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Google's Customer Match helps marketers target users
New advertising service allows businesses to share customer email addresses with Google
There's one more reason to think twice about who you give your email address to.
A new service from Google called "Customer Match" uses email addresses to help marketers track and target users more precisely than ever before.
The service, launched in September, allows any business with a database of customer email addresses — from an email newsletter, or collected from customers at the point of purchase, for example — to upload the addresses into Google's new advertising system.
The search company will then use that information to target online ads, including those that users see while web browsing, while using YouTube, or in other places where Google sells advertising.
"For marketers and businesses, the story is that Google has given you more ways to zero in on specific, targeted audiences," said CBC technology columnist Dan Misener.
"On the flip side, for consumers, this means if you have ever given your email address to any company, there's now one more way they can track and target you online."
Opens door for personalized ads across devices
Misener said the service opens up new possibilities for highly segmented personalized ads and is an example of "retargeting," which results in users seeing the same ads over and over again, across multiple sites.
Retargeting has traditionally been accomplished using cookies — small pieces of code that websites leave behind on your computer.
But while cookies are tied to a user's device, such as a specific computer or smartphone, Customer Match will target ads to specific individuals, regardless of what device is being used.
Nicki Lamont, an internet marketer and search engine optimization specialist, told CBC this means more targeted ads showing up in more places.
"Anytime that you open up Google, when you're watching YouTube, they're going to be popping up on your phone and your tablet," she said.
"These are the devices that as a user, by nature, we don't log out of frequently. So we have more access to reach those customers."
Customer Match raises privacy concerns
Google says when companies upload email addresses for Customer Match, they're handled in a "secure and privacy-safe way."
Lamont acknowledges that customers may not expect a business to share an email address with a company like Google.
"I do see the concern of, 'It's your email address, where's it going to go?'" she said. "But that's kind of the world we live in now. If you put something online, it's a little bit fair game."
Misener said people who are concerned about their privacy have a few options, including being selective about who they share their email address with.
He also said users can avoid logging into sites that use a Google login, and users can opt out of Customer Match ads in their Google settings.


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Night mode is an automatic setting which takes advantage of the new wide-angle camera that's in the iPhone 11 and 11 Pro models. It's equipped with a larger sensor that is able to let in more light, allowing for brighter photos when the light is low.
macOS Catalina Now Available
Apple Ramping Up Operations in Israel with Anobit Acquisition and New Research Center
The report notes that is likely to set up its research center near existing facilities run by Intel, Microsoft, and Phillips, with Apple seeking expertise in chip development, specifically with electrical circuits and hardware testing and verification.
Apple's new research center effort is a separate initiative from its recent acquisition of Israeli flash memory firm Anobit. Apple CEO Tim Cook noted on yesterday's earnings conference call that Anobit is currently being integrated into Apple's structure and that it will operate under hardware engineering chief Bob Mansfield. 9to5Mac reports that Apple has sent vice president Johny Srouji to oversee Anobit's operations in Israel. A native of Israel, Srouji worked for IBM and Intel (including several stints at those companies' operations in Israel) before joining Apple in 2008. Srouji is overseeing aspects of Apple's VLSI operations, which focus on chip design and implementation.

domain: news


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Gallery: Cutting edge concepts, revamped legends and standout cars of the 2018 LA Auto Show
New Atlas spent the bulk of last week attending the 2018 Los Angeles Auto Show, which opened to the public over the weekend and runs through Sunday, December 9. The show is a bit more low-key than in past years, but it still has its fair share of major car debuts and appearances, bringing together more than a century of automotive design. The cars of this year's show include classics from the deep past, modernized icons of the present, and visions of the near and distant future.
A not-so-crazy eight
The Porsche 911 is quite possibly the most iconic sports car the world over, and it's now entering its eighth generation. Porsche describes California as a second home for its world-famous sports car and is using the LA Show as the debut venue for the all-new 911.
The new 911 follows Porsche's usual formula of gradual evolution, gaining tweaked aesthetics, modest performance enhancements via a new-gen 444-hp turbo flat-six, interior updates like a 10.9-in touchscreen-based multimedia system, and new technologies like the standard Wet mode damp-road assistance system. You can look closer at the US$113,200 (before $1,050 delivery fee) 2020 911 in our full article.
Another sports icon goes electric
Most sports car enthusiasts would consider the Corvette a pretty nice destination, but the brains at Maryland's Genovation Cars call it a starting point, building it out into the 800-hp all-electric GXE supercar. The company has set a 190.5-mph (306.6-km/h) standing mile record, topped out at 209 mph (336-km/h), and expects the twin-motor e-Vette to be the world's first street-legal electric car to top 220 mph (354 km/h). Genovation even lets the driver do the shifting with 7-speed manual and dual-clutch gearbox options. It estimates the range of its performance-first creation at 175 miles (282 km).
The GXE isn't debuting in LA, having appeared at previous events like CES 2018, but it's still pulling in plenty of attention in the West Hall atrium. It's available for reservation now, and Genovation will build just 75 models, deliveries to start in mid 2019.
A record year in review
Volkswagen absolutely tamed the Wild West this year. First, it destroyed the all-time Pikes Peak record with a sub-8-minute run in its purpose-built, high-tech I.D. R electric race car. Then it took a properly modified Jetta to the Bonneville Salt Flats and raised the class record up over 210 mph (338 km/h). Two very different but very demanding race environments, two very impressive record-breaking performances.
Both the Bonneville Jetta and I.D. R are taking a little time off and relaxing under the hot lights of LA. Both are worth checking out, but we're a bit partial to the bold looks and larger-than-life aerodynamics of the 670-hp I.D. R.
We've packed the photo gallery with dozens of additional concepts, sports cars, classics, race cars and more. Check it out here.
Please keep comments to less than 150 words. No abusive material or spam will be published.


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Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) helps farmers around the world share the risk and bounty of their harvest with those in their region. But what happens when your “community” is global, and consumers want to buy direct from farmers thousands of miles away?
You use technology, says Coffee CSA General Manager, Thaleon Tremain
“We can do it because the technology now exists,” says Tremain of Coffee CSA, a business owned and controlled by farmers world wide. “20 years ago we could not have done this. But with email and skype, and the new software available, it is possible to have a CSA like this that sells coffee directly to consumers.”
Coffee CSA is owned by Pachamama Coffee Cooperative, an international cooperative controlled by farmer cooperatives around the world. This means Pachamama is owned by more than 140,000 small-scale farmers and “may be the only farmer cooperative in the U.S. owned by an international group farmers,” says Tremain. He and his team in the U.S., with the help of CSAware, a tool for running a CSA developed by Guillermo Payet, run the marketing side of the business online.
The result is a website where consumers purchase coffee directly from farmer cooperatives in countries as diverse as Ethiopia, Peru and Guatemala. CSAware makes it possible for people to sign up for “subscriptions” for monthly or weekly shipments, without causing undue paperwork or the need for constant contact with the individual cooperatives and farmers. Subscriptions also ensure a steady market for farmers.
Tremain worked in Bolivia in the Peace Corps the 1990s helping to set up small businesses and lending micro credit to farmers. “What I learned there is that farmers work the hardest and earn the least,’ says Tremain. “I thought, if we could connect the farmer directly to consumers they could make more. But back then they had no access to the market and to end customers.”
Now via technology, customers can directly connect with farmers, and ideally, know the true story behind the food they buy. While in reality that connection is often not quite as clear as many consumers would like since products like coffee or grains are milled at facilities where other farms also process goods, Coffee CSA firmly establishes that link by working with cooperatives owned by the farmers themselves.
CSA subscriptions are available in 3, 6, and 12 month deliveries of coffee to your doorstep.


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Buy the bigger iPhone 6 Plus (middle) -- Verizon and AT&T insist. Source: Flickr user Karlis Dambrans.
Apple's iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus iterations have become an instant hit, propelling the company to a $700-billion valuation amid the highest quarterly net income for any publicly traded company ever. All told, the company sold 74.5 million iPhones -- the vast majority being the newest iterations -- or nearly 9.5 iPhones every second during the company'sfirst fiscal quarter.
Continue Reading Below
In the United States, Apple has a partner in both Verizon and AT&T . If you're a potential wireless subscriber, you know these carriers offer generous device subsidies -- for example, you can buy the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus 16GB versions for $199 and $299, respectively, whereas the units cost $649 and $749 off contract.
Verizon and AT&T aren't doing this out of kindness -- the device subsidy is a carrot to induce you to sign a two-year contract. Essentially, the company makes back the $450 during the next two years by higher wireless-plan costs. And it appears the companies are choosing to monetize data rather than talk or text, essentially treating the latter two as loss leaders. If the newest Citrix survey is correct, both companies should increase the device subsidy on the iPhone 6 Plus in order to reward shareholders.
Carriers want to monetize data -- the iPhone 6 Plus creates demand for itAccording to marketing firm Citrix, iPhone 6 Plus owners use roughly twice the amount of data as iPhone 6 owners do on a monthly basis. The company offers an explanation: It believes that those with an iPhone 6 Plus treat the device more as a tablet rather than just a phone. And the streaming-movie viewing, gaming, and browsing are creating huge demand for billable data.
To these carriers that bill by the gigabyte, a shift to the iPhone 6 Plus would suggest higher data revenue and profit for the company and its shareholders. Using a term mostly reserved for companies that sell products, this would be akin to a "favorable product mix" for these two wireless giants, as an iPhone 6 Plus subscriber would pay more in data plans and overages. In short, Verizon and AT&T would rather subscribers choose the iPhone 6 Plus rather than the iPhone 6; therefore, they should encourage future subscribers to pick the iPhone 6 Plus by narrowing out-of-pocket costs between the two.
A $50 price cut would be cheaper than Verizon's last moveFor those who worry that Verizon and AT&T would be giving up too much to encourage users to upgrade to a more favorable product, think again. If you had been following these companies during the last few months, you would have noticed they were reducing the price users pay for data. Just this month, Verizon cut its More Everything shared-data plans by as much as $10 monthly to match an earlier AT&T price cut.
While the data-plan price cut is already done, making it a sunk cost in terms of direct comparison, $50 every two years is only an additional $2.08 per month. In addition, an increased device subsidy for one model has the benefit of not being as "sticky" -- read: easier to rescind -- as a lowered data bill. Not only that, sweetening the pot for the iPhone 6 Plus also has the benefit of subscriber poaching if the other wireless subscribers fail to match the price cut.
In the end, a one-time $50 iPhone 6 Plus subsidy increase should pay for itself in the long run. Unfortunately, it seems these companies are choosing to de-emphasize device subsidies. I think that's a mistake for their long-term plans of monetizing data. Devices that lead to more consumption of data should be further subsidized; they should not be made a disincentive.
The article Verizon and AT&T Should Cut the iPhone 6 Plus Price Today originally appeared on Fool.com.
Jamal Carnette owns shares of Apple, AT&T, and Verizon Communications. The Motley Fool recommends Apple and Verizon Communications. The Motley Fool owns shares of Apple. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
Copyright 1995 - 2015 The Motley Fool, LLC. All rights reserved. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.


