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- Online dating corporations feel that the expanding demand for online dating services in India is actually driven by the feminine people
- Managers overseeing internet dating applications peg the going out with software sell to getting appreciated at one hundred dollars million in the following five to eight years
brand new DELHI : India at long last appears to be getting out of bed to online dating services purposes having tripled his or her cellphone owner bottom in the state over 2018. A Google report released this will likely stated internet dating queries become catching up with matrimony queries, with a 40% boost in the previous in the last annum. Executives overseeing online dating software peg the going out with software market to get respected at $100 million within the next five to eight several years.
At present ruled in businesses like Tinder, indeedMadly, OkCupid and the newly created Bumble, owner depth in the Indian online dating market place that stall at 2.7per cent in 2018 is expected hitting 3.2per cent by 2023, reported by on the internet market place researching specialist Statista.
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“Indian world offers noticed a fast social history throughout the last ten years, expanded through prevalent usage of technologies, particularly smartphones,” said Taru Kapoor, head—India organization for Tinder and accommodate team. Introduced in Republic of india in 2016, Tinder last stated 7.5 million day-to-day swipes these days, and greatest average quantity of information changed per fit in this field. Spots like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Gurugram realized in its 10 most superliked marketplaces internationally towards year of 2018.
“As studies and economic autonomy rates some of the youthfulness, specially females, consistently rise, and boosting electronic penetration, all of us anticipate dating online in order to become further popular as people aim to develop new affairs based around revealed appeal and compatibility,” Kapoor put in.
With their schedules coming to be busier, it’s hard for the present day age bracket to have huge sociable circles, as well as to find periods real world, stated Rahul Maheshwari, India head at Tantan, a Chinese online dating program which was created in Indian last year that is doubling its consumer starting point every 90 days in the united kingdom. In such a scenario, matchmaking software tend to be investing and instructing men and women about brand new means of reaching one another and viewing being beyond his or her group, Maheshwari included.
While online dating keeps, for long, really been a bias in Indian, believes Snehil Khanor, chief executive and co-founder, ReallyMadly, prefer marriages currently going on for a long time. “The acceptable young age for relationship is now being pushed by our very own age bracket. Plus, we’re one generation of India which is to blame for our own relationships, instead of determined by our people who dont need usa becoming influenced by them either,” Khanor explained.
TrulyMadly possesses 5 million consumers in Republic of india and is creating 300,000-500,000 messages traded and 15,000 common suits every day.
To make sure, although the consumer starting point across these apps was mainly male (women merely make up 20% with the kinds to say the least), the modification currently, online dating businesses think, will be influenced by female populace of Republic of india.
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“Since personalizing the item for Republic of india in Sep 2018, we now have viewed an overwhelming answer with effective female people regarding application tripling,” explained Melissa Hobley, main advertising specialist, OkCupid, an app who has over a billion individuals in Indian features designed their environment to desires, dislikes and living variety strongly related women in the united states. For instance, while enlisting, females answer questions like if they would like to carry on performing after union and how through want their particular mate to reply on the the exact same, or how they look at the #MeToo action. Understanding how likely fits have taken care of immediately these query assists females separate goes.
“One reason creating this (modification) is actually ladies in India. They want to gain his or her relationship to end up being her possibility, certainly not her people’ or family members’s. Relationship software support that kind of a good atmosphere that enables you to encounter these points and thoughts,” Hobley put.
To be certain, the alteration is not merely limited to India’s metros, though metropolitan areas like Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru are the greatest industry for internet dating software in the state. Khanor mentioned towns like Indore, Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Bhopal, Ranchi, Rajkot and Vadodara have come awake in the last two years as TrulyMadly’s very top profits grossers along with software considers a 40percent development in revenue quarter-on-quarter beyond the top 10 metropolises.
Additionally, there is certainly a lot pay attention to diversity. Sanyam Sharma, promotional manager, at Blued India, a gay dating and social network software, 20-30percent of whose user base is inspired by tiny communities, claimed they allow for personalization in seven British languages like Hindi, Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Marathi and Punjabi.
“In rate 1 and 2 cities, we see world getting much less traditional than prior to. Everyone is receiving at ease with appointment people on the internet and checking out connections,” Maheshwari of Tantan said, putting that north part of India are much less careful when it comes to internet dating apps xdating a scam and south is making up ground.
The big figures besides, there could be much more to India’s online dating services market than only financial liberty and scientific development, it cannot be rosy. Most of the motivation for online dating app involvement, professional say, may well not even stem from the seek out adore. “I’m not sure the amount of consumers on going out with software are seeking actual love even if they ready on schedules,” said Parul Bhandari, visit scholar, school of Cambridge whom researches on union, gender, intimate associations, middle-income group, and elites. Bhandari pointed out that definitely not in every covers carry out going out with apps serve as a motivation for adore or associations, they could additionally be regarded as a desire by the students populace to fairly share an experience using their contacts and peer cluster or to become a part of a new culture widely used internationally.
“Also, can this also feel a way of declaring becoming modern day, because nowadays they share an experience with kids everywhere in the world?” Bhandari requested.


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KYOTO – President Donald Trump’s announcement May 5 that the United States will impose additional tariffs on Chinese goods has killed the optimism that had begun to emerge over the U.S.-China trade talks, causing them to take a turn for the worse. With the subsequent imposition of the additional tariffs, pessimism prevailed over the course of the world economy and stock markets worldwide, including in the U.S. and China, plummeted.
As of May 14, the Nikkei 225 average had declined 7.2 percent from its April high. The yen also went up from the 112-113 range to the dollar in April to 109-110. It was not the first time that stock market declines have caused the yen to rise. As indicated in the accompanying chart, since 2004 there has been a strong tendency that a stock market fall in Japan leads to a stronger yen, while a surge in share prices leads to the yen’s fall. Why is this?
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Indonesia alcohol bill could wreck Bali tourism
Local businesses and organisations are outraged.
A bill banning the production, distribution and consumption of alcohol in Indonesia may wipe out the nation's tourism industry if passed, according to a local hotel association.
Local tourism businesses and organisations, including the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI), denounced the introduction of a nationwide bill to prohibit the sale and purchase of alcohol in the South-East Asian nation.
The bill was brought about by two of the country's prominent Islamist political groups, the United Development Party (PPP) and the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS).
"If the bill is passed, our business will be done," PHRI boss Hariyadi Sukamdani told The Jakarta Post.
At the beginning of last year, Indonesia's former trade minister Rachmat Gobel introduced regulations to stop the supply and sale of alcoholic beverages by Indonesian minimarts. The ban came into effect in April 2015.
These small retail chains were prohibited from selling liquor containing less than 5% alcohol, such as beer and low-alcohol wine.
However, five months later, the ministry, under new leadership, relaxed the policy and handed the rights to control alcohol production, distribution and sales to regional administrations.
Hariyadi said the regulations had negatively impacted business and that many foreign tourists were still complaining about the difficulties of buying alcoholic beverages.
"No matter how beautiful the country is, if they can't find alcohol, they won't want to come here," he said.
Travel and tourism generates around 10% of Indonesia's total gross domestic product (GDP), according to the World Travel & Tourism Council.
Travelling to Indonesia? You may want to consider comparing travel money cards, as they're one of the best ways to bring and spend your money.
Travel insurance is a must when holidaying but beware, most policies have exclusions in place if you're under the influence of alcohol. Find out just what circumstances insurers will pay alcohol-related claims.
If the thought of Bali without booze is unbearable why not give these 15 dreamy getaways a chance?
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A poll conducted in August of 2019 found that 14% of Americans said they’ve used medical marijuana or CBD. Cannabis products are increasingly popular, thanks to their effectiveness in treating everything from pain and anxiety to sleep disorders. While research is ongoing, many reports are promising..
Public interest leads to research grants
Many consumers still lack understanding regarding how to effectively and safely use cannabis to treat pain. Looking to alleviate some of these gaps in knowledge, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have awarded nine research grants to study the pain-relieving properties in marijuana’s cannabinoids and terpenes, including CBD. Among the grant recipients are the University of California at San Francisco and the University of Utah.
These grants, totaling three million dollars, signify a dedicated effort to research marijuana and its impact on the human body at a level unseen in previous years. As more research of this nature is conducted, our understanding of the benefits of medical marijuana will continue to solidify, allowing CBD professionals to administer cannabis products even more safely and effectively.
An alternative to opioids?
Many people with chronic pain turn to prescription opioids for relief. The addictive nature of opioids coupled with harsh side effects makes this option less than optimal for many. Current research could act as a step away from opioids and the very real health crisis they have created. With continuing research, it’s promising that cannabis and CBD-products can become an effective alternative to opioids, leading to fewer people developing dependence on prescription drugs.
The urgent need for a safer solution makes this research even more important. As more individuals turn to medical marijuana to relieve their pain, this research could help to validate that decision and convince other people to try similar alternatives to prescription medications.
Cannabis products have proven benefits when it comes to alleviating chronic pain, but before embarking on a treatment plan, it’s a good idea to consult with a practitioner knowledgeable about CBD products. Contact us to learn more and see if CBD pain relief is right for you.
Emerald Health Advocates
Phone: (240) 477-8158
Laytonsville, MD 20882


