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The Austrian manufacturer silently announced a recall for 2017 Duke 390 in India and dubbed as Monsoon Fitment Kit, it will be fitted free of cost at service centres
KTM Duke series is popular among bikers as it offers excellent performance at an affordable price range. But the company cuts cost on manufacturing by sacrificing a little bit of quality as this has resulted in some problems.
KTM officially launched second generation Duke 390 last year in India. The Duke 390 comes with lots of technologies and segment first features. Now the Austrian manufacturer has silently announced a recall for 2017 Duke 390 in India and dubbed as Monsoon Fitment Kit. The company has given compulsory tag for recall.
The Monsoon Fitment Kit is going to fix three problems on Duke 390 and they are arresting the headlamp vibrations, ECU bracket change and rear seat bushings will be changed to reduce load on tail lamp. All these changes will make riding better and we urge all customers to immediately take your Duke 390 to service centre.
The Duke 390 had lots of problems initially with digital instrument cluster as it will restart on its own and the software had lots of bugs. Then headlamp won’t switch off even if you remove key from ignition and sometimes it will turn off randomly. The Duke 390 also had some mechanical issues like leakage of fuel and fuel filter was not attached properly.
Some customers have reported that battery will lose charge without any reason. The company fixed most of these problems silently in India and in Europe, they have already announced several recalls. KTM is expected to make its product better overtime like Bajaj and previous generation of Duke 390 also had few niggles.
KTM Duke 390 is powered by 373 cc single cylinder fuel injected engine producing 43.5 PS of power at 9,000 rpm and 37 Nm of torque at 7,000 rpm. This engine is coupled with 6 speed gearbox and braking power comes from 320 mm front disc and 230 mm rear disc brake. KTM offers dual channel ABS as standard and it is priced at Rs. 2.40 lakh (Ex-Showroom, Mumbai).


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Qatari economy resilient says survey
Doha, January 15, 2009
The Qatari economy is expected to do fairly well in these testing times with ample government support to minimise the impact of global economic slowdown, according to a business study conducted by Dun & Bradstreet South Asia Middle East (D&B).
D&B Business Optimism Index for Qatar for Q1 2009 was released in association with Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) Authority and Al Khalij Commercial Bank (al khaliji).
The D&B Business Optimism Index (BOI) for Q1 2009 was conducted in November 2008 amid virulent crisis in the global financial markets, growing concerns over the declining crude oil prices and deceleration in global economic growth, said an official spokesman.
The sentiments in the region have been hurt by the spill over effects of global financial crisis. However, The BOI results further point towards the resilience of the economy in face of the global financial crisis.
“The next quarter expectations are subdued compared to earlier quarters, but remain fairly optimistic. According to the BOI survey, 53 per cent of the business units in the non-hydrocarbon sector are expecting increase in Volume of Sales and Net Profits, indicating that that the demand levels in the economy are likely to stay firm,” said CEO of Dun & Bradstreet Rajesh Mirchandan,
“The hydrocarbon sector is showing signs of cautiousness in light of deep fall in global oil prices which will affect their margins. Overall, the economy is expected to withstand the crisis.”
As identified in earlier quarter indices released by D&B, QFC, and al khaliji, the BOI survey shows that there are continued signs of easing inflationary pressures.
The survey shows that 56 per cent of the business units expect no change in their Selling Prices over the next quarter and another 18 per cent expect their Selling Prices to decrease.
Real estate prices are likely to ease off with 56 per cent of the units in building, construction and real estate sector expecting no change in their Selling Prices.
On the issue of likely impact of the global financial crisis on businesses, the responses show that the business units are divided over the impact of the financial crisis on their operations.
Only 37 per cent of the respondents in the non-hydrocarbon sector have shown concern of the impact as against 63 per cent of companies who feel that the crisis is not going to Affect their business.
The trade, transport & hotel sector seem to be most resilient with 71 per cent stating that it would not impact their business, followed by the agriculture, manufacturing, water and electricity sector at 68 per cent, and finance, insurance and business services at 61 per cent.
The building, construction and real estate sector were the least optimistic with 51 per cent stating that it would not impact their business.
Business optimism indices are commonly used to better identify and understand the growth expectations of the business community and its response to current developments within an economy.
Issued quarterly, the Business Optimism Index for Qatar is based on an extensive survey conducted amongst the Qatari business community and is one of the most effective ways to keep track of where businesses think the Qatari economy is moving.
The next Business Optimism Index on Qatar will be released in April 2009. – TradeArabia News Service

domain: news


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We get it, you have a life. There’s no way you can read all of the day’s news in one single shot, let alone visit every web page, which is why we’re here to help. Well, sort of.
There’s a ton of tech news we weren’t able to cover throughout the day (hey, give us a break, we’re a small independent outfit), so to help you stay up to speed with everything we didn’t get to, we rounded up some of the biggest stories, which should help you keep up to date. Hence the tech hangover.
Here’s some tech news you probably missed out on today (and when we say you, we mean us, but also…you).
Apple Delays Mass Production of 2020 Flagship iPhones
With all the shit going on in the world right now, this doesn’t seem like a big deal. It’s fine, we can wait a few more months to see the new iPhone 12.
Apple Inc. is pushing back the production ramp-up of its flagship iPhones coming later this year by about a month, according to people familiar with the changes, as the coronavirus pandemic weakens global consumer demand and disrupts manufacturing across Asia, the heart of the consumer electronics supply chain. – WSJ
Josh Constine leaves TechCrunch for VC fund SignalFire
Personal news: It’s TC to VC for me! I’m leaving TechCrunch to join SignalFire as a principal investor & head of content. I’m also launching my newsletter where I’m writing now: https://t.co/F7gvssC4Ky A “toast”, to the future! pic.twitter.com/XRhDxdS5NF
— joshconstine (@JoshConstine) April 27, 2020
So this might be a little out of most folks’ wheelhouse, but if you’re someone who reads a lot of tech news, this is kind of a big deal.
So it’s “TC to VC” for me. After 8.5 years at TechCrunch and 10 in tech journalism, I’m leaving today to join the venture team at VC fund SignalFire. I’m going to be a principal investor and their head of content. – TechCrunch
Two Million Australians Download Coronavirus Contact-Tracing App
This new app records digital handshakes between smartphones via Bluetooth, and if someone catches the virus, health authorities can track who has been within 1.5 meters of the person for 15 minutes or more.
More than two million people in Australia have downloaded mobile-phone software designed to help trace coronavirus infections, as parts of the country start to loosen restrictions on movement. – Bloomberg
WhatsApp says its forwarding limits have cut the spread of viral messages by 70 percent
WhatsApp starting limited forwarded of viral messages in hopes of cutting down the amount of misinformation on the platform. Turns out, it worked. But right now, it’s hard to tell if any of these messages contained misinformation.
The spread of “highly forwarded” messages on WhatsApp has dropped by 70 percent as a result of the company’s new forwarding limits, TechCrunch reports. The new measures were introduced at the beginning of April in response to the spread of coronavirus-related misinformation on the service. – The Verge
Eight-year-old discovers iPhone Screen Time workaround to watch more YouTube
Not all heroes wear capes.
Just when you think you’ve seen everything: an eight-year-old has discovered a way to watch YouTube past Apple’s Screen Time limits by using the iMessage App Store. – Input
And in just case you missed some of our stuff earlier, here’s what you may have missed:
Start-Ups Pursue ‘Free Money’ With Relief Funds, Prompting Backlash
Big companies dominate video chat. Meet the startups racing to disrupt them
For the Love of God, Not Everything Is a Deepfake
Have any thoughts on this? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.


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At TeslaвЂ™s Battery Day occasion, the biggest claim had been between your lines
- Send to buddy
That they will build a $25,000, fully autonomous electric car in three years; that a higher-powered version of the Model S called вЂњPlaidвЂќ that can do 0 to 60 mph in under two seconds is now available to order for $139,990; and that the plan is to eventually scale up production to 20 million cars a year (in 2019 they delivered just 367,500) if you read anything about TeslaвЂ™s Battery Day event, which was held Tuesday afternoon outside the companyвЂ™s factory in Fremont, California, it will probably be one of three bold claims from Elon Musk:.
All that, reported by users, ended up being screen dressing. Shiny stuff to help keep the in-person investors and online fanboys delighted because the big reveal analysts expected вЂ” a million-mile EV battery вЂ” would not quite materialize. But Musk delivered something alot more consequential.
It certainly looked that way; because of the pandemic, investors who attended were sitting in Model 3s in front of an outdoor stage when he first came onstage during a shareholder meeting, which came before the Battery Day presentation in a three-hour livestream, Musk said the event felt like a drive-in movie theater, and. Continue reading


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Rather than a couple of popular around the world regulations ruling studies, we’ll deal with a disconnected business, rife with suspicion, one to hurts one another enterprises and you may users.
You will find not that numerous things you to definitely delight each other youngsters and you may policy wonks meanwhile, but TikTok have located a method to get it done. Brand new fate associated with Chinese??owned social media providers that has become an event in america is on spotlight. On account of concerns more study cover, it seems that the business have to either be sold so you can Microsoft (or some other Western company) or perhaps compelled to power down in the united states.
Although there tends to be particular https://datingmentor.org/okcupid-vs-match/ legitimate concerns right here, brand new administration’s unilateralist method creates an adverse precedent. A better way to handle this new questions of information safeguards perform end up being for the Us and others to create an appartment from around the globe guidelines to control studies cover, which could foster a safe, reasonable, and you can stable environment for both businesses and users.
Yet not, the amount of risk the brand new You
My personal associate Julian Sanchez given some great record on TikTok prohibit right here. Into the temporary, TikTok, a greatest brief??videos app made use of extensively because of the youngsters, try owned by good Chinese providers. For the 2017, brand new Chinese providers ByteDance acquired Musi?cal?.ly, a video service popular regarding Americas and you can European countries, and later combined it that have TikTok, an identical application that was a lot more popular from inside the Asia.


