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Tennessee Senator Lamar Alexander is part of a bi-partisan push to require online retailers to collect state sales taxes.
The group of ten senators announced yesterday that they will introduce a bill that would let states that adopt the same administrative procedure for collecting taxes to be able to require online sellers to collect those taxes
Online auction company eBay opposes the bill, saying that requiring small vendors to collect sales tax for states around the country would be an unfair burden.
Tennessee's sales tax revenues grew 6.5 percent in the first quarter of the budget year, and general fund collections are $57 million above projections.
Sales taxes account for nearly two out of every three dollars collected for the state's general fund. October sales tax collections, which reflect economic activity in the previous month, came in at nearly $16 million above projections.
State Finance Commissioner Mark Emkes says that the growth of sales tax collections is the "best indicator of economic recovery."


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Research finds 42 percent of travel managers are including special consideration for lone women travelers
An increasing number of corporate travel programs are prioritizing the needs of their women travelers, according to new research from the Business Travel Show Europe.
The new poll – published to coincide with this week’s International Women’s Day – found 42 percent of travel managers now include special consideration for lone women business travelers. That percentage is up 11 points over a similar survey taken in September 2021.
Furthermore, another 7 percent of respondents said they intend to introduce change within the next 12 months.
“Changes in working life, and also in the mindset of society, have led to increased compatibility between family and work for all parties (parents – men and women, and organizations),” said Porsche’s head of travel management Brigitte Lehle. She added that women are also increasingly occupying professions that require business trips.
According to Shelley Mathews, general manager, sales and partnerships, CTM Europe, clients had been asking the firm to provide more and better support for lone women travelers for some years.
“This can be anything from requiring hotels or specific hotel rooms that are viewed as more secure, to eating in business lounges rather the hotel bar, and using pre-booked chauffeur cars over hiring on-street taxis, for example,” said Mathews.
“As a global TMC operating all over the world, we provide our customers with detailed local information relating to specific countries and cultures that may impact women travelers, too.”
Rachel Connolly, Business Engagement Liaison for black car and courier service Adisson Lee, told BTSE that the firm had partnered with UN Women UK and its Safe Spaces Now campaign to provide its drivers and colleagues with specific training to improve their awareness of women’s safety.
“The training that we will deliver through this partnership will empower our drivers to report any concerns they have with a woman’s safety and also educate them on what makes their vehicle a safe space for someone who may feel unsafe or vulnerable,” said Connolly.
The Business Travel Show Europe returns as a fully face-to-face event at London’s Excel this year, with new dates of June 29-30, 2022. Visitor registrations are now open at businesstravelshoweurope.com.

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Sure, BlackBerry no longer manufacturers smartphones, but its licensing and software divisions are running on all cylinders. In fact, it makes you wonder why BlackBerry didn’t give up manufacturing smartphones earlier. With the current set up, the guys in Waterloo have a good thing going. A company like TCL licenses BlackBerry’s version of Android and pays the company for use of the iconic BlackBerry name and logo. BlackBerry sits back and deposits the checks.
Topping Wall Street expectations, BlackBerry reported a record $196 million in services and software revenue for its fiscal second …


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Since Samsung won’t be showing off the Galaxy S3 at MWC this year, it looks like we’ll just to look forward to other devices instead. And in case you’re wondering what Samsung might have up its sleeves for next month, reports online have mentioned the existence of two new sequels to its current lineup of phones: the Samsung Galaxy S2 Plus and the Samsung Galaxy Note S. Other than the names, there weren’t any additional details to work with, though the S2 Plus has been spotted on An3DBenchXL results according to PocketNow, adding more credibility to the rumors. It’s MWC 2012 is only a few weeks away so we won’t have to wait too long to find out, sot stay tuned for more details. What else do you think Samsung will be announcing?
Next Story: Skype for Windows Phone beta arriving soon?


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Gives an overview of political, social and technological shifts impacting brand safety at a high level and looks tospecific challenges in five categories currently undergoing rapid transformation: Connected TV, Digital Out-of-Home, Location Data, Audio and Gaming.
Gaming stands to be one of the few winners in an environment where consumers are confined to their homes – and brands are undergoing a mental shift in the way they think about this channel, according to AdColony’s Tom Simpson.
Tom Simpson, WARC COVID-19 Series, April 2020
With time spent on mobile gaming exploding in Asia Pacific, thanks to pandemic-induced stay at home measures, AdColony’s Tom Simpson walks brands through how to make the most of this interactive and captive audience.
E-sports phenomenon, League of Legends, is finding interest from the LVMH-owned maison, which has announced that it will be designing in-game skins and a trophy case for the world champion’s cup, in a sign of e-sports’ continuing ascendancy.
Sponsorship has generally been the approach brands have taken with regards to gaming but they stand to gain more from targeted, in-game ads, according to the owner of franchises as varied as Call of Duty and Candy Crush.
Gaming is growing, and advertisers have an opportunity to reach gamers in new ways. Bidstack’s James Draper argues that in-game advertising brings the scale of mass-media exposure without ruining playing experiences.
With over 200 million registered players, celebrity and sports aficionados, Epic Games’ Fortnite and mass participation video games that function across platforms are gaining traction among Generation Z in particular.
Douyin, the viral short video app known as TikTok in international markets, is introducing a mini-game into its app, in a move that will put it in direct competition with the gaming and social media giant Tencent.
NEW YORK: “Reward” ads in gaming apps, which offer players free items to enhance their experience in return for interacting, are impactful on a variety of metrics, according to a study in the Journal of Advertising Research (JAR).


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25 August 2007
A sweet news bite
At last, a squirrel adventure that doesn't involve mention of rabies, children and adults being attacked or power lines being bitten, casting metropolitan areas into darkness.
At last, squirrels can look cute again, for a little while.
The lastest news from Finland is that the squirrel who'd been entering a Helsinki supermarket on a regular basis for the sole purpose of stealing an egg-shaped European-made confection has been banned from the shop. Well duh. One would think this has less to do with the thief being a squirrel than with the thief simply being a thief. If the news had been that a truck driver was stopping in at the store and stealing these candies on a regular basis, the trucker would likely have been cast out from the supermarket too.
Banning the trucker would have been a sound business decision but no, it would not have made news.
But hey, this is a squirrel. A cute, furry being with a tail far bushier (and easier on the eyes) than one might find on your average trucker.
On the other hand, those of us who dispose of a large chunk of our very disposable income weekly purchasing walnuts, pecans, almonds and those pricey hazelnuts to keep the outdoor denizens content, outside our back door, find it no surprise - and hardly news at all - that a squirrel might actually have discriminating tastes. Discriminating enough to turn to a life of crime, breaking and entering at a supermarket and picking off only the highest quality brand-name confection.
Just ask the last visitor in our yard who repeatedly scoffed at English walnut halves and would not be appeased until $5-a-pound filberts were produced.


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The BiTA Symposium @HOME on June 10 featured speakers presenting blockchain use cases and possibilities across various verticals within the supply chain industry. They illustrated ways to leverage blockchain to bring more transparency and visibility into logistics operations. In a series of two digests, FreightWaves attempts to outline key aspects of those talks individually.
Founded in August 2017, the Blockchain in Transport Alliance, or BiTA, has become the largest commercial blockchain alliance in the world, with nearly 300 members. BiTA members are primarily from the freight, transportation, logistics and affiliated industries. Alliance members share a common mission to develop a standards framework, educate the market on blockchain applications/solutions and distributed ledger technology, and encourage the use of those applications.
COVID-19 testing solutions for transportation companies
Stephan Noller, CEO of German-based blockchain startup Ubrich, spoke of the hassles that companies have guarding their sensor data against being tampered with. Apart from compromising the company’s integrity in question, insights drawn off tampered data can be flawed and end up being detrimental to downstream logistics operations.
Ubrich leverages blockchain to make data trustworthy. Blockchain is used to seal the data at the source via digital signatures, which is marked over every piece of data that is generated during the logistics operations. Customers who wish to verify data can run a query against the verification API to check if the data has been compromised.
Ubirch came out with a COVID-19 certificate that is a digital representation of a test result made verifiable via blockchain. Users can show this digital certificate when they are stopped and checked. Authorities can scan QR codes embedded in the certificates to verify their authenticity, making the whole interaction seamless and more efficient.
Proof of concept on blockchain-enabled tracking and chain-of-custody ecommerce
Rick Ryan, fellow at retail logistics firm Pitney Bowes, spoke of real-world learnings from the company’s proof of concept (PoC) project focused on tracking and chain-of-custody within ecommerce operations. Pitney Bowes’ PoC was an internal trial – kept that way to have more control over the project and its ease of access. One idea was to test non-sunny day scenarios like missed and out-of-order events and network outages.
Though the chain of custody of a package looks relatively simple from the point of shipping to last-mile delivery, there are several complexities associated with logistics. For instance, not every single event creates a change to the parcel status on the blockchain.
Pitney Bowes used the Hyperledger Fabric platform for its full implementation. Events that were looked at and pushed on the blockchain were simple reports that included shipment arrival and departure, aggregation and disaggregation of trackable entities, and unnesting of items.
Ryan explained that learnings from running the pilot highlighted the need to plan for missed and out-of-order events. “It was really important to include the event time, which is part of the constructs in the BiTA standards. Using the event time, you can reconstruct what happened when events come out of order,” he said. Companies also need to plan for attempts to write multiple events for the same asset simultaneously. Pitney Bowes’ also simulated the project with historical data, which was found to reflect reality.
Chainyard and Trust Your Supplier: trust your product in the supply chain
Gary Storr, general manager at blockchain services company Chainyard, spoke about the company’s product called Trust Your Supplier (TYS). TYS is a product that helps buyers and suppliers establish a partnership to do business, with its use case centered around the pain points of buyers, including supplier qualification, validation of supplier information, and physical onboarding of a supplier.
“We see a lot of inefficiencies in that process, leading to huge delays in transaction times. Regulatory requirements are also moving very quickly, but technology is not really meeting that pace,” said Storr. “We came up with TYS, which led to a 90% improvement in the ability of a supplier to provide relevant information to a buyer. We’ve seen a substantial reduction in cycle time around onboarding and an associated reduction in cost.”
Storr likened TYS to be similar to a LinkedIn profile, where people can provide a single link to their profile, rather than sending out resumes individually to people looking for a background check. The digital identity provided by TYS is easily consumable by buyers, further augmented with expertise from organizations that Chainyard works with.
Chainyard has partnered with IBM to create a “white label version of trust” for the suppliers delivering essential medical utilities to hospitals and healthcare organizations. When medical supplies like PPEs were in severe shortage, hospitals had to buy them from unconventional suppliers like General Motors, Ford and even Gucci. Chainyard developed a solution that used blockchain to protect the associated financial transactions and keep bad actors and fraudsters out of the system.
Linking insights for transportation with NorthStar Digital Solutions
Linking insights for transportation (LiFT), is a program initiated by NorthStar Digital Solutions, which is an on-the-ground actuation of hyper technology in the trucking market.
Dave Brajkovich, the CTO of NorthStar Digital Solutions, spoke about how the company uses robotic process automation (RPA), artificial intelligence (AI), and deep learning to allow its users to interact with the automation routines to make their lives easier, while also enhancing their skill sets in other areas of the business.
Brajkovich explained that NorthStar captures and integrates data arising from trucking assets. “The measures we took were to bring LiFT into a category where there’s digitalization. Automation is a big piece, as we deal with loads of documents – from order to dispatch and dealing with customs. We ended up integrating our APIs into our ERP back-end, and with intelligent OCR and machine learning, we arrived at a scalable solution,” he said.
This automation has helped NorthStar during the COVID-19 situation. Employees were able to work remotely from home, as the bots kept working around the clock.
To achieve further automation, NorthStar worked with IBM’s Hyperledger Fabric to create a blockchain platform that logs incoming orders coming through the system and pushes that to its partners. These businesses accept orders through smart contracts with data being embedded inside the Hyperledger. All partners and clients in the network are privy to the process and have the ability to check progress at every stage.


