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The latest story about Google, the globe-straddling behemoth that accounts for more 90 percent of the Internet searches conducted every day, divulges just how much power that company wields, and just how careful we ought to be.
Yes, it can track your every move through your smartphone, and tell you how you just walked and where.
Yes, it places ads on the web pages you visit based upon online purchases, or even upon your searches.
And yes, it can track whether an ad pushed you to purchase something at the store.
Data Bought From Mastercard
Google gets that last piece of information from data it purchased from Mastercard, BloombergQuint revealed last week. “For the past year, select Google advertisers have had access to a potent new tool to track whether the ads they ran online led to a sale at a physical store in the U.S,” BloombergQuint reported. “That insight came thanks in part to a stockpile of Mastercard transactions that Google paid for.”
But most of the two billion Mastercard holders aren’t aware of this behind-the-scenes tracking. That’s because the companies never told the public about the arrangement.
Alphabet Inc.’s Google and Mastercard Inc. brokered a business partnership during about four years of negotiations, according to four people with knowledge of the deal, three of whom worked on it directly. The alliance gave Google an unprecedented asset for measuring retail spending, part of the search giant’s strategy to fortify its primary business against onslaughts from Amazon.com Inc. and others.
But the deal, which has not been previously reported, could raise broader privacy concerns about how much consumer data technology companies like Google quietly absorb.
Not everyone is happy about the arrangement, to say the least, because of privacy concerns. “People don’t expect what they buy physically in a store to be linked to what they are buying online,” Christine Bannan, a counsel with the advocacy group Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC), told BloombergQuint. "There’s just far too much burden that companies place on consumers and not enough responsibility being taken by companies to inform users what they’re doing and what rights they have.”
Although Google paid handsomely for the data in the millions of dollars, a spokeswoman for the tech titan says it can’t see a user’s “personally identifiable information,” and that “we do not have access to any personal information from our partners’ credit and debit cards, nor do we share any personal information with our partners.”
And a Google user “can opt out of ad tracking using Google’s ‘Web and App Activity’ online console.”
Frighteningly, BloombergQuint reported, the service, called “Stores Sales Management,” gives Google access to about 70 percent of American credit and debit cards, which could mean one of two things.
That 70 percent could mean that the company has deals with other credit card companies, totaling 70 percent of the people who use credit and debit cards. Or it could mean that the company has deals with companies that include all card users, and 70 percent of those are logged into Google accounts like Gmail when they click on a Google search ad.
That means Google knows, Bloomberg reported, what you look at and whether you bought it. “The result is powerful,” BloombergQuint rightly observed. “Google knows that people clicked on ads and can now tell advertisers that this activity led to actual store sales.”
The program is meant to boost Google’s ad business, of course, which has grown about 20 percent annually, hitting $95.4 billion in 2017.
But here’s the problem. Despite Google’s smashing success, “investors have worried how long that can last.”
That is driving some of them to Amazon.
Amazon Looks to Battle Google, Facebook
“Many major advertisers are starting to funnel more spending to rival Amazon, the company that hosts far more, and more granular, data on online shopping,” BloombergQuint reported.
The New York Times confirmed that fact in its own report about online advertising: “Amazon Sets Its Sights on the $88 Billion Online Ad Market.”
Noting that consumers can see ads for Verizon “blazing across Amazon’s home page,” the Times reported that the online retailer is aggressively pursuing advertising and “rapidly emerging as a major competitor to Google and Facebook.”
How did that happen, given that Amazon’s business is online retailing to the tune of about $235 billion annually?
“In the company’s most recent financial results, it was a category labeled ‘other’ that caught the attention of many analysts,” the Times reported. “It mostly consists of revenue from selling banner, display and keyword search-driven ads known as ‘sponsored products.’ That category surged by about 130 percent to $2.2 billion in the first quarter, compared with the same period in 2017.”
Though Google and Facebook collect about half of the $88 billion spent for online advertising, the challenge from Amazon could be daunting, the Times observed, because “it can put ads in front of people when they are more likely to be hunting for specific products and to welcome them as suggestions rather than see them as intrusions.” Example? “During a search for “laundry detergent” on Amazon’s site, an ad for Tide and Gain popped up.”
Thus, manufacturers and other advertisers would naturally want to shift their buys to Amazon, where they know the ads will be properly displayed and then seen, rather than rely on Google or Facebook, the Times notes, where an ad might pop up anywhere, possibly next to something unsavory.


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Albany International Airport launched GE Aviation’s Wellness Trace app on Thursday, Nov. 12, as a way to confirm the cleanliness of terminal areas for passengers. (GE Aviation)
Albany International Airport has become the first to start using a new blockchain-powered smartphone application that uses QR codes to show passengers real-time tracking of cleaning of touchpoints and surfaces throughout terminals, restaurants and other areas.
Wellness Trace is GE’s new application that the company envisions establishing a community among airline travelers similar to Waze where they can check the app to get a sense of the cleanest restaurants, stores, bathrooms, and other areas of the airport. Albany started using the app after a three-month trial and has now put into operation with more than 45 QR barcodes located throughout the airport.
“We’re really looking at this as an initial step, giving passengers an easy to use a method that confirms the last time a restaurant or bathroom was cleaned could greatly improve their confidence when moving through the airport as we continue to deal with concerns about touchpoints in airports, and really everywhere, due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” Andrew Coleman, general manager of GE Aviation’s digital group told Avionics International.
Wellness Trace gives passengers visual confirmation of the last time an area of the airport was cleaned. (GE Aviation)
Coleman said that Albany’s close proximity to their digital research lab located in Niskayuna, New York made it the perfect location to launch Wellness Trace and evaluate its ability to reinforce passenger confidence in the cleanliness of the airport. Passengers will be able to simply scan the QR barcode stickers with their mobile device and receive an instant status update for when a given object or area was last cleaned.
GE developed Wellness Trace using Microsoft Azure’s blockchain service and is bringing it to Albany after first launching the technology in partnership with farm-to-table food traceability solution provider TE Food and Luxembourg-based lab testing service supplier Eurofins. Coleman believes the application could also be used by airlines in a similar way to demonstrate cleanliness in the cabin.
“It could be integrated into every seatback screen, the QR codes could also be scanned as passengers are boarding. Lavs, and other high-traffic areas in the cabin, are other options to consider as well,” Coleman said.
One of the screens from the Wellness App. (GE Aviation)
Albany plans on using the application for passenger cleanliness confirmation for a three-month trial and then considering how to improve it. Airport officials are also considering expanding its use for health screenings.
“The use of GE’s cutting-edge Wellness Trace App is a major first step in our joint efforts to integrate new digital solutions to create safer travel in a post-pandemic world,” Philip Calderone, CEO of the Albany County Airport Authority said in a press statement.
Passengers traveling to Albany will also be able to use the app to check the cleanliness of restaurants near the airport as well.
“It’s exciting that Albany International Airport is partnering with GE on cutting edge technology that may help travelers feel safer since COVID-19 has changed our world,” said Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy. “Being able to scan a QR code and know the last time that surface at the airport was cleaned may alleviate some of the stress and uncertainty people are feeling as they venture out and bring back a sense of confidence. Any reassurance we can give people as they travel that they are doing so safely is important.”

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Recyclables collected in Republic Services blue bins in Carmel and surrounding areas are ultimately sent to the company’s recycling facility located south of Interstate 465 and west of Michigan Road in Indianapolis. . Using optics, magnets and several other techniques to sort recyclable materials, the facility handles up to 25 tons of material per hour. Craig Lutz, local government sales manager for Republic Services, said pollution levels have risen since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, and many items intended for recycling end up in landfills. It says it has been sent. To prevent contamination, Lutz advises, “When in doubt, throw it out.” (Photo by Anne-Marie Chambaud)
Plastic recyclable bundles are located outside Republic Services recycling facilities.
Municipal Sales Manager Craig Lutz (right) shows a Republic Services recycling facility.
A bundle of recycled aluminum cans waiting to be transported inside the facility.
Items left in the trash can move up the conveyor belt to begin the sorting process.
A worker removes a bicycle placed in a trash can. Bicycles cannot be recycled.
Workers remove non-recyclable items from the conveyor belt.
Workers remove non-recyclable items from a recycled plastic conveyor belt.
Workers sort plastic jugs like a machine pours metal cans into bins.
Crush and pack recyclable aluminum cans.
What can be recycled?
- Paper and cardboard (preferably flattened)
- metal can
- Plastic bottles and jugs (empty, clean and dry)
- Don’t put it in the Republic Recycle Bin.
- plastic bags and wrapping paper
- Styrene foam
- food waste
- batteries and electronics
- yard waste
- Dirty or damp paper products
- clothing and shoes
- construction waste
- medical waste
- Do not recycle the bag (everything in the bag ends up in a landfill)
- Connected or mixed materials, such as paper envelopes with plastic bubble wrap, cannot be recycled.
- Leave the plastic lid on the container or throw it away
- Do not leave more than 1 teaspoon of liquid in recyclable containers


