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After almost a decade of debate, planning and cost overruns, the widened Panama Canal is scheduled to open June 26. The $7 billion construction project will allow bigger ships with more cargo to pass through the 48-mile shipping channel that connects the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean.
The expansion of the 102-year-old canal is projected to double canal traffic with the addition of a third lane and room for larger ships. Ships of 1,400 feet in length, 180 feet in width and 60 feet in depth can now pass through – with capacity up to 14,000 containers compared to 5,000 containers in the past.
Along the East Coast, more than a dozen port cities from Wilmington, Del., to Port Everglades, Fla., expect major increases in shipping – and big boosts to the local economies.
After all, the Panama Canal is responsible for approximately five percent of the world's commercial shipping. Other major Atlantic container ports include: New York/Newark, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Norfolk, Charleston, Savannah, Wilmington, NC, and Miami.
“Every port is trying to get a slice of the pie,” PNC Economist Mekael Teshome said. “Ten percent of traffic that currently goes through the West Coast will be diverted to the East Coast ports. This should translate into millions of dollars for the shipping industry.”
Many of these port cities have been making major investments to prepare for more traffic with bigger ships. The work includes dredging deeper shipping channels, installing larger gantry cranes and expanding container yards.
The state of Florida, for example, expects a major return on improvements made at the Port of Miami, Port of Tampa Bay, Port Canaveral and Jaxport in Jacksonville. In 2012, Gov. Rick Scott signed legislation to prioritize port and transportation projects vital to international trade. By 2014 the state’s budget included nearly $139 million for seaport infrastructure.
“Miami could benefit the most with its international import/export business,” Teshome said.
The expansion of the Panama Canal could provide a ripple effect and stimulate the manufacturing industry in the region, and will also help attract producers at the port because of the cheap cost of shipping.
Most large U.S. ports combined public and private money to pay for improvements. Examples include:
In addition to the job growth anticipated in and around the U.S. ports, the canal expansion also is expected to benefit the U.S. economy, Teshome said.
A recent U.S. Department of Transportation study found a return on investment of $7 for every $1 invested in port infrastructure. Besides new jobs in U.S. port cities, the expanded canal could increase U.S. exports and global trade.
One example is natural gas exports from the United States to Asia. Cheaper shipping could make natural gas more attractive to other countries. Currently, only about 6 percent of the world’s natural gas carriers are able to pass through the canal. After the expansion, about 90 percent are expected to fit and pass through.
The U.S. agricultural industry also could benefit by shipping more crops and food from the Midwest to international markets, with larger ships loading at U.S. ports in the Gulf of Mexico and heading to the Panama Canal.
Teshome, however, cautioned that some benefits are being overexaggerated while total expansion costs are "undercounted."
PNC’s economists provide national, regional and global economic & financial trends.
PNC Point of View
Real People. Real Perspective. Real Insights. »


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After stalling this summer, a bill establishing a new agency affecting financial advertisers is back on track. Ad industry groups argue that the bill, which would create a Consumer Financial Protection Agency, could cause confusion for marketers promoting financial products and services –particularly when running national campaigns. The bill passed the Financial Services Committee Thursday.
In July, a coalition of trade groups including the Interactive Advertising Bureau, American Association of Advertising Agencies, and Association of National Advertisers, complained that the scope of the legislation was too broad, “granting unprecedented power and authority to a new agency with very few checks on that agency’s power.”
Among the concerns at the time was that the creation of the new agency could diminish the Federal Trade Commission’s consumer protection authority over financial companies. Now, at least one ad trade group is worried that amendments made to the bill last week could actually empower the FTC.
The Association of National Advertisers (ANA) argues the amended bill makes it easier for the commission to make rulings that could affect whole industries. Put simply, the amendments remove what the FTC considers to be cumbersome restrictions on its ability to make rules affecting all industries in a timely manner. Because of these restrictions, the FTC has typically chosen not to make rules unless empowered to do so by Congress under specific circumstances.
Consumer advocates think groups like the ANA want the FTC to lose power. “The ad lobby is working to weaken the proposed legislation [in the Consumer Financial Protection Agency bill] that would strengthen the ability of the FTC to protect consumers,” Center for Digital Democracy Executive Director Jeff Chester told ClickZ News. “Advertisers are clearly fearful that the newly reawakened FTC will become a more effective consumer watchdog, especially in the areas of online advertising as well as youth marketing,” he added.
Its opposition to the amendments, contended Dan Jaffe, executive VP for the ANA, “is not to hamstring the FTC, but to make it thoughtful; a thoughtful agency doesn’t mean a weak agency.” He added, “We do not want to shackle the FTC.”
Indeed, Jaffe said if the ANA and most other advertising trade groups had their way, the CFPA would not be established at all, meaning the FTC would retain its current authority over financial product and services advertising.
“We think the ideal situation is for the FTC to maintain its authorities,” Jaffe said.
Also worrisome to advertisers is the potential creation of new rules regulating financial ad practices, while conflicting state laws remain intact. According to the bill, the new agency could only preempt state consumer financial protection laws under limited circumstances.
If the federal regulations are inconsistent with state laws, argued Jaffe, “How can you have a national [ad] campaign?”
As the bill makes its way to the House floor, Jaffe thinks legislators are not paying enough attention to industry groups’ concerns. “This is moving very fast. There is a desire to gel action on the hill,” he said, adding, “Considering the size and magnitude of this legislation, there have been far less hearings [than one would expect].”
As an organisation, finding the right marketing channels is an essential part of your marketing strategy.
2017 is the year in which CMOs are expected to outspend CIOs on technology, according to Gartner, which is no surprise given the way in which consumers of all kinds are increasingly using technology in their everyday lives.
As it prepares for a 2017 IPO that could be the largest in the social media space since Facebook went public in 2012, all eyes are on Snapchat.
Amazon Prime was launched in 2005 as an express shipping membership program and more than a decade later it has tens of millions of subscribers who enjoy a lot more than just free, fast shipping on millions of products Amazon sells.

