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Google announces Ice Cream Sandwich
It gets yummier and yummier doesn't it? Google has just announced its latest Android version called the Ice Cream Sandwich at the Google I/O 2001 event. The new OS, coming Q4 this year will merge Gingerbread and Honeycomb into one and it will be designed for tablets and cellphones alike. Manufacturers will be able to put it on any device they want.


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After a dip in sales during 2020, the industrial robot market is set to take off again in 2021, according to Interact Analysis.
According to Interact Analysis – a company that provides market research for the automation sector – global industrial robot shipments experienced negative growth for four consecutive quarters from mid-2018. By the end of 2019, recovery signs appeared, and the mid-term growth rate turned positive. The downturn in robot sales matched a slowdown in manufacturing overall. Robot sales ticked up as manufacturing began its comeback. Interact’s research reveals that the decline in robot sales had narrowed by the beginning of 2020, when COVID19 truly hit. Investment in industrial robots was projected to pick-up, with stronger growth expected through the year.
“Investment in industrial robots was looking up before COVID-19 crisis. Although a sudden deceleration occurred in 2020, the long-term prospects of the market remain strong,” said a lead analyst.
According to Asian Robotics Review, Asia-Pacific collaborative robot market will grow during 2021-2026 at a CAGR of 45.46 percent, with an addressable cumulative market value of $13.17 billion over the next 7 years in terms of robot hardware. This region is expected to become the largest robot market worldwide during the forecast period.
The Coronavirus Could Mark the Rise of Automation put it: “COVID-19 has left us wondering about the future of work and with this, the capacity of automation to step in where humans must step back.”
- After a weak 2019, it was expected that the 2020 robot market would recover strongly, but COVID-19 changed the market revenue growth forecast from 4.8% to -3.6%
- The market will return to rapid growth in 2021 and, in the long run, the pandemic will accelerate existing trends for industrial automation
- The Asia-Pacific region suffered least in 2020, however, the current situation in Europe and North America is still highly uncertain

domain: news


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Sales from horticultural exports amounted to Ksh69.48 billion ($476.1 million) in the review period, according to data collated by the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK), a modest 7.16 percent rise from Ksh64.84 billion ($444.3 million) in a similar period last year.
The increased earnings came at a time when the euro appreciated 16.54 percent against the shilling between January and June, boosting revenue for Kenyan producers who largely earn in the eurozone currency.
About 70 percent of Kenya’s horticulture exports are paid in euros, according to industry estimates, while nearly a fifth of the consignments are paid in the British pound.
The data shows the earnings from cut flower exports grew 9.02 percent in the review period to Ksh33.53 billion ($229.7 million), while inflows from fruits and nuts were 9.42 percent more than last year.
Revenue from vegetables was, however, flat at Ksh14.25 billion ($97.6 million) compared with Ksh14.26 billion ($97.7 million) the year before.
The increased inflows came at a time when inflation in the eurozone— a group of 19 countries that use the euro as a common currency—moderated after climbing to decades-high levels last year.
Inflation in Europe and other advanced economies soared in 2022 on the back of Russia’s brutal war in Ukraine which further disrupted supply chains that were yet to recover from pandemic shocks.
Data from the European Statistical Office (Eurostat) shows inflation in the eurozone averaged 7.08 percent in the January-June 2023 period, largely unchanged from 7.10 percent in the corresponding period.
The average annual price growth was, nonetheless, far away at 1.43 percent levels in the first half period of 2021.
Last year’s increased inflationary pressures, largely from energy, had seen households cut spending on non-essential goods like cut flowers, hitting local producers hard at a time they were also battling elevated costs of inputs such as fertiliser.
This is expected to change this year, with players forecasting a rebound.
“We have witnessed good rains that will improve production, coupled with a strong euro and easing inflation in Europe which will boost our earnings this year,” Okisegere Ojepat, chief executive at Fresh Produce Consortium of Kenya, said in April.
The CBK data shows exports of cut flowers were largely flat, growing 0.31 percent to 69,205 metric tonnes in the six months under review.
The volume of fruits and nuts sold outgrew 16.78 percent to 137,396 tonnes, while vegetables increased by nearly a fifth to 111,715 tonnes.
Europe is the largest market for Kenya’s fresh farm produce, according to conservative estimates, buying nearly three-quarters of the country’s horticultural exports.


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Today 20 million family caregivers regularly perform complex medical and nursing tasks for family members or friends, often with little to no instruction. A new series of "how-to" videos can help
Over the years, Kimberly-Clark has used rugged NFL players and glamorous actresses to promote its Depend brand of leak-proof underwear as not just embarrassment-preventing but as stylish, too. But now the company is really pushing the envelope, so to speak, with a provocative "Drop Your Pants for…
Back in the day, it was called a corset or a girdle. Now it's called shapewear, with the hugely popular Spanx line and other brands helping women smooth their lumps and bumps under clothes.
One in four women suffers from urinary incontinence, and it especially hits women 70 or older. One possible solution? Boogie, baby.
Search AARP Blogs


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Qualcomm Inc. (NASDAQ: QCOM) is set to report its fiscal fourth-quarter results after the closing bell on Wednesday. The consensus estimates are calling for $0.71 in earnings per share (EPS) and $4.7 billion in revenue. The same period of last year reportedly had $0.90 in EPS and $5.83 billion in revenue.
This company continues to have significant wins from 5G. After all, ever faster connections are going to require ever better processors for smartphones, where Qualcomm has a substantial premium to rivals.
The big overhang remains how Apple and Qualcomm will treat each other in the future. Apple would love to avoid entirely using the premium Qualcomm chipsets and the antitrust issues, suits and settlements that frankly are hard to predict how they will turn out in the future. That said, a new iPhone refresh cycle, and an iPhone professional version, offer Qualcomm significant business ahead, on top of all the other devices outside of Apple products that can bring future connectivity to 5G. Qualcomm comes with caveats, but the history of the company and its aim to diversify would indicate that Qualcomm won’t sit on the sidelines on the 5G opportunities in the coming years.
A wave of analyst upgrades in April was followed by one of analyst downgrades over the summer, which has kept Qualcomm’s share price in limbo.
Overall, Qualcomm has outperformed the broad markets, with its stock up about 50% year to date. In the past 52 weeks, the stock is up closer to 35%.
A few analysts weighed in on Qualcomm ahead of the report:
- Canaccord Genuity has a Buy rating and an $87 price target.
- Mizuho has a Hold rating with a $68 target price.
- Morgan Stanley rates it at Buy with an $89 target.
- DZ Bank has a Sell rating on the shares.
- Merrill Lynch’s Buy rating comes with a $100 target.
- Deutsche Bank has a Hold rating and a $75 price target.
Shares of Qualcomm traded at $85.09 on Wednesday, in a 52-week range of $49.10 to $90.34. The consensus price target is $79.35.


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IPSX announced the time for fully decentralization, enabling users and actors from all sectors to securely and directly exchange content without sharing it with corporations or service providers.
IPSX, the first fully-decentralized IP Sharing platform, recently announced the launch of a demo version of the platform (MVP) for sharing IP addresses after successful TGE.
IcoGuide is a new source helping investors to stay up to date with the latest tokens and revealing the whole information about them.
CoinMetro, a decentralized financial service provider designed to facilitate compliance of Blockchain-based setups with country-specific regulatory requirements, raises over 11.5 Million EUR from its TGE.
BoatPilot, a free marine navigation app focused on private yachtsmen and charter companies, announced the worldwide launch of its token generation event (TGE) to take place on April, 1st.
RepuX will make the process of data sharing and exchange more transparent and trustworthy with the launch of its TGE, officially starting today.
The gig economy is thriving, becoming the single largest sector in the ever-evolving freelance industry. ConnectJob decentralized platform keeps up to date, offering intermediary-free job search ecosystem.
SafeIn, market viable decentralized app, intends to revolutionize the way ID and background checks are done on trading and investment platforms.
Japanese blockchain-based influencer platform, Patron, has revealed the details of its forthcoming pre-TGE after successfully completing the stage of private sale.
The U.S.-based Crypto Bridge Network is attempted to build a worldwide network of ATMs as a bridge between fiat and crypto currency.
IPSX, a decentralized exchange for sharing IPs and a framework for building applications, has announced its TGE after a successful private token sale event.
RepuX, the promising startup based in Poland, has launch its data sharing platform and cooperated with WorkHQ attempting to attract millions of potential users.
After raising a historic $153 million in its Token Generation Event, Bancor reveals an important progress update showing the live products deployed and traction gained in the crypto-community.


