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Anticipating rough road ahead, Tata Motors, country's largest vehicle maker, has embarked upon a major belt tightening exercise, to tackle dwindling demand for its key commercial vehicles business. Towards this development, the company has urged departments to reduce spend and to rationalize travel, stay and even restrict production operations and certain spends on product development.
However, given the seriousness of the current business scenario, the measures are not just limited to Indian operations, but even international subsidiaries like Tata Motors Thailand are undertaking austerity measures to prune down expenses.
Further, even the auto major has embarked upon periodic block closures across plants, due to dwindling demand for heavy and light commercial vehicles across the industry. Plant closures have become a recurring feature, with most factories now functioning on a five-day week, against seven-day week earlier.
Moreover, although reporting intact domestic numbers for the commercial vehicle division, the contribution of Medium and Heavy Commercial Vehicle (M&HC) has been declining. Substitution of M&HCVs by small commercial vehicle segment has mainly hit margins and the cash condition of the company.
Tata Motors registered a 13.43% fall in its total sales (including exports) at 66,500 vehicles for the month of November 2012 as compared to 76,823 units sold during the same month a year ago. The company's sales of commercial vehicles in November 2012 in the domestic market were down by 0.91% at 44,323 vehicles, compared to 44,732 vehicles, sold in November last year, while sales of light commercial vehicle (LCV) for the month under review coming at 34,828 vehicles, stood up by 21.46%, over 28,673 vehicles, sold in the same period last year. Meanwhile, the medium and heavy commercial vehicle sales (M&HCV) fell to 9,495 units (16,064). Cumulative sales of commercial vehicles in the domestic market for the fiscal were at 342,855 units, cumulative LCV sales were at 243,543 and M&HCV at 99,312 units.


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The countdown is on. In an unusual year, retailers are preparing for a holiday shopping season that will look and feel different than past years, with the COVID-19 pandemic changing behaviors and accelerating trends. Anticipating the changes and adapting experiences will be critical for most retailers who rely on the holiday selling season for 20 percent or more of their annual sales. And, for some retailers, including toy, hobby, and game stores, the holiday season accounts for one-third or more of the year’s sales.
As you prepare for a holiday shopping season unlike any other, here are three must-dos to help put your retail business ahead of the curve.
1. Make the most of an early start.
Retail experts predict an earlier start to the holiday retail season, with several factors driving the shift. One signal is the timing of Amazon’s Prime Day, which has moved from summer to fall. For many shoppers, that is expected to be an unofficial kick-off for holiday gift-buying, rather than waiting until November to get serious about purchasing. But that’s not the only reason customers are changing their approach, and experts are recommending retailers prepare for an extended shopping season.
- Locking down items early. Based on experiences with shortages and delivery delays during lockdowns, many customers will want to make their gift purchases earlier to avoid any last-minute hassle and stress.
- Spreading out the spending. Due to potentially tighter budgets, many shoppers will be looking to spread their spending over a couple of months. The good news? Most shoppers plan to spend the same amount as last year on holiday gifts. Only 20 percent of consumers say they’re concerned about their finances, and 67 percent report cutting back on other spending to set aside money for holiday shopping.
- Celebrating virtually. For many families, holiday celebrations may go virtual. Gift givers will want to ensure their presents arrive well ahead of time.
Early demand and an extended season make inventory forecasting even more important than usual. Tap into your point-of-sale (POS) system’s capabilities to analyze your inventory data, factoring in current market trends, past holiday demand, and planned marketing campaigns. Share your forecasts and work with your suppliers in advance to determine timelines and identify any potential capacity issues. Dig into the details to understand how supply chains may be affected by the pandemic and add cushion to both order quantities and lead times.
Stay up-to-the-minute on how your forecast is tracking with customer behaviors by setting up regular inventory reports, stock-turn reports by item, and automated reorder points within your POS system. Monitoring and adjusting your forecast quickly can make a big difference. It’s estimated retailers miss out on up to $1 trillion in sales because they don’t have the items customers want to buy in-stock, while unsold inventory costs U.S. retailers an estimated $50 billion per year.
Related: Inventory Forecasting: A Guide to Accuracy and Getting Started
2. Offer omnichannel options.
The pandemic has accelerated the trend toward omnichannel shopping. Buyers have become more comfortable with including an online element in their purchases. And they expect retailers to give them the options to move fluidly between online, mobile, and brick-and-mortar shopping experiences.
In the midst of social distancing precautions, experts anticipate shoppers will increase their online shopping this holiday season. Eighty-eight percent of shoppers plan to forgo the crowds, and in-store deals traditionally offered on Thanksgiving Day and Black Friday. (As a result, many large retailers are announcing they’ll be closed on Thanksgiving.) However, customers aren’t looking to shift to online shopping only. In fact, most shoppers – across all ages – rank visiting a brick-and-mortar store as their preferred shopping experience when they’re ready to make a purchase.
What’s changing is the expectations for integration. Customers may want to start browsing on their smartphones, do more in-depth comparisons online, and then visit the store when they’ve narrowed their options and are ready to make a final decision. Make it as easy as possible for your customers to transition from online to offline and back again. Your POS system can help by providing a single integrated view of inventory, sales, and customers, which enables you to offer options that respond to customer expectations and enhance their overall experience.
For example, centralized inventory management gives you the ability to offer a “click-and-collect” option that allows customers to buy online and then pick up in-store (aka BOPIS). Along with added convenience, shoppers electing this option also eliminate shipping charges. Even before the pandemic, more than half of shoppers took advantage of BOPIS in prior holiday shopping seasons, and nearly one in three say they’re more interested in it this year. And it’s a profitable option for retailers, too. Eighty-five percent of shoppers report buying additional items when they go into the store to pick up their online orders.
Related: Customer Expectations: Why Retailers Need to Deliver an Omnichannel Experience
3. Anticipate shipping delays this holiday shopping season.
The big shipping providers – FedEx, UPS, and DHL – are expected to exceed their capacity in the weeks before Christmas. That means an estimated 700 million gifts will be at risk of not arriving in time for holiday celebrations. In addition to promoting early shopping to your customers, get creative. Offer special discounts or extra loyalty program points for customers who choose curbside pick-up for online orders. And provide clear communication about shipping options, cut-off dates, and estimated delivery timelines.
As COVID-19 prompts customers to change their shopping behaviors, expect some of the shifts to last. The pandemic has accelerated the move to omnichannel shopping, with more shoppers getting comfortable with online searching and purchasing. Heading into the holiday season and in preparation for the new year, focus on strategies to engage your customers and increase e-commerce options. POSIM can help. Download our latest resource, Countdown to the Holidays: 10 Steps to Optimize Inventory Management and Increase Sales. Then, contact us to learn more about POSIM’s e-commerce, point-of-sale, and inventory management capabilities.

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Amazon.com offers to help get jobs done around the houseMarch 30, 2015
SEATTLE - Amazon.com is rolling out a new service that makes it easier for customers to buy gadgets and products that are hard to install, such as thermostats or dishwashers.
On Monday, the Seattle-based company debuted Amazon Home Services, a marketplace for professional services, everything from plumbing to tire installation to music lessons. Home Services is available in 40 states, including Texas.
Buying such products as a big flat-panel TV is easy to do on Amazon. But the challenge of installing it on a wall can drive customers instead to local stores that offer those services.
To read this article in one of Houston's most-spoken languages, click on the button below.
So Amazon, led by CEO Jeff Bezos, has taken the step of finding qualified service providers to take care of tasks too daunting or time consuming for some customers to handle on their own.
"It's a very big pain point," said Peter Faricy, Amazon Marketplace vice president.
If a service provider that Amazon has vetted offers installation in the customer's ZIP code, for example, Amazon will programmatically offer it when a customer buys an item that might need it.
And if multiple installers are available, Amazon will list the offerings, just as it lists multiple sellers for the same book on its site.
The company isn't disclosing the number of service providers it has signed up, but it said it is offering 700 services with 2.4 million service offerings.
None of the services requires purchasing items on Amazon. And there are several, including pressure washing or voice lessons, that aren't directly related to an Amazon product sale.
Faricy said Amazon has interviewed every one of the service providers and has run background checks on all of them.
The company is also guaranteeing every service purchase, promising to work with customers and providers to resolve disputes or provide refunds.
10 to 20 percent
For service professionals, Amazon offers customer leads. Amazon collects funds from customers, keeps between 10 percent and 20 percent, and pays providers every two weeks, Faricy said.
About 95 percent of the providers are "local neighborhood businesses," Faricy said.
It has also signed up nationally known companies, such as Dish, which has a network of installers for its satellite TV service, and Pep Boys, which offers repair professionals for its auto parts.


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Yesterday we reported that Walmart has announced what it calls "the next phase" of integration of its store and online operations - Market Fulfillment Centers (MFC) that the retailer says "are poised to serve as automated fulfillment centers that are located within a Walmart store. An MFC's inventory is separate from the store’s, allowing us to continue enhancing our service for both online and in-store customers."
It seems likely to me that this is about a broader transformation that we're going to be seeing at Walmart in coming years, as it shifts its physical footprints to better integrate its digital approach and Walmart+ program, expanding into dark stores and ghost kitchens, building up its MFC locations, and maybe even opening health care centers that can support that side of its business. This won't happen all at once, nor will it happen everywhere … but I do think this likely is where Walmart is headed.
Somewhere in Bentonville there is a locked room, probably without windows, where the future is being plotted out.
Prompting one MNB reader to write:
I kid you not, they do have a very large room that has no windows. You have to sign an NDA to get in, mine has expired. The room has cubes shoulder to shoulder.
Good to know.
On the subject of C&S bringing back the Grand union banner and bringing the Piggly Wiggly banner to upstate New York, MNB reader Tom Murphy wrote:
Okay, this is almost too much…nostalgia gone haywire! Bringing back the Grand Union banner…what is the brand promise, “hey, we are dingy, dirty and stink…but welcome back?” I have to believe that the only people with fond memories of Grand Union are the executives who sucked it dry over the years before it collapsed. Although, on second thought…the bar to be better is set pretty low!
Regarding MLB's labor issues, one MNB reader wrote:
It is my long-held belief that it isn’t the NFL’s salary cap that makes their system better, it’s how it works in conjunction with the salary floor. MLB teams can put out laughably bad teams and still make money due to the media contracts. These owners don’t give a rip about their fans or the game of baseball and it hurts the league. It’s as if some of the owners read the How to run an MLB team, by Fast Eddie Lampert.
I wrote yesterday that a bipartisan coalition of state attorneys general is launching an investigation into TikTok, seeking information about whether and how the video-sharing platform contributes to online harms to children.
I mentioned that "the story comes one day after President Biden, in his State of the Union address, said that 'we must hold social media platforms accountable for the national experiment they’re conducting on our children for profit … it’s time to strengthen privacy protections, ban targeted advertising to children, and demand tech companies stop collecting personal data on our children."
I thought that was an opinion shared by many people across party .lines, but of course, not held by everybody. One MNB reader wrote:
The two dirtiest words in Joe Biden's vocabulary are "for profit."
Gee, I would’ve thought they were "cancer diagnosis."
But that's my problem. I try not to have a knee-jerk reaction to people with whom I may disagree on a variety of issues.