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The third weekend of November is upon us and we’re heading right into the holiday season, full swing. That being said, there are a lot of things to do in Toronto this weekend that will put you in the festive mood.
From ongoing events to weekend-only adventures, Toronto is jam-packed with the best things to do, so saying you’re bored is out of the question.
So, let’s get right to it, friends! We’ve got so many things to do in Toronto this weekend, and so little time.
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The Distillery Winter Village is back for the season, and this weekend you’ll want to take your annual holiday pic with the massive Christmas tree. Though the tree lighting takes place on the 16th, you will have many opportunities to visit the charming holiday hot spot for free!
There will be so much to experience at the Village this year, including an all-new Candy Cane Forest on Gristmill Lane, adorable 7 ft snow people, and even holiday photo ops for dogs!
When: Every day except Christmas Day, until the New Year
Where: 1 Trinity Street, Distillery Historic District, Toronto
Cost: $15 per person (General Admission)
Canada’s largest Asian film festival is coming to Toronto this week.
The 27th annual Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival is a “unique showcase of contemporary Asian cinema and work from the Asian diaspora,” according to the description.
Festival-goers will get to see films and videos made by Asian-identifying artists in Canada, the U.S., Asia and all over the world.
When: Until November 19th, 2023
Where: See all venues
Cost: $15+ per ticket
It’s time to party it up at the beloved evening soiree at the AGO this Friday night!
The one-night-only all-ages opening party for the Keith Haring: Art Is for Everybody exhibit will be headlined by legendary New York DJ Lina Bradford.
Entrance to the bash is free with your general admission ticket and the party will take place from 6 PM to 9 PM.
When: November 17th, 2023, 6 PM to 9 PM
Where: Walker Court, Art Gallery of Ontario
Cost: $30 per adult
The tree is coming back to Toronto Eaton Centre and this year’s experience is shaping up to be bigger than ever. Hosted by Canadian rock legends Barenaked Ladies, enjoy the magical countdown, an EPIC snow show and Toronto Children’s Chorus, and the classic tree lighting at exactly 6 PM on Wednesday, November 15th. And that’s not all! Stop by selected CF shopping centre locations across the GTA between Friday, November 17 and Sunday, December 24, to get your pictures taken with Santa! His schedule looks pretty full already, so make sure to book in advance!
When: Friday, November 17 until Sunday, December 24
- CF Toronto Eaton Centre, 220 Yonge St, Toronto
- CF Fairview Mall, 1800 Sheppard Ave E, Toronto
- CF Shops at Don Mills, 1090 Don Mills Rd., Toronto
- CF Markville, 5000 Hwy 7, Markham
Cost: $15 for groups up to 6
When: Wednesday, November 15 at 6:00 PM
Where: CF Toronto Eaton Centre, Centre Court by Aritzia
Escape from the cold weather into the spicy and vibrant flamenco universe.
“Celebrate the fiery world of flamenco with film screenings, music, and live performances by prolific artists from all over the world, including acclaimed flamenco artists Eduardo Guerrero and El Yiyo,” says the description.
You’ll get to experience the “multi-disciplinary nature of flamenco and its continually evolving modes of expression.”
When: November 16th to 19th, 2023
Where: Aga Khan Museum, 77 Wynford Drive
Cost: $60+ per person
Just in time for the start of the holiday season, it’s the Christmas Book Sale!
The sale event at the Toronto Reference Library will have art, cookbooks, fiction, non-fiction, children’s, used magazines, DVDs, CDs, and classical CD sets, all in good condition.
Remember to bring cash and your own bag to hold your treasures in!
When: November 16th to 18th, 2023
Where: Beeton Hall, Toronto Reference Library
Cost: $2 (only on November 16th)
Toronto’s annual winter festival, Holiday Hills is back this week!
It will feature brand-new immersive installations, along with local businesses for holiday shopping, festive food and drink offerings, community-led events, workshops and so much more.
Starting November 17th and running until December 31st, expect a fun-filled, festive festival for all to enjoy.
When: November 17th to December 31st, 2023
Where: stackt market, 28 Bathurst Street
A winter lights festival is coming to Brampton this week, set to kick off the festive season with two days of activities around the city.
And it’s bringing stunning holiday displays, amusement rides, food vendors, and even a holiday market.
Though the event runs until 10 PM, you’ll want to be there early as the official tree lighting ceremony takes place at Ken Whillans Square.
When: November 17th and 18th, 2023
Where: Main St. South, Wellington St., Gage Park, Brampton
Nothing says holiday season in the city like a festive cocktail bar, rather Toronto’s iconic Miracle pop-up bar.
And lucky for us, it’s back this holiday season for another round of festive cocktails and kitschy decor.
Miracle has been a holiday tradition in Toronto since 2018, and it’ll be bringing its over-the-top Christmas cheer to the west end starting on November 17th.
Where: 875 Bloor Street West
When: November 17th to December 30th, 2023
Cost: Drink prices vary
Head to the Scotiabank Arena and watch as the Raptors take on the Detroit Pistons on November 19th.
You can find tickets as low as $74 on Ticketmaster so if you rather watch the game in person rather than at home, you know what to do.
When: November 19th at 4 PM
Where: Scotiabank Arena – 40 Bay St
Cost: Starting at $74+tax
The annual WinterFest kicks off on November 17th and is sure to be full of fun and festive activities, including ice skating on Snow Flake Lake, live shows, millions of spectacular lights, and hundreds of sparkling trees throughout the park.
This one-of-a-kind event transports you to a new world, full of stunning luminous displays, ambient holiday lights and festive tunes.
When: November 17th, 2023 to January 6th, 2024 (Select nights)
Where: Canada’s Wonderland
Cost: From $29.99 per person


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Barclaycard's efforts to make passwords a thing of the past has led it to join an accelerator programme run by self-sovereign identity (SSI) specialist Evernym.
SSI is the concept of enabling people to securely store information about their digital identity, totally under their control, so that they can share verifiable proof of who they are, for life.
This, SSI proponents argue, has the potential to make the lives of users easier and more safe, replacing usernames and passwords, and even form-filling, forever.
Evernym's SSI answer, Sovrin, is a public utility, using distributed ledger technology to remove the need for centralised silos and ensure that users "own" their digital identity and have complete control.
The firm is running a 12-month accelerator which gives organisations access to tools, advice and ecosystems that let them experiment with SSI capabilities and bring them to market.
Among the first to sign up (alongside the Red Cross and Irish Life) is the Barclaycard Payment Solutions (BPS) innovation team. Explaining its interest in the technology, Barclaycard uses the example of autofill on a phone:
"You’re trying to pay for something but the details in the autofill tool are incorrect or need updating. By using your unique Sovrin identifier, you can share verified details and more - your card number, date of birth, passport number, address etc. - and automatically input those into the form.
"It’s a single-click system, totally under your control, which can significantly speed up customer transaction times and make life far easier and more convenient when buying online."
Ed Black, director, innovation, BPS, says: "Self-sovereign identity looks set to play an important role in the payments market of the not too distant future. And thanks to the partnership with Evernym, BPS customers will be well placed to benefit from this quick, easy and secure technology."
Evernym is far from the only player looking to promote the adoption of universal digital identities. Earlier this week, Mastercard and Microsoft set out plans to build a service that allows individuals to enter, control and share their identity data from their mobile devices.