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Fans of exhibitions in Singapore will soon be able to see a historic 68-million-year-old T-Rex Skeleton, excavated from the United States in 2020.
From October 28 to 30, the Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton will be showcased at Concert Hall and Victoria Theatre for the first time. Afterward, the first-ever Asian auction of a t-rex skeleton takes place in Hong Kong on November 30. It is organised by Christie’s.
According to a press release by Christie’s, 79 bones of the dinosaur skeleton were uncovered in a remote area in Montana, United States in 2020. The t-rex named Shen measures 12.2 metres long, 4.6 metres high and 2.1 metres in width, after being reconstructed by a team of paleontologists.
Shen The T-Rex is estimated to be worth $21-$36 million SGD. While two previous sales of t-rex skeletons in New York, Stan Tyrannosaurus Rex sold for S$45,445,234 (US $31,847,500) and The Raptor sold for S$17,712,190 (US $12,412,500).
Certainly, the perfect opportunity for science enthusiasts to learn about prehistoric creatures. Register here for a free visit to the dinosaur skeleton in Singapore.


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CMS and Adobe have launched a new publication: Brexit briefing – What is the impact on electronic signature laws in the UK?
Consumers and businesses in the UK routinely use EU-based e-signing platforms to sign electronic documents. Platforms have grown in importance as social distancing restrictions to combat COVID-19 have made face-to-face signing largely impracticable.
In the UK, electronic signatures have been regulated by both EU and UK laws. In this briefing note, we have partnered with Adobe to examine how the UK’s departure from the EU affects the legal standing of electronic signatures under UK law from 1 January 2021.


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Part of the dispute between Guangzhou Pharmaceutical and JDB is the iconic red cans that both use. Liu Junfeng / For China Daily
Exhausted by a seemingly endless rivalry, both open and secret, over trademarks, packaging and advertising slogans, two controversial Chinese herbal tea makers recently vowed to call a truce in a public war of words that has lasted for months.
They both say they will now concentrate on developing better products.
Consumers are also weary of the unceasing squabble between Guangzhou Pharmaceutical and Hong Kong-based JDB, asking why the two continue the tempest because it only repels buyers, according to interviews in The Beijing News.
"I often read news about the two herbal tea makers explicitly criticizing each other, which in my opinion is overdone," a woman told The Beijing News when shopping at a local Carrefour supermarket.
"This is not what large companies are suppose to do. For consumers the concern is mostly about product quality, not trademarks and so forth," she said.
Guangzhou Pharmaceutical appears to agree. It issued a statement saying "we are afraid the series of disputes will disappoint consumers if they continue and so have decided to move the focus to product research and development and provide real benefits".
The statement also noted the company will not respond to the topic in the future.
A spokesman for JDB told The Beijing News that the company will also stop the attacks and concentrate on expanding its share of the herbal tea market.
The two made headlines many times since 2011, when the mainland company filed an application with the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission against JDB asking it to stop using the trademark of Wanglaoji, a popular herbal tea also known as Wong Lo Kat.
Guangzhou Pharmaceutical first licensed the trademark Wong Lo Kat to JDB in 1995 and later extended the rights until 2010.
Permission to use the trademark was then illegally granted until 2020 by Guangzhou Pharmaceutical's former vice-chairman Li Yimin, who is now in prison for bribery.
A verdict issued by the arbitration commission last year ended the fierce trademark dispute, but did not prevent subsequent public quarrels between the two companies.
Since Guangzhou Pharmaceutical prevailed in the lawsuit, JDB group has launched the new trademark Jiaduobao to replace Wong Lo Kat on its iconic red cans.
The Hong Kong company also reformulated the advertising campaign for its herbal tea with new slogans, which then triggered another wave of argument.
The latest development in the dispute is a lawsuit filed by Guangzhou Pharmaceutical in February against JDB's advertising slogan that says "the popular herbal tea has changed its name to Jiaduobao".
In its lawsuit, Guangzhou Pharmaceutical asks for up to 1 billion yuan ($161 million) in compensation.
Though the dispute might appear petty to some consumers, for the companies the stakes are huge in the battle over one of the nation's most popular drinks. Combined sales of the two teas hit 24 billion yuan last year, according to the Beijing Morning Post.
(China Daily 03/20/2013 page17)


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If anyone thought Sergio Marchionne, the wily and outspoken chief executive of
In an interview with Automotive News, the FCA chief makes plainly clear that he is not going to accept "no" for an answer from GM. The potential upside is so convincing, he said, that FCA's board of directors has no choice but to put pressure on GM to begin discussions.
Marchionne told Automotive News that a combined GM and Fiat-Chrysler would generate $30 billion a year in EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization). "Just think about that [expletive] number," he said. "In steady-state environments, it'll make me $28 to $30 billion," if car sales stay at about 17 million vehicles a year.
He didn't share details of his math with Automotive News, but said he's gone through "product by product, plant by plant, area by area and I've analyzed them all." He admits making arbitrary assumptions about which company's engineering work survives, but said the logic of a deal is "irrefutable."
"We're not talking about marginal improvement in margins," he said. "We're talking about cataclysmic changes in performance, just huge."
But together, the companies generated about $23 billion in EBITDA in 2014, a figure that's expected to grow to about $25 billion in 2015. Is the jump to $30 billion truly "cataclysmic?" Maybe to Marchionne it is.
So would he actually try to mount a hostile takeover? "Not hostile," he told Automotive News. "There are varying degrees of hugs. I can hug you nicely, I can hug you tightly, I can hug you like a bear, I can really hug you. Everything starts with physical contact. Then it can degrade, but it starts with physical contact." (Can I just say: that's just a creepy, unfortunate choice of words.)


