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Southwest Airlines Currently Selling Plane Tickets For Dirt Cheap Prices
Southwest is currently selling one-way airline tickets for $59 for travel between the days of February 14, 2023, and May 17, 2023.
Southwest Airlines announced a sale this week offering one-way tickets for as low as $59. You’ll have to act fast if you hope to score this deal, because the sale ends on February 2. The lower-than-normal airfares are good for travel dates between February 14 and May 17, which makes it affordable to plan a Valentine’s Day getaway or go visit your mom for Mother’s Day.
The Southwest fare drop includes flights from the mainland U.S. to Hawaii and Puerto Rico. Southwest’s international destinations in Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean are also included in the sale. These tropical vacation locales include Cancun, Cozumel, Costa Rica, Aruba, Havana, and ten other cities.
As with all airline deals, the latest Southwest sale includes certain caveats and exclusions. According to USA Today, discounted tickets are mainly available for travel on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. International flights to and from San Juan, Puerto Rico are excluded between March 9 and April 10 while flights between Hawaii and U.S. mainland cities are excluded between March 16 and April 10.
Additionally, Southwest’s website says that the specially priced seats and travel days are limited. Though $59 is the lowest rate available, most flights are more expensive. Flights between the same cities may have different prices depending on the day and time of travel, and may not be available during holidays or particularly busy travel times.
Though the airline didn’t specifically say it, the timing of the sale feels like something of a mea culpa for the notorious operations meltdown that stranded thousands of passengers over the holidays. Southwest had to cancel as many as 10,000 flights during the breakdown. The internet was flooded with images of crowds sleeping in airports and baggage claim areas overflowing with luggage that had nowhere to go.
Southwest blamed the collapse on the huge winter storm that exacerbated problems the company has had with its outdated scheduling system. Southwest COO Andrew Watterson told employees on a phone call that the company’s scheduling software dated back to the 1990s. CEO Bob Jordan has said on several accounts that the airline has learned from the episode and is committed to preventing a repeat in the future.
Southwest created a webpage for customers whose flights were severely delayed or canceled between December 24, 2022, and January 2, 2023. There, affected customers can request refunds, submit receipts for expense reimbursements, and read FAQs about resolving disputes. It also explains how to claim the 25,000 Rapid Rewards bonus points given to all affected by the cancellations.
The meltdown was an expensive lesson for the bargain airline carrier. Last week, Southwest told investors that it expects the situation to have cost the company as much as $825 million when it’s all said and done. It’s unclear whether that figure includes the cost of updating their scheduling software.
Earlier this month, Southwest investors filed a class action lawsuit seeking damages for a 12% drop in stock value following the holiday debacle. The lawsuit argues that Southwest Airlines has intentionally hidden ongoing problems with its computer systems despite knowing the financial and operational risks it posed. The class period begins in June 2020, when the outdated computer system crashed, causing significant flight delays and cancellations.


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Sainsbury's has signed up to anchor a regeneration project in Glossop, Derbyshire.
The supermarket has agreed a development agreement with Glossop Land to bring forward a mixed use scheme including restaurants, retail, leisure and residential units centred around the Sainsbury's store and the Woods Mill.
The two parties are now working on a planning application to be submitted to High Peak Borough Council.
Sainsbury's key for development
The old mill is likely to be converted into housing. The development follows Glossop Land’s Howard Town Mill development in the town, scheduled for completion this year.
Mike Ryan, director of Glossop Land and B&R Developments, said: ‘Securing the commitment of Sainsbury's means that the regeneration of Glossop Town Centre can now be realistically achieved.’

domain: news


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Alphabet (GOOG 1.43%) (GOOGL 1.42%) launched Google Glass three years ago, but privacy concerns and its awkward appearance prevented it from gaining mainstream approval. Google stopped sellling the $1,500 device this January, and sent it back to the drawing board as a stand-alone project under Nest founder Tony Fadell.
According to recent FCC filings and leaks, the new device should have a larger prism display, an Atom processor, support for both 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz wireless channels, and target the enterprise market instead of mainstream consumers. Google is also reportedly testing an external battery pack to extend its battery life, and a recent patent indicated that the new version could be a smaller "monocle" instead of a full pair of glasses. While the new device sounds more compact and powerful than the original, I doubt it will fare much better for three simple reasons.
1. Microsoft is ahead of the tech curve
Shortly after the company now called Alphabet pulled the plug on Glass, Microsoft (MSFT 0.46%) unveiled HoloLens, an augmented reality headset that let users walk on Mars, play Minecraft on a coffee table, enhance Skype calls with virtual whiteboards, or design products with interactive holograms.
Simply put, the HoloLens leapfrogged over Glass and made its single-screen projection look archaic. Alphabet has invested in AR apps through Project Tango and Magic Leap, but these initiatives don't seem connected with Google Glass.
Microsoft will launch the development kit for HoloLens in the first quarter of 2016 for $3,000. That costs twice as much as Google Glass' "Explorer Edition," but many software developers could buy one to create next-gen holographic apps for Windows 10. The final price of the headset, which also targets the enterprise market, should be much lower. Unless Alphabet launches the devkit for the new Glass before Microsoft starts selling the one for HoloLens, it could be left behind the technological curve.
2. Enterprise weakness
Alphabet could also struggle with selling Glass to enterprise customers because it lacks a dominant user base on PCs and mobile devices. Various versions of Microsoft's Windows are installed on nearly 90% of PCs worldwide; 9% of all PCs already run Windows 10. On mobile devices, Apple (AAPL 0.51%) leads enterprise activations. According to Good Technology's third-quarter Mobility Index report, iOS devices accounted for 66% of all enterprise device activations, compared to 31% for Android and 3% for Windows/Windows Phone devices.
Google tried to compete against Microsoft and Apple with several strategies. It targeted small and medium-sized businesses with cheap Chromebooks for Work. It added new enterprise-grade security features in Android 5.0 Lollipop to address claims that Android devices were more hackable than their iOS counterparts. But despite these improvements, Chrome simply can't compete against Windows' compatibility with legacy software and data, while Android still lags behind iOS in security due to hardware fragmentation. Without a firmly established base in either market, Google could struggle to sell AR headsets tethered to its own ecosystem.
3. Going mainstream won't work
If Google's enterprise push flops, falling back on the mainstream market again probably won't work due to the same two problems as its predecessor -- a protruding camera and an awkward appearance.
The original Glass flopped because Google didn't realize that taking pictures with smartphones, cameras, or action cameras in public was acceptable, but that wearing a camera on your face was creepy. Google attempted to make Glass fashionable with Diane von Furstenberg-designed frames, but it didn't understand that people who buy high-priced DVF glasses weren't necessarily interested in Glass' AR features.
Let's not jump to conclusions
While I doubt that the "new" Google Glass will fare much better than the original, we shouldn't jump to conclusions before Google officially announces the device. But if Google wants to market a new AR headset to enterprise customers, it could struggle to match the HoloLens' appeal without a firm foundation in enterprise PCs or mobile devices.


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Enter Your 6-Second Ad or Branded GIF in the Creativity Awards’ Short-Form Category
We’ll keep this quick: The Creativity Awards this year has introduced a category dedicated to short-form work.
The Short-Form Featured Category will honor the best of tiny but might attention-grabbers, the biggest successes in formats that have become increasingly important in an era of ad avoidance, be they memes in marketing, GIFs by brands or very quick video hits.
“We like the idea of encouraging all advertisers to use TV advertising and this is a way to do it,” Fox Networks Group executive Suzanne Sullivan said last summer, when Fox started selling 6-second ads in its broadcast of the Teen Choice Awards.
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Bolt, who is Jamaican, has deals with Puma, Nissan (NSANF), Hublot, Visa (V), Virgin Media and Japan’s All Nippon Airways. There’s also Optus, an Australian telecommunications company, and Enertor, which sells sports insoles.
Gatorade named a drink after him. Bolt, known as the fastest man in the world, has trademarked his name and his signature “Lightning Bolt” pose. He even has an emoji.
But in Rio, he competed in what he has said will be his last Olympics.
What’s next for Usain Bolt?
“He’s talked about playing for Manchester United (MANU), being a broadcaster and designing apparel à la Michael Jordan,” says Elizabeth Lindsey, a marketing expert at Wasserman.
Bolt holds the 100- and 200-meter world records, has been to four Olympics and has nine gold medals to his name.
Jeff Kearney, the head of Gatorade’s sports marketing department, explained Bolt’s appeal.
“We have an incredible roster of great athletes across a number of sports, who resonate in many markets and are each unique in their own way,” Kearney said. “But Usain’s joyful personality paired with his overall dominance in a sport most people can relate to, results in an athlete who provides brands like Gatorade with true global reach.”
His vivacious and engaging demeanor is so appealing to U.S. brands that the Jamaican runnereven stars in U.S.-based Olympic ads opposite members of Team USA.
Bolt “has been fantastic for the entertainment value” of the sport, says a USA Track & Field spokesman, in addition to what he’s done for the record books.
“American track & field fans love watching him as much as fans from other countries do.”
Bolt may know his worth, but he also gives back through his Jamaica-based foundation, which aims to help kids.
In 2015, Bolt gave $1.3 million to his former high school along with soccer and cricket gear. He’s provided the school with track and field equipment since he signed with Puma in 2002.
Bolt opened a multi-sport playing field in Jamaica, raised funds for pediatric cardiac surgeries and partnered with Samsung (SSNLF) to provide photography workshops to students.
He even paid for a $4 million renovation to a local health center using the proceeds from a party he threw to celebrate breaking the 100-meter world record.
Bolt made history during Rio as the first Olympian to win gold medals in the 100-meter, 200-meter and 4×100 meter team relay at three consecutive Olympics.
He’s heading into retirement with a bang.
He has an online store where he sells sporting goods and Usain Bolt-branded gear and he recently announced the launch of his company, Champion Shave, which sells 6-blade razors at discounted prices.