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As a massive blast shook the neighborhood at a container freight station in Shitakunda last week, less than 15 miles from the Chittagong port in southeast Bangladesh, the following inferno killed at least 49 people and injured more than 200. Windows shattered for miles around, and the spreading explosions from containers included those readying to carry garment orders to their global destinations.
The cause of the fire at BM Container Depot in the Kadamrasul area in Sitakunda Upazila in Chittagong has yet to be determined. The area held hydrogen peroxide, which although not flammable in and of itself, breaks down into oxygen and heat that can stoke combustion, fire service chief Brigadier General Main Uddin told reporters.
Fire officials said they had not been informed that the chemical was being housed at the depot. “We could not control the fire because of the existence of this chemical,” Uddin said. A case has been filed against eight people who were in charge of the depot, according to Sitakunda police.
Industry sources said that more than $100 million worth of goods were damaged, including those destined for H&M and Target. Roughly 90 percent of Bangladesh’s garment exports, which surpassed $35 billion in 2021, transit through the Chittagong port.
“H&M Group is deeply sorry to hear about the terrible accident and our thoughts go to those affected and their families,” a spokesperson told Sourcing Journal. “We can confirm that we will pay our suppliers for all goods according to our contractual agreements. We will as always stand by our responsible purchasing practices.”
Target did not respond to a request for comment.
In the aftermath, Shahidullah Azam, vice president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), affirmed the industry continued to function and that “exports are moving along without any problem. “We have 19 inland container depots, and one is affected,” he said.
The Bangladesh government has launched an investigation into the incident. Rear Admiral M. Shahjahan, chairman of the Bangladesh Chittagong Port Authority said that the fire took place at a private dock unaffiliated with the government. “It is a joint venture company, owned 49 percent by a Dutch company and 51 percent by a Bangladesh private company,” he said. The depot, which spans 21 acres of land, was set up in May 2011.
“It’s a very chaotic situation right now,” Miran Ali, vice president of the BGMEA, told Sourcing Journal. “Our primary concern is obviously to get treatment for the people who were injured. And obviously, the people who died during this accident, the company has already promised to take full responsibility financially for their compensation.”
Smart Group, the depot’s Bangaldeshi partner, has promised to pay 1 million Bangladeshi taka ($10,753) for every death. For those who were seriously injured, maimed or lost organs, the company said it will pay 600,000 taka ($6,452). Surviving children will also receive the equivalent of their deceased parent’s salary until they become adults, it said.
Ali, who is also managing director of the Bitopi Group, has 17 containers, housing some 200,000 units for various customers, on the line. He could potentially lose $800,000 worth of clothing, he said.
The insurance liability will depend on where the destruction of property took place. “If the goods were handed over, then the liability is going to be on the buyer,” Ali said. “And if the goods were still outside—but I don’t think anything outside got destroyed, because then the trucks would have just driven away—[then it would be on the supplier.]”
Earlier this month, a group of Bangladeshi employers, including the BGMEA, signed the so-called Geneva Declaration with the International Labour Organization to set up an employment injury scheme for the country.
“And I believe that this is now going to be further leverage or encouragement for us to expand these insurance coverage schemes across the other sectors as well,” Ali said.
The question that has come up repeatedly over the past 10 years in Bangladesh has been one of industrial safety in the country. Spawned by the Tazreen Fashion fire in 2011 when more than 100 workers died, and exacerbated after the collapse of Rana Plaza in 2013 when more than 1,100 workers were killed, the movement led to a ripple effect of actions and safety checks.
The issue of preparedness has also come up again. Police officials said that more than 50 of those injured were rescue workers.
It took four days to get the fires under control, with reports noting that fire extinguishers were in short supply.
The issue has taken on greater importance as Bangladesh continues to strengthen its position as a garment exporter, the second biggest in the world after China, with manufacturers saying that they have focused on changing for the better and working on their factories over the past nine years to improve building and fire safety. This has been monitored and kept up with inspections by a compendium of Western brands and retailers, including the Bangladesh Accord on Fire and Building Safety (now known as the International Accord for Health and Safety in the Textile and Garment Industry) and the Alliance for Bangladesh Worker Safety (now succeeded by Nirapon).
The issue of capacity continuing to expand across industries appears to be increasingly in focus, in terms of equipment, but also as it pertains to worker safety and the credibility of the workplace.
“While significant progress has been made in the garment sector, more needs to be done in all the other industries,” Iqbal M. Hussain, managing director and acting chief safety officer, Ready-made Garment Sustainability Council (RSC), said. “The blast continues to shine a spotlight on the safety record in Bangladesh industries.”
While investigations into the cause of the blast are underway, Bangladesh home minister Asaduzzaman Khan said justice would find its way to punish those responsible.
Editor’s note: This story was updated on June 14, 2022, with a statement from H&M.


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The Worthington letterpress shop is growing with a bigger space
Photos courtesy Igloo Letterpress
You've probably heard of Igloo Letterpress-the Worthington letterpress and bookbinding business has made a name for itself in Columbus for the past six years. Now, Igloo has an exciting move on the horizon: Currently, the studio operates out of a small building on New England Avenue, with its retail shop (Snow House Gift Shop) in an 1817 home next door. But this fall Igloo Letterpress is moving to a bigger space just around the corner on High Street. "We're excited to have the production and the retail in the same space," says owner Allison Chapman. "To see someone run the presses while shopping is really engaging."
Igloo Letterpress offers a variety of classes-think bookbinding and posters-along with a booming wedding business. Igloo makes wedding invitations, save-the-dates and more, going through the process hand-in-hand with the bride and groom. "We obviously are creative, but we have the best brides," says Beth Dekker, studio director. "They'll come in and say, 'We want to try this but don't know if it will work…' Our favorite thing to do is say yes and see the creativity to the end."
Dekker described the three options couples have when coming to Igloo for weddings. "The bride and groom can bring in their own files and we'll print the designs," Dekker says. "Second, and more popular, Igloo will make the designs in-house from scratch using things like inspiration boards or Pinterest. The third option is to choose something we've done in the past, and we get permission from that bride and groom so we can use it again." From start to finish, the design and printing process takes about 6 to 8 weeks.
Other things to know? Igloo Letterpress offers calligraphy in-house, a trend that many couples uses on envelopes. And speaking of envelopes, Dekker shares that colored envelopes have been making a statement recently. "Couples want their invitation to look different than everything else that comes in the mail," she says.
If you're interested in Igloo's wedding offerings, check out the shop's site. And if you'd like to donate to the Kickstarter campaign that's backing the shop's move, visit the Kickstarter page.
-Heather Weekley, @heather_weekley


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Report claims booming sector will be worth $30bn within two years
The solar cell industry will grow by $7bn a year up to 2010, at which point it will be receiving as much funding each year as the semiconductor sector. That is the conclusion of a new report from US...
Tech giant quadruples number of locations for US customers to hand in old iPhones as part of recycling and reuse drive
GreenBiz releases its latest update on soaring renewables demand from US corporates
Record amount of future new wind capacity will be financed from last year's investment, according to WindEurope
Nation known for its natural beauty is under pressure with extinctions, polluted rivers and blighted lakes


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To mark New York Fashion Week, TAG Heuer and Bella Hadid chose Equinox Bond Street – an iconic new location in the luxury lifestyle brand’s health club portfolio – to announce their collaboration.
It is clear from TAG Heuer’s advertising campaign featuring Bella Hadid, shot by American photographer Cass Bird, that this will be a one-of-a-kind partnership… As unique and distinctive as Bella herself!
Manhattan, New York, 13 February 2017 – Does Bella Hadid really need any introduction? Last year was a banner year for the young American top model who, from tomorrow, will be the new female face of luxury Swiss watch brand TAG Heuer.
Voted “Model of the Year” in December 2016, this fashion icon had the fastest growing fan-base of followers on social media networks in 2016; now a rising star in the world of fashion, she is handling the demands of her extraordinary lifestyle and stratospheric fame with poise and maturity. She knows exactly what she wants, what she likes, and what she wants to achieve.
At the tender age of 20, beautiful Bella has chosen to work with TAG Heuer; this is not just an opportunity for the luxury Swiss watch brand to welcome a fresh, young face, but also for the model to collaborate on projects which relate directly to one of her favorite hobbies: photography.
With 10 million followers on social media, she has learned how to express herself through images, sometimes light and subtle, sometimes profound and mysterious, but always with a clear artistic sense which is deeply personal. She speaks the language of the Millennials, the generation with whom the Swiss watch brand is currently reconnecting, driven by its CEO Jean-Claude Biver, also Chairman of the Watch Division of LVMH Group.
At the event,Jean-Claude Biver said: “I am delighted to welcome Bella into the family of TAG Heuer ambassadors. Having Bella on the team enables me to reconnect TAG Heuer with the Millennials and young generations, and also with the brand’s avant-garde spirit, the spirit which drives us to do things differently, to innovate and to dare. The TAG Heuer family has a real team spirit. We need someone like Bella to help us capture the bold and confident spirit of young people today. Thank you for joining us, Bella, welcome to the team!”
Cass Bird added: “Bella is one of my all time favorite women! Beautiful and completely present; one of my dream subjects and a total muse for me. She makes everyone feel welcome on set. Hands down one of the best in the industry! “
The venue for the event – Equinox Bond Street, the trendsetting fitness club used during New York Fashion Week – was also a fine choice: the pretty blue-eyed brunette confidently showed off her perfect body, right at home in the gym! TAG Heuer’s #DontCrackUnderPressure tagline fits her perfectly.
About TAG Heuer
The Swiss brand has been the avant-garde of Swiss watchmaking since 1860. TAG Heuer has been striving since then to push the boundaries further, inventing timepieces for those who love to defy convention. This technical expertise was harnessed at a very early stage for achieving extreme accuracy, particularly in the creation of exceptional chronographs.
Under the impetus of Jean-Claude Biver, CEO of TAG Heuer and Chairman of the Watch Division of LVMH Group, the new models exhibited a new dynamism: faster lead times and developments, and a completely transformed environment. TAG Heuer is currently the only watch brand to be able to communicate in the four different worlds: Art, Lifestyle, Sport and Heritage.
Our partnerships in motor racing with the F1 Red Bull Racing team, the Monaco Grand Prix, the FIA Formula E Championship, in football with Manchester United, the English football Premier League, the German Bundesliga, Major League Soccer in the USA, the Chinese Football League in China, the Japanese Premier League, the Asian Cup, the Australian national football team, in cycling with the BMC Racing team, the Tours of California, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, in surfing with the World Surf League and Big Wave Tour… and our ambassadors, living football legend Cristiano Ronaldo, trendsetting it-girl Cara Delevingne, icons of electronic music David Guetta and Martin Garrix, American star quarterback Tom Brady, Australian actor Chris Hemsworth,… all share the brand’s core values: teamwork, ambition and a taste for a challenge which also drive TAG Heuer to go beyond the traditions of the watchmaking industry. Our slogan #DontCrackUnderPressure is much more than an affirmation: it is a state of mind. TAG Heuer is an LVMH Group company.
For more information, visit TAG Heuer.


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Following a robust first quarter (fiscal 2012) report for Green Mountain Coffee Roasters (GMCR), Canaccord Genuity consumer analyst Scott Van Winkle reiterated his BUY rating and $94 price target on the company and raised his revenue estimates for 2012 and 2013. Noting he expects several years of rapid revenue and earnings growth, Mr. Van Winkle said:
“We assumed this year would be about earnings rather than beginning with accelerated momentum.” However, Van Winkle noted brewer sales momentum was the key Q1 take-away with GMCR selling 4.2M brewers versus his forecast of 2.8M. He also noted K-cup unit sales rose 81% versus his forecast of 62%.
Of brewer shipments he noted, “Brewer shipments are the true key to the first quarter results as the holiday season is the peak brewer selling season and the growing installed base will be what drives the company’s fundamentals.”