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Later this month, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio is expected to unveil a hotly anticipated report he commissioned about the for-hire vehicle industry — but mostly about Uber, which has been a thorn in his side for the last year.
The report is important for many reasons, most notably because de Blasio's position on how best to regulate the fast-growing service could have a profound impact on how Uber operates in its largest and most lucrative market in the world — 26,000 uberX drivers and 2.5 million customers, with 100,000 rides completed everyday. It may serve as a model for other cities that are still grappling with how to respond to Uber's growth. Or it could signal how Uber has been successful in riding roughshod over city officials who stand in its way.
"The current distinction ... will gradually be erased."
There is a lot of money at stake, both for Uber and the traditional, medallion-based taxi industry, which has donated heavily to de Blasio. Medallion owners have seen the value of their licenses drop steadily since Uber's arrival. And after an embarrassing defeat earlier this year, in which he was forced to retract his plan to prevent Uber from adding more vehicles to its fleet after a blistering ad campaign against him, de Blasio is determined not to squander this second chance.
But the report also has the potential to be completely pointless, because New York's pugnacious governor, Andrew Cuomo, has indicated he is interested in a statewide policy regulating ride-hailing businesses, which would likely annul anything proposed by de Blasio. But before the political slapfest begins, it's worth examining who is involved in crafting the city's Uber report. Mayor de Blasio hired consulting firm McKinsey & Company for $2 million to run the four-month study that, on the surface, is about the effects car service companies like Uber have on congestion in Manhattan. McKinsey is using the city's traffic data, as well as data provided by Uber, to assess whether Uber's growth is causing a slowdown in traffic speeds.
This week it was reported that the city also tapped Bruce Schaller, a transportation expert and consultant, to help review and shape McKinsey's findings. Schaller has studied Uber's effects on the taxi industry before. In a report he produced in January 2015 called "The Coming Convergence," Schaller predicted a future where many of these categories of ride-hailing services cease to matter.
Travis Kalanick for mayor?
"The current distinctions between taxis, sedan services and TNCs such as Uber and Lyft will gradually be erased as these services compete for customers," he wrote. "We are seeing this already. The end result will be various ‘grades' of service, from basic cab service as currently seen around the country to premium sedan services."
States like California, which has a fragmented regulatory system, will need to update their policies. But places like New York City, which consolidates enforcement under the Taxi and Limousine Commission, are better prepared for this future, he argued. Schaller declined to discuss the forthcoming report with The Verge, saying he preferred to let it speak for itself when it is released.
Uber has questioned McKinsey's independence, as well as whether a four-month study can be comprehensive enough to draw any meaningful conclusions. In response, Uber has hired its own consultants, Steer Davies Gleave, to produce a study with which to counter the McKinsey study. Uber claims it has no inside knowledge of the mayor's report, but nonetheless is prepared to debunk. (A quick digression: this is one of the problems municipal governments face when trying to take on regulation-averse, cash-rich companies like Uber that try to write their own laws, shape their own image, and can drop a multi-million-dollar negative ad campaign on an opponent like a bag of hammers without even blinking an eye.)
Uber says its main opponent is the politically connected, unethical taxi cartel, and points to the fact that it appears to be winning the war without even having to line any politicians' pockets. But this ignores the other ways in which Uber shapes the fight by dipping into its bottomless cash reserves, and raises questions about the company's endgame. Is it to have every taxi driver on its platform? To have its app on every smartphone, and even have its name branded on all the other apps, too? Travis Kalanick for mayor?
Some experts argue Uber's business model is shaky and ephemeral. "Instead of displacing competitors through actual efficiencies, or by creating entirely new markets, [Uber's] model is entirely based on getting the world to believe that it will inevitably dominate the entire industry," wrote national transportation expert Hubert Horan in a letter in response to a post on Pando about Convoy, the "Uber for trucking." This week, it was reported that Uber was seeking another round of financing that would increase its valuation to a record $62.5 billion.
"That would literally be crazy."
These larger questions about Uber are unlikely to be addressed in the McKinsey report, or in de Blasio's recommendations based on the firm's findings. The mayor is reportedly uninterested trying to cap Uber's growth again — he already fought and lost that battle — and instead is exploring the possibility of a tax on Uber to benefit public transit or requiring the company to do more for the disabled. Meanwhile, the city council is exploring its own options: a new licensing structure, caps on surge pricing, and maybe something around labor practices in the for-hire vehicle industry.
No one in New York City expects either the mayor or governor to go along with Uber's pie-in-the-sky wish to abolish the current structure in favor of a peer-to-peer model, which would allow amateur drivers to pick up riders on Uber's platform. "That would literally be crazy," said one lobbyist.
Some assume de Blasio will try to bury the report, or downplay its importance, in an effort to avoid the public relations disaster of the last go-around. But the mayor's office says it still views this as an opportunity to rein in an industry that has been allowed to grow unchecked for several years.
A spokesman for the mayor said, "We've been clear about our priorities: expanding accessibility for the disabled, securing support for public transit, protecting drivers and passengers, and managing congestion. We will put forward a framework this month that addresses those objectives."


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Despite the posing threats from fast food chain competitors regarding new rules on labor contractualization and the rising cost of materials, Jollibee Foods Corporation still remains confident to keep its dominance in the fast food race.
Jollibee, the Philippine’s largest fast-food operator, expected a strong growth this year; doubling P14 billion compared to last year as reported in Stock Exchange.
Furthermore, the company said that the growth of organic sales was at its peak in at least a decade as per financial data from 2016’s second half.
Issues on Jollibee’s ability to pass on the rising cost to its consumers and the new government regulations on contractualization have been a growing concern; making its rival McDonald’s in a better position now, according to analysts Macquarie and COL Financial.
“The Jollibee Group of Companies has faced many challenges in the past. It had emerged stronger from these challenges and its profit recovered quickly,” the company said.
Jollibee’s stock price suffered for four straight days of losses from last week; having its lowest level on Monday in 18 months, however recovering 0.88 percent to P183.70 on Tuesday.
The rate of increase in cost is expected to slow this year compared to the last two years, JFC said.
Though there were two price increases last year, the sales volume has not been adversely affected, the company added.
Meanwhile, Jollibee has been committed to taking necessary steps to be at par compliant with the labor requirements and incurring costs since the third quarter of the previous year


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June exports were $188.6 billion and imports were $232.4 billion, according to the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, through the Department of Commerce. This resulted in a goods and services deficit of $43.8 billion in June, up $2.9 billion from May. June exports were down $0.1 billion from May, and June imports were up $2.8 billion.
The June increase in the goods and services deficit reflected an increase in the goods deficit of $2.9 billion to $63.5 billion and a decrease in the services surplus of less than $0.1 billion to $19.7 billion.
Year-over-year, the goods and services deficit decreased $1.1 billion from June 2014. Exports decreased $6.8 billion and imports decreased $7.9 billion.
Exports of goods decreased $0.2 billion to $127.6 billion in June, primarily due to a decrease in capital goods of $0.8 billion and a decrease of industrial supplies and materials of $0.6 billion. Consumer goods increased $0.8 billion.
Exports of services increased $0.1 billion to $61 billion in June mainly due to a $0.1 billion increase in other business services, which includes research and development services; professional and management services; and technical, trade-related and other services. Transport, which includes freight and port services and passenger fares, decreased $0.2 billion.
Imports of goods increased $2.7 billion to $191.1 billion in June, primarily due to increases in consumer goods ($1.7 billion) and industrial supplies and materials ($1.2 billion).
Imports of services increased $0.1 billion to $41.4 billion mainly due to an increase of $0.2 billion in travel. Transport decreased $0.2 billion.


text: As Wall St begins to rattle as the markets roil, so too is Botox use. Once an untouchable entity, for beauty was far too important to disregard, now Botox and the manufacturer Allergen are seeing a slump in injections. As sales slip and pricks dip, Allergen has begun to lay off employees. We had seen a decrease in pricey procedures like breast implants and rhinoplasty nationwide, nay worldwide, however Botox was still going strong up until last quarter. The fact that injectables are even suffering from the dreaded global financial crisis is causing a fright amongst cosmetic dermatologists ? many of which were relying on wrinkle-ridding and more cost-efficient procedures to keep their businesses afloat. The New York Times reported on Wednesday, "The company reported that sales of Botox - both for wrinkle-smoothing and for medical problems like eyelid spasms - fell about 3 percent, to about $329 million in the fourth quarter, compared with the corresponding quarter in 2007." Even with the slump in sales of Botox, facial fillers and breast implants by Allergen, the company is not suffering in the pharmaceuticals area. Cosmetics may begin to be cut, but medical necessities like drugs are still in demand.


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Published on : Aug 20, 2018
Albany, New York, August 20, 2018: Humorous and entertaining advertisement content is expected to offset declining interests in advertising in Ireland, thereby reshaping positive attitudes towards advertising content in Ireland. To evaluate the implications of ongoing development endeavors on attitudes towards advertising in Ireland, Market Research Hub (MRH) has collated a new research report titled, ‘Attitudes to Advertising - Ireland - August 2018’ to its burgeoning repository.
Lack of Apt Social Media Advertising Regulations Hamper Millennial Attitudes towards Advertising in Ireland
Proliferation of online advertising to entice audience response as attained traction in the recent past. Novel advertising content with a dash of humor has spelled wonders in attitudes to advertising in Ireland in contrast to conventional advertising media. However, off-late, unregulated online advertising on social media has attained much public glare. Evolving millennial attitudes towards advertising in Ireland will likely encourage stringent regulations towards social media advertising in Ireland. Changes in advertising content published in online media is expected to incur positive attitudes to advertising in Ireland.
In the light of the recent abortion referendum in Ireland, Google has taken firm steps to curb all advertisements published on its digital platform pertaining to the aforementioned recent development. The step is in compliance to restrict undesirable foreign influence on the referendum that can affect the course of the longstanding decision to repeal the act. Owing to overt influence of social media and online advertising as a whole, on government policies and election procedures, Google has decided to evade all foreign advertising campaign that can influence pivotal activities such as referendum. This revolutionary step undertaken by Google is expected to positively affect Irish attitudes to advertising.
In similar lines, social media veteran Facebook has also reserved broadcasting of all advertisement content pertaining to the referendum to align with Irish interests to repeal abortion laws. With this historical step to opt social obligations over monetary benefits is expected to reflect favorable on attitudes to advertising in Ireland.
TV Continues to Boast as a Revenue Generator in Irish Advertising Spectrum
Influx of online advertising media in the recent decade has garnered ample eyeballs. However, its growing success poses no threat to the steady success of TV commercials as well as cinema ads. Surged investments in TV and cinema ads is expected to hone growth triggers in Irish advertising thereby effectively influencing attitudes to advertising in Ireland. Emergence of on-demand as well as smart TV are paving new avenues in TV advertising thereby encouraging increased expenditures on TV advertising.
Further, to strike the chords with emerging next generation of music lovers in Ireland, noted rum producer Bacardi has come up with its immensely popular #DoWHatMovesYou campaign feature on IGTV channels incurred record response from viewers. With this campaign, the company aims to not only position its rum brand lucratively, but also intends to mold the attitudes of the next Irish generation towards advertising in Ireland.
Mobile and In-app Advertising a Powerful Driver of Attitudes to Advertising in Ireland
In a significant attempt to empower online advertising, noted TV commercial ad of Director’s Special has debuted its online entry with the TV ad being re-released. This recent development is expected to aid Irish tourism besides casting a lasting impression towards Irish attitudes to advertising. Inclusion of famous TV commercials has emerged as a potent means to strike a rapport with Irish populace thereby favorable impacting their attitudes to advertising.
Competition Landscape: Irish Advertisement
This section of the report provides crucial insights on the development activities undertaken by leading advertising giants to influence positive attitudes to advertising in Ireland. Based on these insights, market players can carry out detailed analytical study to imbibe pertinent perspectives that aid new and existing market players to incorporate novel initiatives to influence positive attitudes to advertising in Ireland.
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UPDATED 7:10 ET
STOCKS – European stocks were little changed, after closing at a one-month low, as a slump in Wm Morrison Supermarkets Plc led retailers lower. U.S. stock-index futures and Asian shares climbed.
BONDS – The U.S. Treasury’s $21 billion 10- year note auction attracted the highest demand in a year as investors sought a refuge amid concern that slowing growth in China will weigh on the global economy.
COMMODITIES – Gold advanced to the highest level in almost six months in London as tension between Ukraine and Russia and concern about slowing Chinese economic growth increased demand for a store of value.
CURRENCIES – The euro advanced to the highest level versus the dollar in more than two years as policy makers signal support for the region’s recovery.
ECONOMIC DATA – US Unemployment Claims and Core Retail Sales due at 8:30, Business Inventories at 10:00, Natural Gas Storage at 10:30, JPY Monetary Policy Meeting Minutes at 17:50 ET.