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Donna A. James, Chairwoman of the National Women’s Business Council (NWBC) today announced the names of nine newly appointed women to the Council. Council members will serve three-year terms on this nonpartisan federal advisory council created to serve as an independent source of advice and policy recommendations to the President, Congress, and the U.S. Small Business Administration on economic issues of importance to women business owners.
“I am thrilled to be able to work with this talented and experienced group of women business leaders,” says James, who was appointed Chair by President Obama in October 2010. “These knowledgeable women are diverse in their perspectives, and passionate about helping women entrepreneurs more fully participate and contribute to our nation’s economic well being.”
Members of the NWBC are prominent women business owners and leaders of women’s business organizations. The Council’s mission is to promote bold initiatives, and review policies and programs designed to support women’s business enterprises at all stages of development in the public and private sector marketplaces.
Newly appointed Council Members include: Roz L. Alford, Principal, ASAP Solutions Group, LLC (Norcross, GA); Gina Robison-Billups, Founder and CEO of the National Association for Moms in Business (Henderson, NV); Kimberly A. Blackwell, CEO and Managing Partner of PMM Agency (Columbus, OH); Wendy A. Lopez, a Dallas- based Vice President of URS Corporation; Jaime Nack, Founder and President of environmental consulting firm Three Squares Inc. (Santa Monica, CA); Fran Pastore, founder, President and CEO of the Women’s Business Development Council (Stamford, CT); Lea Marquez Peterson, Owner of TucsonBizForSale.com (Tucson, AZ); Lisa Price, Founder of Carol’s Daughter beauty product empire (Brooklyn, NY); and Tina Byles Williams, Chief Executive Officer & Chief Investment Officer of FIS Group (Philadelphia, PA).
These women will join existing Council Member Wendi Goldsmith, CEO and Founder of the Bioengineering Group (Salem, MA) and Barbara A. Kasoff, President, Women Impacting Public Policy (San Francisco, CA), whose terms were extended by James until March 2012. James has also named Dr. Marsha Firestone, Founder of the Women’s President’s Organization to serve as a special advisor to the Chair.


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Capitalize announces partnership with Betterment as firm continues to accelerate rollover volume
By Edlyn Cardoza
Capitalize, the first independent platform to transfer retirement assets, recently announced it has added new individual retirement account (IRA) partners to its platform, including Betterment. The firm continues to accelerate activity on its platform and is on track to process several hundred million dollars of rollover volume over the next 12 months.
Capitalize’s growth is a direct result of the company’s success in building strategic partnerships with leading providers of IRAs and other retirement accounts. Most recently the company welcomed Betterment to its quickly growing IRA marketplace. Betterment’s low-fee and easy-to-use IRAs will now be directly available to Capitalize users looking for an IRA in which to consolidate their legacy 401(k) assets.
“We started Capitalize with the simple idea that managing your retirement accounts should be easy,” said Gaurav Sharma, CEO of Capitalize. “We’re thrilled to add new partners like Betterment who share that vision, and I’m incredibly grateful for the trust of our users and partners as we continue to scale our platform and help Americans better save for retirement.”
The Capitalize platform continues to demonstrate substantial volume growth driven by strong consumer adoption of its free rollover platform that combines the company’s proprietary technology with leading customer service. The platform is also increasingly being adopted by employers and other channel partners focused on the importance of offboarding during a period of increased labor market turnover.
Capitalize is a New York-based FinTech company that helps people easily consolidate or “roll over” their old 401(k) accounts into a new or existing retirement account – for free. Capitalize manages the entire 401(k) rollover process for users through an online, seamless alternative to the manual, paper-based process of transferring retirement accounts. Since the company’s launch in 2020, Capitalize has raised $15 million from leading venture capital firms and partnered with leading financial institutions & employers.
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Malawi’s July inflation rate was the highest in the Southern Africa Development Community (Sadc) trade bloc at 21.7 percent from 20.1 in June, according to the National Statistical Office (NSO.)
This shows the worthlessness the of kwacha and points to dwindling purchasing power among Malawians who are already surviving on less than a dollar a day.
It also explains the speed at which prices of basic commodities are rising in Malawi compared to the rest of the countries in Sadc.
Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM) spokesperson Ralph Tseka said in an interview last week that the central bank is aware of high inflationary pressure in the economy and that RBM is pursuing tight monetary policy to reverse the trend.
“After we floated the currency, prices started going up, but we are still pursuing tight monetary policy,” he said.
In July, all Sadc countries were enjoying single digits inflation rates, except Malawi. Its northern neighbour, Tanzania, had an inflation rate of 15.7 percent trailed by Angola at10 percent.
During the same period, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Mauritius, Zambia, Botswana and Mozambique had lowest inflation rates in the regions of 3.9, 5.7, 3.7, 6.2, 7.3 and 5.5 percent, respectively.
Centre for Social Concern (CfSC) social conditions research programme officer Alex Nkosi said they are aware of the country’s soaring inflation rate.
CfSC is an organisation that compiles the country’s monthly cost of living surveys.
“We have a regional network and in our interactions, we observed that food stuffs are expensive in Malawi. Even our colleagues in Zambia, South Africa and Zimbabwe have been wondering why food is expensive in Malawi. We need a research to determine factors towards such a situation in Malawi,” said Nkosi.
Some of the basic items whose prices have recently sky-rocketed include rentals, school fees, utility bills and foodstuffs such as maize, fish, beans, sugar, cooking oil, salt and vegetables.
Finance Minister Dr Ken Lipenga expects inflationary pressures in 2012 to subdue in the wake of currency adjustment, among other economic variables.
“Coupled with the pass-through from currency adjustment, we now estimate inflation in 2012 at 18.4 percent with the prospects of decelerating to 16.1 percent in 2013 as full recovery begins,” said Lipenga.
Malawi economy, which economic experts argue is suffering from stagnation, continues wobbling through cost-push inflation as supply shock inflation from maize which, as part of food component accounting for 58.1 percent of the Consumer Price Index (CPI), dictates inflation rates, is in short supply.
Malawi has over the past years enjoyed single-digit inflation rates thanks to the availability of maize on the market courtesy of government run Farm Input Subsidy Programme (Fisp) and good rains.
The country last registered a single-digit inflation rate of 9.8 percent in December 2011 before the economy threw itself back into the double-digit year-on-year inflation lane to record a 10.3 percent rate.


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The e-commerce market saw rapid change in 2020 as the Covid-19 pandemic spread across the globe. In virtually every location social restrictions and stay-at-home orders pushed many to online retail channels. Spikes in e-commerce sales were seen globally with markets reporting accelerated adoption as bricks-and-mortar stores closed. Consumer behaviour also changed as shoppers were pushed online to meet their need for good in a pandemic-stricken world. New retail categories found a willing consumer base online while established sectors like grocery finally saw a breakthrough in terms of online adoption. The demographics of online retail shifted too as access and necessity widen the segments of populations able and willing to turn to online channels.
In 2021 it looks as though the drivers of e-commerce market development will change still further. As the Covid-19 pandemic recedes the change it has instigated will continue ripple across the market for years to come. Here, Ti presents two trends accelerated by the Covid-19 pandemic. Extended analysis of the trends is available in Ti’s latest whitepaper How Covid-19 changed the global e-commerce logistics market.
Increased Competition in the cross-border Market
According to eMarketer, almost 150m people shopped online for the first time during the pandemic, and this number of new shoppers will continue to rise. e-commerce’s growing traction has gained attention from brands wishing to capitalise on this growth. This has led to increased competition in the e-commerce market, domestically and internationally.
Cross-border e-commerce is gaining traction. Across the world, the demand for foreign goods is surging. As the Coronavirus spread and consumers became more comfortable purchasing online, they were also introduced to a variety of international brands. According to Global-e, online cross-border sales experienced a 21% spike in growth during the first half of 2020. In preliminary results for Q4 2020, DHL reported that more than 45% of its TDI volume comprised B2C shipments, having risen from around 33% in 2019 and further illustrating the rise in demand for cross-border sales.
The ongoing growth in cross-border e-commerce poses many challenges, however. Cross-border operations are considerably more complicated compared to domestic operations. For e-commerce to be profitable, providers must overcome the costs associated with residential B2C deliveries which in addition to being more geographically spread also sometimes require multiple delivery attempts. In cross-border operations, those challenges are magnified. Logistics providers also face the increased importance on value-added services such as trade compliance, customers, taxation expertise and documentation and returns handling. Meanwhile, retailers have the additional challenge of tailoring websites and inventories to specific countries.
When it comes to delivery, consumers have stated that the main drivers for choosing cross-border purchases are savings, shipping, and quality. However, the logistical challenges those services create, receive little attention. Additionally, questions concerning how those challenges inflict costs are either passed onto consumers or absorbed by the retailer.
These issues could be mitigated by moving inventory into multiple markets, closer to where the demand is. Doing would ensure reliable and quick delivery and is advantageous for the returns process. However, this presents a new set of challenges that will need addressing. Essentials such as building up a physical warehouse presence with duplicated inventory require additional capital and operational expenditure, as does staffing those locations and investing in automation technology to operate them. Additionally, the introduction of IT and data analytics that can determine appropriate inventory allocation to each warehouse, market, or country can drive down costs. Despite the challenges presented by cross-border e-commerce operations, the growth potential is enormous. The Covid-19 pandemic has emphasised its potential further.
Returns are increasingly becoming a competitive sales point for retailers. According to Doddle, approximately 68% of consumers expect free returns. With the number of returns increasing, retailers will need to establish an efficient returns process to reduce the dampening effect returns have on profitability whilst simultaneously keeping consumers happy. According to Optoro, a provider of returns technology, approximately 89% of consumers are less likely to shop at a retailer following a bad returns experience. Meanwhile, 97% of consumers would continue to shop with a retailer if they had a positive returns experience.
Returns are expensive as retailers often use third-party services to manage returns of digitally purchased products. This process is time-consuming as it can take a while for a product to return to stock and be made available to buy again. As a result, some products are unlikely to be resold at full price. A popular method for returns amongst consumers has been to return the goods directly to the retailer in-store. However, as more retailers either choose or are forced to close their bricks-and-mortar stores, this option may no longer be as viable.
Some last-mile delivery companies are working to help retailers better manage online returns. In January, Hermes UK announced the launch of a new service to improve the returns experience for its retailer customers and their consumers. The service, named ‘What’s inside the box?’, allows consumers to inform the retailer in advance of the exact items being returned. Retailers using this service benefit from knowing which items are being returned, allowing them to update SKUs, manage warehouse stock levels and acquire accurate and up to date customer data. There is also the option for retailers to offer an immediate or expedited refund, helping to keep customers happy.
Source: Transport Intelligence, March 2, 2021
Author: Transport Intelligence