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France's lost decade
A once-great industrial power looks for inspiration across the Rhine
Another hard day at work
AS GERMANY powers ahead, France is feeling blue. Its share of European merchandise exports has fallen from 15.7% to 13.1% in a decade. Last month a study comparing French exporters with German ones landed on the desk of France's economy minister. It makes grim reading.
In 2000 French exports were 55% of Germany's; now they are barely 40%. France is more competitive (a measure of price, quality and demand) in only three industries: aerospace, drinks and information technology. German cars, trucks and a host of other manufactured goods are streets ahead (see article).
Why? Until around 2003 France was holding its own, making up in pricing what it lacked in quality. However, there was a “rupture” in competitiveness from around 2000, says the report. Germany was battered by the dotcom bust; that made France complacent. It clung to its 35-hour working week and saw the minimum wage creep up by 17% between 2002 and 2005. The social costs of labour borne by French employers are among the highest in the euro zone: €50.3 for every €100 paid to a worker, compared with €28 in Germany, according to Medef, a French employers' lobby.
France has more industrial companies than Germany, but many are little more than a man, a workshop and a dog. Fewer than a third of them spend money on research and development (R&D); nearly half of those in Germany do.
France lacks the German knack of meshing big companies with their suppliers. It has no equivalent of Germany's Fraunhofer and Max Planck research institutes, which collaborate closely with industry. Its companies have also made less use of cheap central European labour: the region supplies France with only 5.5% of its imports of base and intermediate goods, compared with 18% for Germany.
The report offers a five-point plan to put French industry back on track: enact tax reforms, collaborate more, put more emphasis on human capital, focus training and research better and drive down industrial costs. In short: copy Germany.
Failure to do so could be punished severely, the report's authors (a research outfit called COE-Rexecode) warn. They paint four scenarios. Within the euro zone France could specialise as an exporter of services, while Germany dominates industrial exports. Industry could leave France for more productive regions. Uncompetitive French firms could be kept afloat with subsidies. Or Germany could make France more competitive by raising its own wages. French firms would like this last option the best.
Some French people doubt they will achieve much by imitating Germany. France's industrial base is now so small that making it more competitive will have little effect, says Patrick Artus, chief economist at Natixis, a French bank. Euro-zone economies should specialise rather than become homogeneous, he reckons: “It makes no sense to have 17 Germanys.”
Others suspect that the COE-Rexecode report is an attack by industrialists on the 35-hour week. The 35-hour limit can be got around by granting workers extra holidays or pay, but it still affects the attitude to work. “It's a culture of entitlement,” says Dan Serfaty, founder of Viadeo, a social-network company, who moved half of his operation to California four months ago.
This article appeared in the Business section of the print edition under the headline "France's lost decade"
From the February 5th 2011 edition
Discover stories from this section and more in the list of contentsExplore the edition
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Can Adidas ever catch up with Nike?
The German firm’s new boss has his work cut out


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A one-off McLaren 650S Spider in a special red chrome finish has just emerged on the web, with the supercar being upgraded by the Hong Kong`s Impressive Wrap tuning company.
The aftermarket specialists from Impressive Wrap tuner has managed to transform this unique McLaren 650S Spider into an extraordinary aesthetics supercar.
The Impressive Wrap tuning company has done more than applying this special red chrome finish on the supercar, as the specialists have also put some gloss components finish, with bare chrome wrapped parts at the front bumper, as well as on the doors.
To be a reminder, the impressive McLaren 650S Spider came as the official replacement of the 12C Spider model, just a few months ago, the model in question being powered by a 3.8-liter twin turbo V8 unit.
The huge unit is outputting a total of 651 horsepower and great 678 Nm of torque, with the model to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.0 seconds, at a top speed of 328 km/h.


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1. Cell Phones + Wireless Internet Access
Cell phones have changed the way we communicate, blurring the lines separating work, play, and the commute between the two. Wireless e-mail, messaging, and Web access will change communications even more.
Data, not voice, is driving this disruption. The biggest news from Apple's recent announcement of its iPhone software development kit was the addition of an Exchange mail applet that lets business users access their work e-mail from their Apple handsets.
"New Internet-friendly cell phones such as the iPhone and G-Phone [phones built on Google's upcoming Android operating system] will lower the entry barrier for mobile Internet services, improve mobile Internet experiences, and introduce new business models," says Kurt Scherf, vice president and principal analyst for Parks Associates. "We'll begin to see mass-market adoption and form factors diversify to include embedded portable devices such as portable media players and game consoles."
Mobile Internet-capable phones are poised to become a major advertising platform, as well. "The mobile phone is likely to trump the Internet as the most versatile media platform," Scherf adds. "The potential of mobile advertising to become an explosively new ad platform is real and colossal."
Disruption: The ability to be reachable 24/7 is morphing into the ability to surf the Net from any location. And it's forcing monopolistic wireless companies to open up their networks to new devices and services.


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In this episode we talk to T.K. Pillan Chairman and Founder of Veggie Grill. Veggie Grill is the largest fast casual plant based restaurant chain with 33 locations across the US. They have launched two new concepts which they are planning to role out further this year. The first is 'Stand Up Burger' a traditional burger and shake restaurant and 'Más Veggies Vegan Taqueria' a Mexican delivery and pickup only offering. With all three offering tasty, cruelty-free and sustainable convenience food. We hear more about the growth plans for this year and T.K's own journey to create Veggie Grill. T.K. is also a Founding Partner at Power Plant Partners a VC company that has invested previously in Beyond Meat, Ripple Foods and more recently Miyoko's Creamery and The Coconut Calab.
About PLANT CEO
More people are choosing to follow plant-based diets or are reducing their meat intake. Exciting new startups are developing alternatives to traditional meat, dairy and seafood products, Whether it be food, fashion or health and beauty there are companies that are trying to change the way we consume products whilst reducing the impact on the planet. Hear from some of the inspirational entrepreneurs that are leading the way forward.


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Chicago — Known for its glass tableware, Libbey Inc. turned to plastic for its new line of drinkware designed for outdoor and casual environments.
The Infinium line of plastic drinkware, injection molded with Eastman Chemical Co.'s Tritan copolyester, is intended as a more upscale alternative in venues where plastic drinkware is preferred, such as poolside, cruise ships, outdoor dining and nightclubs.
Tritan was selected over acrylic, SAN and polycarbonate in part because of its dishwasher durability and resistance to staining and odors, said Jerry Moore, senior category manager of beverageware, at the International Home and Housewares Show in Chicago.
Already one of the largest glass tableware manufacturers in the world, Libbey saw plastic drinkware as logical area to expand into, he added.
The Infinium line launched in 2015 with 18 different items, ranging from shot glasses to mugs to pitchers, and Libbey is in the process of adding seven new items, to debut in May. The Infinium brand also will be expanded to include a line of items with a new, organic texture, Moore said.
Libbey previously experimented with plastic drinkware items about a decade ago, using polycarbonate, but the line didn't catch on, Moore said, in part because the line comprised only a small number of available items.
The Infinium line is already in use at hundreds of food service venues in the United States and Canada, Moore said, and recently launched in Europe as well.
Libbey is based in Toledo, Ohio, with manufacturing plants in the U.S., Mexico, China, Portugal and the Netherlands.


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The iPhone 4S is an excellent smartphone for several reasons and you are among the thousands of people who buy one maçã, a new agreement can then be chosen to receive some money from it. When it launched in October 2011, the iPhone 4S stood out as one of the best smartphones on the market. With an 8 MP rear camera, a 3.5-inch LCD screen and an A5 chipset, it was one of two other devices behind its time.
Like other iPhones, the iPhone 4S was also known for its excellent software support. The 4S launched with iOS 5 in 2011 and continued to receive updates until iOS 9 in 2015. It took five years of updates, but on paper the process wasn’t perfect. Shortly after the iOS 9 update launched, Apple allowed users to downgrade iPhone 4S back to iOS 6 due to the annoying glitch that iOS 9 caused. Not only that, but the problems of failure were so ruined that a class action was formed in December 2015 to hold Apple accountable.
Fast forward, over six years, and this process has finally done more or less well. According to the message from MacRumors, Apple recently resolved the lawsuit caused by annoyed customers in New York and New Jersey. The gist of the process is summed up by Apple’s claim that iOS 9 will make the iPhone 4S faster — but in reality, the phone will be slower. As the process explains, “The claimants allege that Apple discovered that iOS 9 was compatible with the iPhone 4S and that it would correct or ‘improve’ the interference for its customers who had downloaded the software update. At the same time, the plaintiffs claim that iOS 9 significantly reduces the performance of their iPhone 4S devices. †
So, what do the iPhone 4S donations get with that? By anchoring the $20 million printing agreement on paper, these $20 million will be used to collect todos let him have the right to money. In fact, qualified iPhone 4S owners will receive a payment of US$15 after submitting an order and approving it. Payments of US$15 after nearly seven years of ongoing lawsuits is quite a difficult case, but unfortunately it was like things were going to happen.
If you know you qualify for the deal and want US$15, a site to submit your registration will be available shortly. The site will ask you to enter your name, email address, correspondence address and serial number of your iPhone 4S. If your registration is approved, you will receive US$15. Is there anything to be said about Apple’s resolution of such a dispute? Certo. But since the final result is insignificant, it seems like a lot of work for a fairly normal result.


