also believed to be more and more open and attractive.
The country intends to unswervingly expand opening-up in a comprehensive way, promote connectivity between the domestic and overseas markets as well as the sharing of production factors and resources, and generate greater benefits for itself and the rest of the world via import trade.
(The author Wei Hao is a professor of the Business School of Beijing Normal University and director of the national import research center with the university.)
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Giovanni returns with a new Daddy’s Digest feature article, reminiscing about the special Valentine’s Day with his precious daughter.
Giovanni was a guest on the Stick Mobility podcast hosted by its creators Dennis Dunphy and Neal Valera…
In the fall of 2020, Men Care Now launched its first 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training Certification done completely virtual with participants all around the country. Giovanni was asked the join…Details
On my 40th birthday, I look back on my life with 40 meaningful song lyrics.
In Giovanni’s latest article for PTontheNet, he discusses the consequences and cost of extremely high fitness levels and its impact on health.
Out of twenty-six featured male presenters for Live Stream Mania, Giovanni was voted Best Male Presenter by attendees.
Kelly Coulter, founder of Fit Pros Connect interviewed Giovanni Roselli on a myriad of unique fitness and health-related topics…
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Giovanni joined SCW Mania CEO Sara Kooperman for a webinar to discuss best strategies and practices when performing and teaching High Intensity Interval Training.


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November 17, 2020 - [Saint John, NB] – Moosehead Breweries has introduced two new beers under their Small Batch umbrella - an East Coast IPA and a West Coast IPA, with the goal of engaging beer lovers in debate and dialogue over the two styles. The West Coast IPA boasts a full hop-forward flavour, while its East Coast counterpart is less bitter, with fruitier characteristics.
“At our Small Batch Brewery, we believe that every brew has a story - and with this launch, we’re actually able to tell two tales,” said David Pearn, Innovation Brewer, Moosehead. “West Coast and East Coast IPAs have grown in popularity in recent years, and we’re excited to give beer fans the chance to try them together and appreciate their differences. We hope this launch helps challenge preconceived notions around how an IPA is ‘supposed to’ taste, and encourages beer lovers to decide for themselves which coast truly does it better.”
West Coast IPAs belong to an ever-evolving category loosely characterized by aggressive bitterness, intense hop aroma, and higher-than-average alcohol content. These IPAs have played a critical role in growing the craft beer industry in North America - and beer-lovers often equate their specific flavouring amongst the traditional IPA category. Conversely, East Coast IPAs have been widely credited with opening up the IPA category more broadly to consumers who shy away from bitter beers with a strong hop.
Moosehead’s West Coast IPA has a huge hop aroma, bursting with notes of citrus and tropical fruit. Its malt character is understated, with a dry finish to let the layered hop flavours and aromas take center stage, making it a bitter, crisp and clear brew.
Moosehead’s East Coast IPA is less bitter than its West Coast rival. Late additions of hops to the brew and dry hopping in the fermenter results in a lower bitterness and helps to preserve the hop’s delicate, citrusy and fruity essential oils, allowing them to shine.
Both IPAs are now available at retail locations across Atlantic Canada, as well on-site at Moosehead’s Small Batch Brewery, in the company’s historic West Side brewery at 89 Main Street West in Saint John. Moosehead fans are encouraged to pick a side in the duel by sharing their opinions of the brews on social media using the hashtag #EastVsWest.
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The classic Vespa takes on the electric trend
When we think of the crowded streets of Italy, we can’t help but imagine hundreds of scooters rolling around. The Vespa is probably the most iconic and best-known scooter.
The Vespa was created in 1946 and immediately got popular all over the world. It is a symbol of style, fashion and mobility. However, Vespa’s manufacturer Piaggio thought it was time to update the world’s most famous scooter.
This week, Piaggio announced that it will start producing an electric version of the iconic motorcycle: the Vespa Elettrica. The Vespa Elettrica will have a battery with autonomy for 100 kilometres. It recharges in four hours and with 4KW of power.
The Elettrica is also more powerful than the traditional 50cc scooters. It features LED headlamp light and will allow you to charge your mobile phone or any other device thanks to a USB input.
The Italian manufacturer also designed a clever hybrid scooter named Elettrica X for riders who want more freedom to leave the city. It’s an evolution of the Elettrica as it features a gasoline-powered generator that tops up the battery on-the-go.
How it works: the generator automatically kicks in when the battery’s charge falls below a certain threshold. The brand has not yet released prices, but Piaggio said that prices will be similar to the most expensive Vespas today, around 6500 euros.
You will be able to order the new scooter in October, on Vespa’s website.