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Like a prophecy foretold in a dream, a new Kanye West album appeared on several online retailers yesterday, despite the lack of any formal announcement. According to listings on Amazon.com and Target.com, West will release an album called 808's & Heartbreak on December 16.
Although a 2008 album has been heavily rumoured, West has still not released any official information about the record, not even an album title or release date. The Amazon and Target listings are either an inadvertent scoop - or just a database error.
West did debut a new song, Love Lockdown, at Sunday's MTV Video Music Awards. That single was again performed on Tuesday night at a showcase for his label, G.O.O.D. Music.
While 808's & Heartbreak seems like a believable album title, Amazon's listing becomes more dubious when we consider the release's purported label, Pendulum Records. This boutique gospel label isn't exactly the powerhouse major that Kanye West is signed to.
Then again, SOHH reported yesterday that West's new album isn't even finished – making a December release impossible. "[Kanye] is a perfectionist," an anonymous source told the magazine. "He expects nothing but the best and right now he doesn't have enough material for a full-length album."
Though the 808's & Heartbreak story may yet end in heartbreak, West is working to bring smiles and neon sunglasses to stages across the globe with his international tour beginning on October 22. He is also working on another will-it-or-won't-it 2008 hip-hop release – Jay-Z's forthcoming Blueprint III.


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Five B2B brands driving innovation ahead of Tokyo 2020
It’s been nearly 18 months since the International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced Tokyo as the host of the 2020 Olympic Games. There’s a quiet energy in Japan; the country is excited for the grandest sporting spectacle in the world to arrive in a little over five years’ time.
For the organisers of the Games, there’s no time to bask in the glory of beating off Madrid and Istanbul – they’ve spent the last year and a half laying the foundations for what is now a five-year sprint to ensure Tokyo plays host to a successful competition that surpasses those that have gone before – and that helps Japan continue its economic recovery.
Selecting the right help
Hosting the Games is no mean feat, as my fellow Frameworkers in London will recall. Though I’d yet to arrive in the UK in 2012, I, along with everyone else around the world, saw how successful London 2012 was. But what you don’t necessarily see from outside the country is the extent of the work that goes into preparing the host city – and the rest of the country. The cost of London 2012 was an estimated £9 billion – a phenomenal figure. It might make you wonder why countries bother bidding for the Games – but the long-term benefits can be manifold.
Japan's Olympic bid team celebrate victory.
That’s why it’s crucial that organisers bring in the right help. James has spoken before about the shifting role of brands in sports sponsorship and this is especially evident in the planning and execution of the Olympic Games. Brands selected for these long-term, multi-year partnerships no longer just pay to have their names splashed across communications – they have to provide a service and financial support for the event (Tokyo 2020 expects to collect ¥150 billion, or £855.7 million, from its top-tier sponsors to offset the cost of the Games). With that in mind, Tokyo 2020 recently selected 10 “Gold Partners”. Each company is based in Japan and the 10 brands span industries like retail, electronics and financial services. Here’s how five B2B companies are using their skills for the benefit of the Games – and the rest of Japan.
Christel Takigawa gives a speech at the bid reveal.
IT and electronics giant NEC was selected as an official partner in February and will support the Games by providing “specialist public safety equipment and software” and “network equipment”. When it comes to assisting sports events, NEC’s strengths lie in its ticketing solutions and arena infrastructure services. The firm deployed such solutions in a number of Brazilian stadiums for the FIFA World Cup last year, including IP and wireless networks, stadium control centres and security systems.
For the 2020 Games, the firm is reportedly developing a ticketing solution that enables punters to gain access to the stadium – and also doubles up as a city-wide travel and tourism card, with consumers able to load various tickets onto one card or mobile app. Consolidating travel and tourism into one solution is a shrewd move ahead of Tokyo welcoming millions of overseas visitors – and could well remain in place once the Games have concluded.
NEC is likely to deploy its solutions at Tokyo's Olympic Stadium, which is yet to be built.
Tourism is a growing industry in Japan. The number of visitors from across the world is steadily increasing – a record 13.4 million tourists flocked to the country in 2014 and nearly 1.4 million people visited in February alone this year. The influx of global visitors for the Olympics will no doubt be far higher. Tourism is increasingly valuable, too: visitors spent more than ¥2 trillion (£68.5 billion) in 2014.
So it’s no surprise that Olympics “Gold Partners” are focusing on advancing the industry. Technology stalwart Toshiba, which is not officially a Games partner (yet), is attempting to boost tourism by developing translation software in order to make Japan more accessible for those who don’t speak or read the language. The firm has formed a committee with fellow Japanese companies NTT, KDDI, Hitachi and Panasonic to this end with the Games in mind. If the band of tech firms can bring mature software to market, it could drive Japan’s record visitor levels even further by breaking down the language barrier.
Japan boasts the world’s third largest economy – and Lawrence has spoken before about the business opportunities in the country. But it’s been a struggle in recent years. Japan’s economy slipped into a technical recession towards the end of 2014, but the gloom looks to be lifting slightly. The Bank of Japan said this month that the country’s recent rally looks set to continue, albeit moderately.
The economic climate makes Nomura’s role in supporting Tokyo 2020 crucial. The financial services and consulting firm has not explicitly laid out its strategy as a “Gold Partner” yet, but CEO Koji Nagai has already hinted that Nomura intends to use the Games to jumpstart the economy, capitalising on the “significant economic benefits” the Olympics brings host countries.
4. Nippon Oil
As a “Gold Partner” in “oil, gas and electricity supply services”, Japan’s largest oil company Nippon Oil has an important role to play in the delivery of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, by providing the aforementioned amenities for everything from vehicles to stadiums.
The company, better known to the Japanese public as ENEOS (the brand under which it offers its products and service stations), is also investing in more sustainable forms of energy – and it’s this, along with its core offerings, that the Games is interested in. Nippon Oil recently moved to the development of hydrogen energy and Tokyo 2020 President Yoshirō Mori remarked on the importance of using the Games to promote this greener society. It’s a pertinent vision four years on from the Fukushima nuclear disaster.
Almost all of us own a smartphone and have access to information anywhere. That’s great, but it can also cause problems. There were a number of stories throughout London 2012 regarding the potential risks of these new “Social Olympics”; with peak mobile traffic hitting approximately 1.7 gigabits a second in and around the arenas alone, questions were asked about whether mobile networks could handle such traffic.
Japanese telecoms giant Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (NTT) was the first “Gold Partner” to be announced, highlighting the importance of effectively managing this data – and protecting it. NTT President and CEO Hiroo Unoura remarked that the volume of data transmitted in London 2012 was eight times larger than that of the 2008 Games in Beijing, giving an indication of the task facing the company in 2020. NTT’s other remit is security, which goes hand in hand with data management, and Unoura has asserted that the company “will ensure the highest degree of cyber-security” across its networks.
The Olympic and Paralympic Games are far more than a four-week festival of sport. The preparation for what is the largest sporting event in the world is crucial because of the cultural impact both within the host country and further afield. Japan is at the start of an upward curve, and with the team of brands the organisers have on board for the Games the country looks well placed to claim gold for its hosting in five years' time.
- Olympic Games


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Lucent Technologies has announced a venture that plans to produce integrated semiconductor modules for use in next-generation wireless devices, such as cellular phones and personal digital assistants.
Lucent said it has developed a way to integrate memory, logic and other complex analog and digital circuits onto a single silicon chip. The first application planned by the Murray Hill, New Jersey, company will be in the radios that are at the heart of wireless devices.
A Lucent spokesman said the technology, called Chip-Scale Modules, will let the makers of those devices reduce the time it takes to develop them by up to 30 percent compared with using traditional components. The new SyChip venture expects to ship prototypes of the new chips to device makers by year's end, he said.
SyChip's modules will be up to 70 percent smaller than conventional chips, the Lucent spokesman said. That could allow three wireless radios to be placed in a normal-sized cell phone, which potentially would let end users own just one phone for use in the US, Europe and Asia, he added.


