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Flipkart raises $210 million; will utilise funds for acquisitions
On using the funds, CEO Bansal said Flipkart is looking at strengthening its technology and acquiring firms across areas like e-commerce, technology and supply chain. "DST is known for its investment in technology-focused firms and they have a great set of companies that they have invested in. This round of funding is more for the association than just raising funds," Flipkart co-founder and CEO Sachin Bansal told reporters on a concall.
NEW DELHI: Days after closing the biggest acquisition deal in the Indian e-commerce space, online marketplace giant Flipkart today said it has raised $210 million in a fresh round of funding, bringing the private equity firm DST Global on board as an investor.
Technology-focused DST Global, founded by Russian Internet tycoon Yuri Milner and best known for $200 million investment in Facebook, will lead this round of funding besides existing investors, Tiger Global, Naspers and Iconiq Capital.
"DST is known for its investment in technology-focused firms and they have a great set of companies that they have invested in. This round of funding is more for the association than just raising funds," Flipkart co-founder and CEO Sachin Bansal told reporters on a concall.
Led by a visionary like Milner, DST brings a global perspective into each of their Internet investments along with a unique understanding of the businesses they invest in and Flipkart looks forward to working with their team, he added.
On using the funds, Bansal said Flipkart is looking at strengthening its technology and acquiring firms across areas like e-commerce, technology and supply chain.
"We have the cash on books. We will look to strengthen our (tech) platform. We could look at e-commerce, tech firms, supply chain companies. Other adjacent areas like payment can also be tapped," he said, adding that Flipkart could also look at acquiring start ups.
Analysts say that the move signifies growing thrust in the Indian e-commerce space towards consolidation with big online firms eyeing small start-ups and firms to expand their presence, reach as well as add specific categories to their portfolio.
While Bansal declined to comment on the total funding raised till date and the shareholding pattern, it is estimated that the firm has raised over $700 million from investors, including the present transaction.
The Bengaluru-based firm, founded by Sachin Bansal and Binny Bansal, counts Accel Partners, Dragoneer Investment Group, Morgan Stanley Investment Management, Sofina and Vulcan Capital among its other investors.
The homegrown e-retailer acquired online fashion retailer Myntra last week in what is estimated to be a Rs 2,000-crore deal. It had also announced that the company will invest $100 million (around Rs 600 crore) in its fashion business in the next 12-18 months.
Last year, Flipkart had raised USD 360 million from private equity firms, one of the largest funding deals in the Indian e-commerce space.
Flipkart's moves are being seen as efforts to protect its turf in the USD 3 billion Indian e-commerce market that is witnessing aggressive competition from global giant Amazon and peers like Snapdeal.
Led by increasing Internet penetration and youngsters shopping online, India's e-commerce market has seen huge growth in the past few years. As more people log on to the Internet to shop, it is estimated to expand over 7-fold to USD 22 billion by 2018.
Flipkart had a 4.9 per cent market share in 2013, while Amazon and eBay had 1.6 per cent and 1.2 per cent share respectively.
Asked if the company is in talks to raise more funds, Bansal said Flipkart continues to receive interest from investors.
"We continue to talk to investors if it makes sense. We are not actively looking at raising funds," he said.
Bansal clarified that reports suggesting Flipkart was in discussions with General Atlantic and Fidelity were "rumours".
Flipkart, which started in 2007 as an online bookstore, sells products across categories, including fashion and electronics. It also sells white goods and furniture.
While apparel and electronics are bestsellers for most e-commerce firms, categories such as home decor and household items are also popular.
"Some of them have started integrating, some are still figuring out when to join. I don't think anybody's wondering whether to join. Because if the model is shaping up, there will be an opportunity and a natural business compulsion for everybody to be a part of it," he said, speaking at the ET RetailTech Summit 2022 in Mumbai.
Metro has been operating its nationwide chain of 31 cash-and-carry stores since 2003 but intense competition and large investments to sustain operations forced the Dusseldorf-headquartered multinational to first undergo a detailed business review and then choose to give the sell mandate.


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So finally after two long years of testing in the beta mode, Google is now going to officially launch its app in the PlayStore. Well, so this new app will enable hands-free mode on your Android device, and it is called as the Voice Access. This app has been mainly designed for those people who have disabilities and cannot do simple things such as sending a text or taking a picture, but then thanks to Google for making this possible.
So with the help of these services, you can easily navigate through the apps, edit, compose the text and talk to the Google assistant. Now, this definitely offers some really deep integration with both the OS’s and also the apps. So now you can just say scroll forward or just Go Back, the device will do it immediately. The all-new voice access assigns numbers to each and every single clickable option when it cannot realize any of them.
So now you can simply select the text field, scroll down for the quick settings menu, and can hold the home key for Google assistant. Though there are many third-party apps which are capable of doing this, having something like this officially from Google is like next level. Additionally, you can also undo and delete all those lines and words while writing.
But then, as of now, this service is only available in English but Google has promised to add support to more languages in the near future. So to use this app, you need to make sure that your device has been updated and is using the Android version which is above Android 5.0 Lollipop.
So now you just need to download the Google app from the PlayStore and also Voice Access. Once you are done, you just need to configure the OK Google detection and you are good to go. The app has simply worked flawlessly in our testing, so do let us know your views in the comments section down below.
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Phoenix Mills Ltd, one of India’s leading high-street shopping centre developers, is all set to open Bengaluru’s first mixed-use retail destination assimilating spaces for retail, entertainment, hospitality and high-end commercial.
Spread across an area of over 29 lakh square feet, the mall offers around a 900 feet frontage on the Whitefield Road in the city and is slated to be operational by March 2010.
Speaking to media, Tony Ward, chief operating officer leasing, Phoenix Mills Ltd, said, “Bengaluru is the fourth largest FMCG market in India and here we are strategically in a very good location. We are hopeful to attract huge footfalls as the city is vibrant with young women shoppers who comprise around 50 per cent of the entire population of the city and are the major driver for malls and other entertainment venues.”
This Rs 645 crore project includes promoters and private equity players like Phoenix Mills Ltd, Horizon Ventures, HBS Realtors, Pinnacle Real Estate Development Pvt Ltd, Sharyans and IL&FS Group.


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Plans have been revealed for this year's Hoole Christmas Lights switch-on, but the annual event will be quite different to previous years.
In its 21st year, instead of drawing its usual crowds, residents will instead be invited to decorate their front windows and gardens with Christmas lights, as a simultaneous 'bigger and brighter' switch-on lights up the village's shopping area.
A spokesperson said: "Of course, we can’t have the usual crowds, stage and bands so instead we are inviting Hoole residents to ‘Stay Home - Decorate - Light Up Hoole.
"There isn’t a specific theme this year, but the brighter the better for our 21st year of switching on the lights."
And as an incentive to join in, pictures of the brightest homes will be posted on Instagram over the Christmas period (with the residents’ permission).
"We’re looking forward to cheering up Hoole residents and supporting our fantastic range of local, independent businesses, shops and eateries during the run up to the festive season, in what has been a difficult year for them," the spokesperson added.