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Lex, the hookup and social app that launched in 2019 with a nod to lesbian private advertisements from the ’80s, is altering. Solely, exactly how a lot will change continues to be an open query. Positive, the venture-backed startup behind the queer app gave it a brand new lick of paint final week, however in refocusing on “buddies and neighborhood,” some customers concern that Lex may even scrub away its beloved raunchy essence.
House to personals each sexy and healthful, the text-based service grew over the previous few years right into a queer neighborhood newspaper of types — a spot for girls, trans, genderqueer and nonbinary individuals to announce meetups, discover live performance tickets, share poetry, crack in-jokes or just cruise. Given its breadth and silliness, the app evokes smiles and eye-rolls alike amongst queer people in my orbit.
Lex satisfies a necessity that’s usually shunned by mainstream tech; Craigslist, which famously upended the newspaper classifieds enterprise, shuttered its on-line personals characteristic a 12 months earlier than Lex launched. Social giants like Meta and TikTok, in the meantime, take a largely puritanical angle towards intercourse and sexuality. Apple, which units the bottom guidelines for mainstream apps by way of its App Retailer, can be completely prude. Tech’s censorship-prone gatekeepers — in addition to the broader sample of companies sanitizing, after which monetizing, queer tradition — go away many LGBTQIA+ people moderately cautious of social media.
So, it’s no shock that Lex’s announcement of a “new look” and “new route” has rubbed individuals the mistaken approach, at the same time as thirsty posting continues on the app.
Lex publicized its redesign on January 26, emphasizing its function in serving to individuals discover “LGBTQ+ buddies & queer neighborhood.” A press launch laid out the app’s evolution “from a relationship app to a vibrant social platform,” whereas an Instagram post from the corporate highlighted a shift from private advertisements towards group chats and meetups. Utilizing a the way it began meme, the startup contrasted its origins (sharing lesbian imagery and personals on Instagram) with a submit for a trans tea celebration with “scones and jam.”
However by omission, is Lex attempting to tidy itself up? The uproar I noticed in response to the redesign wasn’t common, but it surely was swift.
“Wtf lex …queer fucking is sacred, not some commodity,” stated one consumer in a public submit. One other wrote: “Let’s preserve it 🥵 😘. I respect the trouble to make Lex higher for platonic queer relationships, however I detest the brand new tradition of sanitizing the web and washing our sexuality away from each platform.”
Others praised and critiqued Lex’s new look. One consumer stated the redesign made the app extra welcoming, whereas one other referred to as it cute. I chimed in on the app’s new shade scheme, saying, “It ain’t simple being inexperienced. however a minimum of it’s not twitter.” (I had completely forgotten that TechCrunch makes use of an identical hue… whoops!) I solicited extra suggestions on the brand new route by way of the app itself, and I heard from a couple of dozen individuals, most of whom expressed a point of concern.
Lily, a Lex consumer, informed me she hated the shift. “Queer areas attempting to maneuver themselves away from centering intercourse = giving in to a homophobic society,” she stated, clarifying: “Folks have been utilizing this app for all types of issues earlier than, so there’s no must encourage ‘social’ use except you’re attempting to discourse different makes use of (i.e., intercourse).” One other consumer stated the app appeared extra subversive earlier than the redesign. “I’m def within the ‘preserve Lex filthy’ camp,” they added.
One consumer informed me, “There’s sufficient social media on the market. What I most popular about unique lex was the craigslist feeling.” One more consumer cautioned, “There’s far more at play within the sanitization of 1 queer former relationship app. Simply have a look at the annual no kink at delight debate and the way usually it’s stated that there ought to be no indicators of sexuality in areas if we need to be deserving of our homosexual rights.”
Afterward, a brand new consumer who joined after the redesign informed me she noticed the complaints and felt like she “missed out lol.”
Requested concerning the route of the app, Lex founder Kel Rakowski informed TechCrunch that the corporate “surveyed hundreds of Lexers and located that the overwhelming majority wished a platform to search out queer buddies and neighborhood of their space.” Rakowski pointed me to a consumer analysis sign-up web page and stated Lex pays customers for suggestions. The founder and CEO went on to say that Lex’s “all queer crew” is “in command of all product selections.” She added, “Our buyers by no means intrude with the imaginative and prescient of Lex.”
On the subject of intercourse, Rakowski stated, “We encourage Lexers in search of dates and hookups to proceed sexy posting on Lex! It’s their house to attach, for love, friendship and extra.”