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Over the last 20 years, textbook prices have increased at twice the rate of inflation, and with the weakening economy, college students look for ways to curb the cost of their required readings.
The price of college textbooks nearly tripled between 1986 and 2004, increasing 186 percent during that time, according to a study by the Government Accountability Office. The study found costs averaging $898 a year for a student attending a four-year public university.
This accounted for an average of 26 percent of the total a student paid to attend a four-year public university during the 2003-2004 academic year.
"Textbook prices are absurd," said Memoria James, a Spanish professor at the University of Texas. "It goes against what education stands for. It can hold back students who are trying to better themselves."
For students attending two-year public schools, the average cost of textbooks was $886 each year, or 72 percent of their total tuition costs. These numbers suggest that community college students have disproportionately endured the increase in textbook prices.
Bundles Add Cost
More recently, the College Board estimated that the cost of books and supplies for the 2007-2008 school year was between $805 and $1,229, depending on the type of institution a student attended.
The GAO report, produced in 2005, found that bundled enhancements contributed to the increasing price of textbooks. These packages include supporting material for the textbook. For example, a Spanish bundle might include the required textbook, a student manual, videos, listening exercise CDs, a Spanish-English dictionary and quick guides to Spanish grammar.
If the student only needs the textbook, but it is offered only in the bundled form, the student might be required to purchase unnecessary items.
Chad Stith, the director of course materials at the UT University Co-Op Bookstore, discussed this issue. "Yes, we do sell textbooks and materials that are only offered in bundled packages," he said. "It is not something we do by choice, though."
Stith said that the federal Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 will require publishers to offer all of the textbooks and additional resources individually beginning in 2010. This will allow college students to buy only the items needed for their courses.
Foreign Markets CheaperPublishers also acknowledged in the GAO report that identical textbooks are often less expensive in foreign markets.
In several cases, students find that purchasing an international edition and paying for shipping charges is less expensive than buying a textbook locally. Publishers are attempting to disallow this practice through restrictive contracts that prohibit reimporting textbooks from foreign markets.
"I've purchased a foreign edition online," said Cory Regal, a petroleum engineering major at UT. "It took a little longer to get, but even after shipping charges, I saved about $55. Well worth the wait."
Textbook price increases can also be attributed to the frequent publishing of new and revised editions and textbook enhancements. Publishers and writers only receive profits and royalties on textbooks the first time they are sold, so it is not uncommon for new editions to be released every two or three years, often with only minor supplements added.
Additions Boost Price
The GAO does support publishers' arguments that the prices reflect "the increased investment publishers have made in new products to enhance instruction and learning." These advancements include technology applications such as online homework, quizzes, lesson plans and multimedia lectures.
But some students say the costs outweigh the benefits.
"The online material does go more in depth than the textbook," said UT freshman Allison Harris. "I just don't feel like I even use it enough for what I paid."
Across the board, textbook prices worry students. The demand for discounted textbooks is evident through the market of resellers and wholesalers.
Student organizations, online sites and electronic editions all attempt to get textbooks to the students at reduced rates.
The University Co-Op, for example, allows students to list their textbooks online to eliminate the middleman and sell directly to students for a higher return on textbook sell-backs.
At Towson University in Maryland, the student government set up a Web site where students can sell books to one another. And that state's Board of Regents is looking into ways to reduce or limit cost increases.
And at the University of Alabama, the student government has asked the faculty senate to vote to keep costs down through careful selection of textbooks.
Online Editions GrowOnline textbook editions have recently become more prevalent nationally. According to the GAO study, student response to this method has been mixed. Electronic textbook editions cannot be resold, and many students say they get tired of reading computer screens.
On the other hand, these versions retail for a lower price than the hard copies and offer the option of printing out pages. UT is set to have about 1,000 students participate in an electronic textbook trial next academic year.
Students taking chemistry, biochemistry, marketing, and accounting classes could be eligible for the trial, but specific courses are still being decided.
Online Web sites for new, used and international textbooks are very popular among college students. These sites allow students to search and compare prices from different sellers, and often cost no more than a few dollars for shipping charges.
Turning to Amazon"I use Amazon.com for most of my textbook purchases," said Michelle Moreno, a senior at UT. "Delivery only takes about a week, and there is a 30-day return policy," she said. "I spend $300 tops on books each semester."
Beginning in 2010, new federal laws will be in place in an effort to help make textbook prices clear and eliminate surprises, which is often called "sticker shock." The law is designed to ensure that colleges and faculty members have all the textbook pricing information when making their purchase assessments every year.
The law will also require marketers to post textbook prices of new editions before a student opts to take the class. This will equip students with advance information to make it easier to plan for expenses every academic year.
"I paid about $650 for books this semester," said Reza Farahani, an accounting major at Concordia University in Austin. "It will probably be that much next semester, too, and knowing how much a textbook is going to be in advance won't really help me. You've still got to pay the ridiculous amount."


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The Geneva Motor Show 2014 promises to be too busy in the question "unusual models." One was displayed on Thursday (27): the EDAG Genesis concept, futuristic design which is inspired by a tortoise shell.
China broke the overall record of number of vehicles sold in a single year in 2013. According to data from the China Association of Automotive Automakers (CAAM), 21,984,100 units were sold during the 12 months of last year.
Audi continues performing tests with renewed TT. After busted occurred in October 2013 , at the Nurburgring, the sport was clicked during an experimental session in strict European winter, complete with snow on the asphalt.


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Funky Fluff fans and retailers have been patiently awaiting the release of a brand-new line up of colours! The fun begins on February 16, when we will be revealing the first half of our new Funky Family in a Facebook party where fans new and old can share in the excitement and enter to win one of the new diapers for their stash. Funky Fluff has a tradition of letting fans name their diaper colours and prints, and we’ve decided to keep things status quo: the first three “Name it to Win It” contests will go live after the first release party! The second batch of colours will be revealed in another release party on February 18, followed by a second wave of “Name it to Win It” challenges. The new colours will go on sale after the weekend, but we won’t be resting: they’ll be one more special announcement, so keep your eyes on our social media on Saturday!
February 16 @ 11 AM EST #BringingFunkyBack Release Party 1
Meet the first three colours in our new line up and celebrate with fun prizes!
Watch out for our Name it to Win It contests on Funky Fluff’s Facebook page, starting at 1 PM EST.
February 18 @ 11 AM EST #BringingFunkyBack Release Party 2
Three more colours join the team, and more chances to win!
Watch out for three more Name it to Win It contests on Funky Fluff’s Facebook page, starting at 1 PM EST.
February 20 Stay tuned for a special announcement!
February 22 @ 12 PM EST #BringingFunkyBack colours are available for purchase at your favourite Funky Fluff retailer
February 22 – March 8 16 Funky Fluff retailers are sponsoring a giveaway-a-day on Funky Fluff’s Facebook Page or Instagram account!


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Sens Beer Promotion has hockey fans abuzz
Published Friday, January 18, 2013 2:54PM EST
Ottawa Senators hockey fans will be able to enjoy a free cold one at the opening game against the Florida Panthers Monday Night.
In a promotion with Molson to help celebrate the return of NHL hockey, the Sens will hand out a free 14 oz beer voucher to every fan who is of legal drinking age.
Reaction to the beer promotion got the thumbs up at the popular Prescott Hotel Sports Bar on Preson Street. "It's a great idea. Beer and hockey, they go together like bread and wine", stated one hockey fan over lasagna and a pint.
The beer promotion runs only for the home opener.


