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Dell to launch cheaper blade server in 4th quarter
By Caroline Humer, Reuters
NEW YORK Dell said Wednesday it will launch a new "blade" computer server by the end of this year as it seeks to take back lost market share by undercutting rivals such as Hewlett-Packard. and IBM.
Two years ago, blade servers — which are made up of many small safe-deposit box sized components that can be easily removed or added, were expected to take off. They are seen as space-saving and easier to use than bulkier systems.
But demand was held back in part due to their cost, as blade servers are more expensive than the widely-sold rack servers, which are built with pizza-box sized components, a Dell executive said.
The higher price tag has been good for the companies that make the products, drawing higher profit margins on blade servers than rack servers. But all of that could change with Dell's newest blade server line.
Dell is known for attacking computer hardware markets where margins are fat, and taking prices down with its efficient business model. It has crushed competitors in the personal computer and server markets. Company executives say they expect to use this strategy again in selling the new blade servers.
"This new product will do to the blade market what Dell has done to other markets," Dell marketing executive Paul Gottsegen said in an interview.
Dell said that its competitors' blade servers are priced at 30% more than its current rack servers. A report from Gartner Dataquest said blade servers on average were about 11% more expensive on average than rack servers in 2003.
The company declined to provide pricing on the new server, but said that a blade server that is sold with about half of the possible blades, would be priced the same as a comparable rack server from Dell. When the chassis, or the outside frame of the server, is full, it will be priced at 25% less than a comparable rack server.
Blade has lost its edge
Dell introduced its first blade server at the end of 2002, competing against Hewlett-Packard and IBM. By the first quarter of 2003, it had 19% of the market, compared with IBM's 21% and HP's 24%.
But by the first quarter of 2004, Dell's share of systems dropped to 7% of the 59,000 blade servers sold worldwide. Meanwhile, IBM's had risen to 32% and HP's was at 29%.
Dell acknowledges it did not keep up with new technology released by IBM and HP. In order to get back in the game, Dell said it is using improved technology and will use advanced Intel. "Nocona" microprocessors.
Blade servers accounted for only 3% of all server computers sold in 2003, or about 185,000 computers, but are likely to more than double to 400,000 computers, or 6% of servers, according to market research firm IDC. By 2008, IDC said it expects them to reach 29% of the 9.9 million total servers expected to be sold.


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Digital TV Research forecasts that Netflix will have 201 million streaming subscribers by 2023, up by 82% from 111 million at end-2017.
vMVPD and D2C revenues will reach $24 billion by 2023 – eight times the $3 billion recorded in 2017, according to the vMVPD and D2C TV Forecasts report.
Despite adding 84 million subscribers between 2017 and 2023, subscription and PPV revenues for the world’s top 517 pay TV operators will fall by $18 billion to $183 billion.
Global pay-TV revenues peaked in 2016 at $205 billion. Revenues will fall by 11% to $183 billion in 2023, despite the number of pay-TV subscribers rising by 9%.
Digital TV Research forecasts 95 million additional pay-TV subscribers between 2017 and 2023 to take the global total to 1.10 billion.
The Asia Pacific pay-TV sector is bucking the downward trends in much of the rest of the world.
Western European pay-TV will gain subscribers between 2017 and 2023. Although this only represents a 2.6% increase, the Western Europe Pay TV Forecasts report estimates nearly 3 million more subs to take the total to 106 million.
The number of digital pay-TV subscribers in Eastern Europe will increase from 25.49 million in 2010 to 61.57 million in 2017 and onto 78.08 million by 2023.
US pay TV revenues peaked in 2015, at $101.71 billion, according to the eighth edition of the North America Pay TV Forecasts report.
Although the economic recession waned somewhat in 2017, the Latin American pay-TV sector was still affected.

domain: news


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LG Group is expected to work even more closely with Apple with the development of extended reality (XR) such as virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR).
Apple is accelerating R&D in the field. Its VR headset is expected to be launched in the second half of this year. LG Display and LG Innotek are also conducting a lot of R&D activities in order to dominate the emerging market.
The displays of Apple’s first XR devices are likely to be supplied by LG Display and Sony. LG Display is developing OLEDoS panels to that end. The panel is characterized by OLED application to a silicon wafer and a very high resolution of 3,500 PPI for more realistic AR.
According to market research firms, the global XR market is expected to grow six-fold from 2020 to 2024 and the 2024 market size is estimated at US$72.8 billion. In addition, the number of XR devices owned by consumers is expected to increase from 11 million to 150 million from 2021 to 2025.


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The popular online gaming platform Chess.com recently announced that it will soon accept cryptocurrency as a mode of payment.
Chess.com being one of the popular gaming
According to sources, one of the moderators of the Reddit forum r/btc (Beijing Bitcoins) had convinced the owner of Chess.com to accept bitcoin cash for subscriptions. Thus, on popular demand, Chess.com’s owner Erik Allebest, has now decided to accept bitcoin cash (BCH) and BTC using Bitpay.
Recently, Allebest posted on his Reddit account, upon opening gates for crypto payments.
Previously, the website already tried to implement crypto payment on their subscriptions. But, their partnership with Coinbase, turned unsuccessful which led the website to stop accepting cryptos.
On this, the CEO- Erik of the company had the following to say-
“As for why we stopped originally – it is because Coinbase deprecated their payment links, and volumes had shrunken a lot anyway after BTC value correction. Anyway, I remain a hopeful believer.”
At present, the website is in partnership with Bitcoin cash. The BCH community is attempting to kick-start the fire for crypto adoption and keenly believe that it is the best ways to spread mass adoption.
What is your opinion on Chess.com accepting Crypto payments? Share your thoughts in our comments section.


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Takata, the maker of explosive air bags that have been linked to at least eight deaths, has lost its biggest customer. In a strongly worded rebuff, Honda said it would no longer buy front air bag inflators from Takata.
The Japanese carmaker Honda pledged Wednesday to find another supplier for its air bag inflators, saying it was "deeply troubled" to learn that Takata had falsified test data for some of its devices.
The announcement came as Honda presented a quarterly profit of 127.7 billion yen ($1 billion), up 7 percent from a year ago despite the cost of repairing vehicles with bogus inflators that have killed at least eight people and injured more than 100 worldwide.
The embattled auto parts supplier has come under fire in the US and abroad for using ammonium nitrate to deploy its air bags, which have been known to explode too forcefully and endanger passengers.
On Tuesday, the US auto safety regulator fined Takata $70 million (64 million euros) for its defective inflators - the largest civil penalty ever imposed by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Takata's fault or not?
The regulator also ordered Takata to stop using the potentially dangerous propellant in its products. Shares in the auto parts firm slumped by as much as a fifth in Tokyo on Wednesday before ending trading 13.4 percent down, their lowest close in nearly a year.
Takata struck a chord of defiance, saying it still believed its inflators were safe. The company says it has still not identified the root cause of the malfunction but it has suggested it may have something to do with high humidity inside sealed passenger compartments.
That claim suggests the problem could lie with the auto manufacturers that purchase its air bags, rather than Takata itself. Honda has bristled at that suggestion but so far it has not demanded compensation from Takata for the cost of investigative or voluntary recalls.
That could change if recalls become official and the potential costs facing Takata are substantial. At $100 per vehicle, repairing faulty air bag inflators in millions of cars could cost the company more than its current market value of around $820 million.
Since 2008, around 40 million cars have been unofficially recalled over Takata inflators.
cjc/ng (Reuters, AP)


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“The 10,050 level, the 100-week average, is a strong support and the next support kicks in at 9,950,” said Vikas Jain, senior analyst, Reliance Securities. “While we can’t be certain at what level the expiry happens, odds of the 10,000 support being tested have increased. A break of 10,050 could happen post a small bounce.”
The level below 10,000 is Nifty’s 52-week low of 9,951.9 it hit on March 23. From there it rose to a record high of 11,760.2 on August 28. The market has corrected by 13.7 per cent since then to Tuesday’s close.
The 10,000 put has the highest open interest (OI) at 36.66 lakh shares while the 10,500 call (37 lakh shares) and the 11,000 call (37 lakh shares) have the highest OIs among option strikes expiring on October 25. On Tuesday, OI at the 10,200 put declined sharply by 11.89 lakh shares to 22.75 lakh shares, implying that traders who sold those puts covered them to cut their losses. Simultaneously, huge selling was witnessed at the 10,200 call, with OI rising by 14.9 lakh shares to 22.03 lakh shares.
What is giving derivatives analysts like Chandan Taparia of Motilal Oswal hope of some consolidation before more downside is fear gauge India Vix recovering from a seven month intraday high of 22.34 to close at 19.03 , almost 11 per cent lower from the previous session. “Some consolidation may be seen, but the overall trend looks weak and we could test the 10,000 mark,” said Taparia.
Rajesh Palviya, derivatives head of Axis Securities, expects that a likely bounce would be sold into, given the current weak trend.
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Irish beef forcing down UK prices
By James Garner
ANGLO-IRISH processors stand accused of forcing down beef deadweight prices by using cheaper Irish supplies to put pressure on the UK market.
NBA chief executive, Robert Forster, demanded that processors with a hand in both Irish and UK beef markets show their loyalty to British beef by declaring they had not shipped any in.
Because they process beef in both countries it was less clear what proportion they had sourced from the Republic of Ireland or Great Britain, said Mr Forster.
"It is clear from prime cattle prices that farmers have been shafted. The level which prices have fallen, is nothing short of a scandal."
Last week, according to Mr Forster, deadweight prices for English and Welsh R4L steers fell to 152-155p/kg, compared with the MLCs average for the week before of 167p/kg. That is a drop of nearly £40 on an average 330kg carcass.
But the allegations were flatly refuted by Dawn Meats and ABP, both with Irish operations.
"ABP did not pull prices down and is standing on prices it paid the week before," said a spokesman, who suggested prices paid last week were more like 159-160p/kg dwt.
Dawn Meats confirmed that it too held prices, despite a small drop in retail volumes, because of the BSE scandal on the Continent. "We are sticking on the same prices and supporting the British farmer," said a spokesman.
In response, Mr Forster congratulated both companies. But he reckoned there was some skulduggery going on. "Retail demand has dropped by only 3% and retailers have kept the same beef price, so there were no reasons for deadweight prices to drop."
He told farmers to demand "top-down loyalty" from all processing and beef distribution companies.
Processors highlighted that while meat values may have remained the same for prime cuts, it was fore-quarter and bone-in cuts that had taken the hit.
MLCs Duncan Sinclair confirmed that if deadweight prices did drop, there was no reason why that should be reflected in the retail price. "Prices also depend on what is happening in the manufacturing and secondary wholesale beef sector. This area may have felt more pressure from cheap Irish imports."
Better prices though, might be just around the corner, he said. "Indications are that these may rise a bit this week and that the market has stabilised."
In the live market, prices and numbers are already up this week with Mondays average market price up 5p/kg to 89p, and 20% more beasts through the ring.
But that might reflect Christmas markets and primestock show and sales, and not be true commercial trade, said Mr Sinclair.
Frome Markets David Locke believes trade will bounce back after last weeks appalling prices. "Warm yard cattle made 92p/kg, but poor cattle were selling for as low as 25p-30p/kg. But they were bad beasts that only just reached 350-400kg."
He reckoned prices might reach £1/kg in the Christmas run-in, as butchers were now preparing to buy for Christmas, which should help the market for prime beasts. *
• Cheap Irish imports.
• Retail volumes down slightly.
• Prices may improve now.