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This is happening for the 4th year in a row, and the world has been congratulating him.
The 57-year-old’s worth increased to $177 billion, up to $64 billion from a year ago, as a result of a spike in Amazon shares, the media company said on Tuesday, April 6.
Tesla CEO, Elon Musk was the biggest gainer as he rocketed to the second spot with a $151 billion fortune, a whopping $126.4 billion gain a year ago when he ranked No. 31 and was worth $24.6 billion.
Jeffrey Preston Bezos is an American internet entrepreneur, industrialist, media proprietor, and investor. Bezos is the founder and CEO of the multi-national technology company Amazon. He is the richest person in the world according to the Forbes Real-Time Billionaires ranking.
On February 2, 2021, Bezos announced that he would step down as the CEO of Amazon sometime in the third quarter of 2021, and transition into the role of executive chairman. He is due to be replaced as CEO by Andy Jassy, the chief of Amazon’s cloud computing division.
Jeffrey Preston Jorgensen was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico on January 12, 1964, the son of Jacklyn (née Gise) and Theodore Jørgensen. His biological great-grandfather John Jørgensen immigrated to the U.S. from Holbæk in the Zealand region of Denmark in the late 19th century.
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Jazztel Plc, a Spanish wireless and broadband carrier taking on larger rivals, will meet subscriber and earnings targets and may even beat them as the economy recovers, its chief executive officer said.
Four of the U.K.’s largest mobile- phone companies agreed to implement measures to reduce unexpected charges, after coming under pressure from government ministers keen to show they’re helping consumers.
BitPesa Ltd., a Kenyan start-up, will take on remittance providers like Western Union Co. by using the Bitcoin virtual currency to cut transaction costs for Kenyans working abroad who send home $1.2 billion a year.
Rogers Communications Inc., Canada’s largest wireless carrier, reached a 12-year, C$5.2 billion ($4.9 billion) deal with the National Hockey League for broadcasting rights in the country starting in the 2014-2015 season.
Vodafone Group Plc and Bharti Airtel Ltd. face an auction to keep using wireless spectrum in India that are set to expire in a year, a sale through which the government seeks to raise 400 billion rupees ($6.4 billion).


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Mobile device Googling surpasses PCs for 1st time (5/6/2015)
Is your website mobile-device friendly? Google announced that it hit a tipping point, and more consumers now use a mobile device to hunt for information.
Beware of new WordPress vulnerability (4/28/2015)
Realtors who use WordPress and allow comments are vulnerable. If a comment includes malicious code, hackers can steal users’ names and passwords.
Effective now: Google shakes up Internet searches (4/21/2015)
It’s “mobilegeddon.” A website’s Google search rank drops on mobile devices if the technology doesn’t recognize smaller screens and adapt its content.
Could hyperlocal social network be Yelp 2.0? (4/6/2015)
One out of three U.S. neighborhoods has its own Nextdoor website that focuses solely on local events and services, including reviews of local businesses.
Google change will upend website searches (4/1/2015)
Websites that appear on the first page of a Google search could fall from grace after April 21 as the search engine starts to give more weight to mobile views.
U.S. streamlines rules to speed up drone permits (3/25/2015)
Operators still need FAA’s “Section 333” exemption, but they can get it quicker and, once issued, fly anywhere in the U.S. under specific standard restrictions.
Posting drone videos online? Be careful (3/16/2015)
The FAA sent a cease and desist letter to a YouTube provider who regularly posted drone videos, saying the site’s online ads nix his amateur photographer status.
ListHub and Trulia agree: List sharing ends April 7 (3/13/2015)
Move Inc. subsidiary ListHub will stop sending listings to Trulia the same day it stops sending them to Zillow under an agreement announced yesterday.
Survey: Buyers increasingly want smart home features (3/11/2015)
While not all buyers want the bells and whistles of a fully smart home, they increasingly want at least a few smart home features, such as security controls.
Online home sales becoming a reality (3/9/2015)
Over time, more buyers and sellers will be willing to conduct their entire transaction online – a growing niche. The question: Where does that leave Realtors?
U.S. proposes rules for commercial use of drones (2/16/2015)
The FAA released proposals yesterday, such as 55-pound and 100 mph maximums – but it might be years until a comment period ends and they’re official.
Search keywords with the new Facebook tool (12/19/2014)
An update to Facebook’s Graph Search feature allows you to search your posts, photos, articles and videos using a keyword, such as “real estate.”
FAA drone rules delayed to 2017 (12/15/2014)
Realtors hoping to use drones soon must be patient – very patient. The FAA extended its deadline for issuing rules on the use of small drones from 2015 to 2017.
Technology snafus that can sink your business (12/8/2014)
Some technology failures – lost emails, calendars that disappear or data lost to hackers – can create a big headache for real estate agents.
89% of buyers say technology makes them smarter (11/18/2014)
Survey: For 83%, however, technology doesn’t replace the need for a Realtor. Instead, they consider it an added component in a buyer-Realtor relationship.
So what’s new? Realtors get tech demonstration (11/13/2014)
Technology is transforming every stage of the transaction, from listing to financing and post-closing. Agents and brokers must keep pace as consumers evolve.
FAA: Drone sightings up dramatically (11/12/2014)
The FAA says drone complaints come in almost daily. Many claim they’re flying too close to airports, including ones in Orlando and Tallahassee.
Expect ‘big data’ to impact real estate’s future (11/12/2014)
Successful Realtors anticipate change and adapt. Imagine, for example, an app that searches all real estate websites and compiles results in a single location.


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I have to do my regular update on the adjusted monetary base. This is what is directly controlled by the Federal Reserve (the Fed). Just as the Fed promised, it has been increasing at approximately $85 billion per month.
I have been saying that the monetary base has more than quadrupled since 2008, when it stood at just over $800 billion. Soon enough, I will have to say that it has quintupled. By the time Janet Yellen takes over at the end of January, the Fed's balance sheet will show almost $4 trillion.
Of course, as I have discussed before, much of this new money has gone into excess reserves held by the commercial banks. This has kept most of the new money from multiplying through fractional reserve lending. This has helped keep consumer price inflation down.
The higher demand for money has also played a key role in keeping prices relatively stable. There is still a lot of fear out there and Obamacare is not helping the situation. People are concerned about their jobs. They are concerned about paying down their debt and keeping it manageable. Other than buying stocks and, to a lesser extent, houses, there is not much euphoria out there. A lot of people are trying not to overextend themselves.
The high demand for money can change quickly though. If people have a perception that they will lose significant value due to inflation, then they will be more likely to spend their money before prices rise higher. This can create an effect of raising prices even further. It is a trend that is tough to break until the Fed gets serious about tightening its monetary policy.
I don't know whether the Fed will start to "taper" soon. But even if it does, it will still be creating unprecedented amounts of new money. If the Fed cuts back to $60 billion per month instead of $85 billion per month, that is still $60 billion per month in monetary inflation. It is still damaging the economy by misallocating resources.
I don't know exactly how all of this will end, but it isn't going to be pretty. I can't predict what Bernanke and Yellen and company are going to do. I don't even know if they know what they are going to do. The Fed has really created a mess.
They are faced with a recession now or a recession later. If they try to hold off on the recession, they will do this with more monetary inflation, which will only do more damage to the economy. Be prepared for some interesting times ahead.


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The managing director and co-founder of Rox Jewellers claims the key to survival on today’s high street is investment.
Talking to Professional Jeweller about the challenges of retail across the board at the time, Kyron Keogh said it’s important to invest, create content, and keep an eye on what’s happening online.
The managing director told our editor: “Quite often when business is tough, you start looking at your costs and you stop investing in things, but I think you need to invest and keep investing and create content.”
At Rox, the customer experience is paramount, with the independent jeweller gaining a reputation in the industry for its memorable events and unique way of doing business.
“Footfall is down as we all know, it’s well documented, but people are shopping and we’ve got to make sure we give them the best experience,” shares Keogh. “People are shopping, we just need to make sure they come to us.”
Online is also vital too, with Rox investing heavily in making sure the in-store experience translates onto its digital channels.
This includes going big on social media, creating exclusive and engaging content for the site, and embracing video.
“You can’t just sit there waiting for somebody to place an order,” explains Keogh. “We need to think about how we get the customer experience online, what happens when people look us up, and how are we presented outside of the store.”
News Source : professionaljeweller.com
Disclaimer: This information has been collected through secondary research and TJM Media Pvt Ltd. is not responsible for any errors in the same.