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A refinery outage and ill-timed shipments of diesel from California to Chile are pushing prices of the vital fuel past the $3-a-gallon mark and threatening to crimp the state's economic growth as truckers, farmers and other big users struggle to cope.
The sudden crunch in the California diesel market pushed the cost of the fuel to a series of record highs last week, and triggered temporary shortages that sent some truck stop owners scrambling for backup supplies.
"We're treading in uncharted water," said Andre van der Valk, who was charging $2.99 a gallon for diesel Friday at all four of his stations in the San Fernando and Simi valleys. He said Shell Oil Co., which provides fuel for three of his sites, hiked his diesel costs by 24 cents a gallon in just eight days.
Some of van der Valk's competitors were selling diesel for more than $3 a gallon, and he expected such prices to become widespread if the supply situation didn't improve soon.
On Friday, AAA said the average retail price of diesel in California hit a record $2.849 a gallon -- 19 cents above the $2.657 reported last Monday by the U.S. Energy Information Administration and high enough to set new records in 24 of the 25 communities surveyed by AAA.
It was also nearly 24 cents a gallon above the statewide average for gasoline, which hit $2.612 for a gallon of self-serve regular -- a few pennies short of the peak established in April, according to the AAA survey.
"There have been some outages ... but so far, we've had no serious problems other than that the prices are sky-high," said Larry Roberts, fuel supply manager for Tower Energy, which supplies diesel to 7-Eleven stores and other sites in California and several other states.
Although the situation is troubling, he said, "there's no need to panic."
For truckers, however, the price surge has cut into already thin profits, causing some to consider parking their rigs until costs subside.
"Every day you don't know how much it's going to be, even every second," said Alex Alvarez, who spent $400 at $2.94 a gallon to fill up his truck Thursday at Alameda Petro, a truck stop in downtown Los Angeles. He hauls mostly appliances and electronics for $1.15 to $1.20 per mile, and his routes cover California, Washington, Arizona and Oregon.
Alvarez, 32, said his per-mile pay hasn't changed to offset the higher diesel prices. "If the prices of the fuel get higher, that is less money in your pocket."
Jack Kyser, chief economist at the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corp., said high energy prices ripple through the economy, hurting truckers, businesses and eventually consumers. "It's the economy's fuel," he said. "If this is long-lived, then you're going to start seeing some significant impacts, and you'll see the financial health of a lot of firms start to be threatened."
That's because nearly every item consumers buy, from dishwashers to tacos to fresh fruit, reaches its destination by truck or train -- and both are powered by diesel fuel.
Although the most visible victim of high diesel prices is the transportation network -- where some railroad and shipping companies have added surcharges to offset their increased fuel costs -- diesel prices also affect the production end of the nation's food supply because the fuel is used to power farm equipment and irrigation pumps.
"Things have been pretty tight this week," said Peter Belluomini, who manages a potato farm outside of Bakersfield.
The price hike's effect on farmers varies depending on the crop as well as the planting and harvesting seasons, said Belluomini, who is president of the Kern County Farm Bureau.
"Right now, it's not good, but it's probably not a disaster," he said. Some major crops, such as almonds and cotton, aren't in harvest season yet. But "if it drags on, then it gets more critical."
Nationwide, the costs of gasoline, diesel and all things made from petroleum have been on the rise, mirroring sharp increases in the price of crude oil. On Friday, the U.S. benchmark crude settled at a new high of $62.31 a barrel, up 93 cents, on the New York Mercantile Exchange.
In California, however, there are additional factors behind the skyrocketing prices.
The state's diesel, like its gasoline, is a special blend that burns cleaner but is hard to make and difficult to find outside of California. In addition, even in the best of times, the state's 14 fuel-making refineries rely on imports to help satisfy the region's growing thirst for gasoline and diesel.
On July 20, a fire erupted at Chevron Corp.'s El Segundo facility, one of the West's largest refineries and a big producer of diesel. Chevron slashed production and shut down some equipment for repairs that are expected to last at least another week.
That production glitch wouldn't have hit the market so hard if oil traders, faced with a surplus of diesel in June, hadn't sold large quantities of the fuel to foreign buyers just weeks before the El Segundo fire.


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Two recent studies have suggested that confidence among the UK’s small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is strong, despite the impact of COVID-19 and uncertain economic times ahead.
According to research by Starling Bank and the Great British Entrepreneur Awards (GBEA), 80 per cent of UK SMEs are confident that they can recover from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic and its associated lockdown.
The report also notes that 75 per cent of SME owners feel more optimistic about the future than they did one month ago, while 68 per cent think their businesses will return to pre-pandemic levels or better by 2021.
Meanwhile, the Barclaycard Payments’ SME Barometer, which measures business optimism among SMEs, has jumped from 79 out of 200 at the start of the second quarter of 2020 to 95 out of 200 at the start of the third quarter.
This resurgent sentiment among SMEs follows a stronger-than-expected second quarter, combined with the increasing optimism that has accompanied the easing of lockdown and the phased reopening of the economy. According to the SME Barometer, SMEs were predicting a 28 per cent decline in revenue in Q2 compared to Q1. However, the actual decline proved to be just 14 per cent.
The latest barometer sees an uptick in business outlook, with 36 per cent of SMEs forecasting a positive Q3, compared to 21 per cent at the start of Q2. Across all sectors, the Barclaycard Payments report shows that SMEs forecast a 5 per cent revenue increase in Q3 compared to Q2 and a 14 per cent increase over the coming 12 months.
Looking to the future, 60 per cent see COVID-19 impacting business until at least the end of September, however, looking ahead to August 2021, this falls to 13 per cent. 80 per cent of SMEs say they plan to invest in their business over the next year.
Barclays Payments CEO Rob Cameron said: “Despite uncertainty and business disruption, SMEs are outperforming their own revenue expectations and beginning to look to the future by returning to work and thinking about investment.
“We welcome these signs of growth and optimism – and hope that SMEs continue to take advantage of the support available, whether from finance partners or the Government, to continue this recovery.”
The reports do, however, still reflect some of the inevitable negative effects of COVID-19. While, according to the SME Barometer, the percentage of SMEs saying they had been negatively impacted by COVID-19 dropped from 82 per cent in Q2, the figure still remained high at 74 per cent. 26 per cent said they had reduced staff numbers as a result of the pandemic.
According to the Starling and GBEA study, 20 per cent of SME owners had considered closing due to the impact of COVID-19, with 63 per cent reporting a decline in revenue and 19 per cent saying they had made no profit whatsoever during the coronavirus lockdown.
30 per cent said they had used their own money to survive the lockdown and 33 per cent furloughed staff. 21 per cent said they were uncertain about whether they could pay their bills each month. These business struggles took a toll on mental health, with 66 per cent saying their mental health had suffered due to COVID-19’s impact on their business.
However, despite this, the overall picture depicted by the two studies is one of improved sentiment among SME owners compared to the uncertainty that was rife at the outset of the pandemic. As recently as the end of May we reported on a survey that found that 41 per cent of SME owners felt they were at risk of permanent closure.
The new findings seem to suggest growing optimism compared to earlier in the Summer, but the Starling and GBEA study was accompanied by calls for more support to ensure SMEs survive the difficult upcoming months.
GBEA founder Francesca James commented: “In the face of the disruption caused by COVID-19 and the emergence of a radically altered landscape, I’ve been inspired by the innovation, spirit and tenacity of the entrepreneurs we work with in coping with this unprecedented situation.”
“However, it’s been a deeply troubling time for so many SMEs and they need support now more than ever to create the wealth and jobs that are needed over the next few months.”
Starling Bank founder and CEO Anne Boden, meanwhile, said: “Small businesses are essential to the nation's efforts to build back the economy as we emerge from the coronavirus crisis. Despite the challenging conditions they face, it's heartening to see that many are proving so adaptable and resilient.”
For more on the impact of COVID-19 on UK SMEs, take a look at this recent insight:
Report claims fast-growing UK SMEs face £15 billion funding shortfall.
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Zara continues to be the group’s largest brand, while Stradivarius and Uterqüe are the fastest-growing formats. FashionNetwork.com takes an in depth look at brand performance and Inditex’s long-term vision.
Inditex has seemed unstoppable for years and its results on Wednesday showed no sign of that changing any time soon. The fashion retail giant reported H1 sales growth of 7% with new revenues and profits records.
After Shanghai and Paris, the label chose its flagship store on Paseo de Gracia as the ideal location to present its latest Autumn/Winter collection. The exclusive event was held in partnership with Kate Bosworth.
Inditex is another of the big winners in global fashion retail and while its sales and profits increases may not always match analysts’ lofty expectations, it's a consistent performer as it continues to expand globally.
After the group’s online sales hit 3.2 billion euros in 2018, Inditex is preparing for the future with a new global store model that removes the barriers between brick-and-mortar retail and e-commerce.