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ONS July figure is only fourth time in 70 years that inflation has breached 10%
UK inflation has risen above 10% for the first time in 40 years, driven by soaring prices for food and fuel as households come under mounting pressure from the cost of living crisis.
The Office for National Statistics said the consumer prices index rose by 10.1% in the year to July, up from a reading of 9.4% in June and entering double figures at an earlier stage than anticipated. The figure was last higher in February 1982.
It is only the fourth time in 70 years that inflation has breached the 10% threshold, the other periods being 1951-52, 1973-77 and 1979-82.
The reading exceeded the 9.8% forecast from City economists, as the cost of food and drink rose at the highest rates since 2008 amid a broad-based inflationary burst across the economy.
The biggest increases came for bread and cereals, dairy, meat and vegetables, with the rising cost of food leading to record increases for restaurant and hotel prices and pushing up the cost of takeaways. Price rises for other staple items such as pet food, toilet rolls, toothbrushes and deodorants also sent inflation soaring.
Prices for package holidays and air fares rose sharply, driven by a summer rush reflected in packed airports across the country.
The latest figures will pile renewed pressure on the government and Conservative leadership candidates amid accusations the frontrunner, Liz Truss, and Rishi Sunak, the former chancellor, are failing to grasp the scale of the cost of living emergency.
Rachel Reeves, the shadow chancellor, said soaring prices were leaving families worried about how to make ends meet in the run-up to a difficult winter. “People are worried sick, and while the Tories are busy fighting and ignoring the scale of this crisis. Only Labour can give Britain the fresh start it needs,” she said.


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On the internet, two-fifths of Indonesians are invisible. More than a third of Vietnamese and Saudi Arabians don't show up either.
Take a look at web analytics for Sweden, however, and you're led to conclude its population is bolstered by large numbers of Netflix -loving ghosts.
Our picture of the web, explains Jason Mander, head of trends at market-research firm GlobalWebIndex, is being distorted by the use of virtual private networks (VPNs), which disguise a user's location. "People consider VPNs to be a niche tool, but they are surprisingly widespread," he says. "As many as one in four people use them."
Every year GlobalWebIndex surveys around 200,000 internet users in 34 countries on a range of digital behaviours including, since 2013, VPN usage. "We track ten motivations," explains Mander. "In some countries, China, Indonesia and Thailand being prime examples, people use VPNs to overcome governmental restrictions on sites like Facebook and Twitter. In western Europe, privacy is the biggest factor. But by far the most popular one globally is the need to access [geographically blocked] entertainment content."
This explains the popularity of VPNs in Asia and Latin America, where content suppliers are least developed. "Netflix, Amazon Prime and BBC iPlayer see VPN users as a threat," says Mander. "But our research shows that VPN users are more likely to pay for digital content - it's a question of access."


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Sharp Teeth Films is thrilled to release their latest horror, Butchers. Directed by Adrian Langley, the Canadian independent
horror will be released in the UK across all major digital platforms from
22nd February and DVD on 8th March to coincide with National Butchers Week!
After their car breaks down, four youths find themselves stranded in
the middle of nowhere. Little do they know they are being watched. They
soon fall captive to a family of sadistic butchers who keep their
‘fresh meat’ tied up in a wooden outhouse.


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Chevy Volt to be part of Earth Day Celebration at The University of Findlay
The Volt, the 2011 Motor Trend Car of the Year, is Chevrolet’s new electric vehicle, which also can use gasoline. According to the company’s website, the Volt may allow its owner to “commute gas-free on electric for an average of $1.50 a day.”
“Two of Us” will perform live music at the event, which is sponsored by UF’s Wilderness Club, the Findlay Green Campus Initiative, Sodexo, George House and General Motors.
Snacks will be provided, and participants may tie-dye T-shirts.
Posted on April 19, 2011, in Uncategorized and tagged Chevy Volt, Chris Pugh, Cory Street Mall, Earth Day, Earth Day Eve, Findlay Green Campus Initiative, General Motors, George House, Sodexo, The University of Findlay, View From The Pugh, Wilderness Club. Bookmark the permalink. Leave a comment.


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The FTSE 100 closes the 7 days in the purple as the escalating charge of coronavirus conditions fears the industry in the U.K. and Europe, IG analyst Chris Beauchamp says. “It is the increasing disaster in bacterial infections that has hurt risk urge for food there and will carry on to hobble issues for the time being,” the analyst suggests.
Segro Sells 6 Italian Warehouses for EUR127.5 Mln
Segro PLC reported Friday that it has offered six urban warehouses in Italy to AXA IM Alts for 127.5 million euros ($150.6 million), and that it was carried out on behalf of clientele.
Burberry 1Q Equivalent Profits, Retail Earnings Rose
Burberry Group PLC reported Friday that equivalent profits rose in the first quarter to be in line with pre-coronavirus trading and retail income rose sharply.
Micro Focus Settles Wapp Patent Litigation Circumstance with $67.5 Mln Payment
Micro Concentration International PLC reported Friday that it has settled its patent litigation case against Wapp Tech Minimal Partnership and Wapp Tech Corp., achieving a settlement for payment of $67.5 million.
DS Smith Sells De Hoop Paper Mill in the Netherlands for EUR50M
DS Smith PLC explained Friday that it is promoting its De Hoop paper mill in the Netherlands for 50 million euros ($59.1 million) as component of its strategy to have a “short paper” position in Northern Europe.
Understanding Technologies Raises GBP85 Mln By way of Share Positioning, A lot more Than Planned
Discovering Technologies Team PLC stated Friday that it has now lifted 85 million pounds ($117.5 million) under the share inserting initially announced late Thursday, extra than initially planned.
Eve Slumber 1H Revenue Grew 13% Cautions on International Provide Troubles
Eve Rest PLC mentioned Friday that income for the very first 50 % of the yr grew 13%, and cautioned that it may well continue on to practical experience even further disruption and inflationary pressures if the coronavirus pandemic carries on to harm international source chains.
Homeserve Backs Fiscal 2022 Outlook
Homeserve PLC on Friday backed its outlook for fiscal 2022, indicating merchandise use throughout its organization ongoing to be solid for the period of time April 1 to July 15.
Bonhill Group Expects 1H Revenue Fall, Narrower Pretax Decline
Bonhill Group PLC explained Friday that to start with-fifty percent trading is predicted to be in line with industry expectations, with slight fall in profits but a narrower pretax loss on year.
RBG Holdings 1H Investing in Line With Sights To Pay out Interim Dividend
RBG Holdings PLC reported Friday that it continues to trade in line with current market anticipations for the first half of 2021 and that the board intends to shell out an interim dividend.
Nucleus Economic 2Q Assets Below Administration Rose
Nucleus Fiscal Group PLC said Friday that belongings below administration rose 19% in the next quarter.
Pantheon Resources Shares Rise on Upgraded Useful resource Estimate at Alaska Perfectly
Shares of Pantheon Methods PLC rose as significantly as 15% in early trade Friday soon after the corporation said that modern assessment of the SMD-B zone at the Talitha #A well in Alaska implies larger methods than initially assumed.
Luceco 2Q Trading Performance Proceeds to Boost Raises 1H Assistance
Luceco PLC mentioned Friday that its investing performance throughout the next quarter has continued to enhance, and elevated its steering for the initial 50 percent.
Renold FY 2021 Earnings Grew Despite Earnings Fall
Renold PLC claimed Friday that its fiscal-12 months pretax profit grew inspite of earnings becoming damage by the coronavirus pandemic.
Burford Funds Receives Total $103 Mln Entitlement From Akhmedov Make any difference
Burford Capital Ltd. reported Friday that it has been given the entire funds entitlement of about $103 million from the Akhmedov make a difference, boosting its 2021 operating gain.
X5 Retail 2Q Product sales Rose 11%
X5 Retail Group NV reported Friday that web retail sales for the 2nd quarter rose 11% on calendar year and that like-for-like offline income rose 4%.
Kore Potash CFO Quits Immediately after 5 Weeks for Private Motives
Kore Potash PLC claimed Friday that Main Fiscal Officer Jean-Michel Bour ideas to depart for personalized good reasons after just above 5 months in the task.
Current market Speak:
Tightening Tilt Undermines BOE’s Perceived Trustworthiness, States UBS
1030 GMT – Perceived willingness by Bank of England officers to slash stimulus earlier than earlier indicated may quell some fears above persistent greater inflation, but undermines its reliability, states UBS. The main industry gauge of inflation expectations–the 5-calendar year, 5-yr inflation swap charge–was unmoved pursuing Thursday’s opinions by policymaker Michael Saunders about achievable previously policy tightening and stays close to its optimum degree since the economic crisis, it states. “This charge really should be deemed an crucial indicator of market self esteem in coverage credibility rather than a forecast of exactly where inflation might be in the medium term, and the puzzling timing of these reviews and obvious inconsistency with not long ago expressed sights in light of the Covid problem will in our check out undermine that perceived trustworthiness,” it states. ([email protected])
Sterling Company Bonds Look Interesting for Global Investors
1018 GMT – Some sterling-denominated company bonds have turn into beautiful for world-wide investors after credit history spreads widened, pushed by volatility in the sovereign bond current market, Financial institution of The united states says . A “hawkish Lender of England talk has triggered premiums volatility to rise, cheapening U.K. credit rating,” credit history strategist at Lender of The usa say, referring to new feedback by policymakers suggesting that the central bank may tighten financial plan before than formerly expected causing gilt yields to increase. They say their heatmaps suggest sterling-denominated company credit card debt rated at BBB–or the cheapest financial commitment-grade rung–maturing in between 5 and 10 a long time are now pretty attractive for global buyers, as are shorter-dated sterling corporate bonds rated at B in the higher-generate expense category. ([email protected])
Richemont, Burberry 1Q Gross sales May possibly Herald More powerful Luxury Restoration
1013 GMT – Remarkable investing updates from Swiss conglomerate Richemont and U.K. fashion organization Burberry could offer you favourable go through-across for the broader European luxury-items sector, Paola Carboni of Equita Sim states. Richemont’s 22% consistent-forex sales development in 1Q from the very same interval two yrs ago, and Burberry’s 1% increase in similar shop income from the exact same period of time, could herald a joyful shock on the speed of recovery from the pre-pandemic interval, Carboni indicates. However, examine-across is limited by Richemont’s emphasis on challenging luxurious and Burberry’s transformation phase, she cautions. Equita continues to choose French sector leaders LVMH and Kering, which are owing to report 2Q success July 26 and July 27, respectively. ([email protected] @joshualeokirby)
DCC to Continue Its M&A Coverage
1007 GMT – While DCC’s 1Q is a less considerable time period for the group–with fewer than 15% of yearly revenue–it is reassuring that all four divisions grew in the period, UBS says. Despite the fact that the promoting and aid-providers service provider failed to announce any new M&As, it expects to go on staying active in that respect with a quantity of bolt-on acquisitions previously completed due to the fact Might, UBS claims. The Swiss financial institution and consensus see fiscal 2022 Ebita estimates climbing 6% to 8% on calendar year. UBS rates the stock get and has a 7,700 pence goal price tag. Shares are up 2.4% at 6,034 pence. ([email protected])
Rio Tinto’s 2nd Half Appears to be Brighter, But Uncertainties Still Loom
1001 GMT – Rio Tinto’s second-quarter generation quantities were being weak almost throughout the board and the miner seems to be undergoing operational troubles, RBC states. But even with the weak output and steerage revisions driving consensus downgrades for 2021, the to start with half is probably to be insulated as understood pricing in iron ore arrived in 6% greater than the consensus, RBC suggests. Although operations may well start to strengthen in the “usually less complicated 2H,” it will possible consider some time to restore investor assurance with so quite a few uncertainties overhanging the company. RBC prefers other diversified publicity which includes BHP, Vale, and Glencore. ([email protected])
Ferrovial Continue to Most likely to Wrestle With Pandemic Commuting Slump
0945 GMT – Ferrovial will carry on to undergo from prolonged-expression structural issues about working from dwelling and its influence on commuting, even with traffic on U.S.-toll roadways now growing, Citi claims. Earnings from Ferrovial’s Toronto concession, 407 ETR, exhibit enhancement vs . 2Q 2020, but continue being lower than in 2019, and Ebitda in coming results for the business as a complete is nonetheless seen as underneath the pre-pandemic interval, Citi suggests. Ferrovial’s keeping in London’s Heathrow airport is not expected to lead to cashflow, Citi suggests, expecting the concentration of the benefits to be on development at the products and services division, which Citi values at EUR1 billion. Ferrovial stories 1H benefits on July 27. Shares are up 1.1% at EUR24.83. ([email protected])
Get hold of: London NewsPlus, Dow Jones Newswires +44-20-7842-931
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July 16, 2021 12:17 ET (16:17 GMT)
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American delivery services giant FedEx has joined Hyperledger to contribute to blockchain technology development.
American courier delivery services giant FedEx has joined Hyperledger, an open-source project established to improve cross-industry blockchain technologies, according to a press release published September 26.
Hyperledger, which is hosted by the Linux Foundation, enables organizations to build blockchain-based industry-grade applications, platforms and hardware systems in the context of their individual business transactions.
In joining Hyperledger, FedEx has become one of over 270 members. Other member companies include IBM, Intel, Deutsche Boerse, and J.P. Morgan. Kevin Humphries, Senior Vice President, IT, FedEx Services said that blockchain technology has “big implications” for supply chains, logistics, and transportation.
In February, FedEx joined the Blockchain in Transport Alliance (BiTA), a focus group whose members include rail operator BNSF, JD Logistics, and GE transportation. BiTA aims to improve transparency and security in shipping with blockchain tech.
Hyperledger Executive Director Brian Behlendorf has previously stated that distributed ledger technology (DLT) will diminish the power of tech giants like Google, Facebook, and Amazon. In today’s press release he said:
“We are gaining traction around the world in market segments from finance to healthcare and government to logistics. This growth and diversity is a signal of the increasing recognition of the strategic value of enterprise blockchain and commitment to the adoption and development of open source frameworks to drive new business models.”
FedEx has demonstrated a proactive approach to adopting blockchain technology. In May, FedEx CEO Fred Smith said he believes that blockchain is the “next frontier” for global supply chains. In July, the FedEx Institute of Technology partnered with pharmacy services company Good Shepherd Pharmacy to develop new blockchain-powered infrastructure to help cancer patients get medications.
Source: Ana Alexandre, CoinTelegraph
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The views and opinions expressed here are for informational purposes only, and should not be confused with professional financial advice. These opinions are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of CashTechNews.com. Every investment and trade involves risk. You should conduct your own research, and contact your professional financial advisor before making any investment.
Corrections, feedback, and ideas should be submitted through the website contact form.