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Auto Trader raises full-year earnings outlook to between £169 million and £171 million
17 February 2016
New and used car sales website Auto Trader has revved up its full-year earnings outlook after hailing better-than-expected sales.
The firm, which attracts around 43 million visits to its websites a month, said that while the number of car sales forecourts advertising on its sites remained flat since its half-year, it saw sales boosted as retailers and private sellers placed more ads.
It said thanks to buoyant trading over the past four months, it expects full-year underlying earnings to edge ahead of City expectations, to between £169 million and £171 million.
The group posted underlying operating profits of £144.1 million in the year to March 29 2015.
Auto Trader, founded in 1977 as a classified ad magazine, floated on the London Stock Exchange in March last year at 235p a share and the stock has since surged by 60%.
Shares were up 4% after its latest profit cheer.
It is the latest dose of good news from the car sales sector after Pendragon posted a 23% surge in annual pre-tax profits thanks to record used car sales – up 11% to £15 million.
Industry figures also showed new car sales last month reached an 11-year high for January.
A total of 169,678 new cars were registered in the UK, up 2.9% compared with January 2015 and the highest sales figure for January since 2005, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
Steve Clayton, head of equity research at Hargreaves Lansdown, said Auto Trader was benefiting from its pole position in the market and a shift in the way cars are bought and sold.
He said: “The days of having to trudge around forecourts, trying your best to avoid the salesman are becoming a thing of the past.
“Nowadays, most consumers buy a car from the first forecourt they visit, having already made their buying decision online.”
The group has enjoyed a bumper past couple of years, with annual profits trebling in the year to March 2015 and pre-tax profits of £10.9 million.
Recent half-year results showed underlying operating profit jumped 17% to £83 million in the six months to September 27.
In its latest trading update, Auto Trader said it had seen a strong sales performance from car retailers and its consumer services business, which includes private sellers as well as third party advertisers such as insurers and loan finance firms.
Profits are also being boosted by a tight control of costs, added the group.
Auto Trader was known for its magazine full of used-car adverts, but it began to go online from 1996 and the final publication of the print magazine came in June 2013.
In the mid-90s the group diversified into a number of foreign markets including the Netherlands, South Africa and Italy. But in 2013 the business sold off most of its overseas operations and now focuses on the UK and Ireland.


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Steve and Kathy Semas are looking forward to their May retirement in Morro Bay once they close Ocean View Furniture, which they’ve run for 41 years.
“It has been an amazing success story,” Steve Semas said. “I love this community and want to enjoy it in our retirement.”
The two kicked off their closing sale at 2200 Main St. on Saturday. The inventory is being sold, with some items up to 80 percent off. They hope to lease the building for use as another type of business.
Originally from the San Joaquin Valley, the couple invested all they had to purchase the property in 1972 from A.G. and Ruth Merryman.
“We always liked the area and would vacation in a friend’s house when they vacationed,” Steve said. “I was in agriculture but inherited a talent for color and design from my mother.
After a surgery, I realized when God gives you a talent, you have to decide how to use it.”
In the 1970s, Steve enjoyed participating in Morro Bay Merchants Association fairs when businesses set up mini-storefronts at the Veterans Memorial Building.
“It was very successful, but a lot of work,” he said.
The couple has never taken a vacation.
“We’ve gone to market, but I consider that working for our customers,” Semas explained, noting many of his Central Coast customers wanted to downsize, so they would search out quality products that fit into smaller spaces. They also searched for unique accent products because they believe the “little things finish off a room.”
When asked his secret for success, Semas modestly states that it was his wife’s attention to detail, both with floor displays and in the day-to-day operations running the office; their loyal customers; and his deep faith, which kept them going, especially during the recession.
Repeat and referral business has kept their business steady.
His favorite memories included custom design jobs on the Central Coast, Palm Springs and in the San Joaquin Valley.
“Most memorable was a bachelor’s small home on a tight budget and five homes for one family in Palm Springs,” Semas said. “We enjoyed turnkey projects when families trusted us to buy and install everything — one was a 4,000-square-foot home. We even stocked the refrigerator and picked out products for their pets before the customers moved in.
“We’ve lived this business for 41 years. We’ll be around, but not in the store.”
Judy Salamacha’s column is special to The Tribune. Reach her at email@example.com or 801-1422.


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A consumer court here slapped a ₹55,000 fine on food delivery platform Zomato along with a hotel for delivering non-vegetarian food to a lawyer who had ordered a vegetarian dish. The story went viral on the internet and some people in fact used Zomato’s fault in the delivery system to reap more benefits.
Engineering students are always on the lookout for saving money on food. And that is why a student in Mumbai ordered Veg food as it was cheaper than non-veg and expected Zomato to deliver the non-veg stuff. But by mistake Zomato delivered the correct order this time.
Yes, it delivered veg food on the order of veg food. That’s really surprising and Shwetank Srivastava, the customer here has sued the food delivery company for failing in meeting his demands.
Shwetank has a strong case here. Many like him think that if you want non-veg food, simply order veg food on Zomato and Zomato will take care of the order but Zomato failed to do so in Shwetank’s case. Shwetank’s lawyer now wants the company to compensate his client and it will be interesting to see if Zomato has to pay a fine which it has a habit of paying nowadays.


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Google acquired the open-source technology, known as WebRTC, last year when it bought out VoIP software provider Global IP Solutions. The search engine giant is now looking to hand the royalty-free software over to developers for browser-based applications.
“We are working hard to provide full RTC support in Chrome all the way from WebKit down to the native audio and video parts,” Henrik Andreasson, a Google programmer from GIPS, said in mailing list sent out on Friday.
“When we are done, any web developer shall be able to create RTC applications, like the Google Talk client in Gmail, without using any plugins but only WebRTC components that runs in the sandbox,” he added.
Liebenberg said that Google will also be looking to provide support for other competing browsers, such as Mozilla and Opera. In addition, the company is collaborating with standards communities and W3C working groups to better “define and implement a set of standards for real time communications.”
In essence, Google will be giving developers the ability to build competing services to Skype using just a Web browser. CNET's Stephen Shankland speculates that Google's motivation is to have consumers rely more heavily on the Web, where they will use Google's search engine and associated apps. The project should also make it easier for Gmail users to access video conferencing technologies from within the app.
In related news, the Federal Trade Commission on Friday approved Microsoft's $8.5 billion acquisition of Skype. The software giant's largest-ever acquisition now needs only a signature from the Department of Justice before it is officially cleared.
Want to learn more about the latest in communications and technology? Then be sure to attend ITEXPO West 2011, taking place Sept. 13-15, 2011, in Austin, Texas. ITEXPO offers an educational program to help corporate decision makers select the right IP-based voice, video, fax and unified communications solutions to improve their operations. It's also where service providers learn how to profitably roll out the services their subscribers are clamoring for – and where resellers can learn about new growth opportunities. To register, click here.
Beecher Tuttle is a TechZone360 contributor. He has extensive experience writing and editing for print publications and online news websites. He has specialized in a variety of industries, including health care technology, politics and education. To read more of his articles, please visit his columnist page.Edited by Jennifer Russell
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Nothing here yet, how about adding some downloads?
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RePlanet closes redemption recycling centers throughout California, leaving cities without adequate services
By Cari Hachmann
This month signaled the closure of several hundred redemption recycling centers throughout California, leaving residents and businesses who relied on the centers without services. Now more than ever, people may need to start rethinking how and what they recycle, especially when it comes to plastic.
California’s largest redemption recycling operator—rePlanet—has shut down its remaining 284 locations and laid off 750 employees, including its San Clemente, Dana Point and San Juan Capistrano operations.
RePlanet announced the news on August 7, citing in a press release that the company closed due to the continued reduction in state fees, the depressed pricing of recycled aluminum and Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic, and the rise of operating costs resulting from minimum-wage increases and required health and workers compensation insurance.
“The Company has concluded that operation of recycling centers and supporting operations is no longer sustainable,” rePlanet said in its press release.
RePlanet emphasized that it was with great sadness that it will be closing, recommending that people contact their state legislator to advocate for better recycling initiatives and improved legislation.
Established in 1984, rePlanet, which accepts California Redemption Value (CRV) bottles and cans, operated as many 600 redemption centers in the state of California during peak operations.
It closed 191 recycling centers in 2016 and laid off 300 employees, according to Recycling Today, a news and information magazine and website for recycling professionals.
According to Consumer Watchdog, a nonprofit organization that studies California’s recycling industry, about 40% of redemption centers have closed in the past five years. The closures have resulted in consumers getting back only about half of their nickel and dime deposits on bottles and cans, according to the organization.
Impact on San Clemente
RePlanet’s closures in San Clemente included centers at 993 Avenida Pico on the west side of Office Depot, behind the Albertsons at 804 E. Avenida Pico and behind the Ralphs at 638 Camino De Los Mares.
Danna McIntosh, environmental services coordinator for the city of San Clemente, said the closures have created a problem in South Orange County, leaving many consumers with limited options to receive funds on their CRV bottles and cans.
“Consumers who want to redeem their CRV bottles and cans must now travel to other cities to do so, which is very inconvenient,” said McIntosh.
In 2018, San Clemente’s three rePlanet recycling centers diverted 1,444.36 tons of materials from reaching the landfill. The breakdown of materials included approximately 195,000 pounds of aluminum, 2,109,000 pounds of glass (mixed, amber, flint and green), 450,000 pounds of (PET) #1 plastic, 134,000 pounds of (HDPE) #2 plastic, 804 pounds of other plastic and 385 pounds of bimetal, the city reports.
In an area stretching from Lake Forest to San Clemente, there is now only one recycling center to serve all of South Orange County, according to city staff.
In response to the flood of phone calls of people asking where they can take their recyclables for redemption, the city’s staff said they’ve been directing the public to the State Division of Recycling (CalRecycle), so people can find their nearest recycling locations.
Type in your zip code on CalReycle’s website, calreycle.ca.gov, to find your nearest recycling center. For questions, call 916.324.8598. For complaints about retailers or recycling centers, call 1-800-RECYCLE.
Business Affected by Closures
Many local stores and retailers that sell CRV bottles and cans relied on the rePlanet recycling centers to redeem the materials.
“Current retailers are not equipped to handle the demand of redeeming the quantity of materials that the public will bring to them for redemption,” said McIntosh.
The city of San Clemente said these retailers will have until about mid-October to set up a program to accept and redeem CRV bottles and cans or face fines of $100 daily. Once new San Clemente recycling centers are available to accept CRV materials, the locations will be posted on the city’s website.
Damion Hickman and his 10-year-old son, Ryan, are the owners of Ryan’s Recycling in San Juan Capistrano.
Hickman said it was his son’s idea and passion for recycling that led Ryan to start his own recycling pick-up service in 2012. The business gained national notoriety in 2016, when Ryan’s story was picked up by news outlets around the country and the boy appeared on Ellen DeGeneres’ TV show, among others.
Today, Ryan has customers all over Orange County, and his father helps drive him to different locations to both pick up and drop off recyclables. While the two are used to lots of driving, Damion Hickman said it was super convenient that they lived within two miles of four separate rePlanet locations.
“With rePlanet going out of business, it was definitely a big inconvenience to us,” Hickman said. “We’ve had to look at alternative ways to recycle. The last couple of loads, we’ve taken to Orange County Recycling, which is in Santa Ana—a little bit farther of a drive.”
Ryan and his dad have recycled nearly 600,000 cans and bottles with all of the earnings they make going into the boy’s college savings account.
Hickman said that despite the rePlanet closures, Ryan intends to continue working his business. For more information, visit ryansrecycling.com.
“It’s a big deal to him, and he’s going to keep going no matter what,” Ryan’s father said.
Hickman said he hopes the closures will open the doors for another company to come in and fill the void left in the recycling world and help make it easier for people to recycle.
“Every town needs a place to recycle,” he said. “If we make it easier for everybody, then the better it will be for the environment.”
However, Hickman drew some concern that rePlanet’s closures may lead people to recycle less and resort to throwing away their bottles and cans.
What Can People Do?
According to the city, San Clemente residents recycled more than 13,240 tons of material during 2018, which included aluminum, glass, plastics, bimetal cans, newspaper and cardboard, the city reports.
All materials collected from the curbside (CR&R) carts go directly to the Material Recovery Facility in Stanton, a city in western Orange County, for sorting.
The recyclable material is then prepared for shipment to companies that recycle the material into new products, according to the city’s environmental staff.
While residents have been able to rely on curbside pick-up, media outlets report that California’s recycling industry is struggling to survive after China banned imports of plastic and other scrap material.
Experts say consumers will need to change their purchase practices to avoid excess waste and plastics ending up in landfills or worse, the ocean.
The city’s environmental staff said it is important to remember the phrase “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.”
“Reducing the amount of things you buy in the first place is better than recycling,” said Danna McIntosh, the city’s environmental services coordinator. “Think before you buy—do I really need this item? If the answer is no, then don’t buy it,” she said.
Avoid buying things packaged in single-use items, such as water bottles. Carry your own reusable water bottle and refill at home or refill from a drinking fountain.
McIntosh said it is best to purchase items packaged in glass, aluminum, tin/bimetal cans and No.1 and No. 2 plastic, and avoid items packaged in plastic Nos. 3-7, which are less likely to be recyclable.
Recyclable plastic is usually labeled with a resin identification code or a number (1 –7) on the bottom of the product that is used to help recycling plants sort materials.
Avoid items packaged in multiple layers such as disposable coffee cups that are both paper and plastic and are not recyclable. Bring a reusable coffee mug to your favorite coffee shop.
Of course, people still have the option to place their CRV recyclables in their blue curbside recycling cart despite not receiving reimbursement.