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On a daily basis, largely thanks to the efficiency-centered malicious campaigns circulating in the wild, cybercriminals get access to tens of thousands of accounting credentials across multiple Web properties, and most disturbingly, online payment processing services like PayPal.
We’ve recently spotted a newly launched underground E-shop that’s exclusively selling access to hacked PayPal accounts. How much does it cost to purchase a hacked PayPal account on the underground marketplace these days? What pricing method is the cybercriminal behind the service using, and does the newly launched E-shop share any similarities with the E-shop selling access to hacked PayPal accounts that we profiled in 2012?
Financial institutions and online payment processors are a common target for cybercriminals, who systematically brand-jack and abuse the reputation of their trusted brands, in an attempt to scam or serve malware to their customers.
Over the past 24 hours, cybercriminals have launched yet another spam campaign, impersonating PayPal, in an attempt to trick its users into thinking that they’ve received a “Transaction Confirmation“, which in reality they never really made. Once users click on any of the links found in the malicious emails, they’re exposed to the client-side exploits served by the Black Hole Exploit Kit.
Over the past 24 hours, cybercriminals have launched yet another massive spam campaign, this time impersonating both eBay and PayPal, in an attempt to trick their users into clicking on the client-side exploits and malware serving links found in the malicious emails.
A cybercriminal/group of cybercriminals that’s been responsible for a series of malware attacks that I’ve been recently profiling, continues to systematically rotate the impersonated brands and the actual malicious payload dropped by the market leading Black Hole Exploit Kit. The prospective target of their latest campaign? PayPal users.
Sticking to their proven tactic of systematically rotating the impersonated brands, cybercriminals are currently spamvertising millions of emails impersonating PayPal, in an attempt to trick its users into downloading and executing the malicious attachment found in the legitimate looking email.
Largely relying on sophisticated and legitimate-looking phishing campaigns, next to active data mining of a botnet’s infected population, today’s cybercriminals are in a perfect position to monetize these fraudulently obtained assets in the form of compromised accounts.
In this post I’ll profile a newly launched cybercrime-friendly E-shop selling access to compromised accounts belonging primarily to PayPal users, but also, compromised accounts belonging to Apple, Walmart, Ebay and Skype users.
Cybercriminals are currently spamvertising millions of emails impersonating PayPal, in an attempt to trick PayPal users into executing the malicious attachment found in the emails.
Using ‘Notification of payment received‘ subjects, the campaign is relying on the end user’s gullibility in an attempt to infect them with malware. Once executed, it grants a malicious attacker complete control over the victim’s PC.
Sticking to their well proven social engineering tactics consisting of systematic rotation of the abused brands, cybercriminals are currently spamvertising millions of emails impersonating PayPal, in an attempt to trick end and corporate users into interacting with the malicious campaign.
Once the interaction takes place, users are exposed to the client-side exploits served by the Black Hole exploit kit, currently the market share leader within the cybercrime ecosystem.
Cybercriminals are currently mass mailing millions of emails impersonating eBay and PayPal in an attempt to trick end and corporate users into clicking on the malicious links found in the emails. Upon clicking on any of them, user are exposed to the client-side exploits served by the Black Hole exploit kit.
PayPay users, beware! Phishers have just started spamvertising hundreds of thousands of legitimately-looking PayPal themed emails, in an attempt to trick users into entering their accounting data on the fraudulent web site linked in the emails.


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Separate names with a comma.
Discussion in 'Video Games' started by joelmunroe, Mar 20, 2007.
tough exclusive to lose...
"Capcom is committed to making its titles available to as wide an audience as possible, and has been building its technology base to meet that goal," said Mark Beaumont
Must be why it's most popular franchise is never released on all major consoles at a time.
although imo games are going to lose the exclusive tag soon enough (except for the ones owned by Sony/MS etc).
Companies need to make profits and cross platform is the best way they will do it.
I was just about to come post this. And now with talks of MGS losing money and needing to expand, it's not going to completely shock me if they go the same route. If so, I hope that BlueTooth thing catches on lol.


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Virgin Mobile Delays New Throttling Practices
Will Be Delayed Until 'Sometime in 2012'
Sprint-owned prepaid vendor Virgin Mobile recently announced
significant pricing changes, reducing the price of its Beyond Talk "unlimited" voice, data, and text messaging plan to $55 per month, and raising the cost of the company's less expensive Beyond Talk plans to $35 and $45 per month, respectively. Virgin Mobile also announced they'd soon be changing the definition of "unlimited" for these plans, throttling users back to around 256 kbps if they consumed more than 2.5GB a month.
Today Virgin Mobile announced they'd be postponing the implementation of that throttling system
. The announcement came alongside the unveiling of the LG Optimus Slider phone. The company failed to give a reason for the delay or give a solid date for when throttling would be implemented, except to say it will begin "sometime in 2012." From a statement:
"We have decided to delay the reduction of data speeds until 2012 to ensure we have all of the necessary systems in place so that our customer experience will remain positive," Evegan said. "We will provide further information on timing beforehand so our customers have advance notification."
Virgin Mobile certainly isn't alone in implementing new throttling practices. AT&T started warning and throttling the company's heaviest users starting this week
, and Verizon also announced a new network management policy this week that de-prioritizes the traffic of the carrier's top 5% heaviest users
No such thing as Unlimited--VM is low priority on Sprint Network History repeats itself with Virgin Mobile (generally shafting customers in the long run).
UNLIMITED is a word that should never be used with any cell carrier or internet provider.
Lets take for example, when VM first came out with BROADBAND2GO.... "unlimited" internet for $40 a month. I tried that for a while since I was without anything except dialup.
VM uses sprint's towers and their services always seem to be on the bottom of the prioritization of service.
I knew "unlimited" wouldn't last long off a mobile broadband device, and it didn't. Within a short period, it was reduced to 5GB, and shortly after that, reduced to 2.5GB with a new price of $50. So, now even the word "throttling" is entering the picture.
Broadband2Go never really had a good speed, 1mbps at the most, and I won't even go into the routing nightmare VM went thru when they first launched the service.
THEN comes their Beyond Talk plan and the Launch of the first Android powered phone, the Optimus V. "unlimited" data, yeah, right. I had one of these too, Speeds were never over 500-600kbps. (and not alot of people in this town even knew Sprint had a tower here).....Well, as you can see, "unlimited" means 2.5gb here too with throttling here as well. And all this with a rate hike. $25 to $35. (and of course, VM went thru the same old data access routing issues that they did with the Broadband2Go. left customers without 3G for days and days).
Their claim is "unlimited" means "unlimited access", not "unlimited download capability".
What a crock of sh*t. i've cancelled both.
Hard to believe this flim flam VM operation is managed and owned by SPRINT!
Virgin Mobile Lowers Cap Even Further
Company Goes From $40 Unlimited To $50 2.5GB Cap
by Karl Bode Wednesday 16-Feb-2011
Last month, Virgin Mobile eliminated unlimited data on their prepaid Broadband2Go service, imposing a 5GB cap that if crossed -- results in users being throttled to 256kbps. Now Virgin Mobile is constricting things even further, and according to their website has eliminated that $40 plan, replacing it with a $50 plan that comes with a 2.5 GB cap. As with last months new cap and throttle system, users who exceed this 2.5 GB of use in one month will find themselves paying $50 a month for a 256 kbps connection. The company also still offers users the option of a prepaid $10 for 10 days plan, which comes with 100MB of usage. The company's shift from $40 unlimited to $50 heavily capped and throttled was a rapid one, and you begin to wonder precisely what March will hold.
Virgin Mobile Changes Pricing, Throttles Users
Users Will Be Throttled to 256 kbps After 2.5GB
by Karl Bode Wednesday 13-Jul-2011
Sprint today announced that the company is making several changes to Virgin Mobile brand prepaid wireless broadband. Most notably, Vrigin Mobile is going to reduce the price of its Beyond Talk "unlimited" voice, data, and text messaging plan to $55 per month, but raise the cost of the company's less expensive Beyond Talk plans to $35 and $45 per month, respectively. Virgin Mobile's also changing the definition of "unlimited" for these plans, throttling users back to around 256 kbps if they consume more than 2.5GB a month.


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It’s a new year – and with that, comes new beginnings. For CloudCraze, that means the launch of our latest software release, Winter ’18, which is a culmination of continued platform advancement and innovation.
We closed out 2017 with a bang at Dreamforce, the largest Salesforce conference in the world and an amazing punctuation to a high-growth year for our company. At Dreamforce, we highlighted our technology’s evolution, new and exciting partnerships with industry leaders, and most importantly, the inspiring stories of our valued customers. This includes sessions featuring global eCommerce and business leaders from Adidas, Land O’ Lakes, Symantec, Tyco, Univar and WABCO, which you can watch on demand at our 2017 Dreamforce Sessions page.
The Winter ’18 software release, dubbed CloudCraze Commerce 4.8, focuses on advancing our core software. CloudCraze Commerce 4.8 furthers our vision to put customers at the center of our clients’ businesses and innovation.
Over the year’s, we’ve powered B2B commerce for the world’s most demanding customers and have learned that today’s winners operate with a different set of rules. To be truly disruptive, businesses must transform to a Customer-First Commerce model.
Our Winter ’18 platform update allows our customers to embrace this new business model (and others) and user experience, to gain a competitive advantage. Highlights from this release include:
Our Winter ’18 release, CloudCraze Commerce 4.8, expands the capabilities and agility that CloudCraze offers the market and our valued customers. It represents the first of many innovations and investment CloudCraze is spearheading this year.
You can expect 2018 will be a year of continued product depth and expanded capabilities to meet the demands of the B2B economy, your brand and customers.


