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One may be the loneliest number, as the song says. But there is nothing wrong with owning one share of stock, financial advisers say.
In fact, buying one share of stock has recently become easier than ever.
True, buying a single share might seem, well, kind of pointless. But for smaller investors, it can be a powerful psychological tool, a way to experiment with investing in individual companies and getting a feel for their day-to-day movements before taking a bigger plunge. It can also be a relatively safe and easy way to diversify a small portfolio—or even introduce a young person to the world of investing.
That hasn’t always been the case. In the past, commissions could add a meaningful percentage to the price of buying a single share or subtract a decent percentage from the income gained by selling one. But going the solo-share route has become a strategically viable option in the past year, as most online brokerages have cut their trading commission to zero. Some brokerages even offer free trading for fractional shares—just a piece of one share—of companies and exchange-traded funds.
“Buying or selling a single share makes sense, because you’re not paying,” says Nancy Tengler, chief investment officer at Laffer Tengler Investments in Phoenix.
The big numbers
In most cases, of course, buying one share doesn’t get you much. But some popular stocks are so expensive that buying just one stock can offer a substantive investment. The list includes Amazon.com AMZN +1.83% at $3,125 a share and Google parent Alphabet GOOG +1.36% at $1,458.42 for the Class C shares (GOOG).
Largely, though, you’re going to be buying single shares of less-pricey stocks, which allows you to include more companies in your holdings. “You can more easily get diversified exposure,” says Christine Benz, director of personal finance for Morningstar, an investment-research firm in Chicago.
You can even set up your own mini-index fund by purchasing a range of single shares. For instance, investors can buy shares of many companies from a small index, such as the Dow Jones Industrial Average, which comprises 30 blue-chip stocks, or the S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Index, which generally includes 40 to 50 stocks in the S&P 500 index that have increased dividends for at least 25 straight years, Ms. Tengler says. Dividends from even single shares of such stocks, when combined, can provide meaningful payouts for small investors.
Or you can cherry-pick stocks from larger indexes, such as the S&P 500 or the Nasdaq-100 Index, which is heavily weighted toward big technology companies. “Index providers have done the research for you,” Ms. Tengler says. “If you’re a tech geek, or if you’re into health care, you can create your own sector fund. You have to buy what you understand.”
Buying a single share can also bring psychological benefits. If you want a stock but fear the market will turn against you, picking up one share gives you a safe way to get the satisfaction of following through on your belief.
What’s more, going for just one share can help you ease into the idea of making larger stock investments. “It’s like getting into the pool slowly,” Ms. Tengler says.
Once a stock is in your portfolio, you’ll likely follow it closely, learning more about the company and perhaps buying more later on. “The transaction makes you more aware of the stock than if you didn’t buy,” says Ken Mahoney, CEO of Mahoney Asset Management in Chestnut Ridge, N.Y. “It’s like a placeholder.”
A gift idea
Another benefit of buying a single share is that it gives you access to the company’s annual meeting, he says. Many shareholders love going to Berkshire Hathaway’s BRK.B +0.96% meeting in Omaha, Neb., to see CEO Warren Buffett presiding. (This year’s meeting was online.)
If you are going to buy any single share, Berkshire would be the one, as you’re getting “a basket of businesses run by the best capital allocator of our lifetime,” says Morningstar’s Ms. Benz, who generally recommends funds over individual stocks.
Finally, single shares can be a good gift for friends and family—sometimes as a lark (a share of Walt Disney DIS +0.51% to a Disney fan, for example) or a way for a parent or grandparent to help young people learn about companies and financial markets. “It’s a teachable moment for how stocks and investments work,” says Tom Fredrickson, a New York financial planner. “I’m thinking I should do that with my [20-year-old] son.”
Jack Ablin, chief investment officer at Cresset Capital in Chicago, says he was given a single share of Comsat—a telecommunications company—as a youngster. “it helped spark my interest in stocks,” he says.


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Infinite Crisis Closing in August
Turbine has announced that it will be shutting down its DC Comics MOBA, Infinite Crisis, on August 14, 2015.
The short message posted today indicated that until the shut down, all development has ceased and the game will be completely free to play. Players with concerns or questions about refunds may contact customer support.
Turbine added, “This was an extremely difficult decision to make. On behalf of the entire Infinite Crisis team we want to thank all of you for your feedback, support and for joining together to create one of the best communities in gaming.”
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Mindy Kaling Dishes on the Future of The Mindy Project—Expect Serious Mommy Fashion!
Changes are a comin’ to The Mindy Project! We caught up with Mindy Kaling and the show’s costume designer, Salvador Perez, before their Q&A session at Neiman Marcus in Beverly Hills yesterday to get the scoop on their big move to Hulu, the show’s fashion future, and—spoiler alert!—a potential new BFF for Dr. Mindy Lahiri.
For starters, although moving the show from broadcast to streaming means no more network restrictions, our June cover girl assured us that the writers aren’t running wild with their new freedom. The Mindy Project that you loved on Fox will still be the same show that you'll love on Hulu, she said. “We want [our viewers] to come watch us on Hulu and come to the show that they've grown to love and not to some new show that they don’t understand because we went off the wall with no restrictions,” Kaling told InStyle. “We're restraining ourselves because we still think that that is the best way to tell the stories.”
Kaling also revealed that the move to Hulu will not affect the featured style on the show. “The wonderful thing about this [move] is that a lot is changing but our budgets are not changing, especially not for the clothes,” she reassured. But watch out for a major twist in the plot! “You know Mindy is now pregnant but it's barely affected her wardrobe," Kaling shared. "Sal did not put me in any maternity clothes but I think it's going to be interesting with her as a mom, her clothing style is going to change a little bit I think."
Perez also dished out some exciting secrets about Mindy’s future mommy style, promising InStyle that her fashion will still be on point. “She's going to be the most hip and fabulous mom ever. Think: baller wife. But she’s also a mom now and that changes things…I'm now having to think about what coordinates with spit up,” Perez said, laughing. “There is also going to be the transition of how she spends her time because she used to spend all of her time coordinating her own outfits and now she has a baby.”
Busy schedule notwithstanding, Perez went on to reveal that Mindy’s future son is going to follow in his mother’s fashion. “Think: the hip, male version of North West," he said. "To be honest I would've preferred a little girl but that little boy is going to be fabulous…there is going to be a lot of rhinestones and lot of color.” In addition to having a new baby boy, Mindy Lahiri may also be gaining a new best girl friend! “I love acting with women so it would be great to have a girl friend [on the show]…I think that her being a mom might bring in people we haven't seen before, so who knows,” Kaling revealed. While Hulu hasn’t announced a premiere date for the upcoming fourth season of The Mindy Project yet, we already know we’ll be tuning in! Want more Kaling? Get more in-depth details on her fashion from her stylist Perez!


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The service levels and the product catalogue of JioMart will have to be superior to really be very successful, says Abneesh Roy, senior VP, institutional equities.
I was seeing a tweet from Damodar Mall who is the CEO of the grocery business of Reliance Retail and he says that never waste a crisis. Alibaba also flourished starting from the SARS crisis. Given that JioMart kicked off at a time like this and they have started with a pilot project in Mumbai. Now they are delivering to more than 200 cities. What kind of a scale and potential do you see and how do you see them growing from here on?
I will agree with what Damodar Mall said. It is an excellent time to launch this because customers donât want to go out. He does not want to take the risk, at least in the big cities. So online delivery in grocery is something which is the need of the hour and Reliance Retail, if you see across format, is already the number one or the number two player; mostly number one in most categories. They have tried e-commerce grocery and definitely there will be more learnings. They did the pilot phase in the suburbs of Mumbai and Thane and that would have given them a lot of learning.
The Whatsapp relationship is what is very important because most Indian consumers have it on their smartphones and Facebook and Reliance JioMart have this equity relationship and also as so much money is coming into the company, they will have the ability to really take it to the next level which current e-commerce grocery may not be doing. In India, we already have Bigbasket.com and Grofers and many others. Of course, Amazon and Flipkart also have grocery in a smaller way; it is not as extensive as Bigbasket.
But my sense is Reliance has got much bigger plans and much more aggression for the longer term because Reliance is also tying up with the kirana shops and putting up POS machines there so that Reliance can handle the backend of those kirana shops. That will give them the last mile connectivity to the customers because in grocery, the margins are wafer thin; so the delivery cost is the key issue. If you see globally, e-commerce grocery has not been very successful except maybe in London. In London of course the cost of transport is much-much higher, etc.
I think these are early days and this is a service; so JioMart will have to ensure that the delivery should be on time and there should not be much of a cancellation and the product catalogue should be very extensive compared to say Bigbasket.com. Bigbasket clearly is the largest player in e-commerce grocery currently. They are specialised players in this segment; so the service levels and the product catalogue of JioMart has to be superior to really be very successful. So it is definitely looking very promising. I think in the long term definitely, Reliance will be one of the key players in e-commerce grocery apart from Amazon. So definitely it is a very interesting development.
As you pointed out, they will be targeting sales through local kirana stores. They will be serving orders via Reliance Fresh and smart stores and they will also have distribution centres in areas where orders through kiranas are typically not serviceable. What kind of a scale are we looking at here and who stands to be impacted the most? Will it be the Flipkarts, the Grofers of the world or does it also pose a big threat to modern day retail chains?
Due to Covid, modern trade itself will have to learn new ways of working. I think omni will be the way forward because at least for the next few months, customers are not going to go easily back to the malls and physical stores or the air conditioned physical stores. Kirana in the last 45 days has really gained a lot of market share back because of this reason. I would say that there will definitely be ramifications on the rest of the players; so pure play e-commerce grocery will obviously face the highest competition to someone like Bigbasket or Grofers because for them this is the main thing.
Reliance has very ambitious plans in retail; so obviously Reliance JioMart will take e-commerce grocery very seriously because grocery is the largest part of retail and e-commerce is the way forward. So I would say all current players will be impacted. Amazon and Flipkart are currently having very notional presence there. If you see, they do not offer too many refrigerated items and have a very limited catalogue. So they anyway are currently a fringe player. So I do not see too much of an impact on them but if you see for Flipkart, which is owned by Walmart, globally grocery is their main stay. So obviously they will be quite serious on this in the long term but the obvious immediate impact will be on the modern trade players and on the specialist e-commerce grocery like Grofers and Bigbasket.com.