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Look out for our upcoming report, E-commerce and Online Shopper Multimarket Report 2021 publishing February 2021, which will focus on Australia, Canada, China, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Japan, Mexico, Singapore, the US and the UK. For more information on the report, or to pre-order, please email firstname.lastname@example.org.
https://www.wineintelligence.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/instagram-infographic-image.jpg 756 756 Courtney Abernathy https://www.wineintelligence.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/logo5.png Courtney Abernathy2021-01-27 13:14:052021-02-10 10:02:33Proportion of wine drinkers who are users and heavy users of Instagram
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This week, the U.S. consumer protection agency announced that it will recommend new mandatory rules to make portable generators more safe. It stated that manufacturers have not done enough to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning deaths from their products.
This announcement is part of a 104 page staff report from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). It's a crucial step towards regulating gas-powered generators that can produce as much carbon monoxide and kill as many as 450 cars each year in the U.S.
This commission's action comes nearly two decades after U.S. regulators recognized the deadly dangers posed by portable generators. Two months after NBC News, ProPublica, and Texas Tribune investigations revealed that federal efforts to make portable generators safer were thwarted by a statutory process that allows manufacturers to regulate themselves. This has led to continued deaths and limited safety improvements.
When used in enclosed spaces or near exterior openings, portable generators can emit enough carbon monoxide that they can kill within minutes. Generators are responsible for nearly all deaths from carbon monoxide, including the 10 fatalities caused by them in Texas last year during the winter storm and failure of the power grid.
Manufacturers of generators claim that their products can be safely used if users adhere to the safety guidelines. This includes keeping them outside and away from windows and doors. Safety advocates claim that the instructions can be difficult to follow because the machines cannot operate in snow or rain. A review of the user manuals from news organizations revealed that some can contain contradicting messages. Some manuals recommend keeping generators closer to windows or doors than recommended by the CPSC. Others provide general guidance, such as keeping machines "faraway" homes.
It has taken years to create the new push for mandatory rules. After concluding that generator makers could save lives by producing machines that emit less carbon monoxide in 2016, the CPSC announced plans for making the change mandatory.
However, before the CPSC could impose this rule, a federal law that was friendly to the industry required the agency first to allow generator manufacturers to develop their own safety improvements and to examine whether these voluntary measures were sufficient to protect consumers.
Instead, industry representatives suggested a safer safety upgrade that would turn off the devices when carbon monoxide levels rise to unsafe levels. Safety advocates countered that the shut-off switches would prevent 99 per cent of deaths.
The NBC News, ProPublica, and Texas Tribune investigations found that three years after the voluntary standard was unveiled, many manufacturers had yet to adopt the change. These findings were echoed in the CPSC's report this week. The commission discovered that too many manufacturers had made voluntary changes. This allowed it to move forward with the development and implementation of mandatory regulations.
Marietta S. Robinson, who was a CPSC Commissioner from 2013-2018 and supported mandatory generator safety standards, said "Think about how many lives could be saved if the CPSC went forward with a standard in 2016".
The CPSC report found that voluntary changes made by some manufacturers reduced the risk for consumers but not in the way that industry officials promised.
Based on tens to thousands of simulations of common generator carbon Monoxide accidents, CPSC staffers discovered that adding shut-off sensors to prevent generator deaths without reducing carbon monoxide emission would reduce about 87 percent of the deaths. However, some generators may still be left with CO levels dangerous enough to need hospitalization.
CPSC staff also tried a more strict approach to equipping the machines, which included shut-off sensors as well as engines that emit less carbon monoxide. They found that this combination would reduce "nearly 100%" of generator deaths and hospitalizations.
Staff from the agency will press the five commissioners of the CPSC to make the mandatory standard a priority for the next fiscal year which starts in October.
Alex Hoehn–Saric, who was recently appointed as the group's chair, stated in a statement, "The new CPSC staff Report on Portable Generators" shows the need to proceed as fast as law allows with mandatory rulemaking to address this invisible killer."
ProPublica, Tribune, and NBC News analyses of CPSC data revealed that over 300 people died due to carbon monoxide poisoning by generators within the four-year period following the CPSC's rule lowering emissions.
Sheletta Brundidge, a Houstonian who lost five of her family members after leaving a portable generator in an attached garage during Hurricane Laura's destruction of power supply across Louisiana, said that "it's about time." You can't expect these companies will police themselves. You know what? I would gladly pay an additional amount to ensure safety.
The CPSC had previously calculated that reducing generator carbon monoxide emissions would increase the manufacturing cost by approximately $115 for most units. These units typically retail for $500 to $1500.
Joseph Harding (technical director, Portable Generator Manufacturers Association), the trade association that created the voluntary shut off switches standard, stated in an email that they were still reviewing the CPSC report. Harding reiterated industry's belief in shut-off switches being able to eliminate 99 percent deaths from carbon monoxide poisoning and challenged the agency's conclusion about too few companies having adopted this safety measure.
Harding wrote that "Compliance with this standard is already at an high level and is expected to grow substantially in next year." According to industry groups, the data supporting this assertion was not available to news media outlets because it was confidential.
Rachel Weintraub is the general counsel of the advocacy group Consumer Federation of America. She stated that this brings the CPSC closer towards establishing a standard for portable generators.
She said that the lack of widespread compliance provides the CPSC direct evidence that discredits industry claims that voluntary measures are sufficient to protect consumers. Weintraub stated that there are fewer levers they can pull to slow down the process.
Brundidge stated that she hopes that the latest attempt to require safety upgrades will move more quickly.
She said, "It shouldn’t have taken all these people to die or get sick for someone to come along and say, ‘Hey, wait, we need to take action.'" "And so, I'm glad that finally someone is doing something to police the manufacturer, because we've been putting that on the consumers, which is not right.