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Demand for Apple Inc.’s new iPhone 6 looks strong, but the smartphone’s average sale price (ASP) could also get a significant lift versus previous versions.
RBC Capital Markets’ survey of 6,000 people on their purchasing plans demonstrated relatively even demand for the iPhone 6 (36%) versus the iPhone 6 Plus (35%).
tap here to see other videos from our team.
“Given the $100 ASP premium the 6 Plus carries, this will boost ASP’s higher than investor expectations, which were initially calling for 25-30% of iPhone demand being the larger form-factor,” RBC analyst Amit Daryanani told clients.
He noted that the quarter-over-quarter move in the ASP could be US$90 higher and US$65 better on an annual basis. Meanwhile, the results suggest Apple could generate iPhone ASPs of approximately US$700.
The survey also indicated that consumers are opting for the 64-GB version as opposed to the 16-GB or 128-GB models.
Mr. Daryanani noted that roughly 48% plan to buy a 64-GB model, which is a 16-point gain compared with the current installed base.
“Not only does the shift towards 64GB drive pricing higher ($100 premium) but it also provides upside to gross margins,” he said, adding that Apple makes an estimated 85% gross margin on memory.
The analyst raised his target price on Apple shares to US$114 from US$110 to reflect both the higher ASPs and iPhone 6 demand.
He also hiked his revenue and earnings per share forecasts for Q4 2014 (September) and Q1 2015 (December).
RBC’s revised estimates are US$40.8-billion and US$1.33, and US$66.7-billion and US$2.64, for those periods, respectively.


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It’s that special time of year again when people all across the United States celebrate worker’s rights by absconding to beaches and pools. While you take in the last long weekend of summer and raise a glass to OSHA, you can celebrate your own hard work by treating yourself to some of the amazing Labor Day 2022 sales happening this weekend. A ton of brands are showing their support of the late 1800s labor movement with steep discounts, which means you can say hello to a whole new makeup and skin care routine without breaking the bank.
When Grover Cleveland signed Labor Day into law in 1894, could he have known he was creating one of the best shopping holidays of the 21st century? Probably not, but that didn’t stop him from creating this monumental event. Starting on Friday, Sept. 2, brands you love are taking 10%, 20%, and even 40% off products you love even more. Some brands are even offering mystery gifts with purchase, depending on how much you spend. Most of these deals run until Tuesday, Sept. 6, so you have plenty of time to pick out all your skin care and makeup favorites.
We may receive a portion of sales if you purchase a product through a link in this article.


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Did you know that Gen Z is having a hard time understanding and paying their bills? A recent consumer survey conducted sponsored by Visa shed some light on the current “epidemic”.
According to Forbes, the generation after Millennials, Generation Z, which they defined as people born from the mid-1990s to the early 2000s, make up 32% of the global population, making them a larger cohort than the Baby Boomers or Millennials.
Here is what we learned:
They Don’t Understand Bills
When it comes to reading and understanding bills, 30% of Gen Z find their bills to be confusing. Additionally, this generation has more anxiety than any other age group when it comes to paying their bills. This translates into calls and late payments.
They Forget To Pay
In the last 12 months 53% of Gen Z payed a bill late. The reason behind it is that they have not developed the financial habits to promote prompt on-time payments. For Gen Z its not a matter of not having the money to pay their bills, they simply forget.
Gen Z Needs Bill Paying To Be Easier
Companies aren’t meeting the needs of Gen Z who are looking for easier ways to pay their bills.
Format bills for mobile devices. 87% of U.S. consumers use smartphones
Personalize messages and keep them short and sweet
Innovative payment methods, such as text message payments. Text messaging is now the preferred customer service channel of Americans.
Accept payment with credit cards. Some companies do not yet accept them in every way consumers could interact with them (mobile, web, live chat, in person, phone). This is a frustrating experience for all consumers, with Gen Z being the most frustrated at their inability to pay by card.
Engage them and convert them to a recurring payment plan. Consumers using recurring payments have 70 percent lower delinquencies.
All data comes from consumer survey sponsored by Visa and conducted by Aite Group.


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Explaining NBA Top Shot and the Digital Sports Card Craze | How Would That Work?
The market for physical sports cards exploded during the pandemic. But there’s a new trading card on the market that’s grabbing even more headlines. And this one’s entirely digital. So what is NBA Top Shot? How Would That Work?


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On the coming Sunday, August 12, from 12 PM to 9 PM, both OLX and CarFirst will host the first used car live auction at the Expo Center in Karachi. The Car Bazaar event will have certified used cars that you can buy at the auction without any hassle. This event will also provide you with the opportunity to sell your used car on the spot. You can also contact the dealer partners of OLX and CarFirst at the auction event for a chance to peek into their inventories. At the Car Bazaar, you will be able to trade used cars in the most secure, convenient and transparent manner.
There will be other activities like food stalls, free giveaways for the general public and sponsor activities for families. This event is going to be a one stop shop solution for anyone looking into buying and/or selling cars. Another exciting part of the event is the opportunity for you to win a Daihatsu Mira. All you have to do is to sell your used car at the OLX CarFirst Car Bazaar and enter into the lucky draw.
Moreover, attendees of the Car Bazaar event will be able to avail insurance and financing deals.
The Car Bazaar event is an amazing opportunity as you do not have to go to individual car dealers to sell or buy a used car. Selling your car on spot is hassle-free and is an opportunity to show your car to a large number of customers.
Your car will get inspected by OLX CarFirst experts so that the cars being traded at the auction are certified. A state-of-the-art bidding system will be used to give you the final price for your car so that it gets sold on the spot. For car buyers, certified cars will be available from OLX CarFirst trusted dealer network on great prices.
This event is going to be a huge milestone in highlighting the biggest live auction of used cars. It is a joint effort by OLX and CarFirst to revolutionize the way cars are traded in the country. If you are in or around Karachi on 12th of August, show up to avail the best deals and drive home in a certified car.