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LONDON (CBS.MW) -- Renewed concerns about energy prices soured London markets Thursday amid a flood of companies reporting profits growth.
The FTSE 100 index (1805550) fell 1 percent at 4,428, and European stocks also sharply declined. See European markets.
Oil futures prices were in the spotlight again, with NYMEX contracts off 2 cents at $41.50 per barrel of July-dated contracts Thursday.
In London, oil majors BP (BP) BP, +0.21% and Shell Trading and Transport (SHEL) SC, +0.29% both were slightly lower, while oil-price sensitive airline British Airways (BAY) BAB, +0.38% fell 2.2 percent.
Most FTSE 100 stocks traded in the red, with two big exceptions.
U.K. fixed-line operator BT Group (BT.A) BTY, +15.71% rose 3 percent after it said year to March 31 pre-tax profits before goodwill amortization and exceptional items rose 10 percent to 2.016 billion pounds, with revenue off 1 percent at 18.51 billion pounds on the impact of mobile termination rate reductions. Its dividend for the fiscal year rose 31 percent to 8.5p per share. Its so-called "new-wave businesses" such as broadband and IT services saw revenue growth of 30 percent. Excluding the impact of reductions to mobile termination rates, "traditional" revenue fell 5 percent during the year. "The group has continued to make good progress this year, and delivered strong financial results while continuing to transform the business," said Chairman Christopher Bland.
Merrill Lynch, which kept a neutral rating on the shares, noted that the trend in revenue improved for the first time in over a year. But it also pointed out that the new wave growth which led to revenue outperformance has lower margins than the traditional business.
"This does also highlight a big problem for BT - the revenue that is being lost is more profitable than the ones being gained, and aggressive cost-cutting must continue in order to sustain profitability," it said.
Brewer SABMiller (SAB) gained 6 percent after it said fiscal year to March 31 pre-tax profits surged 81 percent to $1.391 billion, with revenue up 41 percent to $12.645 billion and adjusted EPS climbing 44 percent to 77.6 cents per share. SABMiller upped its dividend by 20 percent to 30 cents per share. The figures came ahead of analyst forecasts of 70 cent EPS and 29.5 cent dividend, according to an AFX poll. SABMiller said it saw sound operational performances from each of its businesses, the turnaround program at Miller is starting to deliver results -- particularly for the Miller Lite brand -- and the strengthening of the South African rand has enhanced the strong organic growth and performance improvement delivered from its South African businesses.
JPMorgan said Anheuser-Busch BUD, -0.75% and Coors RKY might step up competition after the rebound at Miller. "Although Miller fully expects this, and clearly believe it has plans in place to defend its recent gains, it does not expect the industry to behave irrationally when it comes to discounting," said JPMorgan analyst Nigel Davies.
Elsewhere, Man Group (EMG), the world's largest publicly-traded hedge fund manager, fell 1.9 percent after it said year to March 31 pre-tax profits before goodwill amortization and exceptional items rose 39.1 percent to 484.5 million pounds, with the group now up to $38.5 billion in assets under management from $26.1 billion a year ago. That topped consensus forecast profits of 457 million pounds, which were lifted after the group raised profit expectations in March.
Invensys (ISYS) IVNSY tumbled 7.8 percent after the engineering group gave a cautious outlook amid narrowing its fiscal year loss as it proceeds on its disposals path.
"Although our key markets are showing some encouraging signs and customer confidence is rebuilding, we are taking a conservative view of the general economic outlook. It is important that we make steady and sustainable progress in our operating performance and this is a process that will take some time yet," said CEO Rick Haythornthwaite.
National Grid Transco (NGT) NGG, +1.49% fell 2.2 percent after it said underlying pre-tax profits for the year ending March 31 rose 14 percent to 1.416 billion pounds, and hiked its dividend by 15 percent to 19.78p per share.
The London Stock Exchange (LSE) finished higher after it said operating profits rose 17 percent to 81.6 million pounds in the year ending March 31, benefiting from an exceptional property charge one-year ago, and planned a special dividend payment of 55p per share due to strong cash generation and a planned property sale.
Euronext (005777), however, tried to steal some its thunder by announcing an outline of how it plans to offer a rival cash equities business in top London stocks.
Supermarket group Wm Morrison (MRW) fell 1.2 percent after saying it has failed to turned declining sales at Safeway since it acquired the chain on March 8. At its own stores, Morrison same-store sales improved 8.9 percent for the 15 weeks ending May 16, on both rising customers and rising spending per customer, but Safeway sales in the 10 weeks ending May 16 were down 5.2 percent.
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Johannesburg - Mpact was investing R10 million in equipment to make containers for dairy products at its fast-moving consumer goods plastics plant in Pinetown in KwaZulu-Natal, the packaging producer said yesterday.
The company said its new Engel high-speed moulding machine, together with a label robot from Illseman Automation, would offer dairy producers high-quality plastic containers of varying sizes for products such as yoghurt.
The machines will initially mould a 150ml yoghurt cup with in mould labelling (IML). Other sizes would follow depending on market demand.
Made by Glaroform in Switzerland, the machine will produce about 55 million cups a year. Mpact said the equipment complied with European safety standards and could accommodate moulds with higher cavitation.
Cavitation refers to the number of cups produced in each cycle of the machine as it injects molten plastic into moulds. The IML robot will reduce the risk of contamination by cutting down on unnecessary human contact with the cup during the manufacturing process.
Mpact said the machine was already producing containers for an export customer.
Neelin Naidoo, the managing director of Mpact’s plastics division, said dairy producers were looking for innovative ways to contain input costs. “Consumer spending is under strain and food producers say they cannot pass on all the cost increases. Fuel, imports and packaging are the main contributors to cost increases of food manufacturers,” he said.
He added that the R10m investment was in line with one of Mpact’s strategies to develop and selectively grow the group’s leading market positions.
“We have also applied our knowledge in product application, product design and the needs of the market in developing this capability.”
Paul Visagie, the general manager at Mpact’s Pinetown plant, said the capabilities of the machine had been tested and proven. “Currently this IML system is used to manufacture polypropylene IML cups for an export customer.”
Four cameras measure each cup ejected from the mould for defects such as label displacement, label over-moulding and rim accuracy.”
Last month, Mpact said it would spend R765m to upgrade and expand its largest operational plant, the Felixton paper mill in Empangeni in KwaZulu-Natal.
The project would add capacity for the manufacturing of products such as corrugated cardboard, recycled cartons and plastic containers. Mpact said the Felixton project would be one of the biggest focuses in the year ahead.
The project would be implemented in two phases.
The first phase would cost R155m and will bring an additional 20 000 tons of capacity online. A further 40 000 tons of capacity would come on line in the second half of 2017.
Mpact closed 0.92 percent lower at R26.92 yesterday. - Business Report


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Qualcomm-NXP Merger Goes Down to Wire
A stalled merger that would see U.S. telecom chip giant Qualcomm buy Dutch peer NXP could become the biggest corporate victim to date of trade tensions between the U.S. and China, as a final deadline to close the deal approaches on Wednesday.
Qualcomm Inc. announced its plan to pay $44 billion for NXP Semiconductors NV back in October 2016, and the deal has now received the necessary antitrust clearance in all markets except for China. Beijing has expressed concerns about the deal and in April asked the two sides to resubmit their plan. But it has not given final approval or rejection of the deal, forcing the pair to extend their closing deadline numerous times.
Observers and media reports have said Beijing may be dragging its feet to express displeasure at Washington’s aggressive trade tactics, since Qualcomm is a leading U.S. chipmaker. Those tactics have included the levying of protective tariffs on billions of dollars of Chinese imports, prompted by U.S. President Donald Trump’s complaints that Beijing engages in unfair trade tactics and doesn’t respect intellectual property rights.
The latest deadline for closing the deal is set for July 25. Last week Qualcomm CEO Steve Mollenkopf told the New York Times there will be no further extensions beyond that date, which is also when the company is set to report its latest quarterly results.
Beijing already has tense relations with Qualcomm, following an anti-trust probe into the company’s licensing practices that resulted in a record $975 million fine against the company in 2015. That previous tension, combined with the latest bigger trade tensions, may be factors behind Beijing’s apparent foot-dragging, said Christopher Balding, an economist and former professor at the HSBC Business School at Peking University Shenzhen.
“If they just let the clock run out and then blame Qualcomm, I think you’d have to say Qualcomm is a victim of the trade war,” he said. “But Beijing has had its own battles with Qualcomm before so at worst it is killing two birds with one stone for them, even if it isn’t primarily a trade war issue.”
Despite the apparent delays in the Qualcomm deal, Beijing has recently gone ahead and approved two other major microchip purchases involving American companies since the trade tension flared with Washington. One of those saw Beijing approve the sale of Toshiba Corp.’s chip unit to a U.S.-led consortium in May, while the other saw Microchip Technology Inc. cleared to purchase Microsemi Corp.
Contact reporter Yang Ge (firstname.lastname@example.org)
- 1In Depth: Solving China’s Soaring Youth Unemployment
- 2Fugitive Billionaire Guo Wengui Arrested in New York
- 3China Strengthens Communist Party Oversight of Financial Sector
- 4Regulators Tighten Grip on China’s $2.9 Trillion Private Fund Industry
- 5LONGi Green Energy to Build $600 Million Solar Panel Plant in U.S.
- 1Power To The People: Pintec Serves A Booming Consumer Class
- 2Largest hotel group in Europe accepts UnionPay
- 3UnionPay mobile QuickPass debuts in Hong Kong
- 4UnionPay International launches premium catering privilege U Dining Collection
- 5UnionPay International’s U Plan has covered over 1600 stores overseas


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Toronto Public Health is urging the federal and provincial governments to consider tighter restrictions on vaping products, including limiting the sale of e-cigarette flavours and prohibiting advertisements in most public places.
Both the Ontario and federal governments have proposed or are considering new regulations around e-cigarettes, but a new report from Toronto Public Health recommends stricter rules in response to rising concerns over high rates of youth vaping in Canada.
The report, released on Monday, calls on the federal government to ban vaping ads in areas where youth have access, such as transit shelters or malls. It also proposes prohibiting the sale of flavoured e-cigarette products, with the exception of tobacco flavouring, in stores where minors have access, such as gas stations.
Toronto Public Health is also calling on the Ontario government to do more, such as introducing its own restrictions on the sale of flavoured e-cigarette products. The report will be discussed next week by Toronto’s board of health, which could then pass the recommendations onto the federal and provincial governments for consideration.
Eileen de Villa, Toronto’s medical officer of health, said these measures are needed to discourage young people from the health risks of using e-cigarettes. The long-term health problems linked to e-cigarettes is not known, but some research suggests the products can damage blood vessels and lead to other harms. There are also numerous reports of lung illness tied to nicotine-containing e-cigarettes, Dr. de Villa said.
“There’s lots of reasons to be concerned around trends in the use of these products, particularly among young people,” she said in an interview on Monday.
Dr. de Villa said that despite being touted as a safer option that could help smokers quit using cigarettes, e-cigarettes have failed to live up to that promise. Instead, she said, young people have flocked to vaping products, exposing themselves to nicotine addiction and other serious health risks.
“Frankly, we’re not seeing the harm-reduction benefit being realized from this product,” Dr. de Villa said, adding that vaping companies “seem to be quite successful at attracting a new generation, a young generation of users of the product.”
Members of the vaping industry say that they do not market or promote their products to young people and that they only target existing adult smokers.
Ontario recently announced that it would no longer permit vaping advertisements from appearing in gas stations and convenience stores as of Jan. 1. A number of other provinces have also announced crackdowns on the industry, including British Columbia, where officials say they will restrict where flavoured vaping products can be sold, cap the nicotine content in e-cigarettes and introduce a new tax on the products.
Dr. de Villa said recent surveys showing major increases in teen vaping rates in Canada suggest more needs to be done. She said the ideal approach would be for provinces to work with the federal government to create one harmonized set of rules.
The federal government said earlier this year it is considering new restrictions on vaping advertisements, but it’s unclear when or if those new rules would take effect. A coalition of health groups, including the Heart and Stroke Foundation and the Canadian Cancer Society, have called on the federal government to take immediate action to prohibit vaping ads and stop the sale of flavoured products.