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Pakistan Economic Outlook
Data suggests the economy has weakened so far in FY 2023 (July 2022–June 2023). Exports fell 9% year on year in July–January, and the Purchasing Managers’ Index has been bogged down in contractionary territory. Floods from June to October caused an estimated USD 40 billion in damage and, by destroying crops, have inflamed inflation and import costs. Adding to these headwinds, remittances fell 11% yoy in July–January. These factors have drained the Central Bank’s international reserves, which stood at just three weeks’ import cover as of 3 February, and have caused all major rating agencies to downgrade Pakistan’s credit rating over the past several months. To avoid default, the government needs a deal with the IMF, leading it to recently liberalize the currency, remove fuel subsidies and approve a bill to raise USD 636 million in taxes this FY. These moves will depress domestic demand ahead.
Inflation rose to 27.6% in January (December: 24.5%) on accelerating food prices. Inflation should ease this year as domestic demand and commodity prices cool. That said, our panel raised their 2023 inflation forecasts this month due to the recent currency liberalization and fuel price hikes. Key factors to watch are the weather, subsidies, the currency and commodity prices.


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Governments keep trying to force us to drive electric vehicles, and it keeps not happening. From the thoroughly pro-EV Times of London:
Fresh concerns have been raised about efforts to boost sales of electric cars after an industry trade body downgraded its forecast for demand.
According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), high energy costs and insufficient charging infrastructure will dampen demand for new battery electric cars this year.
It predicted that registrations would fall in market share from 19.7 per cent of new cars to 18.4 per cent.
So EV market share, at least in the U.K., is declining, not rising. Meanwhile, the British government demands more EVs:
From next year manufacturers must ensure that at least 22 per cent of new car sales and 10 per cent of new vans are emissions-free. This will rise every year incrementally to 80 per cent for cars and 70 per cent for vans by 2030, and 100 per cent for both by 2035.
Needless to say, those demands will not be met. Why not?
[The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders] said that US and European rivals, in particular, were being boosted by green subsidies and tax breaks, and without a similar response from the Treasury, British carmakers would not be able to compete in what it argued was a “global race”.
A race to the bottom. Electric vehicles exist in quantity only because of mandates and subsidies.
But there are other problems, too, as the Telegraph notes:
There were always obvious problems with the technology: the electricity has to come from somewhere, and Britain isn’t installing enough chargers to meet government targets. And that’s before you take the rocketing price of electricity into account, which means that thousands of the handy roadside chargers where motorists could charge up for nothing have been pulled. There are nearly 40 per cent fewer than a year ago.
All electric vehicle plans and calculations that failed to take into account the skyrocketing cost of electricity, driven by inefficient (if not useless) expenditures on wind and solar energy, are defunct. But that’s not all:
It now turns out that some bridges may not be able to take the weight of electric cars which, due to their large battery packs, are heavier than their petrol equivalents. Cue lengthy detours to a sturdier crossing point.
More unforeseen, and entirely needless, consequences.
A further issue is what happens when an electric car hits a pedestrian or a cyclist. Because they’re so heavy, the impact can be worse than that of a normal car. Urban 4x4s used to get a bad press because they could flatten pedestrians like a tank, but an electric car can do the same. Because they’re so quiet – unless they come with the fake engine noises manufacturers are working on – people might not hear them coming.
This is a wrinkle I hadn’t anticipated. Electric vehicles need to pretend to be gasoline-powered to minimize collisions with pedestrians.
Electric vehicles were among the first to be produced, a century ago. They lost out to gasoline-powered cars, because those vehicles are better. It was true 100 years ago, and it is still true today. And that is before we get into the catastrophic environmental evils of EVs.