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In the latest Google+ apk, there are apparently some image files for Google’s Chromecast icon. Generally you only see these when you’re able to cast something to your Chromecast, so having them suddenly appear in Google+ could mean a few things.
Obviously, this likely means casting will be coming to Google+ content. Whether that’s just photos, videos, Hangouts video calls, etc. remains to be seen, but there are several possibilities there. Although considering Google is pushing for integration between your photo gallery and Google+, there’s also the possibility that this could lead to casting local content, which is something many users have been asking for. It could also be a mistake or some feature that Google may eventually cut, but that’s no fun to speculate about.
Hopefully we’ll see some kind of announcement from Google about this soon.Keep your fingers crossed!
For the people who have been holding out on a Rose Gold smartphone, Samsung is finally bringing you one in the United States. According to @evleaks, Samsung’s Rose Gold Galaxy Note 3 is heading to Verizon.
No word on when this will happen, but I am sure there are many women out there that have been waiting for this. Actually, this wouldn’t be a bad idea for a Valentines Day gift, right? Read more
Yesterday, we got to see leaked pics of the Nokia Android phone’s user interface, and today we have some more juicy info. Famed leaker @evleaks got us a peek at the AnTuTu benchmarks of a a device called the Nokia A110. The benchmarks reveal that the device, codenamed Normandy, has a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, a 854×480 pixel resolution display, a 5 megapixel rear camera and Android 4.4.1 pre-installed.
There’s no news on when, or even if, the device will be launched, but we’ll be sure to keep you updated.
Qualcomm took some time during CES 2014 to show off the capabilities of their next processor, the Snapdragon 805, scheduled to be released some time during 2014. A new report out of Japan suggests the first device to be released with the Snapdragon 805 will surface in May although it is not clear what that device may be. Some folks are probably hoping the Samsung Galaxy S5 would come with the new chip, but May seems too late for that to happen. Reports have indicated the HTC One+ is supposed to ship with the Snapdragon 805 and a May time frame would be reasonable for that device.
The Snapdragon 805 will probably become the new standard for smartphone processors very quickly after it hits the market. With four Krait 450 cores running at up to 2.5 GHz and an Adreno 420 gpu, the Snapdragon 805 will be capable of handling 2160p video resolutions. Other improvements include faster RAM access speeds and a modem that can handle up to 300 Mbps, double the current level of Snapdragon chips.
The chip will help Qualcomm continue to compete with other chip manufacturers like NVIDIA and their line of Tegra K1 “super chips.”
source: Ringer’s Blue Men
via: G for Games
According to a news report from Taiwan-based DigiTimes, a squeeze on fingerprint modules for smartphones is expected to occur during the first half of 2014. At least part of the reason for this is the expectation that Samsung is moving forward with plans to adopt fingerprint scanners from manufacturer Validity for their upcoming high-end models. This could potentially start with the Samsung Galaxy S5 expected to be released in the next few months. Given Samsung’s market success, the addition of fingerprint scanners to their devices will consume much of the supply chain given how many devices they produce and sell. Validity is the same manufacturer that supplied HTC with modules for the HTC One Max introduced last year.
Samsung is not the only company cited by DigiTimes as working on the inclusion of fingerprint scanners. LG is reported to be working on a similar strategy for their high-end phones, possibly the LG G3. LG appears to be sourcing their modules from FingerPrint Cards out of Sweden. Several Chinese manufacturers are also working on adding similar features to their phones, further putting the squeeze on module manufacturers. Outside of Android-based devices, Apple acquired AuthenTec which would appear to have taken then out of the supply loop.
For Taiwan-based companies, this does represent an opportunity though if they can ramp up to meet some of the expected demand.
Nokia fans looking for an Android-powered device from the manufacturer were likely very happy when news broke that a device codenamed Normandy was supposedly under development. However, reports indicated Nokia was planning to fork Android similar to what Amazon does with their devices. This was likely being done to appease Microsoft. Now, new images have leaked courtesy @evleaks that purport to show the Android user interface developed by Nokia. The design seems to be influenced by the Windows Phone interface. Sources point out the call dialer is very similar to what Windows Phone users get. Also of note is the apparent inclusion of Skype by default, a possible sign that Nokia will be utilizing non-Google services or at least making Microsoft backed apps the defaults.
What are your first impressions of Android on Nokia?
When Motorola announced the Moto X, they said that they were working on eventually bringing the Moto X to European countries. Well, that still hasn’t happened, but Motorola has scheduled an event for January 14th in London to “welcome a new addition to the European Motorola family of products.” Since the Moto G is available in European countries, it would make sense for Motorola to finally offer their flagship device in countries besides the US. Obviously there’s still the issue of handling MotoMaker in other countries, but I think Motorola and Google have something up their sleeve if they plan on making an entire event out of it, as opposed to just announcing something at CES.
Any guesses on what the announcement will be?
source: Cult of Android
Kaz Hirai wasn’t letting it all out at in Last Vegas. At their CES 2014 keynote, Sony announced the Xperia Z1S and Z1 Compact. But what they did not shed any light on was their 2014 flagship smartphone, codenamed Sirius. In the wee hours of the morning, @evleaks tweeted a tip that was passed along to him. The Sirius smartphone is going to debut at Mobile World Congress next month and will come with a 5.2-inch display.
The tweet mentions there is a MSM8974AB SoC inside. This would be Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 800 processor. If that is true, it would be disappointing as other flagships this year are likely going to pack the new Snapdragon 805 processor. To brighten up the mood after that speed bump, Verizon may be carrying this handset. It would be shocking as Big Red has notoriously passed on many devices in the past.
Later on, @evleaks tweeted information regarding Sony’s ‘Castor’ tablet. It will also have Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 800 processor along with WiFi and LTE variants. The tablet will likely debut at MWC as well. Read more
Early this morning, Twitter’s @evleaks leaked what could be an upcoming redesign of Samsung’s user interface for Android. Previously, the company used Nature UX; however, this looks comparable to their new UI being used with the Galaxy NotePRO and TabPRO series tablets. Samsung calls it Magazine UI. The font is much lighter and everything seems flatter, albeit not on the same level as iOS. If Samsung does opt for this change, we will likely see it when the Galaxy S 5 is announced. The key to @evleaks‘ tweet is that Samsung is “exploring” this new user inferface. Read more
The folks that walked away from Oppo started up manufacturer ‘OnePlus,” shortly after leaving their previous jobs. Today, the company announced that it will be finally producing its first device, which will run a version of CyanogenMod and will be available in the first half of 2014 in “select markets.”
The goal is to “put the best software on the best hardware.”
The company won’t simply be creating the device and then loading up CyanogenMod on it— the company will apparently be getting tons of input on the hardware from the CM team, which is always a good sign.
The phone, expected to be called the OnePlus One, and should also have some extra software features built-in.
Details are a bit shady on this one but expect more to come out in the near future.
Source: OnePlus Forum


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Clutching a meat hook and with her naked body wrapped in cellophane – as meat might be – model/actor Anupama Varma appears in a striking new pro-vegetarian ad for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India, released during World Week for the Abolition of Meat (22-29 Sept 2012), and just in time for World Vegetarian Day (October 1st) and Vegetarian Awareness Month.
The ad was shot by ace photographer Rafique Sayed.
Says Anupama, “I hope my PeTA ad helps challenge people to really think about what meat is all about. Eating flesh means eating the corpse of a tortured animal who did not want to die. We are encouraging people to try going vegetarian – for animals, the environment and their own health.”


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Although, we’ve yet to see an actual photo of the long rumored Apple iWatch, or even a dummy unit, we’ve come across several other important details about the purported device, which is expected to see the light of the day later this fall, possibly in September. Some reports also peg it for an October launch.
According to a new report from Wall Street Journal, citing people familiar with the matter, the alleged iWatch will come with various display sizes. In addition, the smartwatch will feature 10 different sensors to track health and fitness-related metrics, of which we’ve seen hints earlier this month at the WWDC 2014. Apple showcased iOS 8, introducing an Health app which gathers data from different sources and track health-related aspects.
The report also says that Apple’s long standing manufacturing partner, Quanta Computers, will kick off mass production of the device in a month or two, with trial runs starting next month.
Apple is expected to ship 10-15 million units of the smartwatch by the end of the year, according to a source at a component supplier. The specifications of the alleged device are not yet confirmed, and will be finalized before the mass production starts.
Not too long ago, Reuters also reported that iWatch will feature a 2.5-inch rectangular display, and will see the light of the day in October.
Of course, all these reports are open to speculation until we hear anything from Apple. We’ll update you as we come across additional information.