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By Lauren Coleman-Lochner, Bloomberg News
Bruce Berkowitz, the largest outside shareholder at Sears Holdings Corp., is leaving the retailer’s board, a move that sent the stock tumbling on Monday.
Berkowitz, the chief investment officer and founder of Fairholme Capital Management, will step down Oct. 31, about 20 months after he joined the board. Concern that one of Sears’s biggest backers is reducing his involvement sent the shares on their worst intraday slide since March.
Berkowitz first reported a stake in Sears in 2005 and held more than 27 million shares, or about a quarter of the total, as of Oct. 12, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Long a passive investor, Berkowitz signaled he’d get more involved in a December 2015 regulatory filing.
Sears has been kept afloat in recent years by CEO Edward Lampert, who has used his own money to prop up the company.
Berkowitz’s departure signals that “these guys could be on different sides of the fence,” said Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Noel Hebert. The precipitous decline in retail real estate values may also have given Berkowitz pause, Hebert said.
Shares of Sears, based in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, plunged as much as 15 percent to $5.75 on Monday. The shares had dropped 27 percent this year through Friday’s close.
Berkowitz’s decision to leave the board wasn’t the result of any disagreement over the company’s operations, policies or practices, Sears said in an emailed statement.
“Mr. Lampert and Mr. Berkowitz have a longstanding partnership and continue to have great respect for each other,” the company said.
Sears has lost almost $11 billion in the past six years, prompting the company to sell or spin off assets such as its Lands’ End clothing business. The retailer’s continued cash burn “does not build confidence or trust,” Berkowitz said on a February 2016 investor call, noting nonetheless that Sears investors “own valuable assets at historic discounts.”
He said earlier this year that there is still value in the traditional retail industry. Commenting on Bloomberg Television after Amazon.com Inc. announced it would buy Whole Foods Market, Berkowitz said that deal “says to me there is a need for physical space in retailing.” Additional mergers make sense because department stores, supermarkets and malls occupy prime real estate with infrastructure already in place, he said.
Asked if he thought Amazon should buy Sears, he said: “That would be an intelligent move,” though he said he had no reason to believe that would happen.


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Bentley Achieves Record Sales For
Bentley Continental GT
Beijing - Bentley Motors this week
announced that it had sold a record 396 cars in Mainland China
in the first four months of 2011. This shattered the previous
record – which was set only last year – by a staggering 66%.
In 2010, Bentley sold just under a
thousand cars in China – nearly double the previous year’s
performance – making it the third most important single market
for Bentley. But, after the first four months of 2011, China had
outsold the UK for the first time making it the second most
important market after the United States. Around one in four
Bentleys sold globally, is now sold in China.


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A conflict between Google’s push to make the Web more secure and its Trusted Store program may be costing at least one business money.
Think of the badge as the equivalent of the Good Housekeeping Seal. Having it could boost a site’s revenue.
Pegasus co-owner Christopher Heitman applied for a Trusted Stores badge in 2012 but was turned down because all his site’s pages were encrypted.
Google reportedly told him that the Trusted Stores program is not compatible with HTTPS when the protocol is used for non-sensitive pages such as a site’s home page or product listings.
The Trusted Stores program requires applicants to encrypt only pages that contain sensitive information, such as home addresses and credit card numbers.
Heitman applied again this month and once again was turned down.
The Trusted Stores badge “is designed to be suppressed and not show up on secure pages,” Google reportedly told Heitman in an email. “However, per the program guidelines, it is required that the badge must be displayed on all pages of your site.”
The Google policy “is as clear and easy to understand as a bowl of spaghetti,” Jeff Kagan, a technology industry analyst, told the E-Commerce Times.
Securing the Web
Google recently announced that it would, in effect, give encrypted Web pages more weight in its search algorithms, resulting in higher rankings.
Higher rankings lead to more traffic and more revenue.
The move is the latest in the company’s years-long push for a more secure Web. It essentially forces businesses to encrypt their e-commerce websites if they want to remain competitive.
What a Google Trusted Stores Badge Indicates
Businesses participating in the Trusted Stores program are ranked on customer service and shipping. To get the program’s badge, they must ship a high percentage of orders on time.
Further, they must resolve a high percentage of customer complaints quickly, and they must receive a low number of order-related complaints.
I Want You to Want Me
Businesses awarded the Google Trusted Stores badge can place it on their website.
Hovering over the badge on a business’ website will let prospective customers view all the relevant customer service and shipping statistics. They also can opt in for US$1,000-worth of lifetime purchase protection, which covers the product, shipping costs and any taxes.
Purchase protection lets customers turn to Google’s Help Center if a merchant cannot help them when problems arise, or if the customer is not satisfied with the merchant’s proposed solution.
Stop the Madness!
“Our Trusted Stores program has always required that merchants have HTTPS for all pages that handle personal information, such as checkout and order confirmation pages,” Google spokesperson Anaik Weid told the E-Commerce Times.
This means pages not containing personal information don’t have to be encrypted, as Heitman found to his cost, but that’s not a sound policy because hackers can penetrate a site through the unencrypted pages.
The conflict between the requirements of the Google Trusted Store policy and Google’s insistence that websites encrypt their pages “will cost e-commerce stores money,” Kagan pointed out.
“As a priority, we’re working on a solution to display the badge for stores who are moving their entire sites to HTTP,” Weid said.
We Need a Fix
“Google is going to have to fix the problem and make Trusted Stores work with encryption,” Greg Sterling, vice president of strategy and insights at the Local Search Association, told the E-Commerce Times. “Otherwise, it will be forced to either abandon the program or go back on its push for encryption.”
The latter choice is unlikely, so unless a technical fix can be found, the program would have to be aborted, Sterling said.
In the meantime, online stores will just have to hunker down and pray.


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Tokyo-based startup 7-bites has launched a new service called A2mato, a C2C flea market app focused on goods relating to Japanese subculture. It’s a smartphone marketplace where individuals can buy and sell things like self-published works, cosplay costumes, gaming, manga, and pop idol goods. When the startup raised funds last June, the CEO told us about this plan, and now it has finally gone online.
This ‘otaku’ market includes other things like dating simulations and other online games, vocaloid voice synthesizing, cosplay, figures, novels, electronic comic books, and even railway models.
According to a study by Yano Research Institute, this otaku market is getting more customers in Japan beyond its core fan group. In 2011, the market size was valued at 892 billion yen ($8.5 billion). The CEO of Bushiroad, Takaaki Kidani, mentioned that the market for card gaming alone is almost 100 billion yen ($9.5 billion), big enough to get the attention of many businesses.
Recently I had a chance to interview with 7bites CEO Shota Sawada about why he thinks there’s potential in this market.
He explained there are two main reasons why he started A2mato:
One reason is that there is a market. The other reason is that I wanted to support creators.
At Comiket (a large comic convention) visitors cannot get enough information on the groups that are participating, and they turn to other media like Twitter or websites to get information. Because information is not easily accessible, comic fans pay attention only to major groups or circles. So it is difficult to find new talented creators. With A2mato I’d like to make information on new talents more easily accessible and support long-tailed creators.
While mobile C2C marketplace and flea market apps attracts many consumers today, there was no flea market app focused only on subculture. So Sawada thought there would be potential to grow.
Today many of online marketplaces for self-published works charge users high service charges. For example, when a creator sells their work on websites like DLsite or Melonbooks, the company charges the creator 30 percent of the price as a service charge. But on A2mato, it’s only 5.25%.
On A2mato, users can follow hashtags for each genre and see that content on their timeline. There is also a feature called ‘remart’, similar to Twitter’s retweet, and users can save their favorite items as well.
The UI was developed based on Sawada’s assumption that the many users with interest an in subculture might be Twitter users too.
Just like other flea market apps, users can list their items on A2mato from their smartphone app. Payments can be made using credit cards, money transfer at convenience stores and banks, or with A2mato points.
Unlike most flea market apps, A2mato has a web version of its marketplace as well. This is because the company expected that linked web content will be important to bring traffic/users from Twitter.
A2mato is targeting a half million users and 500 million yen ($4.8 million) in monthly transactions. If you’d like to try out the app, it is available for the download here. Currently it’s in Japanese only.


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Hon Hai Precision Industry Co (鴻海精密) is facing rough times. Since its share price closed at NT$97.5 on Sept. 17 last year after Apple Inc unveiled its iPhone 5, its shares have plunged 21 percent to NT$76.9 yesterday.
The company has counted Apple as its biggest customer and has been hurt recently by growing market concerns of weakening demand for iPhones and iPads as consumers turn to products from Apple’s rivals, such as Samsung Electronics Co.
However, Hon Hai may have more bad news ahead, as an analyst said yesterday this Taiwanese electronics maker may lose production share of “low-price iPhones” to another Taiwanese assembler of Apple products.
“Based on our checks [with supply chain companies], the manufacturing of all the low-priced iPhones will be moved to Pegatron (和碩),” Fubon Securities Co (富邦證券) analyst Arthur Liao (廖顯毅) yesterday said in a report.
Liao said Apple would likely launch a low-priced iPhone in the July-to-September quarter in two versions, under two mobile technology standards, TD-CDMA and WCDMA.
He said that initially, Hon Hai produced the TD-CDMA version for China Mobile Ltd (中國移動), China’s largest telecom operator by subscribers, while Pegatron made the WCDMA smartphone for worldwide companies.
However, under the brokerage’s supply-chain checks, Apple might allocate all of its low-end iPhone production to Pegatron this year, because Hon Hai does not have sufficient research and development resources to devote to multiple Apple projects, including the iPhone 5S, large-sized iPhone, iTV, iPad 5, iPad Mini 2 and the low-end TD-CDMA smartphone.
As a result, the US company requested Hon Hai to drop the low-end TD-CDMA iPhone manufacturing, Liao said in the report.
“This means that Hon Hai will only produce the iPhone 5, 5S and some iPhone 4S models,” he said.
“In addition, the iPad 5 will be delayed to November, due to issues regarding the narrow bezel and materials,” Liao said. “If sales of this product line decline and if Hon Hai has to share iPad Mini orders with Pegatron, then Hon Hai’s top and bottom lines will both suffer.”
Word of Hon Hai’s possible order losses to other rivals, as well as potential shipment delays in the iPhone 5S, low-priced iPhone and iPad Mini 2, have been around for some time, but the company has dismissed such talk as market speculation.
Over the weekend, the company denied that Apple had returned 5 million iPhones produced at Hon Hai’s Chinese plants, after the Chinese-language China Business Journal reported that those handsets were not functioning well or did not meet Apple’s standards for appearance.
Fubon yesterday maintained its “reduce” rating on Hon Hai’s shares and trimmed its target price on the stock to NT$63 from NT$75.
The brokerage also lowered its earnings per share forecasts for Hon Hai to NT$6.27 for this year and NT$6.82 for next year, from NT$7.45 and NT$7.53 respectively, after factoring in the company’s lower orders for iPhone and iPad products.