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Elanco Animal Health has received regulatory approval of its acquisition of Bayer Animal Health after agreeing to several anti-trust related conditions.
The US$7.6 billion deal was announced in August 2019.
As part of its review, Canada’s Competition Bureau found Elanco and Bayer Animal Health are each other’s closest competitors in several markets, specifically in poultry insecticides for controlling darkling beetles, low dose treatments for a common ear disease in dogs, and feline dewormers with tapeworm coverage.
To address these concerns, the Competition Bureau announced this week that Elanco has agreed to forego acquiring the Canadian distribution rights to Bayer’s Tempo, Credo, QuickBayt and Annihilator Polyzone insecticides for poultry facilities. Elanco will also divest its canine otitis product, Osurnia, as well as Bayer Animal Health’s feline dewormer, Profender.
“Animal health products play a critical role in pet care and in the agri-food sector across the country. The agreement concluded today supports our commitment to take action on matters that are important to Canadians, as it will safeguard competitive prices and product choice for consumers and business owners,” notes Matthew Boswell, Commissioner of Competition, in the Competition Bureau’s news release.
In the U.S., the Federal Trade Commission also announced this week that it is requiring Elanco sell its U.S. rights for StandGuard, a pour-on treatment for horn fly and lice control in beef cattle, to Neogen Corporation, as well as Capstar, an oral tablet that kills fleas in dogs and cats, to PetIQ, Inc. The FTC is also requiring Elanco sell its Osurnia product for dogs to Dechra Pharmaceuticals.
“This approval marks the near-final step in fulfilling our vision of bringing together two dedicated animal health companies focused on delivering innovation and an expanded portfolio of solutions to farmers, veterinarians and pet owners around the globe,” says Jeff Simmons, president and CEO of Elanco. “As we approach closing and look toward putting our integration plans into action, I want to thank everyone who has worked so tirelessly on this transaction, especially during these challenging times. Their hard work has positioned the combined company for success, and we look forward to welcoming our new colleagues to Elanco in the very near future.”
Elanco has already received antitrust clearance for the acquisition of Bayer Animal Health from the European Commission, as well as regulators in Australia, Brazil, China, Colombia, New Zealand, South Africa, Turkey, Ukraine, and Vietnam. The deal is still subject to other closing conditions.
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By Jo Pugh •
Updated: 25 Aug 2023 • 13:49
Italy took the crown for wine sales from Spain. Credit
A report from the Spanish Wine Market Observatory (OEMV) reveals that in the cumulative twelve months leading up to March 2023, Italy achieved total sales of €2,191 billion, outstripping Spain’s €2,139 billion.
Despite a decline in sales for major producers caused by escalating prices, Italy experienced a mere two per cent dip, while Spain’s sales plummeted by 6.3 per cent.
Nevertheless, the competition remains fierce, and depending on forthcoming months and year-end outcomes, Spain could regain its lead by the close of the first quarter, as per OEMV data.
In terms of value, however, the situation is radically different, and France is a very prominent leader.
French wineries generate revenues six times greater than their Spanish counterparts.
Collectively, France exported €12,397 billion, whereas Italy and Spain brought in €7,937 billion and €3.1 billion respectively.
A notable surge in sales value was observed in New Zealand, which experienced a remarkable 24.9 per cent increase in the cumulative twelve months up to March 2023, amassing €1,428 billion and securing the fifth position, trailing France, Italy, Spain, and Chile.
Specifically, the average price of French wine settled at €2.35 per litre after a year-on-year fall of 34 per cent until March.
Conversely, Italy’s price rose by 6.1 per cent, reaching €2.12 per litre, while Spain saw a steeper increase of 13.8 per cent, reaching €1.30.
Nevertheless, Spain’s price remains significantly lower than its rivals due to the prominence of bulk wine sales.
In fact, when it comes to bulk sales in Spain, the country has established itself as the main world supplier in a very clear way, reported El Economista, on Friday, August 18.
Thank you for taking the time to read this article. Do remember to come back and check The Euro Weekly News website for all your up-to-date local and international news stories and remember, you can also follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
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Jo Pugh is a journalist based in the Costa Blanca North. Originally from London, she has been involved in journalism and photography for 20 years. She has lived in Spain for 12 years, and is a dedicated and passionate writer.
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“What were the actual ravages of the epidemic of influenza from which this community has been suffering?” asks the opening line of an article published in the Amesbury Daily News on October 29, 1918. This is one record that marks Amesbury’s first encounter with the Spanish flu, a situation that has been compared to today’s COVID-19 epidemic due to its abrupt and resounding impacts felt worldwide.
Much has been published in answer to the question posed over a century ago alongside restoration and rebuilding. While we may not have a clear picture yet of how—or more urgently, when—our present-day destructions will be repaired, we may be wise to ask a different question in the meantime: Can Amesbury’s past recoveries offer hope for the future?
In Sara Locke Redford’s History of Amesbury, Massachusetts, the author chronicles the influenza epidemic of 1918 and writes that in the month of September of that year, schools were closed and public meetings were cancelled in response to the outbreak in town. On September 30, “A canteen was opened on Main Street where food was gathered to distribute to families in which there was no one to prepare food because of illness … However, churches and schools reopened on the nineteenth [of October] and conditions slowly returned to normal.”
Just like Redford, Jon Almas, owner of Aeropex Media located in downtown Amesbury, also understands the importance of documenting this experience, a surreal concept considering we’re currently living through it. Initially Almas began recording footage of downtown Amesbury to show its empty streets, an odd scene on a sunny day. Eventually Almas began interviewing other business owners and town officials in the community to get their perspective on what was happening and sharing these videos on social media.
“When this all started there was a sense of uncertainty and even fear going around between myself and my friends, who are also small-business owners, and also within a lot of Facebook groups with other business owners. I’ve heard that some viewers have enjoyed getting insight from my videos into what other business owners in the same position are thinking and experiencing. Hopefully they offered a sense of everyone being in the same situation.”
Many of the small businesses that populate Amesbury’s Main Street in Almas’ videos are offering a modern-day canteen of their own; one that creates an opportunity for families and individuals to get what they need (coffee, breakfast, or a gluten-free donut) and still practice recommended social distancing. One of those businesses, Market Square Bakehouse, is feeding the neighborhood through their newly installed window service. Customers can call in their order and pick it up through the take-out window without entering the café. Owner Tanya Tzitzon says that staying open is a day-by-day decision, and one that takes into account mental as well as physical wellness.
While Tzitzon understands the importance of balancing the two, she’s had to make difficult decisions recently that diminish some of her favorite aspects of her café, such as moving the outdoor seating inside to discourage people from congregating on the corner. It’s her hope that by doing everything she can to be socially responsible and keep people feeling safe, she can continue serving the community.
“I’ve spoken to officials in town to understand how people in the community are feeling and what I’m hearing more often than not is that people still need things like food, coffee, and tea, and they feel less exposed getting take-out from a local coffee shop window than going to a large grocery store.”
Other businesses on the street have adapted, too, to accommodate recommendations made by Governor Baker and the MA Department of Health. Café Blu Dream, a coffee shop and retail store offering hemp-based products, is providing take-out and curbside delivery for their food and beverage items and free shipping for their hemp-based products.
“Part of what I do is education. There’s a big misunderstanding around hemp-derived products, so people usually come in with a ton of questions. Now I’m providing that education over the phone, via email, and continuing with my series on Instagram,” says owner Brian Bienvenu. “It’s been humbling. People are being so generous and supportive.”
Imacake bakery, owned by Jenny Ouellet, has also moved their counter service to online pre-orders only and curbside pick-up. “Initially it was scary. We actually shut our dining room down before any orders came through from the state because people were showing up and I care about my customers and didn’t want people hanging out together. We’d gone to a pick-up method only a couple weeks prior to the lockdown.”
Ouellet found an opportunity in the semi-closure by getting her online store organized and up-to-date. “One of the only complaints about my bakery is that I never have signage in the window case saying what products are and how much they cost. So now, you go online and everything is there. Everything is pre-paid, customers don’t come in the store, and they text or call and I run the food out.”
While business has carried on for some, albeit changed, plenty of others worry about surviving through the lockdown. Taylor Simpson, owner of Nest, is concerned about how these changes will impact the continuity of her business. Nest can be easily spotted on Main Street, if not for its quirky gold window shutters and tiny bird houses, then for its open door, the “oldies” music that streams from the shop into the street, and the air plants that line the shop walls.
“There’s been a lot of verbal support for small businesses, which is helpful, but at the end of the day we really need financial support. We aren’t asking for charity—we’re asking for sustainability.”
Amesbury is no stranger to being reshaped by halts and shifts in business, although its been centuries since the town has experienced anything nearly comparable to today’s dilemma. The textile industry in Amesbury, for example, was one of the biggest employers in terms of number of workers in the mid-1800s. “There were a couple textile companies that formed in Amesbury but until they had steam in the 1870s, there were moments when there wasn’t enough water for the mills to operate so that companies would just close. There was one period of time, I think it was in the 1850s, when a company was closed for three months,” says John Mayer, Executive Director of the Amesbury Carriage Museum.
Then, in 1930, local automobile companies in Amesbury closed abruptly (an industry that employed approximately 5,000 people). The town didn’t have the capital to keep up with changes happening in automobile manufacturing processes, such as were booming in Detroit, where large presses were used to stamp the automobile bodies with iron. Although many identify Amesbury as being a carriage town, it actually produced more automobiles than carriages.
“For that to go from viable ongoing work to nothing must have been a huge shock for the community and it happened right around the time of the depression,” says Mayer. “I think these instances speak to the town’s economic and human resilience.”
Almas has come to know Amesbury in this light as well. “Amesbury has always been welcoming, especially to small business owners, which is part of why I love it. I don’t think I would have had such success starting my business if I didn’t live here. It’s the perfect little town.”
While our present-day work environments differ drastically from what they used to be in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, Mayer recognizes that businesses today have in common their determination to acclimate in such a short period of time. “One opportunity that the Amesbury Carriage Museum has now is to continue doing programming online. That’s a really different model from the direction we were going.”
Mayer admits that he worries about how much hurt will befall small businesses in Amesbury between now and the unforeseen future. But, he says, “Time will go on, there will be a new day and there will be new things happening in Amesbury.”
For one, Ouellet is looking forward to bringing back imacake’s story time. “It’s always been a free event, something to give people a place to go. I’m looking forward to letting the community back in.” A parent of two herself, she says to other parents, “It’s okay. You didn’t go to school to be a teacher; you’re a mom, or a dad, and you work hard, and if you can’t teach them exactly what their teacher in school was teaching them, it’s okay. They’re not going to suffer. Just love on your kids.”
Bienvenu can’t wait to have his window seats filled again. “I have many regulars who come in and sit and have their coffee and we’ll talk. A big part of what I do is communication and education so the human interaction part of my job is what I’m most looking forward to getting back.” Bienvenu is not alone in his prediction that the “support local” movement will be even stronger once this is all over.
Almas expects that there will be a “heightened sense of community and appreciation for the day-to-day things (and jobs) that we may have taken for granted” when this is all over, a sentiment shared by Tzitzon as well.
“There will be an end to this and community-based businesses are so essential. Stay informed as much as you can on a daily basis to make the best decision you can. I do think we’ll all come out of this at some point and people will definitely need to be around people. We can use this time to figure out what’s important.”
Editor’s note: At the time of this publication, the businesses mentioned in this article are partially open and offering curbside delivery or take-out services. This is changing on a daily basis. Follow them on social media for updates and instructions on how to safely receive their products.