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Zooey Deschanel sues Steve Madden
So things don't seem all that sunny in Steve Madden's world right now. The shoe label is being sued by Zooey Deschanel for $2 million over a breached agreement in which Madden was to endorse a "Zooey shoes and accessories" line.
According to the breach-of-contract lawsuit she filed on Friday, her agent secured a deal for her, which was later reduced to $1.5 million, that would allow the footwear company to use her name and image for said line. Deschanel was told she would be paid regardless of whether the line came to fruition.
The complaint alleges that on 13th October, Steve Madden "breached and repudiated" the new deal without explanation and refused to pay. Deschanel is now asking for $1.5 million plus interest and legal fees. Interestingly Madden may have backed out on this deal but went ahead on a producing a line with Katy Perry who looks oh-so-similar to Deschanel.


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The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. (NYSE:EL) has launched the Jo Malone London brand in Mainland China, at the Mitsukoshi store in Beijing. The brand... ...http://businesswireindia.com/news/news-details/jo-malone-london-enters-chinadoors-open-april-16th-at-mitsukoshi-beiji/38960
/PRNewswire/ -- Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/plg773/hosiery_women) has announced the addition of the"... ...http://in.advfn.com/p.php?pid=nmona&article=61874298
Luxottica Group SpA, the world's largest eyewear company, yesterday said that it had signed a ten-year exclusive eyewear license agreement with... ...http://www.domain-b.com/industry/Personal_care/20140416_michael_kors.html
/PRNewswire/ -- Pearle Vision, one of North America''s largest and most trusted licensed optical brands, announced today plans to convert 9 of its... ...http://www.asianhhm.com/news/news_archives.asp?NewsID=68693&title=Pearle-Vision-Seeks-Florida-Entrepreneurs-To-Own-Neighborhood-Eye-Care-Centers
Shailene Woodley is undeniably one breakout actresses of today, she shot to international fame after her blockbuster hit movie "Divergent," giving... ...http://www.ibtimes.co.in/articles/547252/20140409/shailene-woodley-divergent-red-carpet-style.htm
Online store donna karan perfumes, a...


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New numbers from Nielsen Books & Consumer show that ebook sales were outsold by both hardcovers and paperbacks in the first half of 2014.
Browsing by topic: book sales
BISG award-winner Judith Appelbaum reflects on changes in the industry and explains why the lack of statistics on self-publishing is misleading us all.
Randall White, CEO of the Educational Development Corp, an Oklahoma-based book distributor, explains why he pulled all his company’s 2,000 titles from Amazon.com.
The Observer notes that British readers appear to be buying more translated fiction than in the past, and not just Scandinavian thrillers. Could this be the start of something bigger?
Sales of Russian books in the Ukraine have plummeted in 2014 and the Ukrainian government is looking at passing legislation to curtail imports further.
Xiaoying Chu at Charlesworth (Beijing) Information Services details the booming Chinese digital publishing market and the strides being make by online booksellers.
Poland’s two largest bookstore chains, Matras and Empik, are adding new services and plan vast expansions amid a shrinking number of independent bookstores.
The inaugural Australia & New Zealand Festival of Literature & Arts brought 130 authors and performers to London, showcasing the two nations’ talents.
Writing for The New Yorker, Adrienne Raphel looks back at the glory days of Harlequin Romances and looks at its acquisition by HarperCollins.
Add products to your Amazon shopping cart with a tweet. Will this new cooperation between Amazon and Twitter help publisher sell more books on social media?


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Yahoo has cut off its services to China as the country is tightening its grip on the digital sector, making it the latest U.S. technology company to move out of the country.
Yahoo launched a search engine in the country in 1999, betting on the growth of a vast emerging market at a time when the Internet was still in its infancy in China.
Access to many of Yahoo’s features in China has since disappeared, starting with email and news in 2013. In 2015, the company closed its Beijing office in China and canceled approximately 300 jobs.
Chinese authorities are removing politically sensitive topics from the web in the name of stability, and internet giants are being asked to block unwanted content.
Refusing to bow to Beijing’s demands, the American social networks Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube, the participative encyclopedia Wikipedia, and multiple foreign media, are completely blocked in China by a large data protection wall built by the censors of the regime.
Yahoo is the latest company in a list of global heavyweights to throw in the towel on the Chinese market in the face of an increasingly difficult commercial and legal environment.
Operating in China has long been a challenging environment for private companies.
In recent months, Chinese President Xi Jinping has been orchestrating a massive regulatory clampdown on technology, education, gaming, and entertainment, resulting in a loss of market value for some of China’s largest companies.
The country’s most recent five-year plan promises to tighten technological innovation regulations and punish monopolistic behavior.
Yahoo was an early investor in the leading Chinese e-commerce powerhouse Alibaba years ago. After several years, Yahoo has paid back $3 billion to its stockholders, having sold back about half of the massive holding in Alibaba for $7.1 billion.
While Yahoo used to be among the world’s largest technology companies, its impact has declined significantly during the past decade.
Multiple presidents and CEOs have failed to recapture the search and advertising market share that Yahoo used to lead. Recently, Apollo Global Management acquired Yahoo from Verizon in a $5 billion deal.


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01 November 2013 19:25 [Source: ICIS news]
HOUSTON (ICIS)--US October auto sales increased by 11% year on year and are 8.4% higher year-to-date, according to a report released on Friday by AutoData.
US October auto sales of passenger cars and light trucks were more than 1.208m units, up from 1.092m units for the same month a year ago.
Among the major US producers, General Motors registered the largest increase, with sales up by 16% year on year.
Honda and Toyota were the only two of the six largest producers to see year-on-year increases of less than 10%.
Year-to-date US auto sales were at 12.99m units, up by 8% from 11.99m units through October 2012.
US auto sales are a key indicator of the strength of the US chemical industry, especially for polymers such as acrylonitrile-butadiene styrene (ABS), polycarbonate (PC) and nylon and for styrene butadiene rubber (SBR).
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Asian Chemical Connections


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THE WHAT? Christian Dior is said to be set to launch into the Egyptian market sometime in Q4, 2024, with the Minister of Trade and Industry Ahmed Samir having had a meeting with Jérôme Baudy, President of Christian Dior Couture Europe and the Middle East to discuss the development.
THE DETAILS According to Samir, Dior will break into the market by launching a number of retail outlets, while also calling on the company to invest in Egypt by manufacturing some of its products in the market in order to create added value, transfer experience and knowledge, and take advantage of the advantage of investing in the Egyptian market.
THE WHY? Baudy stated that Dior is following up on Egypt’s efforts to stabilize its economy, while also stressing the importance of speeding up the completion and clearance of procedures at ports and customs in order to better facilitate the import process.
The post Christian Dior to launch into Egyptian market in 2024 appeared first on Global Cosmetics News.


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BELLINGHAM - Mark Knittel has made some changes to his computer service business that he believes will improve the company's flexibility.
Knittel has ended his franchise agreement with Data Doctors and his firm is now 100 percent locally owned and managed. The new company is called Ovation Technical Services and remains at 1019 Iowa St. in Bellingham.
Ovation will continue to provide computer services to business and residential customers, including computer repair, networking and data backup. He said the change will enable the company to provide more personalized services, where a technician goes out to a site, to go along with managed services. New services will include security audits, disaster planning and consulting in other aspects of computer technology.
For more information, call Knittel at the company's new phone number, 360-306-5261.


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As the American diet is being exported to India in the form of increased consumption of meat, fast food and brand-name beverages, is India nurturing a new public health crisis, asks MICHELLE MASCARENHAS.
JUST a few years ago, researchers were astonished to find that the number of people suffering from hunger or malnutrition worldwide was equivalent to the number of overweight or obese people about one billion each. Last week, the London-based International Obesity Task Force revised the estimate of overweight people to 1.7 billion.
The problem of obesity in the United States is known throughout the world. But as the American diet is being exported to India in the form of increased consumption of meat, western fast food, and brand-name sodas, is India incubating a new public health crisis? And with a population more than 3.5 times that of the United States, and a poverty rate even higher, can India afford it? Will India be forced to choose between eradicating hunger and treating those who are overweight? The indicators paint a grim picture.
The realities of hunger and poverty in many developing countries have led to an association of being "plump" with being wealthy. But increasingly, the developing world and low-income households worldwide are at greatest risk of obesity, overweight and diet-related diseases. In some households, one family member may suffer from hunger and malnutrition while another suffers from weight or diet-related problems. Public health workers called onto address these issues are baffled as to what to prescribe.
Is America exporting a diet that causes people to go from hunger to obesity, skipping over an optimal healthy diet? India presents a case study of this paradox, the causes, and policy options to prevent a new public health crisis.
In 2000, the economic cost of obesity in the U.S. was over $115 billion. Many families endure daily worries over diet-related diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure. People of South Asian descent have been found to suffer even higher rates of cardiovascular disease than people of European descent, causing some researchers to speculate that the shift to a western diet may have even more serious consequences among South Asians worldwide. This is due in part to the finding that South Asians tend to carry more of their weight around the midsection, putting added strain on the heart and cardiovascular systems.
Having tapped much of the market in the U.S. and Europe, multinational food companies, from Tyson Chicken to McDonalds and Coca-Cola, have shifted their attention to the developing world over the past decade. In a recent report to the World Health Organisation, food policy analyst Dr. Corinna Hawkes reveals the marketing practices that fast food and soda companies are using to create demand for western foods that, up until recently, hadn't been available in countries such as India. Drawing from annual reports, press releases and other primary sources, Hawkes finds Coca-Cola aiming to ensure that "Coke is always within arm's reach of desire", to "make our beverages preferred by more people in more places", increase "product availability wherever people gather" and "stimulate impulse purchase behaviour". With this type of bombardment strategy and the money to implement it, will it be possible for people in India to "just say no" and choose not to shift to western food products and diets?
Public policy experts agree that trying to change the behaviour of each individual amid an abundance of unhealthy foods and advertisements is not cost effective. In the U.S., food corporations spend more than $30 billion to advertise their products in comparison to the $350 million spent by the U.S. government to conduct nutrition education.
Finding it difficult to conduct nutrition education, in what Yale researcher Kelly Brownell calls the "toxic food environment", many U.S. universities banned the sales of soda and fast food on their campuses. Though it hasn't yet banned the advertising of unhealthy foods, the U.S. has banned the advertising of tobacco products that target children. With little surplus cash for expensive nutrition education campaigns, India should consider similar measures banning placement and advertising of fast food and sodas to prevent a public health disaster.
The rich diversity of cultural traditions and agricultural regions in India has given birth to many healthy foods prepared from locally grown ingredients. The mass marketing of western foods by corporations with huge advertising budgets now threatens to send these rich food traditions developed over thousands of years into extinction in just a few decades. In their place, we may find a population devastated by debilitating health problems amid an economy unable to care for them. The time to prevent this is now.
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News Stories Showing 41-45 of 45 results found
Mobile TV gets on a roll January 27, 2006 Consumers face a growing selection of products, services and competing technologies. But just where should they tune in? Photos: TV on the go
EarthLink aims to evolve October 11, 2005 Trying to shed its dependence on cable and phone companies, the ISP courts broadband customers by diversifying in a big way.
Sponsored matches for "wireless network"