domain: news


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Chevy Technology Series Part 4: Connectivity
How Far Chevy Has Come Since Offering the First Radio Option in 1924
Not that many years ago, auto enthusiasts examined each other’s cars, asking,
“What do you have under the hood?” Make no mistake — Chevrolet has plenty of potent powertrains available to answer that question — but for many tech-savvy enthusiasts, the question has become, “What do you have in the dashboard?”
From one end of Chevrolet’s model range to the other, we have plenty of answers for that question too. At Chevrolet, tapping into the ever-evolving digital world is a central priority to ensure customers have every opportunity to make use of the safety, informational, environmental and entertainment opportunities that connectivity presents.
The Connectivity of OnStar
Let’s start with OnStar®† which debuted as a crucial but comparatively simple service at the Chicago Auto Show in 1996, and quickly spread through the Chevrolet lineup. Primarily an air bag deployment notification system, OnStar quickly grew to offer a comprehensive range of services.
And not just in the United States. Would it come as a surprise to learn that there have been nearly 14 million requests from OnStar users for its Turn-by-Turn Navigation service? It may when you learn that all those requests have come from China alone, where OnStar has been available only since late 2009. In the United States, those turn-by-turn requests are approaching 100 million.
Other OnStar stats are comparably impressive: More than a million emergency services delivered, nearly 600,000 “good Samaritan” calls, more than 213 million vehicle diagnostic emails sent, nearly six million “remote door unlocks,” nearly three million roadside assistance responses and nearly 60,000 instances of stolen vehicle assistance.
In 2009, OnStar introduced a feature that could not only pinpoint the location of a stolen vehicle that was equipped with the service, but would disable the gas pedal after police notified OnStar that the vehicle had been spotted. The first use was in October 2009 when OnStar led police to a Chevrolet Tahoe that had been hijacked at gunpoint. Police arrested the thief when OnStar remotely slowed the Tahoe as it was speeding away.
Customers Drive Innovations
OnStar’s innovation has been driven by what its customers want and need. “For more than 16 years, OnStar has developed and enhanced our service by listening to our customers,” says Joanne Finnorn, OnStar vice president of Subscriber Services. “They tell us how they use technology and what they want it to do.”
Earlier this year, OnStar began offering Family Link, which allows subscribers to stay connected to their loved ones driving an OnStar-equipped vehicle. Subscribers can log on to the Family Link website to view a map with the vehicle’s location.
Another feature, RemoteLink™ debuted in 2010, and already more than 800,000 active users of the mobile application have checked their tire pressure, the amount of fuel in their tank and unlocked their doors as part of the more than 14 million interactions that have occurred since the auto industry-first mobile app became available. The RemoteLink mobile app was conceived as a feature for Chevrolet Volt owners to remotely check the status of their vehicle’s battery life, and from there, the idea grew to leverage OnStar’s unique connection to customers’ vehicles.
OnStar Helps Volt Customers Access the “Smart Grid”
Indeed, the Chevrolet Volt offers some unique opportunities for OnStar to enhance the ownership experience. OnStar is actively reaching out to utilities, energy companies and tech firms to develop smart grid solutions for the Chevrolet Volt using a set of proprietary OnStar application programming interfaces, or APIs.
So what is smart grid? It’s an electricity network that uses two-way digital communication to control a consumer’s electrical usage, therefore saving energy, reducing costs and increasing reliability. One advantage to Volt owners is that the smart grid can recharge Volt batteries when area electrical consumption is lowest and often cheapest. “With the power of OnStar behind it, the Chevrolet Volt is smart grid-ready today,” says Nick Pudar, OnStar vice president of Planning and Business Development. “Now we need utilities and other companies to take the steps necessary to make smart grid solutions a reality for Volt owners.”
In addition, a 17-car Volt fleet in California is demonstrating the possibility of having OnStar notify Volt owners when and where renewable energy is available to charge their vehicles. “This demonstration shows that in the near future, customers will have a real signal of demand for renewable energy,” says Pudar. “As customers configure their Volts to favor renewable energy for their charging cycle, this real demand signal will influence utilities to tap into renewable sources.”
While OnStar has long been an industry pioneer in automotive connectivity, it is only the start of Chevrolet’s range of connectivity solutions that extends across the lineup.
A New Innovation: Chevrolet MyLink
Chevrolet MyLink† is an all-new in-car infotainment system that gives customers a higher level of in-vehicle wireless connectivity and customized infotainment options. Chevrolet MyLink syncs content from your compatible smartphone to a color touch-screen. Depending on the vehicle you choose, you can use voice commands or touch controls to access contacts, initiate hands-free calling or play music from your MP3 player, flash drive or compatible smartphone with Bluetooth audio streaming. It even integrates apps like Pandora®† and Stitcher
SmartRadio™† with the center stack touch-screen controls, so you can stream your personalized radio selections direct from your smartphone.
MyLink is for Everyone
What you may not expect is that Chevrolet MyLink† is available on the Spark mini car — and is, in fact, standard on two of the three models — offering a 7-inch diagonal color touch-screen radio capable of integrating smartphone-based music, including music from Pandora®† and contacts for hands-free calling. Later, a navigation app will be offered on the Chevrolet MyLink† system that Spark and Sonic share, which is specially designed for the two models’ target market. Chevrolet MyLink† Radio, with an in-dash navigation option, is offered on the 2013 Malibu and Malibu Eco, Volt, Camaro, Cruze, Traverse and Equinox.
Designers and engineers have worked hard to make Chevrolet MyLink† quick and easy to use — the goal is to give consumers maximum control over communication, information and entertainment services, while minimizing required input.
Music, and a Whole Lot More
Connectivity isn’t just all about information — it can be about entertainment too. Car buyers considering the all-new 2013 Chevy Malibu, for instance, “don’t have to settle for mass-market radio,” says Jon Hahn, Malibu marketing manager. “They want the option to create their own individual stations and have access to them wherever they are. Chevrolet MyLink† makes media personalization easy for consumers on the go.”
Indeed, personalization is key. On select vehicles like Malibu, Chevrolet MyLink† retains the capabilities of today’s entertainment functions, including AM/FM/SiriusXM†, a CD player with MP3 playback, auxiliary audio and USB inputs.
Also offered on select vehicles is an enhanced, hands-free voice control system powered by Nuance, that allows simple voice commands to initiate phone calls and select radio stations or media from portable MP3 players and compatible smartphones.
The Latest Apps
Pandora® Internet Radio† allows users to create personalized radio stations based on favorite artists or genres. and StitcherSmartRadio™† provides access to thousands of audio programming choices, allowing customers to build a personalized listening experience that can be accessed on Chevrolet MyLink†, after building the station lineup online. For both, data plan rates apply. Gracenote® identifies music collections on a compatible smartphone or MP3 player and presents information such as artist name, genre and album cover art on the Chevrolet MyLink† screen.
And, of course, Chevrolet MyLink allows drivers to easily use their communications technology while their phones remain safely stowed.
Volt Concept Points to the Future
Let’s take a peek at a car that could foreshadow the future for connectivity on Chevrolet vehicles.
It’s the OnStar 4G LTE Chevrolet Volt Advanced Concept Vehicle, and it showcases the potential for connectivity that was developed in partnership with OnStar and Verizon to connect users to the “cloud,” via the Verizon 4G LTE network, providing access to streaming content from a home computer or a popular consumer streaming service like Twonky™.
Inside the 4G LTE Chevrolet Volt, there are three separate “content zones” — the driver can stream his or her favorite music on a center control stack, while each rear passenger is able to control their own specific content through a pair of tablets in the back of each headrest.
Rear passengers can watch streaming movies, play games and make a Skype™ video call. A Home Energy Management application would allow passengers to control home temperature, lights and the garage door before arriving home.
The OnStar 4G LTE Volt Advanced Concept Vehicle is “just a glimpse of what is possible,” says Terry Inch, OnStar Chief Operating Officer.