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IronOne Technologies is honored to announce that it has been awarded the Microsoft Independent Service Vendor (ISV) Award in the Sri Lanka region for its BoardPAC platform. This is a tremendous achievement and we are immensely honored by this ... Lanka Business Online, 4 days ago
COPA-DATA is Microsoft ISV Partner of the Year in Austria - Process and Control Today, 3 weeks ago
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Kids online will now be protected by new federal guidelines
Children's personal information, such as photos, videos and geolocation information, can now no longer be collected by online services and online 'cookies' can't be used to send kids personalized ads, among other new rules.
(Page 2 of 2)
The former aggravates the latter. Until governments stop trying to apply regulation to the conditions of the former (mass) media environment, in which professionally produced media was published or broadcast to people who merely consumed it, they will not fully protect “consumers,” who are now producers and participants every bit as much as consumers and whose media is the content of their lives.Skip to next paragraph
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Under these conditions, self-regulation (personal as well as corporate) becomes as essential to “consumer” protection as the government kind, and regulatory power is increasingly distributed and shared among users, media companies, and government (see this in my post about the unintended consequences of COPPA last summer).
Regulation in today’s media environment is necessarily a collaboration, and effective consumer protection under these new conditions requires a lot more consumer education not only about the importance of self-regulation but also about not having a false sense of security about regulation!
Obtaining your consent
The new COPPA Rule will also change the ways you can give your consent to children’s sites and services. New methods include “electronic scans of signed parental consent forms; video-conferencing [sounds like you could have a Skype chat with a kids' Web site or app company]; use of government-issued identification [a scan of your driver's license, perhaps]; and alternative payment systems, such as debit cards and electronic payment systems, provided they meet certain criteria,” according to the FTC.
How do you feel about giving consent in these ways?
The new rule goes into effect next July 1, CNN reports.
RECOMMENDED: The top 25 celebrity baby names of all time
- A study released late November from New York University found that COPPA has likely increased minors’ risk online – see this.
- A study released last year about how, despite COPPA, a large proportion of US parents of children under 13 help their kids set up accounts in social network sites
- ConnectSafely.org submitted a comment to the FTC about the proposed revisions this past September.
- In 2010, a task force I co-chaired sent Congress our report “Youth Safety on a Living Internet” – here’s a post about why we chose that title.
- A year before that, my ConnectSafely.org co-director and I published a document entitled “Online Safety 3.0: Empowering and Protecting Youth,” explaining why youth agency (and not treating youth or adult users only as potential victims) is essential to their protection.
Anne Collier is editor of NetFamilyNews.org, a blog, RSS feed, and e-mail newsletter that focuses on "kid-tech news for parents.”
The Christian Science Monitor has assembled a diverse group of the best family and parenting bloggers out there. Our contributing and guest bloggers are not employed or directed by the Monitor, and the views expressed are the bloggers' own, as is responsibility for the content of their blogs.


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Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba has purchased a $215 million minority stake in US-based Tango, which operates a mobile messaging app with about 70 million active users, mostly in the US and Europe. Tango is also a platform for games, music, and other activities—which means it bears a striking resemblance to WeChat, the messaging app owned by Alibaba’s archrival, Tencent.
The deal is yet another sign that China’s internet wars are starting to expand beyond the mainland’s borders. Tango is the latest of a string of acquisitions Alibaba has been making in the US over the past few years, including online retailer Shoprunner and other e-commerce sites. The company has also chosen to host its blockbuster initial public offering in New York, instead of Hong Kong—more proof of its focus on expanding beyond China and into the US.
The competition in the US, as in China, has never been more brutal. Tango will have to carve out market share as it battles with Facebook’s recently acquired WhatsApp, as well as other competitors like Snapchat, Line, Viber and Kik—even as it trails most of these apps globally, as The Next Web points out.
“The platform approach I believe is the winning strategy,” Tango co-founder Eric Setton told Reuters. “We’ve now seen it in a number of key markets, with Kakao in Korea or Line in Japan.”
It’s not certain yet that US consumers want so many bells and whistles in their messaging applications—not having them is a core part of WhatsApp’s philosophy. Alibaba is still playing catch up in the messaging revolution that’s swept China. If demand for messaging apps that do much more than chat reaches the US, Alibaba doesn’t want to miss out.


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Blippar specialises in augmented reality (AR), computer vision and artificial intelligence (AI), and the new partnership will allow Geometry Global to capitalise on opportunities offered by AR in the physical and digital retail space.
The agency says its 'Augmented Retail' concept will allow brands to help consumers overcome purchase barriers, while Blippar is looking to extend its reach, with its platform becoming the base for more retail activations. Using Blippar’s AR creation tools Blippbuilder and Blippbuilder Script, Geometry will create augmented reality in-house that can support the shopping journey in and around retail environments.
Initially launching in the UK, the partnership will be rolled out into the US and Germany. Debbie Ellison, head of digital at Geometry UK, will lead the partnership and will take responsibility for the global roll out.
Jon Hamm, global chief creative officer of Geometry Global, said: "This partnership provides Geometry’s clients around the world the opportunity to engage in AR marketing that makes the most impact for their brand. Partnering with Blippar gives Geometry a distinctive advantage in forging a link for brands in the digital and physical retail environments, creating engagement in-store, and ultimately driving a positive product experience."
Omaid Hiwaizi, global head of experience strategy at Blippar, added: "Augmented Reality is a critical new frontier for retail since it can help brands overcome purchase barriers by providing shoppers with information and engaging experiences at the point of sale. Given Geometry's activation and shopping behavior transformation sweet spot, this partnership creates the perfect context to define the rules on AR in retail, shopper and brand storytelling."
Last month, Geometry Global announced new leadership appointments. In January, Geometry Global UK appointed Tom Moore to the newly created position of head of shopper marketing.
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Comment below to let us know what you think.


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↑ The app-dispatch industry has become enormous very quickly. The number of daily trips has soared from 80,000 at the beginning of 2015 to 720,000 in the first five months of 2019. (iStock)
It stands to reason that regulations must evolve to take into account experience from initial experimentation with new technologies for mobility. This article speaks to this in New York City in relation to Uber & Lyft.
by James Parrott & Michael Reich – 23 July 2019
How city regulations are making Uber and Lyft better
The app-dispatch car service industry dominated by Uber and Lyft is beginning to face a more demanding regulatory environment. New York City, their largest market by far in the U.S., is playing a pioneering role, evolving a triad of policies to regulate the industry. These policies hold considerable promise for other cities.
The policy triad consists of a pay standard for drivers, managed growth of the number of app-dispatch vehicles and a cap on cruising time in the city’s densest business districts. With these policies, New York City is charting a course that delivers convenience for consumers, pay equity for drivers, and reductions in congestion and greenhouse gas emissions.
The app-dispatch industry became enormous very quickly. The number of daily trips soared from 80,000 at the beginning of 2015 to 720,000 in the first five months of 2019.
That expansion enhanced the supply of convenient transportation services in the boroughs outside of Manhattan. But it also drove down average driver earnings for those cars and for yellow cabs, pumped 60% more greenhouse gas emissions into our air, and further clogged Manhattan streets. Cars working for Uber and Lyft account for 30% of all vehicular traffic in the busiest parts of one of the densest urban concentrations in the world.
Fortunately, New York City’s elected officials and its Taxi and Limousine Commission have addressed these problems.
Since a new driver pay standard took effect on Feb. 1, driver incomes have risen by $50 million per month, increasing driver hourly pay to the equivalent of New York City’s $15 minimum wage. The pay standard was structured to make more efficient use of drivers’ time. Drivers indeed report they have more paying rides per hour. In April Uber and Lyft froze the number of new drivers, which helps stabilize driver pay at the now-higher level.
The citywide moratorium on new for-hire vehicles (wheelchair-accessible vehicles are exempt from the cap) took effect last August. The number of trips since has risen by a more manageable 16%, partly as a consequence of more effective deployment of drivers. Citywide service availability has not suffered, fares have barely budged and passenger wait times have increased by only a few seconds. Company commissions have fallen from 15% to 10%, still well above the 2-3 % fees charged by comparable platform companies.
Encouraged by this highly favorable experience, the mayor and the TLC have proposed to continue the cap on new vehicles, with a review every six months to take account of attrition and to maintain service levels. The cap will not apply to wheelchair-accessible vehicles nor to electric vehicles.


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With the approach of the Dragon Boat Festival - the last major holiday for the first half of the year - a handful of Chinese provinces have started to resume inter-provincial group tours and hand out travel consumption vouchers to boost an industry recovery from lingering COVID-19 outbreaks.
Several provinces, including East China's Jiangxi Province, Northeast China's Heilongjiang Province and South China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, have issued notices for the orderly resumption of inter-provincial tour groups.
Inter-provincial travel is expected to post a slight rebound during the three-day holiday (from Friday to June 5). Domestic online travel agency Trip.com told the Global Times that bookings for inter-provincial tour groups on the platform increased more than 20 percent week-on-week over last week.
Data from travel search platform Qunar.com showed that air ticket bookings for the three-day holiday increased by 30 percent month-on-month, with cities, including Guangzhou and Shenzhen in South China's Guangdong Province, Chengdu in Southwest China's Sichuan Province and Chongqing municipality, reporting the highest levels of growth.
Partial resumption of tour groups across provinces may play a limited role in driving up the country's tourism sector as a whole, as the recovery of tourism requires an obvious relaxation in travel restrictions and that residents have stable jobs and sufficient income for recreational spending, Zhang Lingyun, a professor of tourism development at Beijing International Studies University, told the Global Times on Sunday.
Read original article


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reported Mark Zuckerberg's other sister Randi, sent out a tweet on Tuesday which stated:
"Congrats Wildfire! There are officially now more Zuckerberg family members working for Google than Facebook! #awkward ;),"
The Facebook CEO's brother-in-law Harry Schmidt, married to sister Donna, also works for Wildfire. Reportedly, he is not related to Eric Schmidt of Google.
According to Mashable
, Google acquired Wildfire, and published the news on July 31. Arielle Zuckerberg lists her occupation on her blog
as "I am a Junior Product Manager at Wildfire Interactive, Inc. in the San Francisco Bay Area."
reported yesterday Arielle Zuckerberg made a comment about the purchase on her Facebook page, writing:
“I'm in Israel on Birthright and I just found out that I'm now a Google employee. Not gonna lie ... This feels pretty awkward. I also feel very proud to be a part of the Wildfire team on this exciting day,” she wrote.
With the new Google purchase and addition of Zuckerbergs to the mix, there should be interesting discussion at family get-togethers.
reported that Google purchased Wildfire Interactive, a social media marketing company, from "under competitor Facebook's nose".
For some time now Google has been trying to make strides in the social media arena, experiencing a couple of failures with earlier products, but is giving another go at it with Google+.