In response to the underside of Lex’s Phrases of Use web page, the corporate final up to date its insurance policies on November 1, 2022. The phrases state that customers agree their content material won’t comprise “obscene, pornographic, violent, or sexually express materials.” Lex’s phrases outline content material as “all textual content, photographs, video, audio, or different materials.” In different phrases, the corporate maintains its capability to take down horny posts, however that doesn’t imply it’s actively doing so. That is fairly regular, boilerplate language so far as app phrases go. Within the founder’s phrases, “One of many causes we constructed Lex as an app and moved away from internet hosting on Instagram was to be unbiased and keep away from the rules of Meta.”
When requested, Lex declined to say how many individuals use its app, however Rakowski stated the service is “rising quickly in cities throughout the US,” and its “prime cities are NYC, Chicago [and] LA.” The ten-person crew behind Lex has raised a minimum of $1.5 million thus far, from buyers similar to Corigin Ventures, Bumble Fund and Bonobos founder Andy Dunn.
Know one thing about Lex’s new route? Attain out to this reporter by way of Twitter or electronic mail.


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President Trump has aimed fresh tariffs at China.
The planned tariffs that had been put on hold in June will now go into effect starting Sept. 1 at a rate of 10 percent to start, as negotiations continue between the U.S. and China to resolve their trade dispute.
In a tweet Thursday, Trump said the two countries had “constructive talks,” but that the U.S. will begin imposing a “small additional tariff of 10%” on the remaining $300 billion of imports from China.
Over two tweets explaining his reasoning, Trump said, “China agreed to…buy agricultural product from the U.S. in large quantities, but did not do so. Additionally, my friend President Xi said that he would stop the sale of Fentanyl to the United States–this never happened, and many Americans continue to die.”
The new 10 percent tariffs on $300 billion worth of goods, referred to as Tranche 4, will hit apparel, footwear and soft textiles.
This round of tariffs–which was initially supposed to be levied at the 25 percent rate–was put on hold on June 29 after Trump and Xi met at the G-20 summit in Osaka. That meeting also paved the way for the U.S. and China to restart negotiations over their trade dispute, though talks don’t seem to have moved far enough along.
Trump said in Thursday’s tweet: “We thought we had a deal with China three months ago, but sadly, China decided to renegotiate the deal prior to signing.”
The 10 percent rate, instead of 25 percent, may be the president’s way of keeping talks going at least a bit more positively than they might have otherwise.
A focal issue in the trade dispute for the U.S. centers on the protection of intellectual property assets of American companies.
When retailers reported first quarter results in May, some said another round of tariffs could result in higher prices for consumers, as they’d be forced to pass along some of the increase.
With a 10 percent tariff instead of the planned 25 percent, some retailers may be able to absorb a portion of the increase. There’s also a question of whether a pass along to consumers will result in shoppers pulling back their purse strings, leading to discounting in order to land a sale. Others brands, like Lululemon Athletica Inc., have alluded to plans to ship goods by air if tariffs took effect because of the risk of delays at the ports.
The imposition of tariffs, if talks can’t be settled before the Sept. 1 rollout, would come at a time when consumers are on the hunt for deals for back-to-school sales, and the impact could hamper the holiday shopping season, too.


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This past weekend, a $1,000-bill sold for $3,100 and Andrew Jackson could be seen on a $3-bill.
On Saturday, June 28, Gibbs Auction Service hosted an auction at the historic home of the late Ruth Sawyer Jividen, 4126 Haughn Road.
The atmosphere was somewhere between a picnic and a flea market as people sat and stood on the grass, gathered under tents and walked through the barn to see all the different items up for bid that Jividen had collected during her long life. She died April 14 at the age of 98.
Her former house, bought by the city and planned to become a local history museum, is believed to be the oldest in Grove City. It was built by her ancestor Hugh Grant, the first white man to settle in Grove City.
"This is literally a historic auction," said auctioneer Rob Gibbs. "Wow is the only thing that comes to mind."
The all-day auction began at 10 a.m. with the sale of a Springfield Model 1868 rifle believed to have been owned by Grant. Jividen kept the musket mounted above the fireplace in her kitchen. It went for $225.
Other items for sale included furniture, a sled, a 1958 Chevrolet pickup truck, antique farming equipment, toys, a box of old-time baseball jerseys and a glove, a sword, figurines, outdoor statues, a Hopalong Cassidy thermos and a boot saver -- which came with a pair of white boots to hang up.
Also for sale was various jewelry and old money such as a $1,000 bill from 1928, $500 bills with William McKinley on them, $2 bills and the aforementioned $3 bills featuring Andrew Jackson, which were marked as "Twe Dollars."