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Drone technology has been around for a few years now and chances are you have seen on humming around your suburb – especially around Christmas time.
While they are fun toys and a great way to get photos and vision from angles previously not possible, there are also many practical ways that these devices can be used within. For instance, they are already being trialled in a range of different applications, which are set to change the way these gadgets are used in the future. And some of these uses may not be what you would expect...
Performing agricultural tasks
There is so much work that can be done on the farm with a drone, and the future is looking extremely bright for this field of innovation. Currently, these devices are used to assess crops, ensure irrigation is reaching all quarters, spray pesticides, spot diseases and many, many other tasks. And in the near future, there’s looking to be plenty more on the cards.
Sell real estate
Drones give people a virtual inspection of homes, allowing them to view property remotely. For those that can’t make physical inspections, this presents a huge convenience, and boosts the potential for agents to convert these leads into actual buyers. Best of all, skilled pilots are able to not only show footage of the outside of properties, but take people on a bird’s eye view inside as well.
Drones are already being tested for their ability to construct things across a number of industries. For instance, the Swiss Institute of Technology has been working on the Aerial Construction Project, which has already seen drones build a 24-foot rope bridge between two structures.
As the technology advances and testing continues, drones will be able to play more active roles in building across the board.
Putting out fires
Getting to fires in large, metropolitan areas with towering skyscrapers can be a difficult task. We’re all familiar with ‘Elvis’ – the amazing bushfire emergency helicopter that frequents many regions across Australia. But in China, where there’s a very condensed population, they’re ramping things up by using drones to help put out fires in high rises even quicker.
In Australia, the technology is being trialled to tackle bushfires as well, though Elvis will still lead the charge for now.
As another example, Forestry Corporation in New South Wales is using drones to identify the location and scope of fires effectively. This allows them to manage their teams on the ground without a hitch.
A time when drones could deliver packages – and even food – to our doorstep is close at hand (if not already in play).
In one case, Dominos Pizza has already tried this technology, with a New Zealand couple becoming the first people in the world to have a pizza delivered by drone in 2016. The fast food giant is working with drone delivery company Flirtey to make this a mainstream reality, with faster and larger machines required to get the job done.
For retail, Amazon’s Prime Air service is another drone delivery service in the works, where testing has begun in the UK.
They are a vehicle, so why not race them?
Professional drone racing is already a thing with the US National Drone Racing Championships established in 2016 in the United States. The qualifiers are open to the public and pilots wear first-person goggles while flying their drones through a prepared circuit complete with obstacles.
It’s also being used as a fun way to engage high school students in science.


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“I want to bring the steel industry back into our country,” declared President Trump last month. “Maybe [things] will cost a little bit more, but we’ll have jobs.”
Tariff opponents in Congress and industry, however, have argued that what may be good for steel won’t be good for other industries. Asked why auto manufacturers are so opposed to tariffs if the impact on their costs is minimal, as the administration is arguing, newly elevated Trump trade adviser Peter Navarro was dismissive. “Look, they don’t like this. Of course they don’t,” he said. “What do they do? They spin. They put out fake news. They put all this hyperbole out.”
Is Navarro right?
To answer, we’ve analyzed historical data to estimate the impact of Trump’s proposed 25 percent steel tariffs on auto sales and employment. For the technically minded, you can follow the details of our calculations in the endnotes.
We estimate that an average car requires 2.4 tons of steel to build. Given that tariffs tend to increase import prices (which determine domestic prices) by at least as much as the tariff, we calculate that a 25 percent steel tariff will increase the price of new passenger vehicles manufactured in the United States by an average of 1.3 percent.
Now, based on recent research into the sensitivity of auto sales to price, we estimate that a 1.3 percent rise in the price of American-made cars would translate into a 4 percent decline in global sales of such cars. This we illustrate in the top left figure above, which shows our sales projections with and without the Trump tariffs.
But what does this mean for American auto jobs? The historical relationship between U.S. auto sales and employment is tight, as shown below.
Based on this relationship, we would expect a 4 percent decline in sales to result in auto-industry job losses of 45,000 by the end of 2019. This we illustrate in the bottom left figure above.
Given that employment in the U.S. auto industry is vastly higher than in the U.S. steel industry, such job losses would swamp any possible increase in steel employment. As we show in the right-hand figure above, total expected job loss from Trump’s steel tariffs in the U.S. auto industry alone is equivalent to almost one-third of the entire U.S. steel industry workforce.
In short, Navarro is wrong—deeply so. Employment in the U.S. auto industry will suffer from Trump’s tariffs to a vastly greater degree than it could possibly benefit in the U.S. steel industry.
- ^ According to the World Steel Association, the amount of steel required to produce one ton of automobile or auto-part product ranges from 0.2 to 1.0 tons. Using a midpoint value of 0.6, we estimate that an average passenger vehicle of roughly four tons uses 2.4 tons of steel.
- ^ This estimate assumes that the auto industry will pass steel costs on to consumers and that steel prices in the United States will rise 25 percent due to tariffs. The latter assumption is conservatively based on recent findings that a 1 percent increase in tariff costs, alone, tends to raise import prices slightly more than 1 percent.
- ^ A portion of these laid-off workers who work in auto retail could conceivably be hired later by foreign auto companies exporting to the U.S. that gain market share over domestic producers.
This is a Hedgeye Guest Contributor piece written by Benn Steil and reposted from the Council on Foreign Relations’ Geo-Graphics blog. Mr Steil is director of international economics at the Council on Foreign Relations and author of The Battle of Bretton Woods and The Marshall Plan: Dawn of the Cold War. It does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Hedgeye.


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‘We are doing everything we can to find global climate problems and making them design drivers for future architecture and design. An example we have done is to design the world’s first circular building’ says Anders Lendager, CEO and founder of Lendager Group.
He continues, ‘The reason why everybody isn’t doing upcycling and circular economy is because it has some challenges. Obviously, it would be the best thing for the environment to work with circularity, sustainability, and saving CO2 in every design we do. But it’s difficult. We need to invent new business models. We need to invent new materials. And by doing so, we’re also inventing a new kind of aesthetic.’
Watch the full interview below.


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Gwyneth Paltrow has made the news yet again, this time for purchasing an NFT rather than releasing a problematic product. Paltrow joined the Bored Ape Yacht Club group thanks to the groundbreaking MoonPay, which allowed her to do so without having to buy cryptocurrencies first.
Reports concerning the American actress and entrepreneur are nothing new to her. She’s famed for her Goop candle, which smells like, well, let’s just call it her flower. Paltrow has decided to join the BAYC bandwagon after stepping away from her more avant-garde endeavours.
The Golden Globe winner confirmed her membership in the BAYC on Twitter. NFT collections is a household name. Paltrow went on to say that this transaction was made possible via MoonPay, a software business that has made significant inroads into the crypto sector.
MoonPay recently found a way to let NFT buyers continue their purchases without having to first invest in bitcoin. MoonPay’s new technology lowers fees, streamlines the verification process, and sends tokens to on-chain wallet addresses. This not only makes things easier for collectors today but also opens up the market to a whole new demographic of credit and debit card users.
These new updates may have convinced Gwyneth Paltrow, albeit this has not been confirmed. She just expressed gratitude to the business for the transaction. BAYC has shown to be a great decision, as they continue to lead the market. The popularity of NFTs has exploded, attracting people from all walks of life, including celebrities. Finally, it is projected that more celebrities would invest in NFTs and share the art they amass.