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GIBRALTAR, June 7, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Being smart is not enough to protect yourself from online scamming. There are fake websites popping up every day. Identity theft and IRS scams are abundant and phishing attacks are the new black of online fraud. We may not be able to completely stop it, but there are ways to significantly reduce the risk of becoming a victim.
Just last month the Ikea, Gift Card Scam, took in over 70,000 victims. Only months before that, there was the Koobface Worm and the IQ Quiz Ad. As a site grows in popularity, its chance of being hit by a scammer increases. You don't need to be an idiot to be caught off guard and fall victim to one of these scams. But there are things you can do to protect yourself when surfing the net.
When it comes to putting personal details and money online, information security is of paramount importance. One of the best ways to protect yourself is to stick to well-known websites. A reputable website will go to great lengths to ensure the safeguard of private information. Online gaming sites, for example, are at very high risk of internet fraud. http://www.casino.com takes information security a step further than most. They recently set up a risk department solely to protect their customers' intellectual property and financial assets from harm caused by fraud and other criminal activities. When asked about the team, Manuel Rodriguez, Mansion's IT manager, commented, Customer information is an important asset to our business. Mansion's main priority is to maintain its integrity. You don't have to understand all the technology used behind a website, but its best to understand which websites are well known and trustworthy.
About Casino.com: Casino.com offers traditional card and table games, as well as slots, video poker and progressive bonus jackpot games. The games are currently available in Adobe Flash or to download, and can be played for real money or for fun in Greek, Spanish, Italian, German, French, Swedish, Dutch, Danish and Russian. Introduced in 2009, Casino.com runs a reward scheme called Loyalty Lounge. Casino.com is owned by Mansion Limited which is licensed and operated in Gibraltar.
For more information on Mansion please contact +350-200-41000 or e-mail email@example.com.
CONTACT: For more information on Mansion please contact +350-200-41000 firstname.lastname@example.org.


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After a year of upheaval and change for the hospitality industry, the UK has now reached ‘Freedom Day,’ but the debate around the removal of mask mandates and a vaccine passport programme continues. Yet, a new study from SevenRooms has found that safety regulations are low on the priority list for UK consumers, with just 11% saying they would not feel comfortable dining out unless a vaccine passport system was in place.
The ‘COVID Confidence: Part Two’ report polled a representative sample of 2,068 UK adults through YouGov in June 2021, looking at the key factors for consumers when it comes to the dining experience in the post-COVID era. The findings have been compared with responses from the ‘COVID Confidence’, 2020 report to reveal how diner expectations have evolved over the course of the pandemic. The data highlights that food, ambience and the restaurant experience are more important than ever:
- Food comes first – The quality of the dishes served is paramount for UK diners. Over two-thirds (68%) say the quality of the food makes for a better restaurant experience, compared to 61% last year (+7%)
- Creating the right atmosphere – The ambience of a restaurant is increasingly crucial – 43% say it affects the enjoyability of their visit versus 33% in 2020 (+10%)
- Discount devotees – After a difficult year for many financially, 23% say a discount would improve their restaurant experience, up from 16% in September of last year (+5%)
- Taken with technology – New technologies such as contactless ordering and payment were originally introduced to boost COVID safety, but they remain a welcome addition for almost a third (32%) of diners; 49% of consumers want to be able to make a reservation in advance
With the UK’s vaccination programme progressing and having reached our ‘terminus point’ of 19th July, the study revealed that consumer attitudes towards COVID safety in their dining experiences has decreased in comparison to last year:
- Vaccine passports not a priority – Despite much media attention, only 21% of consumers say having a vaccine passport system implemented at a restaurant would make their experience more enjoyable
- Masks and PPE – While over half (55%) said they would prefer to see staff wearing masks and other PPE last year, this number dropped to 45% in 2021, a 10% decrease. A fifth (20%) now say they wouldn’t feel uncomfortable if staff didn’t wear masks, +9% from last year’s poll
- Hand sanitiser – While the Government is still mandating the presence of hand sanitiser at restaurant entrances, this is becoming less of a priority for diners: while almost half (49%) wanted to see hand sanitisers in venues in 2020, this has decreased to 40% (-9%)
- Diner communications – 15 months into the pandemic, a quarter (25%) of UK diners would like to be informed of COVID safety measures before every restaurant visit, compared to 34% in 2020, a decrease of 9%
The study also examines consumer preferences when it comes to dining out. The pandemic has made the nation increasingly keen to show loyalty to venues they know, with 40% saying they are inclined to dine at a restaurant they’ve been to previously, a 5% increase from 2020 (35%). Over a third (38%) prefer to forgo third-party reservation platforms and book with the restaurant directly compared to 29% last year. Notably, independent restaurants are growing in popularity with nearly a quarter (23%) of diners now more likely to dine with them over a chain restaurant (+5% from 2020 at 18%).
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While the issue of ‘no shows’ has continued to be discussed within the media, the report reveals that UK diners are more reluctant than ever to fail to turn up for a booking without cancelling. Over half (56%) state there is no circumstance that they would ‘no show’ (+5% versus 2020 at 51%). Only 18% claim they would fail to turn up if there was an increase in COVID infections in their local area, compared to 24% last year. Despite the belief that many ‘no shows’ are due to making multiple reservations ahead of selecting a final option, only 3% of UK consumers claim they do this.
Danilo Mangano, General Manager Europe at SevenRooms, comments: “After enduring three lockdowns, changing restrictions and months of uncertainty, diners are excited to get back to the experiences they know and love and make up for lost time. While much of the focus in the hospitality industry for the past year has been on adapting to keep customers safe, operators should also now be looking at how they can elevate the guest experience altogether. As the summer heats up, there is a big opportunity for hospitality operators to capture pent-up consumer demand. However, operators need to be ready to not only meet, but exceed, the changed needs of their guests.
“Success in a post-pandemic environment will rely on operators’ ability to deliver exceptional and meaningful experiences to guests whenever and wherever they are, and technology has a huge role to play in enabling them to do this effectively. With fewer resources than ever before financially, operationally and staffing, hospitality operators that leverage technology will be able to do more with less.
“Putting the right technology in place can also help directly facilitate the exceptional dining experiences that guests expect today. This could be as simple as presenting them with their favourite bottle of wine, keeping track of details related to food preferences, or communicating with them ahead of their experience to ensure they know what to expect. The options are endless for restaurants to personalise the experience to drive loyalty and repeat business. Capturing valuable insights and building direct and meaningful guest relationships will be fundamental as we move into recovery mode and look to capitalise on what is sure to be an incredible summer.”


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Founded in 1967, SILMO is an important eyewear event in Europe. Today, SILMO International Partners are expanding their reach into promising new markets. Following SILMO Istanbul and SILMO Sydney, it is also very optimistic about the Southeast Asian and East Asian glasses market. In 2018, it was the first time to launch the SILMO Bangkok Exhibition.
Group photo of the heads of countries and regions at the opening ceremony
On June 20-22, 2018, the China Optical Association (COOA) was invited to form a group of 37 companies from 17 companies to participate in the 2018 SILMO Bangkok Exhibition held at the Impact Exhibition Center in Bangkok, Thailand. It is reported that Bangkok Impact Exhibition Center in Bangkok is an important exhibition place in Bangkok. More than 40 exhibitions are held every year. There are 96 companies from 11 countries and regions participating in the 2018 SILMO Optical Exhibition, including 49 Chinese companies (including Taiwan 8). Home, Hong Kong 2), accounting for 51%; Thai companies 12, accounting for 13%; South Korea and North Korea 16 companies, accounting for 17%; French companies 3, accounting for 3%; Germany 2, the United Kingdom, Italy, Malaysia, United Arab Emirates, Monaco, etc. are all one.
It is understood that the goal of Bangkok International Optical Expo is to become the optical trading platform of Thailand. It brings together more than 4,000 professionals and will receive brands and companies from various optical and optical departments, including frames, lenses, contact lenses, Materials, equipment and commercial services. With strong economic growth, a growing middle class population and a young and fashionable population, Bangkok is preparing to become the gateway to ASEAN and open up a vibrant and growing eyewear market.
As China's fourth-largest importer of eyewear products, Thailand's impact on Myanmar, Laos and Malaysia is more direct and can better radiate Southeast Asian markets. In recent years, the market for eye care products and eyewear industry in Thailand has continued to rise, with the annual growth rate of lenses, frames and glasses spare parts market at 6.82%. At the same time, Thailand is one of the largest lens production bases in the world, accounting for 22% of global production (800-900 million pieces/year), laying the foundation for the market for optometry products.
In view of the participation of China's optical enterprises in the SILMO Bangkok exhibition in 2018, the Bangkok Exhibition has positive significance for promoting the platform of the industry and the Southeast Asian market, and the market has certain growth. In fact, Chinese companies have begun to take the foundation in this market and cooperative customers, and Thai people have become the main source of business in the local market.