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It’s been a while that Honda has not updated its luxury sedan Honda Accord for the Indian market. Literally, the Accord was not listed on the company’s website and the sale was also halted for a couple of years now.
Indian Bound Honda Accord Hybrid
Honda is now bringing the ninth generation Honda Accord to India in the form of Hybrid variant. The Honda Accord Hybrid will be launched in India on October 25, just a few days ahead of the festival of lights.
Honda Accord is one of the best selling cars in India and its re-entry to Indian market will keep it high above the bar. We can expect Honda to bring both diesel and petrol variants to India.
The anticipation has already gone to the sky as customers started to enquiry and book the Indian spec Accord Hybrid. Pre-bookings for the sedan have already started across the country. The base trim of Honda Accord Hybrid is expected to carry a price tag of Rs. 25 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi).
The Accord Hybrid will clash directly with Toyota’s Camry Hybrid after its launch. The sedan gets a complete overhaul inside, however the exterior has got minimal cosmetic upgrades. It is similar to the Hyundai Elantra featuring a subtle European design.
The Honda Accord Hybrid is powered by a 2.0-liter petrol engine alongside twin electric motors making it as a hybrid sedan. Together it produces 296bhp of power and 300Nm of torque which is powered by a CVT transmission.
We will get you more details about the Indian bound Honda Accord Hybrid once it is launched in India officially.


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The United States District Court has made available the opinion and order (11 May 2015) of Judge Denise Cote, in which she found Nomura Holdings Inc (Nomura) and Royal Bank of Scotland Group Plc (RBS) liable for selling Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) and Federal Home Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac), mortgage bonds that contained misleading statements and errors in the lead-up to the 2008 financial crisis.
The Supreme Court of Victoria (VSC) has announced that it has approved an AU$25 million settlement of the class action brought against the manufacturer, exporter and distributor of Bonsoy soy milk products in a judgment delivered on 7 May 2015. According to the VSC, Bonsoy was reformulated in 2003 "to include a product known as kombu extract instead of kombu powder", which likely increased the iodine content of the soy milk, and allegedly lead to 496 people suffering illness including thyroid problems.
Energy Company Fined A$700,000 and Ordered to Refund A$780,000 for False or Misleading Representations29 Apr 2015 Written by World Watch
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has announced that the Federal Court of Australia has ordered energy company AGL South Australia Pty Ltd (AGL) to pay penalties of A$700,000 and to provide refunds to 23,000 consumers totalling approximately A$780,000 after AGL made false or misleading representations in relation to discounts that certain residential consumers would receive.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has announced that online group buying website operator Spreets Pty Ltd (Spreets) has been ordered by the Federal Court to pay AU$600,000 in penalties for making false or misleading representations to consumers about deals offered on its website.
AirAsia X Berhad (AirAsia X), an affiliate carrier of airline business the AirAsia Group (AirAsia) has apologised for the cancellation of certain Adelaide–Kuala Lumpur flights in January 2015 and the re-routing of certain Melbourne–Denpasar flights in December 2014. According to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), some consumers "incurred additional out-of-pocket expenses" as a result of the cancellations, while the re-routings were necessitated by AirAsia X's "[failure to] obtain regulatory approval from Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority in time to commence [direct] flights between Melbourne and Denpasar from  December 2014 as advertised". The ACCC advises that it has obtained a commitment from AirAsia X to address affected consumers' complaints.
The United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has announced that it has fined (14 April 2015) Clydesdale Bank (Clydesdale) £20,678,300, the largest-ever fine handed down by the FCA for failures relating to payment protection insurance (PPI). According to the FCA, Clydesdale's failures include "implement[ing] inappropriate policies which meant that its PPI complaint handlers were not taking into account all relevant documents when deciding how to deal with complaints".
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has announced that it has approved a decision and order (30 March 2015) barring Health Discovery Corporation from making misleading or deceptive representations that its consumer directed iOS or Android software application MelApp can assess or diagnose melanoma risk early by analysing digital images of skin lesions captured by smart phones. Health Discovery Corporation has also been ordered to pay US$17,963 and to refrain from "claiming that any device detects or diagnoses melanoma or its risk factors, or increases users' chances of early detection, unless the representation is not misleading and is supported by competent and scientific evidence".
FTC's media release (13 April 2015)
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has announced that the Federal Court of Australia has ordered Coles Supermarkets Australia Pty Ltd (Coles) to pay penalties of [AU$2.5 million] for making false or misleading representations and engaging in misleading conduct in relation to its bread products.
ACCC alleged that Coles promoted some of its bread products as freshly baked and in some cases freshly baked on-site, when the products had actually been "partially baked and then frozen off site by a supplier, transported and 'finished' at in-store bakeries within Coles supermarkets".
According to ACCC chairperson Rod Sims, the ACCC brought the claim against Coles because it was concerned that the supermarket's claims about its bread would mislead consumers and place "independently-owned and franchised bakeries that entirely bake bread from scratch each day at a competitive disadvantage".
ACCC's media release (10 April 2015)
Affiliate Marketing Network and Parent Company to Pay US$16 Million for Deceptive Weight-loss Marketing Scheme06 Apr 2015 Written by World Watch
The United States Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has announced that a US district court has made a summary judgment (6 March 2015) ordering affiliate marketing network LeadClick Media (LeadClick) and its parent company CoreLogic Inc (CoreLogic) to pay US$16 million, after the court found that affiliate marketers recruited by LeadClick on behalf of LeanSpa LLC (LeanSpa) developed fake news sites which "deceived consumers by using real news organization names and logos along with purported testimonials from users of LeanSpa's [weight loss] products".
The United States Department of Justice (DoJ) has announced that massive open online course platform provider edX Inc (edX) has agreed to settle allegations that it breached the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended. The DoJ alleged that the platform provided by edX was "not fully accessible to individuals with disabilities, including individuals who are blind or have low vision, individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing and individuals who have physical disabilities affecting manual dexterity".
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Representatives from the Chinese side say they think it likely that Chinese President Xi Jinping will attend the G-20 meeting later this month. But in order to reach a trade...China Economyread more
Software engineers straight out of college often make six-figure salaries, not counting equity compensation.Technologyread more
Wall Street, though, is clamoring for a rate cut, with an 85% chance of a move in July and a 61% probability of three reductions by year's end.The Fedread more
A company spokesperson said the outage was the result of a "an internal technology issue" and was not security related.Retailread more
The flattening of the yield curve is exuding a bad omen for the stock market if history is any guide.Marketsread more
Using MIT's living wage calculator, CNBC Make It mapped out the minimum amount a single parent must earn to meet their basic needs without relying on outside help in every...Earnread more
Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam announced at a press conference on Saturday that a contentious bill to allow extraditions to mainland China has been put on hold.China Politicsread more
Stratolaunch, the world's largest airplane, which flew once, is up for sale, sources familiar told CNBC.Investing in Spaceread more
Transparency is key… or is it? With the first-ever non-transparent, actively managed exchange-traded fund receiving approval from the SEC, "ETF Edge" goes straight to the...ETF Edgeread more
Mired in a crisis over its best-selling 737 Max plane, Boeing could hand the spotlight over to its rival Airbus at the Paris Air Show.Airlinesread more
A new update to the Apple Watch called watchOS 6 will notify you if the environment you're in is too loud and could damage your hearing.Technologyread more
Will cold drinks save a once-hot stock?
Keurig Green Mountain is betting they will help jumpstart growth as it officially launches its Kold machine, which makes single-serve cold beverages with the push of a button. But not everyone is buying it.
Bill Chappell, an analyst at SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, said the "jury is out and is really skeptical" about Kold becoming "a meaningful driver of growth" for at least a couple years.
"I think the Street has largely written off Kold. I think there are low expectations for Kold," Chappell said in a phone interview.
Keurig is already a powerhouse in the single-serve coffee market, where it has helped change the way Americans get their morning caffeine jolt by promising convenience without the mess. In fact, sales of standard coffee machines have been shrinking since 2012 while pod coffee brewers continue to steal share, according to Euromonitor data.
Unlike coffee though, it takes just as much effort to reach into the fridge to grab a soft drink. The key selling point for Kold is variety without taking up the fridge space multiple 12-packs would require.
Tara Murphy, senior vice president and general manager, Keurig Kold Systems, said the system opens it up to additional times of day and customers.
"Every home in the U.S. drinks cold beverages so it's just a much bigger space to play," Murphy said in an nterview.
Kold's convenience comes with a price, though: the drinkmaker has a $369.99 suggested retail price, while the pods will set customers back another $4.49 to $4.99 for each box of four. Each pod makes a single 8-ounce serving.
Year to date, Keurig's stock has cracked under skepticism about Kold and concerns about flagging growth of its flagship hot beverage products.
Shares have dropped about 60 percent year to date, making it one of the worst performers of the S&P 500.
Wall Street remains cautious on the stock, placing an average "hold" rating on it.
Near term, Phil Terpolilli, senior equity analyst at Wedbush, does not expect a huge impact from Kold but said it would be a drag on profitability.
"We're modestly negative on the overall platform," he said during a phone interview.
The machine's high price tag is a concern, coupled with the expense of the pods, which are pricier than buying soda at the grocery store.
"You're asking a lot of people out of the gate, even hard-core soda drinkers," he said.