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Two customers entered City Sports on Fifth Avenue this pre-marathon week and told Momoh Pujeh they needed running shoes.
Pujeh, a salesman, fetched a model that looked like a kind of reinforced foot glove: the Vibram FiveFingers.
“This is the future of shoes,” Pujeh told the two women. They politely asked to see the latest Nikes.
While their adoption has been gradual, the popularity of Vibram FiveFingers is a by-product of the emerging barefoot running movement inspired by Christopher McDougall’s 2009 book “Born to Run.” By offering only minimal sole protection, the FiveFingers are challenging running shoe industry giants to develop lightweight models that scale back years of added sneaker technology — what Pujeh called “excess stuff” that interferes with our healthy, innate running form.
“Vibram came out with the shoe, kind of cornered the market briefly for people who wanted to try this,” said Stuart Calderwood, senior editor at New York Road Runners. “Now the major brands are following suit by coming out with models that are ultralight and not maybe so funny-looking.”
Puma, which is rolling out its stripped-down Faas line of shoes this season, is among the brands whose product developers are listening.
“Everything we heard in the market was that the easiest-built shoes are the best shoes you can put out there,” said Phillipp Hahm, Puma’s senior running product manager.


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This commentary was originally sent to Growth Seeker subscribers at 11:06 on Dec. 22.
This morning, Bank of America Merrill Lynch (BAC) upgraded its view on Foot Locker (FL), and in the process issued some favorable comments on Growth Seeker portfolio holding Under Armour (UA).
Specifically, because of the strength of the recently released Stephen Curry sneaker and the Speedform running platform, Under Armour was called out as an emerging footwear brand at both the mall channel and at Foot Locker in particular.
Currently, Under Armour products are in 30%-40% of Foot Locker stores. Given the strength of UA's footwear performance this holiday season, we would not be surprised to see it rolled out at more Foot Locker stores in the coming quarters.
Per data published by SportScan, Under Armour's footwear is seeing strong sell-through in basketball (again, Stephen Curry) and running sneakers (Speedform), and we'd note this is the strongest footwear UA has had, heading into the holiday shopping season. To us, this confirms the lack of promotion and sales around UA's footwear that was noticed in Versace's most recent holiday mall walk.
As we mentioned yesterday in our weekly Roundup comments, after the market close tonight Under Armour competitor Nike (NKE) will report its quarterly results. We will have comments and insights following that release and subsequent earnings call.
At current levels, the shares offer a compelling long-term opportunity for newer subscribers. Our price target remains $120.


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Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. auto sales had a very unfortunate year in 2020, down around 15% from 2019. Luckily, early forecasts predict that the market will bounce back somewhat it 2021, with a growth of around 7% to 10% compared to 2020. Typically, we see an increase in auto purchases after tax season, especially on Presidents’ Day weekend, though with the pandemic still raging across the U.S., this period may be less profitable than usual.
Despite the lackluster auto market last year, consumer auto debt still increased. According to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s latest report on household indebtedness, auto-loan balances have grown over the past nine years, increasing by another $17 billion in Q3 2020.


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Epic has announced via Twitter that on Thursday, Ark: Survival EvolvedThe 2017 action-adventure survival game, ‘The Game of Survival,’ is now available. GloomhavenThe 2021 cooperative dungeon crawler is available for download free of charge for one week.
Studio Wildcard’s dino-centric survival game has done quite well for itself, releasing four paid DLC expansion packs and several other free expansions, not to mention a battle royale spin-off, since it first launched on early access back in 2015. There’s even a sequel coming out next year, this time with a single-player campaign and an accompanying animated series starring Vin Diesel!
Flaming Fowl Studios’ videogame adaptation of the cooperative Gloomhaven board game, meanwhile, has seen critical success, earning favorable reviews following its early access launch, with Polygon’s own review complimenting its “clear and streamlined user interface” and dense gameplay.
The idea of picking up one or both games for free seems simple. However, the offer ends on September 29th so make sure you act quickly and free up space on your hard disk.
#Ark #Survival #Evolved #Gloomhaven #free #Epic #Games #Store


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With its meteoric rise from underground skate brand to fashion empire, knockoff Supreme gear is just as much a part of the culture surrounding the brand as its resale phenomena. But nobody foresaw the rise of the legal fake. It all came to light a few years back when a company called IBF registered the brand’s trademark in Italy, and began mass producing counterfeit gear under its Supreme Italia name. It lost in court in 2018, and the merch was ceased by authorities.
But the problem did not go away. IBF quickly registered the trademark in territories that the real Supreme slept on, including Spain and China; and there’s currently an ongoing battle in international courts between Supreme New York and IBF over this dispute. CNN investigates the matter in the above report that was released online yesterday.
Supreme is notoriously tightlipped when it comes to talking to the press. But the below commercial featuring Funk Master Flex that dropped last month to coincide with the brand’s Spring ’19 announcement seems to serve as its official statement on the matter.


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1st Schneider Facebook Live: Reflections on Wreaths Across America
By Jon Ritscher Feb 28, 2017
As Schneider's 2016 Ride of Pride driver, it was a huge honor to participate in Wreaths Across America, and describe it more in Schneider's first Facebook Live.
Schneider Associates Break More Charitable Giving Records
By Donna Mahoney Feb 17, 2017
Charitable giving is an important part of the Schneider Way, as evidenced by recent donations to the Salvation Army and the Rawhide Boys Ranch.
Schneider Offers Tuition Assistance to Help Associates Further Education
By Tammy Arvey Feb 13, 2017
Schneider believes in personal development and invests in associates who want to further their education. Learn more about our Tuition Assistance Program.
Top 12 'Slice of Orange' Schneider Blog Posts of 2016
By The Schneider Guy Dec 29, 2016
It's been a fantastic year at Schneider. For post No. 100 on our blog this year, we look back at the top posts of 2016 — plus a bonus at the end.
Holiday Giving Spotlight: STM Chicago Team Donates Toys to Children's Hospital
By Matt Battaglia Dec 22, 2016
Charitable giving is part of Schneider's DNA, and the Transportation Management team in Chicago lives that out in a powerful way. Be inspired by their efforts.
A Once-in-a-Lifetime Load: Reflections on Delivering the White House Christmas Tree
By Charles “Chip” Hill Dec 15, 2016
All loads aren’t created equal — that’s what driver Chip Hill discovered when he learned he was delivering something once-in-a-lifetime to our nation’s Capitol.
Schneider Store Offers Branded Apparel and Merchandise Online and Onsite
By Sherri Thyes Dec 13, 2016
Schneider's company store sells hundreds of products through physical stores and online, available to both Schneider associates and the general public.
Schneider Associates ‘Light the Way,’ Break United Way Record Again
By Tia Schumacher and Francine Potts Dec 6, 2016
Together, Schneider associates raised hundreds of thousands of dollars through the 2016 United Way campaign, helping people in their own communities.
Founder Al Schneider's Office Commemorated in Reacquired Schneider Facility
By Steve Parent Nov 29, 2016
Al Schneider's office was recently commemorated in Schneider's previous headquarters, just as Don Schneider’s office was in Schneider’s current headquarters.
Schneider Foundation's 'Dollars for Doers' Program Rewards Associates Who Give Back to the Community
By LuEllen Oskey Nov 15, 2016
Many Schneider associates donate their time and talents to nonprofit organizations, and the "Dollars for Doers" program amplifies those efforts. Here's how.
Don Schneider's Library: The Blueprint for a Company 'Built to Last'
By The Schneider Guy Nov 4, 2016
Schneider is built to last, thanks in part to the books in Don Schneider's library and his passion to implement what he read, as told in our history book.