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New York, NY (Oct. 19)-Pfizer, Inc. plans to implement a new company-wide cost-cutting initiative in 2007 as part of strategy to improve operating performance. The cuts are in addition to a previous cost-reduction program that Pfizer launched in 2005.
New York, NY (Oct. 19)-Pfizer, Inc. (www.pfizer.com) plans to implement a new company-wide cost-cutting initiative in 2007 as part of strategy to improve operating performance. The cuts are in addition to a previous cost-reduction program that Pfizer launched in 2005.
“As a critical step in our transformation, we are taking a comprehensive look at our costs, and in 2007 we plan to implement a new company-wide cost-reduction initiative that will lower our cost base in 2007 and 2008 as well as give us greater flexibility to modulate our expenses in the face of changing market conditions. These savings will be over and above the $4 billion projected annual cost savings by 2008 from our Adapting to Scale (AtS) productivity initiative,” said Pfizer CEO Jeffrey B. Kindler, in reporting on the company's third quarter results.
Pfizer launched AtS in 2005, with the goal of achieving annual cost savings of $4 billion by 2008. The initiative targeted savings through the reorganization of Pfizer's global manufacturing network, cost reductions in procurement in its global supply chain, and restructuring of its research and development and sales and marketing organizations (1).
Pfizer Vice Chairman David L. Shedlarz reported that the company expects savings from AtS this year of about $2.5 billion, $500 million ahead of the company's earlier guidance.
“But given market conditions, we will now undertake a comprehensive transformation of how we invest in our business and manage our costs,” said Shedlarz in a company release. “It is important to note that, at current exchange rates, our new cost-reduction initiative will reduce 2007 operating expenses to a level below that in 2006, and further reduce 2008 operating expenses. Our goal is to create a more flexible cost structure, so that it will be easier and less disruptive to adjust expenditures in light of our circumstances and expectations.”
Pfizer reported worldwide pharmaceutical revenues for the third quarter of 2006 of $11.5 billion, a 9% gain year over year. US pharmaceutical revenues were $6.4 billion, an increase of 14%.
While not disclosing the specifics of the cost reductions, Kindler said that the cuts are necessary in an increasingly competitive environment. “We continue to face a number of near-term challenges. We are navigating through the loss of exclusivity on several major products. Many of our products continue to face strong competition, including generics, in key markets. Our regulatory and pricing environments have created added challenges.”
Pfizer expects its revenues to be flat in 2007 and 2008 based on these factors and the impact of current exchange rates. “And very recently, we have seen a strengthening of the US dollar, as well as actions on access and pricing taken by influential decision makers in several large European markets,” said Kindler. “As a result, at current exchange rates we are now expecting revenues in 2007 and 2008 to be comparable to 2006, as compared to our previous forecast of modest revenue growth over the period.”
1. P. Van Arnum, “Outsourcing Strategies: A New Paradigm,” Pharmaceutical Technology Sourcing and Management 2 (4), e 14 2006, www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/advanstar/ptsm0406/.


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North American chipset designer, Qualcomm, has promised to fight the $865 million fine that the Korea Fair Trade Commission sanctioned against the business following an investigation to alleged unfair business practices. This fine is the highest that the Korea Fair Trade Commission (KFTC) has ever given a single company and is because Qualcomm forced smartphone manufacturers to sign what it considers to be unfair license agreements by linking Qualcomm's System-on-Chip designs with patent license contracts. The KFTC's investigation took six months and involved seven hearings with a number of companies, including both South Korean smartphone manufacturers LG and Samsung, plus other technology businesses including chipset designers Apple, Intel, NVIDIA and MediaTek, amongst others. The Korean regulatory body decided that chipset market leader Qualcomm forced unfair arrangement with companies, such as requiring them to provide patents to Qualcomm for free and without offering a fair compensation calculation system.
Qualcomm have labelled the Korean Fair Trade Commission's decision and fine "unprecedented and insupportable," because the company has used similar licensing arrangements to others in South Korea (and elsewhere) "for decades." The chipset designer will file for an immediate stay and appeal at the Seoul High Court as soon as the KTFC's written decision and order is issued, which may take up to six months. Qualcomm are optimistic that the Seoul High Court's reputation to "apply sound antitrust principles" will be beneficial to their appeal. Qualcomm stated that they believe the KFTC's decision contravenes the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement, which promises a due rights process for American businesses operating in South Korea. This process includes the right for Qualcomm to cross examine witnesses called in the case, which the American business says it was unable to do so during the six month investigation.
Furthermore, the KFTC's actions could alter the established patent and licensing practices that have been in use for many years. This is certainly not the first time Qualcomm has been investigated for alleged antitrust business practices, and each time the company has vigorously defended its position. The company received one of the biggest fines ever given for unfair business practices in the summer of 2015 where, after a fourteen month investigation, Chinese authorities levied a fine of approximately $1 billion. And whilst the KFTC have reached a decision, it seems that this dispute will rumble on into 2017.


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- Economic Development
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The Business View – October 2016 / News You Can Use
In early September, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Matt Erskine visited Mobile to announce the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation a $2.9 million grant to renovate a downtown Mobile building that will house Innovation PortAL. Local private foundations, private industry, the city of Mobile, Mobile County and the University of South Alabama committed to $1.9 million in matching funds.
Innovation PortAL, a program of the Mobile Area Chamber Foundation, is a place entrepreneurs will go to launch a business idea or accelerate an existing company with the help of industry experts, mentors and specialized training, according to Hayley Van Antwerp, Innovation PortAL’s executive director.
Mobile Area Chamber President and CEO Bill Sisson said, “We’re thrilled to receive this grant from the EDA. It helps propel the Innovation Portal forward quickly and creates an environment where entrepreneurs can be successful and flourish for years to come. This project would have never been possible without Advancing Southwest Alabama, and the recognition the manufacturing designation brought to the region.”
According to the EDA release, Innovation PortAL will provide access to intense mentoring services, investment capital, investing networks, and a highly educated and skilled workforce to support local entrepreneurs and businesses. The center is designed to foster manufacturing technologies and compatible businesses in a 35,000 square foot building at 358 St. Louis St., in the former Threaded Fasteners building. It will include a prototyping lab once the engineering and renovation is complete. And the building plans will be able to handle future expansion efforts.
It will serve entrepreneurs along the central Gulf Coast and surrounding rural counties included in the Southwest Alabama Investing in Manufacturing Communities Partnership (IMCP). Van Antwerp says the expected economic impact of the first five years of this project is to generate 500 local jobs and serve 300-plus entrepreneurs, who through their companies will contribute an estimated $5 million to the local economy.
“This grant is the catalyst that will transform this dream into a much needed resource for our community,” said Van Antwerp. Currently Innovation PortAL is working out of a temporary space at Exchange 202 in downtown Mobile, and will welcome its first clients this fall. Prospective tenants will complete an online application and attach business, promotion and sales plans. Once it’s determined the business is a fit for the facility, candidates are invited to pitch their business plan to PortAL staff and a governing board.
Click here to read The Business View – October 2016