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|By Business Wire||
|August 26, 2014 08:05 AM EDT||
Epson America today announced that its Pulsense™ PS-100 Band was named a finalist in the Health, Fitness & Wellness category of CTIA’s Hot for the Holidays Awards competition. In time for the holiday buying season, the Hot for the Holidays Awards recognize the hottest mobile consumer electronics, including gadgets and accessories from entertainment and health to the connected car and home.
The Hot for the Holidays Awards ceremony will take place at the Connected Life Zone stage Wednesday, September 10 from 1:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
The Pulsense PS-100 Band is an innovative bio sensing wrist wearable device that can monitor and store your heart rate, activity level, calorie burn and sleep patterns. Featuring Epson’s proprietary heart-rate sensing module, Pulsense detects a user’s continuous heart rate directly from the wrist without requiring a chest strap. It can store up to 480 hours of heart-rate data before having to transfer data to a smartphone app or computer. The device features LED indicators for heart-rate based zone training, making Pulsense an ideal wrist companion for those looking to focus on fat burn or aerobic zone exercise.
“We are honored to be named a finalist for CTIA’s Hot for the Holidays Awards,” said Anna Jen, director, New Ventures/New Products for Epson. “Pulsense gives consumers the tools and data to take control of their health and lifestyle goals by providing clear insights that enable them to get the most out of their workouts and activities. This data empowers users to make informed choices by providing personalized data and feedback on all of their activities throughout the day.”
“CTIA awards recognize the best and most innovative products and services for wireless companies looking to improve their operations and their engagement with their customers. Perfectly positioned for retailers to prepare for the holiday buying season, Super Mobility Week attendees will see what will be the next hottest devices and services,” said Robert Mesirow, CTIA Vice President and Show Director.
Super Mobility Week attendees and online users will also have the opportunity to choose a “Crowd Favorite” by voting for their favorite product, not just finalists, in each program. Online voting is open now and runs until Monday, September 8 at 5:00 p.m. ET. Super Mobility Week attendees can still vote via text onsite starting September 8 until 10:00 a.m. ET Wednesday, September 10.
Super Mobility Week will take place September 9, 10 & 11, 2014 at the Sands Expo & Convention Center in Las Vegas.
Epson America has also announced its Pulsense PS-500 watch which features a LCD display for real-time viewing of heart rate, steps walked, calorie burn and date/time. The Pulsense PS-100 band and PS-500 watch are scheduled to be available this fall with MSRPs of $129.00 and $199.00 respectively.
About CTIA Shows
CTIA Shows bring together all industries advanced by wireless technology for intense business, learning and networking. Super Mobility Week (www.supermobilityweek.com) takes place Sept. 9, 10 and 11, 2014 at the Sands Expo and Convention Center in Las Vegas. Twitter: @ctiashows | Facebook: www.ctiashows.com/facebook | LinkedIn: www.ctiashows.com/linkedin
CTIA-The Wireless Association® (www.ctia.org) is an international organization representing the wireless communications industry. Membership in the association includes wireless carriers and their suppliers, as well as providers and manufacturers of wireless data services and products. CTIA advocates on behalf of its members at all levels of government. The association also coordinates the industry’s voluntary best practices and initiatives, and sponsors the industry’s leading wireless tradeshow. CTIA was founded in 1984 and is based in Washington, D.C.
Twitter: @ctia | Blog: http://ctia.it/Na6erv| Facebook: http://ctia.it/LCm4Nn|
LinkedIn Group: http://ctia.it/Na6cA2| Google+: http://ctia.it/12PfCrO
Epson is a global imaging and innovation leader whose product lineup ranges from inkjet printers and 3LCD projectors to sensors and other micro-devices. Dedicated to exceeding the vision of its customers worldwide, Epson delivers customer value based on compact, energy-saving, and high-precision technologies in markets spanning enterprise and the home to commerce and industry.
Led by the Japan-based Seiko Epson Corporation, the Epson Group comprises more than 73,000 employees in 94 companies around the world, and is proud of its ongoing contributions to the global environment and the communities in which it operates. Epson America, Inc., based in Long Beach, Calif., is Epson’s regional headquarters for the U.S., Canada, and Latin America. To learn more about Epson, please visit: www.epson.com.
Note: Specifications are subject to change without notice. EPSON is a registered trademark and Pulsense is a trademark of Seiko Epson Corporation. All other product and brand names are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective companies. Epson disclaims any and all rights in these marks.
So you think you are a DevOps warrior, huh? Put your money (not really, it’s free) where your metrics are and prove it by taking The Ultimate DevOps Geek Quiz Challenge, sponsored by DevOps Summit. Battle through the set of tough questions created by industry thought leaders to earn your bragging rights and win some cool prizes.
Oct. 26, 2016 12:15 AM EDT Reads: 4,115
Fifty billion connected devices and still no winning protocols standards. HTTP, WebSockets, MQTT, and CoAP seem to be leading in the IoT protocol race at the moment but many more protocols are getting introduced on a regular basis. Each protocol has its pros and cons depending on the nature of the communications. Does there really need to be only one protocol to rule them all? Of course not. In his session at @ThingsExpo, Chris Matthieu, co-founder and CTO of Octoblu, walk you through how Oct...
Oct. 26, 2016 12:00 AM EDT Reads: 3,188
SYS-CON Events announced today that SoftNet Solutions will exhibit at the 19th International Cloud Expo, which will take place on November 1–3, 2016, at the Santa Clara Convention Center in Santa Clara, CA. SoftNet Solutions specializes in Enterprise Solutions for Hadoop and Big Data. It offers customers the most open, robust, and value-conscious portfolio of solutions, services, and tools for the shortest route to success with Big Data. The unique differentiator is the ability to architect and ...
Oct. 26, 2016 12:00 AM EDT Reads: 1,038
A completely new computing platform is on the horizon. They’re called Microservers by some, ARM Servers by others, and sometimes even ARM-based Servers. No matter what you call them, Microservers will have a huge impact on the data center and on server computing in general. Although few people are familiar with Microservers today, their impact will be felt very soon. This is a new category of computing platform that is available today and is predicted to have triple-digit growth rates for some ...
Oct. 26, 2016 12:00 AM EDT Reads: 34,218
The Internet of Things will challenge the status quo of how IT and development organizations operate. Or will it? Certainly the fog layer of IoT requires special insights about data ontology, security and transactional integrity. But the developmental challenges are the same: People, Process and Platform and how we integrate our thinking to solve complicated problems. In his session at 19th Cloud Expo, Craig Sproule, CEO of Metavine, will demonstrate how to move beyond today's coding paradigm ...
Oct. 26, 2016 12:00 AM EDT Reads: 3,853
Everyone knows that truly innovative companies learn as they go along, pushing boundaries in response to market changes and demands. What's more of a mystery is how to balance innovation on a fresh platform built from scratch with the legacy tech stack, product suite and customers that continue to serve as the business' foundation. In his General Session at 19th Cloud Expo, Michael Chambliss, Head of Engineering at ReadyTalk, will discuss why and how ReadyTalk diverted from healthy revenue an...
Oct. 25, 2016 11:45 PM EDT Reads: 2,989
In past @ThingsExpo presentations, Joseph di Paolantonio has explored how various Internet of Things (IoT) and data management and analytics (DMA) solution spaces will come together as sensor analytics ecosystems. This year, in his session at @ThingsExpo, Joseph di Paolantonio from DataArchon, will be adding the numerous Transportation areas, from autonomous vehicles to “Uber for containers.” While IoT data in any one area of Transportation will have a huge impact in that area, combining sensor...
Oct. 25, 2016 10:45 PM EDT Reads: 983
Without lifecycle traceability and visibility across the tool chain, stakeholders from Planning-to-Ops have limited insight and answers to who, what, when, why and how across the DevOps lifecycle. This impacts the ability to deliver high quality software at the needed velocity to drive positive business outcomes. In his general session at @DevOpsSummit at 19th Cloud Expo, Eric Robertson, General Manager at CollabNet, will discuss how customers are able to achieve a level of transparency that e...
Oct. 25, 2016 10:15 PM EDT Reads: 984
SYS-CON Events announced today that Cemware will exhibit at the 19th International Cloud Expo, which will take place on November 1–3, 2016, at the Santa Clara Convention Center in Santa Clara, CA. Use MATLAB functions by just visiting website mathfreeon.com. MATLAB compatible, freely usable, online platform services. As of October 2016, 80,000 users from 180 countries are enjoying our platform service.
Oct. 25, 2016 09:15 PM EDT Reads: 881
For basic one-to-one voice or video calling solutions, WebRTC has proven to be a very powerful technology. Although WebRTC’s core functionality is to provide secure, real-time p2p media streaming, leveraging native platform features and server-side components brings up new communication capabilities for web and native mobile applications, allowing for advanced multi-user use cases such as video broadcasting, conferencing, and media recording.
Oct. 25, 2016 08:45 PM EDT Reads: 3,244
The Internet of Things (IoT), in all its myriad manifestations, has great potential. Much of that potential comes from the evolving data management and analytic (DMA) technologies and processes that allow us to gain insight from all of the IoT data that can be generated and gathered. This potential may never be met as those data sets are tied to specific industry verticals and single markets, with no clear way to use IoT data and sensor analytics to fulfill the hype being given the IoT today.
Oct. 25, 2016 08:45 PM EDT Reads: 2,712
Established in 1998, Calsoft is a leading software product engineering Services Company specializing in Storage, Networking, Virtualization and Cloud business verticals. Calsoft provides End-to-End Product Development, Quality Assurance Sustenance, Solution Engineering and Professional Services expertise to assist customers in achieving their product development and business goals. The company's deep domain knowledge of Storage, Virtualization, Networking and Cloud verticals helps in delivering ...
Oct. 25, 2016 08:30 PM EDT Reads: 1,104
SYS-CON Events announced today that Enzu will exhibit at the 19th International Cloud Expo, which will take place on November 1–3, 2016, at the Santa Clara Convention Center in Santa Clara, CA. Enzu’s mission is to be the leading provider of enterprise cloud solutions worldwide. Enzu enables online businesses to use its IT infrastructure to their competitive advantage. By offering a suite of proven hosting and management services, Enzu wants companies to focus on the core of their online busine...
Oct. 25, 2016 08:15 PM EDT Reads: 1,376
In the next five to ten years, millions, if not billions of things will become smarter. This smartness goes beyond connected things in our homes like the fridge, thermostat and fancy lighting, and into heavily regulated industries including aerospace, pharmaceutical/medical devices and energy. “Smartness” will embed itself within individual products that are part of our daily lives. We will engage with smart products - learning from them, informing them, and communicating with them. Smart produc...
Oct. 25, 2016 07:30 PM EDT Reads: 1,544
November 1–3, 2016, at the Santa Clara Convention Center in Santa Clara, CA. Penta Security is a leading vendor for data security solutions, including its encryption solution, D’Amo. By using FPE technology, D’Amo allows for the implementation of encryption technology to sensitive data fields without modification to schema in the database environment. With businesses having their data become increasingly more complicated in their mission-critical applications (such as ERP, CRM, HRM), continued ...
Oct. 25, 2016 07:30 PM EDT Reads: 1,121