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Samsung Bangladesh has recently launched a new variant of Galaxy M31 – 8GB RAM+128GB internal storage. The brand debuted its previous variant – 6GB RAM+64GB internal storage – on May 2020. The new device with the monstrous battery (MegaMonster) is listed at BDT 27,999
Galaxy M31 was well received by the customers around the nation, and due to its popularity Samsung has launched a new variant of the model.
The Samsung Galaxy M31 8GB variant comes with the same specifications as the previous variant, with the only difference being the increase in RAM and ROM capacity. The smartphone runs Android 10 with One UI 2.0 on top. It features a 6.4-inch Full-HD+ Infinity-U Display with an aspect. Under the hood, the phone is powered by the Octa-Core Exynos 9611 SoC with 8GB of RAM.
For optics, the device has a Quad rear camera setup that is headlined by a 64MP primary sensor. There is an 8MP secondary sensor ultra-wide-angle lens that has a field of view (FoV) of 123-degrees. There is also a 5MP macro shooter along with a 5MP depth camera. For selfies and videos, the smartphone has a 32MP camera on the front, housed in the U-shaped notch.
The new variant comes with 128GB of UGS2.1 onboard storage that is expandable via microSD card. Equipped the massive battery of 6,000mAh, Galaxy M31 8GB variant supports 15W fast charging and has a fingerprint sensor at the back along with a Type C port for charging.
Galaxy M31 8GB variant is available in galaxyshopbd.com and all Samsung official outlets.
- “The Wolf of Wall Street: A Cautionary Tale of Excess and Greed” - March 3, 2023
- Hola gives the people of Bangladesh free access to a world of online content with the launch of its Hola Browser - January 27, 2023
- Don’t stop cultivating cash crops but increase production in unutilized lands: PM - January 13, 2023


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Publisher Stardock has released the first trailer for Demigod
, its upcoming "team-based action game with RTS and RPG elements" being developed by Gas Powered Games. The title will support one-on-one battles, but the game apparently shines in team play. The idea of a "team-based" RTS is still something we're wrapping our brains around; as multiplayer RTS is nothing new, but Demigod
sounds like something different. For those who really want to get some hands-on time with the game, we were able to confirm the title will be at PAX
recently spoke with GPG and Stardock about the development of Demigod
and we're definitely looking forward to learning more as the title continues its crusade for an early 2009 launch. We're still keeping our fingers crossed for an announcement that the game will make the leap to consoles
. Check out the trailer after the break.


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Beijing News shell financial news (reporter) Liang Chen) on February 20, Foxconn Technology Group (also known as Hon Hai Precision) held the opening ceremony. Chairman Liu Yangwei of Foxconn Technology Group presided over and answered a reporter’s question. In the fourth quarter or so, there will be two to three vehicles designed according to the MIH platform. Currently, 736 members of MIH have joined in, and a general meeting will be held in March to disclose the next development plan of MIH.
MIH is an electric vehicle industry alliance promoted by Foxconn, which is an internal organization of Foxconn. In November 2020, Foxconn announced that it would become an independent organization by the end of June 2021. Liu Yangwei once said that members of the alliance will share their experience in electric vehicles in order to shorten development time and reduce development costs.
As for electric vehicles, Liu Yangwei said that last year he judged that 2025 would be a critical year, but now it may be advanced to 2024. Many new electric vehicles will be released before 2024, so the recent two or three years are very critical. He also predicted that there would be more new electric car players than expected. Foxconn is exploring cooperation with Geely and Faraday future.
In addition, Liu Yangwei said that in the first quarter of this year, “the off-season is not weak”, because the lack of work is not like the previous situation because of the local new year. Moreover, the epidemic has eased, and the demand side continues to be at the end of last year (2020).
In response to the progress of bidding for Malaysia’s 8-inch wafer factory, Liu Yangwei said that the company is still making efforts to negotiate with the local government in connection with the decision, and there may be different forms of cooperation.
In addition, Liu Yangwei also responded to the problem of chip shortage. Foxconn is still evaluating the causes of the shortage, and believes that demand is the real reason. Its customers have proper planning, and the impact is limited.


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The legalization of retail marijuana sales in New York has the potential to create a multi-billion-dollar industry within the decade, according to an economic analysis set to be released on Wednesday.
The report, by New School economist James Parrot and labor market consultant Michele Mattingly, comes as state lawmakers and Gov. Andrew Cuomo this year are once again considering whether to approve a framework for allowing retail-level marijuana sales in New York amid a budget gap and economic crisis created by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The report is likely to buoy the push by supporters to legalize marijuana this year amid historic job losses. At the same time, the analysis also bolsters the push among advocates for communities of color, which have predominantly been affected by harsher drug laws in previous years, to benefit from any legalization measure.
The analysis found the industry would grow quickly in market share from $566 million in its first full year of implementation to $2.6 billion by 2027.
At the same time, tax revenue from marijuana sales would rise from $159 million to $765 million in 2027. Cuomo's own sales tax projections for cannabis sales would generate $25 million in local sales taxes alone, rising to $114 million in 2027.
And there is the benefit on the personal level: The entire cannabis industry has the potential to create 50,806 jobs, $2.2 billion in worker pay, and a total of $6.1 billion in economic output.
"Particularly given the Covid-19-damaged economy and the pronounced adverse impact sustained in urban communities of color and among Black-owned businesses, the economic and employment impacts of legalizing recreational-use marijuana are significant," the analysis found.
Past efforts to legalize marijuana sales have stalled amid concerns over consumption and traffic safety raised predominantly by suburban lawmakers. The Legislature in 2019 opted to approve a decriminalization measure for marijuana in the state.
But Democrats have increased their margins in the Legislature over the last year, and the economic recession could provide a catalyst for an agreement this year.