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The Dark Side of Health Gamification
The use of gamification by businesses and consumers has become widespread. It’s more visible in the digital health arena, but there are hidden dangers for users.
Gamifying our lives may seem like an easy way to motivate ourselves and others toward healthy behaviors. However, gamified incentives could also lead people away from their goals—and even make them more vulnerable to unhealthy habits.
In an Information Processing & Management study this year, researchers developed a theoretical model to investigate the effects of characteristics on stressors (privacy invasion and social overload) and strain (gamification tiredness) on humans.


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Chinese home appliances giant Midea says it has completed its acquisition of German company Kuka, one of the world’s largest industrial robot manufacturers.
While the deal prompted some consternation among those who said the German government should stop the takeover, as well as with those people who subsequently demanded the European Union make it more difficult for Chinese companies to buy EU companies, the two companies are now part of the same group.
Kuka is determined to take advantage of its alliance with Chinese household appliances manufacturing giant Midea to become the largest robot maker in China.
Already one of the largest industrial robot manufacturers in the world, Kuka was taken over by Midea some months ago in a move currently being scrutinised by the European Union, which may change its merges and acquisitions policies as a result.
Midea, the Chinese company which acquired industrial robotics and automation systems supplier Kuka, is planning to launch robot bartenders and design factories where no humans are needed.
Neither one of the ideas is new, since most visitors to robotics industry events may have seen at least one robotic arm pouring and serving up a drink, and fully automated factories have been much discussed for some time.
Midea, which claims to be the world’s leading manufacturer of air conditioners and home appliances, has strengthened its presence in North America by opening new facilities to support what it says is “continued business growth in the region”.
Midea’s North American locations include a customer service center, expanded corporate office spaces, and research and development facilities. This expansion further enhances Midea’s network of over 280 major product facilities and logistics centers worldwide.
Jim Tomaszewski, president of Midea America, says: “Our physical expansion in North America is a testament to the continued business growth in this important market.
“Not only will these facilities give us the resources and tools we need to meet the fast-growing demand for high-quality products for the home in the US and Canada, but they will also create more jobs in each location, which will help to boost the local economies.” Continue reading Midea expands in North America
China’s Midea said it will complete its takeover of German robotics maker Kuka in the first half of January after the United States authorities gave the deal a green light.
Midea, which launched a €4.5 billion offer for Kuka in May, said Germany’s markets regulator had approved the settlement of the transaction, allowing it to control a 94.55 percent voting stake in Kuka from January onwards.
The bid for Kuka, a high-tech robotics manufacturer, sparked controversy in Germany amid fears that key technologies were falling into foreign hands at a time when China protects its own companies against foreign takeovers. Continue reading US gives Midea green light to buy Kuka
China-based investment expert Edward Tse, CEO of Gao Feng, says Chinese manufacturers have progressed from being considered “shanzai” – copycats – to embracing the idea of becoming developers of advanced robotics and automation systems
Chinese electrical appliance manufacturer Midea’s move to acquire Kuka, the German robot maker, could be a defining moment in the evolution of China’s manufacturing sector.
China’s reliance on low-cost, labour-intensive manufacturing to power its immense economy is no longer attractive, mainly due to the rise in labour and other costs.
In this part of our series of articles about investing in robotics and automation, Brian Gahsman, managing partner and chief investment officer at GBSfunds, explains what type of robotics and automation enterprises his company, Gahsman Branton, is interested in investing in
Robotics and Automation News: Are you mainly looking at investing in established companies or startups?
Brian Gahsman:Actually both. There is a great number of publicly traded companies in this space with established earnings and the leaders make a solid foundation of the holdings in my strategy. That being said, even these established companies began as startups in the not so distant past.
Towards the end of last year, the nominally communist Chinese government announced that it wants China to become the world’s largest producer of industrial robots.
In comments made in the past few months, China’s President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang have clearly stated their intention to embrace robots and the new industrial revolution brought about by internet connectivity and artificial intelligence.
In a speech to the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Jinping called for a “robot revolution”, saying: “Our country will be the biggest market for robots, but can our technology and manufacturing capacity cope with the competition? Not only do we need to upgrade our robots, we also need to capture markets in many places.”
Kuka says it has generated record levels of business across its units, with almost €900 million worth of orders placed in the second quarter of 2016. The figure represents a 28 per cent increase on the previous year’s profits.
In it robotics division, earnings increased to €25.5 million in the past quarter, says the company in a report.
Kuka, a Germany-based company established in 1898, is one of the world’s leading industrial robot manufacturers.
In recent weeks it has been the subject of a takeover bid by Chinese company Midea, which makes electrical appliances.
Midea says it currently has more than 80 per cent of Kuka’s shares, according to Bloomberg.com, which would seem to mean that Midea now owns Kuka.
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Soon you’ll be able to watch your favorite 3D horror flick in all its blood-and-guts-glory right from the comfort of your couch.
The Blu-ray Disc Association announced plans to develop a standard for movies allowing consumers to see feature films in 3D at home similar to what they would experience on the big screen. Movie studios would use the high definition capabilities of Blu-ray DVDs to deliver the experience. Geeky glasses still required; microwave popcorn and significant other optional.
“The 3D theatrical market has been very successful this year. We are just now seeing all of the true capabilities of 3D and with Blu-ray Disc’s superior technical characteristics, as well as the broad industry support of the format, it makes it the ideal packaged media platform for 3D home entertainment,” said Bob Chapek, President, Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment.
U.S. & World
3D, a staple of scary movies in the 1980s, seems to be making a comeback. Sony announced plans to introduce a 3D television by the end of 2010, according to the Wall Street Journal. Panasonic has committed to developing a 3D television, too.
ESPN announced last week that it will broadcast the USC-Ohio State college football game on Sept. 12 in 3D in select locations. NBC broadcast an episode of "Chuck" in 3D in February, and SoBe Lifewater aired a 3D commercial during the Super Bowl.


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According to the description, the short explores the origin story of the "inquisitive transforming robot" Bastion, which has reactivated after decade of dormancy.
Upon waking from this peaceful repose, the battle automaton begins investigating his surrounding, and discovers its core combat programming "may have a different directive."
Earlier this week at gamescom 2016, Blizzard revealed the new Eichenwalde, which is set in a German castle. It will be released in September.
All of the changes and additions to the online shooter are currently available on the PTR.
Enjoy the video.


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SINGAPORE – Tea lovers in Singapore now have a new option to satisfy their cravings, as Chinese speciality tea chain TaiGai officially opened its first overseas store at Nex shopping centre in Serangoon on Wednesday (Sept 5).
The chain plans to launch another seven stores in Singapore by the end of 2019.
The brand boasts a unique form of “milk cheese crown”, which refers to a foam made of milk and cheese that covers the top of the tea.
While other brands may also have milk or cheese foam teas, TaiGai infuses its crown with fruits as well.
Founded in 2015, TaiGai originated in Shenzhen, China. The “Tai” in its name pays tribute to Taiwan, the place where milk crowns were first invented, and “Gai” refers to the milk foam top.
TaiGai has over 60 stores in China, and is managed in Singapore and Thailand by BTG-Pindao Venture, formed under a joint-venture agreement between Together Inc and Shenzhen Pindao Food & Beverage Management.
Together Inc, which holds a 90 per cent stake in the venture, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the BreadTalk Group.
Mr Henry Chu, BreadTalk Group’s chief executive officer, said there has been a rise in demand for novelty tea beverages in Singapore in recent years.
He added: “We are excited to bring this exciting and refreshing tea beverage experience to our consumers in Singapore… I believe that through our strong operational track record and brand management experience, we are optimistic of delivering the iconic TaiGai’s Milky Kiss and Fruity Milky Kiss drinks to capture the hearts and taste buds of consumers.”
In addition to the opening of the Nex store Wednesday, BreadTalk Group plans to open two stores in Thailand in 2019.
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Published at Thu, 06 Sep 2018 08:15:00 +0000