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Once wax paper was wrapped around your hamburger so it would not ‘leak’ into the bag as you took your meal home to eat. Then came coated carboard, plastic, and everything in between. Fast food outlets now long blamed for endless litter left by customer on the streets is about to change all of that according to Steven Johnson, Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®.
Now Danimer Scientific, a leading developer and manufacturer of biodegradable materials, and Genpak, the leading manufacturer of food packaging, are partnering to create a new line of biodegradable food containers. The eco-friendly foodservice items created by the two companies will help reduce the environmental impacts of non-biodegradable packaging produced annually worldwide. Thus driving in a new era and halo of better for you messaging for fresh fast food outlets according to Johnson.
With a multi-year agreement in place, Danimer Scientific will deliver several million pounds of biodegradable resins that Genpak will use exclusively for the manufacture of its new GenZero line of food packaging products. Danimer Scientific will include its signature biopolymer, Nodax polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), among the resins that it produces for GenZero food containers.
Note: Nodax PHA is a plant-based material that was verified as a reliable biodegradable alternative to traditional petrochemical plastics in a 2018 study led by University of Georgia (UGA) researchers and members of the UGA New Materials Institute. Millennials will love this messaging according to Johnson.
Stephen Croskrey, CEO of Danimer Scientific stated, "The national conversation around packaging waste has zeroed in on single-use drinking straws in recent years, as seen by the bans implemented in Seattle and other cities, but straws are only part of the equation,"
Croskrey continued; "Plastic is a universal material used in countless everyday products, especially in the food and beverage industries, so it's imperative to broaden the conversation around the type of items we can make with biodegradable materials. That is why we are excited to work with Genpak in creating an entirely new type of eco-friendly food packaging option."
Kevin Kelly, President at Genpak stated, "Innovation is a core foundation of our manufacturing philosophy, and it has driven the development of some of our most durable and sustainable packaging items," says. "Partnering with Danimer Scientific provides us with the cutting-edge material we need to take the next step in our dedication to our Purpose Statement of advancing innovative packaging to enhance the human experience." How are you evolving your branded messaging?
Note: All of Danimer Scientific's biopolymers, including its Nodax PHA, are FDA approved for food contact.
For international corporate presentations, regional chain presentations, local educational forums, or keynotes contact: Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions. His extensive experience as a multi-unit restaurant operator, consultant, brand / product positioning expert and public speaking will leave success clues for all. For more information visit GrocerantGuru.com or call 1-253-759-7869


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Ready or not, Amazon’s autonomous flying drone is ready for takeoff. The Ring Always Home Cam is a flying drone and security camera that can independently patrol your home while you’re away, and it’s just one of the new robots Amazon is rolling out to the world.
Amazon hosted a virtual event on Tuesday, September 28 to reveal an array of new gadgets and services. For your smart home, there’s the new Echo Show 15. For parents, the ‘Hey, Disney!’ voice assistant brings the House of Mouse to your Alexa speaker. For home security, the newly updated Ring cameras can now be combined with third-party security monitoring to keep your home (and Amazon package deliveries) safe. During the live event, Amazon also revealed three new robots — the Ring Always Home Cam, the Amazon Glow and the Astro.
For early adopters eager to order the latest tech gadgets, there were a lot of exciting announcements. However, for the Amazon skeptics of the world, we’re guessing the words “Amazon’s autonomous flying drone” sound like something out of a dystopian science fiction story.
Welcome to the future — how do you like it?
We’ve got details on all of the new Amazon robots below. All three devices are available on an invitation-only basis, and we’ve got info on how to request an invite for each new product.
Amazon Introduces 3 New Robot Companions
During Tuesday’s virtual event, Amazon revealed three new products that can be described as robots. Only one of these products, the Astro, is explicitly marketed as a household robot, but the Always Home flying security drone and the Amazon Glow, a moving, interactive children’s toy, also look like robots to us.
First up, the Astro, an anthropomorphized household robot designed to integrate itself into your household. They even gave it eyes.
According to a press release, “Astro is a new and different kind of robot, one that’s designed to help customers with a range of tasks like home monitoring and keeping in touch with family. It brings together new advancements in artificial intelligence, computer vision, sensor technology, and voice and edge computing in a package that’s designed to be helpful and convenient.”
The robot is intended to act as a sentry or guardian, patrolling the home and monitoring its environment for intruders. “Astro can move autonomously around your home, navigate to check in on specific areas, show you a live view of rooms through the Astro app, or even send alerts if it detects an unrecognized person.” For caregivers, Astro will also be able to help observe elderly relatives and connect them with services in an emergency.”
This new security robot will not be widely available in 2021. Amazon will allow a limited number of early customers to purchase the robot later this year for $999.99, with six months of Ring Protect Pro included. Interested customers can request an invitation via Amazon’s website.
Next up, the Always Home security drone. Amazon actually first revealed this device exactly one year ago during a similar event. Now, Ring customers can request an invitation to be one of the first customers to receive the Always Home drone. Amazon says that the Always-Home drone is the first of its kind, an autonomously flying camera that can move around your home. When activated, the drone leaves its docking station and explores the surrounding area, and customers can remotely watch video from the camera with their devices. (The drone’s camera will be covered when it’s not in use.)
Last year, we wondered if the Always Home security camera was “too paranoid for its own good,” and if Amazon was “reading the room correctly.” At a time when many consumers have very legitimate privacy concerns, a flying Amazon security drone just didn’t seem like the kind of product the world needed. Of course, how you feel about this product will depend entirely on how much you trust Amazon.
While the company has plenty of critics, it is also consistently rated as one of the most trusted institutions in the country.
Finally, Amazon introduced Amazon Glow, an interactive video chat device for children. This product is really unique and a bit of a challenge to explain, so we’ll leave it to Amazon. In a press release, the company says that Amazon Glow is a “new interactive device that brings a new magic to video calls and transforms the way kids connect with remote loved ones by participating in activities together. During video calls on Glow, kids see remote loved ones on a dedicated 8” display while reading stories, playing games, and creating art on a 19” touch-sensitive, projected space. At the same time, remote family and friends see the child on a tablet and participate in the same activities using the free Glow app. Glow creates a virtual experience that feels like being together in the same room.”
If you want to be pessimistic, you could say that this is simply too much technology for kids. On the other hand, this kind of device would be welcomed by many kids and grandparents looking for ways to connect remotely. Limited Amazon Glow devices will be available for the early access price of $249.99. Interested customers can apply to purchase one of the first Glow robots via Amazon.
Like the other new Amazon robots, the Amazon Glow is somewhat of a Rorschach test. Where some people will see dystopian overreach, others will see a really cool new gadget to test out.
Yup, Amazon Is Taking Over the World
Amazon is the undisputed king of e-commerce. If you aren’t buying something via Amazon itself, you might very well be shopping on a website hosted by Amazon Web Services. Theoretically, if you wanted to avoid supporting Amazon completely, you’d have to live like a doomsday prepper and go completely off-grid.
Jeff Bezos may have started Amazon to sell books online, but now the company sells virtually everything, including many Amazon-branded gadgets such as the Echo Dot, the Ring video doorbell and the newly announced Amazon Omni Smart TV. In addition, the company integrates those devices with an array of other services. Your Ring video doorbell also comes with a home security package, which in turn integrates with your Echo speakers and displays. Your Amazon Fire TV stick makes it easy to stream movies and TV shows via Prime Video. Your Amazon Halo fitness tracker can identify poor sleep patterns, and if you want to buy melatonin supplements, they can be delivered for free with two-day shipping thanks to Amazon Prime.
Basically, there’s an Amazon device and service for all aspects of our daily lives.
For dedicated Amazon customers, these services and devices are extremely convenient. For Amazon skeptics, they’re a privacy nightmare. Like any giant company that becomes ubiquitous — think Disney, Apple and Microsoft — Amazon has plenty of critics. The company has been criticized for its labor practices, antitrust concerns and privacy issues.
Many people are absolutely convinced that their smartphones and Echo speakers are listening to them 24/7/365. Virtually everyone has experienced the phenomenon of casually mentioning a product in conversation, let’s say Tic-Tacs, only to turn on their phone and instantly see a targeted ad for Tic-Tacs.
We have to face a hard truth: you can hold onto your privacy or actively use a smartphone, but you can’t really do both. Our phones, laptops, smart speakers and wearables are tracking our location, shopping habits, contacts and behavior all day long. Check the wrong privacy setting on the wrong app, and there’s no telling what kind of data you’re signing away to the highest bidder.
In short, it’s too late to worry about your privacy — you already gave it away.
Full disclosure: SPY.com probably wouldn’t exist without Amazon. As an e-commerce website, SPY makes money via the Amazon Associates program. When a reader clicks a link on a SPY shopping guide and purchases a product, Amazon pays us a commission on that sale. It’s easy to find Amazon critics online, but we’re hardly in a position to judge Amazon.
If you live in the United States, you’re a consumer. And Amazon makes it very, very easy to consume.
With its new and improved robots, drones, voice assistants and security systems, Amazon is all around us. You can choose to embrace our new robot companions, or you can scorn them, but there’s no escaping them.
We’re living in Amazon’s world now.
Where Can You Sign Up for Amazon Astro?
Do you want to be one of the first people to own your very own Amazon robot? Then head to Amazon, where you can request an invitation to become one of the first Astro customers. Priced at $999, this household robot assistant can move freely throughout your home.
How To Sign Up for the Ring Always-Home Drone Camera
First revealed in September 2020, the Ring Always-Home Camera is almost here. The Always-Home camera is an invite-only product for the time being, and interested Ring customers can request an invitation via the Ring website.
Where Can You Buy the Amazon Glow?
Right now, the Amazon Glow is available on an invitation-only basis. Customers can request an invite via Amazon. The Amazon Glow is currently priced at $249.99.