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South African retail tycoon Christo Wiese bought a 90% stake in British fashion retailer New Look. Christo bought New Look through the private equity vehicle Brait, paying Apax and Permira, the private equity owners of New Look since 2004, £780 million and taking on New Look’s debt obligations of around £1 billion. Altogether, the deal valued the high street retailer at around £1.9 billion. The remaining 10% stake will remain with existing senior management, and Tom Singh and family, who founded the high street chain in 1969.
Wiese has been keen to increase his investment firm Brait’s UK portfolio, and he was in talks to buy BHS last year before it was sold to a consortium instead. But after acquiring a 80% stake in the Virgin Active fitness chain in the previous month, the purchase of New Look constitutes Brait’s second big advance into the UK market.
The deal comes as a relief to New Look’s management who were looking to float the company on the stock market again in the attempt to reduce its debts of over £1 billion. Following the purchase, chief executive Anders Krisiansen will be kept on to implement plans for the retailer to expand overseas, especially in China where New Look already has a large presence.


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Toyota plans to achieve carbon neutrality by 2035 and is focussed on selling 3.5 million electric vehicles by 2030
Following Toyota’s President, Akio Toyoda, putting on a show behind the wheel of a GR Yaris with some pro-level donuts as he has a racing history of his own and even competed in the 24 hours of Nurburgring, he took to the stage to unveil a flurry of electric vehicle concepts that will form the future of the Japanese auto major.
Thwarting the notion that Toyota is late to the EV race amongst mainstream global automakers, Mr. Toyoda has unveiled as many as 15 zero-emission concepts pertaining to Toyota and Lexus brands as he has set a target of launching 30 new BEVs (Battery Electric Vehicles) by 2030 put together. The concepts do not concentrate on a single body type as well as they will be used for a variety of applications.
They include new Sports Utility Vehicles, CVs, off-road vehicles and topping them all off an electric supercar taking inspiration from the legendary LFA. The combined EV sales of Toyota and Lexus are aimed at 3.5 million units by 2030 – 1.5 million more than the previous plan – ahead of achieving carbon neutrality by the middle of next decade.
Amongst the concepts were bZ badged electric vehicles that will follow the bZAX SUV, an urban SUV influenced by the Aygo X, a compact SUV, a midsize sedan and a fullsize SUV. Emphasising the company’s desire to appeal to a wide range of customers across the globe, a small commercial electric vehicle, a pickup truck, off-roading vehicles and two supercars were also displayed.
Mr. Toyoda said that some of the upcoming BEVs will be based on the existing models as the similarities to the Hilux pickup truck and Lexus NX can be clearly seen. But other models will be underpinned by the dedicated e-TNGA EV architecture developed in partnership with Subaru. In developed markets like US, China, and europe, Lexus will introduce EVs in all segments by 2030.
The luxury arm of Toyota will have a complete range of EVs, dismissing internal combustion vehicles, by 2035. As early as next year, Lexus will bring the bespoke RZ crossover and it sits on the e-TNGA as the upcoming bZ4X. It will be followed by an electric supercar, RX-based e-SUV and an IS-based sedan in the near future.


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The world of artificial intelligence (AI) is expanding at a phenomenal rate. However, with all the good it brings us there’s also disadvantages too.
Famous scientists including Stephen Hawking and technological entrepreneurs such as Elon Musk and Bill Gates have already warned us that AI could be dangerous. Thankfully as of yet no imminent threats are in sight.
The following is a list of five Asian up and coming AI that are aiming to make a difference in the near future:
Phillippine entrepreneurs Bobby Christuta and Princess Capiral recently launched their company AdMov as a way of helping all of those Uber and Grab customers that are stuck waiting in traffic jams. The duo developed their platform in order to enable advertisers to reach Uber and Grab passengers through tablets mounted on the headrests of these particular vehicles . The specially designed software uses AI and face recognition to provide riders with advertisements more personal to them based on their age and gender.
Image recognition allows companies to increase their sales by reaching more people. ViSenze was created out of a need to provide companies with intelligent image recognition solutions. Companies already onboard with the software include retailers Rakuten and ASOS. They both use it to convert images into immediate product-search opportunities which improves conversion rates. So far the company has raised $14 million in funding from various investors including Phillip Private Equity, WI Harper, Rakuten, and Raffle Venture Partners.
This software brings hope to breast cancer patients through the use of machine intelligence. It’s a low cost, portable, zero radiation, non-touch solution which could potentially save the lives of millions. Niram.ai analyses thermal images using a high-resolution thermal sensing device alongside analytics. It’s SaaS solution incorporates AI, machine learning, and big data analytics to provide an effective and accurate way to screen for breast cancer. Earlier this year the company received funding of an undisclosed amount from Bangalore-based pi Ventures. Other contributors include Axilor Ventures, Flipkart founder, Binny Bansal, and VC firm Ankur Capital.
This company provides a solution to all the electricity that’s wasted in India commercially. It’s developed a new hardware called WattMann that uses machine learning to bring more energy-efficient solutions to commercial consumers. The company uses advanced machine learning based models to analyse more than 30 million unseen data points each month from electrical assets. This then allows for the automated and intelligent controls to be introduced in which to heighten consumer experience in both retail and banking. In February this year the startup received $1.2 million in funding in a round led by pi Ventures.
This Bangalore startup Has developed a platform that allows consumers to both build and train customised machine learning (ML) models within a short space of time. No writing of code is needed. It’s a simple tool that’s been designed for companies on a low budget for AI but want to experience the benefits of it. Users can easily create and train and model using a simple step-by-step interface. This model can then be implemented into their own programme in just a few simple application programming interface (API) calls.
Orginal source E27


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The best places in the Highlands and Islands to eat, drink, stay and enjoy the area’s wildlife, culture and scenery have been rewarded in the annual tourism ‘Oscars’. The winners […]
Two young students have talked their way into hosting a prestigious awards ceremony in a first for the event. Annie Bonney and Fraser Szymborski-Welsh, who are both studying BA (Hons) […]
The finalists in the prestigious Highlands and Islands Tourism Awards have been announced with more than 40 businesses and individuals shortlisted for honours.
The Highlands and Islands may be a tourism magnet at present, but how do we attract the next generation of visitors to the area? A new project launched by […]
Freda Newton, chair of Highlands and Islands Tourism Awards judging panel In the next few days, judging for this year’s Highlands and Islands Tourism Awardswill be drawing to a close […]
Scotland’s busiest cruise port has been welcomed aboard as a major sponsor of the Highlands and Islands Tourism Awards.
Businesses and individuals are being encouraged to put forward their nominations and entries for the prestigious Highlands and Islands Tourism Awards with the deadlines just days away. The annual tourism […]


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Google also shared some details about the Pixel tablet, which is expected to be released in 2023, at its event where the new Pixel phones were unveiled today. The company said the tablet will have a Tensor G2 chipset, just like the phones, while stating that it will have a feature that will allow it to act as an intelligent screen.
Today, the American technology giant Google held the long-awaited Pixel event. While the giant company unveiled the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro phones at the event, it also unveiled its first Pixel Watch smartwatch.
In addition to these devices, Google also shared with us new details about its long-awaited new Pixel Tablet. The company first showed this tablet at the I/O event held in May and announced that the device will be released in 2023. At today’s event, we shared some new details about the device.
Pixel Tablet can work as a smart display
First of all, we note that the device that shows that Google will return to tablets again was not presented today. At the event, the company shared only some details about the Pixel tablet, which will be introduced in 2023. The tablet that will ship with the Android operating system, as expected, will have the Tensor G2 chip that we saw in the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro.
Google also confirmed the long-awaited feature of the long-awaited device. Accordingly, the Pixel Tablet will have a docking station with a magnetic speaker that can charge the device 24/7. This will allow you to use the device both as a smart display and as a portable tablet. Thus, the new feature will make the tablet a universal device, so that it can be used both at home and in other places. This feature will also simplify video calls using the tablet’s front and rear cameras.
Google has not yet shared any details about such characteristics as screen size, RAM, resolution and price of the new tablet. We need to wait until 2023 to find out about them.