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Battlefield 3's upcoming 'End Game' DLC has been detailed by DICE.
The fifth expansion, which is due to launch in March, adds four new maps designed for "high-speed combat and action", according to CVG.Gaming: Battlefield 3 Review'End Game' also introduces three new vehicles, including a dirt bike and a dropship, the latter of which will provide support to troops with rapid deployment vehicle drops.
The expansion sees the return of the classic 'capture the flag' online mode as well.
Previous expansions include 'Back to Karkand', 'Close Quarters', 'Armored Kill' and 'Aftermath', all of which are on sale now.
Access to the DLC is also included as part of the Battlefield 3: Premium Edition.
It includes the core game, a Battlefield Premium subscription with access to all DLC content, and a multiplayer welcome pack.
Beta testing for the recently confirmed sequel is available to users who pre-ordered the Limited Edition version of Medal of
Watch a trailer for the Battlefield 3 'Armored Kill' expansion below:


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T-Mobile was quick to tout its own success with Wi-Fi calling after AT&T (NYSE: T) noted its customers' uptake of the technology earlier this week.
Bill Smith, AT&T's president of technology operations, told attendees at an investors conference Tuesday that the carrier is routing more than 4 million calls a day over Wi-Fi. AT&T began to offer Wi-Fi calling on newer iPhones last fall, and last week it extended the service to Android users for the first time when it launched it on the LG G4.
"We just recently started turning up Android-based operating systems, so I think that's going to go up tremendously, and we're doing that at extremely impressive performance levels," Smith said, as quoted in FierceWireless' report.
T-Mobile reached out to FierceWireless soon after the story posted to offer its own statistics. More than 6.5 million T-Mobile customers use Wi-Fi calling on a monthly basis, the carrier said, and nearly 44 million devices on its network support the technology.
T-Mobile CTO Neville Ray piled on, taking to Twitter to boast that the operator sees 22 million Wi-Fi calls per day. "@ATT so cute you do 4M WiFi calls," Ray tweeted.
As Smith said earlier this week, increasing uptake of Wi-Fi calling bodes well as traffic continues to ramp up, forcing carriers to look to unlicensed spectrum as well as licensed airwaves.
"Unlicensed has to come into the mix when you think about wireless solutions," Smith observed. "About 80 percent of the wireless traffic today is handled over Wi-Fi networks, so we're actually pretty bullish about how we take not only Wi-Fi but other unlicensed bands. And if you build a control plane that is sophisticated enough to manage that effectively, it can really help you…. So when you consider that this has been kind of an un-engineered asset that we've been taking advantage of, I think when you look going forward we will be sophisticated enough to use unlicensed bands more effectively and in a more sophisticated manner."
AT&T routing more than 4 million voice calls a day over Wi-Fi
AT&T launches Wi-Fi calling on the LG G4
T-Mobile counts 7M customers using Wi-Fi calling
The voice renaissance: VoLTE, HD Voice and Wi-Fi calling bring innovation to voice


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PRWeb 2015-07-29 Making a Difference in Local Kids Lives, SoCozy Teams-Up with STATE Bags and Roads to Success New York, NY (PRWEB) July 29,... ...http://www.bizwireexpress.com/showstoryPRWeb.php?storyid=430549
Virtual Reality is the future of entertainment. Anyone who's already used a VR headset or even seen one being used has had a glimpse of this... ...http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/specials/technophile/virtual-reality-trailer-for-the-masses/article7477986.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication
/PRNewswire/ --According to the Small Business Administration, more than five million Americans age 55 and older run their own businesses or are... ...http://in.advfn.com/p.php?pid=nmona&article=67884192
Sheela Jaywant Just because most things in India take time, especially in government offices, we assume nothing can or will happen on time.... ...http://www.navhindtimes.in/court-rendezvous/
PRWeb 2015-07-24 In a study to raise awareness and test the safety of pet carriers and crates when used in autos, the Sleepypod Mobile Pet Bed... ...http://www.bizwireexpress.com/showstoryPRWeb.php?storyid=429147
If it mentions the external...
Disney Store scented Mickey and...


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Top 10 Taxes and Fees
These 10 items can account for a big chunk of quick serves’ expenses.
Bell on the Ball
Greg Creed, CEO of Taco Bell, talks about the company’s secret salt reductions, why he’s not afraid of Chipotle, and oh yeah, that pesky beef lawsuit.
Are CEOs Required to be Celebrities?
Big name executives have created a new prototype for CEOs. But this kind of celebrity might not be ideal for quick-serve execs.
The Secrets to Avoiding Bad Partnerships
Business partnerships can help quick-serve entrepreneurs make big profits, but if everyone’s expectations aren’t clear, they can ruin relationships—and businesses.
Boy Wonder: Spike Mendelsohn
all star epitomizes America’s new, hip culinary culture.
Making California Greek Chic
Daphne’s new CEO explains the motivations behind his detailed rebranding efforts.
He’ll Drink to That
Michael Szyliowicz, founder and chief chocolatier of Mont Blanc Gourmet, says it takes more than a cool drink to launch a successful specialty beverage program.
Execs are Human, Too
How to course correct after critical errors.
Why Conflict Helps
While it may make for some awkward meetings, experts agree that a little bit of disagreement in the c-suite could be a good thing.
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Ken Switzer, CFO of Marco’s Pizza, didn’t let the frozen credit market stop his company from expanding its development portfolio to 1,200 new stores. He shares what your brand’s best options are for financing.
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Kewpie Is the New Bar and Pizza Joint Launching Inside Bimbo's Former Site Next Month
The iconic Brunswick Street haunt has a new name and new owners — but the cheap pizzas and DJ nights live on.
Countless late-night drinking sessions and cheap pizzas have been enjoyed at 376 Brunswick Street over the years, where famous former resident Bimbo made its mark as a beloved, sticky-floored student haunt. After a fire forced the building's closure back in 2018, and a short-lived relaunch the following year, it's now getting a proper restart at the hands of new owners, Australian Venue Co (Fargo and Co, State of Grace, The Smith). Say g'day to the Fitzroy site's newest iteration: Kewpie.
Named after the iconic doll figure that's long graced its exterior wall, Kewpie will carry on the legacy as a laidback neighbourhood boozer with cheap pizza and a weekly roster of DJ-fuelled party sessions. Aesthetically, little has changed since the pub's last makeover, with low booths spread across the spacious ground-floor rooms, colourful posters plastered across the walls, and a sunny bar and terrace offering prime position up on the rooftop.
From the kitchen comes a delightfully affordable offering of pizza and snacks, most clocking in at an easy $5. Vegetarian options might include a caramelised onion and potato number, or the Mexican-inspired Poncho topped with corn chips and jalapenos. There's a peri peri chicken pizza, another loaded with Calabrese salami, and a garlicky marinara creation starring calamari, prawns and capers. Throw on a side of the pizza spring rolls if you're feeling snacky.
To match, the bar's keeping things simple, with a mix of crowd-pleasing brews, craft tins, wines and classic cocktails on offer. And soundtracking the Kewpie good times, there'll be a slew of music-focused happenings across the second half of each week — hip hop and funk for Bump Thursdays, the Friday Glow Down curated by Anyo and Kel Rhys, a slew of familiar selectors firing up House Party 3.0 Saturdays and smooth vinyl tracks for your Sundays.
To celebrate its launch, Kewpie will be giving away 50 free pizzas every day, from Monday, November 8–Friday, November 12. Head in to nab yours.
Find Kewpie at 376 Brunswick St, Fitzroy, from Monday, November 8. It'll open from 4pm–late Monday–Wednesday and 12pm–late Thursday–Sunday.
Top Images: Kate Shanasy
Published on October 19, 2021 by Libby Curran


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Wine Enthusiast Magazine has honored Yalumba, Australia’s oldest family owned winery, with the ‘New World Winery of the Year’ award as part of the magazine's Wine Star Awards 2009
Established in 1849, Yalumba has remained independent and progressive through six generations of ownership by the Hill Smith family and, since 1985, under the guidance of fifth generation Robert Hill Smith. Robert’s style for leading Yalumba is based on long term sustainability, regional integrity, and the careful expression of the Yalumba ‘house style’. “I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved throughout our 160 years of winemaking – so far, for we are still young. Yalumba seeks not only to leave a legacy of great wine, but to also pass on our natural resources to future generations in better condition than when we inherited them.” Robert Hill Smith, Proprietor
Wine Enthusiast Magazine’s Wine Star Awards annually recognizes excellence across all areas of the international wine and spirits industry. There were 50 nominees, five in each of ten of the award categories; winners were selected for their outstanding contribution to the world of wine and spirits. “Yalumba has become one of the countries most progressive and successful wine producers”, noted the Wine Enthusiast, “For their forward-thinking, innovative leadership in the Australian wine industry and their unflagging commitment to quality and family ownership, Yalumba is Wine Enthusiast’s New World Winery of the Year.”
2009 marks the 10th anniversary of the Wine Star Awards, and the 160th anniversary of Yalumba.
Robert Hill Smith will accept the award, along with all Wine Star Award honorees, at a gala, black-tie awards ceremony at the New York Public Library in New York on Monday, January 25, 2010.
Download the press release.
Download the flier