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GIS:-The Event Allows for Networking Between Local Hotels and Other Tourism Partners.
Saint Lucia will host the official opening of the fifth annual North America-Saint Lucia Showcase tomorrow.
The three-day connects hotels, destination management companies (DMCs) and tourism officials with North American-based tour operators that sell Saint Lucia as one of their primary destinations.
Hosted by the Saint Lucia Tourist Board (SLTB), the event allows for networking and building business relationships between local hotels and other tourism partners. Participants also get to build product knowledge and rediscover the island.
The SLTB will also host an awards dinner that will recognize the top selling and producing tour operators for Saint Lucia. The dinner will be held at the Royalton Saint Lucia Resort and Spa from 7:30 p.m. -10:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 26.
The North America-Saint Lucia Showcase commenced on July 25, and will end on July 28. The official opening will be held at 8:30 a.m. on July 26, at the Sandals Grande Saint Lucian Spa and Beach Resort.


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Most people over the age of 40 are familiar with the aches and pains that come with the territory. Leonard Smith, a leader in the pharmaceutical industry, has come up with a way to deal with what many call “boomeritis.”
First he brought us Beano and Lactaid, and now, Smith is tackling the issues of sore joints and arthritis. To alleviate the pain that many have given up on trying to soothe, Smith has created the Shea Nut supplement.
Smith says that joint pain is common and not many people understand who is most at risk for arthritis. The statistics, however, are scary. According to The Arthritis Foundation, 50 percent of people with joint pain problems have given up hope for relief.
With his new supplement, Smith is trying to revive that hope in millions of people.
He talks with Growing Bolder about how he got the idea and how his product is different from others already out there.


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Increasing Appetite for Alternate Proteins Driving United States Lab-Grown Meat Market
- Published | 10 July 2023
Regulatory approval for cell-based cultured meat is expected to boost the expansion of United States lab-grown market at a robust growth rate.
Lab-grown meat, also known as cultured or cell-based meat, has emerged as a revolutionary alternative to traditional animal agriculture. Produced through the cultivation of animal cells in a laboratory, the innovative technology for lab-grown meat has gained significant traction in recent years due to the potential of lab-grown meat to address various environmental, ethical, and health concerns associated with conventional meat production through animal farming.
Regulatory Pathway & Timeline for Lab-grown Meat in the United States
On June 21, 2023, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) in a landmark decision granted regulatory approval for the sale and consumption of lab-grown meat, marking a significant milestone for this emerging industry for alternate proteins. The USDA approval was in response to the application by Upside Foods and Good Meat, the companies focused on lab-grown meat, to produce and sell chicken products derived from clusters of sample animal cells grown in large metal vats (lab-grown meat). Both companies are the first to complete a multi-step approval process for lab-grown meat. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has determined that lab-grown meat is safe to eat.
Upside Foods and Good Meat gained approval for selling lab grown meat across the United States from the USDA after years of research, development, and regulatory discussions, positioning lab-grown meat as a viable and regulated alternative to conventionally produced meat. The United States becomes the second country in the world, after Singapore, to allow sales of lab-grown meat in its market. The approval for lab grown meat is expected to have far-reaching implications for the food industry and pave the way for a more sustainable and ethical future of meat production.
In 2022, the USFDA and the USDA collaborated to establish a regulatory framework to oversee the production and labelling of lab grown meat. The framework for lab grown meat ensures that the production processes and safety standards are upheld, providing consumers with confidence in the quality and safety of lab grown meat products.
The United States regulatory approval recognizes lab-grown meat as a new category of food, distinct from both traditional meat and plant-based alternatives. It sets forth guidelines for the labelling and marketing of lab-grown meat products, ensuring transparency and accurate representation for consumers.
Shifting Consumer Preferences
The approval of lab-grown meat in the United States market brings forth a range of benefits for consumers. Firstly, lab-grown meat addresses sustainability concerns by significantly reducing the environmental impact associated with conventional meat production. Lab-grown meat requires fewer resources, emits low greenhouse gases, and eliminates the need for unsustainable large-scale animal farming.
Secondly, cultured meat offers an ethical alternative to traditional meat consumption. By cultivating animal cells in a lab, the need for animal slaughter and the associated ethical concerns are mitigated. Lab-grown meat appeals to consumers who are increasingly concerned about animal welfare and want to make more conscious choices about their food.
Lab-grown meat, in addition, has the potential to offer safer and healthier food options. It eliminates the risks of foodborne illnesses and reduces the need for antibiotics commonly used in livestock farming, addressing concerns related to food safety and antibiotic resistance.
Growth and Investments in Lab-grown Meat Market in the United States
The US lab-grown meat market size has witnessed substantial growth in recent years. BlueWeave Consulting, a leading strategic consulting and market research firm, in its recent study, estimated the value of United States lab-grown meat market at USD 28.42 million in 2022. Several startups and established companies are actively developing and commercializing lab-grown meat products. At present, numerous startups and companies are involved in the production of lab-grown meat. It has been a significant growth, as there were only four companies focused on the manufacturing of lab-grown meat in 2016.
Investments in the United States lab-grown meat market have also surged, with venture capitalists, food companies, and even celebrities recognizing the potential of the disruptive technology for producing lab-grown meat. As per the estimates by Good Food Institute (GFI), a leading nonprofit organization focused on alternate proteins, about USD 900 million was invested in lab-grown meat companies in 2022. In the same year, UPSIDE Foods, a leading producer of lab-grown meat in the United States, received a total investment of USD 400 million. During 2013–2022, companies focused on the lab-grown meat in the United States recorded the total invested capital of USD 2.8 billion with a 10-year average growth of 196%.
With regulatory approval in place, consumer acceptance of lab-grown meat in the United States is likely to increase. As more consumers become aware of the environmental, ethical, and health benefits, the demand for lab-grown meat is expected to grow substantially in the United States market. Hence, BlueWeave Consulting expects United States lab-grown meat market to expand at a robust CAGR of 16.28% during the forecast period between 2023 and 2029. As a result, lab-grown meat market in the United States is projected to more than double to touch USD 70.3 million by 2029 from USD 28.4 million 2022. This robust outlook for the United States lab-grown meat market will drive innovations, cost reduction, and scalability in production processes. It, in turn, is making lab-grown meat more accessible to a wider consumer base across the country and beyond.
Market Challenges and Outlook
While the United States lab-grown meat market shows great promise, it still faces certain challenges. The high production costs and the scale-up of manufacturing processes remain key obstacles to widespread adoption of lab-grown meat in the United States. However, as technological advancements and economies of scale are achieved, the players in the United states lab-grown meat market are expected to address these challenges effectively.
The future of lab-grown meat market in United States appears bright. Consumer demand for sustainable, ethical, and healthier food options continues to rise, driving the growth of the United States lab-grown meat market. With ongoing research and development efforts, increased investments, and regulatory support, lab-grown meat is poised to become a mainstream alternative to traditional meat consumption in the United States and across the globe.
Lab-grown meat is expected to transform the US food industry by offering a sustainable, ethical, and healthier alternative to conventionally produced meat. The market for lab-grown meat in the United States is experiencing significant growth, driven by shifting consumer preferences and increased investments. As the alternate proteins industry overcomes production challenges and gains regulatory support, lab-grown meat is expected to revolutionize the way meat is produced and consumed in the United States, paving the way for a more sustainable future.
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Yesterday, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg took the stage at a press event in Menlo Park, Calif., and introduced a suite of Android apps called Home. Home is a far cry from that long-prophesied Facebook phone, but it does make Android handsets a whole lot more... Facebookier.
That's good news for Facebook, which wants all the eyeballs it can get, and good news for those extreme Facebook users who do not like to be separated from Facebook, ever.
But not everyone shares in the Facebook Home glee. In a post today at the official Microsoft blog, Frank X. Shaw, a communications exec at the Redmond giant, noted that Facebook Home would be pretty cool, if the concept hadn't already been invented by Microsoft.
"I tuned into the coverage of the Facebook Home event yesterday and actually had to check my calendar a few times," Shaw writes. "Not to see if it was still April Fools Day, but to see if it was somehow still 2011. Because the content of the presentation was remarkably similar to the launch event we did for Windows Phone two years ago."
The basic gist of the post is this: the Windows Phone development team pioneered much of what Zuckerberg says is pivotal to the Facebook Home platform. For example, Facebook Home includes something called Chat Heads, which combines various types of messages – IMs, SMS texts, and Facebook messages – into a single stream. That feature, Shaw notes, is already available on Windows Phone devices.
Shaw then goes on to take a few shots at Android, a mobile OS that has been criticized for being too abstruse.
"[A]s Android owners know, that platform is complicated enough without adding another skin built around another metaphor, on top of what is already a custom variant of the OS," Shaw continues, "So, while we applaud Facebook for working to give some Android owners a taste of what a 'people-centric' phone can be like, we’d humbly like to suggest that you get the real thing, and simply upgrade to a Windows Phone."
"If I were [Apple CEO] Tim Cook," Manjoo writes, "I’d be especially worried that Facebook might solve one of Android’s biggest problems – its 'fragmented' ecosystem, in which every Android phone looks and works a little differently (and usually, not very well). This has long been a chief selling point for Apple: If you learn to use an iPhone once, you’ve learned to use it forever – all other models will always work more or less the same way. Now Facebook could ruin that advantage."
For more tech news, follow us on Twitter @venturenaut.