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One of the neatest solutions we saw at the 2015 CEDIA Expo was Artison’s clever new product called the Nano Backpack WP (WiSA™ Powered). Don’t let its diminutive size fool you – the Backpack solves a huge problem – how to add exciting theater surround sound without resorting to bulky, and (to consumers), ugly electronic components.
GoldenEar Technology, a high-end speaker manufacturer founded by renown speaker designer Sandy Gross, always seem to find ways to surprise us. The scrappy start-up did it again at the 2015 CEDIA Expo with their invisible, or “stealth,” Atmos theater demonstration…but not necessarily for the reason they thought!
See what caught our ears (and eyes) in GoldenEar’s Expo Atmos demo… [Read more…] about Is GoldenEar the Golden Ticket to Superior Theater Performance?
Richard Millson, owner of Millson Technology and founder of the new Millson Custom Solutions, didn’t see as much of the 2015 CEDIA Expo as he had hoped. The reason? He was behind closed doors with rotating groups of integrators in a continual series of mostly standing-room-only presentations of his latest creation…CinemaFrame™. And judging from the level of interest the company received from integrators – the company has hit the ground running in this, the official launch of an all-new product concept.
See more on this unique new product that is a powerful solution for clients… [Read more…] about Millson Hits the Ground Running with CinemaFrame at CEDIA Expo 2015
Seattle, WA-based AudioControl announced Wednesday that it is launching two all-new AV receivers in their Concert AVR line featuring Dolby Atmos surround technology and 7-channels of high-current, high-power amplification. These new models, the AVR-9 and AVR-7, are expected to ship sometime in fourth quarter of 2015.
See more on these new and impressively upgraded AVRs from AudioControl… [Read more…] about Powerful New Dolby Atmos AV Receivers from AudioControl
Bluesound, a division of Lenbrook America, has cut a deal with Best Buy that will result in a national roll-out of the company’s line of high-quality digital multi-room music systems through Best Buy’s Magnolia Design Center locations. The agreement will begin to take effect later this month in a phased introduction into the first 25 locations.
See more about this major development for Bluesound… [Read more…] about Bluesound Scores Deal for National Placement in Magnolia Design Centers
Within hours of our BREAKING NEWS report on Bill McKiegan leaving Krell Industries this morning, we received a press release from Dan D’Agostino Master Audio Systems announcing his arrival there. McKiegan rejoins the D’Agostino’s – who are the original founders of Krell – taking the position of President in their post-Krell company, effective immediately.
See more on this unexpected move by McKiegan… [Read more…] about Ex-Krell President McKiegan Moves to Dan D’Agostino Master Audio Systems
Well-respected custom integrator Richard Millson, founder of Vancouver, BC-based Millson Technologies, has some 25-years of experience in high-end residential AV and automation systems installation. Many of these installations were in luxury high-rise condominium developments, trendy boutique hotels, and high-end homes. After literally tens of thousands of installations, Millson knew well the gaping holes in the market that manufacturers simply weren’t addressing.
So Richard created a new company, Millson Custom Solutions, to address these gaps. And the first product from MCS, four years in the making, is CinemaFrame – an amazing in-wall high-performance home theater solution.
See more on the remarkable CinemaFrame invisible home theater system… [Read more…] about Taking Integration to a Whole New Level; Millson to Launch CinemaFrame at CEDIA Expo
New Brand Hits Key Milestone – Launches ‘Generation 2’ Products
This week in New York City, executives from Lenbrook America and Bluesound conducted a media presentation informing them of a major update to the Bluesound brand, which is distributed in the U.S. by Lenbrook America along with NAD and PSB. It is the first major line update since the brand was first launched in 2013. With this update, called “Generation 2,” the Bluesound brand appears to have gained solid momentum – or at least enough traction for the company to justify a significant investment in further product development.
See more of what we learned, including both product and business updates… [Read more…] about Bluesound: Talkin’ ‘Bout Our Generation
Bluesound, a line of high performance wireless multi-room music components offered by specialty supplier Lenbrook America, announced this week that it has added iHeartRadio to the list of streaming services its line offers. iHeartRadio, one of the more popular Internet radio solutions, joins a growing list of cloud-based music services offered by the industry’s first high performance wireless multi-room system.
See more about this announcement from Bluesound… [Read more…] about Bluesound to Offer iHeartRadio Streaming Internet Radio
It has never been more difficult to communicate real differentiation or to create real value. Which is why a loyal customer has become more of a concept and less of a reality. But loyalty is something we’ve always had to earn and to earn it now it will require that we get serious about creating innovative programs that build real consumer engagement.


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Welcome to our new column: Dropshipping News Weekly Update Vol.08
This week we prepared five dropshipping news for you to catch up with.
U.S. social e-commerce sales growth is expected to reach 36% in 2021
The latest data released by eMarketer shows that the total sales of social e-commerce in the U.S. market this year is expected to increase by about 36% year one year, reaching 36.6 billion dollars. This increase is slightly lower than the one in 2020. Affected by the epidemic lockdown, U.S. social e-commerce sales in 2020 increased by 39% year-on-year. In contrast, the total sale of social e-commerce in the Chinese market in 2021 is expected to reach 351.6 billion dollars.
eBay launches "eBay fulfillment by Orange Connex" service plan
Recently, eBay announced that it would launch eBay fulfillment by Orange Connex service plan for all sellers. According to the announcement, the plan will provide sellers with end-to-end, one-stop warehouse and distribution logistics services through cooperation with logistics service providers. It could also increase the delivery speed, provide more reliable services for popular items and reduce the cost for sellers. It also can reduce the operational complexity of distribution costs for sellers and help sellers develop global markets.
Shopify cooperates with data service provider mParticle to provide users with personalized purchase push
Mobile data analysis service provider mParticle announced its cooperation with Shopify. Through this cooperation, mParticle will be able to obtain user information and user historical purchase behavior data from Shopify. It then will analyze the user's consumption habits, integrating with user information data collected from other multi-channels, and provides users with a user-friendly purchase push service. After the user made a purchase, Shopify can push related after-sales service to the user through the order status feedback from the system.
Facebook payment will be open to Shopify merchants from August
Social media giant Facebook announced that it plans to separate Facebook Pay from its ecosystem and start working with Shopify in August. US users will be able to use this payment method to make purchases from businesses supported by Shopify. At present, Facebook Pay is limited to be used on Facebook's platforms, including Messenger, Instagram, and WhatsApp.
Shopify launches chat tool ---- Shopify Inbox, said it can achieve a 70% conversion rate
Integrated Ping and Shopify Chat into one, the new Shopify Inbox can now bond with both Facebook Messenger and Apple Business Chat, which enables all the messages, no matter it’s from the online store, emails, or social media, centralized on one platform. The platform can be used for free, but currently only supports APP-downloading on iPhone or iPad. According to Shopify, by chatting to the customer directly through Shopify Inbox, the selling conversion rate is up to 70%. Shopify Inbox also plans to support Instagram binding in the future. Shopify claims that during the epidemic, business priority shifted to the online model, and merchants have begun to use chat as the main sales drive.


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Agri tech startup Otipy raises $32 million in a Series B funding round
Otipy, the 2020 Gurugram-based startup, raises $32 million in a series of B funding rounds led by Westbridge, which comes six months after series A funding of Rs. 76 crores.
The aim of the funding is to expand the business, strengthen the supply chain, invest in technology, and add product categories. It aims to expand the business to Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Chennai. SIG and Omidyar Network India, existing investors of Otipy, also took part in the B series funding round.
The company is operated by Crofarm Agriproducts Pvt Ltd. and was launched in the year 2020 by Varun Khurana. It is an e-commerce platform that delivers fresh products like fruits and vegetables within 12 hours of harvest to the doorstep of the consumer. It is a business-to-consumer (B2C) platform whose previous year’s revenue was Rs. 19.73 crores.
This online platform got a push during lockdown when people preferred purchasing fresh products online. It sources fresh produce directly from the farmers and uses a community group buying model. It caters to 5 lakh households, mainly in Delhi-NCR, and plans to reach 25-30 lakh households in Delhi-NCR by the end of the fiscal year 2022-23.