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This article was written by Bob Nieman for Planet Laundry Magazine and is republished here with their permission.
Recapping the Issues That Defined the Year – And Looking Ahead to 2016
In odd-numbered years, typically nothing that occurs in the self-service laundry industry can steal the spotlight from the Clean Show. And 2015 – with the industry’s trade show and convention returning to Atlanta this past spring after a nearly 30-year absence – was no exception.
However, Clean 2015 wasn’t the only event to grab headlines this year, as the laundry industry and today’s store operators continue to grow and evolve in an effort to meet the needs of a shifting marketplace and changing customer base.
“As always, it’s been a busy year for the Coin Laundry Association and the self-service laundry industry,” said CLA President and CEO Brian Wallace. “If I had to boil it down to a few highlights, I would include the repeal of the sales tax in Iowa, the launch of LaundryCares’ ‘Wash Time is Talk Time’ initiative and, of course, Clean 2015 in Atlanta.”
Apparently, the industry’s biennial trade show was on the highlight reels of more than a few industry insiders.
“Expectations for the 2015 Clean Show were totally and completely shattered,” noted Kathryn Rowen, North American sales manager for Huebsch. “It was so much more well- attended than we had anticipated, and those who attended were engaged and eager to learn. It was inspiring to witness such interest and dedication in attendees to improve their laundry businesses.”
“I’ve attended Clean since 1987, and I don’t remember a show with so many attendees who were seriously looking to add, expand or build new stores,” said Russ Arbuckle of Wholesale Commercial Laundry Equipment SE, based in Southside, Ala. “The overall buzz was excellent.”
Joel Jorgensen, vice president of sales and customer services for Continental Girbau, concurred that this past spring’s trade show in Atlanta was “the best Clean Show in years, maybe ever,” adding that it also mirrored “a bustling year in the vended segment in general.”
“We’ve enjoyed significant activity in replacement equipment, as well as full store refits of existing laundries and the development of new laundries,” Jorgensen continued. “It was a year like none other in memory as far as equipment sales volume and store business success.”
Due to the healthy economy, banks loosened their previously strict borrowing requirements; as a result, potential owners found it easier to borrow money and, in turn, open new stores, according to Chris Brick, regional sales manager for Maytag Commercial Laundry.
“Stores were remodeled and upgraded to save on utilities and increase capacity,” observed Ted Ristaino of Yankee Equipment, located in Barrington, N.H. “These actions were accompanied by increased vend prices. In addition, cost control of utilities, which was aided by lower LP gas prices and water-efficient washers, continued to be well managed by involved owners.”
“Finally, the big-box stores that were built in the late ’90s are beginning to retool at a greater frequency, as the push to modernize and become more efficient is necessary,” added Brian Grell of Eastern Funding.
For John Olsen, vice president of vended products for Laundrylux, the highlights of the 2015 business year included bigger stores being built and operated at peak performance, along with the “customer experience” rising to the top of many owners’ priority lists. Olsen pointed to such store amenities as free WiFi and text messaging systems as prime examples of this enhanced customer-driven laundry model.
Clearly, the legislative highlight of the year came when Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad signed a bill – sponsored by the Iowa Self- Service Laundry Association – that repealed the sales tax on self-service laundries in that state.
Before the passage of this bill, Iowa laundry owners had been paying nearly 9 percent of their gross sales each year to satisfy this tax. The governor’s signature capped off one of the largest legislative wins for the industry in years.
The tax bill passed in the Iowa Senate 50-0, after sailing through the House of Representatives by a wide 76-14 margin.
“The whole process was a bit of a blur, and it took a ton of work from many more than just me,” noted ISSLA President Daryl Johnson. “We had some amazing owners spending a ton of time at the Capitol and digging deep to fund the fight.”
“The volunteers at the ISSLA really achieved the impossible by repealing the sales tax on self-service laundries,” Wallace said. “I’m still shocked that this group was able to band together and make this legislative achievement happen.”
From a pure advocacy standpoint, the recent partnership between the CLA, Too Small to Fail and the Clinton Global Initiative stands as one of the industry’s brightest moments of the year.
The CLA’s LaundryCares Foundation was instrumental in launching this first national effort to provide early learning resources within self-service laundries – thus, aiming to reach parents in low-income communities nationwide. The program – dubbed “Wash Time is Talk Time” – kicked off this fall with free laundry events at Advantage Laundry and A1 Laundry in Oakland, and included resources for young children and families to engage in early learning and development activities.
Moving forward, the CLA will deploy educational resources to 5,000 laundries in underserved communities across the U.S. What’s more, the initial events in Oakland will be followed by more than 50 free laundry events nationwide, hosted by the Laundry Project, through 2016.
Facing Our Challenges
Of course, every year offers its own business challenges. And, when looking back on 2015, three of the biggest hurdles and looming obstacles to industry growth were a continued steady increase in water and sewer rates, a nationwide push to raise the minimum wage, and the constant lurking threat to the self-service laundry sales tax exemption.
“The rising cost of water and sewer fees are an ongoing challenge that shows no sign of abating,” Ristaino said. “In addition, the scarcity of water in the West continues to be a challenge.”
“Sewer costs are a real problem in most of our larger cities,” echoed Mo-Kan CLA President Bob Meuschke. “Because of the aging infrastructure and the cities’ lack of planning for replacements, the rates have increased severely for the last three years, and the municipalities claim those costs will need to go even higher.”
In fact, water and sewer costs will soon be the most costly utility for a majority of all laundry owners, according to Karl Hinrichs of HK Laundry Equipment in Armonk, N.Y.
“The foresighted owners with profitable stores will lead the rapid conversion from their old – still good – time-controlled washers to the new modern digitally controlled washers,” Hinrichs predicted. “This will be a win-win for the industry and the environment.”
As far as the drought conditions that have pervaded much of the West and Southwest, northern California laundry owner Ron Kelley admitted that water has been the hot topic among his peers this past year. However, his business, thus far, has been spared.
“Fortunately, for those of us in Santa Clara County, depending on the water provider, rate increases were either very small or non-existent, and no mandatory rationing occurred,” Kelley reported. “Other areas did see price increases, but those can be viewed as the perfect opportunity to increase vend prices and weed out competition that’s charging bargain basement prices.”
In addition, the “Fight for $15” campaign, which was spearheaded by fast-food employees and other lower paid service workers, trained the national media spotlight on efforts to raise the minimum wage.
“The biggest challenge this year was the continued push for a significantly higher minimum wage,” said Illinois Coin Laundry Association President Paul Hansen. “In Chicago, we were just handed a 20 percent increase in wages, bringing the hourly amount to $10 from $8.25. In the next few years, the wage will continue to rise until it reaches $13 an hour.”
“The city of Minneapolis has raised its minimum wage and plans to be very aggressive on increases, with a plan to have a minimum wage of $12 in a few years,” Johnson added. “This has caused us to rethink our staffing, and to look to automate a large portion of our customer service and attendant services.”
Despite the historic tax victory for the laundry industry in Iowa, store owners across the country need to remain vigilant against future sales tax threats, Delaware Valley Coin Laundry Association President Brian Holland explained.
“In our area, deteriorating infrastructures, a failing school system and skyrocketing budgets have created greater pressures to generate additional state revenues,” Holland stated. “These pressures have forced many state governments to reconsider the tax-exempt status for many services, including laundry and drycleaning. This is exactly the case in Pennsylvania, where newly elected Governor Tom Wolf has communicated his intent to eliminate tax exemptions in many areas.
“Unfortunately, our current list of tax exemptions is a hodge-podge collection of unrelated interests – some worthy and some not so much,” he continued. “Eliminating exemptions for laundry is at best short-sighted, punitive for those who can afford it least, intrinsically problematic and completely irrational.
“The proposed laundry tax in Pennsylvania could ultimately cost individual store owners nearly 7 percent of their gross revenue. In my opinion, this is the single greatest threat we face in the near term. Arguably, it could have an even greater overall economic impact than a minimum wage increase. Further, it is a virtual certainty that lost exemptions in Pennsylvania will lead to similar legislation in neighboring states. This issue looms large and potentially threatens our entire industry, not just owners in Pennsylvania.”
Although laundry owners welcomed a re-energized economy in 2015, this too presented its own set of challenges.
“As the economy has improved, landlords are demanding higher rents again and being more stringent on their negotiations,” said Jeff Harvey, brand manager for Speed
Queen Financial Services. “From a lender’s perspective, this can put constraints on the amount that can be financed. It’s important to get your lender involved early in the process, as there are usually lender documents that also need to be signed by the landlord, and the best time to do this is when you have leverage with the landlord before you sign the lease.”
Massachusetts laundry owner Jim Whitmore added that the healthier economy in the Northeast has caused the pool of available quality employees to dwindle, making it tougher than ever to fill openings for attendant positions.
Also this year, the card payment industry began the enormous conversion to EMV/pin-and-chip card technology, which eventually will place the burden on retailers who accept credit and debit cards to offer updated readers. This likely will be more of an industry challenge heading into 2016.
“The new regulations that went into effect in October are very complicated and require us to offer a new card reader on our systems,” said Charlie Pasquale, who is the founder and CEO of BCC Payments, LLC.
Among some of the other hurdles many owners faced this year were rising impact fees, increasingly arduous government and municipal regulations, higher buildout costs in several markets, and the pressure of ensuring adherence to the Affordable Care Act.
Trending in 2015
Trending stronger than ever this year was the move toward alternative payment systems, which just continues to accelerate. This trend was boosted further by Clean 2015, where a vast array of solutions was on display for store operators.
“It’s clear to me that laundry owners want to offer payment options beyond quarters, and this trend will continue,” Wallace said.
“Even though payment systems have been around for a while, the past few years have seen vend price increases to cover rising business expenses and, therefore, the quarter payment system has outlived its effectiveness,” explained Ohio Coin Laundry Association President Duane King. “As a result, owners are converting to various systems, such as quarter and dollar coins, dollar coins only, hybrid card and coin systems, credit card acceptance, or a combination of systems.”
Pasquale added that today’s payment systems are “not just about accepting credit cards anymore – they’re about the extra features, like drop-off management, remote management, loyalty programs and, of course, mobile payments.”
Jorgensen noted the continuation of two additional, well established industry trends in 2015 – the installation of larger equipment and the movement toward a full-service business model.
“Turn ratios continue to grow for machines of 40-pound capacity and greater,” he said. “Additionally, other laundry services, including wash-dry-fold and commercial business, continue to grow; utilizing capacities of laundries beyond self-service volume is on the rise. We sold a lot of ironers to laundries for commercial work this year.”
On the marketing side of the business, many laundry owners reported that the trend continues to move toward social media such as Facebook, Google Business, Twitter, Yelp and so on.
“I can’t imagine anyone still using the Yellow Pages for advertising, and newspapers have a very limited return on investment,” King explained. “With social media, you can do a lot of self-promotion for free, or you can spend a little to promote your sites; however, the basic need for any online presence is to let potential new customers know where you are located, what services you provide and your hours of operation. In addition, one of the most important aspects of social media are online reviews. Even if you don’t claim any of your store’s online pages, your business will still receive good and bad reviews online. So, you need to claim those pages and respond to your reviews to protect your laundry’s brand image.”
With another growing trend, Western State Design’s Bryan Maxwell has observed more and more laundry owners gravitating toward remote management as the preferred method of operating their laundry businesses.
“Many of my store owners have full-time jobs, and their laundromats are investments,” Maxwell said. “With the economy growing again, their full-time jobs demand more of their time, and their growing laundry businesses also demand more of their time. Carving out time for their professions, their laundries and their lives can be a real challenge.”
Today’s remote management programs and networks track revenues, store volume and so on. But, more importantly, according to Maxwell, they allow owners to solve problems instantly while at their 9-to-5 jobs or watching their kids’ soccer matches – and that ability to solve problems without going in to the store dramatically improves the quality of their lives.
Of course, this trend also includes the increased use of dollar coin and credit card acceptors – because less quarters mean less collection time at the laundry. In addition, Maxwell suggested that equipment replacement is growing in many markets due to this remote management trend.
“Busy store owners can’t afford to have old equipment break down,” he said. “It’s not just because of the cost of repairs and lost revenue but because equipment that breaks down demands more of the owner’s time, time they don’t have. New equipment is more dependable, generates more revenue and improves the quality of life of the owner.”
Perhaps one of the biggest new trends of the year, according to Kelley, was the explosion of on-demand pickup and delivery services for residential wash-dry-fold customers.
“We now have several companies offering this service in the Bay Area,” he noted. “Another related trend would be the success of those using individual lockers for the pickup and delivery process – with lockers placed in apartments, condos and even employee break rooms at many companies. Both types of services utilize phone apps, and text customers with regard to pickups and deliveries.”
“More companies are getting into the ‘Uber’ model or appdriven wash-dry-fold space, which will expand a store’s potential market by attracting customers who don’t typically use a selfservice laundry, even for drop-off laundry,” Ristaino agreed.
No doubt, energy efficiency also remains firmly entrenched as one of the main goals for today’s savvy, profitable operators; this includes everything from high G-force washers to costeffective lighting options.
“The trend toward energy efficiency and ‘green’ operations took another great step forward, as utilities sponsored LED lighting refits, with even the small municipalities jumping on board,” Whitmore said. “I see the steady march toward highefficiency facilities accelerating – motivated by the water shortages, global warming awareness and the need to compete.”
Lastly, industry consolidation also was prevalent in 2015 with major manufacturers inking two blockbuster deals – Alliance Laundry Systems buying Primus, and Whirlpool acquiring American Dryer Corp.
“Both the purchase of Primus and the subsequent purchase of ADC were unexpected,” Arbuckle admitted. “But, then again, the one constant in this industry seems to be change.”
2016: Embracing Change
So, what’s ahead for next year and beyond?
At the CLA, one of next year’s highlights undoubtedly will be the association’s Excellence in Laundry Conference, which is scheduled for May 18-19 at the Ojai Valley Inn & Spa in Ojai, Calif. This will be the third such event, which is meant to appeal to the very best operators, bringing them together for an opportunity for education and networking. Essentially, it enables the best of the best to spend time with the best of the best in the industry.
From a governance standpoint, long-time store owner and PlanetLaundry columnist Jeff Gardner will serve as the 2016 Chairman of the CLA Board of Directors. Anyone who has ever read Jeff’s “The Laundry Doctor” column knows that he’s got great ideas and a passion for the laundry business. As a result, his term as chairman clearly will be a productive one for the association and the industry.
At the laundry operator level, more than likely, the number of multi-store owners within the industry will continue to grow, according to Wallace.
“As we transition to the new year, I believe the ‘consolidation from within’ among self-service laundry operations will continue to grow,” he stated. “While we don’t see large chains or franchises entering the market, there is a clear increase in the number of operators with multi-store operations – the majority of which fall between the two- to five-store range. Next year, I expect the number of small, owner-operator chains to increase – punctuated by the remodeling of rundown, existing laundromats placed in good locations.”
Furthermore, Jorgensen predicted that the vended laundry industry will continue to evolve and become much more than just “self-service.”
“Today’s laundries offer services such as drycleaning, commercial work, wash-dry-fold, and pickup and delivery,” he explained. “These services weren’t present just five to seven years ago, but are now in high demand. Laundries will continue to become multi-faceted with new cash flow streams filling
capacity to offset larger fixed costs and investment.”
“I love this industry and the bright future it holds,” Holland added. “I believe that technology and the changing face of our customer are catalyzing growth, as well as an exponential increase in opportunity. These are exciting times for those who embrace change.
“The ‘Next America’ is coming fast, and it’s driving both change and opportunity,” he continued. “The new broader base of customers includes classic ethnic diversity, as well generational diversity and wide swings of difference in socioeconomic status. The deep, urban inner city is teeming with busy, multi-tasking people, with non-traditional work schedules, who need services around the clock. As more people habitually multi-task, time becomes the new Holy Grail, and simple things like free WiFi and after-hours services become distinct competitive advantages.
“In my opinion, 2016 will bring tremendous opportunity our industry, especially for those who are quick and willing to meet the needs of a rapidly changing customer base and the emerging markets they create.”