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Timothée Chalamet strikes again. Not with his compelling acting. Not with a new haircut. According to Lyst’s Year in Fashion, Chalamet is the most influential man in fashion. For those following Chalamet’s movements through Hollywood and not only, this is, perhaps, of no surprise — he has been serving look after look on the red carpet. However, it is not only in terms of aesthetics that his success in fashion industry is defined by.
The star of Call Me By Your Name and Netflix’s The King has not only been conquering fans’ hearts, but also the world of fashion. With more and more rankings being released summing up the fashion icons of 2019, Chalamet has been climbing closer and closer to the peak. Undoubtedly, the actor’s creative stance towards menswear is being noticed both by followers and critics. According to GQ, Chalamet peaks the 50 best-dressed men of 2020.
The year of taking risks on the red carpet has certainly paid off. Chalamet has been choosing his outfits himself, without the help of a stylist; collaborating with a wide range of luxury brands, such as Louis Vuitton, Haider Ackermann and Alexander McQueen. From the all-blue combination at the premiere of The King in Sydney to the silver suit at the 76th Venice Film Festival, Chalamet has been conquering the red carpets of the world with his fashion choices.
The year began with a black, custom-tailored suit by Virgil Abloh that was adorned with a sequined harness. It is no myth that Chalamet’s close relationship with numerous designers has lead to him donning an outfit in just a matter of a few texts. Haider Ackermann calls him “TIMO BRO” on social media, posting the actor in the numerous outfits of the eponymous brand. No stylist is no problem — in fact, it is probably what brought Chalamet the title of the most influential and the best-dressed man in fashion.
Originality on the red carpet is something that requires one to go further than the all-black or navy suit, especially in menswear. Chalamet’s bold and at times, even androgynous, choices definitely made him one to stand out. With some experiments proving to be more successful than others, Chalamet proved that being the master of one’s own wardrobe can sometimes lead to positive outcomes overall, especially when one is ready to step out of their comfort zone.
However, it is not only his looks that lead him to be the most influential man in fashion. Lyst reports that following his walk down the 76th Venice Film Festival red carpet, in the silver suit by Haider Ackermann, searches for the brand spiked by 806%. After wearing a sequined hoodie to The King premier, searches for Louis Vuitton increased by 192%. Not even Meggan Markle can compete with such an influence that Chalamet has amassed.
In an interview with Time Out, Chalamet states: “I hear about celebrities who have stylists, and that blows my mind. It’s certainly not why I act, but I can wear cool clothes from some of the nicest designers in the world. So why am I going to pay someone to figure out what I should be wearing? That’s the fun part.” Chalamet’s success in the fashion field shows how one’s desire to experiment and take risks can lead to great outcomes.
After all, taking risks and being unflinching in his acting is something that almost won him an Oscar for Call Me By Your Name.
Featured Image via Instagram


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December 13, 2012
This year has nearly come to an end, and Nilorn UK would like to extend our gratitude and best wishes to everyone over the Christmas period. (Read More…)
November 29, 2012
The latest edition of the Nilorn Branding & design magazine is now available. (Read More…)
November 14, 2012
It was a great honour for us to be invited to Leeds College of Art, to talk about Fashion Branding this week. (Read More…)
October 25, 2012
We are very pleased to welcome a new member to the Nilorn UK Design team. (Read More…)
October 3, 2012
This year, Nilorn UK was proud to be a major sponsor of The 9th London Dinner for Packaging, Design and Print, which was held at the prestigious Landmark Hotel in London. (Read More…)
« Older Entries | Newer Entries »
The second issue of our Branding and Design magazine for 2018 has arrived. The magazine is a biyearly publication...
Nilorn UK recently hosted their latest client event in London – with customers invited to step aboard the Erasmus...
The second instalment of our 2018 collections has landed and we are excited to share them. Twice a year, designers...
Nilorn UK would like to wish all of our customers, colleagues and followers a very Merry #Christmas and Happy New Y… https://t.co/Vx19tpEC04
The second edition of our #Branding & design #magazine for 2018 has arrived. It includes a range of #articles and… https://t.co/6kkUXn74JY
Nilorn UK recently hosted their latest client #event in #London – with customers invited to step aboard the Erasmus… https://t.co/YvCyrkNFuH


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New data strings uncovered in the recently released iOS 4.3 beta 3 suggest that Apple may have grand ambitions for its little hobby known as the Apple TV. The Apple TV has never quite struck a chord with consumers in the way that Apple's other iconic products have, but the most recent iteration seems to be finally gaining some traction in the marketplace. With a lower pricepoint and the introduction of AirPlay, the latest AppleTV moved 250,000 units in the first week it went on sale and amassed 1 million in sales in just under 3 months.
But lest you think Apple merely plans to use the AppleTV for media rentals and AirPlay functionality, data strings in the iOS 4.3 beta hint that Apple may be looking to parlay the device into a set top gaming machine. If you look at the screen shot above, courtesy of Engadget, you'll notice that there are references to ATVGames that cryptically imply the potential for game scheduling (presumably for multi-player action) along with a mention of ATVGamesStandingsController, which if I had to guess, is in reference to something akin to the Game Center currently employed on the iPhone and iPod Touch.
We're particularly intrigued by two strings -- "com.apple.appletv.play.live.thunder" and ".play.archive.thunder" -- but what those actually mean in the grand scheme of things is ultimately ambiguous. Apple TV's minimum storage capacity (about 8GB) suggests the company might look to streaming not entirely unlike how OnLive works; as our tipster speculates, the OpenGL is mature and thoroughly implemented enough that streaming low bandwidth data and computing locally could happen, but that's just theoretical with nothing in the code to back it up.
Apple, of course, likes to operate two steps ahead of everybody else. As a base example, while every other smartphone company was stuck churning out boring phones in perpetuity, Apple came along and released the iPhone. Similarly, you can bet that Apple has long hopes for the Apple TV, and indeed, may very well view the device as its ticket into the much ballyhooed halls of the living room.
To date, no company has quite figured out how to infiltrate the living room with any discernible success, though an Apple TV that doubles as a gaming hub is certainly an intriguing proposition, especially given that Apple could potentially leverage the already successful iTunes App Store to create a unique and attractive gaming experience for casual players. Coupled with potential integration of the million of iPhones and iPod Touchs already out on the market, and the room for innovation becomes especially tantalizing.
Looking even further ahead, a number of analysts expect Apple to eventually release an Apple branded HDTV. This is quite speculative as the margins on HDTV are notoriously small, and Apple has a history of only entering markets where it can turn a healthy profit. Still, an Apple branded HDTV with integrated Apple TV connectivity would definitely be unique enough to warrant consideration and may just be where Apple is headed.


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Universal Partnership & Licensing’s franchise-based business model is driving big returns for the company, both in brand loyalty and revenue.
CBS Consumer Products has released a new addition in its line of Star Trek alcoholic beverages, Klingon Bloodwine (tlhIngan 'Iw HIq).
Disney's Frozen is the No. 1 toy license of the year in Great Britain, according to the NPD Group, and is on track to overtake the No. 1 U.K. toy license of all time, Toy Story 3.
Celebrity wedding planner and TV personality David Tutera has partnered to develop a touring wedding show, Your Wedding Experience presented by David Tutera.
Outfit7 has appointed Dream Theatre to represent its digital brand Talking Tom and Friends in India.
Auto event brand Monster Jam has released a host of new toy offerings, continued its program at Lowe's and added new trucks to its mobile game.
Iron Gut Publishing has released a new limited edition print in its Wallace & Gromit art collection exclusively at Selfridges in London.
My Life Games has launched customizable Monopoly and Scrabble games, under license from Hasbro, exclusively on CafePress.com.
Licensed apparel specialist Poeticgem has signed on to create a line of licensed apparel featuring the Smiley brand.
Viper Room, the iconic music venue on Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles, has collaborated with Vanson Leathers for a limited edition leather jacket.
Jewelry designer Zalemark has teamed up with iconic singer Engelbert Humperdinck to commemorate the release of his new album Engelbert Calling.
Artist Daryl Slaton and his company Tails of Whimsy have tapped an agent for one of thier brands after attending Licensing Expo 2013.
The new video game “Barbie Dreamhouse Party” is now available across Europe and Australasia, and will arrive in the U.S. in January.
DHX Media has acquired four children’s channels in Canada, including Family, the most-viewed kids’ channel in the country.
BRB Internacional is showcasing two of its new series this week at Asia TV Forum in Singapore.
Nurture Rights has engaged The Little Big Partnership to create digital offerings for its new preschool brand, Dinosaur Roar!.
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association has tapped Cool Gear International for a range of 2014 FIFA World Cup collectibles.
Platinum Films has appointed Haven Licensing to represent its boys’ adventure series, “Matt Hatter Chronicles” in Australia and New Zealand.
Carnival Cruise Lines has partnered with Dr. Seuss Enterprises for Dr. Seuss-themed experiences aboard its fleet of 24 “fun ships.”
Electrolux has tapped Boxman Studios to create a mobile kitchen showroom that showcases its latest appliances.
Aeropostale has launched a line of apparel and accessories from teen social media star Bethany Mota.
©2014 ADVANSTAR COMMUNICATIONS INC. All rights reserved.