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Gmail will soon use machine learning to optimize its search profile and yield better results in its email client. The brand detailed on its Google Workspace Updates blog that it has developed a new machine learning model that will be able to identify the intent of email searches and deliver more contextual results.
It is also expected to be able to create personalized suggestions based on prior searches.
Functionally, the feature might work in a fashion where you input keywords you think might get you to the email you want. If they don’t, the new Gmail machine learning algorithm can suggest alternative keywords that might get you to your desired results faster, instead of you having to think of another search term on your own.
TechRadar noted this update is slated to be a solid step up from other Gmail search formats, which relied on chips, filters, and operators.
The update is now available to all Google Workspace customers, in addition to legacy G Suite Basic and Business customers, and personal Google account users.
While Google didn’t share images of what the update will look like, a complete update is expected within the coming weeks. It is expected to be available for Gmail’s web app, in addition to the Android and iOS mobile apps, though Google did not specify, according to 9to5Google.
Google is continuously working on many changes to Gmail. The brand is currently rolling out a design change for the email client called “integrated Gmail layout,” which was originally announced in January. The redesign is intended to bring a new look to Gmail and improve productivity and functionality. It is based on the current “Material You” design language that Google is using for many of its software platforms, including Android and ChromeOS. However, users can easily opt out of using the new layout if they desire.
- 10 helpful Gmail tips and tricks everyone should know
- Google could kill Gmail spam with an upcoming major update
- Google just made this vital Gmail security tool completely free
- Microsoft Teams is about to get faster and much easier to use
- These are the new AI features coming to Gmail, Google Docs, and Sheets


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The Q&A session following Yahoo’s “What Matters Most” event today was interesting. That is, interesting if you’re confused by the whole Bing/Yahoo strategy going forward. And it would certainly be understandable if you were — especially after an event in which Yahoo did a lot to highlight changes to its search product. You know, the one everyone thought Microsoft was now running.
But there’s an important distinction between Yahoo’s plans for its own search product going forward, and Microsoft’s plans for it. The easiest way to think about it is that Yahoo will be in charge of the frontend side of things for Yahoo Search, while Microsoft will be in charge of the backend — though not all of it. And Yahoo didn’t shy away from questions today as to whether that means that essentially, Yahoo is still competing with Microsoft in search? From a frontend perspective, which is all most users will ever see, it is, says Yahoo.
Yeah, it’s confusing.
Prabhakar Raghavan, Yahoo’s Senior VP of Labs and Search Strategy, tried to answer the questions as best he could. But the vibe seemed to be that he felt confined in giving the answers that Yahoo is making all of its execs give. And even though at least half of the questions during the Q&A session were about Yahoo’s deal with Microsoft, it was clear that plenty of the journalists and bloggers in the audience still weren’t entirely clear what the plan is. Or that Yahoo really knows what the plan is.
“We are not a version of Bing. We are the Yahoo search experience,” Raghavan said at one point. And he continued on that it was a complex deal, and not as easy to explain or execute as a straight-up acquisition would be. I’ll say.
While Yahoo is full of PR-ready answers that seem to confuse even them, here’s how I interpreted what Yahoo was basically saying today: “We are Yahoo Search, powered by Bing, but we don’t want you to know we’re powered by Bing.”
Elisa Steele, Chief Marketing Officer of Yahoo, wanted to make it clear that the Yahoo branding would remain intact on all Yahoo Search pages. Okay, and that’s fine, as I said, most users will have no idea what is actually powering their search results. But it’s a little odd that Yahoo Search now sounds more like a search layer of sorts over Bing (though, again, they would never put it that way).
And it’s too bad. After the last event which focused on their search innovation (before the Microsoft deal), I was harsh in my criticism of Yahoo, saying that they weren’t doing enough on the frontend to ever take users away from Google. At today’s event, a new frontend is exactly what they showed off, and some of it looks very good. The people-search aspect in particular strikes me as something I would use, as soon as it gets a way to filter things like tweets by most recent updates — which it’s getting, I’m told.
The left-side filters work well as an obvious visual way to scour various popular services that Yahoo has included. We currently use Yahoo BOSS to power TechCrunch search, it was impressive that when I did a search for my name, one of the options was to see all the TechCrunch articles by me.
Certainly it’s in Yahoo’s interest to get people using Yahoo more, but it is too bad that the main benefactor of all the work Yahoo has been doing to make the frontend of its search more compelling may be Microsoft. I wonder if in a year’s time we won’t just consider Yahoo Search to be the prettier version of Bing.


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Microsoft Health App Now Available For iPhone, Android, Windows Phone [Download Links]
With Apple touting HealthKit and Google also joining the fold with Google Fit, it was inevitable that Microsoft would join the fold at some point, and having taken the wraps off its fitness-related Microsoft Band wearable, the accompanying health and fitness platform – aptly named Microsoft Health – was also launched alongside the wrist worn gadget. Designed for the Microsoft Band, there’s an app for iOS, Android and Windows Phone right off the bat, and as ever, we’ve all of the details under one roof.
The one advantage that Microsoft has in getting its products and services out later than everybody else is that it has a chance to get things right. Sure, Cortana arrived into our lives long after Apple and Google’s respective voice services had established themselves, but as those who’ve used it will vouch, the Redmond’s offering feels just as refined and accomplished as the rest of them.
Microsoft Health, once again, appears to be following this same formula. The apps, on all platforms, are very clean, offering slick, minimal interfaces, and while Microsoft will surely be pushing plenty of updates to these apps in the coming weeks, these all look pretty darned good for a first attempt.
The Microsoft Health app can track heart rate, steps taken, calories burned, sleep quality and such, and with other perks like Guided Workouts, email previews and calendar alerts, it’s pretty full-on.
It’s an obvious accompaniment to the Microsoft Band, and can be used to customize the experience of the wearable. But Microsoft Health should not be mistaken for a companion app; it’s an open platform that can be integrated with the likes of MyFitnessPal, RunKeeper and Jawbone’s UP platforms, as well as others.
So, it’s official – Microsoft has joined the ranks of the fitness fanatics, and while it’s yet another fashionably late showing, at least the Xbox maker appears to have once again turned up with the goods.
You can download the free Microsoft Health App from the direct links we’ve embedded below, give it a whirl, and be sure to leave your early impressions in the comments.


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NYtimes covers the growth of Nordic countries as home for Green Data Centers.
Nordic Countries Increasingly Attractive as Sites for Data Centers
By NAOMI POWELL
Published: April 29, 2012
The potential growth of the Nordics could canabalize the data centers in other parts of Europe.
“What we are seeing, certainly in the data storage market, is the rise of the Nordics, which may in the future dilute the market share from the traditional centers in Europe,” Keith Inglis, a partner in the Europe, Middle East and Africa data center advisory group at Cushman & Wakefield, said in a statement.
Here is a summary of construciton projects.
Sweden and the other Nordic countries are attempting to chart a different course. In addition to Facebook, which will spend as much as $750 million on the center, Google has built a €200 million, or $265 million, data facility in Hamina, Finland; Verne Global is investing $700 million in its center in Iceland; and Green Mountain Data is building a facility worth 1 billion Norwegian kroner, or $175 million, in Norway.
The Green Data Center angle is referenced.
“Green has become a really important piece,” said Rachel Dines, a senior analyst at Forrester, the research firm. “Not only does it look good and look environmentally conscious and sustainable but it also saves you a lot of money because green means less power, and power is the No. 1 cost of running a data center.”
One interesting part covered is the incentives offered to Facebook.
Though tax breaks were not part of the deal, Sweden provided an investment grant of 103 million kronor to Facebook. That money could have been spent on broadband and other infrastructure that would benefit all companies, said Per Boland, a spokesman for the Green Party in Sweden. “This sets a standard for the future and it could be a very expensive way to attract business to Sweden,” he said.