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Following a strong showing in December, California saw a plunge in job vacancies advertised online in January, according to the latest statistics from the Conference Board.
Statewide, there were 561,900 ads in January, down from a revised 580,200 ads in December, a decline of more than 3 percent. Last months total also was down from 581,300 ads in January 2013.
Californias month-to-month decline of 18,300 ads easily led the nation and represented almost a third of the nationwide decrease. Nationally, the board said, ads declined 56,800 from December to January, to 5,232,000
While the end of the holiday season typically is accompanied by fewer companies seeking seasonal help, Conference Board Vice President June Shelp also noted that employers still seem hesitant to expand their work force.
The board said 26,800 ads were posted in Sacramento last month, down slightly from 27,600 in December and a 7.2 percent decline from 28,900 in January 2013.
Call The Bees Mark Glover, (916) 321-1184.


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Police Use Taser on Shopper at NH Mall
NASHUA, N.H. (ABC) — On this cell phone video, you can hear the sound of the taser and the screams from the 44-year-old Chinese woman as she was placed under arrest.
It happened Tuesday at the Apple store in the Pheasant Lane Mall in Nashua.
Speaking from her bed in Newton, Massachusetts, and with her daughter translating, Xiajie Li says she speaks Chinese, not English.
“My mom says she doesn’t know why they called the police because she doesn’t understand what they are talking about.”
“She was certainly capable of coming up here and purchasing these things from the Apple store here. Whether her language inhibited that, I really don’t know,” says Nashua Police Captain Bruce Hansen
Li says she at the store to buy several iPhones for family members in China. She had bought two on Friday and was looking to get more. The store reportedly asked her to leave.
“Then manager of Apple store came and told her something but she don’t understand.”
Nashua Police officers were providing security at the request of the store.
Police say when Li didn’t leave that’s when they moved in, tried to arrest her, and she resisted.
As to whether or not police used excessive force, Captain Hansen says that’s under review.
“Our force continuum has specific times when a taser is used during resisting arrest or that type of incident where a person doesn’t comply with a lawful order to submit to an arrest,” Hansen adds.
As for the officers involved, they are currently on active duty.
Hanson says, “This really is a criminal trespass, resisting arrest incident and that’s fairly routine here nothing really out of the ordinary about it.”


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Some say that the location isn’t great. But some have said that the location for Vegas wasn’t great either.
It seems that the time has finally come for the desert crypto city.
Jefferey Berns, the owner and CEO of Blockchains LLC, revealed his plans to build a crypto city in the Nevada desert. Berns already purchased 67,000 acres of land for $170 million and claims to have invested $300 million to make the city a reality.
Berns made a fortune by investing in Ethereum back in 2015. He now wants to do something for the community by creating the Sandbox City. The idea behind it is to create a blockchain-based smart city with a tech park, residential units, shops, music and movie studio and an esports arena.
Berns also bought various sites across the world to create secure physical crypto storage. The sites include decommissioned bunkers in the United States, a fortress under a mountain in Switzerland and another one in Sweden.
In addition to all that, Berns also bought a bank. He plans to make it the world’s most crypto-friendly fiat institution. The move was inspired by his own bank blocking his cards after he admitted to being a Coinbase client.
This is yet another project that we are definitely adding to our watchlist.
Images courtesy of Shutterstock.com


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A new report out of China claims Apple is gearing up to build 6 million units of a new, smaller iPad to launch in the third quarter of 2012.
The new device will be priced at either $249 or $299, according to Chinese net portal NetEase, as translated by Kotaku. The device is said to be intended to "counter attack" upcoming tablets running Windows 8.
In addition to Foxconn, which is Apple's regular device assembler, Pegatron is also said to be in the supply chain for the anticipated smaller iPad. Together, they will reportedly assemble a planned 6 million units for launch.
One report earlier this month from writer John Gruber claimed that Apple is "noodling with" ideas and prototypes for a new, smaller 7.85-inch iPad. However, he added that it is not clear if the device will ever see the light of day.
If the so-called "iPad mini" is priced as low as $249, it would be positioned to compete with the Amazon Kindle Fire, which has taken control of the low end of the tablet market since it launched for $199 late last year.
The new, smaller iPad reportedly has a 7.85-inch screen with a resolution of 1,024 by 768. That would allow the device to run applications written for the first-generation iPad and iPad 2 natively, without a need for developers to rewrite them to work at a new resolution. The height of such a device would be roughly the same width as the current iPad.
Reports of an "iPad mini" have persisted since the original iPad launched in April 2010. Reports out of Apple's supply chain in the Far East have been the chief source of claims about a 7-inch iPad.
Speculation on an iPad with a smaller form factor picked up steam in February when The Wall Street Journal reported that Apple officials have been showing off designs for a smaller tablet that has a similar screen resolution as the iPad 2. The report did caution, though, that Apple could be simply testing new designs and might not actually release the device.


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The OG Xbox Is Back With This Xbox One X Skin
Even in an age awaiting the advent of next generation consoles, Microsoft’s original Xbox still manages to be a favorite among classic gaming enthusiasts. The system’s undying popularity is largely attributed to its memorable appearance and undoubtedly solid lineup of games, many of which live on as part of the Backward Compatibility program on Xbox One.
The nostalgic look of the classic Xbox is now available in the form of a nifty skin, one user on Reddit showing off their newly retro-fied Xbox One X following the recent holiday season. The premium platform now sports the sleek black color scheme of the original, complete with the console’s circular green logo.
The skin itself is of an officially licenced variety from Controller Gear, providing a series of detailed decals to replicate the appearance of original Xbox for the modern One X hardware. The fresh console cosmetic is currently available on Amazon via this link.
Of course, this is only one recent piece of throwback merchandise to gain traction with fans, as Hyperkin’s stellar recreation of the Xbox “Duke” controller also eventfully hit the scene in recent months. Utilizing both the old-school skin and controller seems like it would be a match made in heaven, so those interested in the Duke 2.0 can check out our previous coverage or the product’s listing via Amazon.
What do you think? Are you hyped to see the original Xbox back as a nifty skin, or will nothing ever top the original splendor of the OG hardware? Let us know in the comment below and e sure to follow Don’t Feed the Gamers on Twitter and Facebook to be informed of the latest gaming and entertainment news 24 hours a day! For more headlines recently featured on DFTG, check out the next few news stories:
Eric Hall2712 Posts
Phone-browsing Wikipedia in one hand and clutching his trusty controller in the other, the legendary Eric Hall spreads his wealth of knowledge as a writer for Don't Feed the Gamers. Be sure to catch his biweekly "Throwback Thursday" segment for a nostalgic look at trivia from the past.