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It used to be that the way to get consumers back into the showrooms was to build cars that would start to fall apart at about the same time car owners mailed their 36th and final payment to the bank or credit union.
It was called planned obsolescence, though contrary to popular belief, it wasn't so much that the factory snuck a time bomb into each machine rolling off the line as it was the materials used simply weren't meant to withstand more than 36 months of punishment before expiring.
Today, through sophisticated design and engineering and the use of heavy-duty, long-lasting materials, vehicles given a little TLC outlast the new-car warranty and the monthly payments.
But about the time automakers were able to make longer-lasting vehicles, they found their efforts resulted in fewer consumer visits to the showroom.
Considering vehicles no longer self-destructed after a few seasons of salt baths, the automakers were forced to come up with new attractions to lure consumers into showrooms regularly enough to keep the assembly lines going.
Enter new technology, such as more powerful, yet more fuel-efficient, engines; anti-lock brakes; air bags; traction control; and navigation and emergency warning systems.
But new technology served little useful purpose without new vehicles, so the industry invented mini-vans, sport-utility vehicles, roadsters and a host of machines with soft tops, T-tops and metal tops that retracted.
The industry basically does whatever it takes to bring folks into the showrooms.
What it takes, industry executives say, is more than shiny sheet metal and a high-power engine.
"It comes down to giving customers what they want to buy or what they have to buy," said Mark Hogan, general manager of operations for General Motors Corp.'s small-car group, noting that humans are motivated more by what they want than what is force-fed to them.
"You always want a vehicle available that serves your needs, but one that is an extension of your personality and has a little pizzazz," Hogan said.
"As a manufacturer, you can't forget that people buy based on emotion. They want the personal freedom a car or truck gives them but they also want some sizzle, as evidence by the Chevy Corvette, Porsche Boxster and Plymouth Prowler," Hogan said.
"You can't turn off that emotion with the cost of fuel (what it is)," Hogan added, in referring to critics who say the automakers should stop making cars, trucks and sport-utility vehicles that gulp gas so consumers will stop buying them.
"The reality is that federal fuel-economy regulations drive the manufacturers more than they do the consumers," Hogan said.
"At $1 a gallon, there's no wonder people are buying SUVs because they're a lot of fun."
"You don't see a lot of people concerned about fuel economy or emissions at $1 a gallon as you would at $2.
"Consumers will continue to shop for fun and excitement until federal regulations dictate smaller cars and trucks, and that isn't going to happen overnight," he said.
Ron Boltz, general manager of large-car platform operations at Chrysler Corp., echoes Hogan:
"Car buying is still a matter of emotion and economics. Styling, performance, utility and safety sells, fuel economy doesn't. Fuel economy is down there on the want list along with the type of air conditioning chosen.
"I never have people call or write me to demand that we downsize our cars and build smaller engines with less horsepower, but I do get letters and calls from people demanding more size, more power, more utility, more throttle response," Boltz said.
When it comes to attracting buyers, Lexus general manager Jim Press says the industry must cater to emotion first and foremost.
"A car must be a thrill to drive and have the styling, performance and handling to get the adrenalin pumping. A Toyota Tercel serves a need, but a Lexus RX300 sport-utility stirs a passion. It's up to us as the manufacturer to see to it that an RX300 stimulates more emotion in a buyer than a Ford Explorer sport-utility does," Press said.
Ross Roberts, general manager of Ford Motor Co.'s Ford Division, said research conducted by the automaker shows that age affects the buying decision, too, and that the love affair with a vehicle lessens or deepens according to life stages.
"The young have a deep love affair with cars, but affordability is a factor. They want a stylish car, but a small one with two doors that won't cost over $20,000," Roberts said.
"As they get older and start to have kids that love affair lapses and becomes latent and buyers get more practical and simply want a vehicle to get to and from a place. Durable and reliable become more important than style," Roberts said, noting that sports coupes give way to mini-vans at this time.
"As incomes grow and the kids get older, style and performance become important again and they start looking at an Explorer or Mustang rather than a family sedan," he said.


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Opel's electric dream
It looks radical, almost like a rocket, but Opel's saying the RAK e concept, unveiled at Frankfurt, is a production possibility.
Two people sit tandem-fashion in this part-car and part-motorcycle. Just 3m long, it uses plug-in power and is good for 100km per charge.
Opel, which joins our market next year, says the car would be affordable for young customers but didn't name a figure.
READ MORE ABOUT THE FRANKFURT MOTOR SHOW HERE
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Deals of the day- Mergers and acquisitions
July 22 (Reuters) - The following bids, mergers, acquisitions and disposals were reported by 2000 GMT on Friday:
** Yahoo Inc is focused on selling its core business to U.S. telecommunications company Verizon Communications Inc after reviewing final bids that it received this week, people familiar with the matter said.
** U.S. gaming holding company Caesars Acquisition Co (CAC) is in exclusive talks to sell the online games business of Caesars Interactive Entertainment Inc to a Chinese consortium that includes Giant Interactive Group Inc, people familiar with the matter said on Thursday.
** Cosmetics company L'Oreal has agreed to buy IT Cosmetics, a U.S. maker of beauty products for women with severe skin conditions, for $1.2 billion, the French firm said on Friday.
** U.S. factory automation equipment maker Emerson Electric Co has made an offer to acquire pump manufacturer Pentair Plc's troubled valves and controls division, according to people familiar with the matter. Continuación...


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Uber has today announced that they have plans to expand into six additional New Zealand cities.
Services will be launched in Rotorua, Taupō, Napier-Hastings, New Plymouth, Palmerston North and Nelson in October, taking its number of operating cities in this country to 13.
Uber already operates in Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga, Wellington, Christchurch, Queenstown and Dunedin. It first launched in New Zealand in May 2014.
Uber has about 6500 driver partners in New Zealand, and is live in 700 cities worldwide.


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YOKOHAMA, Japan -- Imagine cruising down the highway when the brakes suddenly give out. Or sitting in a parking lot when your doors unlock by themselves.
In today's world of increasingly interconnected cars, it might be more than a factory glitch. You could be a victim of automotive cyberattack, warns supplier Robert Bosch GmbH.
Bosch is tackling what it describes as a new era of driver threats, through its software security subsidiary Etas GmbH.
In extreme cases, attackers could track your car's location, spy on cabin conversation, tamper with the odometer, disrupt the engine, engage the brakes or even manipulate steering.
For drivers, the intrusions mean "potentially life-threatening consequences," Wolfgang Sienel, president of Etas' Japanese operations, said last month at Bosch's Yokohama r&d center, its biggest active safety lab outside Germany.
Actual cases of car hacking are still extremely rare because gaining remote access to onboard computers is difficult. But the concept has already captured the imagination of Hollywood. In the film Fast & Furious 6, villains cyberhack a car to crash it.
Closer to reality, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration listed vehicle cybersecurity as a risk in a May report outlining its preliminary policy on self-driving cars.
The electronic systems of today's vehicles are vulnerable to outside attack through global positioning systems, linked smartphones and keyless entry fobs.
"These entry points open access to many manipulation possibilities," Sienel said. "Once you are in the infotainment system you can go step by step further, because all the systems are interconnected in the car. You have the possibility through the infotainment system to get access to the powertrain."
Etas' solution is a kind of software firewall for cars that aims to block such attacks. The service is sold through an Etas unit called Escrypt GmbH, which was founded in 2004.
Escrypt says it counts major global Tier 1 suppliers and automakers among its customers but wouldn't name any.
Last month, Pricewaterhouse-Coopers issued a report warning about the risk of car hacking, citing General Motors' push to offer in-vehicle Wi-Fi across its four brands by 2014. "Internal computing components have now proliferated into a complex, interconnected web of peripheral networks -- all of which are susceptible to threats like viruses, malware and denial-of-service hacks," the PWC report said.
Today's onboard electronic systems have built-in redundancies that aim to shut down or correct a glitch when it occurs. Most are designed to prevent accidental external disruptions from such forces as ambient electromagnetic interference.
But they can't always counter deliberate deception, Etas says.
"Redundancy is not sufficient to tackle cybersecurity threats because an attacker who can compromise a first device can easily compromise the redundant device as well," Sienel said.