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It’s referred to by some industry commentators as ‘banner blindness’ – the process whereby website users unconsciously skip or ignore banner ads.
While the first banner ad managed to achieve a 44 per cent CTR, today, this figure sits at around 0.05 per cent. In other words, a marketer can expect five clicks per every 10,000 impressions achieved.
And according to the founders of media technology company WINR Marcelo Ulvert and Perry Lyndon-James, these numbers suggest the industry is in need of change.
That’s why they have created advertiser-funded paywall AdGate, a hybrid between the free ad-funded model and traditional paywalls.


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Quickoffice has more editing features than Google Drive, but it's still no match for the more robust and visual Kingsoft Office app.
All the news from the annual Google I/O event, including the latest on Android.
Until it receives a major infusion of native apps and developer support, and better integrates non-Google services, the Nexus Player with Android TV offers no compelling upgrade over other streaming devices.
Google Docs delivers improved and streamlined user access, but it still offers far fewer features than competing services.
The deal shows how important mapping and location data are to the future of the car industry, particularly in the coming era of self-driving cars.
The voice assistant would answer your calls with customized messages and then transcribe your voice mail into text, says Business Insider.
Google Now recently added support for a handful of popular third-party messaging apps. Here's how to use them while hands-free.
Which has the most apps? Which has the coolest features? Which one is the best? The most popular streamers all have their merits, so we'll help you decide which box is right for you.
Mobile editing app Quickoffice, which lets you open and edit Google Docs and Microsoft Office files, is no more.
The goal of the software maker's flagship product is to renew faith in the Windows world.
By week's end, the Android and iOS app will offer instant translation in a total of 27 languages.


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Q-Lia's Banana Cat Character 'Bananya' Gets Crowdfunding for TV Anime
posted on by Rafael Antonio Pineda
Stationery maker company Q-LiA announced on Wednesday that it will launch a crowdfunding campaign to fund a television anime of its Bananya banana cat mascot character. Q-LiA has not yet announced when the campaign will begin, or the television anime's premiere date. Q-LiA previewed the characters for the anime:
The backer rewards will include Bananya merchandise that will only be made available during the crowdfunding campaign, including: mugs, thank you messages, charms, postcards, tin badges, body pillows, photo clocks, blankets, hand and bath towels, the backer's name in the credits, and the backer's name in an episode end card.
Q-LiA launched the Bananya mascot character last year. Another Q-LiA mascot character, Shizuku-chan, previously received three television anime adaptations, including Pururun! Shizuku-chan in 2006, Pururun! Shizuku-chan Aha in 2007, and Picchipichi Shizuku-chan in 2012.


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Google hosted a short press event early on Monday morning in Barcelona, Spain, to announce several new features for Android. Among them was a new Chat with Gemini feature for Google Messages that will let you talk to Google’s marquee AI product without leaving the app. However, there was something that was much more exciting at the event: The McLaren F1 car that Google brought out to showcase its partnership with the famous F1 racing team.
Then again, the fact that McLaren is relying on Google and Samsung products to set world records for pit stops won’t help you during your regular day-to-day Android experiences. What might help you are the novel features that Google introduced at the show and the expanded generative AI support coming to more Android apps.
We’ve been texting in smartphone apps and fighting over which messaging app is better for nearly 20 years. If anything, we’re pretty good at texting, as that’s easily the primary form of communication between people right now.
I feel like I don’t need AI to help me write in chat apps, whether it’s iMessage, WhatsApp, or Google Messages. But I might be wrong. Generative AI could be useful in various scenarios, and Google’s short Android presentation at MWC showed me that.
Gemini AI and Android Auto
One new Android feature that Google demoed in Barcelona concerns texting while driving. Again, that’s something we could already prevent before Google Gemini rolled out. But now that generative AI is here to help, there is one feature that might turn out to be a life-saver while you’re driving.
Android Auto can summarize long texts for you, which will definitely come in handy. Rather than having the entire text read aloud, you’ll get a summary with the main points.
I saw the feature in action in a BMW i5 M60 parked inside the Android Village. Of course, it was only the second-coolest car at Google’s outdoor booth after the McLaren F1 race car.
You can still use Google Assistant to send messages and reply to them, but you’ll be doing all of that while keeping your eyes on the road rather than the Android Auto screens.
Chat with Gemini inside Google Messages
As for the regular Google Messages experience, the Chat with Gemini feature is rolling out to several eligible devices right away. That means Pixel 6 or later, Pixel Fold, Galaxy S22 or later, and Galaxy Z Fold or Flip. It’ll work in English in all countries where the feature is rolling out, and in French (in Canada). Just update Google Messages to the latest update and sign in using a personal account.
Once the feature is enabled, you can tap the Chat with Gemini button to get started. There is one important thing to remember here. Chats with Gemini aren’t end-to-end encrypted. These are chats with the AI, not with your friends and family.
Google Messages also supports Magic Compose in Google Messages, with Gemini powering the experience. That’s one thing I tried at Google’s Android booth, where I used AI to give my “Android Buddy” a Shakespearian take on my experience at MWC so far.
For Magic Compose, Google only uses the previous 20 messages to get context. The data is processed on the Pixel 8 Pro and Galaxy S24 device or sent to the cloud on other devices. Google doesn’t retain these messages, and Gemini isn’t trained on them. RCS messages remain end-to-end encrypted in this case.
Other Android experiences announced at MWC
Aside from Gemini summarization in Android Auto, Google unveiled seven new Android features.
- Generative AI can create captions for images in Lookout.
- An enhanced screen reader is available for Lens in Google Maps, allowing the phone to read out loud information about places nearby (like business hours, ratings, or directions).
- Google Docs supports handwritten annotations. You can use your hand or stylus on a phone or tablet to mark up documents.
- The output switcher on Android now supports Spotify Connect devices.
- The redesigned Fitbit app now supports health data from various wearable devices, including AllTrails, Oura, and MyFitnessPal.
- Google Wallet passes are now available on Wear OS devices.
- Public transit directions are available in Google Maps for Wear OS
What about the McLaren F1 car?
Last season, McLaren pulled off an amazingly fast pit stop time during one of the races. That 1.8-second pit stop is now a world record. It’s not just thanks to a well-trained team performing tasks in unison when that F1 car comes into the pit. McLaren worked with Google and Samsung to achieve this feat.
The team used Android devices during practice, capturing video during training and sharing it between devices.
McLaren Racing announced at MWC that it will deepen its partnership with Google. In addition to Samsung phones, McLaren will use Google Pixel devices this season. Furthermore, Google AI will help with race data collection and management.
If you’re an F1 fan, you’ll see the markings of this partnership on the race cars. Expect to see Google Chrome, Android, and Pixel branding on the F1 car and the driver and crew outfits.


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US: National Beverage Q1 steadies ship after rocky FY
National Beverage Corp. has hailed "see-saw" costs as helping lift sales and profits in its first quarter.
The Florida-based soft drink company said yesterday (11 September) that net income for the three months to 2 August increased by 8% year-on-year, coming in at US$7.8m. Net sales for the quarter were also up, albeit less impressively, hitting $152.9m from $151.8m a year earlier.
Operating profit was in line with net profit, rising by 10% to $11.9m.
The company noted "'see-saw' swings" in raw material costs in the quarter, while energy costs stabilised or moved slightly lower. "The current economic conditions have impacted our 'highly leveraged' competitors giving our major retail partners reason to embrace our brand-related strategic alliance platform," said company chairman and CEO, Nick Caporella.
"The continuing strategy to protect margins while compensating for CSD declines produced growth in both operating and net income for this period."
In July, National Beverage posted a slide in net profits for the year to the end of May, down to $22.5m from $24.7m a year earlier. The slip came despite a 5% climb in sales for the full-year, to $566m.
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Aquaworks Pool & Spa, located in uptown Hillsboro, celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon cutting from the Highland County Chamber of Commerce, along with family, friends and members of the community on Nov. 15. It is owned and operated by Avery and Steven Ventura and is located at 406 N. West St. in Hillsboro.
After selling pool chemicals and supplies for more than 10 years, the Venturas decided to open a pool, spa and outdoor furniture store. Aquaworks officially opened in May of 2023 and offers a wide selection of pool and spa services. Aquaworks offers pool and spa construction, inground pool construction, Saratoga Spas, Berlin Garden Furniture, Berlin Garden Structures, pool chemicals, pool/spa water testing, and opening and closing pool services.
For more information including hours, availability and more, visit the Aquaworks Pool & Spa Facebook page or call 937-800-2782.
Submitted by Jaime Wheeler, Highland County Chamber of Commerce.