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Inspired Pet Nutrition (IPN) tells GlobalPETS it will grow capacity at its Kinmel facility in Wales to meet growing demand for its wet tray products.
At its main location in Thirsk, North Yorkshire, the company intends to invest in its factory to increase its supply chain and cost visibility, pursue its sustainability agenda, and ensure it uses the best quality ingredients.
“We want to believe fresh human-grade quality ingredients are driving the future of pet food, and the quality of our products in terms of healthy, tasty, digestible nutrition is at the heart of everything we do,” says IPN’s Chief Operating Officer Anthony Stones in a conversation with GlobalPETS.
“We can also pursue our sustainability agenda by using local, low miles food ingredients wherever possible, and it gives us more visibility on cost, which helps enable us to ensure we are offering the best possible quality for a particular price point,” he adds.
Increase the quality of products
Through the investment in its facilities, the company hopes to increase the quality of its existing products and bring new products to the market, following what it calls the “trend of humanization” seen among pets and their owners.
The British pet food manufacturer is celebrating a century of being in business, and just last month, announced it had reached a milestone sales revenue figure of £200 million ($253.8M/€233.3M) in 2023.
Looking ahead, the company aims to target “at least” £500 million ($633.8M/€582.9M) in sales within the next 5 years and is looking to become one of the big 3 UK pet food manufacturers.
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A study by the George Institute has ranked the nutritional value of thousands of processed foods. The results found the average health ratings of packaged supermarket food in Australia has not improved.
Here’s what you need to know.
Using the Government’s Health Star Rating System more than 32,000 products by 33 major food and beverage brands were assessed.
Between 2017 and 2018, 16 brands recorded a fall in their average health star rating (HSR), 8 experienced an improvement, and 9 remained unchanged
Researchers found A2 Dairy, Sanitarium, and Nudie Foods to be the healthiest brands (with an average of 4.1 stars), while Frucor, Mondelez, and Bundaberg Brewed Drinks were the least healthy (with an average of 1.3 stars).
Of the major supermarkets’ own-brand products, Woolworths came out on top with an average of 3.2 stars, followed by Coles on 3.0, ALDI on 2.7 and IGA on 2.6.
What does this mean?
The results suggest current initiatives to engage the food and beverage industry to reformulate products to create a healthier food environment for Australians has been ineffective.
According to Gary Sacks, co-author of the published study and associate professor at Deakin University’s Global Obesity Centre, “This report shows clear opportunities for manufacturers and retailers to make significant improvements to the healthiness of the food supply.”
According to after-hours doctors and food retailers need to take a more active role in improving the nutritional standards of the food supply in Australia.
What can be done?
“Government action is urgently needed to encourage manufacturers and retailers to make foods healthier,” Professor Sacks said.
Better guidelines, such as mandating the Health Star Rating System for all food products, need to be implemented so Australian consumers can transparently see and evaluate the nutritional value in their purchases.
There must be the development of clear targets and timelines for the reformulation of all unhealthy food categories and monitor progress against them.


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Christabel Milbanke is in awe of the glossy boutique boxing establishment in Marylebone, backed by Victoria's Secret models and IBF star, Anthony Joshua.
Backed by IBF heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua, BXR is a new state of the art members-only fitness facility in London, offering the highest level of professional boxing training in the most luxurious and authentic fighting and training space. With an eclectic founding committee that includes Victoria’s Secrets models Sara Sampaio and Maryna Linchuk as well as UK DJ/music producer Mark Ronson and André Balazs, owner of celebrity-friendly Chiltern Firehouse just down the road, BXR is set to make serious lunges in both the fitness and social scene.
I dropped by to explore the vast two-floor 12,000 sq ft site in its final stages of construction and meet with the two owners and young entrepreneurs behind BXR: Neil Sanyal and Olia Sardarova. Situated on Marylebone’s Chiltern Street, the boutique boxing gym stands out with its imposing six metre-high triple glass frontage. It allows city commuters and passers-by a glimpse of the gods at ground level, hard at work training or sparring in the full-size boxing ring by Ringcraft.
With a background in the food and beverage market, Sanyal is a voluble visionary dedicated to the concept of BXR as not just a gym with a boxing ring, but a game-changing brand, ‘one of our remits’ he says excitedly, ‘is to create one of the most, if not the most aspirational British lifestyle and fitness brands ever.’
Tempering Sanyal’s business instinct with the facts and figures, is Sardarova who has a financial background, previously working in banking, ‘I was studying economics and finance since I was a teenager,’ she says. While studying for an MBA at Imperial College she met Sanyal who introduced her to his idea of building a business that embraced the current cultural shift to health consciousness, ‘I wrote a dissertation piece as a business plan on this project. - It got a distinction.’
Together they assessed and analysed the UK marketplace taking into account the growing social media trend for young women trying the sport, ‘It came from America,’ says Sardarova, ‘models and actresses started posting about boxing and the great effect it had on their arms, and its efficacy as a cardio workout. Suddenly the information was out there that it’s not just for athletes, fighters or men. That’s how it became so fashionable. We aim to be the brand on the cusp at trend-setting, encouraging people who may have not even been so interested in being fit, to become so.’
‘Team GB just came second,’ confirms Sanyal, ‘we have the likes of Nicola Adams, who are encouraging women to take part in sparring and we have Victoria’s Secret models who box very well and take it seriously. There’s a phenomena and respect around athletes, and so much class and British heritage in boxing. But there hasn’t been a disruptive, super-creative and innovative British fitness brand, and there should be.’
Their research also uncovered a significant undersupply of high-end gyms in Marylebone, as well as a general concentration of stale fitness concepts in London as a whole, ‘It will be the nicest gym in London.’ says Sanyal, ‘we are creating a sanctuary, bringing together the authenticity of a local East End boxing gym together with the edginess of New York.’ The interior design is courtesy of designers Marie Soliman and Albin Berglund of Bergman-Interiors. They have created an incredibly beautiful and impressive industrial style space with 20 feet exposed concrete walls featuring bespoke murals of Sugar Ray Leonard, Joe Frazier and Muhammad Ali.
Together Sanyal and Sardarova have curated an elite team of trainers consisting of London’s most reputable boxing coaches, ex-champion boxers, MMA fighters and some of the top sports therapists and osteopaths. Including Jamie Reynolds – Anthony Joshua’s head strength & conditioning coach and Dr Mike Loosemore of CHHP (Centre for Health & Human Performance), they make sure members receive the same level of advice and consultation that a professional athlete would expect. The exclusive members club, spearheaded by superstar boxer Anthony Joshua, is marketed at those who want to train and fight like and alongside boxing champions and Victoria’s Secret models, not excluding those who just want to workout at an exciting alternative to the standard gym set-up.
Part of this includes ‘Sweat by BXR’, offering more accessible pay-as-you-go classes that follow athletic preparation in the three studios downstairs. Sardarova believes that this is a great way to encourage women to eventually train, ‘We are looking at it as our loyalty platform for training in the ring. A lot of women at the moment find it a little bit intimidating to go straight into the ring, so the concept is, downstairs our clients will be able to build the basic foundations of the skills required to box. If they then want to take it more seriously, they can become a member and train with some of the best boxing, strength and conditioning coaches in London.’
All the training equipment comes from the trusted brands professionals use such as Keiser, Technogym, Wattbike, Hammer Strength and Eleiko. Members are also able to accurately measure and personally track their progress using the fully-integrated smartphone app, camera feeds and other analytic tools powered by RNF Digital.
BXR will have an in-house clinic, consisting of three treatment rooms powered by CHHP, Sanyal explains, ‘we are the first gym to fully integrate rehabilitation properly and can take insurance work. Making sure you not only train like a champion, but recover like one too’.
Members can also expect the latest state of the art technology when it comes to the music, which Sanyal believes is key in creating the right atmosphere, the gym is fitted with TPI Sound speakers, popular in the top Ibiza superclubs Mark Ronson plays at.
Food and drink is provided by Danish juicery Joe & The Juice who have collaborated with BXR to create a bespoke fitness menu including pre-workout shots, post-workout protein shakes and healthy salads to be consumed within the ultimate post-workout-hangout: the Ringside Lounge. – A large social area where members can integrate and conduct business from.
BXR is very much a spectatorial fight-centric gym, much like a Roman amphitheatre, those who are training will overlook the gladiators in the boxing ring at its core. This encourages what Sanyal and Sardarova are trying to promote: the cult of BXR, and the idea that one doesn’t just simply go to the gym for superficial and physical strengthening but also for mental strengthening and to develop ones survival instincts during these times of uncertainty. ‘We are living in times where Trump’s becoming president,’ says Sanyal, ‘there are so many unknowns in the world. We’ve seen a shift where previously people were waiting until Friday to have a bender of a weekend. Whereas now, people are looking to wake up early on Monday and self-develop every week. It doesn’t matter if you’re a model or a billionaire here, aspirationally everyone should look up to the world heavyweight champion. At BXR we are building a cult of being the best fighter you can be, physically in the ring and mentally in the outside world.’
A limited number of invitation-only lifetime memberships will be available (POA) and founding memberships start at £1,500 per annum. BXR opens in January 2017.