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Our Eye Center can help keep your vision healthy during the pandemic. Find out more.
by Caroline E. Mayer, From the AARP Bulletin Print Edition, May 1, 2009
The headlines paint a bleak picture: Unemployment is at 8.5 percent and expected to rise in the months ahead. For people 55 and older, it was 6.2 percent in March, the highest since 1983. Home sales—and values—are shrinking. And consumers continue to curb their spending, prompting almost daily announcements of new layoffs.
Yet for some businesses, the news is not all bad. In fact, some are actually benefiting from the recession. The steep drop in new car sales, for example, means a brisker business at many auto repair shops as drivers try to make their cars last longer. Movie theaters are reporting a box-office boom as consumers seek relief from economic stress. Perhaps for the same reason, chocolate sales are holding steady, while sales of domestic table wine and value-priced liquor are up, though sales of pricey imported wine and cognac are—not surprisingly—down.
Shoppers may no longer be looking for new Prada bags at Neiman Marcus and Saks—two stores that have reported large sales drops—but they’re snapping up used versions at thrift stores, where business is booming. Meanwhile, for new goods, consumers have turned to discounters and warehouse clubs, such as Wal-Mart, Costco and B.J.’s Wholesale Club, all reporting healthy sales. While many banks and other businesses have announced reductions in annual stock dividends, Wal-Mart increased its dividend by 15 percent in March.
The new thriftiness has been a boon for McDonald’s, whose profits continue to grow along with the popularity of its Dollar Menu deals. Last year, the company earned more than $4.3 billion, an 80 percent increase from 2007. That’s quite an achievement in this struggling economy, but other, far smaller businesses are also prospering as consumers turn to them in their efforts to cut spending and relieve stress.
Shoe Repair Shops
It used to be a rare occasion when Eton Llewellyn saw a pair of Gucci shoes in his Washington, D.C., repair shop. But no more. These days, he sees everything. Customers beg him to fix their shoes because they can’t afford new ones. “Some will come in with shoes bursting on their sides; as long as it’s leather or suede, I fix everything,” says Llewellyn, who deliberately keeps his prices low, he says, to keep his customers happy in these tough times.
Jim McFarland, a third-generation cobbler in Lakeland, Fla., says business started to spike in November. “It kind of hit overnight,” he says. The workload at the shop went from about 200 pairs a week, and a three-day wait at most, to 250 pairs with a 10-day backlog. “I’ve got so many shoes in my store, I can’t get it all done,” he says. The recession has helped prompt a startling turnaround for what has long been considered a dying industry. During the Great Depression there were 100,000 shoe repair shops; that number dwindled to 63,000 in the 1950s and stands at about 7,000 today.
Beauty has always been considered recession-proof on the theory that women want to look good even if the world around them is falling apart. Such vanity is proving a boon for cosmetology schools, which typically offer hairstyling and skin treatment services at half or even one-third the prices charged by regular salons.
Business has gone up more than 10 percent in the past few months at three salons owned by the Long Island Beauty School—where it costs $7.50 for a shampoo, cut and blow-dry, and $15 for a color treatment. The Graham Webb Academy in Arlington, Va., has seen a similar jump. It charges $18 for a shampoo, cut and blow-dry and $32 for a color retouch—far less than nearby salons, which charge about $45 for a cut and $75 to $95 for color.
“The increase started in September and has continued into 2009,” says co-owner Christine Gordon. Gordon also reports a 15 percent jump in new students. Among them, she says, are people who have lost jobs and are interested in a new career as well as “SAHMs”—stay-at-home moms seeking to reenter the workforce.
Car Service Centers
In the face of a recession, most businessmen tighten their belts. But Jim Dykstra of Dykstra Auto Service in Hudsonville, Mich., recently opened his second location in anticipation of increased business as sales of new cars slump. “People are still hanging on to their vehicles,” says Dykstra. “Anytime they do that, as the car ages, there will be increases in maintenance and repair.”
“We are consistently busy,” he says. Car owners are still doing oil changes and “doing the best they can to keep their car in the best shape possible and protect their vehicle investment.” But, he adds, “when it comes to more expensive maintenance, such as transmission service, people are just holding back.”
Wayne Sipe, owner of Interstate Mufflers, with two outlets in western Virginia, says his business has been steady, and even increased since winter. “This is the time when people tune up the car to repair winter’s damage and prepare for road trips,” he says, especially if the price of gasoline remains relatively low.
What’s more, if the auto industry continues to contract and dealerships close, auto repair shops like those owned by Dykstra and Sipe could be seeing even more business.
Massage and Yoga Practices
Massage therapist Maureen Moon wondered if her business would drop when the economy started to falter last fall. But, in fact, her practice boomed as clients started booking more frequent appointments to combat stress. “I have two 80-year-old clients who used to book every six weeks,” reports the Boulder, Colo., therapist. “They’re now coming every two weeks.”
Marilyn Kier, an orthopedic massage specialist with an office north of Chicago, has had a similar experience. People she hasn’t seen in years are calling for appointments, complaining of stress-related pain like backaches and headaches. Many are on fixed incomes but are willing to spend more than $110 for an hour of relief. Overall, her business is up about 20 percent.
Stress is also good for yoga. At Cyndi Lee’s Om Yoga in Manhattan, classes are sold out—even after she renovated her space to add another practice room. “We now have five studios—each holds 25 people—and some nights we still have to turn people away.”
Lee said she wasn’t surprised that longtime yoga students hang on. But even her beginner classes are sold out. One man, she says, “just started three times a week because it was his stress buster.”
It may be that consumers are putting stress relief before other needs, says Moon. “They might not get their nails done as often or they might start cleaning their own houses, but they’re finding ways to make stress relief worth keeping in their budget.”
That’s probably the same reason why sales of wine and chocolate are doing just fine, thank you very much.
Some retailers, like Circuit City and Linens & Things, have closed their doors; others, such as Macy’s, are laying off thousands of employees. But at Collage Designer Consignment, a three-store chain in Birmingham, Ala., business has picked up so much since last fall that owner Tracy True Dismukes had to nearly double her staff, from seven to 12. Admittedly, that’s a far cry from the big-box chains, but it’s indicative of what’s happening around the country at resale stores (which thrift stores now like to call themselves).
A survey by the National Association of Resale and Thrift Shops shows that sales by its member stores increased by 30 percent last fall as hundreds of consumers bought used goods priced at a fraction of their original cost.
“People shopping nowadays had never heard or thought of resale stores; it wasn’t in their vocabulary,” says Chris Cowman, owner of One More Time in Columbus, Ohio. The reason for the change: “I just sold a Prada bag for $165; it would have been $700 to $800 new.” Cowman owns two stores in Ohio; her sales rose 7 percent in 2008; this year, sales are already running 10 percent over last year.
Pawnshops used to be the bank of last resort, says Jordan Tabach-Bank, head of the Beverly Loan Co. “Nowadays, we’re the bank of only resort. People come to us because—where else are they going to get money? They can’t find credit at the bank like they used to.” Tabach-Bank says it’s not unusual for people to seek cash to cover health costs and mortgages. What’s new is that some customers are pawning items to fund their businesses or meet payroll expenses.
Pawnshops have long been a favorite for quick, short-term loans. Customers pledge property—such as jewelry or electronics—as collateral, and pawnbrokers lend money, usually for a 30-day period, although that can be extended. When the loan is repaid, the property is returned to the borrower. There’s no credit check, little paperwork and the transaction can be completed in minutes. Generally, 80 percent of all pawn loans are repaid and the items returned. The rest are foreclosed and sold on the pawnshop floor—though some shops across the country are reporting problems because fewer people have the money to buy.
Nationally, the average pawnshop loan is $75, though Tabach-Bank’s company makes considerably larger loans. That’s probably because it’s located just a block from Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, a posh neighborhood that caters to the well-heeled. Yet even in the heart of luxury, Tabach-Bank observes, times are tough: “We’ve never before made so many large loans to white-collar customers—doctors, lawyers, accountants, hedge fund managers, businessmen and -women and other professionals.”
Caroline E. Mayer is a consumer reporter who recently added yoga to her life.
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Qannas investments is looking at opportunities in countries that belong to the Gulf Co-operation Council, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab emirates and Qatar.
The aim is to hold investments for three to five years and make a 20 per cent return, as the region enjoys economic growth.
Interest in Qannas is said to have been strong, though the launch has been affected by investor nervousness surrounding unrest in Syria.
When it unveiled its listing plans in January, the company said it hoped to raise £32million from an initial series of fundraisings.
Qannas investments is looking at opportunities in countries that belong to the Gulf Co-operation Council
Analysts expect it to come in at about half that level, reflecting market concerns about the region.
The firm’s long-term plan remains to raise about £130million from retail investors.


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THE Consumer Protection Commission (CPC) has warned errant businesses to stop violating disclaimer clauses following reports that some companies are still denying customers refunds and not accepting returns for defective goods.
In an interview, CPC research and public affairs manager Kudakwashe Mudereri said their mandate was to protect customers from fraudulent conduct and promote fair business practices.
Government, in 2019, enacted the Consumer Protection Act, which led to the establishment of the CPC which states that consumers have rights.
“These include the right for redress and right to choose, for example, section 42, which talks about disclaimer clauses, it is now an offence to put disclaimer clauses on shops like saying no refunds, no returns, no exchange, if one buys a product and feels unhappy with it, the law protects him or her; they can go back to the shop with the product. Businesses have two options, either they give them a refund or a replacement,” Mudereri said.
He said CPC was working on the regulations to specify the level of fines for non-compliance, adding that the organisation had started by focusing on educating the business community so that they know their obligations to consumers.
“Consumers need to be given receipts, they need to check quality, and should ask questions as to how the products that they would have bought work,” he said.
Mudereri said CPC sought to promote consumer confidence, awareness and a culture of consumer responsibility through individual or group education.
- Cost of living skyrockets…as retailers violate consumer rights
- Business warned over disclaimer clause abuses
- Do executive salary disclosures help firms?


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In the name of art, the a/w 2018 shenzhen fashion week was held from march 13 to 19 at shenzhen’s new cultural landmark, the museum of contemporary art & planning exhibition in futian district. throughout the eight days, 80 fashion shows were staged in three showrooms, showcasing the latest trends for the coming season.
Each day the main venue held 12 brand shows and designer collections. at subvenues, fashionistas from home and abroad attended a series of fashion and design events in an effort to elevate shenzhen fashion week into a world-class industry event.
The museum of contemporary art and planning exhibition (mocape) was designed with the functionality of future museum complexes in mind, containing all the various innovative features of a modern information center. 2018 shenzhen fashion week took full advantage of the venue's unique spaces by fusing the theme “art and fashion” with the showroom's design. two international-standard showrooms had a seating capacity of 1,000 each and one showroom for young promising designers accommodates up to 400 people. every one of the brightly-lit showroom have runways that blend seamlessly with the surrounding seats.
Shenzhen fashion week introduced more innovative and top-tier fashion designers and brands from all over the world than ever before. with its strong visual impact, the fashion week attracted a number of big names and guests in fashion industry.
Collections by well-known chinese designer qi gang highlighted the city's signature use of technology by employing molded metal into the linings of his pieces.