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Herein lies the secrets, that great men have been killed for... Beware
Wednesday, 21 December 2016
Kenya's Top Talent To Headline The Next Edition Of Industry Nite
The next edition of Industry Nite that will take place on January 5, 2017 at the Galileo Lounge.
It will be the first edition of the year and the line up is on fire.
Dubbed #FUNKYFRESH, the star studded line up includes Stella Mwangi, Anto Neo Soul, Phy and H-Art The Band.
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SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- Molex Inc. molx on Thursday said it has been granted German antitrust clearance on its proposed acquisition of Woodhead Industries Inc. The Lisle, Ill.-based electronic components maker received U.S. antitrust clearance earlier in the week. In June, Molex agreed to buy Woodhead for $256 million in cash as well as payments for outstanding stock options and assumption of debt.
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First reported 13 hours ago -
Updated 13 hours ago -
By Dr. BeckerAccording to a recent article in PetfoodIndustry.com, two huge players in the commercial pet food market, Procter & Gamble (IAMS, Eukanuba, Natura Pet Products) and Colgate-Palmolive (Hill’s Science Diet
, Hill’s Prescription Diet), have ...
[Published Mercola - 13 hours ago]


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Podcast listenership in the United Kingdom (UK) has been increasing year on year, reaching an estimated 15.6 million listeners in 2020. This popularity of podcasts is mirrored in the results from a survey from 2021 in which 71 percent of respondents said that they were familiar with podcasts while 41 percent had listened to a podcast within the month prior to the survey. These numbers show the increased awareness people have of podcasts. With the UK reaching podcast consumption levels similar to other big markets such as the United States, podcast publishers become more important as they benefit from an growing number of streams and downloads. As of September 2021, the leading podcast publishers worldwide were iHeartRadio, NPR, as well as the New York Times and Wondery.
What do listeners look for when it comes to choosing a show? According to a survey from 2021, a majority of people in the United Kingdom listened to podcasts for entertainment, namely 61 percent. Another reason, which 52 percent of respondents listed, was that they wanted to learn something new or to improve their understanding of something they already know about. When it came to keeping listeners tuned in, time and entertainment seem to play a big role. A share of 48 percent said they stopped listening to podcasts because they could not find any that were interesting to them, while the second most named reason was lack of time to listen to podcasts. The decreased time spent commuting or in the gym due to Covid-19 restrictions did not seem to play a major role.
As of 2020, 26 to 35-year-olds made up the majority of podcast listeners in the UK, followed by those aged 15 to 25. Considering the genres that people in the UK like to listen to, a survey from 2021 showed that across nearly all generations, comedy was the most popular podcast genre. Among male podcast consumers football was another genre in high demand, while women preferred to listen to true crime podcasts.
Spotify and podcast advertising
Spotify is by far the top app for music and audio in both the Google Play Store and among iPhone users, with over one million and over three million daily active users (DAUs) on each platform respectively. Not only that, in a bid to increase its foothold in the podcasting arena, Spotify has started to produce more and more exclusive podcasts while other streaming services have started to purchase smaller podcast platforms in order to compete with Spotify. With 75 percent of media experts surveyed claiming to plan to increase spending on podcast advertising over the next year, growth in the industry is to be expected. In 2020 alone, digital audio advertising spending in the UK amounted to 103.7 million pounds and with the increased popularity of podcasts, the format presents promising potential for advertisers in the future.
This text provides general information. Statista assumes no
liability for the information given being complete or correct.
Due to varying update cycles, statistics can display more up-to-date
data than referenced in the text.
In the following 5 chapters, you will quickly find the 26 most important statistics relating to "Podcasts in the UK".


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Due to the always rising cost of music licenses, Pandora will be increasing the price tag of its ad-free music service to $5 a month from the previous $4.
Pandora says that the royalties paid to musicians have been rising steadily over the past five years and they anticipate a 9% increase in 2015, meaning that it is necessary to raise the price of their monthly music streaming plan.
We’ve been fortunate to be able to offer Pandora One at an affordable price since its debut in 2009 at $36 per year and later with the introduction of a monthly subscription for only $3.99 per month. Over this same period, the costs of delivering this service have grown considerably. – Pandora
The relatively small monthly fee increase should not result in Pandora losing users, though it does show that entering the music streaming business will become more costly as time moves on.
Outside of the price hikes, annual plans will also no longer be offered, according to a post on the company’s blog. This means that current annual subscribers will be notified of the change and switched to a monthly plan once they are near the end of their current subscription period.
If you are already using Pandora and paying month-by-month, you should not experience any change, as the company has stated that it will not increase the price for current subscribers.
Our listeners are our top priority and, while this affects only a small percentage of our listeners (3.3 million subscribers of more than 250 million registered users total), we hope that you understand why we have taken these steps. Our goal is to continue to be your go-to internet radio destination and enable you to hear the music you love wherever and whenever you want. – Pandora
Annual subscribers are also being treated as nicely as possible since they will be able to pay the current $4 monthly fee rather than $5 once Pandora automatically changes over their plan.
Summary: Pandora is increasing the price of its ad-free streaming service from $4 to $5. It is also getting rid of the annual payment option. This price increase is attributed to a rise in licensing costs.
Image Credit: xbmc


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- “Final Fantasy VII Remake” is scheduled to arrive early next year, Japanese game publisher Square Enix announced on Sunday evening.
- The game is expected to arrive on March 3, 2020 exclusively on the PlayStation 4.
- The release date was revealed in a brief new trailer, which you can see below.
- Visit Business Insider’s homepage for more stories.
SEE ALSO: We just got an in-depth look at the gorgeous new ‘Star Wars’ game coming in November — here’s everything we learned
Join the conversation about this story »
NOW WATCH: I’ve used iPhones for nearly a decade and switched to the Samsung Galaxy S10. Now I understand Android loyalty in a way I never understood before.


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Finally, Costco is coming to Corner Brook!
Sunday 19 September 2059 58388 Shares
Costco is about to swing their doors open as early as June 2018!
Residents of the South West and South coast of NL will get to enjoy their very own Costco shopping pleasure right here in Corner Brook, without having to make the 9 to 10 hour trek across the island to it’s capital, St.John’s.
An online survey was published back in 2015 where nearly 50 of the islands population displayed much interest in the newest development within this particular region!
Plans to break soil will soon be underway , stay tuned!


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London: Catherine, the new Duchess of Cambridge, has been spotted strolling down aisles of a supermarket on the island of Anglesey doing weekly shop like any other housewife.
In a loose-fitting green poncho and white V-neck sweatshirt worn with skinny jeans and ballet pumps, Kate pushed a trolley among dozens of shoppers at Waitrose on the island.
It is the first time the Duchess has been out and about in public since she and Prince William departed for a weekend break the next day after marrying at Westminster Abbey.
Onlookers said Kate looked very ordinary, and the only clues to her royal status were three police bodyguards, a back-up car and the jewellery on her wedding finger.
Kate is likely to have been preparing a special dinner for her new husband, who has returned from a busy 24-hour shift as a search and rescue pilot.
“It looked like she was stocking up on the basics, but she also bought a few special items, so perhaps she was preparing their first romantic meal as a married couple,” the Daily Mail quoted an onlooker as saying.
“She loaded all the shopping into her car on her own, then skipped as she ran the trolley back to the park. She looked very happy and was smiling at people.
“Most people didn’t even spot who it was, despite her being probably the most famous person in the world at the moment,” the onlooker added.


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Entenmann's has a sweet deal for one lucky donut lover.
The pastry company is holding a nationwide contest to find their new "chief donut officer," an honorary title for one lucky donut fan and the chance to win $5,000.
"The entries will be judged by our team based on passion, creativity, and originality, and the top five finalists will be invited to submit video testimonials about why they deserve to be named chief donut officer," Jason Amar, director of marketing at Entenmann’s, told ABC News. "Then our fans will get the chance to vote for their favorite finalist and help us name the grand prize winner."
Fans will be asked upon entry to share what they love about the company's donuts and their ideas for product innovation.
"We love hearing ideas from our fans so that we can continue to grow our brand and give our loyalists what they want. We’re hoping our chief donut officer serves as the voice for our loyal fans and becomes an Entenmann’s donut ambassador," Amar explained.
Any and all interested donut-loving entrants can apply online and the official rules state that entries are open to the public until June 30.
"Our iconic, one-of-a-kind donuts have been a cornerstone for the brand for decades and have gained an extremely passionate following over the years. Timed to our favorite holiday of the year -- National Donut Day (June 1) -- we want to honor our biggest fans by officially welcoming one to our Entenmann’s family," Amar said.
The top five finalists will be announced in July, and the grand prize winner of the chief donut officer honorary title, $5,000 and a year’s supply of donuts will be announced on Aug. 7.


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The US and the Netherlands are stepping up joint efforts to keep chip manufacturing out of China’s hands.
Reuters news agency News about new activities The Netherlands and the U.S. said China could import as little as possible to bake the chips.
Not with all Chinese
We previously shared articles on the key role of chips in the trade conflict between the US and the Chinese. Not only the Netherlands but also Japan has boarded the train.
Now those restrictions have been tightened little by little. The ban on special ASML was already anticipated and is now effectively in place. Hague bans Dutch company from selling manufacturing materials for chips to China This provision also applies to similar institutions in our northern neighbours. However, this rule will not come into effect until September.
China is now blocking US chips from South Korea’s Micron between two fires
In the United States, such a ban has been in place for American companies since last fall. The reason is simple, Joe Biden and Gov do not want China, especially its military, to have the necessary technology.
Additionally, the U.S. is reportedly developing a rule that would allow it to ban exports of goods from other countries, at least if they contain U.S. components. This means that even more restrictions apply to China. Unlike the Netherlands, the US doesn’t want to wait that long, with new rules already taking effect in July.
America is not just manufacturing equipment. They also don’t want to see already-made AI chips exported to China.
“Award-winning beer geek. Extreme coffeeaholic. Introvert. Avid travel specialist. Hipster-friendly communicator.”