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Privacy-Focused Samourai Wallet Receives $100,000 in Funding to Protect Bitcoin Monitoring
Among the many benefits of cryptocurrency over fiat currency, privacy is certainly one of them. Most fiat currency transactions done over the internet can very easily be traced and both the sender and receiver of such funds can be fairly easily identified. There are certain cryptocurrencies such as monero called privacy coins in that the sending and receiving of then is completely privacy-focused and they cannot be traced.
The use of privacy coins has been a mixed bag as while many users are drawn to them because of the privacy, criminals also often make use of these privacy coins to carry out their dealings and avoid being caught by law enforcement. Previously the privacy feature was only available for traditionally privacy-centric tokens such as monero and not for coins such as Bitcoin.
That seems to be changing as the Samourai wallet, a privacy-centric bitcoin app has received its first round of venture funding and should it be successful, could revolutionize the way bitcoin is sent and received in a new privacy-centric world.
The Samurai Wallet
The Samourai wallet was founded by two former developers at blockchain.info, Keonne Rodriguez and William Hill. Now the wallet maintainer Katana Cryptographic has received a $100,000 investment from Cyberpunk Holdings in order to develop their vision. The wallet is specifically designed for Android users and helps to protect their privacy while they make use of bitcoin.
“There is no other cryptocurrency that is as battle-tested and hardened as bitcoin,”
Rodriguez, Katana’s director, told CoinDesk.
“The founding team of Samourai has zero interest in working on other coins or even other layers of bitcoin at this time.”
They also offer certain interesting features in the wallet such as its service that put intermediary nodes between transactions which creates a sense of uncertainty about which wallet is paying for what good or service. There is also an in-built feature that makes it difficult to trace the provenance of someone's Bitcoin. In exchange for these privacy services, the company charges a fee in Bitcoin from the users.
There is also a free feature called Stonewall which creates doubt about the ownership of the Bitcoin. There are also plans to launch Dojo, which is a hardware product that comes with a bitcoin node that is built to work within the wallet.
The wallet currently has 27,000 users and has been released since 2015 with its full version due to come out in June 2019. According to Rodriguez, there is also going to be a focus on development, customer service, and quality assurance even as the wallet’s user base increases.
The wallet has received great praise from those within the industry for its innovation as well as the service it provides for users.
“I have respect for any company that adds utility for Bitcoiners and Samourai is clearly willing to go against the grain to add privacy options for users. If Bitcoin is freedom money, Samourai are freedom fighters,”
said John Carvalho of Bitrefill.
Hopefully, this round of funding will help the Samourai wallet expand its efforts and provide more services for users while helping to push privacy within the world of crypto and beyond.


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This post was written by Jack Marshall
ISP-level behavioral targeting company Phorm is raising more capital, selling 19.4 percent of the firm for a figure of Â£15 million through a new share offering to keep it fueled until it finds some customers.
Despite announcing a content recommendation product last week designed to encourage users to opt-in to its ad targeting platform, none of the firm’s ISP partners have actually implemented the technology yet, meaning the company currently has no active revenue streams.
The company said in a statement today that it intends to use the cash to “continue the implementation of its service in the U.K. and Korean markets, and for general working capital purposes, as it continues its discussions with other ISPs both in the U.K. and internationally.” CEO Kent Ertugrul said he was “pleased that the financial community has demonstrated its support for Phorm, with a substantially over-subscribed offering.”
Last week, the company’s managing director, U.K., Nick Barnet, told me that U.K. agencies were impressed by the product, and eager to know when it was fully deployed. At present, neither Phorm nor its ISP partners – BT, Virgin Media, and Talk Talk — can say when that is likely to be.


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HARARE – The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) has warned people against investing and using cryptocurrencies, which it said are risky and unregulated.
This comes as the majority of Zimbabweans are heavily investing in Bitcoin — a type of cryptocurrency — whose prices reached $30 000 early this month compared to the international price per Bitcoin of $16 524.
The surge has been fuelled by Zimbabwean investors seeking a safe haven from domestic banks amid the country’s ongoing political, financial and monetary woes.
While Zimbabwe once had its own currency, it began using a mix of currencies from stable economies including the United States dollar in 2009 after hyperinflation made its own note worthless.
The central bank, however, said virtual currency, which is defined by the Financial Action Task Force, as “a digital representation of value that can be digitally traded and functions as a medium of exchange, a unit of account or a store of value, but does not have legal tender status,” was not a safe way of investment.
Virtual currency is different from fiat currency –— also known as real currency, real money or national currency — which is the coin and paper money of a country that is designated as its legal tender.
The central bank said virtual currency is also not the same as e-money, which is used to electronically represent and transfer value denominated in fiat currency.
“Virtual currencies are not only unregulated but are also neither issued by public authority nor guaranteed by the State. In this regard virtual currencies are not in any way attached to notes and coins circulating in the country. Virtual currencies do not have legal tender status in Zimbabwe or in any jurisdiction in the world,” RBZ governor John Mangudya said.
He added that virtual currencies are attractive to money launderers and other criminals because of the supposed anonymity and ease with which transactions can be conducted, on the Internet and across borders.
“The RBZ wishes to advise members of the public that the use of trading in cryptocurrencies or virtual currencies is not regulated by the country’s laws and presents risks such as money laundering, terrorism financing, tax evasion and fraud.
“Under the existing legal and regulatory dispensation, any person who invests in virtual currencies or participates in any transaction involving virtual currencies, does so at own risk and will not have legal protection from, or recourse against, any regulatory authority,” Mangudya said.


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The organization says the brand is guilty of false advertising.
Awards were presented on May 15th at New York's Waldorf-Astoria.
Tips to determine who’s right—and who’s not.
Robertet Fragrances created a custom blend for the designer.
Will develop 3D bioprinted skin tissue with Organovo
Year-old company takes a top honor.
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Audio Pro partnered up with Solution Provider, Linkplay Technology to launch their Addon Pro C10 speaker a little over a year ago and has now been awarded the best Wi-fi speaker of the year in UK’s What Hifi magazine. This is all exciting news for Audio Pro as they also have been awarded best multi-room speaker system, ahead of big time competitor Sonos. What makes the Addon C10 speaker unique is that it is multiroom, meaning users have the ability to play different songs in different rooms at the same time or the same music in all the rooms. And this is all controlled on one central app as a way to make it convenient for the users. By adding the multi-room feature, we hope to empower users the ability to control their music the way they want.
To be awarded the best Wi-fi speaker is an accomplishment, but to also be awarded the best multi-room speaker system is a big deal. “It is our highest hope to help brands build out products that will stand out from the rest of its competitors,” says Chief Business Officer Jade Wu. Moreover, we are beyond excited to see how the brands we partner up with will succeed in using our Linkplay smart solutions.


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The search giant has a low-cost contraption made of cardboard that can turn any smartphone into a virtual reality headset. The goal: mass appeal.
Technically Incorrect: An Oklahoma man is walking and staring down at his phone. He doesn't notice a long snake just lying there. He steps on it.
In case you don't speak geek, these deals are all about Web privacy, multifunction printing, e-books and more.
Technically Incorrect: The police in Barstow, Calif., arrest a heavily pregnant black woman for allegedly resisting arrest. They say they did the right thing. Does the footage confirm that?
Technically Incorrect: The Orange County Public Schools District reportedly gets software for monitoring posts made by students, saying it wants to anticipate and prevent cyberbullying and other crime.
A possible $16 billion valuation makes the app maker among the world's most valuable startups.
Not long after the leak appeared, Microsoft itself gave us the official release date for Windows 10. Look for it July 29.
Technically Incorrect: In China a man appears so obsessed with his phone that he clutches onto it and plays video games while lying in the road.
The company's bubble-shaped autonomous vehicles will soon take to the streets of Google's hometown to see how they fare in real traffic -- and how we respond.
The wearable fitness device company is counting on investor enthusiasm for its step-tracking tech to help it raise $100 million.


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Lexus has launched an updated version of the GS 450h at the Frankfurt motor show.
Exterior changes include a new front grille, near rear lights and new 18-inch alloy wheels for the SE-L model. Inside, it gets a new starter button, a new leather interior and new wood trim.
Extra features include a new 40GB HDD sat-nav system with European-wide coverage, a new DAB stereo system and Bluetooth connectivity.
A revised pre-crash safety system also features, which supports the pre-crash seatbelt and brake assist functions with pre-crash brake technology. Both front seats are fitted with new, inflator-operated headrests, activated by a signal from the ECU in the event of a rear-end impact.
The new Lexus GS 450h is expected to go on sale early next year, with prices set to be announced nearer the launch.