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During Wednesday's "Mad Money" program Jim Cramer noted that chipmaker Texas Instruments Inc. (TXN) had offered reassuring words to investors on its conference call that day, saying it was following its 2008 recession playbook to emerge from this storm stronger than where it started.
More from Stocks
Unlike other space-related stocks, Redwire is already cash-flow positive.
The Fed might be proven right that inflation is 'transitory,' but after how much damage? Let's get out our Econ 101 books and review.
It is incredibly difficult to extrapolate anything from the latest quarterly company results.


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Writer Joe Henderson (showrunner of Fox’s Lucifer) and artist Lee Garbett (Lucifer, Loki: Agent of Asgard) defy gravity with their hot new series launch SKYWARD. The first issue of the popular new series is being rushed back to print in order to keep up with customer demand and the 2nd printing cover will feature breathtaking artwork by Jock.
In SKYWARD, gravity on Earth suddenly becomes a fraction of what it is now. Twenty years later, humanity has adapted to its new low-gravity reality. For one Willa Fowler—a woman born just after the fateful “G-day”—life after gravity it pretty awesome. Until she accidentally stumbles into a dangerous plan to bring gravity back. A plan that could get her killed…
SKYWARD is an adventure-filled exploration of our world turned upside down and a young woman’s journey to find her place in it.
SKYWARD #1 remains available for purchase across all digital platforms, including the Image Comics website, the official Image Comics iOS app, Comixology’s website, iOS, Android, and Google Play.
SKYWARD #1, 2nd printing by Jock (Diamond Code MAR188286) and SKYWARD #2 (Diamond Code MAR180755) will be available on Wednesday, May 23rd. The final order cutoff deadline for comics retailers is Monday, April 30th.