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Is Bitcoin the Main Cryptocurrency?
Is Bitcoin the main cryptocurrency
Are you wondering: "Is Bitcoin the main cryptocurrency?" If so, then you've come to the right place.
This article will give you the low-down on this new type of payment system, which is accepted in both online and physical stores.
Not only is Bitcoin a great way to pay for goods and services online, but it also protects you from many forms of financial crime.
As the most popular crypto, there are only 21 million coins in existence, so the more coins you buy, the safer you'll be.
Bitcoin is the main cryptocurrency
In the last decade, Bitcoin has grown in value and popularity, despite the fact that it is a decentralized digital foreign currency.
It can only be bought and transacted on the internet, which makes it much easier to use than other digital currencies.
Although governments, multinational corporations, and individuals from around the world have invested in Bitcoin, there are also several methods for accumulating and using this cryptocurrency.
Here are some of them:
Although most cryptocurrencies are restricted to micropayments, Bitcoin has more applications in the real world.
The invention behind its blockchain technology, which is used to track and verify transactions, has made it an invaluable asset.
Its emergence has also spurred significant improvements in a variety of world financial sectors.
However, while most cryptocurrencies are still limited to micropayments, Bitcoin has become the leading cryptocurrency and promises to revolutionize world finance.
Bitcoin's market cap, larger market cap, and superior know-how have all contributed to its transparent lead in the business.
Although Bitcoin is a popular alternative to conventional cash, it is not an excellent replacement for dollar cash.
Although the rise in the value of the US dollar was likely caused by the financial crisis of 2008, it is unlikely that the coin will replace it any time soon.
It is, however, expected to increase by 50% over the next year. And while some analysts are skeptical of the Bitcoin market, others believe it could be a booming financial asset.
In the past, Bitcoin has fluctuated dramatically. According to the Barone Enterprise Study Center, bitcoin didn't exceed one thousand dollars from 2013 to 2016. But that changed in 2017, when bitcoin's value started to rise.
It reached a high of twenty thousand dollars in December 2017, and set a new listing record of 35,000 dollars in January 2021. The rise of Bitcoin has prompted a number of large companies to buy cryptocurrency.
It can be used to pay online and in physical stores
Using Bitcoin as a payment option in a physical store comes with a variety of benefits. As an alternative to traditional methods such as credit cards and cash, it is faster and cheaper to exchange currencies.
Various options are available for brick-and-mortar businesses, including POS systems or person-to-person transactions.
To accept Bitcoin payments, customers must transfer the appropriate amount of cryptocurrency to their blockchain wallet.
Bitcoin is accepted in several online stores. For example, Bitcoin can be used to pay for items at High Fidelity, an online store that sells sneakers and accepts Ethereum as payment. Other online stores that accept Bitcoin as payment include Real Watches, which offers free shipping within the United States.
Other online businesses accepting Bitcoin as a payment method include Saving Pearls, which sells hand-crafted pearl jewelry and donates 50% of its profits to prevent human trafficking. Microsoft also allows users to buy products online with Bitcoin.
It protects against many forms of financial crime
Bitcoin is a form of digital currency that provides great protection against various forms of financial crime.
Because it is anonymous, federal agencies have trouble tracing transactions.
Furthermore, there is no central authority to supervise transactions, which makes the detection of large amounts of transactions difficult.
Many online crypto exchanges and wallet providers lack anti-money laundering and Know Your Customer regulations, so it is hard to track large Bitcoin transactions.
However, criminals can still use this technology to conduct illegal transactions.
Though digital currencies have been around for nearly a decade, regulatory systems have not caught up with their growth. In some countries, they are nonexistent or underdeveloped, which allows for illicit activities to flourish. The lack of regulation leaves many consumers vulnerable.
In addition, some fraudulent Bitcoin traders disappear with millions of dollars in cash, which in turn is used to fund terrorism and international money laundering.
Because of this, regulators must work with experts in the field to draft laws that are fit for purpose and not stifle innovation.
Money laundering is an age-old problem, and criminals have turned to cryptocurrencies in an effort to hide illegal funds. Law enforcement must leverage cryptocurrency tracing services and blockchain analytics to follow the money. This process is known as "following the money."
The criminals have found that it is not easy to hide their activities with cryptocurrency, but a recent court case highlights the need to protect these funds. In recent years, the US Department of Justice has unveiled a superseding indictment alleging six individuals involved in launderering drug proceeds.
In addition, one of the individuals admitted to misrepresenting the custody of bitcoin, purchasing practices, and risk exposure. He faces a maximum prison sentence of 60 years if convicted.
It has a finite supply of 21 million coins
Bitcoin is an asset with a limited supply, as it was created by an anonymous developer known as Satoshi Nakamoto. Satoshi knew that a sound money system needs limits, and so he created a finite supply of 21 million coins.
This limit halved every four years, which makes each coin that enters circulation even more valuable.
As the supply of bitcoins decreases, more people are buying the currency on exchanges, which is making it increasingly scarce. Bitcoin is also censorship-resistant and decentralized.
There are two ways to estimate how many Bitcoins are in circulation today. A recent study found that three million Bitcoins had been mined but never touched. The remaining 19 million coins have no guarantee of being mined. Moreover, experts predict that the supply cap will be 20,999,999 coins instead of 21 million.
This means that 90 percent of the coins are already out in the world. Therefore, it's possible that all the coins have been mined and are in circulation.
Although there is no concrete evidence that Satoshi himself set a limit, it is a good theory to keep in mind. The 21 million limit would probably be a good target for mass adoption of crypto.
If the price of bitcoins is high enough, it will likely push up prices for the rest of the market. But in the long run, it would be beneficial for the global economy if the price of bitcoins does not increase.
Once all 21 million coins have been mined, mining fees will cease. The income that miners get from mining will come from block rewards and transaction fees. The 21 million-coin limit may also cause problems for miners.
In addition to affecting investors and miners, the 21 million-coin limit will limit the amount of new coins that can be issued. When it reaches its maximum limit, no one can tell when more will be mined.
It has no intrinsic value
The monetary system is based on the concept of intrinsic value, and the reason that bitcoin has no intrinsic value is because the process of mining requires significant energy and money.
Bitcoins cannot be created in a similar manner to dollars, and so their value is determined by how much people are willing to pay for them.
This is the primary difference between Bitcoin and a traditional asset such as gold. Bitcoin is created in a different way than gold, so there's no natural resource to produce bitcoin.
It's hard to find an object without intrinsic value. Happiness is intrinsically valuable, as it is the ultimate goal of life. While Bitcoin does not have intrinsic value, its characteristics are shared with many other immaterial objects.
This makes it unreliable for use as a medium of exchange. However, some enterprises accept Bitcoin as a form of payment. Bitcoin is not a perfect currency, and it will probably never be.
A billionaire investor, Mike Novogratz, CEO of Galaxy Investment Partners, once stated that Bitcoin does have value, but it is based on its social makeup.
For example, people buy Bitcoin because they believe it will appreciate over time, but the value of an artwork is subjective and cannot be measured with absolute numbers.
A Matisse painting, for example, is worth several million dollars. So, if we want to measure Bitcoin's value in terms of money, we must take its social makeup into account.
Besides its volatility, a Bitcoin has no inherent value. While it's not easy to determine whether a particular currency has an intrinsic value, it does have a utility and a certain amount of scarcity.
But as long as it's in demand and not backed by a company's stock price, it's likely to become an asset for many. Its popularity has led some people to call Bitcoin "a virtual currency" to describe the future of the financial system.
About the author
I'm Sojin (U can call me sam) - writer, student for life, son, friend, artist, nerd, movie lover, avid coffee drinker, obsessive reader, and crafter. I have also been a web developer, a college graduate and a tutor.


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A reader-focused business model with digital subscriptions at the core represents the news industry’s best hope to replace a declining print business model and maintain scalable journalism, according to a new report released by the International News Media Association (INMA).
This was the key conclusion from ‘The Media Subscriptions Blueprint,’ a report based on presentations and feedback from the INMA Media Subscriptions Week from 16-19 April 2018, in London.
Across 25 case studies, seven keynote presentations, a 40-question benchmark survey, a town hall, and hundreds of questions and comments from the 230 participants from 33 countries, the INMA summit found the cutting edge on seven broad themes:
Value proposition: While content is often the trigger for a subscriber relationship, publishers must realise that community, cause, and convenience are arguably equally important in the emerging subscription game.
Freemium: The rise of data in media companies provides publishers more options on when and how to lock content. The freemium model is displacing the metered model, which is best for high quality and high quantity content ecosystems.
Moving to dynamic: A personalised dynamic model and hybrid freemium/meter models will soon displace simpler models.
Cultural galvaniser: Digital subscriptions are not a task for a department. They work best when there is a clear growth mission and a total-company approach.
Where newsrooms fit: Newsroom participation amid the art and science of content economics helps maximise digital subscription success.
Improving retention through engagement: Companies far down the road of digital subscriptions are finding that while there is upside in sales efforts, the next growth wave will be retaining subscribers at a higher rate through tactics that are just now emerging.
Authentic voice content: While surveys and best practices point to varying genres that trigger subscriptions, the one commonality no matter a global brand or a community brand is content with an authentic voice.
Beyond a distillation of global best practices, ‘The Media Subscriptions Blueprint’ includes looks at what media companies are doing best in the digital subscription space: The New York Times, Times of London, The Economist, Wall Street Journal, Schibsted, NZZ, Fairfax Media, Politiken, BILDPlus, Dennik N, Dagens Nyheter, Helsingin Sanomat, Boston Globe, Amedia, Telegraph Media Group, Immediate Media, Sky Media, The Guardian, and the Financial Times. Presentations by Facebook, Google, Membership Economy author Robbie Kellman Baxter, University of Oxford senior research fellow Grzegorz Piechota, Piano CEO Trevor Kaufmann, and others also are included.


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July 23 - The world's biggest restaurant chain is expected to report a slowdown in July sales growth, reflecting the slowing global economy and stronger U.S. dollar. Sasha Salama reports.
TV AND WEB RESTRICTIONS~**NONE*~ PLEASE NOTE: THIS EDIT CONTAINS 4:3 MATERIAL McDonald's is bracing itself to report a sales slowdown in July. That's after the world's biggest hamburger chain surprised Wall Street with weaker than expected second quarter profits. Don Thompson, McDonald's new CEO, said "The environment has become more challenging" reflecting the "slowing global economy and persistent economic headwinds". REPORTER BRIDGE: SASHA SALAMA, REUTERS REPORTER (ENGLISH) SAYING: "One of those headwinds - a stronger U.S. currency. McDonald's says the stronger dollar -- which lessens the value of U.S. companies' overseas sales -- cut 7 cents a share from the bottom line." McDonald's makes more money in Europe than anywhere else. Italy and Spain, where unemployment is soaring, were markets that were especially hard hit. That's simply because more consumers are eating at home, according to Jack Russo of Edward Jones. SOUNDBITE: JACK RUSSO, SENIOR CONSUMER ANALYST, EDWARD JONES, (ENGLISH) SAYING: "Consumers in general are just being pinched, they're being frugal, they're worried about their futures, worried if they have jobs about their job status. If they don't have jobs, clearly that means they have to eat more at home." McDonald's is the latest in a string of multi-nationals to get hurt by slower economies and a weaker dollar. SOUNDBITE: JACK RUSSO, EDWARD JONES, (ENGLISH) SAYING: "Coca-Cola, Philip Morris, also reporting that Europe overall is weaker. But predominantly the big-time pressure is in the Southern portion of Europe - Italy, Spain, Portugal." Analysts say multi-nationals can either sit back and wait for Europe and the U.S. economy to get better. Or they can try to win more business and gain new market share. If they choose the latter, analysts say it should pay off next year when the dollar shouldn't be nearly as big a problem as it's been in 2012. Sasha Salama, Reuters.


