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Tech giants brace for more regulator scrutiny
- Staff Austin Business Journal
Government scrutiny of technology giants is likely to grow in 2013, along with greater efforts by the tech industry to press its case in Washington, D.C. and internationally.
In 2012, among other victories, the industry helped achieve a stalemate on a proposed global effort to let Web users limit behavioral tracking online, using Do Not Track browser settings, The New York Times reports. But this year is likely to put that issue in the spotlight again, and bring intense negotiations between industry and consumer rights groups over whether and how to allow consumers to limit tracking.
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This may be an odd time for Twitter to go public. In lifting the veil on its financial performance as part of its planned IPO, Twitter announced that while sales are improving, losses persist. In its Securities and Exchange Commission filing, Twitter reported $317 million in revenue in 2012, up from $106 million in 2011, and net losses of $80 million in 2012, an improvement over a $164 million shortfall in 2011.
So things are looking up? Maybe not. In the first six months of 2013, Twitter's losses increased by 41 percent compared to the same period the year before, to $69.3 million. The social media company is spending more than twice as much on sales and marketing as it did last year. And research and development costs are multiplying quickly as well.
This troubling picture becomes even more disconcerting when Twitter's operating performance ratio is examined. By this metric, which compares how much money a company makes against how many people it employs, Twitter is in much worse shape than comparable social media and Internet companies like Facebook (NASDAQ:FB) and LinkedIn (NYSE:LNKD). Most analysts say that operating performance ratio is a good indicator of a company's efficiency.
Twitter reported $158,500 in revenue for each of its 2,000 employees in 2012. In comparison, Facebook took in $960,370 per employee, while LinkedIn's sales equaled $231,502 per employee. Twitter lost $40,000 per employee in 2012.
This chart compares Twitter's revenue per employee and profit per employee against those of six other publicly held social media and Internet companies:

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We have exponential growth in China of electric cars sales from the very low base. Warren Buffett backed BYD is on track to be number one electric cars maker in China and I expect China to become the largest electric cars market in the world this year. Now 24 companies are making 51 model of electric cars in China alone! Today we can check the report from China Auto Web about the pure EVs made in China. Electric cars is the only available technology to bring personal mobility to millions of Chinese families, cheap lithium batteries change everything. Lithium is at the very heart of this Energy rEVolution in China now.
Even before Tesla Gigafactory is coming online in 2017 we have already "Lithium Market Upheaval in China". My outrages Lithium price of $15 per MT of LCE in 2016 is not so dramatic any more: Joe Lowry has recently reported that LiOH is priced in some deals in China at $20k per MT already. Time is to check where all this lithium goes into before BYD, Foxconn, Boston Power, Samsung and A123 with their Megafactories plus 17 new startups in Lithium Batteries in China are coming online. As you can see, from the data provided by ChiaAutoWeb Electric Cars in China are already growing very fast in numbers of different models and sales. BYD backed by Warren Buffett is holding the first place and I expect China to become the largest electric cars market in the world early this year. It is all happening very fast even before Tesla has moved to build its tesla Model 3 in China. International Lithium is building vertically integrated lithium business with Ganfeng Lithium. Read more."
Copyright Global Lithium LLC, used with permission.
Joe Lowry makes very interesting observations about the dynamic in our Lithium Universe. China is the largest Lithium Market in the world now. Security of Lithium Supply becomes the most important element of your business plan, when market is growing exponentially. It is all happening even before Tesla Gigafactory is coming online with other Lithium Megafactories to follow. My prediction about $15k MT LCE prices in China now suddenly does not look totally outrages any more!
"Asia is taking the very important lead in this space as well. China is not only leapfrogging directly into the Lithium Energy Space with Electric Cars and Solar, but building the advanced materials base for this new Energy rEVolution. Panasonic, Nissan, Toyota, NEC, Sony, Samsung, Huyndai, LG Chem and others are staking its own place in electric cars now. China is the largest Lithium Market in the world already, moving to claim the largest Lithium Battery Producer title and Electric Cars in China will become the largest World's EV market early in the next year.
Listen to that podcast, read the article about LG Chem and do your own research. Numerous companies are building Lithium Batteries facilities now in China: LG Chem, BYD, Boston Power (Ganfeng Lithium has 10% stake), Foxconn, Samsung, A123 - which will exceed even Tesla Gigafactory production capacity! 17 start ups only this year are trying to capitalise in lithium batteries market on the "War on Pollution" announced by China and state-level plan to build new strategic industry - Electric Cars. Read more."