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Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Will Be Revealed In June, Report Says
Campaign footage will premiere in June with a multiplayer reveal slated for August, according to a report.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 will be officially announced in June, with a subsequent reveal specific to its multiplayer element set for August, according to a new report.
A report from Exputer said the Modern Warfare 2 reveal will come via a trailer focusing on the campaign. This trailer could air "at an event when E3 was meant to be," according to the report.
Another leak suggests that Activision will release the Modern Warfare 2 campaign trailer on June 2, but this is likely just the beginning for Activision's marketing and promotion efforts for the game. Geoff Keighley's Summer Game Fest event takes place June 9 and Xbox's summer showcase is slated for June 12. Whether or not Modern Warfare 2 shows up at either of these events, however, is unknown.
The Exputer report also states that Modern Warfare 2's multiplayer will be revealed in August. Whether or not there will be a tie-in Warzone event as part of the expected announcement is unknown. Modern Warfare 2 will be joined by a new Warzone game this year, as well, but it still remains to be seen what this game will be and how cosmetics from the original Warzone might carry forward to the next game.
According to Exputer, Modern Warfare 2's multiplayer will include a new mode called DMZ that is a spin on an extraction-type experience. The campaign, meanwhile, is expected to continue the story of Task Force 141 and focus on Colombian drug cartels.
Modern Warfare 2 and the new Warzone game are in development at Infinity Ward with support from Activision's network of studios. Activision recently announced that it has 3,000 people working on the Call of Duty franchise right now.
2021's game, Call of Duty: Vanguard, failed to sell up to expectations, due in part to its setting, World War II, and a lack of execution on Activision's part.
In other news, Activision Blizzard is in the process of being acquired by Microsoft for $75 billion. Going forward, the Call of Duty series is expected to continue to be released on PlayStation, and potentially Nintendo Switch. But in a big shift for the series, Activision will reportedly not release a new premium Call of Duty game in 2023.
This is all happening amid reports of workplace issues at Activision Blizzard, including allegations involving CEO Bobby Kotick, who is expected to leave the company if/when the sale to Microsoft goes through. The company is facing multiple lawsuits and also dealing with ongoing unionization attempts amongst its workers.
The products discussed here were independently chosen by our editors. GameSpot may get a share of the revenue if you buy anything featured on our site.


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We hear a lot of talk these days about the need for Canada to re-engage with Asia and to become more aware of the opportunities Asia offers in business. One element of this is the need to strengthen the Asia competencies of Canadians by introducing them to the challenges and opportunities of doing business in the Far East.
We are not yet far enough removed from the 1970s and ’80s that you can float the idea of using crystals and semi-precious stones in home decor without people conjuring up shocking blue geodes or hippy shrines, and yet there has been a resurgence of these materials.
These days, there isn’t much that can’t be done with a smartphone. Map your route to dinner? Done. Automatically deposit a paper cheque into your bank account. Deposited. Find you a date or even your soulmate ... well, that depends on who you ask.
Think you have the latest and greatest smartphone? Think again. A recent Samsung reveal has pretty much just changed all that.
Samsung pulled back the curtain to reveal some of its latest gadgets during the Samsung Unboxed 2016 reveal in Barcelona. The company announced two new smartphones — the Galaxy S7 and the Galaxy 7 Edge — new virtual reality technology, a mobile 360-degree camera and more. Take a look.
Samsung’s newly introduced Family Hub fridge is a multi-tasking machine that makes the most of its Internet connection. Truly a smart appliance, keeping food cold is only part of what it does. Digital Life writer Gillian Shaw had a firsthand look at the new technology at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show.
Reading through hundreds of emails on the flight to Las Vegas for the giant Consumer Electronics Show earlier this week, all promising the best and brightest in new technologies, I figured I should be able to find at least 10 that would improve life in some way. But it’s a tough choice — would an 8K TV make life better than a health monitor? Or a green machine better than a personal drone?
BC Hydro has signed a $1.75-billion contract with its preferred bidder to build the main civil works on its $9-billion Site C dam project in northeastern B.C., which is expected to employ 1,500 people at the peak of activity in 2018, the utility said Monday.
Speeding up your home Internet means much more than faster movie downloads or a smoother Skype connection. As Telus rolls out its fibre optic network in Vancouver, it’s offering a sneak peak at what the Future Home could include. Teaming up with consumer tech from Samsung, Erricsson and Alcatel-Lucent, Telus has opened demo show homes in Calgary, Edmonton and now Greater Vancouver, with Thursday’s debut of the 560-square-foot Future Home parked in the Save-On-Foods parking lot at 2385 Ottawa St. in Port Coquitlam. The demo, meant to give visitors an idea of how leading-edge Internet-connected technology could transform a small condo, will be open to the public between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. now through Dec. 13.
Premier Christy Clark took another step closer to locking in the multi-billion-dollar Site C project Wednesday, announcing that a trio of companies has been selected as preferred builder of the earth-fill dam and related structures.
In the first of our holiday gift guides, we take a look at home entertainment. Look in our Weekend Extra, where I teamed up with our arts editor Francois Marchand to compare video streaming options. In this week’s tech toys, I try out a new curved TV and look at some options for adding streaming entertainment to your home system.
Staying at home has never been more entertaining. You can tap into a virtually endless supply of music and put your feet up to watch entire seasons of The Walking Dead, or your favourite movies.
I was comparing smartwatches with a friend recently and we concluded our favourite feature was the heart monitor. While that’s handy for working out, there’s a lot more to Samsung’s newest smartwatch. Here are my thoughts after trying one out for a couple of weeks.
Germany’s top civil court rules ‘contested patent...isn’t based on an invention’
Tech reporter Gillian Shaw looks at the new Samsung phones unveiled in New York City.
The S. Korean firm gets a jump on Apple, which is expected to announce its newest iPhones in September.
New York City is no sartorial slouch — but for two weeks a year, it becomes the absolute epicentre of fashion. So what is the en vogue event that has the world’s style set on its best (and busiest!) behaviour? That would be New York Fashion Week.
LightRunner by Griffin If you’re running before dawn or after the light fades, anything that helps you be seen is a useful addition to your running gear. Griffin has come up with a running case in an armband that protects you as well as your phone. The armband, dubbed the LightRunner, has three LED light settings including a continuous light, repeating or flashing lights. The armband is neoprene with a touch-through window protecting your phone that lets you use the touchscreen while it’s in the case. It fits the iPhone 6, Samsung’s Galaxy S6 and smartphones up to 4.7-inches. $40 US. Check it out at griffintechnology.com.
Sony Smart Tennis Sensor Whether you’re a pro or you’re just looking to up your game, pop this sensor into your racket and it’s like having a built-in coach tracking every shot and swing. The Sony smart tennis sensor delivers your playing measurements to a smartphone, tablet or smart watch. Its continuous recording, which lasts up to 180 minutes on a charge, tracks such things as numbers of shots, ball impact spot, swing and ball speed, ball spin and others factors. It works with a number of rackets including ones by Wilson, Head, Prince and Yonex. If you want to share your progress, the app can link to your social media profiles. It weighs eight grams, fits in the bottom of your racket and has been approved by the International Tennis Federation for competitions. Retails for $250, find out more at smarttennissensor.sony.net/NA