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Furthermore, the move – announced by the Sony Team at alphauniverse.com – means that ‘user-selectable compressed or uncompressed 14-bit raw still image capture’ will also be available to users of other cameras via a firmware update, starting with the Alpha 7R II.
Neal Manowitz, deputy vice-president for Digital Imaging at Sony Electronics said: ‘The voice of our Alpha community remains the most important guiding force of our product development plans.
‘The addition of uncompressed 14-bit raw processing is a direct result of customer feedback.
‘Widely requested by photo and video enthusiasts, we believe the choice of raw-processing types will further elevate the performance of these extraordinary cameras.’
Giving his initial reaction, Amateur Photographer technical editor Andy Westlake said: ‘Sony has, until now, used a compressed raw format, which can be prone to giving image artefacts such as posterisation around high-contrast edges.
‘Sony’s addition of uncompressed raw should fix this problem, although at the expense of huge files; on the Alpha 7R II, at least 74 MB per image.’
He added: ‘We’re pleased to see Sony responding to user concerns on this issue, and hopefully we’ll eventually see visually lossless compression, as used by Canon and Nikon.’
Sony has also confirmed it will launch eight more FE full-frame lenses by early 2016, bringing the FE total to 21.
Last week, in an interview with Amateur Photographer, Sony said it planned to focus on expansion of its lens range for Alpha 7-series models.


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Bangladesh Digital Payments Country Diagnostic (2022 Edition)
Investment in the digital infrastructure of the country has been a priority for the Government of Bangladesh in the past decade, ever since the launch of Digital Bangladesh. The digital infrastructure has enabled the adoption of digital payments, and there is steady growth in the priority sectors.
This country analysis estimates that digital payments can boost Bangladesh’s annual GDP by 1.7 percent. This means adding $6.2 billion (BDT 50,058 crores) annually to the economy. Of this, 53 percent will come from digitizing just 30 percent of micro-merchant transactions in the retail sector; 45 percent from digitizing credit disbursements in the agricultural sector; and the remaining from scaling digital wages in the informal ready-made garments sector. Responsible payments digitization in these sectors, crucially prioritizing women, will help accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.
The priority areas highlighted in this report concern all players in Bangladesh’s payments ecosystem: the government, regulators, the private sector, financial service providers, and users as well as their social and economic communities.


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Shares of Seagate Technology PLC plummeted 17% in premarket trade Tuesday toward an eight month low, after the data storage products maker reported fiscal fourth-quarter results that were well below expectations and announced a leadership transition. Net profit for the quarter to June 30 rose to $114 million, or 38 cents a share, from $70 million, or 23 cents a share, in the same period a year ago. Excluding non-recurring items, adjusted earnings per share came to 65 cents, missing the FactSet consensus of 98 cents. Revenue fell to $2.41 billion from $2.65 billion, below the FactSet consensus of $2.56 billion. "Although the near-term dynamics of technology shifts present demand variations for the storage industry from time to time, we continue to see growing storage demand in the long-run driven by the proliferation of data growth from new technologies, emerging industries, and growing businesses," said Chief Executive Steve Luczo. Separately, the company said Luczo will transition to executive chairman on Oct. 1, and will be replaced as CEO by Dave Mosley, currently Seagate's chief operating officer. The stock has plunged 21% over the past three months through Monday, while the S&P 500 has gained 3.4%.
Copyright © 2017 MarketWatch, Inc.
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The Vizzy Live Proudly Registry was created in honor of Pride Month and with its creation, Vizzy Hard Seltzer is supporting the transgender and nonbinary communities by offering an alternative to traditional gift registries. The online gift registry is a place where people can create a wish list of items for their allies and friends. To create the registry, the hard seltzer brand worked with four trans- and queer-owned businesses to feature items like pride streetwear, chest binders, cosmetics, gender-fluid clothing and more.
To kick off the launch of the registry, Vizzy is giving 50 people the chance to get $500 toward the purchase of items on their registry. Additionally, Vizzy is committing $25,000 to the National Center for Transgender Equality.


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Australia are yet to implement digital billboard advertising that can tell who is passing by, but that’s set to change this year. AdBidx has been working for the last year on a billboard that can profile the ages and genders of the people that walk by, arming advertisers with valuable information about what advertisements to display in what locations and at what times.
For those concerned about privacy, we are assured that the data collected is randomised and delivered as statistics rather than information about individual people – but it does raise the question about how long it will be before this kind of direct marketing could exist. Will this technology also be implemented outside in the future, to advertise to you based on what car you drive?
Billboard technology is already being used to do some amazing things. British Airways during their ‘Loop Up’ campaign late last year used digital billboards to show a wide eyed little boy standing up and pointing at the sky every time a British Airways plane passes by, telling onlookers where the plane is headed or has been to. If digital billboards continue to be used in innovative ways like this in the near future, it’s should only be more interesting for consumers.


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Daily curated industry news for Juice and Beverage professionals
.. and Brazil: Volume of Orange Juice exported in 23/24 moves down, but income increases.
and The European Fruit Juice Association welcomes the approval of the Revision of the EU Fruit Juice Directive
And 2024 Food & Beverage Trends: Sustainable, personalized, and tech-driven
.. and Florida growers eye agroecology solution to devastating citrus disease.
.. and Tips From a Functional Beverage With a Cult Following
.. and Coca-Cola bottler to invest $168M in Fort Worth operations
.. and 21 Energy Drink Brands, Ranked Worst To Best.
and Uncle Matt's scales up, diversifies its juicing capabilities.
.. and Valencia Orange Production Forecast in California at 16M Boxes.
.. and Shoppers gobsmacked after realising truth about mixed fruit drinks
.. and LA UNIÓ reiterates the need to investigate possible dumping of Egyptian citrus in the EU market.
and Bae Juice secures $1 million to take its Korean pear drink to the US.


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Omantel unveils the name of Ozone winner Free trip to watch El Clasico Real Madrid Vs Barcelona match
Omantel, the leading provider of integrated telecommunication service in the Sultanate, announced that Ahmed bin Abdullah Al Saqqaf, Ozone customer, was the lucky winner of the paid trip for two to attend El Clasico match between Real Madrid and Barcelona, scheduled to take place 25th October in Madrid, Spain Omantel has recently launched during Salalah Festival a virtual football fans competition “Ozone Football Challenge (OFC)” especially for Ozone customers where around 250 customers joined the competition. The competition allowed 250 Ozone customers the opportunity to showcase their competitive skills through the electronic virtual football game. Then the top 32 players competed for the grand prize trip to attend the match between Real Madrid and Barcelona in Spain.
Al Saqqaf participated at Omantel promotional campaign and got qualified to the finals of Ozone Football Challenge – one of the biggest virtual sports events in the sultanate. At the same competition, Ammar al Rawas came second and got a PlayStation 4; Ahmed al Mosalami came third and won Mini iPad. A number of other awards were distributed onto those who attended the challenge.
Shadli Thabt Al AbdulSalam, Senior Manager, Product Development at Omantel Consumer Unit said ' We always seek to provide our customers with added value services that make their experience with us rewarding.. Ozone football challenge has been the biggest of its kind virtual event in the Sultanate especially among those who like PlayStation 4. ' The turnout for the challenge by Ozone subscribers has been very great which helped in creating an ideal platform for exchanging views about the service and more understanding of the needs of youth .”
With a heart filled of joy, al Saqqaf said ' I would like to thank Omantel for the opportunity provided to me to attend El Clasico in Madrid. Finally, the long dream has become true through Omantel. I am proud of being one of Omantel Ozone customers.
All youth aged 18 to 25 can join Omantel's Ozone which is designed for youth by subscribing to the service with monthly subscription of RO1 offering its customers 25 baises per minute to any Ozone customer, free 100MB mobile broadband, along with a free Sama'ni ring back tone. On top of these unique rates, Omantel extended the package to offer even more value for the youth. They can enjoy a variety of other great offers from service partners such as Gloria Jeans, RevGX Oman Bowling Center and others.
For more information, you may call 1234 or visit www.omantel.om