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The Nexus Android 5.1 Lollipop update is only a few weeks old but it looks like Google will replace it with something new in the near future. Earlier this week, an Android 5.1.1 update emerged and today we want to take a look at what Nexus smartphone and tablet users should know about the alleged Android 5.1.1 update and release.
In early March, Google announced a brand new Android 5.0 Lollipop update to succeed Android 5.0.2 and Android 5.0.1 Lollipop. That update, Android 5.1 Lollipop, is a substantial update for Nexus users as it brings a laundry list of bug fixes on top of some useful feature tweaks. Google’s Nexus Android 5.1 Lollipop release has landed for a number of devices though the roll out has been slow and confusing.
As of right now, Google’s Android 5.1 update is available for the Nexus 10, Nexus 5, Nexus 6, and Nexus 7 2012 Wi-Fi. While some of these updates have made significant progress, others like the Nexus 5 Android 5.1 update are still hard to come by. Google still hasn’t confirmed Android 5.1 updates for its other Nexus devices though we’ve seen Android 5.1 updates and details for the Nexus 4, Nexus 9, Nexus 7 2013, and the cellular versions of the Nexus 7 emerge.
Earlier this week, the company’s confusing Android 5.1 Lollipop release got a little more confusing thanks to the arrival of a brand new Android 5.1.1 update. Android 5.1.1 is about as mysterious as Android updates get. And that’s why we want to set the stage for what very well could be Google’s next Android 5.0 Lollipop update.
Today, we want to take a look at everything we know, and think we know, about Android 5.1.1. This will catch you up to speed with the latest developments and it will prepare you for a Nexus Android 5.1.1 release in the future.
Android 5.1.1 Update All but Confirmed
Google hasn’t made any big announcements on its website yet and there’s a good chance that it won’t. The company usually only trumpets the arrival of major Android releases like Android 5.0 and Android 5.1. Android 5.0.1 and Android 5.0.2, small bug fix releases, were not given the same kind of red carpet treatment.
Android 5.1.1 leaked out earlier this week in Google’s SDK Manager. And while its arrival took place on April Fools Day, it doesn’t appear to be a practical joke. It appears to be very real.
If you have the Android SDK installed, you’ll notice “Android SDK Platform 5.1.1.” What this means is that Google has likely finished up the code on this release. So no announcement just yet but rest assured, this update is coming and it’s probably coming pretty soon to Nexus devices.
Android 5.1.1 Release Could Be Imminent
We don’t know the exact Android 5.1.1 release date for Nexus devices and we may not ever get an official release date. Google’s release into AOSP often serves as its release date announcement. AOSP hasn’t been updated to reflect the upcoming Android 5.1.1 update but there is reason to believe that its release date will come sooner rather than later.
It appears that Google has finished up the coding for this update which means that it’s probably finishing up its work behind the scenes. At least a few trustworthy sources believe that the Android 5.1.1 release for Nexus devices is right around the corner, perhaps in April and the update to the SDK is a clear sign that something is close.
Probably a Small Bug Fix Update
You don’t need to be inside Google’s labs to get a sense of what this update is all about. Android 5.1.1 Lollipop is almost certainly going to be a small bug fix update for those currently on Android 5.1. Its name is a dead giveaway. The .1 at the end of its name means that this is likely just an incremental release aimed at fixing something on board Nexus devices. It has a chance to be much larger for some Nexus users though.
There are still a number of Nexus devices on Android 5.0.2 (Nexus 4, Nexus 9, Nexus 7) and Android 5.1.1 could ultimately be the update that delivers Android 5.1 features to these devices.
One Big Fix Could Be On Board
We still don’t have a change log for Android 5.1.1 Lollipop but there is speculation that it will deliver at least one major bug fix to Nexus users.
There is a well-known memory leak issue plaguing the Android 5.1 update. Google’s already confirmed a fix for the memory leak problems though so far, it has failed to confirm the fix for a specific update. Enter Android 5.1.1.
Some believe that Android 5.1.1 could be the update that delivers a fix for these memory leaks. If this is true, it would help to tone down the random reboots and app crashes that many Nexus 5 and Nexus 7 users have been experiencing on their device.
Will My Nexus Device Get Android 5.1.1?
We haven’t seen anything confirmed but we do have some guesses. If this is a fix for memory leak issues, then Android 5.1.1 Lollipop will likely roll out to all Nexus users, not just those who haven’t received Android 5.1.
It’s clear that this memory leak problems is serious as Google’s Nexus Help forums are filling up with complaints about reboots and crashes. Some Nexus 5, Nexus 6, and Nexus 7 users desperately need this fix.
Of course, if Google does roll this update out to all Nexus users, it will almost certainly be subject to Google’s typical roll out rules. Don’t expect Android 5.1.1 to hit every single Nexus device overnight.
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PepsiCo Inc on Wednesday lifted its annual forecasts for revenue and profit as the soda and snack giant raised prices again to battle surging costs while also signaling resilient consumer demand.
The beat-and-raise pushed the company’s shares 2.6% higher in premarket trade and comes against the backdrop of gloomy expectations for third-quarter results amid surging inflation and rising interest rates.
PepsiCo’s domination of the carbonated drinks market with Coca-Cola has helped it raise prices with little resistance from customers, while its snacks business is benefiting from a shift to eating more at home than at restaurants to rein in discretionary spending.
“In stressful times, we’re kind of the affordable luxury, so a simple snack or a beverage… is a relatively small amount of money,” Chief Financial Officer Hugh Johnston told Reuters.
“We see our consumer as being continuing to be remarkably healthy,” he said, adding that the company was seeing little push back due to the higher prices.
The price mark-ups helped revenue rise across all segments, especially in its biggest two divisions of North America beverage and Frito-Lay. Average prices were up 17% for the quarter ended Sept. 3, while organic volume was down 1%.
However, the beverages business, its largest, which houses brands such as Mirinda, 7UP, and Gatorade, posted a 1% increase in volume.
PepsiCo’s results once again demonstrates its brand value strength in an inflationary environment, said Garrett Nelson, senior equity analyst at CFRA Research.
The company raised its 2022 organic revenue forecast for a third time this year and now expects it to rise 12%, compared to a prior forecast of a 10% increase.
PepsiCo now expects fiscal 2022 core constant currency earnings per share of about $6.73, up from its previous forecast of $6.63, even as it warned on continued freight and commodity price pressures and a stronger dollar.
For the quarter, the company earned a better-than-expected profit of $1.97 per share on revenue of about $22 billion.


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From tomorrow, September 2nd, 2020, the Drakes supermarkets will start their 21st annual Drakes Charity Showbag in the branches of Drakes SA.
"The Drakes Charity Showbag is one of our favorite events every year, and even more so this year," says John-Paul Drake, Director of Drakes Supermarkets.
“Even if the Royal Adelaide Show doesn't go on, we can bring some of the show to South Australian households.
"And we can raise money for our charity partners while we're at it!"
Now in its 21st year, the Drakes Charity Showbag has raised over $ 1.3 million for key charitable partners – the Flinders Foundation, Hospital Research Foundation, Bedford Group, St. Johns, and RDNS.
This year, supplier partners donated over 300,000 products to the Drakes Charity Showbag to raise over $ 60,000.
The bags are packaged with over $ 49 worth of merchandise and will be available in all Drakes South Australian stores while supplies reach $ 7.50.
The Drakes Charity Showbag is supported by the following suppliers who have donated products: Vero Foods, CCA, Casarosa Almonds, Bickfords, Royal Foods, Kelloggs, Iconic, Snackbrands, Hanes, Goodman Fielder, Scandinavian Group, Botany Group, Stuart Alexander, Monde Nissin, Nippy & # 39; s, Sanatorium, Dilmah, Pepsico, Mars Petcare, Carmans Kitchen, Siena, Nestle, Natuva, Konekt, Searcy, Nestle Muesli, FreshFood Management, Beerenberg, Tru Blu Beverages, Dallas International, Jade Tree Enterprises, Robern Menz, Ferrero.


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MANILA – Car manufacturers Toyota Motor Corp. and Mitsubishi Motors Corp. are leading automobile sales in the Philippines, together accounting for 60 percent of 380,000 units sold so far this year, according to industry data obtained Wednesday.
The data from the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines shows Toyota Motors Philippines Corp. accounting for 43 percent of total sales from January through November, with 166,601 units sold during the period.
Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. came in a distant second with a 17.55 percent market share, selling 66,704 units.
Ford Motor Company Philippines Inc. was in third place with an 8.42 percent share and 31,994 units sold, followed closely by Honda Cars Philippines Inc. with 7.05 percent and 26,277 units and Isuzu Philippines Corp. with 6.91 percent and 14,256 units.
With a total of 380,179 units of all brands sold in the Philippines so far this year, up from 325,467 during the same period last year, the country’s auto market is showing growth, registering a 16 percent increase in units sold.
Rommel Guiterrez, the chamber’s president, attributed the rise to “increased sales of major assemblers and distributors.”
“Carrying the momentum from November sales, the outlook for December remains strong, driven by the good sales performance of key models from other brands,” he said, while expressing confidence that the year-end industry target of 450,000 units sold will be met through competitive promotional support and marketing activities.
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Velodyne Lidar: Painful Progress
The biggest issue when the lidar sensor companies came public via SPACs was whether the market could handle the unpredictable nature of the development phase in the space. Velodyne Lidar (VLDR) continues to add multi-year agreements and expand the pipeline, but the stock has fallen due to disappointing quarterly results. My investment thesis remains bullish on the stock and the sector.
Read the full article on Seeking Alpha.
Disclosure: No position mentioned. Please review the disclaimer page for more details.
Update - July 19
The CEO steps down, but the investment thesis is still up in the air until the founder and a new CEO get on the same page.
The stock may have capitulated today.
Update - June 4
not going to help the stock... Hall doesn't provide any details to back up his claims other than complaining about a stock falling which is inline with the sector.
-Velodyne Lidar's (VLDR +2.1%) founder David Hall has called for CEO Anand Gopalan and Chairman Brad Culkin to step down for not acting in the best interest of shareholders.
-Hall — who was ousted from his board chair role in February — has written to the board also calling for the resignation of board members, Michael Dee and Christopher Thomas, who were appointed by Graf Industrial Corp., SPAC that took the company public late last year.
Update - May 26
Promising signs for the lidar sector, but $VLDR still hasn't broken the downtrend with this rally.
-Lidar sensor stocks are higher after EV maker Lucid Motors (LUCIDM) unveiled its new Lucid User Experience, which includes two primary touch-control displays, the Glass Cockpit and the Pilot Panel.
-One of the Glass Cockpit features is providing a 3D visual of objects and vehicles around the Lucid Air when the driver activates DreamDrive, Lucid's Level 2 advanced driver-assistance system. DreamDrive includes 32 on-board sensors including what Lucid bills as the "world's first high-resolution LIDAR in an EV."
Update May 24
Big news for the lidar sector...
-Shares of lidar sensor company Luminar (NASDAQ:LAZR) continue to rally today after an Inside EVs report late last week suggested that Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) is testing the company's lidar on vehicles.
-Autonomous driving expert Grayson Brulte tweeted a picture of a Model Y on the road in Palm Beach, Florida, that had California manufacturer plates and what appears to be Luminar's lidar system.