Beth Andrews-Wing, a 50-year Grove City resident who went to the auction with her daughter, Lacey, bought a glass cane for $200.
"I saw it online" at the Gibbs Auction Service website, she said, adding that she collects canes. "Is this awesome or what? I don't think you're going to see another one like it."
Gloven Hensel, who lives just south of Grove City, spent $55 on a Grove City Farmers Exchange thermometer, which advertises branches in Mount Sterling, Orient, Galloway and Grove City. Hensel said he figures the thermometer came from the 1960s.
"I collect advertising," he said. "It's in pretty good shape. You don't see very many of them, the local stuff."
Dan and Jill Wendorff bought an antique teddy bear.
"It was too cute to pass up," Dan Wendorff said. "(Jill Wendorff) fell in love. She's actually an antique dealer. That's got to be a 100-year-old bear."
Other buyers weren't as successful. Janice Shipley of Reynoldsburg bid but lost out on a brown crock jug, but she wasn't too disappointed.
"This is probably my 10th auction," she said. "It's just fun to come and see the variety (of people) that come."
Shipley said she has learned from going to different auctions.
"Don't take the first thing they offer," she said.


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Security Bank sees PH economic growth at 6.8% in Q4
The Philippine economy likely grew by 6.8 percent in the fourth quarter of 2022 compared with its size in the same three months of 2021 thanks to more Filipinos getting hired, persistent growth in the manufacturing sector and brisk consumer appetite for big-ticket items.
Security Bank chief economist Robert Dan Roces said in a commentary that latest data have shown that the unemployment rate in the Philippines has not only continued to go down, but even fell below the prepandemic level of 5.5 percent.
The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported that jobless rate registered at 4.2 percent based on the Labor Force Survey done in November 2022.
Still, the PSA said this was consistent with the seasonal boom of temporary jobs as the holiday season approached.
The National Economic and Development Authority has reiterated the need for more “higher-quality” jobs.
Meanwhile, the S&P Global Philippines Manufacturing PMI (purchasing managers index) leaned toward expansion for the 11th month in a row in December at 53.1. A reading above 50 means an expansion in factory activities while anything below that points to a contraction.
Roces said such a trend in manufacturing, “a good directional indicator of the GDP (gross domestic product),” indicated a more positive outlook on forward business conditions, better production and stable economic activity.
Further, vehicle sales in December alone increased by 34 percent, driving the full-year unit count past 300,000, the highest since the COVID-19 pandemic started in 2020, according to the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines and the Truck Manufacturers Association.
“If we use this as a proxy for consumption of big ticket items, it shows consumers have confidence in forward financial conditions, hence large purchases notably in the latter part of the year,” Roces said.
He added that the fourth-quarter performance brought the full-year growth rate to 7.5 percent, which is at the upper end of the national government’s target range.
The economist said the GDP may have registered a total of P19.9 trillion from P18.5 trillion in 2021. The PSA will release the official data on Jan. 26.
For 2023, Roces forecasts growth to be slower at 6.3 percent, which is below the midpoint of the target range of 6 percent to 7 percent.
Roces said the delayed effects of interest rate hikes, continually high inflation in the first semester, a global slowdown that could slow growth of remittances from overseas Filipino workers, and consumers reducing expenses would be dampeners to growth.
“But given intact economic fundamentals due to sustained economic reopening, there is no stagflation nor recession scenarios expected in 2023 for the Philippines,” he said.
Despite the widely expected recession in the United States and Europe, forecasts show the Philippine economy will continue to grow briskly this year and may be among the best performers in Southeast Asia.
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The G.Skill Ripjaws KM570 offers a simple look and basic feature set at an affordable price tag. But is the quality high enough to recommend?
With a ton of features, plus several lighting and switch variants, the G.Skill Ripjaws KM780 mechanical keyboard covers a wide range of potential users.
As far as we can tell, and as far as Acer would say, the company’s mixed reality HMD is actually just a VR HMD with inside-out tracking.
Last summer at Computex, Patriot expanded its lineup of gaming peripherals and showed off what would become its new flagship mouse, the Viper V570. Now, the mouse is available, and it costs $60.
Following its endeavors into the gaming peripherals market with its two Alloy mechanical keyboards, HyperX is now officially in the mouse game.
A combination of objective tests and subjective observations determine the pros and cons of each keyboard we review. Here's an overview of our methodology.
The Patriot Viper V760 is a solid mechanical keyboard, but it's entering a tough market flooded with seasoned manufacturer's of gaming peripherals.