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Microsoft has launched its first Lumia phone without the Nokia branding. Lumia 535 comes with a 5-inch screen, 5-megapixel front-facing camera, a rear-facing camera, and an integrated Microsoft experiences. It comes preloaded with Windows Phone 8.1 and the Lumia Denim Update.
“Lumia 535 comes with our ‘5x5x5’ proposition,” said Jo Harlow, corporate vice president for phones at Microsoft. “Innovation should be available to everyone, and we are doing this through the very best integrated Microsoft services included and out of the box, a 5MP wide-angle front-facing camera, and a spacious 5-inch qHD screen—all at an affordable price.”
The Lumia 535 is available in 3G Single SIM and 3G Smart Dual SIM.
Hortonworks and New Relic file to go public
Both enterprise Apache Hadoop provider Hortonworks and software analytics company New Relic have announced they have publicly filed for registration with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for a proposed initial public offering.
It is still undetermined how many shares will be sold or what the price range of the proposed offerings will be. New Relic announced it will continue to list its common stock under the “NEWR” symbol, while Hortonworks hasn’t announced any plans as of yet.
A road map to Symfony 3.0
SensioLabs has laid out its plans to Symfony 3.0, its set of PHP components and Web app framework.
“Some developers and most project managers are afraid when major versions of their favorite open-source libraries are announced; probably because major versions are associated with backward incompatible changes,” wrote Fabien Potencier, project manager of Symfony, on the product’s blog. “The Internet evolves at a very fast pace, and if we cannot adapt Symfony fast enough, it will become irrelevant faster than you can imagine.”
According to the road map, Symfony 2.7 is expect to be released in May 2015, and instead of moving on to 2.8, the company plans to move straight to 3.0 with the expected release in Nov. 2015.
Symfony 3.0 will fix some architecture mistakes, be more decoupled, be more reusable and be more standard, according to Potencier.
Microsoft announces RemoteIE preview for Azure RemoteApp
Microsoft has announced the preview availability of RemoteIE via Azure RemoteApp for developers to test Internet Explorer on the Windows 10 Technical Preview from desktop and mobile devices.
Developers can run the latest version of Internet Explorer on the Windows 10 Technical Preview remotely, controlling the preview from Android, iOS, OS X and Windows. Atop the Azure RemoteApp preview, RemoteIE previews builds on the Windows Server Remote Desktop Services infrastructure, enabling developers to run Windows applications on a variety of devices from the Azure cloud, including access to F12 developer tools.
More information on RemoteIE is available in this blog post from Internet Explorer program manager Anton Molleda.
IncrediBuild releases cloud-based development solution for Microsoft Azure
Software development and continuous delivery provider IncrediBuild has announced the availability of IncrediBuild for Microsoft Azure.
The new version of IncrediBuild for Microsoft’s cloud platform adds Azure-based cloud resources and increases build-related compute power, enabling fast and transparent deployment of agents into the Azure environment. Once the user selects the cloud setting, IncrediBuild’s distributed computing technology executes them in parallel, using the optimum number of CPUs on Azure.
More information on IncrediBuild for Microsoft Azure can be found here.


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KEYHOLE surgery instruments maker Surgical Innovations has seen a 59 per cent increase in the number of Yorkshire hospitals using its branded products.
The Leeds-based group has set itself an ambitious target – to get every hospital in Yorkshire using its products.
Surgical’s chief executive Graham Bowland said: “That is the goal of the company as a Leeds-based, Yorkshire-based company – to get all the hospitals in Yorkshire using Surgical’s products and that will save them money. Every procedure we can save them money. The NHS is finally realising that.”
The group said the US is also a key market and the company is broadening sales channels there. So far new dealer relationships across the US have resulted in a 75 per cent increase in sales of SI branded products.
Surgical said its “resposable” instruments are proving very popular.
These part reusable and part disposable instruments consist of a long-lasting reusable element and cheap throwaway parts that are only used once.
Mr Bowland said the instruments can save £300 per operation, which could offer the NHS savings of tens of millions of pounds.
Speaking at the group’s AGM in Leeds yesterday, Surgical’s chairman, Doug Liversidge told shareholders: “We are confident that our investment choices and strategic decisions will result in future growth.
“The resposable concept provides a cost-saving solution to the NHS which is committed to cost reduction programmes in UK hospitals.”
The group is investing in 3mm instruments, which leave holes small enough to close up without leaving a scar.


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Our iPhone Slim Case combines premium protection with brilliant design. The slim profile keeps your tech looking sleek, while guarding against scuffs and scratches. Just snap it onto the case and you’re good to go.Extremely slim profile, One-piece build: flexible plastic hard case, Open button form for direct access to device features, Impact resistant, Easy snap on and off, iPhone 8, 8 Plus, and X cases support QI wireless charging (case doesn’t need to be removed).
Representative slams colleagues, defends Google. US congressman demands to know if Google is tracking him. Biggest tech stories of 2018. Are iPhones really banned in China?. EU clamps down on tech in 2018. Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 855 can enable 4K portrait mode video. Top 5 things we want to see in the Aquaman movie. Qualcomm gives us a glimpse of our future in 5G. Sonos Amp is wireless streaming for grown-ups. 3 ways to get more Google Drive storage for free beach – summer of love III iPhone Case. Inside a studio photoshoot of a luxury $25,000 watch..
Apple is the latest tech company to employ the security feature, which was discovered earlier by 9to5mac, as an option. Google, which has quite a few more online services than Apple, added it as an option in early 2011. Others, including Facebook, Yahoo, PayPal, and Dropbox already had the option beach – summer of love III iPhone Case. The need for that extra layer of security was highlighted in the woes of journalist Mat Honan, who was targeted in a cascade of account hacking last year. That all kicked off with Honan’s iCloud account and eventually led to access of his personal e-mail and Twitter accounts. That ultimately led to Apple reviewing its security processes for resetting account passwords. Evernote also said it plans to add it later this year, following a cyberattack earlier this month..
CNET también está disponible en español. Don’t show this again beach – summer of love III iPhone Case. That’s for the Wi-Fi-only model, mind: Dell says the Wi-Fi and 3G version will be available later this spring. The new device builds on the original 5-inch Dell Streak, which was released last year. Android 2.2 may sound a little old-hat, although Dell says the Streak 7 will allow over-the-air upgrades, so we suspect Gingerbread will be incoming sooner rather than later. Honeycomb 3.0? It remains open to question whether 7-inch tablets will be getting Google’s tablet-focused flavour of Android, since the HTC Flyer is also sticking with Gingerbread for now..
Now Starbucks customers can surf the Web while sipping a raspberry latte. The nation’s largest coffeehouse chain and Compaq Computer will announce on Tuesday that they’ve entered into a five-year deal to outfit nearly 70 percent of Starbucks coffeehouses with wireless networks beach – summer of love III iPhone Case. Some stores will even have laptops to lend to their customers. The effort will initially focus on the 4,100 Starbucks stores in the United States. A Compaq spokeswoman said the same type of technology may also be installed in Starbucks outside the United States. Executives from both companies will announce the deal at a press conference Tuesday..
Alfa Romeo will be touting its Brera, which will be one of the first models that the iconic Italian marque will launch on its return to North America in 2009. Dodge and Chevrolet will be putting forward their visions for the future, showing off the brawny Avenger and the supersporty WTCC Ultra concepts, respectively beach – summer of love III iPhone Case. Chrysler will be taking the wrapper of its 2007 Sebring, which comes complete with a built-in 20GB hard drive for turning the car into a mobile media library. Porsche is to launch four new models at the show, including the blazingly fast 2007 911 GT3 RS..


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N Brown appoints Joules Head of Design Helen Low as new Director of Design
N Brown Group has appointed current Joules Head of Design Helen Low as the group’s new Director of Design, commencing 21 November 2022.
Low has been in her role at Joules since November 2020 and previously spent three years as Design Director of womenswear at Debenhams.
With over 25 years experience in the fashion industry, she has also held senior design positions at George at Asda, Marks and Spencer and Next.
The current Director of Design at N Brown Group, Neil Hendy, confirmed his decision to leave the business earlier this year.
Reporting into Sarah Welsh, CEO of Retail at N Brown, Low will focus on continuing to build on the product handwriting evolution which has been delivered within the past two years under Hendy’s leadership.
A key focus for the group is to drive a more distinct customer proposition across N Brown’s strategic brands, Simply Be, JD Williams and Jacamo, by creating a clearly defined product handwriting.
Sarah Welsh, CEO of Retail at N Brown, said: “Helen will bring a huge amount of passion and expertise to N Brown. She has a wealth of design, innovation and strategy experience from across the fashion industry and will instantly become a valued member of our team.
“She joins us at a really exciting time for the business as we continue to elevate our fashion proposition through our differentiated brand portfolio to make our customers look and feel amazing.”
Helen Low commented: “I am excited to be joining a business with such a distinct and inclusive portfolio of well-loved brands. As N Brown looks to increase its own-designed product, I am looking forward to working with the team to enhance its product offer, with a focus on our customers’ love for value and fit.”


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Magnussen Home has issued a recall for 13,200 of its Nova Series 5-Drawer Chests because they are unstable unless anchored to a wall. An unstable chest presents a tip-over and entrapment hazard that could be fatal to young children.
The chests were manufactured from August 2009, through August 2015 and are made of wood with a walnut veneer. Magnussen has received one report of a chest tipping over so far, resulting in minor bruises to one child.
Consumers who own one of the recalled chests are being urged to stop using it immediately and contact the company for a refund. Magnussen stated that the refund will be pro-rated based on the age of the product.
Consumers can call the company toll-free at 1-833-748-0210 Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (ET), for more information. Online, they can visit the company’s recall page here.