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Earlier this year, Nokia has revealed the revamped version of its iconic Nokia 8110 4G Banana feature phone at MWC 2018. The company has now launched this iconic feature phone in China. Nokia’s official Weibo handle posted about the launch alongside pricing and other details.
“Nokia 8110 4G officially released! 4G function + hotspot sharing function, personalized banana yellow, cool classic black, fit the surface design of the face, waiting for you to explore more new ways. On July 20th, the Nokia 8110 4G of 499 yuan, Jingdong, Nokia official mall small program synchronization open appointment, it is worth your expectation!”
Nokia 8110 4G Banana Feature Phone Price and Availability
As mentioned in the above post, the phone comes with the price tag of Yuan 499 ($73/ Rs. 5,066 approx.) and is available to purchase via online retail store JD.com. it is made available in both Black and Yellow color options.
Nokia 8110 4G Banana Feature Phone Specifications
The Nokia 8110 Banana feature phone runs on KaiOS operating system and sports a 2.45” QVGA (240×320 pixels) display. The feature phone is powered by a 1.1GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 205 dual-core processor coupled with 4GB of internal storage.
For photography, the feature phone comes equipped with a 2MP camera on the back along with LED flash support for better lowlight capturing.
The Nokia 8110 Banana feature phone is fuelled by a 1500mAh battery that is claimed to offer up to 9.32 hours of talk time on VoLTE and up to 25 days of standby time on LTE. Connectivity options include Dual-SIM support, 4G VoLTE with hotspot, Bluetooth v4.1, GPS/ A-GPS, a 3.5mm headphone jack, FM radio, Micro-USB port. It measures 133.45×49.3×14.9mm.
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Fans of video games and unadulterated masochism, mark your calendars – Dark Souls 2 will apparently be out next March. That means you’ve got just nine months left to keep trying to kill the Gaping Dragon before you’ve got a legit reason to give up and play something else without everybody telling you what a lame-o quitting quitter you are. “Oh come on, guys,” you can tell them. “That game is so last gen.”
That’s assuming that Dark Souls 2 will be launched for next-gen consoles, mind you, but with a release date next year that’s at least a reasonably safe bet. Just make sure to save up for a next-gen console too, or your clever excuse might not work out quite according to plan.
Anyway, although Namco Bandai hasn’t actually officially confirmed the March 2014 launch date, this ad put up over the Los Angeles Convention Center ahead of next week’s E3 industry expo already has.


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On the first day of the 2016 Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, several brands eagerly shared news about their latest development in virtual reality.
The HTC Vive, which made its big debut at MWC last year, returns with an official $799 price tag,a preorder date of February 29th, and an early April ship date. HTC also announced that its Vive headset will integrate some phone functions on both iOS and Android to allow users to answer calls, check text messages, and view calendar reminders without removing the headset. Similarly, LG is also making its entry into the burgeoning VR market with a pair of new products: the lightweight and compact LG 360 VR headset and the LG 360 CAM for capturing spherical photos and video. LG partnered with Google for easy sharing of videos to YouTube 360 and photos can even be uploaded right to Google Street View.
Samsung also returned to Barcelona with an aggressive push for its Gear VR headsets. The company made the consumer version of Gear VR available for $99.99 in November last year, and now it is giving out the VR headset for free with the purchase of its new Galaxy 7 phone for a limited time period. Samsung also brought in Mark Zuckerberg for its press event to talk up Facebook’s partnership with Samsung to support 360-degree videos on Facebook and working to make the VR experience more social. Moreover, Samsung also unveiled the Gear 360 camera that is just smaller than a baseball and aims to make shooting and sharing 360-degree photos and videos easier.
What Brands Need To Do
In line with what we saw at CES earlier this year, the news from MWC shows that virtual reality is quickly gaining momentum as a nascent medium, as more and more companies start developing affordable, consumer-facing VR headsets, as well as the tools for capturing, creating, and sharing 360-degree content. While virtual reality technologies may still be a few years away from mass adoption, as we predicted in the 2020 section in our Outlook 2016, companies like Samsung and Facebook are laying the groundwork for that to happen. For brands, this means that it is time to start exploring what VR technologies have to offer and consider developing branded VR content to excite and engage consumers with immersive experiences.
Header image courtesy of mluxurystyle.com
Read original story on: The Verge
LG has unveiled a sleekly designed, fully functional smartwatch, powered by the open source webOS. It features a smooth and innovative circular interface that is unlike anything you have seen on smartwatches before. Plus, it also comes with integration with Audi’s new connected cars. Sources report that LG plans to launch this unique smartwatch by early 2016.
Yes, you heard it right. LG will be debuting LINE chat capabilities integrated into their smart appliances, so you can chat with your dishwasher or fridge. The partnership works to let users command their appliances within the popular messaging app, thereby embedding the internet of things into their daily routine. I chat with my friends letting them know I’ll be out of town in one thread and tell my washing machine that it should go into energy saving mode. It works a bit like Siri for text, interpreting commands using natural language processing.
The decision for LG to work with Line opposed to only a proprietary app, for instance, is an interesting one. Instead of creating new systems, LG is bringing itself into the products and service you already use, making them more natural and seamless.
With days before the kickoff of CES, an image of LG’s new Smart TV interface has been leaked. It appears that LG will be using webOS, which it acquired from HP opposed to the current Google TV OS. It is not identical to webOS on smartphones, but does include a thumbnail overview of any apps that are running. While the future of the living room remains up in the air – will it be Smart TVs or set top boxes or workarounds like Chromecast – the need for an intuitive interface that lends itself to lean-back viewing is paramount.
You may be familiar with NFC technology powering mobile payments from Google Wallet to ISIS, or perhaps some marketing uses that are similar to QR, but the use cases for the tech spans far beyond these two instances. At this year’s CES we saw NFC used primarily for device pairing, like connecting your mobile with a smart fridge or speaker system. But LG takes that concept to a whole new level with their “Pocket Photo Printer” which will print photos from your camera simply by tapping it against the printer. The printing happens nearly instantaneously, speaking to fast data transaction through the tags. This could be pretty fun theater at events and is a great example of using NFC to trigger real world events.
Digital music service, Deezer has inked a deal with Samsung, LG, and Toshiba to incorporate their streaming app into their Smart TVs. While these ecosystems are more or less walled gardens, it’s good to see some new entrants to the space. The majority of Smart TV owners are accessing Over the Top services but few are exploring non-video apps like Facebook so expect Deezer’s supposed 600 million reach to be drastically smaller. However, if the TV does becomes the hub for all media in the future, then that number may actually be attainable.
4K “Ultra-Definition” TVs Could Be The Next Breakthrough
Imagine a world where any screen you come into contact with has the capability to play multiple streams of content that are contextually relevant to you, to your gender, location and purchase habits.Â Imagine that this content could take the form of video with additional layers of text, graphics or audio.Â Then picture a powerful 4G network, with 80 megabits of data being delivered with HD quality video and 3D enhancements. Data would be fed back and forth to respond to interactions and navigation would be more primal, responding to touch and movement. Marketers would have a field day with targeting content based on demographics right down to the individual.Â And imagine if the foundation of this world was presented to you at a yearly consumer electronics trade showâ€¦
While there were no earth shattering products or mind-blowing reveals at this yearâ€™s CES, the world I described above has been set in motion. Never before have so many consumer electronic companies all committed to embracing the same technology trends in such a way that the dividing line between competitive offerings is hard to see. All this sets the stage for what Iâ€™d like to call “layers of influence.”Â Continue reading “Layers of influence reign at CES”


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Reverse charging has been a frequently requested feature among Apple fans for years, but now it seems like the dream might become a reality thanks to a new patent filed by the company.
Reverse charging is a feature that would allow you to charge your iPhone wirelessly using another iPhone. If implemented across all Apple hardware, it could reshape the landscape of low-battery anxiety that many have been facing as more of our lives become dependent on chargeable devices. It’s also something that’s still missing on the most recent iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro.
As first spotted by PatentlyApple, the patent looks to make back-to-back wireless iPhone charging an option in the future. In recent years, there have been scattered signs pointing to different versions of Apple making use of reverse wireless charging — such as patents suggesting the ability to charge accessories using an iPhone or an iPad. But this is the first time we’re seeing phone-to-phone charging in any of the company’s patents.
In fact, this patent seems to be rolling a lot of the other reverse charging features that we’ve seen in previous patents into one package. If implemented, it would essentially allow any Apple product to wirelessly charge other Apple hardware. Based on the direction that Apple has been moving with features like Universal Control that connect all Apple devices together wirelessly, it feels plausible that reverse charging could be the next step to complete device connectivity.
The context surrounding Apple’s other seemingly abandoned reverse charging patents is extremely important when looking at this new one. Even if it is Apple’s intention to finally move forward with reverse charging, the patent was only just filed. In other words, there’s a chance that we won’t be seeing it in use for a while.
Reverse charging already exists in a minor way in the Apple ecosystem. The iPhone 12 introduced the feature by being able to charge Apple’s MagSafe battery pack, so there’s certainly precedent for it moving forward. What exactly that could become and when we’ll see, however, is still unknown.
- My 1TB iPhone 14 Pro isn’t overkill — it’s the right version to buy
- This bright orange phone has a pop-out camera unlike anything I’ve seen before
- Apple Music Sing brings karaoke singalongs to iPhones, Apple TV
- It’s 2022, and customizing my iPhone is still horrible
- The Nothing Phone is finally coming to the U.S., and I can’t wait


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Paying for your cab fare with a credit card seems simple enough, but for the visually impaired, it can be a lot more difficult. New York’s yellow cabs just weren’t equipped with the proper software enhancements to help the visually impaired–until now.
Lighthouse International, an organization dedicated to overcoming vision impairment through rehabilitation, education, research and advocacy, teamed up with Creative Mobile Technologies and city council member James Vacca to announce software enhancements to New York’s taxis to optimize the payment experience for the visually impaired.
According to the press release:
CMT created adaptive software that will allow blind or visually impaired taxi passengers to hear the fare changing in regular intervals during the trip and facilitate all aspects of the credit card or cash payment functions upon reaching their destination, including selection of payment options, verification of fare and selection of tip percentages.
Former New York Governor David Patterson helped debut the newly revamped taxi TVs at City Hall today, quipping, “This is the first time I’ll be able to use a credit card by myself in a taxi cab—and I was the Governor of New York!”
The new software will begin to hit the 13,000 New York taxis run by Creative Mobile Technologies within the next few weeks.