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In our third-annual State of Retail survey, TimeTrade asked consumers what they like—and don’t like—about shopping in stores.
As in prior surveys, the popularity of in-store shopping remains strong, with 84 percent of respondents indicating they would do as much, if not more, of their total non-grocery shopping in stores this year.
The main reason for the continuing popularity of in-store shopping is consumers like to touch and feel products before they purchase. So until virtual reality makes that possible from home while wearing a headset, brick-and-mortar stores continue to have a strong pull for shoppers.
But there are plenty of areas where stores can up their game in order to make consumers’ shopping experiences even more pleasant—and lucrative for retailers. Take a look at this State of Retail 2017 infographic to see exactly where stores are performing well and where they have room for improvement, as they continue to battle online sellers for the minds, hearts and dollars of increasingly choosy consumers.
Download the full State of Retail 2017 survey report.
When it’s time for me to buy new running shoes, I research new models online, then go into the store to try them on. I always buy the same brand, but every year the new models have a different look and feel. I like to go into the store to see how they fit and talk to the store associate about features.
At TimeTrade, we recently conducted a retail survey of over 1,000 consumers which revealed similar sentiment, as 85% of respondents report they like to shop in the store because they like to ‘touch and feel’ products. As further discussed in our State of the Retail 2015 report, this reveals the paradigm shift in consumer buying behavior as shoppers do most of their shopping or “discovery” online, then go into the store for final purchasing decisions.
Even traditional e-tail giants such as Amazon and Warby Parker are aware of this shift as they are opening physical store locations. This supports the notion of retail convergence, or the converging of the online and physical store.
Leading retailers are aware of these changes in buying behavior and provide an omni-channel experience that addresses the whole customer journey, not just certain channels.
To learn more results from our retail survey and more in-depth analysis about the state of retail, you may attend my webinar which will be held Tuesday, June 2nd at 2:00 pm EST.
The prospect of online shopping wiping out bricks and mortar retail is looking more like urban legend than reality. According to a new report “The State of Retail 2015,” a great majority of shoppers would prefer to shop in an Amazon physical store versus Amazon.com:
Q: If you had the choice, would you shop at an Amazon retail store or Amazon.com
A: A majority – over 70% – said they prefer a store.
And 65% of these folks said they if an item is available online AND in a nearby store, they would prefer to shop in a store.
What’s going on here ? Wasn’t online shopping and e-commerce supposed to permanently change the way consumers buy things ? Not according to these folks. They were very specific about why they want to shop in a store:
Q: Why do you prefer shopping in a store versus online ?
A: The store has important things I can’t get online:
The main driver for retail convergence is a change in purchase behavior that continues to include the in-store experience as a main factor in the purchase decision.
For more details you can find the full report and survey results in “The State of Retail 2015” free download.
Since the Internet first became mainstream, I have heard stories about the “death of traditional retail.” Analysts and industry pundits have long predicted how traditional brick-and-mortar retailers would ‘go the way of dinosaur’ in favor of their online counterparts.
Despite the hype around e-commerce and online shopping, consumers still look to shop in the physical store. TimeTrade’s study investigates consumer preferences and features data collected from a survey of over 1,000 consumers focusing on their perceptions and habits around retail shopping.
Here are some of the highlights:
- Consumers prefer Brick & Mortar over Online Stores: More than 70% of consumers would prefer to shop a brick & mortar Amazon store versus Amazon.com
- In-store expertise drives purchase volume: 90% of consumers are more likely to buy when helped by a knowledgeable associate
- In-store purchasing preferences span generations: 92% of responding millennials plan to shop in-store in 2015 as often or more than they did in 2014
- Mobile purchasing is slow to grow: Only 13% of respondents have previously made a purchase using a mobile device
The survey data suggests that consumer retail shopping trends are favoring the brick-and-mortar model, despite perceptions that the rise of e-tailers would jeopardize the physical retail store. One Inc. article points out that even traditional e-tailers such as Amazon and Warby Parker are realizing the importance of the in-store experience as they open physical locations.
The findings of the report are clear: Consumers prefer buying in-store vs online. Given this information, the study suggests that retailers employ an omni-channel strategy that converts an initial online inquiry into a high-value, in-store experience. Once in the store, retailers must give customers prompt service with a knowledgeable store associate.
To read the full TimeTrade report, visit www.timetrade.com/state-of-retail.
Photo attribution: Public.Resource.Org, Used under a creative commons license
There’s a lot of talk about the “massive transformation” in retail, but small changes can pay off big for brands. When retailers are agile enough to make fast fixes, they build instant credibility – and trust – with shoppers while paving the way for long-lasting success and sales.
TimeTrade asked more than 1,000 consumers about their relationships with retail brands – what’s working, what’s not and most importantly, how retailers can improve.
The survey revealed two ways that retailers can get more shoppers through store doors and back out with more purchases in hand, eager to return again.
- Deliver exactly what ready-to-buy shoppers need in store. That starts before they even step foot in a store; retailers need to entice consumers, yet 95% of consumers surveyed receive irrelevant retail offers. After a bad experience with a sales rep, more than 20% of consumers leave the store without purchasing anything, and another 20% said they’d never return. Luckily, shoppers don’t have unrealistic expectations; they just want fast, smart guidance to make a final purchase decision. And when they get that help, 93% are more likely to buy.
- Uncover the blind spots leaving retailers in the dark. What happens on the store floor is often a black hole in retail intelligence. When consumers have bad experiences, nearly 70% of shoppers won’t tell a manager, so retailers don’t know why they are losing sales and can’t react in real-time to fix the problems. However, consumers are ready to help crack the code. More than 80% of respondents are willing to fill out email surveys, so retailers can get it right.
Skeptical, jaded consumers are ready to be impressed with standout shopping experiences that are too often few and far between today. The first step for retailers: getting the insights they need about their customers, at every stage of the buying cycle.


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Telecommunications leaders Verizon have spent billions to acquire AOL and Yahoo, once the two biggest companies on the internet. If you haven’t guessed, the Verizon net worth is incredibly high.
In the early 2000s, buying internet leaders AOL and Yahoo! would have set you back $364 billion. Telecommunications company Verizon has since bought both companies at a combined cost of $9.23b.
Yahoo! and AOL aren’t quite the forces that they once were. However, with the might of the United States’ biggest mobile coverage provider behind them, investors will be confident that they can regain some of their lost value.
For Verizon, the sites will provide a platform to increase their revenue through the mobile advertising market. Verizon is now set to take 4.5% of the digital ad market, with a user base of over 1.4b.
Verizon is already the United States’ leading mobile coverage provider. However, their revenue has been surpassed by AT&T, who made $163.8b in 2016, compared to Verizon’s $126b. Their recent buys should help them to close the gap on their fierce rival.
The AOL and Yahoo! purchases may seem like a big deal, but those outlays were small change compared to some of the acquisitions that Verizon have made in the past.
Verizon’s three biggest acquisition deals
Verizon paid out $28.1b to buy Alltel in 2008, which saw them overtake AT&T as the US’ biggest telephone provider. Prior to the sale, Alltel served 13 million customers, 12.2m of which joined Verizon.
Bell Atlantic acquired rivals GTE in a $64.7b deal in 2000. The companies merged to become Verizon. After closing the deal, Verizon controlled a third of the US market.
The biggest deal in Verizon’s history involves a company that they already owned. 2014 saw the phone company pay out $130b to Vodafone to purchase their 45% stake in Verizon Wireless.
What is the Verizon net worth?
Given the amount of money that Verizon have spent over the years, it won’t come as a surprise that they are among the highest ranking companies for annual revenue.
A healthy turnover (of more than $100b each year) attracts the interest of wealthy investors. As a result, the Verizon market cap currently stands at $188.7b.


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2020 has been a torrential way in a lot of ways & almost all of us are eager to leave it behind. The novel virus has unleashed the "unkindest cut of all". It has taken a lot of lives & has triggered a lot of ill effects for the world economy as a whole.
We as a country have suffered a lot. Individuals were confined to their homes!! People were forced to work from home and get used to the latest cloud-based tools and technologies!! Social distancing was the need of the hour! Sanitizing and using masks is one of the key necessities during the new normal. Masks and hand sanitisers spray in Hunts Point, Nova Scotia have become part of our lives!!
Here in this particular, we will discuss in a nutshell the advantages of disposable masks!! World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended the importance of wearing masks. Read on to learn more.
- N95 Face Masks-
- N95 masks disposable masks in Hunts Point, Nova Scotia is deemed to be the Cadillac of face masks.
- They are very much effective at protecting yourself against the deadly virus.
- These masks are capable of obstructing around 95% of small airborne particles.
- These masks are reserved widely for all the workers offering emergency service.
- These masks are also accepted and recommended by the government and medical boards of numerous countries.
Traditionally these masks are worn in hospitals in case of procedures and case of surgical suites. These masks are generally thin and are have loose-fitting. They are ideal to obstruct the spreading of potential contagious droplets between individuals.
The rise in cloth masks happened in response to diminishing N-95 masks and surgical masks. The most effective cloth masks are made from a couple of layers of fabric having a thread count of 180 or more.
It can be adjusted for a close fit around the face. In a good effort to preserve supply for essential workers, many organizations are offering masks made from cloth. These masks & hand cleaners in Hunts Point, Nova Scotia
offer superlative protection of up to 99% bacteria filtration.