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Construction of a US solid-state lithium-ion battery pilot line and learning center is being built by additive manufacturing company Sakuu Corporation.
The US firm’s (previously named KeraCel) pilot line will be able to produce up to 2.5MWh of solid-state batteries per year and serve as a customer learning center for its advanced additive manufacturing platform.
The facility is due to be operational by end of 2021.
Sakuú is aiming to produce solid-state batteries that are up to 50% smaller and 30% lighter than lithium-ion batteries, although the firm didn’t give any figures to back up that promise.
The pilot line will test the viability of the battery manufacturing process and enable Sakuú to deliver sample products to its “early access strategic partners”.
The second phase is expected next year and will use an array of Sakuú AM Platforms to produce up to 1GWh of solid-state battery capacity per year.
Sakuú is working with Relevant Industrial and Honeywell Process Solutions to design and develop the facility by scaling-up the laboratory environment into a fully functioning pilot manufacturing plant.
Relevant and Honeywell will provide engineering, process design, systems integration, and process manufacturing expertise to efficiently build the factory.
Robert Bagheri CEO and founder of Sakuú, said: “This is an important milestone for us. Our technology development has progressed to the level where we have decided to move ahead with our plan to construct and operate a pilot facility.
“This facility will enable us to provide our strategic customers and early access partners with solid-state batteries for their own development and testing.”
New cell developed
Last month, Sakuu announced it has developed a 3Ah lithium-metal solid-state battery (SSB).
Sakuú has been developing its first generation battery technology alongside its additive manufacturing platform, and aims for commercial launch by the end of this year.
The first-generation batteries comprise 30 sub-cells and a proprietary printed ceramic separator.
The battery will be targeted to consumer, aerospace, mobility, and other applications.
Bagheri said: “Over the last year, we have improved our battery energy capacity by a factor of 100 and our volumetric energy efficiency over 12 times and are planning to begin volume production of the batteries in early 2022 to meet the needs of our strategic partners.”
In June, the California-based firm won approval of three patents: a hybrid solid-state cell with a sealed anode structure; an additive manufacturing system; and an electrophotographic multi-material 3D printer.
This latest patent is for a monolithic ceramic electrochemical cell housing an anode and cathode receptive space, alongside a separator between the two— allowing for higher charging rates without the risk to safety posed by lithium-ion batteries.
This is in addition to two previous battery patents for an integrated cell stack battery and monolithic solid-state battery, which were granted back in 2020.
The second patent for a three-dimensional AM system, allows for patterned single layers to be assembled into a three-dimensional active device onto an assembly plate. The patent includes a carrier substrate which allows for single layers to be built separately and then dispensed on a stack on the assembly plate.
The final patent is an electrophotographic three-dimensional printer system that can be used to create a 3D part derived from a composite toner material.
The new patent allows for the use of multiple engineering materials, such as ceramic, metal and polymer materials, which electrophotography was previously unable to employ.


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Aston Martin, the iconic luxury car manufacturer which was made famous by fictional spy James Bond, has said it is considering a float on the public markets.
Any final decision on a float would be down to Aston Martin's Italian private equity owner Investindustrial, which could choose to sell the company to a private buyer if a willing (and deep-pocketed) party came forward.
London would be the likely venue for such a listing, City A.M. understands, though no firm decisions have yet been made.
"As part of our ongoing development strategy, we continue to consider a range of strategic options for the future of the group, including the potential for an IPO [initial public offering]," said Aston Martin's chief financial officer Mark Wilson, as the company released results today.
The 2018 results
Under Investindustrial's oversight, Aston Martin revved up profit by a quarter of a billion pounds year-on-year to £87m – putting the once-struggling British company firmly back in the black.
Meanwhile, demand for the new DB11 produced the highest unit sales in nine years. Revenues hit an all-time high of £876m, up 48 per cent year-on-year, as the fourth quarter of 2017 saw the strongest performance in the company's history.
Investindustrial completed a similar turnaround operation with Italian motorbike brand Ducati, which it sold in 2012 to Audi for around £80m.


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Big data is watching: new power not without its dangers
The NSW government’s plan for a whole-of-government data analytics centre has highlighted the potential of “big data” to influence and inform government policy decisions.
Having spent the past three years integrating its data repositories on a state-of-the-art platform, the introduction of analytics is a logical next step in the government’s desire to leverage that data more effectively.
While recognising the benefits data analytics offer to improving services, it’s good to see that a steering committee - composed of NSW’s privacy commissioner, chief scientist, customer service commissioner and information commissioner - has been created to oversee the centre’s establishment.
The involvement of privacy and customer service advocates is absolutely crucial because harnessing big data does have its complications, especially when it comes to the rights and best interests of consumers.
There’s no denying the power of big data and as we move towards a hyper-connected world — with millions of sensors measuring everything from social media and buying habits to traffic flow — the sheer volume, variety and quality of the data collected will be astronomical.
While much of this data will be anonymous, data analytics increasingly gives organisations the ability to drill down to monitor and understand individual behaviour, often without the awareness of those being observed.
There was a huge kerfuffle in February when it was revealed Samsung smart TVs had the capacity to eavesdrop on private conversations, albeit only if the voice response function was activated by the user.
While much of the controversy was fuelled by poorly worded policy documents from the technology giant, the subsequent media attention did highlight the potential for data-sensing applications to infringe on personal privacy.
While data collection is one side of the coin, the other side is how the data is analysed and used to inform business and operational decisions.
Just last month, senator Arthur Sinodinos published an article entitled “Big data and the Australian government” in which he said: “The right to privacy is fundamental. Parliament must be stringent in overseeing the use of any personal data, ensuring that it is handled appropriately, stored securely and properly de-identified where necessary.”
I’m sure those 37 million subscribers on Canadian infidelity site Ashley Madison, whose personal details were hacked last month, are wishing the company had followed through on its promise to delete their data.
With the volume and variety of data being collected set to increase exponentially, organisations must also be held accountable for how they store and use data.
It’s essential anyone whose privacy is breached by an Australian company has the protection of an up-to-date and relevant legislative framework.
These days, we expect supermarkets and department stores to track our spending habits. We even sign up for loyalty cards to make it easy for them, on the promise of cheap flights or in-store discounts, but how much do consumers understand about what happens to that data and where the boundaries lie?
To what degree do retailers consider the ethical implications of how that data is used?
What are our rights as consumers and what are our responsibilities as ICT professionals and business people?
Back in 2002, when data-mining was first coming into vogue, Target in the US hit the news for sending catalogues promoting baby products to a 16-year-old girl.
The girl’s father was outraged at the marketing campaign, accusing the store of encouraging the high school student to get pregnant.
The retailer had employed a statistician to develop algorithms targeting newly pregnant women based on changes in their buying patterns so it could market its baby products.
As it turned out, the store had identified the girl was pregnant before she told her father.
Given that the girl was just 16 and not yet an adult, the ethics of such targeted marketing are open to debate.
Indeed, Target has reportedly since modified its approach but in the absence of clear policy guidelines or regulations around the ethical application of data-mining and analytics, people will revert to their personal values, which can vary significantly.
What one person thinks makes good business sense, another person might find inappropriate.
Some analysts recommend the “what would Mum say” test, as a way of checking whether a planned action would be considered acceptable by the community.
Unfortunately today there are too few women in positions of influence to be able to apply such a test as ubiquitously as it would be needed.
This may lead to a new job emerging from the disruption that technology promises to bring — I would argue one of the most important going forward — that of the ethicist.


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As coronavirus pandemic started infecting people in India, the government was forced to lockdown the entire country in the last week of March. Four separate spells of lockdows have since been inflicted in the country as lockdown 4.0 comes to an end today. With unlock 1, having already been announced, many people are wondering when will shopping malls and movie theatres re-open.
With Unlock Phase 1 expected to start from the first of June, expect to see more relaxations; the states, however, are united in their push to continue with curbs of inter-state transportation, malls and cinema halls, educational institutions and places of worship. There is no go ahead for cinema halls in the coming weeks, but Malls are set to see some footfall from 8, June as they get the clearance to open their doors to customers.
"We have been preparing ourselves well over for the past two months and are geared up to open our malls, as per the government directives. We will be instituting temperature checks at all entrances and setting up protocols for maintaining social distancing such as a safe distance of minimum 1 meter from other customers and staff, not more than 3-4 customers being allowed to enter the elevator at a time (however, no of passengers will be determined depending upon the size of elevator-like in DLF Cyberhub our lifts will work for 2 pax at a time due to size constraint), for escalators one customer will be allowed after 3 steps rollover, permanent distance markers will be placed in the lifts, so people don't exceed the required capacity," Pushpa Bector, Executive Director, DLF Shopping Malls.
Adding, "We will remain completely respectful towards the concerns of our guests, and also understand that their faith and confidence in our preparedness on preventive measures will play a key role towards the same. We are looking at the "new normal" soon going back to the "old normal" which resembles gangs of friends and families turning up in huge numbers, heavy hustle and bustle in the lobbies, and the loud cheers in the auditoriums."
- Some of the key measures to be adopted are as follows:
- Hygiene-related measures
- Encourage paperless transactions for ticket booking and food ordering.
- Check temperature of all employees, service partners and guests with non-invasive Thermo-Guns as they enter our premises.
- Sanitizers stations at all the key locations and common areas.
- Following rigorous cleaning and disinfecting procedures.
- Areas with higher public exposure would be sanitized on an hourly basis.
- Auditoriums would be sanitized after every show.
- All surfaces in and around the food service areas will be disinfected regularly.
- Deep cleaning of auditoriums would be carried out every day.
- The teams would be asked to wear gloves and masks and will be asked to wash hands regularly.
- Use of single use disposable packaging for F&B services.
- PPE kits available for purchases, which would include a mask, a pair of gloves and a bottle of sanitizer
- Social distancing measures
- Following distancing between the guests at the entrance using demarcations
- Ensuring physical distancing, we will allot seats in a way that adjacent seats are left vacant for a group or a family.
- Online booking modes will be programmed to allocate seats in that order.
- Movie shows will be scheduled in such a manner, that entry, intermissions and exits to two shows do not occur simultaneously, and we avoid crowding of lobbies and restrooms.
With a few big-ticket releases already opting for premiers on the OTT platforms, what challenges are movie theatres facing in the current scenario?
"First of all, we want everyone to understand that this is not a Multiplex Vs OTT scenario. All we expect the content creators to do is to release their content in theatres, followed by digital platforms, like it has been happening so far in line with the globally prevalent windowing pattern. Every phase in the cinema value chain has its own significance, and with the theatrical/ cinema hall phase being the most value-generating phase, we expect the windowing pattern to be followed. Towards this, the Multiplex Association Of India had come out with an appeal to the content creators. We had also urged the producers and studios to wait for the theatres to resume operations and follow the globally prevalent cinematic windowing pattern as it has done wonders in terms of revenues for the content creators and other stakeholders, as it offers the creators an opportunity to extract the best from all available mediums," opines Alok Tandon.
What the coming few months look like for the multiplex industry
"Cinemas, since inception, have been the biggest contributors to the 'experience economy' for the past 100 years, and will continue to do so forever. There is no doubt that COVID-19 has challenged the passion for cinema which is prevalent in our country. Cinema-lovers have remained under-served on entertainment for this period, and we know that they are yearning to step out, socialise and get entertained via their favorite entertainment medium, which is cinemas. We have complete faith that the same age-old passion of the movie lovers will make them come out in huge numbers and throng cinemas. We are also sure that the signature INOX experience would come to the fore and continue to delight our patrons across the country," Tandon rounds up.
(With Inputs from IANS)