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G.N.P. Rises 4.1%; Profits Up Sharply
By ROBERT D. HERSHEY Jr., Special to the New York Times
Published: November 25, 1987
WASHINGTON, Nov. 24— The economy expanded faster than had been thought in the months before the October stock market crash and corporate profits surged, the Commerce Department reported today.
Gross national product - the value of all goods and services - advanced 4.1 percent in the third quarter, a figure revised upward from the 3.8 percent the Government reported on a preliminary basis last month.
The 4.1 percent growth rate in the summer quarter compares with 2.5 percent in the spring and 4.4 percent last winter. It now seems quite likely that the Reagan Administration's official 3.2 percent target for economic growth this year will be achieved.
With today's figure showing that its momentum was very strong in early fall, the economy will thus be better able to withstand the shock of the stock market collapse that began in mid-October, according to analysts.
''It was in great shape going into the crash,'' said Edward Guay, chief economist at the Cigna Corporation. Mr. Guay also suggested that the third-quarter G.N.P. growth rate would be raised still higher, to perhaps 4.5 percent, with the second revision to be published next month.
Higher inventories of farm products contributed to the G.N.P. rise. But more positively, the international trade sector made a big contribution, nearly two-thirds of it from higher exports. Housing investment and Federal spending, except for the military, were lower than initially reported.
Corporate profits moved impressively higher by all four of the main measures used by the Commerce Department. Profits from current production jumped 5.7 percent, from 1 percent in the second quarter.
Inflation was also faster than first thought, running at a 3.3 percent annual rate in the latest quarter as gauged by the G.N.P. fixed-weighted price increase instead of 2.7 percent. But this was still below the spring quarter's 4.1 percent inflation rate.
Over all, the latest data represented more evidence that the business and export sectors have taken over from the consumer as the main source of economic vitality - a welcome development, many economists believe.
''There are very positive developments here in investment and in trade,'' said Walter M. Cadette, a vice president of the Morgan Guaranty Trust Company. This, he said, is important because of ''a potential wobble'' in consumer spending as a result of the stock market dive.
''To the extent of this momentum building,'' Mr. Cadette added, ''that would tend to mean the economy won't be so hard hit.''
Morgan Guaranty has cut its 1988 G.N.P. forecast, adjusted for inflation, to 2 percent, from 3 percent, as a result of the drop in stock prices. Mr. Guay of Cigna has cut his G.N.P. projection by much less than most economists - to a still quite respectable 3.3 percent, from 3.5 percent.
In international trade, the gap by which imports exceeded exports narrowed to a rate of $134.9 billion upon revision after being put initially at $137.9 billion, today's figures showed. The preliminary figures contain considerable estimation. Ninety percent of this additional improvement represented higher exports, an analysis showed.
Inventories ran at a rate $6 billion higher than reported earlier, but much of this represented purchases of farm products by the Commodity Credit Corporation.
Housing, however, sagged a bit from last month's report, as did spending by governments, the Commerce Department said.
Total real final sales are now seen to have climbed at a 5.8 percent rate in the third quarter, compared with the previously reported 6.2 percent. Final sales rose at a 3.5 percent rate in the second quarter.
Current-dollar G.N.P. - that is, not adjusted for inflation - rose at a 7 percent rate in the third quarter, up from a 6.3 percent rate in the spring.
Corporate profits from current production advanced $16.9 billion, to a seasonally adjusted rate of $313.7 billion, compared with a second-quarter increase of $2.8 billion. Cash flow from current production - the internal funds available for companies to invest - rose $11 billion in the third quarter, in contrast to a decline of $2.7 billion in the second quarter.
Among other measures of profitability, profits before taxes were 5 percent ahead of the second-quarter level, while profits after taxes were 5.2 percent higher. Current-production cash flow was 3 percent higher, in contrast to a drop of seven-tenths of 1 percent in the spring quarter, the department said. G.N.P. in current dollars raced to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $4.52 trillion; G.N.P. in 1982 dollars was $3.83 trillion.
Separately, the Commerce Department reported a third-quarter merchandise trade deficit of $39.8 billion on a balance-of-payments basis, slightly higher than a revised $39.6 billion deficit in the second quarter.
Graphs of the expanding economy from '85-'87 (source: Commerce Department); total corporate profits after taxes from '83-'87 (pg. D5) (Source: Commerce Department) (NYT)


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Two mobile payment solutions launch in a week – PayPal Here and Sniip
Hot on the heels of last week’s launch of credit card reading payments app ‘PayPal Here’ is the second mobile payments app to launch in a week – Sniip.
With near-field communication (NFC) chips not expected to make an impact on mobile payment for a few years, the market appears to be turning its attention to the mobile as a payment facilitator rather than a payment device or mobile wallet.
Both PayPal Here and Sniip offer retailers the flexibility to collect payment from anywhere, affording businesses a greater ability to offer customers the leisure of buying products on the go.
PayPal’s system is similar to Square, which has been operating overseas for over a year. The iPhone app (an Android version is expected to be released soon) and its accompanying card reader will enable merchants to accept multiple forms of payments via a smartphone, track cash transactions and allows merchants to directly invoice customers.
Brad Paterson, head of new ventures, PayPal Asia Pacific, says PayPal Here will have a huge impact on reducing the stress of taking and chasing payments for small businesses and service providers as well as offering more sales opportunitites.
“With the launch of PayPal Here, PayPal is updating its consumer mobile application to enable an innovative ‘check-in feature’,” Paterson says. “Customers can check-in to any store accepting PayPal Here and the merchant is instantly notified. Once the customer has placed their order, the merchant can process the payment with PayPal, creating a seamless payment experience, where the customer never even needs to reach for their wallet.”
PayPal Here is currently available to a select number of merchants participating in an exclusive release of the solution, with general release expected in the near future. Its fee structure is 2.4% plus 30 cents per swipe transactions, and 2.9% plus 30 cents per manual key-in or scanned transactions.
While not featuring a credit card reader, the other new mobile payments app, Sniip, allows consumers to peruse product details, purchase items and choose to pick up the item or have it delivered.
The mobile retail platform promises to convert any retailer’s ecommerce setup into an mcommerce setups by linking directly with existing backend platforms and enabling customers to scan QR codes and barcodes to buy items on the spot.
Managing Director of Sniip, John Hawker, says the app will give retailers the opportunity to offer a new level of customer service, improve brand loyalty and combine the convenience of mobile transactions with in-store browsing and discovery.
“The benefits of the Sniip platform to any retailer are numerous including the ability to trade 24/7 from a physical or “pop up” shop front and turning every point of consumer advertising into a potential immediate sale,” Hawker says.
The Sniip app, designed to help retailers up-sell from traditional retail outlets, is available to iPhone and Android at app and free to download.
Alongside the launch of Here, PayPal released its bi-annual Australian report into the retail market – ‘Secure Insight: The Future of Shopping‘, revealing that online retail is set to reach $31.7 billion this year.
According to the report it is now vital for retailers and banks to connect and facilitate payments through multiple channels to meet changing consumer expectations.
Acting managing director of PayPal Australia, Elena Wise comments, “Payments no longer signal the end of a transaction, and if retailers use their data intelligently they can connect with customers in new ways to drive demand and build loyalty. Whether it’s knowing what your customer last purchased from you as they walk into your shop, or providing your customer with relevant and timely information about your products when they are looking for it online, the opportunities are endless, and they are available today for retailers to harness and compete in the new retail environment.”
“We cannot rely on incumbent and outdated systems to compete in the new retail environment,” Wise says. “The time for innovation is now.”


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Despite unveiling Windows 11, Microsoft has just released an update to its predecessor, in the form of Windows 10 21H2.
Windows 11 is the next major version of the venerable operating system, including a number of major improvements and advancements. Windows 10 users don’t have to worry about being left behind, at least not yet, with the company releasing a new update.
Windows 10 21H2 features three main improvements:
- Adds support for WPA3 H2E Wi-Fi security
- Simplified passwordless deployment with Windows Hellow for Business
- Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) and Azure IoT Edge for Linux on Windows (EFLOW) now support GPU commute for intense workflows
“Given the continuation of increased PC engagement for remote and hybrid play, learning and work, we will deliver Windows 10, version 21H2 using servicing technology (like that used for the monthly update process),” writes John Cable, Vice President, Program Management, Windows Servicing and Delivery. “For consumer or commercial users with devices running version 2004 or later, the Windows 10, version 21H2 update will have a fast installation experience.”


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Mix: Ford, iTunes Germany, 1GB nano, Toyota, Flipsyde
Slate’s Seth Stevenson takes a look at the use of an iPod in Ford’s TV commercial for its Fusion sedan.
The Financial Times reports that the German iTunes Music Store is now the market-leading service in the country, selling over 15.5 million songs in 2005.
UBS Investment Research analyst Ben Reitzes is the latest to speculate that Apple will release a 1GB iPod nano.
Toyota has posted a sneak peek of its new Super Bowl commercial, entitled “Hybrid,” in iPod video format.
NBC and Apple are offering Flipsyde’s “Someday” music video featuring Winter olympic highlights for free on the iTunes Music Store.
- Apple’s UK tax bill under scrutiny
- Apple lays out ‘differential privacy’ plan for data collection
- Report: New iPhone’s space gray to be ‘much darker color’
- Incipio to acquire Skullcandy
- Apple confirms iOS 10 kernel was left open to improve performance
- Apple leaves iOS 10 kernel open to scrutiny
- Judge throws out ‘Error 53’ lawsuit against Apple
- Chinese company in iPhone patent fight is all but defunct
- Apple adds nine more apps to universal search in Apple TV
- WSJ: iPhone to see modest changes this year, eliminate headphone jack
- Phiaton BT 460 Wireless Bluetooth Headphones
- Zagg Slim Book for 9.7” iPad Pro
- Element Case Ronin for iPhone 6/6s
- JBL Clip 2 Wireless Bluetooth Speaker
- Audio-Technica ATH-SR5BT Wireless On-Ear Headphones
- Catalyst Case for iPad mini 4
- Jaybird Freedom Wireless Bluetooth Headphones
- Zagg Flex Arc Wireless Earbuds + Speakers
- Audio-Technica ATH-MSR7NC SonicPro Headphones with Active Noise Cancellation
- Twelve South BookBook for 12.9” iPad Pro
- Inside the betas: iOS 10 Photos gets Advanced Computer Vision
- Inside the betas: iOS 10 Music app delivers ‘clarity and simplicity’
- Inside the betas: iOS 10 Maps gets a major redesign
- Inside the betas: iOS 10 shakes up the user experience
- Inside the betas: watchOS 3 promises a real speed boost
- Inside the betas: A sneak peek at what’s new in tvOS 10
- Filling the Gap: A look at third-party HomeKit apps
- Instant Expert: Secrets & Features of tvOS 9.2
- Instant Expert: Secrets & Features of iOS 9.3
- Opinion: Why Apple needs a dedicated HomeKit app