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CHICAGO — Navistar International said this week that it has filed a counter-complaint against Ford Motor Co. for breach of contract and is seeking damages.
Navistar filed its counter-complaint following a hearing before Judge John J. McDonald of the Circuit Court of Oakland County, Mich. The hearing related to a lawsuit filed by Ford against Navistar involving 2007 engine pricing and prior period warranty claims. Navistar counter-sued, stating that pricing is consistent with contractual agreements, that the warranty claims are entirely without merit and that Ford has stopped honoring the terms of an agreement under which engines were built.
Navistar amended its counter-complaint in Wednesday’s filing. Two previous hearings have been held and Judge McDonald has asked the two companies to meet privately to see if a settlement to the dispute could be reached prior to a trial.
Art that point the feuding business partners were ordered to enter into a consent injunction in which Navistar will continue shipping 6.4L Power Stroke diesel engines to Ford, and the carmaker will pay, without deductions, for each engine.
The amended counter-complaint filed Wednesday states that Ford’s breach is based on indications that Ford plans to develop its own diesel engine for introduction prior to 2012. Ford’s failure to honor the contract, which runs through 2012, entitles Navistar to damages that have been preliminarily calculated to more than $2 billion, the complaint states. In addition, Navistar states that Ford’s actions are interfering with supply-base agreements.
International has been the exclusive diesel engine supplier for Ford’s heavy-duty pickup trucks since 1979.
Navistar believes the new Power Stroke 6.4L diesel engines provide Ford the opportunity to maintain or improve this leadership position.


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After a second round of deliberations, the jury gives a decisive victory to prominent venture capital firm Kleiner Perkins, which was being sued for gender discrimination by former junior partner Ellen Pao.
These two top flagship smartphones both pack high-end designs and features to boot. Here's how they stack up against each other.
The 2015 Mercedes-Benz C400 makes for a very comfortable and occasionally sporty drive, and advances the idea of a midsize luxury sedan, setting a new bar for the competition.
Betting that wealthy people also want smaller cars, Mercedes-Benz introduces the GLA-Class compact SUV at the 2013 Frankfurt auto show.
Pricing not available
Mercedes-Benz fits a Tesla battery pack to its 2014 B-Class Electric Drive, creating a comfortable driver with limited range.
CEO Tim Cook says Apple is "deeply disappointed" in law's passage, and other tech luminaries flex their economic muscle to put pressure on the state.
The Xiaomi Yi Action Cam's video quality and shooting options are well above other cameras in its class, but you'll need to bring your own accessories.
The Galaxy S5 and earlier Galaxy smartphones had replaceable batteries and storage expansion slots. But the new GS6 says goodbye to that flexibility in favor of a sleeker design.
Which has the most apps? Which has the coolest features? Which one is the best? The most popular streamers all have their merits, so we'll help you decide which box is right for you.
The 115th annual New York auto show starts next week -- we'll see new cars from McLaren and Cadillac, not to mention exciting updates, from a hybrid Toyota RAV4 to a new Nissan Maxima.


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‘Vehicle fitness checks mandatory to control smog’
RAWALPINDI: Rawalpindi Division Commissioner Liaquat Ali Chatta on Saturday visited the Vehicle Inspection and Certification System (VICS) Rawat Centre and thoroughly reviewed the facilities provided to the transporters.
He also got the fitness certificate of the official vehicle that he was using by getting it inspected at the VICS Centre Rawat and reviewed all the processes in detail. The Regional Transport Authority Secretary Rashid Mehmood, Rawalpindi Waste Management Company Chairman Rafiq Ahmed and representatives of the Transport Union were also present on this occasion.
The commissioner inquired about the facilities being provided by the Punjab government to the transporters who came to get the vehicle fitness certificate. The RTA Secretary, Arshad Mahmood gave a detailed briefing on this occasion.
During the briefing, he was told that wheel alignment, suspension, brake, tire, and appearance tests, headlights, seat belt check, engine sound and smoke tests are done during the vehicle inspection. The fitness test would be mandatory after every 6 months while the fitness test of about 60 vehicles is done daily at the centre.
The commissioner said vehicle fitness checks are mandatory to control smog. He directed the authorities concerned to take action against all smoke-emitting vehicles. He informed that Rawalpindi city would be made smog free area.
The transporters must get fitness certificates for their vehicles from VICS before bringing their vehicles on the roads, he added. State-of-the-art vehicle fitness certification system is fully functional in Rawalpindi, he informed.
The fitness certification system would help reduce pollution, the commissioner said adding, that the issuance of fitness certificate for public transport and freight vehicles are conducted with modern technology.


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KENOSHA — Kenosha businesses are boarded up in the downtown and Uptown area, but despite the windows being covered, business owners are reminding the public that they are still open.
Lyna Postuchow, owner of Summers Gardens Florist and Gifts, said the customers are slowly trickling back in and they are thankful for every purchase, big or small.
“Most of us are open we are ready for business again and that’s how downtown is going to survive,” said Postuchow.
Like many business owners in the downtown area, the windows to Lyna’s storefront were smashed-in during the night’s of riots. But Lyna said she is amazed at how quickly the community came together to clean up and paint color displays of artwork on boards.
“There’s a lot a great beautiful art,” said Postuchow.
Downtown Kenosha Incorporated is the organization that mobilized cleanup efforts.
“We have accumulated $100,000 in materials in donations for the boarding and for the painting afterward,” said Executive Director Alexandia Binanti.
Binanti said since many businesses are boarded, some think they are not open. But since the curfew was lifted, many restaurants and stores have gone back to normal hours.
“We are still taking precautions and keeping the boards up as well, as the fact we are inviting people to come to see the artwork, it’s a stunning display of a city coming together right now,” said Binanti.
Binanti hopes the community continues to grow and heal from the recent events, and that people continue to shop local in downtown and Uptown.
“We have shown as a community, we are here to support the Blake family, we are here to support our business owners, we are here to support the entire community but we need your support. We need you to come shop and drink coffee and know that we are still here still open and safe,” said Binanti.
Downtown Kenosha Incorporated has created a GoFundMe to support local business owners in downtown and uptown for more information click here.


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Available for Boost Mobile and Sprint, the Aquos Crystal from Sharp sports a unique edge-to-edge display that looks downright cool.
Available for Boost Mobile, the Aquos Crystal has a quad-core processor, an 8-megapixel camera, and a 5-inch edge-to-edge display.
Don't fret about the unremarkable features -- the Sharp Aquos Crystal is a great buy with a compelling edgeless display that renders it unlike any phone currently on the market.
Pricing not available
Boasting a unique no-bezel design, the Sharp Aquos Crystal is the company's first phone to be available in North America in years.
Sharp's no-bezel smartphone offers premium design at an affordable price.
At CES 2014 in Las Vegas, Sharp unveils the Aquos 4K, Aquos Q, and what Sharp President John Herrington called a "game-changer" TV, the Aquos Quattron+, which has 10 million more subpixels than full HD. Sharp will release these TVs in a matter of weeks.
The Japanese TV maker is known for going big at the Consumer Electronics Show, and this year is all about the subpixels.
The HD display will likely find a home in future flagship models, such as next year's G3 successor.
The company's new Aquos Crystal line is rumored to be making its way to US shores, bringing a dazzling edge-to-edge design along with it.
Best Buy leaks everything about the Moto 360 ahead of their September 4thannouncement. Android Wear gets a big push, and The Sharp Aquos Crystal is the best looking phone you'll see.


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Malibal, a laptop manufacturer, yesterday announced what they are calling the world’s first 19â€ notebook computer with dual Nvidia GPUs. The new Veda Series is currently priced at $3,299 for a base configuration and looks to be available now.
The Malibal Veda Series, said the computer manufacturer, has a 19â€, 1680 x 1050 LCD and sports a pair of Nvidia GeForce Go 7800 GTX GPUs. These are coupled with an Nvidia nForce4 SLI media and communications processor. Other features of this laptop include on-board AMD Turion 64 mobile technology, dual-channel PC2-3200 DDR 400MHz memory, Microsoft Windows XP Professional, 802.11g integrated wireless, integrated Bluetooth, double layer 8x DVDRW +/- optical drive and a wide array of ports for various A/V and data connections.
â€œDelivering top performance, diverse functionality and convenient compatibility, the Veda Series reaffirms our impassioned commitment to producing laptops that continually push the limits of mobile technology,â€ said Matthew Plott, founder, MALIBAL, in a statement.
- Everything Nvidia announced at CES, including mobile RTX, the RTX 2060, and more
- Laptop buying guide
- Leaked HP laptop listing reveals entry-level Nvidia MX250 GPU
- Everything to know about AMD’s CES 2019 reveals: Ryzen 3, Radeon VII, and more
- Are AMD-powered laptops viable alternatives? We put them to the test


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The duo debuted "Stuck with U" at number one on Monday, May 18 - two spots ahead of the rap star's "Gooba" - and he made it clear he had a problem with the placements in a video posted online, in which he claimed record label bosses had ensured Ariana and Justin would rocket to the top by purchasing multiple copies of their track.
Ariana, Justin and their manager, Scooter Braun, all responded to Tekashi, insisting fans alone were responsible for getting their record to number one, and now Billboard executives have made it clear there was no foul play.
"'Stuck with U' was available to purchase through the week as a digital download, as well as in various physical format/digital download combinations through Ariana Grande and Justin Bieber's webstores," a statement reads. "The sales spike is likely referring to sales on Thursday, May 14 - the final day of the tracking week - when signed 'Stuck with U' singles were put up for sale in Grande and Bieber's webstores. A signed single or album is an accepted form of sales available to any artist and has been noted repeatedly within Billboard chart stories when such items have impacted the Hot 100."
"6ix9ine, meanwhile, released a non-signed CD single/digital download on the last day of the tracking week via his webstore."
"As noted in this week’s story announcing the results on the latest Hot 100, 'Stuck with U' sold 108,000 in the tracking week ending May 14 and Gooba sold 24,000, according to Nielsen Music/MRC Data."
The statement continues: "The Hot 100 has a locked-in methodology, updated at least once a year, with each metric divided by a certain number, which results in an average chart ratio, whereby streams are the most heavily weighted factor, followed next by radio airplay and then sales. Each song has its own ratio breakdown based on its specific activity, which contributes to the overall chart average each week."
"Overall, 'Stuck with U' drew 28.1 million U.S. streams, 26.3 million in radio airplay audience and 108,000 sold in the tracking week. 'Gooba' had 55.3 million U.S. streams, 172,000 in radio airplay audience and 24,000 sold."