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Alviva in talks to buy Tarsus as part of strategy to grow through acquisition
The technology group says it has spent R629m on buying new businesses in the last few years
Technology group Alviva Holdings says it is in talks to acquire privately owned Tarsus, a distributor of IT hardware products.
Alviva, which provides a range of technology products and services including assembling of computers, distribution and software, said on Tuesday the due diligence for the potential deal had been completed and, if successfully concluded, “this transaction may have a material effect” on the share price.
Alviva shares, down almost 43% in 2020, closed 2.62% firmer on Tuesday at R8.22, giving the company a market capitalisation of R1.13bn.
Alviva has not disclosed the value of the deal.
Started more than 35 years ago, Tarsus, formerly known as MB Technologies, distributes computers and cloud computing services, including hardware products from international brands such as Dell and Hewlett-Packard.
Alviva operates in most African countries, including Kenya, Zambia and Nigeria.
The move to buy Tarsus underlines Alviva’s strategy of growing through acquisition.
Alviva says it has spent R629m on buying new businesses “in the last few years”, but the benefits of that capital outlay are yet to be fully realised. During the period, the units would have contributed about R63m to group profits, but after accounting for amortisation and finance costs, they lost R68m for Alviva.
Irnest Kaplan, MD of Kaplan Equity Analysts, said the potential transaction “makes sense”. He said “in this tough market where margins are under pressure and there isn’t much growth, consolidation makes sense.”
“Distribution is all about scale and efficiency, so it makes sense to become bigger to get more volumes,” said Kaplan.
In 2020, Alviva acquired 70% of enterprise software company Synerg SA, through its subsidiary DCT Holdings, for R69m. Alviva also took a 51% position in Synerg UAE and Synerg UK for a combined R120m. Alviva also acquired an additional 10% in Digital Generation, a black women-owned information and communications technology company, for R15m, increasing its shareholding in the company to 80%.
But Alviva has said that within the next two years, “once the intangible assets have been fully amortised, it is expected that these new acquisitions will contribute meaningfully to the group”.
Until then Alviva will be fighting to return to profitability.
Alviva reported a 50% decline in profits in its year to end-June as the Covid-19 lockdown put pressure on customers and supplies of components from China.
Revenue fell 7% to R14.8bn and headline earnings fell 53% to R197.1m. During the year, the technology group wrote down some of its businesses and made provisions for customers who are struggling to pay debts.
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Whole Foods Black Friday Hours 2022 – Black Friday is a time to remember and honors those who have sacrificed their lives. Rightfully, it’s a federal holiday, and because of that, many stores and businesses across America are closed. However, Whole Foods will remain open on Black Friday this year.
Whole Foods is always open on the days you need it most and Black Friday is no different. Whole Foods has always been open on Black Friday, and the same is likely to be true this year.
While shopping for major holidays this year, you can rely on Whole Foods Market. When the holidays roll around, retail giants like Whole Foods see an increase in foot traffic.
Whole Foods has you covered with all the organic products you’ll need to prepare healthy meals for your loved ones this holiday. Whole Foods is a certified USDA organic grocer in the US, popular for its organic food selections.
Whole Foods stores generally remain open even on major holidays to meet their customer’s needs. As you prepare for the major holidays at the end of the year, it’s important to know Whole Food’s holiday hours to avoid any inconvenience.
Thanksgiving Hours at Whole Foods
Because you’ll likely be cooking for a large group of people on Thanksgiving, it’s a good idea to plan a big grocery trip ahead of time. It is possible, however, that you will overlook some necessary ingredients for your meal. Last-minute shoppers won’t be left out in the cold at Whole Foods, thanks to advance planning by the supermarket chain.
In addition to the regular weekly deals your local Whole Foods will offer over Black Friday, stores across the US will be offering 20 percent off of 11 carefully chosen summer rosés between May 28 and June 1. Women winemakers, a BIPOC-owned winery, and wines from all over the world are all part of the sale, a Whole Foods rep tells Romper.
Whole Foods Black Friday Hours 2022
“Provence to Maryland and all the way to New Zealand” Some of the featured rosés include Old Westminster Rosé (a Whole Foods exclusive), SHE CAN Rosé from the McBride Sisters, Ultraviolet Sparkling, and French Blue.
If you find yourself in need of a Whole Foods trip on Black Friday, you’re definitely in luck but don’t forget to verify the hours before you go. You deserve a reward after going through all that trouble to get those last-minute ingredients, so once you’re sure they’re open, grab a few cans or a bottle of rosé for yourself as well.
Whether or not you’re planning to pick up things for a barbeque or just to replenish your quarantine stash, you might be thinking about heading to Whole Foods. Luckily, the store will not only be open for business on Black Friday, but will be operating close to its normal store hours.
Whole Foods will be open from 7am-9pm, but make sure to call and double-check what your local store’s hours are. Black Friday hours are wonky to begin with, let alone during a pandemic that has already altered store hours across the country.
Make smart choices and stay safe if you’re going out on Black Friday, regardless of whether your state has reopened.


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Construction workers in Spain excavated a treasure trove of 1,300 pounds of ancient bronze Roman coins. The workers were reportedly creating a ditch to install a new water line when they struck 19 amphoras filled with coins.
The coins, discovered in 2016 in the city of Tomares in Andalusia, featured a Roman emperor, either Constantine or Maximian on one side, and Roman literature on the other. Archeologists remarked at that time that the coins were minted in the third and fourth centuries and may have been set aside to pay taxes or to compensate Roman soldiers who were situated in Spain at that time.
While the Roman pots were a spectacular archaeological discovery, they highlight how the value of a fiat currency is tied to the success of a central authority. Without a thriving government to back up a currency, its value can fall or completely collapse with tons of physical coins relegated to history.
— Consejería de Cultura y Patrimonio Histórico (@CulturaAND) April 28, 2016
Ana Navarro, head of Seville’s Archeology Museum, pegged the value of the coins at several million euros.
“The majority were newly minted and some of them probably were bathed in silver, not just bronze. I could not give you an economic value, because the value they really have is historical and you can’t calculate that.”
Rare coins still hold value as collectibles. Last week a former International House of Pancakes (IHOP) located on Lombard Street in San Francisco flipped into Witter Coins, a rare coin dealer. According to a report by the San Francisco Chronicle, store owner Seth Chandler has a $1-million gold piece from 1855 on display.
“In addition to the free pennies and the $1 million gold piece, Chandler has got nickels for $200, dimes for $26, quarters for $350 and half dollars for $500 and up — mostly up. None of them is for carrying in your pocket and buying stuff with. Most high-end coins are “slabbed” — graded by professionals and encased in clear plastic holders, where they can never be felt, fondled or flipped.”
In 2018, the costs associated with minting new one-cent and five-cent coins in the United States ranked even higher than their economic value. The cost to produce and distribute a Lincoln cent is 2.06 cents. The production and distribution of the Jefferson five-cent coin costs 7.53 cents, according to the United States Mint, April 2019 report.
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Featured Image: Shutterstock/Valery Sidelnykov


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The Puyallup Spring Fair is almost here: You’ll have two weekends to get your fix of baby animals, rides and fair food favorites.
The dates are April 14-16 and 21-24, 2022.
After running the event in a hybrid format last year, the traditional fair environment is back.
Highlights will include The Farm at Sillyville, where kids can “play farmer” while also learning about agriculture in Washington state; racing pigs and dock dogs; face painting (free for kids 12 and under!); kid-size tractor driving; a Creative Kids competition and much more.
Motorsport Mayhem, featuring tricked-out monster trucks and smashing cars, is the second weekend only (and tickets cost extra).
Admission tickets are available now, and they cost less if purchased before opening day, April 14. According to the fair, tickets are cheaper online and can be used any day. When buying tickets onsite, weekend days have higher admission.
Good to know: Kids 5 and under get in free.
In addition, there are these promotions:
- Thursday, April 14: Kids 18 and under get in free by bringing a food donation; everyone gets in free from 2 to 4 p.m.
- Friday, April 15: Military Appreciation Day. Free admission for active, reserve, and retired military (including National Guard) and their dependents, with military ID.
- Thursday, April 21: Free admission all day for kids 18 and under.
And for those of you planning ahead, the Washington State Fair (Puyallup Fair to many of us traditionalists) runs Sept. 2-25, 2022.