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March 2020, Singapore, Press Releases
Latest venture will help Singaporeans save money on their home loans for the long term and simplify their home buying journey
November 2017, Thailand, News & Views
Chatuchak and Phra Khanong districts had the highest quarter-on-quarter increases in residential pri..
November 2017, Thailand, Press Releases
The Thai property market remains buoyant as the economy continues its slow recovery.
December 2017, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, News & Views
Manav Kamboj will be in-charge of PropertyGuru's tech and engineering functions across offices in Si..
November 2017, Singapore, News & Views
Property sellers' sentiment has been the most positive since 2015 as the PropertyGuru Property Index..
November 2017, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, News & Views
PropertyGuru Group CEO, Hari Krishnan speaks to Bloomberg on Singapore property market, business o..
PropertyGuru co-founder Steve Melhuish ‘Ask me Anything’ live chat on e27.co. talks about his en..
PropertyGuru launches Singapore’s first home loan affordability check.
October 2017, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, News & Views
PropertyGuru CEO, Hari V Krishnan sits down with DealStreetAsia and talks about 2018 plans.
PropertyGuru board member & Square Peg co-founder Paul Bassat talks about the success of his investm..
Hari V Krishnan, CEO, PropertyGuru Group talks to DealStreetAsia.com about the company’s business ..
September 2017, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, News & Views
PropertyGuru on its Proptech innovations that aid the property buyers and sellers.
DBS Bank has launched the world’s largest banking application programming interface (API) develope..


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Content remains king on the Internet mainly because there are more ways to produce, connect and interact with content than ever before. According to Rod Smith of IBM, “there are more ways to dig into content than ever before, but it also produces more targeted ways for advertisers to interact with the audiences they are seeking.”
While content is king, the way it is presented online differs depending upon the online medium used. Joe Gregorio of Google points out that “Twitter and blogging have different voices and and different timeframes so communication has to be different. Quick updates versus longer tail content that can be searched have very different purposes.”
Now we are seeing content being merged with local commerce and the social graph in more interesting mash-ups. “Consumer commerce is moving into virtual boutiques where the average consumer can set up shop and sell merchandise and connect their social network to their store, Gregorio says. “Tying into localized information and comments are the keys to the success of this area.”
When asked where the online play will be over the next one to two years, the clear answer was the smartphone. Why? According to Bob Young of LuLu, “we have not even reached the 50 percent mark of penetration and the current demand for content and usage indicates this market will continue to rise as more smart handsets come onto the market.”
The only restriction for the smartphone growth is the data pipeline. IBM’s Smith points out: “Pipes are the issue of what will be possible versus what people want to access. This is causing poor customer experiences. Netflix, Hulu and other major content producers are pushing the networks to do a better job.”
Content will remain king as it drives searches, engagement and eyeballs, meaning content will remain the center of the Web future. Innovation continues to drive online, and the hope is that the data pipes will keep up to help fulfill the consumer promises media companies and online publishers are making.


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As of 2035, it was announced a couple of weeks ago, the Government will outlaw the sale of internal combustion-engined cars in the UK, a ban brought forward by five years.
Many column inches so far have been devoted to the issues that this new piece of legislation will present, not only for the automotive industry, but for the country’s infrastructure. But for one small, but significant, part of the economy, the ban presents not just a challenge that needs to be overcome, but an existential threat.
The UK’s cottage car industry is a source of pride and affection for many a British enthusiast, myself included. Granted, many of the storied names that produce low-volume sports, GT and kit cars in this country are arguably not that well known by the public at large, but along with the supply chains and taken as a whole, they employ thousands of people and make up a significant portion of our automotive industry.
However, in 15 years’ time, many of these companies will no longer be able to sell their cars in their home market, unless they can find a way to convert the cars they produce to run on electric power.
It’s hard to overstate how difficult this will be for these smaller manufacturers. Take Westfield Sportscars, for example. The Kingswinford-based company produces kits and factory-built sports cars in the vein of the Lotus Seven, and employs 42 people directly, as well as supporting the employment of many more staff at suppliers.
“The ban will have a devastating effect on our current business, as 60 per cent of our sales are in the UK,” says Simon Westwood, the managing director of both companies.
“The UK has a large amount of small manufacturers who individually produce low volumes – however, combined, the numbers get bigger, and then there is the supply chain behind them.
“I would like to think that the UK Government would remember the low volume manufacturers who are generally family-owned and have not got the finances for development as the big OEMs [original equipment manufacturers] have.
“We are in discussions with a large OEM about sourcing an affordable driveline solution, but without this, we are doomed.”
Westfield, at least, does already have a finger in the electric vehicle (EV) pie. Last year, it purchased Dorset-based Chesil, manufacturer of the Speedster, a Porsche 356 replica, and its battery-electric derivative, the E Speedster.
However, as Westwood points out: “We have made sales, but the E Speedster is expensive to produce due to the small volumes, and therefore costs about £20,000 to £25,000 more than the petrol version. If the difference was £10,000, then I think we would sell many more electric versions.”
Even if Westwood does find an OEM partner from which to purchase a pre-developed electric vehicle drivetrain – much as it does with its internal combustion engines – the costs involved are high; not only are electric motors and batteries expensive in themselves, but Westfield may have to re-engineer its cars drastically to take such a drivetrain – especially if it’s to ensure that the extra weight of the batteries doesn’t compromise the purity of the driving experience that is its cars’ USP.
Meanwhile, many other low-volume manufacturers haven’t even begun to evaluate their options with regard to moving to electric propulsion. For them, replacing an all-petrol model line-up with an all-electric one in just 15 years – perhaps less, if the Government decides to bring forward the ban still further – will require phenomenal investment.
Yes, we need to make cars more environmentally friendly – but a blanket ban such as the one the Government is currently proposing puts at risk this whole industry, replete as it is with skills, innovation and heritage.
And given how small a proportion of the British car parc these low-volume models make up, not to mention how infrequently they’re driven, it’s an industry whose products contribute a vanishingly small amount to our overall CO2 emissions. To me, this feels like a great cost with very little gain.
Of course, the Government can help, either by introducing legislative carve-outs, perhaps allowing these companies to keep using internal combustion engines for a period of time after the ban is introduced, or with financial incentives to help speed up the transition to electric power. And many low-volume car makers are banking on assistance of some sort.
“The news about the Government’s intention to ban petrol and diesel cars by 2035 certainly caught our attention,” says David Ridley, the chief commercial officer of sports car manufacturer Caterham.
“While we can’t predict what legislation will come into play between now and then we’d hope there will be ways to keep lower-volume, specialist manufacturers like us going. Britain has a rich history in producing niche sports cars, and as a manufacturer that has been building cars in the UK for almost 50 years, we want that to continue.”
Liverpool-based BAC, which produces the single-seat Mono sports car, even says it intends to keep investing in internal combustion engine development until the right battery technology exists to make the switch.
“Presently, we’re focusing our attention on reducing emissions in other areas: more efficient engines, the use of additive manufacturing, generative design, nano particle technology and more,” says Stuart Newman, the company’s press & communications officer.
“We’ll continue to take these steps until the technology of [battery] energy density is applicable for us. Niche vehicle manufacturers are agile businesses, so we can continue to innovate and be a crucial stepping stone in this regard, too.”
So has the Government considered the impact its ban will have on this most British of industries? And if so, what does it have in mind?
“We understand the concerns of low volume manufacturers,” a spokesperson from the Department for Transport told me. “That’s why we will be engaging with stakeholders on a wide package of support allowing us to open up new opportunities and lead the world in the shift to zero emission vehicles.
“The Government will continue to work with all sectors of industry to accelerate the rollout of zero emission vehicles - helping to deliver new green jobs in every part of the UK.”
This “widespread package of support” sounds promising – but if the Government is planning to render assistance to Britain’s low-volume manufacturers in meeting its deadline, it needs to spell out exactly what form that will take, to provide those manufacturers with clarity and a sound basis on which to make decisions about the future. What’s more, it needs to do so soon.
Otherwise it needs to be aware that it is putting thousands of jobs at risk – not to mention a flourishing, much-loved and very British industry which we should be celebrating, rather than obliterating.
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With the start of a travel year comes the promise of destinations that are edging their way into spotlight -- or, at the very least, are at stage right waiting for the curtain call.
A slew of openings, expansions and infrastructure developments around the country are going to open up new destinations in 2019 and beyond. Here are just a few of the spots on the horizon worth keeping an eye out for.
Today an exclusive getaway for the adventurous, well-heeled set, Costa Careyes is one of the best-kept, luxurious secrets along the coast of Jalisco. Roughly two hours south of Puerto Vallarta sits an enclave of luxury villas and small resorts that cater to a jet-set elite willing to travel a bit out of the way for privacy and deluxe amenities. But all of that will change with the opening of the new airport in this part of the state.
Officials "are deciding if the airport will be managed by government or personal business," said Aristoteles Sandoval, the governor of Jalisco. "We need an airport that can handle large aircrafts, because of the kind of tourism that is going to go there."
The governor confirmed that Versace will be opening one of the most luxurious resorts in all of Mexico in Costa Careyes, as well as a Four Seasons, all of which are expected to open this year.
Several initiatives will put this well-known destination, and the surrounding area, on the radar from a new angle.
The much-anticipated Nobu Hotel Los Cabos, a hotel project between actor Robert De Niro and chef Nobu Matsuhisa, is set to open this year and is taking reservations for April 1 and onward. The 200-room property will have 103 suites and 97 standard rooms, as well as a Japanese-fusion restaurant, and a farm-to-table concept, known as Malibu Farm helmed by Swedish chef Helen Henderson. Four pools and a 13,691-square-foot spa with nine treatment rooms will also be part of the project.
Ritz-Carlton will be opening its fourth Reserve this year, as well. Zadun, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve will have 115 luxury suites and villas, three golf courses and a spa.
Hard Rock Hotels' fans can start booking their travel to Los Cabos' newest iteration of the brand, which is accepting reservations as of May. The 639-room hotel will have a Rock Spa, Body Rock fitness center, five swim-up bars, six pools, water slides, a slew of restaurants and lounges and the fan-favorite memorabilia.
Los Cabos is also looking to promote and package 10 experiences that are off the traditional tourist trail. Experiences include tours of Todos Santos, sculpture tours in San Jose del Cabo, farm-to-table experiences and more.
One of Yucatan's Pueblos Magicos, Valladolid, is one of the most charming and aesthetically pleasing colonial towns in the entire country. Halfway between now-explosive Merida and tourism mainstay Cancun, Valladolid is a burst of color, history and customs. As Merida continues to grow in popularity, travelers are trickling to the colonial Valladolid for a taste of tradition.
The city was built on the Mayan ceremonial center of Zaci, and is one of the oldest cities in the Yucatan. Discover its Francisco Canton Rosado Central Park, with gorgeous churches that were constructed from the stones of the former Mayan city. The narrow streets are lined with handcraft stores, cozy restaurants serving Mayan dishes and artisan shops. Nearby are cenotes, as well, for adventurous travelers, most notably the Zaci, Dzitnup and Samula cenotes.
San Luis Potosi
One of the most thriving cities in Mexico for industry, San Luis Potosi is a booming business destination. But with the call of business comes ample opportunity for leisure travel, and San Luis Potosi is primed and ready.
In October, American Airlines announced it would increase service between Dallas/Fort Worth and San Luis Potosi. Officials are actually working to add a terminal at this airport to be able to accommodate more than double the current number of arrivals, up to 1.2 million from 500,000 per year. One of the most recent hotel openings was the Conrad San Luis Potosi, and the local government has been improving the highways in response to the investment from the industrial boom.
Located in the Huasteca region, San Luis Potosi is a crossroads of culture and adventure. One of the biggest draws to the region are its spectacular waterfalls. The capital of the state, washed in pink quarry stone, was declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco in 2010, as well. The surrounding highlands are some of the best places to trace Mexico's thriving mining history.