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|By Business Wire||
|December 19, 2012 02:46 PM EST||
Even as retailers have expanded purchase options and welcomed digital shoppers into stores this holiday season, most Americans believe that retailers could do more to enhance the in-store shopping experience, according to a just-released national poll conducted by GfK Roper in conjunction with SapientNitro, part of Sapient (NASDAQ: SAPE).
Seven in ten (70%) Americans agree that “retailers could do more to enhance the in-store shopping experience.” Highly valued enticements include:
- The ability to buy products in-store but have them shipped to home for free (79%)
- Free Wi-Fi (63%)
- Interactive displays or kiosks that provide additional information or recommendations about a product (57%)
- Exclusive in-store mobile offers (56%).
Among smartphone users, a majority would also like:
- To view store circulars/flyers on their phone (67%),
- In-store navigation smartphone apps (59%), and
- The option for mobile payment or to check out by scanning their mobile phone (59%).
“Many of our retail clients are redefining their in-store shopping experience to reach today’s connected consumer,” said Chris Davey, global head of commerce at SapientNitro. “The 2012 holiday shopping season marked a fundamental shift in which retailers not only recognized but accommodated digital shoppers in the in-store experience. From investing in GPS-enabled store maps or updating mobile shopping apps for smartphones and tablets, retailers placed big bets on today’s ‘always-on’ shopper and both parties won. Their efforts made holiday shopping easier but have raised consumer expectations for more.”
Many Turn to Showrooming, Blend Online/Offline Behaviors
While embracing digital in their lives, respondents want to preserve their family time too. The majority of Americans (62%) feel it is wrong that stores are opening earlier and earlier on Thanksgiving Day just to get a jump on Black Friday sales.
The American tradition of holiday shopping is alive and well, but Americans are using brick and mortar locations in different ways. A majority of digital users (51%) report “showrooming,” that is using retail stores to browse products, all the while planning to buy a product later online.
Just this holiday season:
- One third (33%) of digital users say they have first gone into a store just to look at an item, with the idea of buying it later online.
- Four in 10 Americans, up from 33% last year, say they purchased a product in a physical retail store after researching the product online.
- 27% say they purchased a product online after shopping for a similar item in a physical store.
The overall trend in online shopping continues to rise, with four in ten digital users (41%) saying that, compared to last year, they have shopped more online and less at physical retail stores this year. The biggest reason is the convenience of shopping when they want, with 44% saying this was their biggest motivator. Close to half of 18-24 year old digital users (48%) report shopping more online and less at physical stores this year. Parents appreciate the convenience too. One respondent noted, “I just asked my daughter to give me a list of what she wanted and she included links, so I went online and it was much easier than going to the store.”
Digital Devices Help Consumers Navigate Deal Volume
One quarter (24%) of Americans feel like there have been more deals offered this holiday season. An increasing number are using their digital devices to help them navigate and find the best bargains, with four in ten (43%) saying that, compared to last holiday shopping season, they are relying more on their smartphone, tablet, or computer. This is particularly true of 18-24 year old digital users, 59% of whom agree with the statement. As one respondent noted: “I bought a lot more gifts on my iPad than I did last year, just because it was convenient. I could do it wherever I was, I didn’t have to be at my desk, I could be watching TV, or in bed or wherever…”
While there were more deals to be had, the number of options available this holiday season made finding the best deal more cumbersome for some. Even among smartphone users, four in ten report “feeling overwhelmed the past few weeks with so many holiday shopping deals offered by email, newspapers, in stores, etc.” At the same time, seven in ten Americans like the fact that many Cyber Monday sales are now being extended into Cyber Week.
To aid in their navigation, savvy smartphone owners report putting digital devices to use at a higher rate this year across a wide variety of shopping behaviors. The biggest increases in use from the 2011 post-Thanksgiving holiday season include smartphone users reporting digital device use in the following ways:
- Researched and browsed for products (82%, up from 67% in 2011)
- Bought something (74%, up from 55%)
- Used an email offer from a retailer (62%, up from 45%)
- Used a consumer rating site to help them decide to buy a product (56%, up from 40%)
- Used a mobile coupon (33%, up from 18%)
Areas to Watch
SapientNitro has identified a number of rising shopper trends to watch over the coming holiday seasons. According to the poll, among consumers who have smartphones:
- 35% used their GPS/location feature on their phone to help with holiday shopping (vs 31% in 2011)
- 27% used a QR code to find more information about a product (vs 19% in 2011)
- 9% used a Black Friday or Cyber Monday mobile app
- 7% have purchased something on their tablet
“One area we think will be transforming the retail landscape is mobile payments,” continued Davey. “With nearly six in 10 smartphone users in our survey reporting that they’d like to see retailers offer mobile payment options, the industry must align quickly. As competing cloud-based and NFC models are sorted out and stores install the required technology, we see mobile payments as the big shift next holiday season and beyond.”
Supplementary Survey Materials
Data graphs and pull quotes are available for download: www.slideshare.net/sapient.
Companion video interviews of holiday shoppers can be viewed at: www.youtube.com/sapientnitro.
The dialogue continues on Twitter #howishop.
Note to journalists: survey data available upon request. Email: David LaBar at [email protected].
How the poll was conducted
The third annual SapientNitro Holiday Shopping Poll was conducted December 14 - 16, 2012, by GfK Roper Public Affairs & Corporate Communications – a division of GfK Custom Research North America on behalf of SapientNitro, named a leading digital marketing agency and provider of commerce services by analyst firms, Gartner and Forrester Research. This telephone poll is based on a nationally representative probability sample of 1,007 general population adults age 18 or older reached on landline telephones. The margin of sampling error is plus or minus 3.0 percentage points at the 95% confidence level, for results based on the entire sample of adults. The margin of sampling error is higher and varies for results based on sub-samples.
About GfK Roper Public Affairs & Corporate Communications
GfK Roper Public Affairs & Corporate Communications, a division of GfK Custom Research North America. Headquartered in New York, GfK Custom Research North America is a part of The GfK Group, one of the world’s largest research companies, with more than 11,000 experts working to discover new insights about the way people live, think and shop, in over 100 markets, every day. With home offices in Nuremberg, Germany, The GfK Group is the No. 4 market research organization worldwide. Its activities cover two main core business divisions: Consumer Choices and Consumer Experiences.
SapientNitroSM, part of Sapient®, is an integrated marketing and technology services firm. We create and engineer highly relevant experiences that accelerate business growth and fuel brand advocacy for our clients. By combining multi-channel marketing, multi-channel commerce, and the technology that binds them, we influence customer behavior across the spectrum of content, communication and commerce channels, resulting in deeper, more meaningful relationships between customers and brands. SapientNitro services global leaders such as Citi, The Coca-Cola Company, Foot Locker, Lufthasna, Target, and Vodafone through our operations in North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. For more information, visit www.sapientnitro.com or follow us on Twitter @sapientnitro.
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Building consumer awareness and enhancing satisfaction:
- The Ministry of Justice and Consumer Protection BC (CPBC) continue to work on testing the use of online dispute resolution. The expected outcomes of this approach are to resolve disputes before they become Small Claims Court cases. This will help relieve the pressure on the justice system and will enhance consumer satisfaction.
- CPBC's online and offline Debt Campaign continues. Through partnerships with a variety of organizations, CPBC is supporting consumer financial literacy and empowering consumers to make informed decisions.
- CPBC continues to raise consumer awareness about debt settlement practices in order to help them make informed decisions when it comes to debt management options.
- The Ministry of Justice, CPBC and other organizations partnered during B.C.'s first ever Consumer Awareness Week (March 15-22, 2013) to share important tips on a number of significant marketplace issues. These tips help all British Columbians protect themselves, make informed decisions in the marketplace and encourage positive business practices.
- CPBC continues to educate consumers and businesses about their fitness contract rights and obligations, responding to fitness contract complaints, and pursuing consumer refunds where possible under the law.
Enforcing consumers' rights:
- CPBC ordered payday lender Cash Store Financial Inc. to refund consumers approximately $1 million of illegal fees charged between November 2009 and March 2012.
- CPBC educated consumers that they should not be charged with deposits on milk containers, and sought voluntary compliance from a business to refund customers who were mistakenly charged.
- B.C. was the first province in Canada to require licensing of home inspectors. Government and CPBC continue to work in partnership with home inspector associations to ensure that a home buyer's interests are protected.
- The Ministry of Justice intends to review its current home inspection regulations to determine what if any change is necessary. The Canadian Standards Association is exploring a set of national standards, and B.C. will be participating in the process.
For information on the role of Consumer Protection BC, please visit: http://www.consumerprotectionbc.ca/
Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Justice


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We are delighted once again to invite you to attend 2018 edition of Zambia International Property Expo.
The Event is the largest property platform in Zambia, bringing together
key industry stakeholders to explore and exchange knowledge, network and showcase vast investment opportunities, products and services.
Over the past 4 years, ZIP EXPO has become a flagship Event, which organisations looking to increase their brand awareness, generate new leads and do business, attend.
With Zambian GDP growth forecasted by the World Bank at 4.3% in 2018 and 4.7% in 2019, increased supply of office, retail, institutional and industrial space the property investment market has the opportunity to be an attractive option for investors offering healthy returns.
Our exhibits and conference programs will feature important keynotes and valuable consumer information, from financing to investment insights. Property professionals will share their knowledge and, for the 4th time, the Zambian real estate community will be under one roof.
Join the ZIP EXPO family for two days of exclusive presentations, high level networking, special events and unique B2B and B2C experiences.
The Founders Committee includes ZIP Expo Chairman Christopher Jannou, Executive Director Annely Vihmann and Knight Frank Managing Director Tim Ware.
Join the ZIP EXPO mailing list to receive the *free entry ticket*, latest news & Expo programme.


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Game one of the World Series Tuesday evening secured a free Taco Bell taco for anyone in the United States on Nov. 4.
The giveaway is part of the Irvine-based chain’s Steal a Base, Steal a Taco promotion.
It was triggered when Ozzie Albies, second baseman for the Atlanta Braves, stole second base just minutes into the first inning of a game against the Houston Astros in Houston.
The Braves won 6-2.
Taco Bell is offering one free Doritos Locos Taco all day Nov. 4 at participating locations for in-store, online or app customers. But app users can get their free taco now.
The prize is worth approximately $1.89, according to Taco Bell’s website.
The base that was stolen will be sent to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, N.Y. marking the 10th anniversary of Taco Bell’s promotion. In a few days, it will go on display in the Atlanta Braves team locker within the Hall of Fame’s Your Team Today exhibit, according to a news release from Taco Bell.