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The launch of the iPhone 8 is all but a few months away and yet the tech news feeds are inundated with new stories about the specifications of the new Apple smartphone on almost an hourly basis. The rumours will continue unabated until the actual release of the iPhone 8, which also marks the celebration of a decade since the release of the first iPhone by Steve Jobs in 2007, catapulting Apple top of the list for highest revenue year on year, and voted the best valued brand for several years.
The rumour mill has been hit by posts and photos from various sources, mostly from China, among many other leaks, some directly from the factories said to be manufacturing the device. If you’re simply waiting for the next iPhone announcement in October, you may be in for a bumpy ride as the amount of rumours swilling have us completely confused as to what may be true, and what is more likely to be false. For starters, there’s an argument as to whether the coinciding of the 10-year anniversary of the iPhone will make Apple jump straight from the iPhone 7 to iPhone 8, in contrast to their S models in between major releases every two years. Some are suggesting that the iPhone 8 may only launch in early 2018 due to some manufacturing delays and challenges as a result of the embedded Touch ID sensor (or fingerprint scanner) and main button directly onto the display, a rumour that has also been tagged with Samsung as to why they opted for the off-centre fingerprint reader on the rear.
There’s also talk that Apple’s WWDC this coming week may serve to stir further rumours as possible hints of the next iPhone’s release may be dropped sometime during the announcements.
In addition to this, there has been quite a few renders and schematics of the device in recent weeks, following by some “hands-on” photos, apparently from within the Foxconn factory, of the presumed next generation iPhone. Despite the photo evidence, it is possible that those devices in hand may also be mock-ups and prototypes of what Apple are aiming towards, and may not be able to deliver if the challenges are to be believed. Apple has also been rumoured to be investigating the possibility of adding wireless (induction) charging to the next iPhone alongside Energous. One interesting rumour from this is that Apple may be working on true wireless charging capabilities that don’t require the device to be docked, but only within a few feet of the source to be able to charge remotely. Energous had earlier this year made the announcement that it was working with an unknown tech giant on the capabilities, and it has recently come to the attention of some deep divers that the company in question is definitely Apple.
Nothing at this stage has been confirmed, and nothing will be for some time yet. We don’t have a grasp on the design, display, dimensions, internal specifications, Touch ID sensor, rear fingerprint sensor, dual camera, induction charging, or anything else for that matter. All of this and we haven’t even discussed possible pricing, which also has its own rumour, and said to be in the range of $1000+, making it the most expensive iPhone to 8 if true. Considering similarly priced items once they reach South African shores, don’t be shocked at a R20,000 price tag, or there about, when the news breaks.
What we do know for certain is that Apple is aiming towards some of the above-mentioned capabilities and features, although it’s too early to discern whether all of their dreams will be a reality come October. You can view some of the more recent mock-ups, prototypes and graphic renders of the Apple iPhone 8 in the gallery below. I’ve also thrown in some of the specifications that have been floating around the Web for good measure.
– 5.8in 2.5D OLED edge-to-edge display
– New design with an ‘all-glass’ construction
– Wireless charging support
– Apple A11 chip
– Rear-facing Touch ID sensor
– iOS 11 with ‘advanced Siri functionality’
– Face-scanning technology
– Vertical dual cameras on rear


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Parents of children with disabilities often go out of their way to make creative Halloween costumes. This year, they will have the option to buy them at a big-name store.
Target’s Hyde and Eek! Boutique has unveiled two Halloween costumes adapted for wheelchair users. The company hopes they’ll help even more children take part in the holiday fun.
One of the collection’s wheelchair covers transforms the chair into a purple princess carriage. The other turns the chair into a pirate ship, complete with a Jolly Roger flag and waves for the wheels.
The matching wheelchair covers are sold separately.
There are also two new costumes with flat seams and no tags, for children with sensory issues: a shark and a unicorn.
Two years ago, the chain added clothing designed for children with sensory processing sensitivities, which can include autism. Designers removed itchy tags, seams and other details that the children could find irritating or uncomfortable.
Through these collections, the company saw that changing small details of its designs could have a huge impact, according to a Target spokeswoman.
Target also unveiled of a series of sensory-friendly home items this spring.


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Several months ago, rumors about Grand Theft Auto (GTA) surfaced about the latest GTA version that would soon be released. According to the reports, the upcoming GTA 6 would have a bigger map – the biggest so far seen in the franchise.
Rumors suggest it’ll take place in either London or San Diego, but only rumors since the developer could make it a whole other location. Still, there are a fair amount of people involved who are British, which means the game could take place in London. Should GTA 6 be set in London, it’ll have an array of huge changes to it. For instance, cars will have the steering wheel on their right side.
Other rumors suggest that the setting of the game will take place in Tokyo, Japan, but the developer not been confirmed or denied anything.
Some reports suggest there will be a “World Map,” which will allow users to see all maps from the previous Grand Theft Auto games. This “World Map” would enable players to go from one city to another – to complete various missions and raids.
It is thought the latest GTA is set to be released in 2018, following the five-year pattern from its developer. If the 2018 release does not happen, speculations are is that it’ll be released in 2020 when Xbox 2 and PlayStation 5 will be made public. And, rumors say GTA 6 is the first game to be released on these two game consoles.


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April 9, 2015
Single purpose API
Sorry, No followers
Sita launches foray into latest wearable, the boarding pass. Google folds Maps Coordinate into its Maps Engine Pro. Plus: attackers install DDoS bots on Amazon, and extracting data using import.io.
With 25 million business listings over nine countries, open data company Factual has taken a first step toward creating a place database to which anyone can contribute. With location-based applications now more popular than ever, the data is extremely valuable to developers. Factual is providing it via its API, currently for free.


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Pitti Immagine Names Kiton’s CEO Its New President
MILAN — Kiton’s chief executive officer Antonio De Matteis has been named Pitti Immagine’s new president.
He succeeds Claudio Marenzi, Herno’s president and CEO, who held the role since 2017.
More from WWD
“I want to thank the president who preceded me and outgoing members of the board for the great achievements over the past years that contributed to Pitti Immagine’s strength, wide-ranging offer and competitiveness,” De Matteis said. “It’s an honor to be named president of such an important event globally and with support from the new board I’m committed to continue along the same trajectory,” he added.
The trade show operator is best known for leading menswear trade fair Pitti Uomo, in addition to Pitti Filati, Pitti Bimbo and Pitti Fragranze dedicated to yarnmakers, childrenswear and fragrances, respectively. It also operates Taste centered on food, Testo on books, and Super on contemporary fashion.
“Leveraging my experience and vision I’m trustful we will soon work on new and exciting projects,” De Matteis offered.
The board confirmed Antonella Mani as vice president and members Raffaello Napoleone, current CEO of Pitti Immagine, and Niccolò Ricci. Newly appointed members include Ercole Botto Poala, CEO of textile maker Reda and current president of industry association Confindustria Moda; Niccolò Moschini, corporate communication and institutional affair director at Kering Italia, and Marco Palmieri, president of Piquadro, among others.
Mansi thanked Marenzi for leading the trade show operator out of the pandemic years and stressed that challenges in the next three years include expanding the operator’s reach and relevance across industries. Additionally, as reported, Florence’s Fortezza da Basso venue is poised to undergo renovation works sometime this year leaving the operator in need to find solutions to smoothly hold its trade events.
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Nadja Swarovski Exits Family Company Amid Ongoing Corporate Shakeup