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The port area right after the disasterPhoto: Hussein Malla / dpa
The container terminal in the port of Beirut is apparently back in operation after the devastating explosions. The German logistics company Hapag-Lloyd announced this in a customer letter. "We are happy to be able to inform you that the container terminal has only suffered minor damage and was able to resume operations," it says there. The French shipping company CMA CGM also confirmed that their ships are already calling at the port again.
Last week, according to government reports, 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate, which had been stored unsecured for years, exploded. Numerous buildings in the vicinity of the port were destroyed by the pressure wave. Because Lebanon imports a large part of its goods, supply bottlenecks were feared. Ships were diverted to Tripoli and other ports in the region prior to reopening.
Beirut commemorates the victims of the disaster
The area around the destroyed port was also the scene of a memorial service for the residents of Beirut on Tuesday. At the time of the explosion at 6:08 p.m., bells rang out and calls to prayer from the mosques. Hundreds of white-clad people gathered near the port. Many carried posters with the names of their relatives and friends who had been killed in the accident.
Videos of the explosions and people fleeing in panic were shown on a big screen. "We will not mourn, we will not wear black until we have buried all who are in power," said one speaker. The disaster killed more than 170 people and injured thousands. The property damage runs into the billions.
Heiko Maas travels to Beirut
Federal Foreign Minister Heiko Maas (SPD) wants to travel to Beirut on Wednesday to get his own picture of the destruction. In response to the explosion and subsequent protests critical of the government, the Lebanese Prime Minister Hassan Diab announced the resignation of his entire cabinet on Monday.Icon: The mirror
bah / jok / Reuters / AFP


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Like in other industries, technology was a muddled and complicated arena for many restaurants before COVID-19. Restaurants would openly admit that they were getting by on a patchwork of systems. They would also acknowledge that while technology had become an increasingly important and was part of their long-term strategy, there was no sense of urgency to invest. They could “get by” just fine. Once the pandemic hit, getting by was no longer enough. Businesses quickly had to shift gear and embrace technology in order to survive.
Technology adoption in a crisis: How a piecemeal approach became a liability
Over the last decade, eateries from independents, to quick-service, mid-scale chains and even fine dining establishments have welcomed technology in some form or another to advance and enhance service and customer relationship opportunities. However, more often than not, in the pre-COVID world, investment in technologies that have existed in the industry for years, for the most part have been slowly, haphazardly and often begrudgingly adopted.
While operators got by on the available, base POS technology for inventory and sales, new digital interfaces (e.g. mobile ordering, contactless, tap and pay, mobile wallets, digital tipping, self-service stores, dedicated pickup solutions etc.) were seen as a nice-to-haves but not serious profit drivers.
A new report from J.P. Morgan and payment provider FreedomPay, revealed that, pre-Covid, nearly two-thirds of C-level leaders said their top challenge was making tech investments that would minimize risk. But the pandemic changed all that. With a surge in takeout and delivery, coupled with mandatory safety regulations for in-restaurant visits, they quickly had to park their once held conservative approach to technology investment.
The aforementioned report, which was based on interviews with 50 executives and IT leaders across retail and hospitality both before and during the pandemic, found that priorities shifted to rapidly deploying digital features to meet consumers’ changing needs as COVID-19 took hold. The report shows that restaurants made a huge technological leap in 2020. Although tools that were already growing in adoption, like curbside delivery and online ordering suddenly became crucial for survival. Covid-19 accelerated the adoption of such technologies. The result was effectively years’ worth of technological progress in a matter of months—and in some cases, days. As Fred LeFranc, founding partner of restaurant advisory company Results Thru Strategy commented, the pandemic was a “once-in-a-century kind of event”. When it comes to adopting technology, “They [restaurants] had no choice… We’ve reached a tipping point.”
Retrospectively, while none of us envisaged a pandemic or want to experience one again any time soon – at the end of the day when it comes to technology, Covid only accelerated many trends that were already in motion but might have taken longer to fully play out. Customers already wanted more convenience and digital connections. But a new focus on safety has amplified these demands and has become a major driver for existing technologies to be fully implemented. Now it’s not so much a question of how to keep up or leverage the latest gadget, but how technology can be leveraged to maximize revenue channels and protect restaurant businesses in the face of unpredictable change. We are beginning to see a reprieve from the pressures of the pandemic. Smart restaurant are taking this time to ensure they are maximizing the effectiveness and features of their technology stack.


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Social consciousness is most important in preventing food wastage.
Food wastage has a direct impact on the environment. Rotten and spoiled food accounts for up to 10 percent of greenhouse gas emissions. This produces harmful methane gas. To create a ‘sustainable food system’, there is a need to prevent food wastage on priority. This will ensure food security and nutrition as well as better utilization of natural resources.
The problem of hunger is a paradoxical reality of India, which is fast developing and poised to become an economic superpower. Crores of people in the country do not get enough food every day. That is, on the one hand the number of billionaires and trillionaires is increasing, and on the other hand crores of people are cursed to sleep hungry. In our country 40% of the food production is wasted.
According to another report, 128 million tonnes of food is wasted in India every year. This includes waste in households, at events, as well as waste in retail and food services. We waste 68.8 million tonnes of food annually in households alone, 21.4 million tonnes in retail outlets and 37.8 million tonnes in food services annually. According to the Food Wastage Index of UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme), every person in Indian households wastes fifty kilos of food annually, which is equivalent to a total of Rs 92,000 crore across the country.
Significantly, the problem of food waste and hunger is global. According to statistics, in 2021, the number of people suffering from hunger in the world will increase to 830 million. Not only this, more than three billion people do not have access to healthy food. This problem of hunger becomes more ironic when a large part of the world’s population is suffering from food shortage, while on the other hand food is also being wasted on a very large scale.
Wastage of raw and cooked food grains is one of the root causes of starvation across the world including India. According to UNEP report, China ranks first in the world in terms of food wastage. Every year 96 million tonnes of food is wasted here. India ranks second, where 68.7 million tonnes of food is wasted annually. On the problem of world hunger, famous Italian chef Massimo Bottura says, ‘Food is produced for about 12 billion people in the world, while the population is 8 billion. Despite this, about 86 crore people go hungry. We waste 33 per cent of our production.
Food wastage has a direct impact on the environment. Rotten and spoiled food accounts for up to 10 percent of greenhouse gas emissions. This produces harmful methane gas. It is also responsible for situations like flood and drought and it is also having a negative effect on the production of food grains. To create a ‘sustainable food system’, there is a need to prevent food wastage on priority. This will ensure food security and nutrition as well as better utilization of natural resources. The United Nations says that stopping food waste is essential to addressing the climate and food crisis.
The problem of food wastage in India is structural as well as habitual. In our society, there is co-dining on marriages, chhathi-mundan, festivals etc. There is a lot of wastage of food in these. The ‘buffet system’ and ‘starter’ served before the meal, which have become a common practice since the last two-three decades, have increased this problem manifold. Apart from the wastage of food grains in homes, hotels, restaurants, food services etc., a large amount of food grains is also wasted while reaching from farm to home and godowns.
Due to ripening in the fields itself, rotting, rotting, rotting, due to rats and other organisms, lack of proper management of storage of grains, etc. is also a major reason for this. With increasing economic efficiency, eating at weekend hotels has become a status symbol today. People take pride in leaving food there. In houses where both the husband and wife are working, the kitchen is run solely on the help of the maid. There is no one to tell the importance of food even to the children. In such a situation, it is easy to lose the emotional relationship towards food. Due to increasing social insensitivity, the sense of respect that our elders had towards each and every grain of food is ending.
To prevent food wastage, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India launched a program called ‘Save Food, Share Food, Joy Food’ in December 2017. The aim was to spread awareness about preventing wastage of food and sharing it with the needy. For this, it was targeted to involve different food distribution agencies and other stakeholders.
In order to ensure that the food being distributed is safe, the authority also notified the Food Safety and Standards (Recovery and Distribution of Surplus Food) Regulations in July 2019. That is, through this regulation, the authority made rules to prevent wastage of food in different establishments and businesses and to encourage food donation. Implementation of these rules was made mandatory for all people doing food business.
In the past, there was talk of adding lessons related to the use of food grains and measures to stop their wastage in the school curriculum. This will sensitize young students on this subject. This may be a small step to prevent food wastage, but if implemented properly, the impact will be huge in the times to come. It can be an important step to re-establish India’s ancient culture of preventing wastage of food in the Indian mind. On June 7, 2019, for the first time, on the occasion of International Food Safety Day, the Government of India gave a call to make ‘Eat Less, Eat Healthy’ a mass movement.
These steps are important, but not sufficient, to prevent food waste. There is a need to break the chain of wastage of food grains at various levels from production, supply, maintenance to consumption. This requires awareness and sensitivity. The schemes run by the government will be successful only when its information reaches maximum number of people and they become aware. What is most important is to stop the wastage of food at home and at various functions.
The Supreme Court of the country had also issued directions for meaningful initiatives in this regard. People can do this work on a large scale by bringing changes in their thinking and lifestyle. Small changes can be brought about by small measures such as preparing food that is suitable for use in homes, hotels or functions etc., banning unlimited types of food, taking only as much food in the plate as is eaten, ordering food as per the need while visiting hotels, avoiding unnecessary storage of food items etc.
Social consciousness is most important in preventing food wastage. Along with the government system, social and religious institutions can play an important role in the development of this consciousness. Food waste is such a big challenge for the whole world that it has also been included in the ‘Sustainable Development 2030’ agenda. It aims to halve per capita food waste by 2030. Food is the biggest need of life, and it is the need of humanity to save it from getting wasted.