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A Dutch scientist is offering the world’s first cultivated beef made of stem cells to taste. He believes the lab-grown meat will feed the world and help save the environment. The tasting event happens amid UN calls to invest more in food innovation. The 5-ounce burger which costs $332,000 to produce was fried and taste-tested by volunteers at an event in London on Monday, Bloomberg quotes the creator of the burger scientist Mark Post of Maastricht University. Sergey Brin, co-founder and CEO of Google, bankrolled the scientists’ project to promote animal welfare. Brin’s personal wealth is estimated by Forbes to be $22.8 billion, and he is known for an eclectic range of start-ups, from driverless cars to private space expeditions.
“It’s really just proof of concept right now, we’re trying to create the first cultured beef hamburger,” Brin said at the tasting event in London.
“From there I’m optimistic that we can really scale by leaps and bounds,” said Brin.
The muscle stem cells, taken by a harmless biopsy of living cows, are fed and nurtured so they multiply to create muscle tissue, Bloomberg quotes the scientist as saying. One sample of cells is enough to create up to 20,000 tons of meat in the lab, he said.
Professor Mark Post shows the world’s first lab-grown beef burger during a launch event in west London August 5, 2013 (Reuters / David Parry / pool)
“People might think this is a crazy way to produce meat. But it’s inevitable. Because the way we produce meat right now from livestock is not sustainable. It is not good for the environment, it is not good for animals, and we actually are not going to produce,” Prof Mark Post said in an interview to BBC.
Commercial production could begin in a decade or two, Bloomberg quotes Post, whose work on cultured beef began in 2008. The cost is currently the main obstacle to mass production, Bloomberg quotes experts.
“For it to succeed it has to look, feel and hopefully taste like the real thing,” Post says, adding that any association with genetically modified foods is unwarranted.
“Cultured beef is normal beef,” Bloomberg quotes the professor. “It consists of cow cells.”
Post is among scientists who believe lab-grown meat is an alternative to raising livestock, which contributes to 18 percent of greenhouse gas emissions and uses 30 percent of the world’s ice-free land, Bloomberg quotes an Oxford University study.
Earlier this year several studies redicted world starvation as farmers will struggle to feed 9.6 billion people by 2050. The global population is expected to grow by 2.5 billion people in the next 40 years. University of Minnesota researchers warn farmers are unlikely to double production of grain by that time to avoid food shortages.
Josh Schonwald, a US-based food writer, tastes the world’s first lab-grown beef burger during a launch event in west London, August 5, 2013 (Reuters / Toby Melville)
Increasing global food demand was likely to push up prices 10 to 40 percent over the coming decade, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development said in a recent joint report. They urged the sector to invest more in innovation.
The report also encourages people to be more creative and diversify their diet to include beetles, caterpillars, grasshoppers, worms, wasps and bees. For example, “most edible insects boast equal or higher iron content than beef,” the report suggests. More than two billion people – mostly in Asia, Africa, and Latin America consume insects, according to the article.
For example, 100g of insects is 72 percent protein and clock in at 96 calories and 16 per cent fat. The same weight in beef is 52 percent protein, and clocks in at 285 calories and 48 per cent fat, ctvnews.ca calculated.
An Austrian designer was reportedly turned the UN recommendation to “eat insects” into a household appliance producing 2.4 kilograms of larvae protein from black soldier fly eggs. One week’s worth of harvest (500 g) produces enough larvae for about two meals, according to ctvnews.ca.
Source: Russia Today
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Ioana Florea Public Library of Science (PLOS) a publicat un nou studiu care demonstrează că fragmentele de ADN care provin din hrană conţin gene complete care intră în sistemul circulator uman printr-un mecanism necunoscut. Există suspiciuni conform cărora cercetătorii corporaţiilor biotehnologice, precum Monsanto, au identificat deja acest mecanism şi îl folosesc cu bună ştiinţă. Studiul […]
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Unless the rice you buy is certified organic, or comes specifically from a farm that tests its rice crops for genetically modified (GM) traits, you could be eating rice tainted with actual human genes. The only known GMO with inbred human traits in cultivation today, a GM rice product made by biotechnology company Ventria Bioscience […]
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ICP is an Australian-based company focused on indoor climbing. ICP will manage your project from initial design to completion and beyond, whether you're building an international-level climbing…read more
Australian business events industry welcomes $50 million funding announcement
The Business Events Council of Australia (BECA) has welcomed the Federal Government’s $50 million funding announcement to support the restart of Australia’s business events industry. The targeted support will drive confidence and create momentum, positioning the industry to rebound as market conditions improve.
Under the Australian Business Events Grants Program, approved business events, including meetings conventions, incentives and exhibitions, will be able to apply for upfront grants to cover up to 50% of their costs (between $10,000 and $250,000). This initiative is part of the Federal Government’s $1 billion COVID-19 Relief and Recovery Fund, which supports sectors severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Business Events Council of Australia Chair, Dr Vanessa Findlay notes “Australia’s business events industry is deeply appreciative of the Federal Government’s support through this grants program. Our industry has been devastated by COVID-19. We can now look to rebuilding business confidence and kick-starting momentum across the entire business events supply chain – for meetings, conventions, incentives and exhibitions. BECA’s goal is to not only support the business events industry itself, but to also maximise the contribution business events make to the recovery of the wider economy. This support package will be pivotal to that.”
The business events industry was one of the first and hardest hit industries by COVID-19 and may be one of the last to recover, due to the long lead times between booking and holding a business event. By March this year, it was reported that 96% of business events scheduled for 2020 in Australia had been cancelled or postponed.
Close collaboration with Government led to this announcement as BECA’s Recovery and Rebound Framework highlighted the devastating impact of COVID-19 on the sector and the need for funding to drive business confidence. According to an Ernst & Young, report on March 2020, with a contribution of $35.7 billion to the Australian economy, and employment of 229,000 people, it’s important that the business events industry can recover as quickly as possible.
BECA will now lead the industry’s work with Government on the design and implementation of the Australian Business Events Grants Program. Our goal is to get money flowing throughout the supply chain as soon as possible.
Exhibition & Event Association of Australia (EEAA) Chief Executive, Claudia Sagripanti highlighted that “this news confirms the Government's recognition of the critical role that exhibitions and business events play in rebuilding the Australian economy.
“The EEAA has worked extensively with BECA to facilitate this result and we are now in a much stronger position to commence rebuilding business confidence and injecting much-needed cash flow through the supply chain.
“This funding will assist in the business events industry getting back on its feet, and doing what it does best - connecting businesses through consumer and trade shows and conferences, to keen buyers of new products and services. We also look forward to the reopening of state borders to support the viability of the industry.
“The EEAA will continue to work closely with BECA on the design and implementation of the Australian Business Events Grants Program.”
Last year over 480,000 business events were held in Australia and over 43 million people attended a business event in the form of a meeting, convention, exhibition or incentive event. In a recent survey conducted by BECA, 67% of businesses said they don’t have any business events confirmed for 2020 and 48% of businesses said they don’t have any business events confirmed for 2021 either.
While Australia’s state and territory borders remain closed, the recovery of the business events industry is seriously impeded. BECA calls for clear guidelines that provide predictability and transparency in the way the borders are being managed so businesses can plan and book their next business event with confidence.
BECA’s work with Government, and implementation of the Australian Business Events Grants Program, will allow the industry to move to the next phase of recovery and rebound.
Association of Australian Convention Bureaux (AACB) President Michael Matthews advises “Australia’s convention bureaux are mindful of the devastating impact the Coronavirus has had on their 1,800 members and industry stakeholders across the country. This funding will have a monumental impact on business confidence and the return of business events in Australia”.
ICC Sydney Chief Executive and BECA Deputy Chair, Geoff Donaghy also welcomed the announcement noting that “the funding package will not only help boost client confidence to start planning events again but, critically, it also acknowledges the enormous economic, cultural and social value of the business events industry to Australia."
Meetings & Events Australia (MEA), Chair Kate Smith agrees and adds “this is much needed support for our industry and recognises the contribution business events can make to the recovery of our economy. Our membership represents the entire supply chain of specialists needed to create and deliver outstanding business events – large, medium and small enterprises as well as sole operators and freelancers. All have been significantly impacted by COVID and this support is a positive step towards our recovery.”
Professional Conference Organisers Association (PCOA) President Barry Neame considers the establishment of the Federal recovery fund to be “a wonderful and timely announcement for PCOs and their clients across Australia, trying to run a business event during the most challenging conditions. Once state borders open, with this support we will do our bit to get the Australian economy back on its feet”.
Image of International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney)
10th September 2020 - Applications closing for Tourism Australia’s Business Events Boost Program
6th August 2020 - EEAA launches #ExpoReady campaign
27th July 2020 - Melbourne secures high-profile business events
11th June 2020 - ICC Sydney launches operating framework for safe reopening of events
20th May 2020 - EEAA to lead Global Exhibitions Day 2020
27th February 2020 - EEAA to explore workplace equality in celebration of International Women’s Day 2020
21st January 2020 - EEAA appoints Claudia Sagripanti as Chief Executive
25th October 2019 - ICC Sydney sets global safety standard
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Eastman to increase Naia cellulosic yarn production
Eastman, the global specialty materials provider, has decided to increase its capacity to produce Naia cellulosic yarn to serve the growing demand of customers. More than 50% will be produced by 2022.
ITMF Annual Conference postponed to April 10-12, 2022
Due to the uncertain and unpredictable situation with regard to travel and event restrictions caused by the Corona-pandemic, the Board of the ITMF (International Textile Manufacturer Federation) together with the two co-hosts – Swiss Textiles and Swiss Textile Machinery – have decided to postpone the ITMF Annual Conference in Davos, Switzerland from September 26-28, 2021 to April 10-12, 2022.
India may face cotton shortage due to covid
India’s entire domestic supply chain of cotton is getting affected due to Covid-19. According to King Mukherjee, President and Founder, Global Impex USA, this is referred to as ‘Tsunami Covid’.
Nouryon to help Renewcell build textile recycling unit
Nouryon will provide specialty engineering and chemical solutions for Renewcell’s new recycling plant located in Sweden. This new plant aims to prevent millions of garments ending up in landfills every year.
Vietnam’s Q1 textile exports turnover is recovering
Thanks to new Free Trade Agreements and government-assisted trade promotions and market search, Vietnam’s textile exports turnover for Q1 of 2021 has seen a modest growth after last year’s dip because of the pandemic.
ANDRITZ receives order for needlepunch line from Pureko
International technology Group ANDRITZ has received an order from Pureko Sp. z o.o. to supply a needlepunch line for their plant in Myszków, Poland. The line will process recycling fibres from garment waste.
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Since I’m based in Los Angeles and write frequently for the Los Angeles Times’ HOME section, I am thrilled that my editor Craig Nakano gave me the green light on a green flower story that I proposed.
My story, “Organic flowers for Valentine’s Day? Why some shoppers are buying green instead of red this year,” appears in today’s online “LA at Home” blog. It features several voices from the California flower growing and floral design world.
Read about how America’s largest flower holiday – Valentine’s Day – is starting to embrace the environmental concerns of seasonal, local, organic and sustainable floral design.
Photo: Courtesy Marc Kessler, California Organic Flowers


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$PH 4Q15 Q&A: Hammond of KeyBanc asked about oil and gas full year magnitude of decline. Lee answered, it’s a big headwind in terms of margin mix. Once PH work through the inventory in the channel. Not forecasting other than the line pool a big rebound in that market.
The latest earnings report by $VZ shows how it is losing customers despite offering the unlimited data plans, a record for the company.
$BEBE is closing down all its stores by the end of May.
$WFC agreed to hike its payout in a class-action settlement over unauthorized accounts by $32 million to $142 million for its retail sales practices. The settlement will now include customers who were impacted as early as May 2002.


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The demand for intuitive and functional mobile applications has been higher than ever, driving innovation in the mobile development industry. Digital sales continue to increase year on year. People are spending more time on their personal handheld devices and offline content is in huge demand. In 2017 we saw big commitments from the world’s largest investors in the mobile development environment: Google, Apple, and Microsoft. Google announced in May that Kotlin would become one of their new official programming languages, strengthening their developer base. Apple made a play for the AR/VR market with the impressive AR Kit API developed for use with their latest handset devices, allowing developers to create some truly fantastic applications breaking the limits of how we imagine the way that mobile apps interact with the 3D spaces around us. Microsoft pushed some of their cognitive services out of preview and into azure properly, continuing their investments in driving cloud technology as a fast, all-encompassing back end solution for mobile applications. 2018 will be no different, if you’ve not been under a rock lately you’ll already be aware of some of this year’s buzzwords and hot topics.
- Faster mobile development processes to match demand.
- Cloud technology behind every mobile platform.
- PWA (Progressive Web Apps).
- Cross platform apps.
- AI and chatbots.
As a cross platform mobile developer, I can tell you that seeing the continued investments by the big three in to cross platform solutions makes me very excited to see how far 2018 will take us. Google have already confirmed Android Things 1.0 for the IoT developers to help them build and maintain at scale. Not to mention Android Jetpack to reduce the number of libraries required to keep your applications back compatibility compliant. Apple continue to add more and more to their AR Kit ready for the release of iOS 12. Microsoft announced more improvements to their fluent design principles for UWP applications, not to mention a reduction in the amount of money they take from application sales, putting more money into developer’s pockets!
So what are a couple of the big hitters for the rest of this year I hear you ask, well let’s look at two of the ones that I’m most excited in for 2018.
Progressive Web Apps
Progressive web apps are certainly one of the louder buzzwords for 2018. The ability to code once, create one set of UIs and be able to reach every person on every mobile device. Cross platform development leveraging the power of the modern web browser is essentially the bottom line of what PWAs will be doing. But what are the key strengths of this technology I hear you ask, well lets list a few:
- Progressive — These apps work for every user, regardless of the browser that you are using or even where you are situated in the world!
- Responsive — Fit any device! Be it a desktop, a mobile, a tablet.
- App look and feel — Same feel and flow as a normal application might have.
- Secure — Utilising HTTPS ensures a secure experience between the user and the PWA.
- Connectivity disconnect— Utilising service workers, PWAs can work on low-quality networks and also offline.
- Discoverable — The W3C manifest states that PWAs are classed as standard applications. Service worker registration scope allows search engines to index them and improves discoverability.
- Installation — Users can ‘install’ PWAs to their desktops, be that on phone, PC, or tablet.
- Linkable — PWAs are linkable apps, only requiring the URL be shared, they need no complex installation in order to be used on a device
- Interaction and Engagement — PWA support push notifications.
As a Xamarin developer myself, I’d like to point out a little side note that, through the use of a great little framework called Ooui.Wasm that leverages WebAssembly we can now convert Xamarin.Forms projects to progressive web apps. It’s still in its early stages but it’s a promising concept. It essentially lets you run compiled code in your browser. Mono was brought to WebAssembly originally with mono-wasm that gives us the ability to run C# within WebAssembly. Ooui.Wasm uses this as its foundation.
All of this means that progressive web apps are worth keeping an eye on this year, increasing the bridge between the browser and user’s hardware is what will define the long-term feasibility of the technology. But it’s definitely an exciting and promising innovation.
Any developer that’s been in the industry for the last few years will know that the use of AI within applications has gained a lot more traction, likely thanks to increased accessibility to predefined and easy to integrate AI technologies. As I mentioned earlier a lot of Microsofts cognitive services have come out of preview and are now integrable properly with the azure cloud environment. Of course, Microsoft aren’t the only ones supplying artificial intelligence services, but they certainly have some of the easier integrable services. Here are some of the more popular AI integrations currently available to mobile developers:
Googles Firebase ML Kit:
The ML Kit documentation page sates:
“We want the entire device experience to be smarter, not just the OS, so we’re bringing the power of Google’s machine learning to app developers with the launch of ML Kit, a new set of cross-platform APIs available through Firebase.”
ML Kit offers developers on-device APIs for text recognition, face detection, image labelling and more.
Apples Core ML2:
“Core ML 2 lets you integrate a broad variety of machine learning model types into your app. In addition to supporting extensive deep learning with over 30-layer types, it also supports standard models such as tree ensembles, SVMs, and generalized linear models. Because it’s built on top of low level technologies like Metal and Accelerate, Core ML seamlessly takes advantage of the CPU and GPU to provide maximum performance and efficiency. You can run machine learning models on the device so data doesn’t need to leave the device to be analysed.”
Apples Core ML2 vision component links seamlessly with their AR Kit SDK, just another example of their investment in the augmented reality field.
Microsoft AI Platform:
“With the flexible Azure platform and a wide portfolio of AI productivity tools, you can build the next generation of smart applications where your data lives, in the intelligent cloud, on-premises, and on the intelligent edge.”
Microsoft have numerous AI, machine learning services available to developers, perhaps one of the larger selections, encompassing: vision, speech, language, knowledge and search APIs, most of which offer a fast cloud based integrable allowing developers to leverage the power of AI and the cloud to provide seamless and fast experiences to mobile users.
This year has already seen some impressive technological commitments in the development sphere and shown us the innovative direction that mobile development is taking. With such large and continuing investment by some of the worlds largest companies it’s easy to get excited about how mobile app development is going to provide seamless and intuitive experiences to users with less complexity than ever before. Personally I’m excited about getting stuck into technology at the cutting edge of our industry, and I’m glad that I work in an environment that shares that vision.