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Digital TV News: MediaFLO
Cellular Mobile TV a 'Niche', but Still Drives Billions in Revenue
Sep 9, 2010 – It has been a rough few years for subscription mobile TV deployments, as a number of plans never came to fruition and several of those that were launched have been shut down. However, In-Stat sees a recovery in 2010, particularly in Asia/Pacific.
News categories: In-Stat, 5G, Digital TV, Market Research, Mobile, Smart TV
Japan favours ISDB-Tmm over MediaFLO for mobile TV
Sep 8, 2010 – A government advisory panel in Japan has selected NTT DoCoMo (Tokyo:9437) who proposed the use of ISDB-Tmm, over KDDI (Tokyo: 9433) whose system is based on MediaFLO, to provide a mobile TV service for the country starting in 2012.
News categories: NTT DoCoMo, KDDI, Digital TV, Japan, Mobile, Regulation, Smart TV
Dedicated Mobile TV Networks Face Uncertain Future
Aug 3, 2010 – A Juniper Research study has found that disappointing adoption levels of mobile TV services, allied to competition from streamed mobile services and mobile reception of free-to-air terrestrial TV, has lead to growing disillusionment within the industry.
News categories: Juniper Research, 5G, Digital TV, Market Research, Mobile, Smart TV
Broadcast Mobile TV Captures Subscriber Counts, while 3G Mobile TV Drives the Revenue
Jul 19, 2010 – New research from In-Stat identifies that the largest number of mobile TV viewers will come from digital broadcast. However, while cellular mobile TV subscribers will be lower, they will generate the lion's share of revenue.
News categories: In-Stat, Market Research, Mobile
Qualcomm and FarEasTone to Explore Creation of a MediaFLO service in Taiwan
Jul 7, 2010 – Qualcomm (Nasdaq: QCOM) has announced that it has signed a non-binding MOU with FAR EASTONE to explore the creation of a broadcast mobile media operator using MediaFLO technology in Taiwan.
News categories: Qualcomm, FarEasTone, Digital TV, Mobile, Smart TV, Taiwan
KDDI establishes new company, MediaFLO Broadcast Planning Inc.
Jun 3, 2010 – KDDI (Tokyo:9433) has established a new company, MediaFLO Broadcast Planning Incorporated with the aim of expanding into contracted multimedia broadcasting services for mobile terminals using MediaFLO™ (NASDAQ: QCOM) technology.
News categories: KDDI, Digital TV, Japan, Mobile, Smart TV
Kudelski Group delivers strong second half 2009 results
Feb 26, 2010 – The Kudelski Group (SIX:KUD.VX) has announced its 2009 annual results. Digital TV sales in the second half were particularly strong growing by 27.3% compared to the first half.
News categories: Kudelski, Brazil, CAM, Conditional Access, Content Protection, DRM, Finland, IPTV, MandA, Middleware, Mobile, Results, Satellite, USA
Global Mobile Satellite Television Market to Reach $11 Billion by 2015
Feb 22, 2010 – GIA has announced the release of a global report on the Mobile Satellite Television market which is projected to reach $11 billion by 2015, driven by the growing consumer demand for video content on an anytime, anywhere basis.
News categories: Global Industry Analysts, Content Distribution, Digital TV, Market Research, Mobile, Satellite
Nagravision Demonstrates Streaming Mobile TV & VOD Content Protection at Mobile World Congress
Feb 15, 2010 – Nagravision (SIX:KUD.VX) is demonstrating innovative Mobile TV solutions dedicated to the secured streaming of Mobile TV, Catch-up TV and VOD over 3G/4G and Wi-Fi networks at the Mobile World Congress.
News categories: Nagravision, 5G, CAM, Conditional Access, Content Protection, Mobile, MWC22, Smart TV
- Set-top box market contraction will stabilize post-2024
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- Amazon upgrades Fire TV Cube and Alexa Voice Remote
- Metaverse device installed base to reach 100 million in 2024
- Smart speaker shipments exceeded 33 million in 2Q 2022
- iWedia to deliver Live TV app for Google TV and Android TV devices
- 35 million US internet households interested in cloud gaming subscription
- Japan SVOD revenue to grow at 10.1% CAGR during 2022-2027
- DAZN acquires Eleven Sports and Team Whistle
- Cignal TV enhances Cignal Play app with Quickplay
- UK entertainment and media companies hold their nerve despite economic headwinds
- TV5MONDE adds TV5MONDE Pacifique HD to its bouquet on AsiaSat 5
- NEXTGEN TV begins broadcasting in Roanoke-Lynchburg
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- OpenAP announces interoperability with FreeWheel, Magnite and Xandr
- Sky Stream IP-only STB to launch in the UK on October 18th
- MultiChoice launches DStv Streama STB in South Africa
- Skytel expands video services in Mongolia with Mirada
- Report from the CTA explores gaming's post-pandemic popularity


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Xfinite and Eros Now, a leading over-the-top (OTT) South Asian entertainment platform owned by global entertainment company Eros STX Global Corporation announced it has deepened its partnership with Xfinite’s Mzaalo platform, a gamified video streaming service on track to have 10M users by year-end. The partnership further establishes Eros Now’s footprint in advertising video-on-demand (AVOD), a still-developing segment of the India streaming market that has significant growth potential, while allowing Eros Now to continue building its core subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) service. This partnership also adds to the 25 premium linear TV feeds and VOD platforms and plans to expand further to reach 200 content partners This agreement, given Xfinite’s innovative business model, also puts ErosSTX in a leadership position regarding digital asset growth and the use of blockchain technology. Algorand will serve as the foundational blockchain infrastructure as Xfinite selected the scalable blockchain in order to accommodate its accelerating adoption.
Commenting on the announcement, Ali Hussein, CEO of Eros Now, says: “One of our strategic imperatives is to fully monetize the Eros Now platform. A key aspect of our strategy is to expand into ad-supported streaming and this partnership with Mzaalo does just that. We have an opportunity to monetize the more than 224 million Eros Now registered users who are fans of our content offering but are also price-conscious. Mzaalo joins our already-substantial ecosystem of Eros Now distribution partners, including Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Idea, BSNL, Tata Sky, Apple, Amazon and Roku – just to highlight a few. The Mzaalo agreement is purposefully structured to provide ErosSTX with an appropriate mix of fixed and guaranteed cash payments and variable revenue participation as Mzaalo scales. We are excited about the growth opportunity this new partnership represents.”
“Xfinite aims to revolutionize digital media by bringing forth innovations to customer experience, data-driven engagement, and ecosystem economics for the benefit of the community,” said Swaneet Singh, CEO of Xfinite Global Plc. “We offer a blockchain-based solution, powered by Algorand, to ensure transparency and re-establish trust in the digital world. We are extremely excited to be partnering with ErosSTX as part of our journey.”
“Eros has a visionary understanding of how blockchain can be leveraged for new opportunities in the media space. Broad blockchain adoption can only be achieved through the creation of products that are tangible and inclusive for any consumer, no matter what region they are in or what their background may be,” said Sean Ford, COO of Algorand. “With major partnerships with organizations that have millions of users, we are excited to support Mzaalo’s new applications and welcome them to the Algorand community.”
Mzaalo is a decentralised application (“dApp”) built on Algorand blockchain technology which operates a gamified streaming service offering more than 15,000 hours of premium content, as well as new mechanisms for engaging with content and other consumers. The Mzaalo dApp provides consumers with free access to premium content including films, original series, short-form content from Eros Now and other media platforms, as well as a range of interactive features. Mzaalo consumers are rewarded for their engagement via enhanced social engagement features and innovative incentivisation mechanisms including a digital token – the XET token.
Xfinite is an entertainment platform built around the digital token, XET, an Algorand Standard Asset. The XET token serves as the native currency of the Xfinite ecosystem and functions as a unique value exchange and governance mechanism for all stakeholders including users, brands and influencers, and content producers. The XET token will offer its holders many benefits including unique value exchange and the ability to tap into economic incentives the Xfinite platform has to offer. Mzaalo, Xfinite’s first entertainment application, provides consumers with free access to premium content including films, original series, short-form content from Eros Now and other media platforms, as well as a range of interactive features. Mzaalo consumers can earn rewards for their engagement that can be spent across fan tokens, merchandise, games and charitable giving through over 500 brand partners.
By “tokenizing” attention and engagement, consumers will be rewarded for their increased viewership and brands and influencers are given new ways to engage with their audiences. In this new ecosystem, consumers are treated equitably as partners in the relationship, and brands and influencers can vastly increase their ROI through hyper-targeted and measurable user engagement. The ErosSTX partnership with Mzaalo is the first of its kind anywhere in the OTT space globally.
India and emerging markets worldwide are characterised by a crowded digital marketing space which is growing exponentially as brands shift away from traditional media such as print and television to capture digital growth. In 2020, India had nearly 700 million internet users across the country. This figure was projected to grow to over 974 million users by 2025, indicating a big market potential in internet services for the South Asian country. India is now on the cusp of a massive revolution with digital marketing making inroads and brands looking to go beyond urban markets. The tokenization approach offered by Mzaalo to monetizing engagement is uniquely suited to the Indian digital consumer who currently has a plethora of content choices available.


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Food prices in Arizona rise 4 percent in the first quarterPosted: Updated:
Retail food prices at Arizona supermarkets slightly increased during the first quarter of this year, according to the latest Arizona Farm Bureau Federation Marketbasket Survey.
The survey indicates that the total cost of 16 basic grocery items was $49.16, up $1.99, or about 4 percent, from the fourth quarter of 2016. Compared to Arizona's March 2016 first quarter survey total of $51.20, the 2017 first quarter Marketbasket survey shows that Arizona's food prices have decreased about 4 percent year-to-year. In comparison, the American Farm Bureau Federation's national survey was $50.03 down $3.25, about 6 percent, from the survey conducted a year ago, in March 2016, according to a news release from the Arizona Farm Bureau.
Of the 16 items surveyed in the state, six decreased and 10 increased compared to the 2016 fourth quarter survey.
In Arizona, off-the-shelf prices for sirloin roast showed the largest decrease in price down $1.02 cents to $5.86 a pound; salad down 40 cents to $2.59 a pound; apples down 22 cents to $1.39 a pound; shredded cheese down 5 cents to $4.79 a pound; deli ham down 4 cents to $3.99 a pound; and orange juice down 3 cents to $2.79 a half gallon.
Bacon showed the largest price increase up $1.40 to $5.48 per pound. The other items that increased in price were vegetable oil up 51 cents to $2.35 for a 32 oz bottle; flour up 44 cents to $2.46 for a 5-pound bag; toasted oat cereal up 37 cents to $3.57 for the 8.9 oz box; chicken breast up 32 cents to $2.79 a pound; ground chuck up 30 cents to $3.34 a pound; white bread up 20 cents to $1.39 a 20-oz loaf; potatoes up 16 cents to $2.60 a 5-pound bag; eggs up 11 cents to $1.54 a dozen; and milk up 4 cents to $2.23 a gallon.
The year-to-year direction of the quarterly Marketbasket survey tracks with the federal government's Consumer Price Index report for food at home, according to the news release.
Using the "food at home and away from home" percentage across-the-board, the Arizona farmer's share of this quarter's $49.16 Marketbasket total would be $7.87.
The Farm Bureau Marketbasket Survey is unscientific, but serves as a gauge of actual price trends across the state, according to the news release.
Copyright 2017 KPHO/KTVK (KPHO Broadcasting Corporation). All rights reserved.