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UPDATE 3/3/24: A Mogilevich spokesperson has confirmed that the whole Epic Games Breach Fiasco was a money-minting scam and is not a ransomware operation.
A new ransomware group has asserted that it has successfully breached Epic Games, a notable game developer and distributor. The group, known as the Mogilevich gang, released the purported details of the hack on their darknet leak site.
Epic Games is a well-known game developer and distributor recognized for the immensely popular online shooter Fortnite, as well as classic titles like Unreal Tournament and the Gears of War series. Additionally, Epic Games operates its own online marketplace, the Epic Games Store, where they offer games from various developers and publishers.
With a global presence, Epic Games has offices in multiple locations worldwide, including Australia, and also owns several subsidiary companies.
Mogilevich Gang Claims 189 Gigabytes of Stolen Data in Epic Games Breach
The Mogilevich gang asserts that they possess 189 gigabytes of data stolen from Epic Games Breach, including email, passwords, full names, payment information, source code, and more.
This data is currently being offered for sale. A hyperlink on their website prompts interested parties, including Epic Games employees or potential buyers, to click for further information. The link directs to the group’s contact page, which provides a Tox messaging address for communication.
The Mogilevich gang has not specified a specific amount of money in exchange for the data they possess. The current deadline for Epic Games to make the payment or for potential buyers to purchase the data outright is set for March 4th.
Unlike the previous Insomniac Games hack conducted by Rhysida, the Mogilevich gang has not provided any evidence of the Epic Games breach such as proof-of-hack materials.
Epic Games Says Zero Evidence of Ransomware Attack, Was Epic Games Data Breached?
For its part, Epic is unaware of any such incident.
“We are investigating but there is currently zero evidence that these claims are legitimate,”
“Mogilievich has not contacted Epic or provided any proof of the veracity of these allegations. When we saw these allegations, which were a screenshot of a darkweb webpage in a Tweet from a third party, we began investigating within minutes and reached out to Mogilevich for proof.”
“Mogilevich has not responded. The closest thing we have seen to a response is this Tweet, where they allegedly ask for $15k and “proof of funds” to hand over the purported data.”Epic Games spokesperson said in a statement.
The Mogilevich gang has added this comment to the leak post for its alleged Epic Games hack.
“For clueless and retarded journalists, I’d like to tell you that we’re not asking EpicGames for $15,000 ransom, that’s the price that’s going to sell,”
“For those who are even more jerks I would like to say that the evidence is private to minimise scams, people could use the samples to impersonate my group, that’s why we show the evidence to people that prove they really have the money to afford it. So, do you think it’s fake? Send me a proof of funds of 15k and you’ll see.”Mogilevich spokesperson said.
Who is Mogilevich Ransomware?
Mogilevich is a relatively new ransomware threat actor that has gained attention. Epic Games is reportedly the fourth targeted victim by this group, following its attack on Nissan subsidiary Infiniti USA on February 20th of this year.
The gang is believed to have Russian-speaking members. While their activities seem to be self-driven at the moment, they are also promoting themselves as a ransomware-for-hire service, indicating a potential expansion of their operations.


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B.C.’s inflation rate is back on a cooling trend.
Consumer prices on the West Coast rose 3.3 per cent last month – down from 3.8 per cent in August, according to Statistics Canada data released Tuesday (Oct. 17).
The latest numbers bring the province back to where inflation stood in July, prior to the full impacts of the B.C. port worker strike hitting the economy.
That national inflation rate, meanwhile, cooled to 3.8 per cent. That’s down from four per cent in August.
Nationally, airfare prices fell 21.1 per cent annually and furniture prices fell 4.6 per cent.
But the grocery aisle is continuing to prove a challenge for shoppers despite inflation cooling in that category.
Grocery prices rose overall by 5.8 per cent – down from a 6.9 per cent in August.
Prices for baked goods went up eight per cent and the price of meats went up by 4.4 per cent.
Housing costs rose at a rate of six per cent annually, with rentals going up 7.1 per cent compared with 6.4 per cent a month earlier. Owned housing fell from 6.4 per cent in August to 6.3 per cent in September.
The Bank of Canada will get to chew on Tuesday’s inflation number ahead of next week’s interest rate decision.
“The slower increase in Canadian consumer prices in September was a step in the right direction,” RBC economist Claire Fan said in a note. “It was also long overdue, given persistent signs of cooling in labour market conditions as well as in consumer spending data.”
Based on Tuesday’s numbers, she predicts the central bank will keep its key rate at five per cent through to the end of the year.
"Today's inflation print is another small step towards tackling the last leg of the inflation battle,” TD economist Marc Ercolao said in a note.
“Alongside other measures that have shown momentum is cooling in Canada's economy, we see enough evidence for the [Bank of Canada] to stand on the sidelines next week.”


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The Sears Holding Corporation, the parent company of what were once two of the nation’s most frequented stores, Sears and Kmart has filed for bankruptcy protection. On Monday, the corporation announced plans to close 142 of its worst performing stores across the country.
On the list here in the inland region are two Kmart stores, one located in Riverside at 37 E. Alessandro Boulevard and the other in Ontario at 2530 E. Euclid Avenue. The current closures come on the heels of the hundreds of other Sears and Kmart stores closed earlier this year. In addition, there may be more to come as the company struggles its way through the bankruptcy process. After this round of closures less than 600 Sears and Kmart stores will remain nationwide.
Liquidation sales at the stores closing this round are expected to begin sometime in the next couple of weeks. For customers with Sears products, the company said it is currently honoring warranties, protection agreements and guarantees as normal.
Sears plans to continue honoring its warranties, protection agreements and guarantees as normal including for its Kenmore brand which the company still owns but may be sold at some point in the future as part of its bankruptcy proceeding.
Sears has already divested itself of its popular Craftsman tools product line. In January 2017, the line was sold to Stanley Black and Decker (SB&D) for $775 million.
SB&D has a chart on its website http://www.craftsman.com/customer-care/warranty-information, with a complete list of the various product warranties on both hand tools and mechanic’s tools. Those who own these products can also call (888) 331-4569 for additional information.


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Dreamed up during the COVID-19 lockdown, all proceeds will go to the Pennsylvania hospitality industry.
America’s longest-running live-action sitcom
With 15 seasons already under its belt, not only does It Always Sunny in Philadelphia have four more seasons at once than another long-running comedy set, cheers, it’s America’s longest-running live There’s also an action sitcom, period. Now, the show’s original trio of male stars — Glenn Howerton, Rob McElhenney and Charlie Day — have launched an Irish whiskey brand that aims to pay tribute to the show’s primary setting, Paddy’s Pub.
“Fourth Wall” also a word
The new whiskey brand is named Four Walls – a name that Howerton, who plays Dennis, described as “celebrating the Four Walls that have kept our favorite memories and our troubles away ” (Although not mentioned in the announcement, in the sitcom, the “fourth wall” is also a term that represents the metaphorical “wall” between the cast and the audience, perhaps adding an additional meaning to the name.) Made during COVID. The hospitality industry will benefit from the -19 lockdown and, consequently, all proceeds.
Rob McElhenney, who created the show
“We were shooting Season 15 when bars across America were closing. So we decided to source some really great whiskey and make something as a tribute to the bar and start it by giving it back,” says Rob McElhenney, who created the show and plays Mack, said.
The launch comes with two limited-edition products at two different price points.
More casual whiskey fans will probably reach for the blended whiskey that mixes Irish whiskey and Pennsylvania straight rye whiskey as an homage to the backstory of Paddy’s Irish pub-on-American soil. The 45-percent ABV result, sold in “collectible premium boxes,” is billed as “smooth enough to neatly served as well as put into cocktails”—and the bottles cost $89. Is. The initial release will only be “a few hundred cases”.
Day, who played Charlie, explained,
Second option: A cask-strength Irish whiskey sourced from a single-barrel that, like the show, aged for over 15 years. Only 755 bottles produced, and each comes in a mirrored engraved box that includes the signatures of all three stars with a price tag of $999. Day, who plays Charlie, explained, “We learned that Irish whiskey So rare and so collectible, and we couldn’t believe we found something.” “[We] wanted to release this and do something for the people and places that we do so much for everyone — bars and bartenders.”


text: We are now a little bit over a week removed from NetApp Insight 2016. This was by far the best iteration of the conference that I’ve experienced in now having attended five consecutive years. An unprecedented sixteen new products were announced, spear-headed by next-generation hardware platforms, new cloud-centric offerings, and the next version of NetApp’s flagship operating system, ONTAP 9.1. There definitely will be no shortage of content that will accompany these new products as they are released in the months to come, as well as even more exciting news that’s guaranteed to solidify that the success of NetApp over the past year is far more than just a flash in the pan. While many others are trying to collect themselves and figure out how to convince customers that “flash changes everything”, NetApp is busy redefining the entire flash landscape to ensure the journey towards the next-generation data center is a seamless and strategic one.