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Tyson Foods Inc. is developing more convenience-store products such as snacks and prepared food items for on-the-go consumers.
The convenience-store market is appealing to Tyson because it makes the Springdale-based company hundreds of millions of dollars and has strong growth potential, President Tom Hayes said.
"Since we combined efforts in Tyson and Hillshire [Farms], we've grown [convenience-store business] more than 75 percent in the last three years," Hayes said Monday during the company's fourth-quarter earnings call.
Convenience stores account for one-third of all U.S. retail outlets -- almost 155,000 stores in December 2016, Nielsen data shows. This is significantly higher than the nation's 51,191 supermarkets, 43,636 drugstores and 28,832 dollar stores, according to the National Association of Convenience Stores.
Recent acquisitions from sandwich packer AdvancePierre and cheesesteak producer Philly Holdings have beefed up Tyson's prepared-foods business by expanding its U.S. distribution network and product portfolio.
Excluding fuel, U.S. convenience stores had record sales of $233 billion in 2016, according to the National Association of Convenience Stores. And roughly 22 percent of sales came from the food-service category, with prepared food and packaged sandwiches generating $35 billion in sales, data showed.
Today consumers want more protein and more fresh packaged food items, said Sally Grimes, president of Tyson's prepared-foods business, during the recent Barclays Global Consumer conference.
According to Tyson's fourth-quarter earnings data, Tyson's total prepared-food sales were higher than most competitors including Mars, Hershey's, Campbell's, ConAgra and General Mills, for the 52 weeks ending Oct. 1. Hershey's showed higher volume sales.
"Channels are blurring," Grimes said at the event. "Grocery stores are becoming 'grocerants' and convenience stores are becoming [quick-service restaurants] and fresh-food destinations."
Factors such as the Internet, millennial spending habits and the ever-changing retail landscape have disrupted the market and prompted Tyson and competitors to adapt, said retail analyst Carol Spieckerman.
"Many are seeking new distribution opportunities as their core retail partners push further into private label and as retailers consolidate and/or close stores," Spieckerman wrote in an email.
Meanwhile, millennials are frequenting convenience stores and gas stations for meals -- not just snacks, Spieckerman said.
"With these dynamics as a backdrop, Tyson is smart to focus on the convenience channel and to create products that are targeted to it," she said in a statement.
Tyson this year unveiled meal kits, beef and cheese snack pairings and on-the-go breakfast items.
Convenience Store News selected three of Tyson's food products as winners for its 2017 Best New Products Awards competition: a western-style omelet wrap from AdvancePierre; a bacon gouda chicken sausage from Hillshire Farms; and ham and cheese stuffed breadsticks from Tyson.
Fresh sandwiches and wraps have made gas stations and quick stops more viable than retailers that sell convenience goods, said Jeff Lenard, vice president of strategic industry initiatives at the National Association of Convenience Stores.
"Who doesn't look like a convenience store at the register?" he said. "You go to Bed Bath and Beyond, Home Depot, Best Buy, they all sell items at the register. ... If you're not, you're history."
There are 1,817 convenience stores in Arkansas, according to the National Association of Convenience Stores.
Business on 11/18/2017
Print Headline: Tyson expands snacks, fast eats


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- The study also notes that transport and logistics provision services in East African region declined in performance.
- World Bank’s 2020 report noted globally in 2020, there was an increasing decline in the number of port calls.
The port of Mombasa was hit hard by the pandemic in 2020 with its key performance indicators declining consecutively over the years.
This is according to the latest study by East African Business Council(EABC) on the performance of its transport corridors.
The cargo Throughput, the volume of cargo that is handled at the terminal in a period of one year, at the port was 34.13 million tonnes, 1.8 million tonnes less the target of 35.90 million tonnes.
This was attributed to disruptions to the supply chain caused by global lockdowns that were imposed.
Ship Turnaround Time, the total time that a vessel spends at a port from its arrival to departure in terms of days, is said to have remained constant at 3.92 days between 2019 and 2020.
Although, the average turnaround time performance falls short of the 81 hours’ target with reasons of transporters encountering delays to meet the health protocols.
Dwell Time, the time a ship spends at port securing the vessel, which had marked an improvement from 100 hours in 2018 to 88 hours in 2019 worsened in 2020 when it rose to 106 hours.
This was a result of the longer time taken to complete cargo clearance formalities and temporary storage time.
Transit Time from the port according to the survey, the Mombasa-Kigali route was the slowest averaging 9.75 days followed by Mombasa-Cyanika (8.38 days) then Mombasa-Mpondwe (8.33 days).
The Mombasa-Elegu route at 6.29 days and Mombasa-Kampala at 6.42 days were the fastest according to the data.
The transport freight rates from Mombasa to its EAC Partners increased in 2020 citing additional costs on driver testing for COVID-19, quarantine, multiple border charges and road conditions.
Generally, the study also noted that transport and logistics provision services in the East African region declined in performance.
This, despite the providers’ enlisting as essential during the imposition of the Covid-19 containment measures.
According to Institute of Shipping Economics and Logistics (ISL), container throughput index, the number of people and goods passing through shipping ports daily, declined from 113.3 in January 2020 to 107.7 in May 2020, a 9.5 per cent decrease.
The International Air Travel Association (IATA) stated that Industry-wide, air Cargo Tonne-Kilometres (CTKs) dropped by 15.3 per cent three months consecutively to April 2020.
World Bank’s 2020 report that noted globally in 2020, there was an increasing decline in the number of port calls, particularly from container ships was also noted.
The decline was attributed to the blank sailings and scheduled container services that either did not run at all or did not call at particular ports on a scheduled route due to insufficient traffic.
The survey however acknowledges that the efficiency and cost of freight transport services play a critical role in the competitiveness of international traders and by extension the economic performance of a country.
"Therefore, efforts to improve freight logistics should be at the core. The sector is one of the core pillars of economic development,'' World Bank said.