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Toshiba Electronics Europe has signed Hammer to increase its solid state drive (SSD) footprint across the region.
Under the terms of the agreement, which covers the whole of Europe, Hammer will target OEMs and system integrators in application areas including broadcast equipment, content storage solutions and industrial and ruggedised PCs.
Shiro Ando, vice president of strategic business planning at Toshiba Electronics Europe, said: “Hammer’s experience and expertise in the storage sector perfectly complements Toshiba’s SSD range.
"Working together we will be able to support the growing number of OEMs and systems integrators across Europe that are adopting SSD solutions for their products and ensure that they reap the maximum benefits from the technology.”
Gerard Marlow, general manager of business development at Hammer, said: “We are seeing increasing interest in a number of application areas for the combination of performance and reliability that SSD technology can provide. Working with Toshiba will be a significant addition to our range and will ensure that we can continue to deliver the best solutions to meet our customers’ needs.
"We have been particularly impressed by Toshiba’s full in-house SSD system development, manufacturing capability and integrated supply chain.”
CRN's Nima Green caught up with Chris Labrey for a quick Q&A at CRN's recent European Channel Leadership Forum
We caught up with the Atea chief exec at CRN's European Channel Leadership Forum in London
Andy Gillett has been appointed GM for the UK and Ireland
UK is one of two countries to see rollout of vendor's newest subscription service


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According to a new whitepaper released by Dubai Chamber at the 12th World Chambers Congress (12WCC), which kicked off today in Dubai, Chambers of commerce need to realign the services they provide their members to remain effective advocates of businesses in the post-pandemic era.
Titled 'Generation Next: Chambers 4.0 - Transforming Disruption into Opportunity for Global Business', the report identified key trade and technology trends, challenges and opportunities emerging in the current business landscape, as well as recommendations for chambers of commerce that are keen to adopt Chambers 4.0 and innovate in order to remain relevant in the face of new realities.
Among the key takeaways and recommendations are that chambers must work to cultivate an entrepreneurial ecosystem to support small and medium size companies that will continue to play a vital role in the global economy; that environmental, social and governance principles will be key drivers of business in the future; and that businesses must orientate themselves towards the challenge of achieving net-zero carbon emissions.
The report noted that governments need to enact reforms that incorporate digital requirements in trade agreements, with digitally-enabled trade shown to provide significant economic benefits, efficiency gains and environmental rewards. Digitalisation - alongside automation and data intelligence chains - was also highlighted as being essential to modernise and boost the efficiency of supply chains, the vulnerabilities of which were exposed during the pandemic.
H.E Hamad Buamim, President and CEO of Dubai Chamber and Chair of ICC-World Chambers Federation, said that businesses are now up against some of the greatest challenges they have ever faced, with chambers of commerce needing to reconfigure their services to help companies meet these new demands.
“In 2021, the world is at a crossroads. Governments and businesses must adapt to the new normal and learn to navigate a world in which workplace habits have been completely upended. The climate crisis has become more pressing than ever and threats to international trade and global cooperation still persist. Collaboration and open, constructive dialogue are needed to ensure the success and prosperity of future generations,”
“This report explores how the next generation of chambers of commerce can help businesses harness new technologies to continue the digital transformations that were accelerated during the Covid-19 pandemic. It examines how small and medium-sized enterprises have had to adapt since the onset of the pandemic and how Generation Next: Chambers 4.0 can continue supporting this core pillar of the global economy,”
H.E. Buamim added that the Dubai Chamber whitepaper is an important reference tool that can guide chambers as they outline their own strategies for transitioning to Chambers 4.0 and embracing innovation, adding that the report provides a foundation for building a framework for chambers’ activities moving forward, one which are being explored at the 12WCC in Dubai.
Incorporating research into its analysis for the way forward for chambers of commerce, the environmental and social governance (ESG) section in ‘Generation Next: Chambers 4.0’ whitepaper highlighted a 2021 Oxford Business Group survey of CEOs that found that 40.6% of its respondents saying that the pandemic had a significant impact on appetite for ESG options in their markets.
Under its analysis of supply chains, the paper cited a survey of global supply chain executives published by EY in February 2021, with 64% of its respondents saying that digital transformation would accelerate due to the pandemic and more than half saying that autonomous supply chains using driverless forklifts and robots in warehouses were either already in place, or would be, by the middle of the 2020s.
With respect to SMEs playing an increasingly important role in the post-pandemic era, the whitepaper drew attention to France, where 84,000 new businesses were registered in October 2020 alone – a 20% increase on the previous year and the highest figure on record, while its assessment on digitalising the trading ecosystem reported that digitalisation could increase trade across the G7 countries to nearly USD9 trillion by 2026 – a rise of 46% on 2019 figures.
Finally, looking at future-proofing the workforce, the paper cited a 2019 study commissioned by the UK’s Industrial Strategy Council that reported that by 2030, seven million workers in the UK could be unskilled for their job requirements – roughly 20% of the labour market. It found that basic digital skills will be the most lacking, with potentially five million workers become acutely underskilled in basic digital knowledge within the next decade.
The 12th World Chambers Congress in Dubai runs until Thursday, November 25, at Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai, with the three-day event exploring the role of chambers of commerce in a world that has been irrevocably changed by the global pandemic. Co-hosted by the ICC- WCF and Dubai Chamber, the congress is the first edition held since the coronavirus outbreak, with its programme designed to help business chambers chart a course fit for a new era of business.
News Source: Dubai Media Office


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The United States-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement (USMCA) is a commonsense update to the 25-year-old NAFTA, will benefit American workers and businesses, and is widely popular among stakeholders in all three nations.
The agreement was finalized almost a year ago on November 30, 2018, yet Democrats continue to sit on their hands and have so far refused to put the agreement to a vote. This is despite Mexico already ratifying the agreement and Canada waiting for the U.S. Congress to act.
Rather than focusing on investigations and impeachment, Speaker Pelosi should bring the USMCA up for a vote.
Here are five reasons why Congress should pass the USMCA:
1. The USMCA will grow the economy
The trade agreement will increase wages, increase GDP by $68.2 billion, and create 176,000 jobs, according to the International Trade Commission’s report. It will also increase U.S. exports to Canada by $19 billion, and to Mexico by $14 billion.
These positive economic effects are identical to a 4% cut to the corporate income tax, as estimated by the Tax Foundation.
The Trump administration has already achieved economic successes through international and domestic policies. Thanks to the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and more broadly, deregulatory efforts, wages are increasing 3.4 percent annually, poverty has declined 11.8 percent, and unemployment is at a 50-year low. Since the 2016 election, the Trump administration has created 4 million jobs and the median household income is at the highest level in U.S. history.
President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe signed a trade deal last month that reduced or eliminated most tariffs between the U.S. and Japan. In addition, President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping have achieved a Phase 1 trade agreement, which doubles China’s annual purchase of U.S. agriculture, improves intellectual property rights, and halts the planned 30 percent tariffs on Chinese imports.
The economy is moving in the right direction and the USMCA will further these successes by promoting trade with the U.S.’s largest trading partners.
2. There is broad support for USMCA
USMCA has broad support from Mexico, Canada, and U.S. stakeholders:
- President Donald Trump has called it the “largest, most significant, modern, and balanced trade agreement in history,”
- Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, a member of the centre-left Liberal Party of Canada, said it is “essential for businesses, families, jobs, entrepreneurs, and hardworking people in every corner of our country.”
- Mexico ratified the agreement almost unanimously with a 114-4 Senate vote. Mexico even passed a labor law in April that strengthens independent unions to address concerns raised by U.S. Democrats – a key step for U.S. ratification.
- Mexican President Manuel López Obrador, a member of the left-wing National Regeneration Movement Party said, “We think it suits us, that it is beneficial for more foreign investment,” adding that the new trade accord would help create more well-paying jobs in Mexico.
- The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Thomas Donohue said, “If we came up with a good strong vote on that (USMCA), it would give us a great step forward,” adding his belief that Congress had “enough votes to do it right now.”
- The Washington Post said in an editorial that passing USMCA will “help stabilize the global economic outlook” and predicted if Pelosi would bring the agreement to the floor, it would pass both houses of Congress.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) labeled the agreement, “unambiguously a win for America. It would create new jobs, expand export markets, strengthen protections for workers, and generate billions of dollars in new prosperity,” in a co-authored Wall Street Journal op-ed.
3. USMCA helps farmers, manufacturers, American workers and business
The agreement establishes the first small and medium-sized enterprises chapter in a U.S. Trade Agreement, which will increase transparency, accountability, and investment opportunities. International trade supports nearly 39 million jobs (1/5 of U.S. jobs), 12 million of which rely on Canada and Mexico, according to a Business Roundtable study. These numbers have doubled since NAFTA was signed.
This number will only increase with ratification of USMCA.
The increased market opportunities for Americans will also increase agriculture exports by more than $314 million. Through USMCA negotiations, Canada agreed to open market access to American farmers who wish to sell dairy, poultry, and eggs in Canada. In return, Canada will have access to American dairy and peanut products. A combination of poor weather conditions and the trade war with China has damaged the agricultural industry. The industry would benefit from stabilization of international markets, especially the U.S.’s two biggest trading partners that buy close to 2/3 of U.S. agricultural exports.
Already, the Trump Administration has created over 400,000 manufacturing jobs since the 2016 election, and manufacturing jobs are growing at the fastest rate in over 30 years. The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) released a supportive statement in which they say, “By securing the relationship with our North American allies, we are also better positioned to demonstrate a strong and united front against China’s unfair trade practices and end the harm they inflict on manufacturers in America.”
4. USMCA modernizes and updates a 25-year-old agreement
When the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) was agreed to in 1994, the world was a dramatically different place. For one, the internet was in its infancy. Additionally, trade within North America was greatly hindered by high tariffs and investment barriers.
Billions of dollars are traded over the internet daily, yet NAFTA does not contain any relevant provisions. USMCA establishes numerous provisions on e-commerce, cross-border data flows, encryption and IP protection that are needed in today’s digital economy.
Before NAFTA, Mexico placed an average of 250 percent more tariffs on U.S. exports than the U.S. did on Mexican imports. Ratifying NAFTA eliminated tariffs on more than one-half of Mexico’s exports to the U.S. and more than one-third of U.S. exports to Mexico. Facilitating free trade benefits all three states’ economies, but NAFTA does not address current trade problems.
USMCA will maintain and improve the border free trade that NAFTA began, while also establishing provisions necessary for 21st century trade.
The fact is, the global economy has changed. U.S. trade policies need to reflect that.
5. USMCA is crucial for swing states
Not only is the USMCA good for the economy and popular amongst a wide array of stakeholders, it is also a political winner.
31 of the districts Trump won in 2016 now have Democrats in the House, meaning reaching these constituents is important both for the future of the House and for the 2020 presidential election.
Looking towards the upcoming election, swing states are largely invested in international trade. In 2018, the fourteen swing states alone were responsible for 150.7 billion dollars in exports to Canada and Mexico. This includes Michigan, Florida, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania, all 2012 Obama victories turned Trump victories in 2016.
For example, Michigan traded 36.1 billion worth of exports to Canada and Mexico in 2018. More than 117,400 Michigan jobs rely on this trade. In Ohio, more than 102,700 jobs rely on this trade and its 2018 Canada and Mexico exports totaled 27.9 billion. Pennsylvania traded 15 billion worth of exports, and 42,900 jobs in the state rely on trade with Mexico and Canada.
More than 2 million American manufacturing jobs depend on trade with Canada and Mexico. A win for these hardworking Americans could be the moving factor in 2020.