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As retailers continue to look for faster, more efficient ways to execute customer transactions, fast food chains are following suit. Wendy’s and Burger King recently released their plan to implement mobile payment systems in their restaurants, where customers can use their smartphones and mobile devices to pay for food. While Wendy’s is still in the last part of its testing phase and has tested the system at offshore locations, like Dublin, for the last year, Burger King is set roll their new POS system out this month.The recent push toward mobile payments comes at the helm of their success in larger retail stores and restaurants. Starbucks implemented mobile payments more than a year ago, and introduced a new, improved Starbucks app on the iPhone last month that allows for digital tipping. A user can also shake their phone and bring up a barcode to be scanned by the barista for payment. Their mobile apps have been increasingly effective, and Starbucks Corp. reports that 14% of all their payments are credited to mobile devices.
“Mobile point of sale solutions, such as POSLavu and LightSpeed, definitely speed up the checkout process for retail stores, restaurants and fast food chains,” explains Eric Catania, CEO of Digital Reality. “We no longer need to wait in line to make payments thanks to these technologies.”
The mobile payment fever is catching at other eateries as well. Chipotle and Subway have begun testing out mobile payments, with Subway sequestering their testing to California for the time being. They introduced their ordering app in March of last year, and 2,000 Subway locations around California accept order through the app, and about 400,000 customers have downloaded and used it in lieu of waiting in line at the cash register.
Subway’s ordering app also allows customers to select their sub, add in drinks, chips, and other items before making a payment. The mobile payment app is expected to launch nationwide later this year.Mobile payments at restaurants are part of global trend that points to mobile POS devices becoming a major contributor to overall sales. The mobile POS device shipping market is supposed to expand more than 95% in 2014, according to IHL Group, and by 2017, the Garter research firm projects that mobile payment sales will exceed $720 billion. Apple’s iPhone and iPad are leading the charge, but Windows and Android phones are catching up quickly. These apps are being utilized in retails stores and hospitality locations in addition to restaurants and fast food joints.Other apps, such as Cover, which is available on both iPhone and Android phones, allow customers to frequent more than one restaurant and pay for their bills. While this app can only be used in Brooklyn and select New York City restaurants, customers do not have to download individual apps for each place, making it a convenient payment option.
While it may not be feasible for Starbucks, Burger King, and Wendy’s to share one app or mobile payment system, the idea could be game-changing for the fast food industry. For now, customers are content downloading payments apps and getting their fast food, even faster.


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The Witness is coming to Xbox One, Jonathan Blow revealed to IGN earlier today. Blow and his team aim for a September 13th release date. An iOS version is also in development.
More from Kotaku
Architeuthis Ex Machïna
Do people really like line puzzles that much? This game is essentially a diner placemat.


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Dropping out of CES is good for Microsoft, says analyst
Back in December, Microsoft announced that CES 2012 would be their last appearance. Corporate VP for Corporate Communications Frank Shaw reasoned that their product news milestones "generally don't align with the show's January timing."
Shaw did say that they'd continue to participate in CES in the future, but they won't have a keynote or booth after this year. Despite the timing issue, is it really a smart move for a tech giant as big as Microsoft to not have a booth? Michael Pachter of Wedbush Securities seems to think so.
In the latest episode of Pach Attack during a new bit called "Bet or Bust", video game analyst Michael Pachter said it was good that Microsoft was dropping out of CES after this year.
"I think that Microsoft is not really a hardware company. They've always been a software company.," explained Pachter. "I think they're making a big move into media and I don't think this is the right show for them to show off the capability."
Pachter continued, "They haven't launched a new product other than Kinect since 2005."
As for this year, the general consensus seems to be that Microsoft's press conference wasn't very impressive. Aside from a launch date and price reveal for Kinect Windows, Microsoft's press conference was a bit of a let down - especially when rumors of a next-gen console announcement had raised expectations.


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At IFA 2019, Qualcomm announced that it will expand its 5G mobile platform portfolio. Through the Inter-Banlong 8 Series, 7 Series and 6 Series. The company plans to accelerate the global commercialization of 5G in 2020. After that, major mobile phone manufacturers including Nokia 5G have indicated that they will adopt the first batch.
Today, HMD also confirmed that Nokia 5G smartphones equipped with Qualcomm’s Opteron 7 Series 5G mobile platform will be released in 2020. And HMD CPO Juho Sarvikas also released videos on social networking sites. According to foreign media, this video may suggest that the Nokia 5G phone has a full screen and a narrow bezel design.
It is understood that this video shows the evolution of 1G to 5G. And also shows the evolution of Nokia mobile phones. From the function machine to the smart phone, then “Liu Haiping” became the “drop screen”. And to the “5G”, the mobile phone appeared in the video with a comprehensive screen design. The upper and lower sides are also relatively narrow.
Of course, the appearance of Nokia’s 5G mobile phone will not be officially announced until next year.


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There is a Crumbs Bake Shop’s cupcake on eBay currently going for $255. It's being advertised as the "last" Crumbs cupcake. But the distinction may not hold true for much longer: An investor group may revive the flagging gourmet cupcake chain.
An investor group plans to provide financing for Crumb after the business closed all of its stores on Monday, according to CNBC. Marcus Lemonis, Chairman and CEO of Camping World and Good Sam Enterprises and a host on CNBC, and Fischer Enterprises, which bought Dippin’ Dots Ice Cream out bankruptcy, are two parties involved in the deal. Lemonis wants to incorporate other holdings, such as Sweet Pete’s, into one entity with Crumbs, according to CNBC.
Earlier, Lemonis seem to have dropped hints on social media. His Twitter account is filled with tweets and retweets of stories related to Crumbs’ closure, paired with his cautioning replies:
Although the Nasdaq Stock Market suspended trading of Crumbs on July 1, it still listed Crumbs under its ticker ‘CRMB.” In fact, shares went up by more than 1300 percent to $0.45 as of Thursday afternoon.Crumbs went public in 2011, after opening its first store in 2003. But high operating costs and expensive cupcakes’ decline in popularity contributed to Crumbs’ financial downfall, and the chain abruptly shut down operations Monday morning.
To avoid repeating its financial problems, Crumbs should take note from Krispy Kreme, says Darren Tristano, executive vice president at Technomic Inc., a Chicago research and consulting firm that specializes in the food industry. Krispy Kreme had expanded very quickly and had high operating costs, but then the donut business had to shut down to figure out how to make it profitable, he says in a phone interview with the Monitor. Now, Krisby Kreme has smaller shops and have broadened their menu, Triastano says.


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(MENAFN- IANS) New Delhi, Sep 26 (IANS) China has propelled Apple's growth with a remarkable 128 per cent surge in net sales in the last 9 years, a new report said on Tuesday.
According to StockAppsfinancial analyst Edith, "China has been a vital market for Apple, contributing significantly to the company's global sales. The Chinese market has seen remarkable growth and challenges for Apple in the past decade".
Apple entered the Chinese smartphone market in 2010, and its sales soared over 20 times within five years. It peaked at $58.7 billion in 2015.
However, economic headwinds and increased competition led to a gradual decline in sales, which dropped to $40.3 billion in 2020, exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic, the report said.
Nonetheless, China has once again become Apple's growth engine in the last two years.
Moreover, the report mentioned that the ban on iPhones for Chinese government officials is concerning for Apple as China accounts for 20 per cent of its sales, but this situation is not Apple's first challenge in the country.
The ban comes from Huawei's Mate 60 Pro flagship smartphone launch, which introduces a Chinese-made 7-nanometer processor.
This move raised eyebrows internationally given the US export ban on advanced semiconductors to China.
Despite these obstacles, Apple's ability to navigate the Chinese market is noteworthy. The company has demonstrated resilience by constantly evolving its strategies, the report stated.
Apple has customised its products and services to suit local preferences by incorporating features like dual SIM card support, better selfie cameras, and region-specific content on services such as Apple Music and the App Store.
Furthermore, the company has extended its retail footprint in China, opening stores in major cities to offer customers a physical space to experience its products and obtain assistance, according to the report.
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.