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Recently there have been numerous reports of people losing their bitcoins to hackers and malware as bitcoin’s price continues to grow in value. It is safe to assume that organizations and individuals trying to steal people’s bitcoin reserves will persistently increase because the decentralized cryptocurrency becomes more valuable to thieves.
‘Faster and More Lucrative Than Robbing a Suburban Bank’
At the time of writing one bitcoin is worth roughly $2900 as it has become a treasured digital asset. While bitcoin’s value has increased the number of people losing money to malware attacks and hackers cracking bitcoin accounts usually follows the price rise in unison. Just recently Cody Brown, founder of the virtual reality community Roomscale.org, lost $8000 worth of bitcoin held on Coinbase.
Brown’s attack vector was through Verizon where the hacker easily took over his cell phone number with a some “simple billing information.” After his phone was compromised the attacker swiped his Coinbase funds in less than fifteen minutes. Brown does detail that he did not use two-factor authentication with his email account, but feels that it shouldn’t be so easy to access Verizon information. He also believes that he may have been targeted after tweeting about bitcoin a week prior.


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This week has seen a big event in the lives of all mobile gamers in general and Fortnite in particular. The game has finally arrived on Google Play. Just what preceded it and what prevented them from doing it earlier? The developer had a reason, which we'll talk about. And this week, Google released an update to one of its important services, which are used by many millions of people around the world. And, of course, it was not without news from the world of Samsung. All the most interesting things that happened this week, we will traditionally tell in our weekly news digest.
Updating Google services is always fun.
Galaxy S20 in Russia can already be bought for almost 20 thousand rubles cheaper
One of the main mistakes that, in my opinion, Samsung made this year, was the refusal to develop the lineup of conditionally available flagships. Many users hoped the Galaxy S20e would be as inexpensive as iPhone 11, but much more attractive in terms of functionality. However, the Koreans, for some unknown reason, decided that the affordable devices would erode the value of their technological breakthroughs, and therefore took and quickly closed the shop, focusing only on expensive models. But the market will always take its toll.
Galaxy S20 is no longer as expensive as at the start of sales
Despite the fact that only about two months have passed since the start of sales of the Galaxy S20, the price of new items in Russian retail has already dropped by almost 20 thousand rubles from the initial indicators. Now the most affordable offer, according to Yandex.Market, starts at 53 thousand rubles against 70 thousand rubles in official retail. It turns out that the Galaxy S20 has lost almost a quarter of its value in price, or about 25%. This is a rather tangible drop, which practically no one expected in the current market conditions.
Galaxy S20 has dropped in price by 25% in almost 2 months. And what will happen next?
Yes, the price decline occurred only in gray retail, since devices imported into the country through official supply channels are still sold for 70 thousand rubles. But the changes that have taken place are all the more indicative, since since the appearance of the new Samsung flagship in Russia, the ruble against the euro has fallen by more than 20%, not to mention the limitation of gray supplies, since smartphones are bought in quarantine abroad, from where they were usually transported , has become almost impossible.
Of course, gray retail is not the same as official. In the end, there are much more chances to run into a used device or a fake, and the service of the servo trucks, as a rule, is not as good as the large retail chains. But, on the other hand, if you take a responsible approach to the purchase issue and study not only the product, but also the seller himself, you can save a lot. After all, in fact, it makes no difference to the consumer whether the seller paid the tax for the smartphone or not.
Can't understand why there are such cheap smartphones in gray retail? It's all about tax refunds
And this is exactly how serovo trucks maintain low prices for their products. They simply buy equipment abroad – most often in Europe – and then simply refund sales tax through the Tax Free program. This is a completely official practice, which allows a foreigner to return up to 20% of the retail price of the product when leaving the country where the purchase was made. In the case of smartphones, especially flagship smartphones, the difference is quite noticeable. As a result, the price in gray retail in Russia for such devices will be much lower than that of the officials.
But what does all this have to do with the lack of a conditionally affordable flagship in the Samsung lineup? And such that thanks to the Galaxy S20 servo carriers, which is considered quite an expensive smartphone, it became possible to buy at the price of the Galaxy S10e. Remember, last year's 'state employee' went on sale for 52,990 rubles. The Galaxy S20 costs exactly the same today, but at the same time offers, unlike a more attractive appearance, a more advanced set of characteristics, and, what is there, an additional year of software support.
Google released Android 11 Developer Preview 3. What has changed
Android 11 Developer Preview 3 Now Available For Download
This week, Google released Android 11 Developer Preview 3. This is the third test update of five, targeted exclusively for developers and prior to the launch of the public beta program. At this stage, Google is still working on new functions and interfaces of the operating system and has not yet moved on to debugging and 'polishing', which consists of carrying out work to optimize and improve performance. Therefore, each next build Android Developer Preview is interesting because it invariably contains a lot of innovations. The third version is no exception.
Google Pay now supports the SafetyNet security toolkit, which scans the device for all kinds of threats or dangerous changes. It checks to see if the user has made any changes to the operating system that undermine the protection mechanisms.
Android 11 Developer Preview 3 Now Available For Download
In the event that SafetyNet finds any discrepancies with the default software, Google Pay will be blocked and you will not be able to pay for purchases either offline or online. Perhaps this is a temporary feature that will disappear in the release build Android 11, but if Google decides to leave it, all custom firmware could be under attack.
While the Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL don't support reverse charging, the Pixel 5 is likely to have it. This is indicated by an animation instruction for using this function, which appeared in Android 11 Developer Preview 3. Obviously, Google has long wanted to integrate this charging mechanism into its smartphones, but for some reason it was not forced to do.
Android 11 will now natively support reverse charging
Chances are, with the development of the Pixel 4, which came out last year, the company was unable to cope with too much collateral wasted energy, like Apple. Towards the end of the year, however, the search giant's developers should complete the necessary work and release the Pixel 5 with reverse charging. However, it is possible that this is just a system animation that will be available to all smartphones with this function.
Probably, many users Android have at least once encountered the Sberbank antivirus. He can analyze the device for several minutes for all kinds of threats or spyware, and all this time a corresponding notification will hang in the notification curtain, which cannot be closed.
Enraged by unclosed notifications? There will be no more of them in Android 11
Obviously, Sberbank is not the only application that annoys users with non-removable notifications, and therefore in Android 11, Google developers decided to change the mechanism for sending notifications, allowing them to close all without exception, without disrupting background processes like scanning for viruses.
Android 10 already has an app uninstall cancellation feature that has helped many of us a lot. Well, you know, it happens that you freak out, delete the program, and then you regret it. So it was always strange for me that Android does not allow you to cancel the unloading of the application from multitasking.
Close the app by accident? Cancel closing
Apparently, the Google developers heard me and finally added an Undo button to accidentally closed programs in Android 11. If the unloading was done by swiping from the bottom up, then the application is returned to the multitasking menu by swiping from top to bottom. True, how this will be implemented in third-party shells is not yet very clear.
In the past year, the gesture control system in Android has undergone major changes, becoming much more convenient than before. However, I still could not use it due to the fact that the OS often misinterpreted the swipes, confusing the back and side menu gestures in Google branded applications.
Not satisfied with gestures? Just customize them
However, in Android 11 it became possible to adjust the sensitivity for each gesture separately. That is, now I can configure the strength of the swipe so that the system no longer takes one after the other. This will undoubtedly make the control Android more convenient.
Android 11 has a new interface for editing screenshots. Now, when you take a screenshot, its thumbnail will appear in the lower left corner, and next to it – the keys for navigating to the desired options. As a result, you can either quickly close this screenshot, or immediately open the desired editing options, or share it.
Screenshot editing – right from your desktop
In fact, by doing so, Google has saved users at least one action regardless of what they want to do. After all, if earlier it was required to first open the screenshot itself, and only then select the necessary editing tools or the recipient when sending, now this can be done immediately. What Google decided to do is really convenient and saves time, albeit not very much.
Google releases major update to its Duo video calling service
Google Duo received a landmark update that will make it better
Some time ago I said that I very successfully replaced FaceTime with Google's video calling service – Duo. I liked literally everything about it – from cross-platform and the ability to use it on different devices, regardless of brand and operating system, to built-in algorithms that allow, firstly, to keep the speaker's face strictly in the center of the frame, and, secondly, provide high quality pictures. However, Google decided that this was not enough to conquer the market and released a major update to Duo.
The inability to hold real meetings due to the coronavirus pandemic has made video conferencing tools especially popular, including Duo. But since Google's proprietary service until recently had strict restrictions on the number of participants who can simultaneously participate in a conversation, it was not very popular for conducting massive online negotiations. Therefore, Google decided to increase the possible number of participants in the conversation from 8 to 12.
Duo video calls can now be used as video conferencing
Previously, Duo users did not have a built-in function for taking screenshots. So they just had to take screenshots and then manually cut the image. It was not very convenient, since not only the service interface was captured, but also all the accompanying elements of the operating system, control buttons, and much more. But since many, as it turned out, conduct work video conferences through Duo and from time to time need the ability to take a picture, Google added a special button to the application interface to capture what is happening on the screen.
Personally, I never had any complaints about the image quality in Duo, but Google felt that there was no limit to perfection. Therefore, to improve the 'quality and stability of the video call', it was decided to switch to the AV1 codec. The same codec is used in YouTube and Netflix, due to which it is possible to provide 30% better performance when transferring pictures at low signal levels compared to baseline. In direct comparison, the difference will be noticeable to the naked eye.
On the left – as it will become, on the right – as it was
The sound in Duo will also undergo certain changes. According to Google developers, support for new algorithms will appear in the mobile application of the service, which will, firstly, prevent the sound from interrupting when the connection is unstable, and, secondly, if this turns out to be impossible, simply fill in the blanks automatically. Most likely, the artificial intelligence that will form the basis of these algorithms will simply analyze what users say and, in the event of a sound skip, will insert what, in their opinion, should have sounded.
Despite the fact that all the innovations were presented by Google at once, their distribution will be carried out gradually. According to the confirmed information, the first users will begin to receive updates this week, but they will get to most of them within two to three weeks. Google plans in this way to ensure the stability of innovations before deploying them to the general public. First of all, the increase in the number of users in the video conference and the button to create a screenshot will be presented, and then the new video codec and algorithms for sound replacement.
Fortnite has appeared on Google Play
As soon as we talked about the best games for smartphones and cite Fortnite as an example, what has come that everyone has been waiting for. Finally, Epic Games was able to negotiate with Google and release its famous Fortnite action movie on Google Play. Now the game can be downloaded officially and there is no need to suffer with installation. This will no doubt be good news for fans. On the other hand, they already have the game. So who will benefit from this? Epic Games, Google, someone else? In fact, it is beneficial to everyone, but why did it happen so late, when the popularity of the game gradually began to decline?
One of the most popular smartphone games in history.
In the early days, Fortnite was only released for iOS. Many were waiting for the appearance of the game on Google Play, but this did not happen. The company later announced that it would not release such a version and would limit itself to distributing the installation file on its website.
This is due to the fact that the company did not want to pay 30 percent of Google's internal purchases, given that in the first two weeks of the game's presence in the AppStore, the company earned $ 15 million. In this case, a third of the income already begins to seem like something really impressive.
There was no other choice for iOS and games can be distributed there only through the AppStore. But in the case of Android the situation is different. Any application can be downloaded as an installation file and no one will pay Google royalties. Our Alexander Bogdanov told how to do it. Given the monetary loss to Google, it's no surprise the company wants to move away from this practice. Developers understand that 30 percent for payment processing is a lot. Here's the answer to why Fortnite wasn't on Google Play.
The presence of the game for Google Play will reduce the installation via APK to almost zero. That is, it is not necessary to say that Epic Games plans to continue distributing the game through the site. So they somehow made an agreement with Google.
Previously, you could only play this way by installing the game from the studio's website.
Of course, the presence of the game in the official store will increase the number of downloads, but personally I doubt that the growth will be proportional to the amount of royalties. After all, this game is played by active users who already know how to install applications without Google Play.
It has been 18 months since the release of this free game, from which the studio earns through in-game purchases. During this time, the level of its popularity has leveled off a bit and it has become easier to negotiate with its developers. And it became easier for the studio itself to agree to royalties when they already made a lot of money.
But perhaps the most important factor was that Google did not directly ban the installation of third-party applications, but actively explains to users that this is very dangerous.
“Google is putting download software outside of Google Play at a disadvantage with technical and business measures like scary security pop-ups for downloaded and updated software. The notifications characterize third-party software sources as malware. Google is also taking steps to block non-Google Play apps. Because of this, we launched Fortnite for Android on the Google Play Store, 'an Epic Games spokesperson said in a statement.
Of course, there really is a danger of installing applications via installation files. Even if you do not install everything in a row, attackers can still slip you a malicious file with the desired name under the guise of the required software.
Installing third-party games can be dangerous, you have to be careful
In part in this respect, Google is doing the right thing when it prevents users from betting everything. But the moderation of Google Play is at such a level that not a week goes by without a Trojan or other malicious application being found there.
Of course, installing applications from the branded store is good and convenient, but there are still disadvantages. Now Epic Games is unhappy that it had to back down. She expresses the hope that Google will treat its partners better and stop putting a spoke in their wheels.
If you love Fortnite, there is always something to share about this game. If you want to express your opinion or ask for advice, do it in our special Telegram chat.
'We hope that Google will revise its policies and business relationships in the near future so that all developers can communicate freely with customers on Android and the Play Store and engage in trade through open services, including payment services that can compete on a level playing field, '' Epic Game said in a statement.
Google has not given official comments on this yet. On the other hand, what can she say if such a system worked for many years and everyone tacitly agreed with the rules of the game? Most likely, Epic Games will put up with what is happening and will deduct its interest. After all, they don't resent the action Apple. There is simply no choice and that's it.