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Mainland stocks finished the week at fresh multi-year highs, while their Japanese peers settled just a whisker away from a psychological 20,000-point mark. Apart from hopes of stronger corporate earnings, tepid consumer inflation in the world's second-largest economy lifted trading sentiment.
The mainland's consumer price index (CPI) rose 1.4 percent on year, above expectations of a 1.3 percent rise predicted in a Reuters poll and following a 1.4 percent rise in February. Wholesale prices, or the producer price index (PPI), fell 4.6 percent in March, better than the average forecast of a 4.6 percent, and after dropping 4.8 percent in February.
Overnight, U.S. stocks closed higher after trading in a narrow range, with energy shares up on the back of a rebound in the price of crude oil. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.3 percent, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite gained 0.4 and 0.5 percent, respectively.
Nikkei slips 0.2%
Japan's Nikkei 225 index crossed the 20,000 milestone for the first time since April 2000 at Friday's open, but quickly pulled back seemingly on the back of profit-taking and as the dollar-yen ticked down slightly to 120.5.
The bourse settled at 19,937 on Thursday - a 15-year peak for the second straight session - as foreign investors jumped in amid expectations that Japan Inc will start coughing up more cash to shareholders.
According to Ben Collett, head, Japan & Asian Equities at Sunrise Brokers, the Nikkei's rally still has legs: "The long-term outlook for the market, given the Bank of Japan's policy and what they will do for the yen, looks pretty good."
Index heavyweight Fast Retailing is in the spotlight after upgrading its forecast for annual profit and sales projection as sales for its casual wear brand Uniqlo grew quicker-than-expected. The stock was up 2.5 percent, hitting fresh record highs.
Lawson dived 4.3 percent, chalking up its biggest one-day drop in two years, after the convenience store operator's earnings guidance came in below market expectations.
Mainland indices choppy
China's Shanghai Composite index bounced up nearly 2 percent to a seven-year high as latest inflation data signaled a favorable environment for further government stimulus.
In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng index rebounded back into positive territory, rising 1.3 percent to its highest level since January 2008. Meanwhile, the Hang Seng China Enterprises Index of Hong Kong-listed mainland companies notched up 1.7 percent.
The surge in buying over the past three sessions was sparked by Beijing's decision to let mainland money managers buy H-shares last week, as well as a recent move by the China Insurance Regulatory Commission to allow mainland insurance firms to invest in Hong Kong's Growth Enterprise Market for the first time.
"What they are trying to do is to take the steam out of China's local market and redirect some of the liquidity into Hong Kong [so that] eventually Hong Kong will be at a very high level," Viktor Shvets, Asia head of Strategy Research at Macquarie, told CNBC Asia's "Squawk Box."
GF Securities - the mainland's fourth-largest securities firm by assets - soared over 30 percent to HK$25.40 in its market debut on Friday. The Shenzhen-listed company had priced its shares at HK$18.85 - the top of the indicative range - raising $3.6 billion, according to an April 2 statement.
ASX adds 0.6%
Australian shares climbed up steadily through Friday, thanks to a direction reversal in the banking space, recouping all of the resources-led losses in the previous session.
Laggards on the S&P ASX 200 index include global miner BHP Billiton, which extended losses to decline 0.2 percent, following another slide in its U.S. ADRs overnight. Fortescue Metals also dropped 4 percent.
Kospi rises 1.4%
South Korea's Kospi index scaled an 8-month high, with automakers, retailers and brokerage houses leading advances.
Among gainers, Hyundai Securities and Samsung Securities made gains of 11.3 and 7.3 percent each on the back of expectations for improved first-quarter earnings. SK Hynix and Hyundai Motor rose 4.1 and 3.7 percent, respectively.
Shares of Samsung Electronics elevated 0.5 percent, with the global launch of its Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge smartphones.
The South Korean won briefly cut losses against the greenback after Moody's Investors Service changed the country's ratings outlook to positive from stable, citing factors like improved management of public corporation debt. The local currency shed 0.2 percent to last trade at 1,093 per dollar.
Noble Group fights back
Shares of Noble Group rebounded 3.5 percent by mid-day trade, a day after investment research firm Muddy Waters questioned the commodity trader's financial strength and governance.
On early Friday, the Hong Kong-based company rejected Muddy Water's report as "inaccurate, unreliable and misleading." Noble's shares have been hammered ever since Iceberg Research unleashed a slew of critical reports two months ago.
— CNBC's John Phillips contributed to this report


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In addition to a limited edition GT C, Mercedes-AMG will continue to celebrate its 50th anniversary with a G63. Once again limited to only a run of 50 cars, this limited edition G63 will only be available in Japan. An exclusive Mauritius Blue will cover the SUV which rides on 20-inch black AMG wheels with black also covering the bumpers, wheel arches, wing mirrors, spare wheel cover and roof. Buyers will have four leather interior designs to choose from: black, black and tan, black and brown, and black and cream. The same blue paint from the outside also makes its way inside the cabin via stitching.
The limited edition Japan-only Mercedes-AMG G63 will start at ¥22.2 million JPY, or about $195,000 USD.
To help commemorate the 40th anniversary of the cult classic Star Wars franchise, Mercedes-Benz Japan went about creating a limited edition of its CLA 180 model. Limited to just 120 prototypes, 60 take on a “Calcite White” color scheme to honor the stormtrooper and the remaining 60 in “Night Black” to memorialize Darth Vader himself. Performance-wise, each comes equipped with a 1.6 liter four-cylinder turbo drive engine — good for 120 horsepower and 200 Nm of torque. Although subtle, welcome lights display the Star Wars logo while the menu display features key characters such as Han Solo, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Chewbacca and Luke Skywalker.
Renault look to reimagine the future of F1 racing with the RS 2027 Vision Concept. Unveiled earlier this year at the Shanghai Motor Show, the technological mockup explores the notion of closed cockpits, likely taking into consideration both aesthetics and safety factors. Fashioned from 3D-printed recycled material, the cockpit design will be completely transparent, as will be the driver helmut — offering absolute visibility while tearing up the blacktop.


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ATLANTIC CITY, NJ, April 07, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The 25th East Coast Gaming Congress & NexGen Gaming Forum will take place September 21-23, 2022 at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Atlantic City.
The theme for this annual two-day conference is “Gaming Here, Gaming There, Gaming Everywhere”, reflecting the continued expansion of gaming types and channels throughout the East Coast. ECGC’s signature event – the CEO Roundtables – will feature eight game industry leaders sharing their thoughts on the future of all things gaming.
Other hot topics on the agenda include sessions titled:
- “Analyze This”
- “Sports Betting: Which Model Works Best?” »
- “Gaming Resorts – Still Viable in the East?”
- “Does the game develop responsibly?”
- “Gaming revenue going up in smoke?”
- “The best things in the game right now are…”
- “State Regulators: Help or Hindrance? »
- “Where is Igaming? »
- “What’s with these #*@&% unregulated gaming machines?”
The conference will provide attendees with valuable insights and training from those who know this evolving industry best – as well as exceptional opportunities for networking, professional development and business-to-business discussions.
For more information, visit www.ecgc.us or contact Donna Vecere at [email protected]


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Chrysler Pacifica plug-in-hybrid minivans are being recalled because the connection to the vehicles' 12-volt battery may pose a fire risk. The company says 27,634 minivans are affected, from the 2017 through 2020 model years. The regular gas-engine Pacifica is not part of the recall.
The issue is with the minivans' standard 12-volt battery that powers the vehicles' accessories, not the high-voltage battery that is part of the hybrid powertrain. The connection to the battery may degrade, posing the risk of fire. Chrysler says it knows of "a small number" of fires that have occurred and one minor injury. Dealers will inspect the connection to check for corrosion.
In the meantime, Pacifica hybrid owners are advised not to park their vehicle inside a garage, building, or other structure, or near other vehicles. They're also asked not to carry liquids that might spill in the second-row seating area.
Starting June 16, Pacifica hybrid owners can enter their VIN number at the following websites to see if their vehicle is among those being recalled: recalls.mopar.com or, in Canada, recalls.mopar.ca. Chrysler also will be contacting owners of affected vehicles by mail.


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‘Onshoring’ is changing the nature of demand for sheds
Although the number of requirements for logistics space is currently increasing, the actual quantity of space sought has diminished because of the shift in the nature of demand.
Logistics and industrial property specialist CTP’s group client relationship director Bert Hesselink explained that there are now fewer requirements for large-scale fulfilment centres of 50,000 to -100,000 sq m-plus, but space is now in demand for medium- and even large-scale manufacturing facilities, typically of 10,000 to 15,000 sq m.
The driver is the need to de-risk supply chains, Hesselink told Real Asset Insight’s Richard Betts during the recent Transport Logistic event in Munich. Hesselink describes the phenomenon collectively as “on-shoring” and said that the Central and Eastern European region has many benefits for companies looking for cost-efficient solutions because of the availability of affordable but highly skilled labour there.
Huge investments in infrastructure have been made in CEE compared to Western Europe, although he added that there is plenty of de-risking activity going on there too.
“There’s a huge mix of different types of companies looking at ways to de-risk their supply chains and, for some of them, locations in North-Western Europe make more sense. For others, or for other parts within the supply chain, locations in Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia, make more sense.”
“We’re covering everything from the North Sea to the Black Sea and everything in between, and we see higher levels of demand across all markets compared to one or two years ago.”
Please click on the video above to watch the full interview or listen to the podcast below.


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Oculus Announced Standalone Go VR Headset For $199
Oculus has today announced its standalone VR headset during the company’s fourth developer conference, which is named as Oculus Go. It is priced $199, which would start shipments early 2018. It is the first and proper standalone VR headset from the company which does not require a need to be paired with a computer, which means it would directly access the VR content via Oculus ecosystem. It has sitten between mobile Gear VR which is priced at around $129, and high-end Oculus Rift has offered cost of $499.
It is designed with breathable fabrics, which is comfortable and fully adjustable. It can even be used with glasses and has 3D immersion with crystal-clear optics and integrated spatial audio, which would together bring your virtual world to life. The Oculus Go VR headset comes with its controllers like draw constellations in the night sky, cast fishing line with precision, capture enemies in a multi-player standoff and more. As of now, the company hasn’t provided the exactly when it would be available this product and would be available to buy in 2018.