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Rising Interest Rates, Vehicle Prices Can Cost Car Shoppers Thousands More to Finance New Vehicles in 2018, According to Edmunds
Wednesday, April 25th, 2018
Consumers who may be considering freshening up their driveway with a new car this spring may experience sticker shock if they're heading to the dealership for the first time in a few years, according to the car-shopping experts at Edmunds. Thanks to a combination of rising interest rates, longer loan terms and higher average transaction prices, Edmunds experts say on average, a buyer could pay more than $6,500 to purchase a new vehicle than they did five years ago.
During the first quarter of 2018, interest rates on new-vehicle loans grew sharply each month, culminating in an annual percentage rate (APR) average of 5.7 percent in March 2018, compared to 4.4 percent in March of 2013. On top of that, the average amount financed reached $31,020 compared to $26,533 in 2013 and loan terms have stretched to 69.5 months compared to 65.7 months five years ago.
These added costs are amplified for car buyers with subprime credit. According to Edmunds experts, subprime car shoppers could easily face twice the average APR on a new-vehicle loan. For example, a subprime buyer who had to pay 11.4 percent in interest would have finance charges of $11,501 over the life of a 69.5-month loan, an increase of $6,027 over the average interest rate.
"The rise in interest rates impacts car shoppers across all credit tiers," said Matt Jones, senior consumer advice editor at Edmunds. "Consumers will need to adjust their expectations on what they can now afford because they may not qualify for the same interest loan rates they did five years ago."
To help buyers safeguard their wallets against higher interest rates, Edmunds editors created an insider guide for car shoppers in the market for a new set of wheels.
If you have good credit:
Consider leasing: Interest rate hikes do affect leasing, but since the total lease amount is a fraction of a new car's sale price, you will still pay less every month. Edmunds leasing advice remains the same, regardless of interest rates: Look for lease specials, keep the down payment low and be mindful of the mileage limits.
Find a car that has a low-APR offer: While there are far fewer zero-percent interest offers than in the past, it doesn't mean they've dried up completely. If you're willing to keep an open mind toward brands and models that you might not be familiar with, you can still get a great financing deal.
If you have poor credit:
Consider buying a used car: Used-car interest rates, while typically higher than new-car rates, have remained relatively stable over the past five years. And since a used car is generally less expensive than a new one, you're more likely to get financed and still have a lower monthly payment. Just be mindful of the length of the car loan: An 84-month loan on a used car means you could have a very out-of-date vehicle on your hands by the time you pay it off.
Fix up your car while you fix up your credit: In some cases, the best thing to do may be to maintain your current vehicle while you work on your finances. If you can keep your vehicle running for another year or so, it will allow you to save up more for a bigger down payment (which will whittle down the amount you need to finance). You also can use the time to work on improving your credit. Run a copy of your credit report to see which items need attention. In general, you'll want to pay off debt with the highest finance charges first.
Edmunds experts note that shoppers thinking about buying a new car should not feel pressured to move up their purchase timing to avoid further increases in interest rates.
"While interest rates are rising, this doesn't necessarily mean that you have to buy a car right now," said Jones. "The best time to buy a car is when you need one and only after you have completed your research."


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Air Miles announces great giveaway
Dubai, December 24, 2009
Air Miles, the world’s leading multi participant loyalty programme, is giving away a trip to Disneyland for the whole family, through its major end of year promotion – The Great Air Miles Giveaway.
Air Miles is offering this reward to its members in the UAE, Qatar and Bahrain.
From November 15 to December 31, all members simply need to swipe their Air Miles Card in any of their favourite 120-plus brands across the three countries, to qualify for the reward.
Air Miles Cardholders shopping at any participating outlets can be one of this year’s Great Air Miles winners and take home mega prizes of a fully paid family trip to Disneyland, a 5-star travel package to Istanbul, or a complete home makeover.
Also up for grabs for UAE members are a wardrobe makeover and two Dh25,000 worth of shopping packages including a luxury car to go shopping around Dubai for the winner. The members in Qatar and Bahrain get a chance to win a home makeover, millions of Air Miles, LCD TVs and diamond jewellery.
“This is our way of saying “thank you” to our loyal members. The company values their loyalty and we want to maintain an excellent level of consumer trust and confidence by rewarding them over and above the usual rewards with innovative and aspirational prizes,” said Mark Mortimer-Davies, chief executive officer, Air Miles Middle East.-TradeArabia News Service
More Travel, Tourism & Hospitality Stories
- Turkish Airlines adds 4 new destinations
- Moroccan tourism revenue up 6pc in Jan
- City Seasons backs European MICE event
- Dubai T2 expansion boosts flydubai growth
- Etihad to acquire Abu Dhabi airport services firms
- Jordan airport sees record passenger traffic
- Boeing delivers 777-300 jetliner to Saudia
- Kuwait Airways signs Airbus deal
- Atlantis, The Palm, seeks $850m loan
- Emirates, TUI India ink agent agreement


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Published in News
DirecTV to add dedicated 3D-HD channel
by David Stellmack on30 December 2009
Satellite just launched, announcement at CES
While many DirecTV subscribers are likely hoping that DirecTV will finally make a formal announcement on when the promised new HD TiVo DVR will arrive, our sources are confirming that the company will at least announce a new first for 3D satellite television.
According to our sources, DirecTV is planning to announce at CES the plan for the company to launch the first-ever Satellite 3D-HD channel that the company will offer in 2010. While we don’t know yet exactly when the channel is slated to come online, we do believe that it will be closely tied to the next DirecTV satellite that the company will launch later today; and plans are to have it online and operational before March 2010.
Of course, the announcement of a 3D-HD channel does not mean much to many without the necessary TVs that support the 3D-HD technology, and this is expected to be a lot of the big buzz that manufacturers are going to be talking about during CES in Las Vegas next month. The channel is expected to show a variety of movies and sports using the latest 3D standard, but we don’t have any word yet on how much, if anything, the channel is expected to cost.
Some interesting good news about this move by DirecTV is that, according to whispers that we are hearing, the majority of recent HD and HD DVR receivers that DirecTV has recently released will be able to support the 3D-HD standard with a simple firmware update and without the need to purchase or lease a new receiver. This should make those that take the plunge into the 3D TV waters very happy.


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Vertical Measures announces the release of an in-depth perspective on the future of SEO trends in 2017, containing expert predictions from Julie Joyce, Eric Enge, and more.
SEO is an essential element of a brand's digital footprint in today’s online world. This is true for businesses large and small, B2B or B2C. But what will 2017 bring in the fast-changing landscape of search engine optimization? That’s what Vertical Measures explores in their free downloadable guide just launched, titled The Future of SEO Trends in 2017 & Beyond.


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I really can't stand the latest CNN abomination, this one known as "Story Highlights." Reading an entire article to find out what it's about is so last century. In the ultra-hip, fast-paced 00s, we don't have time to read 600 words on the band Scissor Sisters. Instead, the brainless media consumer can scan a box at the top of the page and glean the most pertinent information contained in the article. (In this case, that "Sir" Elton John is a fan.)
CNN is working on a new website that will save the reader the trouble of doing any thinking at all, but another site apparently holds the copyright on that technology.