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MARKET CLOSE: NZ shares rise on last day of 2009
MARKET CLOSE: NZ shares rise in last day of 2009; Warehouse, retailers gain
Dec. 31 (BusinessWire) – New Zealand shares rose in the final trading session for 2009, rounding out an annual gain of about 18%. Warehouse Group paced gains in retailers.
The NZX 50 Index rose 9.23, or 0.3%, to 3230.14. Within the index, 25 stocks rose, nine fell and 16 were unchanged. Turnover was $37 million, capping a quiet week as many investors took a summer holiday.
Warehouse Group climbed 1.5% to $4.21 and has advanced almost 20% this year. Clothing chain Hallenstein Glasson Holdings rose 1.5% to $3.35 and jeweller Michael Hill International gained 1.5% to 67 cents.
Children’s clothing chain Pumpkin Patch rose about 1% to $2.05 and has more than doubled this year as investors welcomed its decision to limit losses in the U.S. by exiting unprofitable stores.
Outdoor equipment chain Kathmandu fell 0.5% to $2.04. The shares are now 9 cents below their November IPO price of $2.13. The IPO enabled Kathmandu’s owners, Goldman Sachs JBWere and Quadrant Private Equity, to sell their entire stake.
Still, the retailer fared better than Synlait, DNZ Property and BioVittoria, which all failed to sufficiently entice investors with their initial share sales in the past two months, a sign that investors are still risk-averse when it comes to equities.
New Zealand Oil & Gas gained 0.6% to $1.67 as the price of New York crude oil advanced for a seventh straight day. Crude oil for February delivery traded at US$79.53 in Asia, bringing its rally this year to almost 80%.
APN News & Media, the Australian publisher of the NZ Herald, climbed 8% to $2.97, leading the index higher. NZ Farming Systems Uruguay rose 4.4% to 48 cents.
Fisher & Paykel Appliances fell 6.5% to 58 cents, the biggest decline on the NZX 50 today.
F&P Healthcare, which gets almost 80% of its revenue in U.S. dollars, fell 0.9% to $3.37 as the kiwi dollar rose above 72.50 U.S. cents.


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The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has launched a formal investigation into 580,000 Tesla vehicles sold since 2017 that allowed customers to play video games inside the vehicle. The company has allowed users to play a variety of games while vehicles are in park, some of which allowed drivers to use the steering wheels and pedals as part of the controls, for quite some time. But an over-the-air software update permitted a few of them to be launched while the car was in motion by the passenger in the summer of 2021. Called “Passenger Play,” the service was limited to games that only used touchscreen controls.
It’s since been axed, however, regulators have taken an interest following some manufactured outrage. The NHTSA has faulted the feature as part of the ongoing distracted-driving problem in an attempt to link it to its crusade against Autopilot. The agency has launched a preliminary investigation into 580,000 Tesla Model 3, S, X, and Y vehicles to determine if they’re attention-sucking deathtraps.
It’s difficult for me to see much purpose in regulating something like Passenger Play when drivers could literally whip out their phones and play literally any mobile game they want while driving. But if this is a matter of the screen itself being distracting, then regulators need to take a macro view of the whole industry. Practically every manufacturer under the sun now offers gigantic touchscreens with less-than-intuitive interfaces that force drivers to take their eyes off the road to do something as simple as tweaking the radio station or flicking on the seat warmer. Many also offer advanced driving aids that studies have shown encourage operators to become more easily distracted behind the wheel.
The NHTSA said it was operating from reports stating that Tesla’s “gameplay functionality is visible from the driver’s seat and can be enabled while driving the vehicle,” requiring an investigation. This appears to have stemmed primarily from a New York Times piece showing that Sky Force Reloaded, The Battle of Polytopia, and Solitaire are all playable on the center touchscreen while vehicles were in motion. However, whoever is playing those games is required to confirm that they’re the passenger with a quick tap of the I-AM-A-PASSENGER button before they’ll launch.
Meanwhile, very little has been said by regulators regarding other applications Tesla allowed customers to activate while driving even before the Passenger Play update — including the touchscreen drawing and in-car karaoke apps. Seems like an oversight for an agency that said it was committed to “ensuring the highest safety standards on the nation’s roadways” this week.
I’m not exactly known for being the biggest Tesla fan. But this seems like a big waste of the NHTSA’s time and energy. While I’ll be the first person to admit that Autopilot can and does get dangerously abused by users, similar assertions can be made about other companies’ advanced driving systems and federal regulators rarely seem to make that leap. Perhaps Tesla is indeed the biggest offender, thanks to misleading marketing. But distracted driving is a problem that has been accelerated by trends being pursued by an entire industry that spend the last decade promising self-driving cars would be here by now.
According to Reuters, the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) has already praised the NHTSA for looking into something that’s been deactivated. On Wednesday, it said it was elated to see the agency launching the safety investigation into Tesla and wanted to “remind all drivers to be alert and focused on the road when you’re behind the wheel.”
The [NHTSA] noted earlier in December that distracted driving accounts for a significant number of U.S. road deaths – 3,142 in 2019 alone. Safety advocates have said official figures underestimate the problem because not all drivers involved in crashes later admit they were distracted.
The Times said the Tesla update added three games – Solitaire, a jet fighter and conquest strategy scenario – and said that vehicles have warnings reading: “Playing while the car is in motion is only for passengers.”
The paper said the game feature asks for confirmation that the player is a passenger, though a driver could still play simply by pressing a button.
In 2013, NHTSA issued guidelines to encourage automakers “to factor safety and driver distraction-prevention into their designs and adoption of infotainment devices in vehicles.”
Nobody really seems to be heeding that advice, however. An increasing number of vehicle controls are now hidden behind layers of menus in touchscreen interfaces and infotainment systems continue getting larger. Meanwhile, aftermarket companies selling components that allow you to play video (or video games) while a vehicle is in motion have existed in abundance for decades. Hell, I remember a brief period where you could use Uconnect to play DVDs with the car in drive before Dodge realized it had unintentionally left that particular digital backdoor open. Mercedes-Benz even had to recall a couple hundred EQS and S-Class sedans this month over an alleged error that allowed dashboard video playback while driving.
I understand that the NHTSA’s vendetta against Autopilot is important. But it’s starting to look like it has an ax to grind against Tesla for doing more-or-less the same stuff every other automaker is guilty of. How, exactly, is a gaming app intended for passengers any more dangerous than connectivity services that allow the driver to book a restaurant reservation on the fly?
[Image: Virrage Images/Shutterstock]
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The popular US-based fiat-to-crypto exchange Coinbase has launched support for the new up-and-coming stablecoin USD//Coin (USDC), issued by Circle.
In a blog post, Coinbase said it is the first time they have ever added support for a stablecoin, while listing up benefits of the USDC, including improved send and receive functionality between wallets, convenient use in decentralized applications (dapps), and an easier way to store value than using physical US dollars.
Speaking at the Money 20/20 conference in Las Vegas on Tuesday, Coinbase president & COO Asiff Hirji said that the new stablecoin is “backed one to one with the US dollar, completely audited, completely transparent.”
USDC is a token created on the Ethereum blockchain, which means that it can be stored on, and transferred between, any wallets that are compatible with Ethereum’s popular ERC20 token standard. The new stablecoin is issued by Circle, a crypto start-up that has gained recognition and backing from financial giants like Goldman Sachs.
Earlier this month, Chinese crypto exchange Huobi announced that it had also added support for USDC, among other stablecoins like the Paxos Standard (PAX), TrueUSD (TUSD), and Gemini Dollar (GUSD). Moreover, the exchange recently announced their own stablecoin HUSD.
For a long time, Tether (USDT) has been the dominant stablecoin in the cryptocurrency market. Following recent controversies, however, it appears as if it is now facing some serious competition from a range of players in the market.
Largely because it has failed to provide conclusive evidence to back up its claim that all Tethers in circulation are backed by US dollar reserves, the stablecoin has been trading at a discount across most crypto exchanges that supports it for most of October.
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Micromax has added a new Android tablet to its portfolio in the Indian market. The new Canvas Tab P480 has been priced at INR 6,999 and will go on sale this week in Blue and White colour options. It will be available in both physical stores as well as at e-retailers.
The Canvas Tab P480 sports a 7-inch 1024x600p IPS display and runs on Android 4.4. The company has promised to release the Lollipop update for the device soon. The company has integrated a number of software enhancements in the tablet like Quicklook for social media updates and news items and Camera widget for quick access to various camera modes on home-screen.
Among other specifications, the P480 comes with dual-SIM support with voice-calling, 3000 mAh battery, 1.3GHz quad-core processor, 1GB of RAM and microSD card slot. Micromax has also packed 5MP auto-focus rear camera, 2MP fixed-focus shooter, 3G and the usual set of connectivity options in the tablet.


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Statement as issued Friday by the state attorney general:
INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller today announced the resolution of a multistate antitrust investigation against another major U.S. book publisher for price-fixing and collusion in the electronic book (E-book) market.
Indiana, along with the other states, reached an agreement with Penguin Group (USA) Inc. to settle allegations that Penguin colluded with other major publishers and Apple Inc. to manipulate prices in the E-book market.
“If approved, this agreement means Indiana’s consumers who purchased E-books published by Penguin Group will receive $1.15 million in total refunds via their E-book accounts,” Zoeller said. “Consumers also stand to benefit from restored competitiveness within the E-book marketplace.”
The agreement with Penguin must be approved by the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. When finalized, the agreement with Penguin will grant E-book retailers greater freedom to reduce the prices of their E-book titles
Consumers nationwide – including those represented by the attorneys general of the 33 states and territories and those represented by private counsel in a related class action – will receive $75 million in compensation.
Indiana has previously settled with four other publishers: Hachette Book Group Inc., HarperCollins Publishers L.L.C., Simon & Schuster Inc., and Holtzbrinck Publishers LLC d/b/a Macmillan for allegations relating to the same conduct. Zoeller said together these five settlements will result in Indiana consumers receiving $2.7 million in refunds and $164 million for consumers nationwide.
Indiana’s antitrust action based on the same allegations against Apple Inc. remains pending with trial scheduled in June 2013.