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Washington: South Korean technological giant LG is planning to introduce its webOS TV, as new leaked images gives us the glimpse of the new TV.
In the early smartphone days Palm was the market leader and in many ways was the “Apple” of smartphones. It offered users a very easy to understand a touch UI-based smartphone operating system that was simple and yet very intuitive.
It went head to head with the legions of Microsoft Pocket PC and Windows Mobile licensees like Samsung, HTC, Sony and LG, just to name a few. All of those vendors are still around, while Palm faced a short lived ‘comeback kid’ story thanks to webOS, only to see its demise when HP purchased the smartphone maker and its slick mobile OS, killing the entire webOS market just days after the company launched its iPad rival, the TouchPad.
Palm was on its last leg with Palm OS, since the OS was never originally intended to be pushed from being an organizer to the lengths it was able to achieve with Palm OS 5 Garnet (ran on Treo 650, 700p, and 755p).
Palm had been secretly working on a smartphone operating system it built using web standards, making it easy for developers to easily create apps for the OS, while also keeping what many of Palm’s faithful users expected from the company: deliver all of it in an intuitive package. Palm had scheduled an event at CES 2009 where it would show off the new webOS mobile operating system it had developed and also the company’s first device to run webOS, the Palm Pre. The company surprised the tech world and won many awards at the show for webOS and the Palm Pre. Many viewed it as the first real threat to the iPhone.
Palm never saw the success it hoped with webOS and was forced to sell the company to HP in 2010. HP instantly became a smartphone and tablet player, but days after it launched its first webOS tablet, the HP TouchPad, it announced it was killing off webOS. Now, webOS fans will be happy to know that LG will be showing off its webOS smart TV at CES. We’re getting our first glimpse at LG’s webOS smart TV, thanks to the always-reliable evleaks.
The image shows a very thin and gorgeous LG television and the familiar webOS Card View, similar to what Apple uses as its multitasking feature in iOS 7 (complete with flick off the screen to close an app). It will be interesting to see what other changes LG has made to webOS. The image also shows that LG plans on having a bunch of popular apps available, including LG’s SmartShare, which allows you to send photos, music, and videos from a mobile device to the TV, Facebook, YouTube, Skype, Twitter and more.
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Boston Dynamics’ ‘Handle’ Robot is Scarily Good At Parkour
the google-owned robotics firm boston dynamics have released a video of their latest creation, which goes by the name of ‘handle.’ the research robot is being officially introduced to the public after a leaked video made headlines describing the machine as ‘nightmare-inducing.’ unlike some of the company’s previously showcased robots that stand up on either two or four legs like ‘spotmini,’ ‘handle’ navigates on two small wheels. the undeniably human-like robot is filmed rolling back and forth, going down steps, spinning in circles, jumping, squatting, and picking up crates. ‘handle’ is also seen happily navigating down a snowy hill, and performing stunts that seem more suited to a pro-skateboarder than a research robot.
as his name could suggest, ‘handle’ is designed for heavy lifting, and carrying loads of up to 50 KG. the rolling robot stands 6.5 feet tall, travels at 9 MPH and can jump up to 4 feet high. the bot uses electric power to operate both electric and hydraulic actuators, can can roll around for about 15 miles on a single battery charge.
boston dynamics provide further information on robot’s structure, detailing that “‘handle’ uses many of the same dynamics, balance, and mobile manipulation principals found in our biped and quadruped robots that have previously made headlines for their human-like aesthetic.’ however, by combining both wheels and legs the new robot can travel smoothly on flat surfaces, whilst still managing to bend and jump, among other stunts. nonetheless, with only 10 actuated joints, ‘handle’ is significantly less complex that many of boston dynamics’ other designs.


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16 April, 2020
World has got lockdown so it is impossible to make travel around the world for real feelings, touch and experiences but during quarantine technical devices are most useful to have visual experience which help us to feel and imagine the real world staying in same place. In this 21st century scientist and technician have developed a most inspiring, useful device for virtual reality that can be most useful as travel is restricted due to lockdown.
As most of the counties are experiencing lockdown, destination marketers and other travel companies are dusting off and planning for virtual promotions designed to help travelers see the world from the safety of their home. With the help of this device user can see the object form various dimension which is like real world by naked eye. After the postponement of Olympics in Japan, Tourism Organization has created a 360-degree virtual reality movie experience that transports people to the sculptures of Naoshima, bamboo forests, Geisha performances and sumo wrestling as well as sushi making.
John Graham, president of Travel World VR, a Perillo company that produces virtual tours, said his company is aggressively promoting its products during this travel shutdown. “In today’s environment, it’s kind of a breath of fresh air,” said Graham. “We know it’s not going to take the place of going to Jamaica, but it’s going to keep interested people in traveling when they can actually go.”
Interested people can get 360-degree VR videos in traveWorldVR.com/app. “The people that embrace this tech now, when people start to travel again, they are going to be at the forefront,” he said. There are many other sources where we can have virtual tour made by many travel agencies to keep people busy in traveling


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Fitbit wants consumers to know that its devices are more than just a mechanism for step counting.
A national campaign from Grey San Francisco and Grey New York launched this week. It is the first brand campaign in several years, says Fitbit CMO Tim Rosa.
It features real users and an overall new direction for the company’s marketing. Themed “Find Your Reason,” creative shows how Fitbit keeps users on their paths.
The campaign aims to celebrate the joy of achieving health and fitness milestones through collective stories of purpose, Rosa says.
“We know that every user has their own reason and motivation for engaging with Fitbit and we wanted to share these in the users’ own words to inspire others,” Rosa tells Marketing Daily. “With one of the world’s largest social fitness networks, we often hear diverse personal stories from our users about the impact Fitbit has had on their lives, so we’re excited to share these awe-inspiring experiences and inspire the whole Fitbit community to share their reason.”
The campaign aims to increase brand awareness and engagement and drive user acquisition by reinforcing the global impact Fitbit has had, he says.
“Fitbit’s devices and software have helped millions around the world change their lives and these real user stories serve as proof points of the success of our technology and offerings,” Rosa says. “They aren’t just fun features, but real tools that real people use to improve their health.”
A diverse group of Fitbit customers from across the globe, including a woman named Rachel — who lost 79 pounds, overcame Type 2 Diabetes and got pregnant — are featured in long-form videos, a national spot and a brand anthem. It was directed by Floyd Russ of Tool of North America.
“These customers used Fitbit to achieve a specific health outcome — ranging from weight loss and increased physical activity to improving sleep and overall wellness,” Rosa says.
A national TV spot featuring Rachel will begin airing on Nov. 13 and will run on prime time, early morning, and cable TV through December.
“Beyond video, we’re hoping to inspire the entire Fitbit community with a social call-to-action, encouraging users across the globe to share their own story using the hashtag #MyReasonIs,” Rosa says. “The stories will feed directly into the campaign website and will continue to showcase the positive impact Fitbit has had so others with similar conditions, challenges or goals can be inspired and educated.”
Fitbit’s impact on positive health outcomes stretches far beyond individual stories, Rosa says.
“We just announced that we’ll be working with the National Institutes of Health on a long-term research study to better understand the relationship between lifestyle behaviors and health outcomes,” Rosa says.


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The maker of printer ink which is more valuable than human blood is about to flog off shedloads of its TouchPads again.
This time HP plans to sell its Touchpads for $99 on eBay. Apparently it has loads of refurbished ones sitting out the back which it wants to get rid of to make way for something which can make it money. We don’t know what HP has in mind, but given its current situation we would have thought the distribution of heroin might be looking fairly attractive.
The Touchpad fire sale did create a lot of excitement that the tablet never managed to when it first hit the market, and it was widely seen as value for money.
It’s a little strange that they have chosen to flog their goods through an eBay auction over the traditional retail sale.
According to Electronista, the eBay auction starts on 11 December at 6 PM. Each punter can walk off with two tablets each. HP is not saying how many units will go on sale.
The refurbished models will be available on a first come first served basis, for the same price as last time: the 16GB model will be available for $99 and the 32 GB version for $149.
There is also a $79 accessory bundle which will also be available, which includes a case, charging dock and wireless keyboard.
Word on the street is that HP is not finished with WebOS, which powers the tablet. An HP executive claimed that the development team is still working on long-term projects to continue improving the OS.
There has been one WebOS update, despite plans to discontinue products made with it.


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After reading a few threads in various message boards it appears that one of the big misses with the BlackBerry Pearl is the lack of any type of holster. RIM definitely went the “cell phone” route with the Pearl giving you only the essentials to operate the device out of the box.
Not only does the BlackBerry Pearl not contain a holster, there didn’t seem to be any holsters or cases in the T-Mobile stores to buy either. This is where I think that Research in Motion made a mistake. RIM had to know that even though they are pushing the BlackBerry Pearl as a more consumer oriented BlackBerry that most people in stores yesterday buying the devices are die-hard existing BlackBerry users. Ones who are used to holsters and belt clips.
The Shop BlackBerry accessories store has skins for the BlackBerry Pearl and a leather carrying case, however, they won’t be available for a week or two. RIM is missing a huge opportunity to sell these accessories because they weren’t available to the folks picking up BlackBerry Pearls on day one. RIM should have known that the first Pearl customers would have been existing BlackBerry addicts that would have bought these accessories up left and right if made available.