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Red Hat Launches New Linux System
Red Hat Inc. has unveiled the latest version of its Linux operating system
as the open-source software company continues to combat Microsoft's market-dominating
Developers for the Raleigh-based company touted Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5
as more flexible and more manageable than its prior versions, and said they
worked for two years on the product.
"Our customers are an integral part of the development process,"
said Paul Cormier, Red Hat's executive vice president for engineering, echoing
the open-source tenet that users be allowed to view and edit the software's
Resoundingly, Cormier said, customers wanted less complexity.
The new operating system supports "virtualization," which Red Hat
said will help companies consolidate their technology workload onto one server
-- saving energy, space and money.
"Customers have figured out that they've got rooms full of racks and servers,"
said Nick Carr, the marketing director for the operating system. "They're
taking up heat and power and space, but they're only 15 percent loaded. They
want to know how they can use what they have more efficiently."
For desktop computers, Red Hat touted its advances in security to protect systems
from external and internal attacks.
Redmond, Wash.-based Microsoft, which recently launched its long-awaited Windows
Vista operating system, still dominates the software market. Red Hat says Linux
can be found in the majority of Fortune 500 companies, where savvy tech departments
have switched to Linux to cut down on costs.
Along with the new Linux product, Red Hat launched several new service programs
to help companies migrate their data centers to Linux and to help customers
get support for a variety of different open-source programs.
Red Hat's business model is based around service. Unlike Microsoft's proprietary
software, Red Hat delivers its products for free but makes money by selling
subscription packages for service.
Shares of Red Hat fell 19 cents Wednesday to close at $22.52 on the New York


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It was a very successful Nevada County Food and Toy Run on Saturday. The motorcycle riders bearing gifts of food and toys really turned out. Organizer Thom Staser has a rundown.
“It was very successful. We had 1,591 bikes show up. I counted as they passed me at the fairgrounds. Everybody was in a good mood this year from law enforcement to the spectators to the riders to the families to my vendors. I had comments all through the vendor section on just how happy they were and people were buying food and people were dropping off toys. It was just a great day. The weather was perfect and everybody seemed to be very happy.”
Thom says they had enough food to give out to families. There was only one turkey left and just a handful of toys that were not given out they will be donated to a local charity. The 20th annual food and toy run also received several monetary donations from people at the event Saturday at the fairgrounds. Staser says he is paying the final expenses and getting his thank you list for participants ready to publish…and he says the food and toy run will be solvent going into the New Year.


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IRVING, Texas, Aug. 19, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- VHA Inc. announced today it will host a series of free webinars focused on different aspects of health care supply chain management to help supply chain leaders manage the need to reduce costs. The webinars will be led by VHA experts and health system supply chain leaders who will share best practices on topics ranging from internal stakeholder engagement to local sourcing. The webinar series is open to all hospitals and health systems nationwide, regardless of GPO affiliation.
As the health care industry prepares to transition from a volume-based model to a value-based model, supply chain staff are caught living in two worlds. VHA's supply chain webinars focus on strategies that can help bridge the gap between the results needed today and the preparation for what will be required tomorrow.
"We know that supply chain leaders across the country are challenged to deliver significant cost reductions, and are often asked to double the savings goal from one year to the next with the same resources," said Ernest "Chip" Bunata, VHA vice president, advisory services and supply chain analytics.
"Hospitals have a variety of ways to reduce costs in their supply chain operations, but it is important to understand which opportunities maximize savings. VHA has a strong track record of helping hospitals of all sizes improve their supply chain performance and reduce costs. Our free webinar series will offer supply chain leaders strategies and insights, based on our expertise and the measured achievements of our member hospitals nationwide, that can immediately be applied within their own organizations," continued Bunata.
The free, one-hour webinars are designed for materials managers, supply chain leaders and strategic sourcing executives from health systems nationwide. The topics include the following:
- Aug. 26 at 2 p.m. (CST): Five "Must-Share" Supply Chain Insights for Internal Hospital Stakeholders
Learn how supply chain leaders across the country have taken growing cost pressure as motivation to deliver new insights for their hospital stakeholders.
- Sept. 4 at 2 p.m. (CST): Drive Improved Results by Re-Prioritizing Your Sourcing Efforts
Learn how a deliberate re-prioritization process for local sourcing can deliver big results.
- Sept. 25 at 1 p.m. (CST): What if a Focus on Dirty Data Misses the Point?
Learn why understanding the process that is allowing bad data to enter the item master is more important than the bad data itself.
- Oct. 30 at 2 p.m. (CST): Transition from "Value of Products" to "Value of Care" with Analytics
Learn how to move your value analysis process to the next level of maturity with the help of analytics and advisory services.
- Nov. 20 at 2 p.m. (CST): Even the Best Can Improve: Price Performance Lessons from Top Performers
Learn how top performers continue to improve and measure their performance in new and different ways.
To learn more about VHA's Supply Chain Viewpoint Webinar Series and to register for the webinars at no cost, visit info.vha.com/business_intelligence.
About VHA Inc.
VHA Inc. is a national network of not-for-profit health care organizations working together to improve performance and efficiency in clinical, financial and operational management. Since 1977, when VHA established the first hospital membership organization, the company has applied its knowledge in analytics, contracting, consulting and network development to help members and customers achieve their strategic objectives. In 2013, VHA delivered $2.2 billion in savings and additional value to members. Serving approximately 5,000 health system members and affiliates, VHA represents more than a quarter of the nation's hospitals. VHA also serves more than 118,000 non-acute health care customers enterprise-wide. VHA is based in Irving, Texas, and has 12 regional offices across the U.S. VHA, together with UHC, owns Novation, a supply chain company, and aptitudeTM, the health care industry's first online direct contracting market. VHA also owns Provista, a supply chain company serving the non-acute market as well as hospitality, education and corporate markets. For more information, visit www.vha.com and follow us on Twitter (@VHAInc).
SOURCE VHA Inc.


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Australian consumers have a high tendency to abandon virtual shopping carts, with 57 per cent discarding their carts sometimes or all the time, particularly in the product categories of fashion (67 per cent) and furniture (65 per cent), according to findings from the SAP Consumer Propensity Study.
The research found that Australians are also price-savvy, with 60 per cent of Australian consumers abandoning their shopping chart due to shipping costs and 46 per cent using online carts as a way to compare prices with other brands and websites.
The global survey, which included 1000 Australian participants, asked online consumers about their shopping preferences and motivation to complete a purchase.
The results revealed that while prices are the main driver, with 53 per cent of Australian consumers indicating that discounts and promotions succeed in nudging them to complete a purchase, they also want a personalised shopping experience. Just under a third (32 per cent) are encouraged to buy when multiple purchase deals are offered, and 31 per cent are motivated when the retailer provides quick responses to their queries on the item.
Price is not the only deciding factor, another driver of cart abandonment is stock availability. Almost a third (32 pe cent) of consumers give up on their carts due to out-of-stock items, and 29 per cent don’t purchase if they see longer-than-expected delivery times. The findings demonstrate retailers need to be conscious that their supply chain and logistics decisions can impact sales.
“Reviewing cart abandonment data provides a starting point for retailers to identify friction points in the consumer journey and make improvements to the overall purchasing experience”, said Jennifer Arnold, vice president of marketing, Asia Pacific Japan & Greater China, SAP customer experience.
“Consumer behaviour at the checkout stage, including items selected and discarded, navigation steps, time spent to complete specific actions, the precise point of abandonment, amongst other factors, provide valuable insight into ways the retailer can boost customer engagement and increase conversion.”
The SAP Consumer Propensity Study also revealed what Australian customers want from brands when shopping, with simple online shopping features and experiences winning out over new technologies. The majority (57 per cent) of respondents identified easy exchange and return services as the biggest demand from consumers, followed by comparison tools to check prices and specifications (51 per cent) and a physical store where they can try and buy (42 per cent). These requests ranked higher than chatbots or 24/7 customer service (34 per cnet) and virtual/augmented reality technologies (33 per cent).
Arnold added, “The findings show that customers want the basics done right and are willing to move on to other brands if they aren’t receiving the best experience possible. Today’s customers are taking charge of the relationship they have with brands, and don’t think in terms of B2B or B2C, but ME2B. The results point toward a deeper ask for engaging buying experiences tailored to customers’ individual needs and lifestyles, which extends to ongoing service and support.
“To achieve this, brands need a robust omnichannel approach based on having a view of the customer across all touchpoints at all times, and advanced analytics to anticipate customer behaviours and understand their real-time intent. What’s more, brands need to ensure their business processes and systems are integrated with the experiences they deliver to their customers. With this in place, brands will be able to provide a personalised and responsive consumer experience before and after the checkout process,” Arnold concluded.
Significant Other Creative Agency (SOCA) has brought on two senior hires, with Farah Alias joining as partnerships director and Neil ‘Marty’ Martin jumping into a dual head of art role. Alias (pictured, right) brings with her a wealth of senior international experience and knowledge from DDB & BBDO Singapore, Wunderman Thompson, and most recently Rare. […]
Ogilvy NZ has been appointed as the new creative and strategy agency for Breast Cancer Foundation NZ. BCFNZ chief executive Ah-Leen Rayner said the Ogilvy team presented a new direction for the foundation with a strong focus on reaching Maori and Pasifika women who were over-represented in breast cancer statistics. “Ogilvy’s approach acknowledged our current […]
Australian new car website, CarExpert.com.au has appointed independent growth agency Claxon as its creative and media agency after pitches from a slew of other agencies that included HERO and DDB. Claxon will be handling the creation of a new national TVC campaign and the associated media account working closely with shareholder, Seven West Media to […]
Sydney PR agency InsideOut PR has been appointed for Prestige InHome Care, an in-home aged care service with a focus on media relations. InsideOut PR worked with Prestige Inhome Care back in 2013 and again in 2017 launching their public relations and advertising program; and supporting their growing profile in the market. Founder and CEO […]