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Releases receipts for watch, shopping trip
East End MLA Arden McLean revealed Tuesday that he had made full reimbursement for four personal charges on his government-issued credit card during his tenure in Cabinet, including repayment of a US$3,500 ladies watch that was bought in Cayman as a gift.
All repayments were made within a month of the purchases, records show.
The Cayman Compass had earlier reported that Mr. McLean’s government-issued credit card was charged for the diamond-studded watch on Dec. 24, 2007, and that the card was also charged for a late October 2008 shopping trip in Florida.
“I have documentary proof that I have repaid in each and every instance any and all charges for personal purchases that I placed on my government-issued credit card,” Mr. McLean said in a press statement issued Tuesday. “I would also like to highlight that in all such instances, because the credit facility was repaid before the same became due, the government did not incur one penny of interest for any purchases that I made with my government-issued credit card.”
Details of the specific repayments were made public Tuesday by Mr. McLean on a local talk radio show prior to his delivering the statement to the Compass offices.
With regard to the Christmas Eve watch purchase, Mr. McLean stated that the charge of US$3,500 was inadvertently made on his government gold Visa card “simply because I mistook it for my personal gold Mastercard when I made the purchase on Christmas Eve.”
Mr. McLean said he later discovered the purchase on Jan. 15, 2008, when his former ministry received the credit card statement via fax.
“I immediately wrote a personal check in the amount of CI$2,931.25 as full reimbursement of the US$3,500 charge,” Mr. McLean said. “I am publishing a copy of that credit card statement and a copy of the repayment check with this press release.” One U.S. dollar is worth 80 cents in Cayman Islands currency.
The East End MLA also explained the Florida shopping trip expenses. To the best of his recollection, he said, he used the government credit card for personal use “because my personal credit card had reached its limit or I had left it behind.
“I did this consciously knowing that I would be paying it on my return to Cayman,” he said.
The charges, made between Oct. 24 and 26, included purchases at JC Penney, Wal-Mart, World Foot Locker, Champs Sports, Burlington Coat Factory, Polo and at the Texas de Brazil restaurant at the Dolphin Mall, were reimbursed on Oct. 29, 2008, via a CI$1,593.02 check and cash in the amount of US$1,000 for a total repayment of US$2,896.45. Again, Mr. McLean obtained receipts for the payments.
“I then asked [his personal assistant] to draft a memorandum for me to sign, addressed to my chief officer explaining the purchase and to attach the receipt from RBC as proof of payment that I had made to the Royal Bank of Canada on Oct. 29, 2008, as reimbursement for those purchases,” Mr. McLean said. “My PA drafted the memo and I signed the same and enclosed the receipt and sent it to my chief officer in order to document the repayment.”
Two other credit card charges made for personal reasons were also discussed by Mr. McLean in the statement issued Tuesday.
“It is in the interest of full disclosure upon examining my files I have, in fact, discovered two other instances where I used my government credit card for what appears to be personal purchases and in both instances I repaid the amount charged before the same became due,” he said.
The other charges related to a one-night stay at a Courtyard Marriott in Miami and a payment for a meal at a Houston, Texas, seafood restaurant.
While Mr. McLean did provide a statement to the Compass on Tuesday, Aug. 19, regarding the purchase of the watch at Kirk Freeport in Bayshore Mall, he did not address direct questions regarding whether it was he who made the purchase and whether he had reimbursed the government. Follow up calls, emails and texts seeking clarification from the East End MLA were not returned during the course of the next week. Mr. McLean said he considered the follow-up reporting as being “hounded and harassed” and referred to one text message sent from a reporter as “rude.”
“Whilst I do appreciate that the press should generally be free to report what facts they can find on any matter, in my view, that does not permit them to harass me or any member of the public, or to engage in disrespectful or defamatory conduct towards me, simply because they do not accept the answers that I gave,” Mr. McLean said.
The East End MLA also explained his previous reluctance to make full disclosure on the matter of the credit card purchases.
“I have … already indicated that I was concerned about the impact that all of this may have on the pending prosecution of the former premier,” Mr. McLean said. “I simply didn’t want to be dragged into any commentary that might be seen to hurt, assist or otherwise impact that matter.
“I would never sacrifice my reputation, the very reputation I have worked so hard to protect, just for the sake of making a few purchases on the account of the government. Nor would I ever seek to pass on my personal expenses to the taxpayers of this country, the same people whose interests I have always fought so hard to protect. My conscience would simply never allow me to do that.”


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Questia founder follows novel script to launch online college library
- Jennifer Darwin
Hours after Rod Canion heard Troy Williams describe his business plan, the co-founder of Compaq Computer Corp. called the entrepreneur to invest in the Internet venture.
The result of that meeting one year ago is Questia Media Inc., a Houston-based company that has quickly grown to employ 200 people, taking up two floors in 3 Greenway Plaza. Questia is an online research service that will provide college students access to 50,000 books online when it launches early next year.
Taking a page from one of the firm's many digitized books, the story of how Questia got its start reads like a fairy tale.
"I met Rod at a group presentation on the business model at a Houston Technology Center function," recalls Williams, Questia's president and CEO. "Rod called me within four hours of that presentation to tell me he wanted to invest."
Canion, who has also invested in three other companies, says that is not his typical response to a business pitch.
"I was not expecting to get involved with this idea when I sat down to hear it," says Canion, Questia's chairman. "It really grabbed me. I became very excited. I remember leaving the meeting and thinking, `I don't want to call him too quickly.' "
The firm has raised a total of $45 million in venture capital from Boston-based TA Associates, Canion and other individual investors. Ken Lay, chairman and CEO of Enron Corp., has a seat on the board. And the management team includes the likes of Randy Dragon, formerly vice president of technical operations for Disney Online, as Questia's vice president and chief technology officer.
"This is actually something that's going to make the world better, and it's a good business," says Williams. "When you put those two things together, you can draw people out of Disney. We can pull people out of virtually any company without any problem."
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Baba Ramdev's Patanjali Ayurved is now looking to sell frozen vegetables like peas, carrot, cauliflower and has set an investment target of Rs 10,000 crore to expand capacity, multiple people with knowledge of the matter said.
Patanjali confirmed its plans for a large-scale foray into the frozen vegetables segment when contacted by CNBC-TV18.
The company, which makes everything from noodles to biscuits to wheat and ghee, has already initiated a pilot launch of a few frozen vegetables like peas in markets such as Delhi, Maharashtra, Haryana and Rajasthan.
The investment of Rs 10,000 crore over the next three to five years will help Patanjali expand capacity and manufacturing footprints as it competes with existing retailers and new-age grocers such as ITC and BigBasket.
Diversified consumer company ITC is also looking to launch frozen vegetables over the next couple of months.
The frozen fruit and vegetables category in India is pegged at Rs 1,482 crore, according to the data from Euromonitor International. The rising income and resultant increased spending on food items has helped push the demand for processed fruits and vegetables consumed in the country.Patanjali Ayurved plans to launch at least 6-7 frozen vegetables in the market in the second phase of the launch. Vegetables like corn and cabbage are likely to be sold in the frozen packaged format by 2019.
At present, the company is working on strengthening cold chain infrastructure across touchpoints in India and plans to reach 10,000 retail outlets across the country by 2019, the sources said.
To meet the demand and ensure availability across retail channels, Patanjali plans to process these vegetables at its units in Uttrakhand, Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra.