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Latest News Headlines
Commercial Credit News
|FCA recognises support of CSA in managing market issues|
|Wednesday, 27 May 2015|
The Credit Services Association (CSA), the voice of the UK debt collection industry, has welcomed a speech by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) that recognises the Association’s help in understanding and managing market issues.
In a speech last month at the FCA’s third consumer credit event for trade bodies, Linda Woodall, the acting director of Supervision – Retail and Authorisations Division at the FCA, said that credit trade associations have a big part to play in helping the authority address ‘market issues’: “The CSA has worked closely with us in developing an appropriate position regarding ‘process servers’ and the circumstances in which they would/wouldn’t be required to be authorised,” she said. “This position has now been formalised by the Government.
Forums International Ltd
Attendance at your first meeting is free of charge, and please quote reference 'CCR2016' to receive the special 10% discount off of your first annual subscription.
Find out more here.
The latest edition of CCR Magazine, the leading editorial publication in the UK credit industry, is out.
CCR is the premier magazine for consumer and credit professionals. It provides an independent voice to the industry, breaking major news stories and running in-depth features.
As a magazine, it works with and campaigns on behalf of the credit industry to promote its importance as a centre of potential profit and business development to the wider business world.
Providing information and analysis for thousands of senior credit professionals worldwide, every quarter.
GTS Media Ltd
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Registered in England No: 05483197


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MAM supplier Dalet acquires Italian networking specialist Gruppo TNT
Looking to expand its reach throughout the world in live event programming and fast-paced content production environments (e.g., local news), Dalet Digital Media Systems, a publicly traded company that designs and sells media asset management (MAM) and digital media solutions, has agreed to acquire Gruppo TNT, a privately held Italian company that specializes in shared-storage production and networking technologies. No financial details were provided.
The acquisition, which is expected to be finalized by the end of the year, strengthens Dalet's open, IT-centric solutions with new features and functionality that can be easily incorporated into Dalet's flagship product Dalet Enterprise Edition.
With revenues of more than $6 million (€4.9 million) in 2009, Gruppo TNT's steady client list includes major broadcasters such as Mediaset, Sky Italia and RAI.
Dalet said it expects to implement some elements of Gruppo TNT technology into Dalet Enterprise Edition for demonstrations at the upcoming IBC conference in Amsterdam in September.
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Facebook: What Teen Angst?
To steal a line from an old Who song: “It’s only teenage wasteland.”
The tune ran briefly through my head once I saw the blowout numbers from Facebook (NASDAQ:FB) last night. Across the Internet it seemed that all the worries and headlines from past weeks as to whether the company can survive the departure of teenage users quieted down in an instant. At least for the moment.
You may recall that recent news about the company seemed to center on Facebook’s “youth problem.” Last week a Princeton study likened the company to an infectious disease, stating that the outbreak would die down eventually and Facebook would fade into nothing. The company, according to researchers at the university, has “…reached the peak of its popularity and has entered a decline phase.”
In fact, Facebook could expect to lose as much as 80% of its users within the next several years, the report said. That set off a flurry of speculation across industry watchers who noted that Facebook admitted in recent months that its teenage users (which are, of course, a coveted demographic among all things tech) have been on the wane. Could it be that the social networking giant was and is indeed headed for its inevitable decline?
Then came Wednesday night. Not only did Facebook handily beat the Street consensus estimates for revenues and earnings (by four cents, or a whopping 15% above expectations), but the company showed it continues to perform on just about every important metric that hints at future, continued double-digit growth.
Mobile ad revenue, which should be taken as a barometer of how the company is handling continued consumer shifts away from PCs toward handhelds, crossed the 50% mark of all ad revenues for the first time. Furthermore, the company has been able to almost double the price it charges advertisers for ad inventory – and that shows just how Facebook is to e-commerce. Clearly the company would not command that kind of pricing power if it were on the wane.
Putting aside the teen question (Facebook said on last night’s call that it had nothing new to report about teens whereas “Instagram”, which seems to be a favorite among teens, has seen its user base double over the past year), user metrics are encouraging for the company’s future prospects. Overall monthly and daily average users both grew by double digit percentages year over year. Outside the U.S., Facebook continues to be a commanding presence, as the company’s advertising revenues grew by more than 65% across each of the four geographies it tracks.
All of this goes to show that if you got hung up on one group’s “like” of Facebook (social media pun intended), you would have missed the forest for the trees – and in this case, double-digit returns in the stock this morning. I would bet there is gas left in the tank, though, as Facebook continues to move beyond its core newsfeed displays and introduces new apps for mobile devices. Earlier on Thursday the company announced “Paper”, for the iPhone, which Facebook is positioning as a new way to browse updates from your fellow users. The app will be available for downloading next week.


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by Kathy Kattenburg
In West Java, Indonesia, not far from Jakarta, there is a river of garbage. Literally.
The Citarum River used to be a place of unspoiled natural beauty. Women came down to its banks to wash clothes while children swam in the unpolluted water. Fish abounded in the river, providing food for both seabirds and humans.
Now, a thick carpet of refuse, industrial debris, and human waste covers the river so completely that the water can’t be seen, and impoverished local residents go out in small fishing boats to scavenge for bottles, cans, and other items they can sell to make a meager living.
Nine million people live along the river’s banks, which are lined with hundreds of factories. Chemicals used to treat products made in the factories, along with all the trash produced by the people who work in them, pour into the Citarum. There are no environmental regulations or garbage collection services.
In the Philippines, 10,000 people make about $3 a day picking through a towering mountain of garbage outside Manila. They are helping to put food on the table for their families, and because they recycle about a quarter of the total amount of garbage at the dump, they are also performing a vital community service. But of course, they don’t have the benefits – such as collective bargaining rights and occupational safety regulations — that come with societal recognition that what they are doing is valuable. Although $3 goes a lot farther in Manila than it would in New York City or Toronto or London, it is still a pittance, and garbage mountain workers are exposed to significant health risks, such as respiratory diseases like asthma and tuberculosis, as well as tetanus infection and carcinogens.
The world’s largest garbage dump, however, isn’t even on land. It’s in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. The Pacific Garbage Patch, also called the Eastern Garbage Patch, is a vast floating vortex of trash that travels round and round inside the North Pacific Gyre. A gyre is created by sea currents flowing in different directions that have the effect of creating a circle in the ocean. The North Pacific Gyre is thousands of miles wide, and inside it, every kind of human-generated garbage imaginable circulates: plastic bottles, bags, and containers of various kinds, fishing nets, food, clothes, marine debris – everything that people make, use, and then throw away. However, about 80% of what’s there is plastic. According to one source, the “patch” is twice the size of Texas. Another source estimates the size at one and a half times larger than the entire United States) and weighs over 3.5 million tons.
Contrary to what some people think, you cannot walk on the PGB. It is more like a thick soup, or stew, of plastic and other refuse. For several reasons – its sheer size and diffuseness, the fact that much of it is in the form of small pieces and particles (plastic does not biodegrade; it gets brittle in the sun and then breaks up into pieces, which further deteriorate into smaller particles), and the never-ending flow of new garbage generated by humans — scientists say the patch can never be cleaned up.
The consequences of this ocean pollution for both marine and human life are almost incalculable. Most immediately and directly, fish and ocean mammals such as whales ingest plastic particles and other pollutants, either directly or by eating plants that are coated with particulate matter. The debris that sinks to the ocean floor may have as damaging effects that are as yet unknown. Sea birds and other land animals often eat plastic, thinking it’s food. And if the foreign objects and toxins don’t kill them, it goes up the food chain and eventually reaches humans. This is a huge problem with fish, especially, since so much of the world’s population relies on fish and other sea life as a food source.
Although cleaning up what’s already in the ocean is out of the question, we can stop adding to it. In the United States, large chain grocery stores have for years been asking their customers, “Paper or plastic?” at the checkout counter, and encouraging shoppers to cut down on the use of plastic in other ways, such as selling cloth bags. Now, a growing number of towns and cities worldwide are legislating outright bans on the use of plastic bags. In the United States, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Oakland (also in California) have passed laws against the use of plastic bags in large grocery stores and pharmacies.
On the East Coast, Westport, Connecticut, became that state’s first town to ban plastic bags in most shopping venues. The New York Times reports that, as of March 2009, “…retailers who use plastic bags, with some exceptions including those for produce, will be fined $150.” On May 1, 2007, Modbury in Devon, England, became the first town to ban plastic bags. At the beginning of this year, China passed a law requiring shoppers to be charged for plastic bags and banned them outright on public transportation, in airports, and in “scenic locations.”


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05-26-09 RODALE NEWS, EMMAUS, PA—Two new studies published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives have found that bisphenol A (BPA), a hormone-disrupting chemical currently up for bans in Minnesota, California, Connecticut, and Chicago, may build up in our bodies more than previously thought.
BPA made headlines last fall when some high-profile reports pegged it as a potential health threat. The chemical is often named as harmful for babies, who can be exposed to high levels through polycarbonate baby bottles and formula cans. But it’s also bad news for adults, having been linked to heart disease, diabetes, and liver problems. Legislation currently targeted at banning the chemical focuses only on baby products, not the myriad sources from which adults get exposed every day.
THE DETAILS: In one study, researchers analyzed urine samples from 1,469 adults who participated in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2003–2004. The participants fasted for 24 hours, and at various points during the fasting, their urine was tested for BPA levels. The authors noted that BPA levels declined rapidly during the first four hours of fasting, but leveled off after that. In the second study, researchers recruited 77 students at Harvard University and tested their urine at the end of one week, during which they drank from stainless steel bottles, and at the end of a second, during which they drank from polycarbonate bottles. The authors found a 69 percent increase in levels of BPA after drinking from the polycarbonate bottles.
WHAT IT MEANS: Previous research has suggested that BPA doesn’t build up in body fat, and that our bodies completely get rid of it within a few hours of exposure. However, the authors of the CDC study suggest that it may very well build up in body fat, and we seem to be continually exposed to the chemical from a number of sources we don’t expect. For instance, in addition to canned foods and polycarbonate bottles, BPA is used as a flame retardant in some types of furniture (it can bind to dust that we inhale), and some tests have detected it in PVC pipes used to carry drinking water, and in recycled-paper food packaging.
You can’t control every exposure to BPA, but here are a few that you can:
• Canned foods. Most food cans are lined with an epoxy resin that contains BPA. Highly acidic foods and some fatty foods, such as canned tomatoes and beans, tend to cause BPA to leach out in greater concentrations.
• #7 polycarbonate plastics. Polycarbonate plastic is the only plastic currently known to leach bisphenol A. However, determining which are polycarbonate plastics can be confusing, because they are marked with a “#7” in the plastic labeling system used to help recyclers separate different types of resins. The label #7 is a catchall category for any plastic invented after 1987, and it includes safer plastics that don’t leach BPA, for instance, plant-based plastics. Unless you see a “BPA-free” label next to the #7 on a plastic container, steer clear. Favor glass, ceramic, or stainless steel food and drink containers, and you’ll avoid BPA as well as chemicals that can leach out of other plastic types.
• Recycled-paper food containers. It feels good to use recycled packaging like coffee cups or takeout containers. But there is some evidence that BPA leaches out of these as well. However, some of the alternatives, such as polystyrene foam or plastic clamshells, aren’t any better; the foam can leach cancer-causing styrene, and clamshells aren’t recyclable in many areas. The solution: Bring your own containers for restaurant leftovers, and carry a reusable mug to your favorite coffee shop.
Published on: May 26, 2009