We've employed a texture analyzer to test mechanical keyboard switches. Here's what it can measure, and what it can't.
Logitech continues to produce new keyboards, and the latest is the G413. With this model, the company is nudging in a new direction, design-wise.
Asus announced that its tiny powerhouse VivoPC X system is available. It has a price tag ($800) and an Oculus Rift bundle deal.
Although relatively rare, split-design keyboards are not exactly novel, but there’s a new contender raising Kickstarter funds to produce one focused on gaming.
The CaptoGlove is an input device (er, garment?) meant for a variety of platforms, and the company behind it just launched a KickStarter campaign.
In recent months, Kaihua (maker of Kailh mechanical keyboard switches) has developed no fewer than eight new switches.
The modular Morpha X gaming mouse from Epic Gear was supposed to hit stores in February. Availability is now slated for mid-March, but that gave Epic Gear time to add a couple of tweaks.
We’ve been tracking Humaneye’s Vuze camera for some time. Finally, the 3D, 360-degree camera is available to the general public.
Tesoro and Gateron co-developed an optical keyboard switch for the Tesoro Excalibur SE Spectrum. But the design is not exclusive to Tesoro, meaning other keyboard makers can use them, too.
Microsoft has been diligently pushing it in that field, and to that end the company announced that it’s expanding its HoloLens Agency Readiness Partner Program to another six partners in Europe.


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GM Korea Co., the South Korean arm of U.S.-based GM, began testing its electric vehicle the Chevrolet Volt in Korea on the road on Monday.
The week-long test drive will be conducted by the U.S. Embassy to Korea, with a specialist engineer from GM Korea.
The vehicle will be used by the U.S. Embassy for official functions for one week until April 24. The Volt being tested by the embassy will also be used for Earth Day events on Friday, the carmaker said.
“The local testing of the commercial model of the Volt will get people talking about electric vehicles as they see it on their roads,” said GM Korea chief executive Mike Arcamone said in a statement.
“We will be able to conduct various tests under actual driving conditions and get a better idea of its applicability in Korea.”
The Volt is fitted with both an electric motor and a 1.4-liter internal combustion engine, giving it a 610-kilometer driving range.
The vehicle operates as a full-electric vehicle, using power stored in its lithium ion battery pack, for up to 80 kilometers on a full charge, and uses an internal combustion engine when the battery is depleted.
The vehicle was launched on the North American market late last year, and has recorded monthly sales figures ranging between 281 and 608 units during the first three months of this year and December.
U.S. Ambassador to Korea Kathleen Stephens drives a Chevrolet Volt electric car at the embassy in Seoul on Monday. (GM Korea Co.)
“This is the first Volt to be tested by an outside organization in Korea, and we plan to provide the Volt to concerned government organizations throughout the year for testing,” a GM Korea official said. He added that there were two other Volt vehicles in Korea and that they are currently being operated by the company’s research center, and that the company is not planning to introduce the vehicle to the domestic market within the year.
“On-the-road testing of the Volt is part of the company’s plans to see the vehicle’s marketability in Korea and to test other requirements such as infrastructure to determine it viability in Korea.”
By Choi He-suk (email@example.com


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New Dino Crisis Was Reportedly In Development But Was Scrapped
Dino Crisis is one of the long-dormant franchise from Capcom that has yet to see a modern entry, and now a rumor suggests Capcom was working on a new game.
Dino Crisis fans are hoping to get an announcement for a new game but that won’t happen anytime soon. According to a rumor, Capcom was working on an iteration of the game that started development a few years ago. This project sadly never managed to take off and the development was scrapped.
Dusk Golem, who has leaked information on Capcom projects in the past including Resident Evil series, shared this news on his Twitter account.
“A Dino Crisis game actually was started a few years ago, but then scrapped and buried, and the franchise for now is still extinct for the time being, ” said Dusk Golem in a tweet.
Dusk Golem also mentioned Resident Evil Code Vernocia confirming that there is currently no remake in development for it. Resident Evil 3 will be apparently one of the last remakes from Capcom. They do have a plan to release more Resident Evil games in the future and Dusk Golem has hinted that next year will be “crazy” for fans of the series.
Resident Evil 8 has been widely rumored to be a third-person shooter however it appears that Capcom might keep the first-person perspective for the upcoming sequel.
“There was a version of RE8 that was third-person which may turn into something else, but no the final game will be first-person, ” clarified Dusk Golem.
Capcom has plans to bring back its long-dormant IPs. If this rumor is true, then it appears that Dino Crisis fans have to wait a little longer to see the franchise make a return again.