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RBI MPC Meeting: Third Consecutive Interest Rate Hike Likely; here’s what to expect
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is set to raise the key rate for the third consecutive time at its August bi-monthly policy meeting – the outcome of which is expected on Friday – as inflation based on consumer or Retail remains above the central bank’s upper tolerance limit of 6% for the sixth consecutive month in July. The decision to raise rates, in conjunction with other central banks around the world, could be seen as an effort to tame inflation that is fueling fears that the economy is slipping into recession.
Previously, the RBI raised the repo rate by 90 basis points in its two previous meetings. In August, the increase could reach 50 basis points, said an expert.
“The global geopolitical situation and high commodity prices indicate that inflation is likely to remain above the upper tolerance level of 6% in the first three quarters of 2022-23. 50 basis points of its monetary policy meeting this week to pacify rising inflation,” said Adhil Shetty, CEO of Bankbazaar.com.
The rise in rates has a direct impact on the monthly payments assimilated (EMI) of a mortgage or personal loan.
“The third hike would mean expensive home and personal loans. Parents managing education loans for their children will also feel the pinch of higher interest rates. Plus, your car and two-wheeler loans will get expensive. in the future,” Shetty added. .
The best way forward?
“The best path for borrowers would be to either opt for a higher EMI or make regular prepayments. There are several options to choose from, ranging from as little as one additional EMI per year to up to 5% of the principal outstanding each year. to reduce the burden of higher interest rates. Choose the alternative that best suits you taking into account your financial situation and debts,” added Shetty.
What else to expect?
Previously, the RBI task force proposed tough standards for digital lenders, including separate legislation to prevent illegal digital lending activities.
“In addition to rate reviews, RBI is also expected to make a critical policy announcement as a precursor to its detailed digital lending regulations,” he concluded.
RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das has said inflation may not fall to the upper end of its mandatory target range until December this year.
The central bank takes retail inflation into account in its fortnightly monetary policy. The government has instructed the RBI to ensure that inflation remains at 4% with a margin of 2% on either side.


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Overstock.com made some headlines at the end of 2013 when their CEO announced that they would be initiating bitcoin as a payment option. The service has just been launched today with users provided a custom message to tweet about their purchase using bitcoins. Partnering with Coinbase, Overstock.com users will now see bitcoin as a payment option for their purchases. Not surprisingly, Overstock.com also features Coinbase on its bitcoin information page when explaining how to buy bitcoins.
Meet BeSquare: the new tech training program for Malaysian graduatesGo to article >>
Having just been launched, bitcoin purchases are picking up stream with partial results of buyers showing up on Twitter’s stream. You can check out Twitter search for live updates of users tweeting their purchase. (Curious how many of these buyers are purchasing on Overstock.com for the first time)
With a market cap of $700 million and revenues of $1.25 billion, Overstock.com is among the largest firms in the world accepting bitcoin payments directly. In addition, unlike Zynga which recently began to accept bitcoins for some of its social games, availability of items for purchase with bitcoins at Overstock.com is on a much wider scale. Looking ahead, it will be interesting to see who the next big retailer in the US decides to offer bitcoin payments. With firms such as BitPay and Coinbase providing integrated merchant payment processing solutions, accepting bitcoins is easier than ever.


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Boss of maternity chain takes his leave
Less than three weeks after withdrawing a takeover bid for Mothercare, the boss of Destination Maternity, the US chain, announced he is stepping down to “pursue other opportunities”.
Ed Krell joined Destination Maternity in 2002 as chief financial officer and has been chief executive since 2008. He will be succeeded by Anthony Romano with immediate effect.
Last month, Mothercare confirmed it had spurned two proposals from Destination Maternity, including an improved offer that valued the British retailer at £266 million.
It was understood that Destination Maternity had wanted to use the acquisition to carry out tax inversion, and relocate abroad by buying a foreign business to take advantage of lower corporate tax rates outside the US, a practice that the Obama administration has promised to


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Good morning! Here’s the tech news you need to know to start your week.
1. Elon Musk has announced big improvements coming to Autopilot. Tesla vehicles’ semi-autonomous mode is going to make more use of radar.
2. A 6-year-old boy has been injured by an exploding Samsung Galaxy Note 7, The New York Post reports. The new smartphone has been recalled by Samsung after battery faults have led to dozens of exploding phones.
3. Apple is moving beyond smartphones by building a world where you never take off your headphones. Its new wireless AirPods hint at a future where computers are controlled more and more by your voice.
4. A former Tesla and Google exec who worked for George Bush has explained why he wants Republicans to vote for Hillary Clinton. Ricardo Reyes is cofounder of grassroots network Republicans for Hillary.
5. The real Edward Snowden gives a powerful speech at the end of the new “Snowden” movie. The film about the exiled NSA whistleblower is directed by Oliver Stone.
6. Google unveiled a feature that Uber has been blocking startups from making for years. Google Maps now contains a ride-hailing app price comparison feature, something that Uber has previously not allowed.
7. Apple is rethinking its strategy on self-driving cars, The New York Times reports. The company has reportedly laid off dozens of employees from Project Titan, its secretive car project.
8. Amazon and Pandora are set to announce a new versions of their music streaming services. Both companies are trying to finalise deals with rights holders after months of negotiations.
9. Verily, the life sciences company owned by Google parent company Alphabet, is launching a new venture to tackle Diabetes. It has teamed up with Sanofi to launch Onduo.
10. Apple CEO Tim Cook has shown off some of the first photos shot with the iPhone 7. The images were taken by a professional photographer for Sports Illustrated, 9to5mac reports, and are of a Titans-Viking NFL game.
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- Follow this blog:
New research suggests allowing mobile carriers to be involved in collecting payments might be one way to inspire more e-commerce.
December 23, 2011, 5:34 AM PST | By Heather Clancy
You may be surprised to learn who first developed some of our key wireless technology. Plus, a new study finds almost half of the top 50 US startups had at least one immigrant founder.
December 22, 2011, 9:40 PM PST | By Joe McKendrick
Rollout will start with high-profile shopping malls in San Jose, Calif.; Bethesda, Md.; and Arlington, Va.
December 22, 2011, 10:14 AM PST | By Heather Clancy
The fading of landline phones has important implications for businesses and governments.
December 21, 2011, 3:44 PM PST | By Joe McKendrick
McKinsey research suggests more businesses are making investments in data analytics and business intelligence applications that use context to help inform decisions for the future.
December 21, 2011, 11:32 AM PST | By Heather Clancy
The National Transportation Safety Board’s broad recommendation on mobile phone safety would require all portable electronics devices to be turned off completely when behind the wheel.
December 21, 2011, 4:20 AM PST | By Heather Clancy
With carriers including Sprint PCS and Verizon heading its customer list, eRecyclingCorps seeks to benefit from the 130 million mobile phones retired annually in the United States alone.
December 20, 2011, 11:53 AM PST | By Heather Clancy
The year ahead will see an even greater reliance on information technology and a greater willingness to try more unconventional ways to innovate.
December 20, 2011, 8:51 AM PST | By Joe McKendrick
Deal with technology company mobeam will allow consumers to redeem coupons with mobile devices; tests start in 2012.
December 19, 2011, 5:35 AM PST | By Heather Clancy
1954 GE film on future consumer technology shows man talking on pocket phone, 3D flat-screen television mounted on the wall, and the ability to store and retrieve programming.
December 17, 2011, 5:00 AM PST | By Joe McKendrick


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IT suppliers: Amazon is starting to pay its debts. Some of them, anyway
'I have no idea how many pence in the pound Amazon has offered to others'
Amazon has presented irate distributors and vendors with a deal that will see them receive some payment for historical disputed deliveries stretching back a year.
As we exclusively revealed last month, suppliers are battling the retail giant to get paid for orders they claimed were delivered from the spring of 2015.
The figure is believed to run into seven figures.
The problem first showed up after Amazon switched over internal systems in calendar Q1 last year, suppliers had told us. Subsequently, delivery queries mounted as it tried to reconcile deliverables to actuals and invoices.
Suppliers tell us Amazon has agreed to cough up for some of the bills for specific dates – payments to each differ, so we will not publish the details because we don’t want to give Amazon ammo to fire at sources for making their grievances public.
“There is a settlement on the table but Amazon has not agreed to pay the total bill,” said a source at one of the companies affected. “I have no idea how many pence in the pound Amazon has offered to others. I have talked to half a dozen suppliers about this.”
Others confirmed Amazon had contacted them and agreed to cough some of the monies owed following the El Reg expose.
“Amazon is not saying it won’t pay [additional future payments], they are chipping away at it. They are being quite straight forward – they are open to further settlements”, another expectant supplier said. It seemed, the industry figure added, that Amazon was working through its own systems to determine what it owes.
A third supplier said it was in the process of getting bills resolved: “We never stopped having dialogue, and were not at the level of panic that others got to”.
A couple of distributors last year made the decision to stop supplying Amazon. We are told this was linked to the payment issue and the levels of margin available. Others haven’t – yet – taken this hardline approach with one of the largest retailers in the world.
We asked Amazon if it is committed to settling its bills in full, and when this might be. The PR team has yet to confirm if it will comment. ®


text: If you were left wondering how the team behind the Zano mini drone could raise so much crowdfunding cash only to crash and burn within the space of a year, you're not alone. Kickstarter commissioned journalist Mark Harris to find out what went wrong, and he just published his findings this week. In short, it's a classic case of biting off more than you can chew. Torquing Group promised a lot (we even put it on our CES 2015 short list), but came to realize that it didn't have the skills or resources to meet expectations. Moreover, the company had a "dangerous lack of self-awareness" -- it didn't realize just how much trouble it was in until it was too late.


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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued a warning to consumers that over-the-counter (OTC) acne products containing benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid can cause severe irritation or severe allergic reactions in rare instances.
According to the FDA, the serious allergic reactions resulting from these ingredients differ from the less harmful irritations already included in the product Drug Facts labels, which include burning, dryness, itching, peeling, redness and slight swelling where the product is applied. “There is currently no mention of the possibility of these very severe allergic reactions on the product labels,” says Mona Khurana, MD, a medical officer at FDA. “It’s important that consumers know about them, and that they know what to do if they occur.”
The FDA has issued a Drug Safety Communication (DSC) to inform both consumers and health care professionals of the potential dangers of these products. From 1969 through Jan. 28, 2013, the FDA received 131 reports from both consumers and manufacturers of allergic and hypersensitivity-related adverse reactions associated with these products. About 42% of these reactions occurred within minutes to 24 hours of use. The affected persons ranged in age from 11 to 78 years. Forty percent of these reports described severe allergy symptoms such as throat tightness, shortness of breath, wheezing, low blood pressure, fainting or collapse. Isolated instances of hives, itching of face or body (even of parts of the body where the person did not apply the medication), and swelling of eyes, face and lips were also reported.
Based on the information reported, FDA cannot determine if these reactions were triggered by the products’ active ingredients, the inactive ingredients, or a combination of both. While no deaths have been reported, 44% of the cases required hospitalization. “FDA will continue to monitor closely and evaluate this safety issue,” Khurana says.
The agency is also encouraging manufacturers to use the drug label to advise consumers how to test the product’s safety before using it for the first time. For example, Khurana suggests that new users should apply a small amount of the product to a small affected area for three days. If no discomfort occurs, they can follow the labeled directions for normal use.