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A pink diamond no larger than a chickpea went for $10.8 million at a Christie’s Hong Kong auction, according to Bloomberg News. The stone had the second-highest rating available and a weighed 5 carats. It topped the per-carat record set back in May, when Hong Kong property investor Joseph Lau had picked up a 7.03-carat blue diamond at an auction in Geneva for $10.5 million.
The pink diamond was sent under the gavel by Graff Diamonds, a London-based jeweler, and the stone was sold to a phone bidder who was one of the only to beat out Liu Yiqian and his wife, Wang Wei at this auction.
Overall, the 255 lots sold (an 89 percent sell rate) brought in HK$372 million.
There were other records set in Hong Kong, also. A sapphire weighing 16.65 carats, by Van Cleef & Arpels, brought in HK$18.6 million, also setting another per-carat record.


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NEW YORK — If you're a U.S. consumer, why would you be confident?
After a string of bad news that threatens the painfully slow economic recovery, consumer confidence fell to a seven-month low in June on continuing worries about high unemployment and stagnating wages, according to a report released Tuesday by a private research group.
The Conference Board's Consumer Confidence Index slipped to 58.5 in June. That's down from a revised 61.7 in May, which marked a drop of almost 6 points from April.
"Americans still feel like they're in a recession," said C. Britt Beemer, chairman of America's Research Group. "They feel like they're driving in a car and getting hit by all sides."
A reading of 90 would indicate a healthy economy on the index, which measures how Americans feel about business conditions, the job market and the next six months. But the index hasn't approached that level since the recession began in December 2007. In fact, two years after the recession officially ended in June 2009, consumer confidence is still fragile.
"Consumers are growing increasingly worried about the near-term economic outlook," said Mark Vitner, senior economist at Wells Fargo.
Jim Horseman, 55, a railroad engineer from Avon, Ohio, is among those consumers who remain uneasy about the economy. He said he needs to buy a new car but is putting it off until next year.
"I'm not giving up my money. I'm holding on to my savings," Horseman said. "I feel much safer with my money in the bank making no interest than not having it."
Isaac Burrows, 24, who works on commission as a salesman at a Clarks shoe store in downtown Indianapolis, said he sees troubling economic signs at his job. A few years ago, he could sell $10,000 worth of shoes in a week; now he's lucky if he can sell half that.
"There haven't been any real signs that would give you that confidence," Burrows said.
Still, economists had expected the confidence index to edge up because consumers are paying less at the gas pump. But that didn't boost shoppers' mood.
Americans are most worried about the dismal job market. Hiring slowed this spring after a strong start at the beginning of the year. The unemployment rate inched up to 9.1 percent last month from 9.0 percent in April.
Economists say the Conference Board's index accurately reflects consumers' moods and spending habits when studied over a few months, instead of just one month at a time. The June survey echoes the deteriorating confidence tracked by a recent Gallup poll, which reported that Americans' economic confidence receded in early June and remains near its 2011 low.


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Harvest Moon Developer's Story Of Seasons Gets New Trailer
Customization is the name of the game in Story of Seasons, the new life-simulation and farming game heading to the 3DS on March 10. This lighthearted romp got a bit of attention during yesterday’s Nintendo Direct presentation, complete with a new trailer showing off some of the game’s new customization features and mechanics.
For those who may have fallen out of the loop and find themselves thinking: Hey, that looks like Harvest Moon! That’s because Story of Seasons is the latest Harvest Moon in every regard but name. It’s actually part of the Bokujo Monogatari (Read: Harvest Moon) series in Japan but, due to licensing issues and other technical jibba-jabba, the name had to be changed stateside.
I had the opportunity to go hands-on with Story of Seasons at E3 2014, as well as chat with series producer Yoshifumi Hashimoto. Hashimoto-san stated that the spirit of Harvest Moon is very much alive in Story of Seasons, but his latest entry should be seen as a new beginning for the beloved series.
That’s evident in the latest trailer, which begins by showing off the game’s impressive character customization features. After choosing to be a boy or girl, you can fine-tune every aspect of your character, making them look as much like you, or unlike you, as you like.
Oak Tree Town is also on display in the new trailer, which is where players will spend a lot of their time getting to know the other characters, buying goods, forging relationships and more.
The new customizable crop layouts are also up for your viewing pleasure, as well as some of the more streamlined farming mechanics that will let you spend more time digging into the other aspects of the game. As revealed at E3, there’s lots of new activities to take part in once Story of Seasons launches, including new online cooperative play and, yes, they’ve added a jump button. Can I get an amen?
Story of Seasons will be published by XSEED Games Stateside and is launching exclusively for the 3DS this March.
“After creating a customized character, players can live out a new life by cultivating their favorite fruits and vegetables while expanding and filling their farm with their choice of animals,” reads a press release from the publisher. “Fans of past games in the series will love the many new additions on display here, including an enhanced variety of seeds, pets and other ways to make their farms truly their own.”
Get your pitchforks ready, folks. It’s almost time to head back to the farm.
Your Daily Blend of Entertainment News
Staff Writer for CinemaBlend.