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Jade Scatchard is the kind of retailer most people would want to buy from.
He told his customers he was “just trying to do good deals with good people” as part of his mission to “hook up NZ with good gear”.
But his “gear” was illegal drugs and his “good deals” have landed him in prison.
Scatchard, 38, was sentenced in the Palmerston North District Court on Thursday to five years and four months’ prison for charges relating to his online business.
A summary of facts begins like a lecture, explaining how drug dealing has evolved beyond a buyer going to the local tinny house and handing over cash they withdrew from an ATM.
Scatchard ran his operation via the Dark Net, a form of internet only accessible with specialised software, configurations or special authorisations.
It is not found via typical search engines due to its high level of security and anonymity.
While home to legitimate users, the protection it provides also attracts black markets selling everything from firearms to malicious software and drugs.
New Zealand has its own marketplace on the Dark Net, called the TOR Market, mostly involving drug dealing.
It operates much like Trade Me, with users able to set up accounts and buy products sold by vendors and leave reviews. Payment is made with cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin, adding a further layer of anonymity.
‘freshkiwiproduce’ the place to go for MDMA, LSD, Viagra and Ritalin
Scatchrad, who was unemployed, set up an account on the TOR Market with the username ‘freshkiwiproduce’, while also posting on an associate web form under the username ‘freshprincenz1’.
He asked in December 2020 if people wanted “bulk gg parvarti tears ? [sic]”.
Parvati Tears is a type of LSD.
He also posted an offer to supply 1000 tabs of LSD for $8000.
His marketplace advertised various drugs, offering LSD at $7 a tab, MDMA at $120 a gram and Ritalin at $10 or $20 a pill for 10mg and 20mg, respectively.
He even offered deals for bulk buys, with people able to get Viagra for $30 a pill or $100 for four.
He responded to positive feedback on the TOR Market forums, saying he was “doing my best to hook up NZ with good gear” and “just trying to do good deals with good people”.
Police analysis of Scatchard’s marketplace found he sold drugs at least 138 times between January 2021 and June 2021, posted throughout New Zealand with tracked and traced prepaid courier bags.
He made at least $69,700 from MDMA and $1690 from Viagra.
He also imported drugs, with Customs intercepting a package in June sent from Amsterdam to Feilding, uncovering food items and 10 soup packets containing 5.15L of liquid MDMA.
MDMA has a New Zealand street value of between $65,000 and $90,000 if sold in kilogram amounts.
Scatchard was not cooperative when police raided him in June, refusing to give passwords to his devices, not staying put in the house and resisting when they tried to arrest him.
Police found 127 Ritalin pills, $15,770 cash, more than 100 prepaid courier bags, a label maker, vacuum sealer and a tick list.
They also found a large quantity of purses and wallets, which Scatchard packed with the drugs in the courier bags.
His TOR profile stated orders would “look like your everyday mail in your mailbox with a quirky little stealth decoy”.
Situation a ‘tragedy’ – judge
Judge Lance Rowe said he did not know the exact value of the 5.15L of liquid MDMA if it was turned into pills, but it was not guesswork to say it was a significant amount.
Scatchard was a lead offender, being the sole person between the overseas imports and users, who took significant steps to conceal his identity.
While he was a methamphetamine addict, taking as much as a gram a day, the facts showed he was making more money than what he needed to cover his debts, the judge said.
His path into drug dealing was not unsurprising though, having witnessed and experienced domestic violence at a young age and suffering from undiagnosed ADHD before being introduced to drugs.
“You suffered trauma that was not really addressed, rather than through your own efforts at self-medication through drugs,” the judge said.
Scatchard was a smart man with people who cared about him.
“Mr Scatchard, it is a tragedy to have you in this position,” the judge said. “I think you need to concentrate on what matters in your life, which is your children, your relationships and your family.
“If you do that, you won’t come back here.”


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Nearly two-thirds of Americans in a new survey say they aren’t worried about their identities being stolen during tax season.
They’re taking an “it could never happen to me approach,” IDT911, a data security and identity theft protection firm, reported this week.
This laxness shows up in various forms. Forty-nine percent of respondents said they did not lock their mailbox when they were expecting to receive a refund through the mail, leaving personal information exposed to possible theft.
Nineteen percent said they had not ensured that their Wi-Fi network was password protected if filing online from home, making them easy marks for hackers.
And just 12% planned to file in January, while the rest ignored expert advice that early filers can stay a step ahead of identity thieves as they gear up for the tax season.
In any event, 48% of Americans believed that the holiday shopping season was the riskiest time of year, with only 30% saying it was tax filing season.
The survey also found that 38% of respondents, including 92% of millennials, did not know how to vet a tax preparer’s credibility.
Fifty-two percent said they did not trust, or were unsure about the trustworthiness of, online tax services. IDT911 said this was likely due to recent data breaches of multiple providers.
The findings were based on a Google Consumer Survey of some 1,500 consumers in the U.S., aged 18 and older.
IDT911 said its tax fraud center had seen a 154% year-over-year increase in tax-related cases in 2015, owing to Americans’ failure to protect personal information and identity thieves’ growing sophistication.
It noted that tax refund fraud losses could amount to $21 billion by 2016, citing an estimate by the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration.
The Federal Trade Commission recently announced that identity theft complaints had increased by 47% in 2015, with tax refund fraud being by far the biggest contributor.
How to Respond
IDT911 found that many Americans were unprepared to respond to an identity thief’s attack. Thirty-eight percent of respondents did not know whether their financial services or insurance providers offered identity theft or fraud protection services.
At the same time, 57% said they would first turn to their financial institution once they had learned they were the victim of a data breach, indicating, IDT911 said, that consumer demand for these resources would continue to grow.
As well, a strong need exists to educate customers about how to deal with tax-related identity theft.
IDT911’s chairman and founder Adam Levin said, “Consumers need to combat fraud by following the three M’s: Minimize their risk of exposure, monitor their bank and credit card accounts on a daily basis and know how — or where — to find professionals who can help them effectively manage the damage, by using resolution resources provided by financial services institutions, insurance providers, and the HR departments of their employers.”
– Check out Maximizing Clients’ Income Tax Savings: Deducting Your Fee on ThinkAdvisor.
– See ThinkAdvisor’s complete tax planning lineup on our 23 Days of Tax Planning Advice: 2016 home page.


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~ SquareTrade survey reveals that 2/3 of consumers don't trust warranty companies to pay out and consumer confidence is at all-time low ~
9 November 2011 - The largest independent warranty provider in the US, SquareTrade, launches in the UK today, promising better value, customer service and more consumer choice as a survey[i] reveals UK consumers have lost faith in the warranty industry. Two-thirds of UK consumers surveyed claimed they currently don't trust warranty companies to pay out and a further 61% feel that warranties are a waste of money and poor value.
As the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) prepares to announce its findings on expanding consumer choice in the warranty industry[ii], SquareTrade's survey suggests that in order to restore consumer confidence, the OFT will need to look beyond its competition remit to ensure consumers get value for money in a market worth well over £750 million[iii].
Consumer technology expert David McClelland said: "Only 19% of respondents believe warranties offer value for money and that's a very worrying figure for warranty providers. It should be a clear signal that their business needs to change. In truth the issue is far wider than the points being investigated by the OFT report. Consumers have completely lost trust in warranty companies and the sooner the industry wakes up to that, the better."
"Anyone who uses consumer electronics knows that sometimes things break and like any insurance, consumers should feel confident that a warranty will protect them," explained SquareTrade MD Vince Tseng. "We're not remotely surprised by the survey results but it's exactly why we're launching SquareTrade here. In virtually any other financially regulated product, you'd expect more choice, value and good customer service so why should you expect less when buying a warranty? Our aim is to shake up the industry and restore a little bit of faith with consumers again."
Some of other statistics revealed in the survey include:
62% felt that extended warranties protect the warranty provider more than the customer
31% said their provider failed to pay out after making a claim
70% of respondents seemed frustrated by the process of making a claim, feeling that the terms and conditions were either too complicated or that they couldn't see what was included
Only 17% of consumers felt that warranty companies offered good customer service
A further 85% revealed they wanted more choice to buy extended warranties outside of retailers. Consumers such as London-based solicitor Stephanie Gray feel that warranties are often poor value for money and fail to meet customers' needs. "In the past I have been subjected to huge pressure from salespeople trying to sell me a three year warranty that equated to the cost of the item itself. In my view, most warranties provide poor value for money and in some instances it is actually cheaper to buy a brand new replacement instead rather than take out an extended warranty! I appreciate that some consumers like the comfort of having an extended warranty and for those people I would argue that there should be much better value options available than those which are currently offered".
SquareTrade will offer customers:
Prices on average 40% less expensive than other warranties
A 5-day service guarantee - if an item isn't fixed within 5 days of receipt at their depot, the warranty is free
Easy claim filing with online receipt storage, so there's no fear of claim denial from lost warranty paperwork
Online management - cancel, transfer and view contracts with a click of a button
Founded in 1999, SquareTrade offers warranties that make sense, with fair prices, no-pressure sales, and no-hassle service. The company boasts millions of customers who have consistently rated the warranty service 5-star reviews. SquareTrade was named one of PC Magazine's Top 100 Websites of 2010, awarded BizRate's 2010 Circle of Excellence, and is the winner of the 2011 Stevie Award for Sales & Customer Service, and the 3rd Annual 2011 Golden Bridge Awards for Best Customer Service. SquareTrade is privately held and headquartered in San Francisco and London. SquareTrade will be launching in the UK with iPad and iPhone warranties only but cover for other consumer electronics will soon be available. For more information, go to www.SquareTrade.co.uk
[i] Survey carried out by independent research company RedShift Research of 1000 consumers in September 2011
[ii] On 14 April 2011 the OFT launched a new short market study into extended warranties for domestic electrical goods. The study, due out in late autumn, will focus on whether competition for warranties is sufficiently effective to ensure consumers get value for money
[iii] Figure supplied by Office of Fair Trading press release: http://www.oft.gov.uk/news-and-updates/press/2011/55-11