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A screen shot of the website run by E-Sports Entertainment LLC, which agreed to a $1 million settlement of consumer fraud allegations by the New Jersey Attorney General's Office.
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E-Sports Entertainment LLC, an online video game company from Long Island, has agreed to settle allegations from the New Jersey Attorney General's office that it infected thousands of personal computers, giving it the ability to monitor users' programs and illegally mine for bitcoins, a virtual currency.
The $1 million settlement by E-Sports Entertainment of Commack, N.Y., a company which operates anti-cheat online game servers where subscribers play against each other, with the state Attorney General's office was filed on Tuesday.
In court papers, the state said E-Sports ...


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Sintek Photronic, a Taiwan-based maker of touch panel sensors, has signed with Samsung Mobile Display a deal to help the South Korean company overcome a shortage of smartphone parts.
In the battle between mobile platforms, one of the most critical factors is the success of the respective app library. The Apple App Store dominates all rivals in terms of sheer volume of apps, but Lookout Mobile Security's App Genome Project illustr...
Toshiba joined the likes of Samsung and Motorola and unveiled a 10.1-inch Android Honeycomb tablet at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. Arriving sometime in the first half of 2011,Toshiba's unnamed tablet focuses on media capabilities, all push...
The Google Android-based Motorola Mobility Xoom tablet will start at about $600 for a Wi-Fi only version – a price that should be much more competitive with Apple iPad pricing than was initially thought.
Take Android, Honeycomb, a 9.4-inch slate, and Sony's PlayStation brand, and what do you get? Why a Playstation Certified gaming tablet, what else!
If you find your smartphone and other devices demand too much attention and drive you bonkers, industry experts agree.
Samsung is flexing its engineering muscles with the Samsung Galaxy S II, while HTC and Sony Ericsson are betting on deep Facebook integration and mobile gaming as the war for smartphone supremacy continues at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona th...
At Mobile World Congress, chip maker IPWireless is demonstrating new technology called Integrated Mobile Broadcast (IMB), which will let operators offer mobile TV on tablets and smartphones like Apple's iPhone and iPad, and Samsung's Galaxy S and Gal...
Chinese phone maker ZTE plans to include NFC (Near-Field Communications) chips in its smartphones and feature phones, it said on Wednesday at Mobile World Congress.
Google's growing influence in the mobile industry is clearly proving worrisome to some established device makers and operators, a few of whom put up a united front against the search giant during a round table at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona on...
When Intel CEO Paul Otellini received a call from Nokia chief Stephen Elop about Nokia's move to Microsoft, he used a word that Yahoo CEO Carol Bartz "has often used."
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Apple held on to its huge lead in global mobile phone applications last year due to its simple billing system but will give up much of that ground by 2014, market research firm IHS Screen Digest said in a report.
Sony will soon begin selling a professional monitor that contains the largest commercial organic light-emitting diode (OLED) screen yet produced.
A little-known Taiwanese semiconductor firm's ambitious plan to grow mobile phone semiconductor sales in China this year foreshadows what analysts see as boom in low-end handsets not only in the world's largest market but also in other countries wher...
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First impression on unpacking the Q702 test unit was the solid feel and clean, minimalist styling.
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Looks as though Amazon is getting into the mapping business, as reports claim that the online retail giant has purchased 3D mapping startup UpNext. Nothing official has arrived by way of either party, but the deal was supposedly sealed on Monday.
The move seemingly points to possible GPS support in the next Kindle Fire tablets, rumored to be called the Kindle Fire HD (7-inch) and the Kindle Fire XL (10-inch), or the next generation. Owners of Amazon's current tablet must download third-party Android apps or access online mapping services through the browser, relying on an IP address instead of actual longitude/latitude points.
But by having an in-house mapping service, not only would the company have a native client to offer, but it would be in a better position to compete with Google and Apple which offer their own 3D mapping services. Even more, the acquisition could pave the way for an Amazon smartphone which would provide turn-by-turn directions.
In January, UpNext partnered with Verizon Wireless to release the UpNext HD Maps app for Apple's iPhone, iPad and Android tablets. It covers 50 cities across the United States, 23 of which are 3D enhanced including New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, Portland, San Francisco and more. The app allows the user to drop down to street level and tap their way to more information about the surrounding buildings, and different views of the area. Reviews call it "gorgeous" and "amazingly fluid."
As part of the Amazon acquisition, the four-person mapping company will reportedly move from its New York office and head to Seattle to lead Amazon's core mapping effort. UpNext was founded in 2007 by high school friends Raj Advani, Vik Advani, Robin Har and Danny Moon who have mostly bootstrapped the company until March 2011, when they raised $500,000.
Prior to the Amazon acquisition, UpNext's investors have included Chris Sacca’s Lowercase Capital, David Cohen’s Bullet Time Ventures, David Tisch’s Box Group and Paul Sethi’s PKS Capital. UpNext's investors are reportedly getting a 5x return on their investment from 16 months ago, which only means extra dollar signs for Amazon once the acquisition is complete.


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Sony's PlayStation Network (PSN) restored
- 07 June, 2011 09:08
Sony’s PlayStation Network (PSN) is back up and running for Australian users, according to the Japanese gaming giant.
Advising PSN users in an email sent overnight, Sony said access to the PlayStation Store on PlayStation3, PSP (PlayStationPortable) and on PC via Media Go was now restored.
According to the company, a number of additional security improvements to PSN had been made through its work with “several respected outside security firms” to strengthen safeguards against unauthorised activity and provide consumers with greater protection of their personal information.
“The company has made considerable enhancements to the data security, including updating and adding advanced security technologies, additional software monitoring and penetration and vulnerability testing, and increased levels of encryption and additional firewalls,” Sony’s official blog reads.
“The company also added a variety of other measures to the network infrastructure including an early warning system for unusual activity patterns that could signal an attempt to compromise the network.”
Read more about Sony PlayStation Network
The company is also pushing a system software update, 3.61, to customers to run before they are allowed to log on to the PlayStation Network again. User passwords will also have to be reset.
“In restoring PSN, we have introduced a safety measure which means you will need to update your PlayStation Network account password before you can start using PSN again,” the customer email reads.
“Again, we would like to thank you for your patience and support whilst our teams worldwide work to get the full range of PSN services back up and running.”
Sony’s experience and the effect of the hack on its customers has prompted security and compliance specialist NetIQ to argue that Sony should look into investments that could limit the impact and damage of future attacks, such as an incident response team similar to those used by banks and financial institutions.
“Looking at the financial impact this breach has had on Sony, both directly and indirectly, this incident response capability would be a very smart investment,” NetIQ's Australia principal consultant, Patrick Eijkenboom, said.
Sony has also announced the details of its ‘Welcome Back’ package for affected PSN users.
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Gold Standard Baking set to build new $42 million facility in Pleasant Prairie
Chicago-based Gold Standard Baking, a high-volume bakery specializing in a variety of sweet baked goods like croissants and Danishes, recently opened a new 200,000-square-foot facility in the LakeView Corporate Park in Pleasant Prairie.
The company is expected to invest $42 million in the plant and to hire 100 employees, with the facility operating three shifts per day to enable the company to meet growing demand for its products. The Pleasant Prairie location will be the company’s second, joining its Chicago plant.
“Over the past 30 years, Gold Standard Baking has grown from a neighborhood bakery in Chicago to a company that now employs 400-plus people and delivers quality baked goods to customers nationwide,” said Mark R. Hogan, secretary and CEO of WEDC. “Gold Standard Baking is a welcome addition to Wisconsin’s vibrant food and beverage processing industry, which has nearly 1,400 companies that employ 93,000 people statewide.”
To help support the company’s growth, WEDC awarded Gold Standard Baking up to $575,000 in tax credits, with the actual amount contingent on the fulfillment of job creation and capital investment requirements.
More information about Gold Standard Baking can be found on InWisconsin.com.