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The United States has promised to crack down on goods made with forced labor, and the customs bill President Obama signed in February officially prohibited importing goods made that way, or with child labor, convict labor or indentured labor.
Now, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is exercising its right to seize any imports suspected of being made under unjust labor practices. CBP this week issued a detention order banning rayon manufactured by China’s Tangshan Sanyou Group and its subsidiaries. Any goods from the companies will be held at U.S. ports of entry.
CBP said it obtained information indicating that the Tangshan Sanyou Group was using convict labor to produce its merchandise.
Tangshan Sanyou Group is China’s largest producer of viscose fiber and the second largest in the world with a capacity of 450,000 tons per year, according to the company website. The firm employs 10,000 workers, has annual sales of 20 billion yuan ($3.1 billion) and exports its products (which also include soda ash, caustic soda and calcium chloride) to more than 90 countries.
What’s more, the company touts its awards and achievements, reportedly earning honors like “Best National Enterprise,” “Advanced Quality Management Enterprises of China,” and even one for “Harmonious Labor Relations.”
It’s not a secret that China has used convict labor to manufacture goods—human rights groups have been fighting against the fact for years, claiming that Chinese companies are making goods for export to the U.S. under inhumane conditions in prison camps, where some of those held are political prisoners.
Whole Foods was one such recipient of convict-made goods, and when word got out last year, it sent consumers into an uproar and the grocery chain said it would have all such goods off of its shelves by this April.
In defending its initial reasoning for selling food made by prisoners, Whole Foods said, “We felt that supporting suppliers who found a way to be part of paid, rehabilitative work being done by inmates would help people get back on their feet and eventually become contributing members of society.”
Tangshan Sanyou Group has yet to make any public statement about the detention order.
CBP Commissioner Kerlikowske said, “CBP is committed to vigorously enforcing the legal prohibition on the importation of goods manufactured with forced labor,” adding, “CBP will do its part to ensure that products entering the United States were not made by exploiting those forced to work against their will, and to ensure that American businesses and workers do not have to compete with businesses profiting from forced labor.”
Uzbekisyan is well on its way to eradicating forced and child labor from its cotton supply chain, and with it the stigma that has plagued the sector and causes many U.S. and European brands from buying the raw material.Read more
The rapid rise of e-commerce is causing companies to rethink their logistics strategies and is sending ripples into the warehouse real estate market.Read more
UPS Capital, a subsidiary of UPS Inc., has expanded UPS Capital Cargo Finance service with new options on in-transit cargo for U.S. importers.Read more
The Ditto Smart Hanger could be a solution for retailers that are struggling to streamline inventory costs, stay sustainable and further engage consumers.Read more
Even though sustainable fashion is in its beginning stages, some retailers are taking the steps to accelerate the industry’s circular future.Read more
Amazon Go, Amazon's anticipated high-tech retail outpost, is now officially open, allowing shoppers to grab and go—without a stop at the register.Read more
Under the Bangladesh Accord, an unnamed clothing brand has been instructed to address safety issues in more than 150 factories.Read more


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Ontario couple close longtime watch store to take time for themselves
The owners of a longtime watch store in Eastern Ontario are shutting down business this weekend.
The Fortier family behind Heritage Clock Shop in downtown Brockville, Ontario has been selling and repairing watches for nearly a century.
Barbara and Gaétan Fortier have run the business six days a week, and sometimes seven days, in the same place for almost 30 years, but now say they will take time for themselves.
“Our adventure has been great, very rewarding, even though it took many hours to complete,” Barbara said, as customers passed by with last-minute watch battery requests and congratulatory notes for the couple’s retirement.
Barbara’s father, Robert Baier, learned watchmaking from his own father in Germany before immigrating to Canada in the 1950s.
He in turn taught Barbara’s husband, Gaetan, who from an early age was fascinated by the complex mechanisms of mechanical watches.
“I remember when I started out, I made myself a little bench in the bedroom just to take them apart and put them back together just to learn,” he said.
The Fortiers did not retire for lack of business. They said, instead, that smartphones, Fitbits, and watches that can handle your love life have only sparked renewed interest in well-made mechanical watches.
The house asks for grandfather clocks
Several Sundays a month, the Fortiers traveled the Highway 401 corridor in eastern Ontario for home visits to clients whose grandfather clocks—too big and tricky to move—were no longer on time. .
Gaëtan brings the movements back to the workshop, makes adjustments, then keeps them in “observation” for a few weeks to check their accuracy.
It was a process that took time.
“For a while we were six, seven, eight months behind on my repairs,” Gaetan noted.
Repairs to delicate antique mantel clocks and the like required his full attention. This meant carrying out cleanings, overhauls and restorations in the quiet of evenings after the shop closed.
It’s fair to say that the Fortiers repair clocks 24 hours a day.
“You have to put in the time,” Barbara said.
2 holidays in 30 years
Gaetan has resisted the idea of taking on an apprentice, fearing that the demands of the training will eat away at his already limited time, but now he wishes he had found someone to pass on the specialist and endangered knowledge of how to repair and rebuild watches.
The couple said running a watch shop was an adventure, but with only two vacations in the past 30 years, they are ready to relax.
“It’s unfortunate because you can only get so many services at a place like Walmart,” said shopper Dan Mahon, who stopped to wish the couple luck.
WATCH | ‘It’s been bittersweet’: Brockville clock shop closes after 30 years
Last month the couple placed an advert in a British watchmaking newspaper listing the business opportunity in Brockville. There were no takers.
The same newspaper is currently listing an ad for a very similar family business of watches and clocks for sale in Orillia, where the owners are also retiring, so it may be bad timing.
The Fortiers, who have won local business awards for their service-oriented approach, operated under the slogan, “We always have time for you.
Today, after nearly 30 years of repairing and selling watches, they hope to take some for themselves.


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Excel REIT Rounds Out $166M Ariz. Property Deal
Newport Beach, Calif.-based Lucescu Realty said Excel had purchased the 256,000-square-foot property from a local private investor. Excel acquired a 1 million-square-foot retail plaza adjacent to the office property, known as The Scottsdale Promenade, in July for $110 million, Lucescu said.
The identity of the seller was not disclosed. An Excel spokesman said the...
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The much-anticipated iPhone 5 could be a major boon for the U.S. economy. JPMorgan is predicting Wednesday's release of the new Apple product could significantly boost GDP growth. JPMorgan's Michael Feroli said the launch could add up to 0.5 percent annualized economic growth in the fourth quarter. Apple anticipates that at least 8 million iPhone 5s will be bought over the next three months.
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The government recently announced the plug-in grant scheme for plug-in vehicles will be extended until February 2016 for all types of the vehicle. The £5000grant/discount off the price of an electric powered vehicle was scheduled to be reviewed once 50,000 vehicles were sold. However, owing to the expected early milestone completion date of November 2015, the government has rescheduled and extended the grant end date which is applicable to all plug-in vehicles that emit CO2 emissions of 75g/km or less. This is great news for motorists looking to capitalise on lower running costs and could even lead to lower car insurance costs for electric vehicles.
Transport Minister Andrew Jones was pleased to announce the extension of the grant even after sales of electric powered vehicles surpassed 50,000 vehicles. He further added that the UK hails as the fastest growing market for plug-in vehicles across Europe, and the government plans on making significant investments in an effort to make this technology affordable for everyone, and simultaneously elevate U.K.’s position as a global leader.
With regards to the costs associated with the extension of the plug-in grant until 2016, the government disclosed that a minimum of £200 million has been made available. This is a great perk for fleets as well as private buyers who were contemplating investing in electric vehicles in 2015-2016. Trade body BVRLA (British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association) chief Gerry Keaney applauds the government’s decision to extend the grant as it not only provides more assurance about the future of this significant incentive, but also offers a nine-month extension for qualifying vehicles to be registered and delivered.
Keaney further said that in light of the surge in interest in electric vehicles, he would urge the government to continue supporting this budding market, and extend the grant beyond February 2016, and even offer additional incentives for those who adopt this technology early. Adding to this, Keaney said the government should opt for a joined-up approach to encourage the sales of ultralow emission vehicles, and also reconsider its recent 2017 planned changes made to the VED (Vehicle Excise Duty) regime.
When the new road tax system takes effect in 2017, low emission vehicles will see a significant rise in VED, while their higher emitting counterparts will get a major tax break, which doesn’t make sense! According to industry experts, the government must continue to offer incentives on ultra low emission vehicles in order to increase sales. Registrations for plug-in grants soared in the first six months of 2015, which is more than 256% than sales at the same time in 2014.
There is now a diverse range of ultralow emission vehicles available in the U.K. from 4×4’s, family hatchbacks to city–run-arounds, with driving costs as little as 2p a mile. With the market being constantly updated with new zero emission technology, motorists in the U.K. will continue to take advantage of the plethora of options available. The government is yet to reveal details on how the extended plug-in grant will be structured after February 2016, which is expected to be disclosed after the Government Spending Review in November 2016.


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Used car dealers meets new competition: Since many new car dealerships feel a strong competition in online e-commerce, used car dealers now fear of car vending machine. And no, it's not something impossible, it's totally real. And no, you can't shake it to get a free one.
An online used car retailer opened its newest "vending machine" last week in Houston, where the gleaming, glass-encased structure sits right off a busy freeway. The eight-storey automated garage- three levels higher than the first version which debuted in Nashville a year ago - holds 30 cars. It dispenses used vehicles in four delivery bays, but only to customers who have the special coin to make it work - which they receive after completing an online purchase.Read more.


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Today one of the most important terminal suppliers and processors in the Netherlands, CCV, briefed the public (see nu.nl) that the Netherlands are getting behind in the migration to EMV. And despite the fact that current fraud cost in the Dutch debit card system are still very low, CCV appears to use fear tactics and points out that we face a possibility that magnetic stripe debit-card fraud will move to the Netherlands.
While at face value there appears to be a bit of self-interest here, with CCV being one of the major terminal suppliers, CCV's self-interest will not be the major issue. No single supplier of goods will be seeking publicity to boost sales if at the same time he has no goods available. And that is the case: CCV has not a single EMV compliant terminal for the Dutch market available.
So what is happening here?
We need to keep in mind that CCV is dependent on Interpay for the certification of its terminals. So my guess is that it's more likely that CCV tries to fire up Interpay to get going with the certification.


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Muscat: A number of expatriates were arrested in a Muttrah house for making counterfeit bukhoor (incense), the Public Authority for Consumer Protection (PACP) reported on Tuesday.
The labourers were found using sawdust and petroleum materials to make the bukhoor, which according to the PACP can risk the health and safety of consumers.
The PACP said the products had misleading information stickers and the house lacked basic health requirements.
Around 134 buckets of sawdust, more than 721 packets of incense and 13 gallons of petroleum products were seized at the location, according to Isa Al Nabhani, assistant director of the department of monitor markets.
He added that more than 120 bottles of cheap perfume were used in manufacturing the bukhoor in addition to some empty bottles that had not yet been filled.
A numbers of stickers that were brought from outside the Sultanate with forged validity information were also found by the PACP officials.
Al Nabhani noted that the manufacturing had been operating for a long time and the labourers used to import the materials from places inside and outside Oman.