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The government has unveiled a transition plan for taxpayers under the goods and services tax to switch to new simpler return forms. In order to ease the transition process, between July-September the new form would be available on trial basis for familiarisation.
The GST Council in its 31st meeting had decided that a new GST return system will be introduced for taxpayers.
The Goods and Services Tax Network had shared a prototype of the offline tool in May, 2019, an official statement said on Tuesday. The look and feel of the offline tool would be same as that of the online portal.
There are three main components to the new return – one main return (FORM GST RET-1)and two annexures (FORM GST ANX-1 and FORM GST ANX-2).
From July, 2019, users would be able to upload invoices using the FORM GST ANX-1 offline tool on trial basis for familiarisationhey would also be able to view and download, the inward supply of invoices using the FORM GST ANX-2 offline tool under the trial program.
The summary of inward supply invoices would also be available for view on the common portal online. They would also be able to import their purchase register in the offline tool and match it with the downloaded inward supply invoices to find mismatches from August 2019.
Between July to September, 2019 for three months, the new return system (ANX-1 & ANX-2 only) would be available for trial for taxpayers to make themselves familiar, the statement said.
This trial would have no impact at the back end on the tax liability or input tax credit of the taxpayer, the statement added.
In this period, taxpayers shall continue to fulfil their compliances by filing FORM GSTR-1 and FORM GSTR-3B i.e. taxpayers would continue to file their outward supply ..
From October, 2019 onwards, FORM GST ANX-1 shall be compulsory and FORM GSTR-1would be replaced by FORM GST ANX-1.
Large taxpayers, with aggregate annual turnover over Rs 5 crore in the previous financial year, would upload their monthly FORM GST ANX-1 from October, 2019 onwards.
However, small taxpayers, with turnover upto Rs 5 crore, will need to file the first compulsory quarterly FORM GST ANX-1 only in January, 2020 for the quarter October to December, 2019.
Invoices can be uploaded in FORM GST ANX-1 on a continuous basis both by large and small taxpayers from October, 2019 onwards, it said.
FORM GST ANX-2may be viewed simultaneously during this period but no action shall be allowed on such FORM GST ANX-2, the statement said.
For October and November, 2019, large taxpayers would continue to file FORM GSTR-3B on monthly basis. They would file their first FORM GST RET-01 for the month of December, 2019 by 20th January, 2020.
The small taxpayers would stop filing FORM GSTR-3B and would start filing FORM GST PMT-08 from October, 2019 onwards. They would file their first FORM GST-RET-01 for the quarter October, 2019 to December, 2019 from 20th January, 2020. From January, 2020 onwards, all taxpayers shall be filing FORM GST RET-01 and FORM GSTR-3B shall be completely phased out, the statement said. The government will issue separate instructions for filing and processing of refund applications between October to December, 2019.


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AL AIN FC REVEALS NEW NIKE HOME AND AWAY KITS FOR SEASON 2020/2010.. Kit was inspired by the team’s most ground-breaking win in 2003
Nike announced the launch of the new home and away kits for Al Ain FC for season 2020-2021. Boasting a strong partnership of over four years, Al Ain FC and Nike join forces to deliver a cutting-edge kit ahead of the Arabian Gulf League.
The design of the 2020-2021 kit was inspired by Al Ain’s 2003 kit when they were crowned the continent’s best team for the inaugural Asian Champions League, marking their most victorious championship to date.
Commenting on this launch, Rayan Yaslam, Emirati midfielder at Al Ain FC, said:” I am so excited to enter this season with a kit that was inspired by Al Ain’s record-breaking win back in 2003. That glory is a reminder of the true potential that this team has, and I can’t wait to see what this season has in store for us.”
The new kit integrates innovative Aeroswift technology alongside a blend of its signature purple and gold colors. Al Ain’s white home shirt features a V-neck collar with its iconic purple stripes and signature golden swoosh. The club’s away jersey is embossed with the same design with a black base instead. The kit is complemented with purple shorts and white socks.
Al Ain will debut the new home kit against Khor Fakkan in the Arabian Gulf League on October 17 and will be in-store along with the away kit starting October 21 at authorized retailers for 399 AED.


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by Jerry Hildenbrand
Aug 31, 2012
Apple has amended a lawsuit they filed back in February against Samsung, and is now including four new devices to the original 17 they say violate their patented technology. The additions are the Ga...
Apr 04, 2012
A new software update is currently rolling out to Samsung Conquer 4G owners on Sprint. This updated is noted as just a security fix (see: CarrierIQ removal) for the device but one other thing to mak...
by Phil Nickinson
Dec 16, 2011
Samsung Mobile, in its response to U.S. Sen. Al Franken over the Carrier IQ saga, says that it's sold some 25 million cell phones preloaded with Carrier IQ software, which it's been using si...
by Joshua Munoz
Nov 14, 2011
Samsung's got a lot going for them these days. They're shipping mad numbers of devices, making phones for different price points and consumers, and shoot, they even got build the coveted ...
by Anndrew Vacca
Aug 21, 2011
The Samsung Conquer 4G goes on sale today at Sprint stores, online, and telesales for a cool $100 on a two year contract. The mid-range Gingerbread device sports a 3.5 inch HVGA display, 1GHz processo...


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Discount clothing chain Primark is opening more stores in the U.S. and Europe and rolling out new concepts, underscoring its commitment to brick-and-mortar retail.
The company, which Associated British Foods Plc owns, will open an additional 1 million square feet of selling space next year, Bloomberg reports. Meanwhile, a concept store that Primark opened five months ago in Birmingham, England, and which features a cafeteria and a beauty salon, is performing well, the company says. Primark is introducing the model to Spain, through a store at a mall in Seville.
Primark's first U.S. store opened in Boston in September 2015
Primark is a store-only retailer, selling nothing over the Internet.
“We are the people investing in the high street and in the U.K. That distinguishes Primark from our competitors,” said John Bason, finance director of AB Foods, as Bloomberg reports.
Primark was established in 1969 and operates about 350 stores across Europe and the U.S. today.
By Edmund Mander


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By DANIEL WISE From VideoGameWriters
BigHead BASH is new adventure from Spicy Horse is taking social gaming to a different level with a team deathmatch inspired approach where a group of friends can team up and battle against other teams around Facebook. This is a radical departure from the traditional PC and console developer, but they are still keeping that sick and twisted Spicy Horse vibe that fans have come to know and love.
BigHead BASH is a free-to-play deathmatch team-vs-team game tentatively scheduled to come out on Facebook in February 2012. Players will choose among nine starting basic characters that can be customized later. There are three figures each from Attack Force (army toys), Fluf (stuffed animals) and BOTS (electronic gizmos). However, as expected from all free-to-play games, there are sets of premium toys that are modeled after licenses from other creative companies, including fashion icons, video game characters and musical acts.
Players can purchase these extras in-game, but real-life vinyl toy collectibles will also be made available. There are a number of unique weapons available as well, and some of them are licensed, such as the Core and Arctic hand-held lasers from Wicked Lasers.
You can check out the latest news directly from Spicy Horse via their BigHead BASH facebook fan page, so you can get right into the action on launch day. However, between now and the release date, you can check out Spicy Horse's official DeviantArt page, YouTube channel andTumblr blog. Spicy Horse is currently running a Facebook exclusive contest for the first 1, 3 and 5 thousand fans who "like"their page.
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Sequoia Capital's investment in Skyscanner is the latest huge endorsement of travel metasearch. But could a pivot toward hotels and a possible rebranding that goes beyond airfares be in Skyscanner's future?
Metasearch is the fastest-growing sector and it just got a little hotter as venture fund Sequoia Capital invested in Scotland-based Skyscanner, and valued the company at $800 million, according to the Wall Street Journal.
The story says it was one of Sequoia’s largest ever equity investments — though no amount was disclosed — which means it’s likely touching $100 million or more. The $800 million valuation is a lot smaller than the $1.8 billion that Priceline paid to acquire Kayak, but is a large valuation nonetheless.
Skyscanner has a huge global presence, fielding nearly 40 country sites in 30 languages, but although it offers flights, hotels, and cars, its focus is on flights, which is less attractive to investors than hotels.
Still, last month Skyscanner acquired Spain-based Fogg, a hotel metasearch site, in a possible tip-off that it is serious about making a real pivot into hotels.
Now with the addition of hotels in its arsenal, Skyscanner is going to compete more directly with Kayak, especially stateside where Skyscanner says it is expanding. Though, of course, with revenue of around $50 million and pre-tax profits of about $18 million over the last year, it is tiny compared to the almost $300 million in revenue Kayak generated in 2012. The Wall Street Journal story pegs Skyscanner’s 2012 gross bookings at $3.5 billion.
Sequoia does know a thing to do about travel metasearch: It had a roughly 16% stake in Kayak, worth about $251 million, around the time that Priceline announced it would acquire Kayak.
Founded a decade ago, Skyscanner — before the Sequoia investment — had a Series A round of $5.21 million, which was led by Scottish Equity Partners in 2007.
The Wall Street Journal doesn’t specify how much Sequoia invested.
The investment, though, clearly shows that the travel metasearch landscape is ripe for maneuvering following Priceline’s acquisition of Kayak, and Expedia’s taking a controlling stake in Trivago, and leading a Series C round in Room77. This is also Sequoia’s largest investment to date.
Skyscanner launched its first app fairly late — two years ago — and currently offers apps for iOS, Android, Windows Phone, Windows 8, and Blackberry. It also claims 25 million mobile app installs.
Have a confidential tip for Skift? Get in touch
Photo credit: Sequoia Capital just invested in Skyscanner, valuing as an $800 million company. Skyscanner