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LG and Verizon launch $120 Windows Phone 8.1 smartphone
Verizon Wireless and LG Electronics has partnered to launch a Windows Phone, a year after the South Korean phone maker drew a line on Windows-powered devices.
The LG Lancet is available on the US carrier’s website costing $120 off contract. The Windows Phone 8.1 smartphone is also available on the Verizon Edge flexible payment program for $5/month over a duration of two years, but that’s without a signed agreement still.
In terms of hardware, the Lancet offers a crisp-clear 4.5-inch LCD touchscreen with FWVGA (480 x 854 pixels) resolution. The engine houses a 64-bit Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 chipset and a gig of RAM while the 8GB of in-built storage can be further expandable by use of the microSD card slot found under the phone’s removable polycarbonate back cover.
The LG Lancet is bundled with Cortana, the virtual assistant that comes with WP8.1 OS. The smartphone also comes equipped with GPS, LTE, Bluetooth 4.0 and support for Verizon’s Advanced Calling 1.0 capabilities.
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A new medical marijuana dispensary opened in Stamford this week as the state prepares to roll out licenses for recreational sales.
Fine Fettle Dispensary opened its third Connecticut location on Research Drive in Stamford.
Pharmacy manager Yatish Parmar says products are available only to registered patients with a card for one of the state's approved conditions, such as post-traumatic stress disorder and chronic pain.
Recreational use for adults will open up for retailers later this year or next year.
The latest rolling lottery for hybrid cannabis licenses began Thursday. Medical facilities like Fine Fettle can skip the lottery process, as long as they pay a hefty fee to expand their license.
"We will be doing medical plus adult use, so we'll be able to appeal our products to even more people. Which is very exciting, and it's going to, I think, explode in terms of volume here," said Parmar.
The $1 million expansion fee will allow Fine Fettle to sell cannabis for adult use or as medication.
Parmar says even when recreational and hybrid licenses open, higher potency and lower taxes will keep the market for medical marijuana strong.
The state is accepting lottery applications for hybrid licenses until May 25.


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Ruhollah Latifi said that Iran exported commodities worth $95 million to Turkmenistan in the three-month period.
In mid-June a high-ranking Turkmen delegation headed by Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan Atdayev Batyr Taganovich attended a meeting with Iranian Industry, Mining, and Trade Minister Reza Fatemi-Amin to discuss ways of expanding trade ties.
In that meeting the two sides stressed the need for the establishment of a Tehran-Ashgabat trade center.
The attendees also emphasized supporting the businessmen of the two countries in order to facilitate and accelerate trade relations and decided to form a working group to draw a one-year roadmap for future cooperation.
Welcoming the Turkmen side’s proposal for establishing a joint business center, Fatemi-Amin said: "We have established business centers in 16 countries and this is a good way to expand economic relations."
He also stressed the need to define an action plan for the two countries' trade activities to determine products and goods for import and export.
Taganovich for his part called on the Iranian government to hold joint exhibitions with Turkmen companies.
The official also suggested that an agreement be signed to increase trade relations between the two countries. He also called for the development of border markets.
At the same time, Iran’s Minister of Transport and Urban Development Rostam Qasemi met with Director-General of the Agency for Transport and Communications of Turkmenistan Chakyev Mammethan Berdimyradovich and negotiated the promotion of transport and transit ties between the two countries.
Speaking in the meeting, Qasemi referred to the 50 percent increase in transportation between Iran and Turkmenistan following the previous agreements between the two countries, saying: “By reviewing transportation tariffs and fulfilling agreements between the two sides, traffic between the two countries can be further increased.”
Berdimyradovich for his part emphasized that there are no restrictions on the expansion of transportation ties between the two countries.
Source: Tehran Times


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Today 3D measurement is a common sight, not only in the quality field, but also for design, reverse engineering and movies.
“In my view, there’s a wave of demand for 3D scanning coming,” says Michael Raphael, CEO and founder of Direct Dimensions Inc. “I think the use of 3D digital data is now widely accepted for many different applications. The idea of what’s becoming known as a digital twin for manufactured products, or fabricated buildings, or even people, is the new reality.”
Perhaps you’ve attended a previous meeting of the Coordinate Metrology Society—this year marks the 35th year of the Coordinate Metrology Society Conference (CMSC)—so you’ve seen a lot of 3D measurement technology. If you attended this year’s event in Orlando, you heard about racing catamarans, inspecting artifacts, and even circling the Earth. Last year’s CMSC featured applications such as CMM calibration at NIST, special effects for Marvel Comics, the challenges of using laser trackers at sea, and the standards development process. In 2017, CMSC included discussions of scanning whale bones, telescopes, airplane wings, and laser scanner standards. In other words, 3D measurement is a fit for many different applications.
During this year’s CMSC keynote, Raphael described trends in 3D metrology, including an application featuring the Avengers movie—but it’s not just superheroes that require scanning. When Quality spoke with him later, he said, “We’re getting calls to work on movies that you wouldn’t even think have special effects.”
The benefits of 3D measurement are numerous—and of course the technology continues to improve. “All have gotten lighter, faster, better,” Raphael says. “Portable systems in factories, trackers, arms, handheld systems, optical systems. I think the OEMs are pushing the capabilities of these systems every year, releasing new products, and leapfrogging each other. It’s a good thing, and we as consumers get better products.”
Although there are a great deal of applications for 3D measurement, the technology may not always be used. Raphael offered the following example. Consider an airplane on the tarmac that is hit with a luggage cart. Nothing could be simpler than using a handheld scanner to capture the extent of potential damage. If you’re only allowed to use a simple tape measure to document the issue, this could lead a host of problems and delays.
For those who are using it, the appeal of 3D measurement comes from many different areas. Alfredo Gandara, business analyst at ATT Metrology Services, says many customers are looking for a way to upgrade their current technology, moving from a manual process to one that is easier, more accurate, and traceable. While the technology has been used for years in the automotive and aerospace industries, “now it is trickling down to small manufacturers,” Gandara says.
The demand for handheld scanners continues to grow, says Gandara, as customers want rapid 3D data collection for product development and analysis. Automation has been another driving factor. “There’s been a large growth in robotic controls, using metrology equipment to track a robot and correct its path,” Gandara says.
Yesterday’s technology didn’t involve robots, and that’s not the only improvement.
“The accuracy has definitely changed, from back in the day with theodolite systems and having to be very technically inclined,” Gandara says. Still, he notes that using an instrument does require an understanding of good metrology practices in order to remove potential sources of error.
What’s next for 3D measurement?
According to Raphael, several companies are offering a single piece of software that operates multiple scanning systems, so you would only have to learn one type of software. He anticipates that tomorrow’s technology will feature better accuracy, lighter weight and more portability. Ease of use continues to improve, he says, and he’s been working with a new handheld scanner that is extremely easy to use. “I’m not kidding you, anybody could use it,” Raphael says. “If you could handle the camera on your phone, you could handle this scanner.” In addition, he predicts that the product photos we see when shopping online will eventually be available in 3D.
In looking a little further out, Raphael says a few below-the-radar startups are working on 3D imaging technology that would be operate like a 3D camera.
As the technology evolves, so do the standards. CMSC has also been working to ensure standards for professionals in this field. To that end, the first Level 1 exam was held at CMSC in San Diego 2013. (Coincidentally, this was also a question during a later CMSC Jeopardy quiz.)
If you attend next year’s CMSC in New Orleans, study hard so you can do well on the exam—and your team can shine during Jeopardy.
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With no fanfare and no prior warning, Mrs. -Z releases an iTunes-only album of songs and videos. But you're not supposed to do that, shriek the know-alls.
Neighbors can now use their Android smartphones to exchange critical information, swap last-minute baking needs, and get police updates.
The research team that discovered significant security holes in more than a dozen home Wi-Fi routers adds more devices to that list at Defcon 21.
The Hamilton Beach 25475 Breakfast Sandwich Maker cooks popular favorites like egg, ham, and cheese English muffin sandwiches. The kitchen gadget features a sliding mechanism for automatic construction.
Somehow the folks who made Hire Hitman decided that a Facebook app that pegs friends as targets of a hit might not be the best idea.
The Cuisinart CBO-1000 Oven Central is capable of cooking up a variety of meals. Featuring the ability to steam, saute, roast, broil, bake, and toast, the appliance is an all-in-one solution for the kitchen.
Why bother baking a whole muffin if you know you only want the top? Imagine if there were a way you could bake just the part you want to eat, the crown. Now stop imagining and rejoice.
Nokia's 808 PureView has an extra-large camera sensor and some fancy settings. Here it squares off against the iPhone 4S and Samsung Galaxy S3.
If you have an extra $700 laying around and a penchant for smartphone photography, Nokia did this for you.
Sure, I understood the concept behind the Nokia 808 PureView's mega-whopping camera, but CTIA drove it home.