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With her experience and connections as a buyer for the tabletop category, Chrissie Puchta has brought her extensive knowledge and creativity to Wayfair for nearly five years. Today, as the associate director, tabletop category management, Puchta has been praised by vendors for her knowledge, creativity and her research skills, which has led her to be named a 2019 Impact Merchant.
As it reported second quarter results, Dorel Industries said that it is doing its best to shrug off the effects of tariffs imposed on China by the U.S. as it drives top-line growth and makes adjustments to boost the bottom line.
Despite a drop in sales in the second quarter, Newell Brands officials are offering a positive outlook for the company as they raised guidance for net sales and operating cash flow for the remainder of the fiscal year.
Qurate Retail Group has appointed Leslie Ferraro to the newly created role of president, QxH, effective September 16. In this role, Ferraro will lead Qurate Retail’s largest business unit, comprising its QVC and HSN brands in the U.S., reporting to Mike George, president and CEO, Qurate Retail, Inc.
Brandi Stone is no stranger to the world of housewares having spent three years at home specialty retailer Linens ‘N Things before joining H-E-B in 2008.
Importers of Chinese made goods, including many product suppliers in housewares, will be facing a new round of tariffs beginning in September.
Kroger has appointed Sonya Hostetler president of its Nashville division, effective August 1. She succeeds Zane Day, who previously announced his plans to retire from the company after nearly 45 years of service.
It was 20 years ago that Target launched its first designer collection, a line of products from architect Michael Graves.
After a seven-year career as a buyer for Target, Angela Skogen decided to take the skills she learned and head back home, opening Cooks On Main in Williston, ND, in 2010.
Ikea has released its 2020 U.S. catalog, available in-store and online, featuring new lower prices on products throughout and over 280 pages of design inspiration and solutions for achieving a fresh start at home.
First quarter sales at The Container Store were up 7%, driven by strong comparable store growth and a double-digit increase in revenue from its custom closets business.


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Give us a sense of how deep the distress is? Do you think we have not yet seen how badly industry has been hit?
Corporate results are not necessarily the reflection of what is always happening in the economy because these are larger companies mostly. I think the pain that we have seen is essentially at the MSME level. At the MSME level, if we think about the real pain, hospitality, tourism, and the contact service sectors have really felt the brunt of pain this time. MSMEs had started to get hit not just now with the lockdowns, but also because of the muted demand a few months ago. Their receivables were slower, their raw material prices globally have gone up. That has started to affect their costing as well.
At all levels, MSMEs are the ones that are really getting hit across the board. There is definitely a need for some kind of stimulus for them, be that at any level. It has to be concentrated, it has to be focussed, and it has to be a combination of both state and Centre because there are certain people who cannot be given directly from the centre. So, states have to also step in and do their bit. For micro enterprises, small shopkeepers, the street vendors perhaps some working capital limits to them, some additional direct benefit transfer to them would be very essential to really salvage many of them.
Other people who are really getting hit are also the daily wage workers since there are less number of available jobs or rather in various informal, formal sectors we are seeing that they are also feeling the brunt of the pain. So, some relief for the daily wage workers would also be very critical.
Give us a sense of the sectors which are truly hit and will continue to be hit for some time. What are the ways that these businesses can be helped to even survive?
Certain measures have to be taken. As we just mentioned that they need to be given some kind of a stimulus, maybe some additional – for very small businesses – direct benefit money; like for example the government gave for the Kisan Yojana. Some money goes directly into the hand, that is a survival methodology. However, I think the problems are not just at the services level. Also, we are getting feedback from a lot of our members that at the smaller places the factories have been shut down because now the larger factories are getting shut because they did not have enough oxygen in some cases or they had a lot of factory workers who fell sick.
The job workers, the people who are one level below that are the people who are really facing the brunt, and it is all across. It could be people in the metal industry, it could be people making small pumps, could be people making locks. Every aspect of the business starts getting affected. I think it has to be looked at certainly with a concentration on the industry that has been hit most, but there has to be something that has to happen for everyone; to a great extent at the MSME level.
What are your hopes from the Centre and state combination of relief you mentioned? What are the things that you think state governments can do? Do you think at the state level there is impetus to cut tax rates?
Yes, so that is essentially demand based. Since there was demand for homes, then there was a possibility of those cuts and hence you could drive revenues as well. But apart from some direct relief that the states can give, they should now think about the future. The future is that as we come out of these lockdowns there would be requirement for jobs; unemployment is already starting to move up. The jobs have to get created at the state level as well, which could mean that the states could implement several of the infrastructure projects that have been languishing. States have to build the medical infrastructure of the country, be it hospitals, be it PSA plants, along with those, hospitals increasing the number of beds and encouraging pharmaceutical production.
These are some medium term to long-term measures, but they all have to be start. We have to start thinking about that at that level now because as soon as we come out of the lockdown, there is going to be demand for jobs. The other sector that needs to be protected simultaneously by the state is the agri sector, because so far the season has been quite good. The crop production has been good and we are expecting a good monsoon. To make sure that the impetus remains on agriculture from the supply of fertiliser seeds, so on and so forth, we will ensure that the next -- if there is a next wave -- we definitely get better prepared for it. So yes, the states have to start looking beyond just the basic stuff, but also for the next stage.
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- GST Kitty Swells, Factory Activity Hits 31-Mth High
Data released Thursday indicated India’s sustained economic momentum at the start of the new fiscal year, with goods and services tax (GST) collection growing at a rapid clip in May as manufacturing activity hit a 31-month high in the month. Vehicle and fuel sales backed up the trend.Major Players Looking at India as Next Chip-making Destination
India will focus on creating a supportive ecosystem for semiconductor manufacturing in the country first, and not only on fabrication units, according to union technology, railways, and telecom minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.
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