China Auto Web:
Automakers in China rolled out 340,471 "new energy" vehicles (plug-in electric vehicles, or, PEVs) in 2015, 330% more than the previous year, according to CAAM. Sales of China-made PEVs increased 340% to 331,092 units. The pure-electric sector expanded 450% to 247,482 units, while demand for PHEVs jumped 180% to 83,610 units. Sales of pure-electric passenger cars increased 300% to 146,719; those of plug-in hybrid cars went up 250% to 60,663.
|Deliveries of pure-electric cars in 2015|
|2||BAIC E-Series EV||BAIC||16488|
|3||Zotye Z100 EV||Zotye||15467|
|4||JAC iEV||JAC||over 9000|
|9||Kandi Panda EV||Geely-Kandi||3654|
|12||Zotye TT EV||Zotye||1984|
|18||BAIC ES 210 (Senova EV)||BAIC||243|
|19||BAIC EU 260 (Senova D50 EV)||BAIC||159|
Disclosure: I am/we are long TRRXF, ILHMF.


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Following the recent Commissioning of a $600m Cement plant in Tanzania by President of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest and most successful businessman, it is clear that the man popularly known amongst friends and admirers alike as simply Aliko, is itching several steps forward in the realization of the African growth and development vision. The New Diplomat team which was on ground in Tanzania to witness the ground-breaking inauguration of the multi-million dollars plant with a capacity to produce 3 million tonnes per annum,report that with this latest plant, which is one of the 18 plants, the Dangote Group is building across Africa and Nepal, Asia, will boost the company’s standing in Africa and increase returns for shareholders in the long-run….
President Muhammadu Buhari who was represented by Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State said Dangote is not only a major economic player in the economic growth of Africa but also a key exponent of the business philosophy which emphasizes that Africa can truly make meaningful progress and development if African entrepreneurs and businessmen invest in Africa through an strategic integrative business development model. He said” Others should emulate him and partner with the government in the onerous task of job creation. As our son, we are [proud of him.” According to the President given Dangote’s resilience in the face of mounting challenges, the businessman is not only a major encouragement to others that with the will and vision, it is possible to grow the African continent and actualize that pan-African vision, but also a firm in the idea that Africans need not wait endlessly for foreign investors in Europe, Asia and the Americas to come and develop Africa when we can do so with ‘’ drive and vision.’’o say that Alhaji Aliko Dangote is a a key symbol of the African growth and development vision is to state the obvious. This expectedly manifested in several ways in Tanzania last month when Dangote Cement Plc took a dramatic step towards a total consolidation of its spread across Africa with the inauguration of its Tanzania Plant. The event which received presidential accolades from both the Presidents of the host Country Tanzania and Nigeria, was graced by eminent personalities, including captains of industry and top government functionaries. In his speech, Dr Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete who was full of commendation for the Dangote described the the plant as the biggest investment so far made by an entrepreneur in the country stressing that the people of Tanzania are grateful to the company and would continue to work to boost private sector development in the country. According to him the multi-million dollars plant which remains the largest in both East and Central Africa would go a long way in translating that great Africa vision and dream to reality ‘’ as it would boost Africa economy, accelerate job creation and opportunities for Africans as well as strengthen bilateral ties between Nigeria and Tanzania’’.
On his part, Dangote said the Dangote Group which is already consolidating its business spread within the continent, adding that the economic and business venture is very positive and that the outlook signposts positive returns on investment. On the choice of Tanzania, the business mogul has this to say: “A key factor that drives investments in an economy is the presence of an investor-friendly business climate. Indeed, Tanzania is one of the most attractive investment destinations in Africa. This is attested to by the substantial amount of foreign direct investments (FDI) that flow into the country, annually.The economic reforms in Tanzania, especially in tax, public sector, financial sector, innovations in rural finance, telecommunications and infrastructure, as well as revamped legislative frameworks, have produced an enabling environment that has further provided a platform for future growth. All these factors made us to consider investing in the country. We hope to see more foreign investors take advantage of these opportunities and invest in other sectors that will have multiplier effects on the Tanzanian economy.”
He added: “The Tanzanian economy has been growing rapidly over the last few years. GDP growth rates have averaged 7 per cent per annum. The World Bank predicts that Tanzania can maintain this impressive growth over the next five years if the government continues to spearhead these laudable reforms. This attests to the success of Ujamaa (African Socialism) that Tanzania has vigorously championed.
The construction sector is a major emergent component of the Tanzanian economy that has been receiving the attention of investors. This makes it an ideal market for cement production. The existing cement manufacturers have historically been unable to satisfy local demand, which has been filled by imports. As essential economy-driven infrastructure continues to be built to improve electricity supply and the transport network, additional demand for cement can be expected. The Dangote Cement investment (as has been the case in Ethiopia, Cameroon and Zambia), will certainly contribute to Tanzania’s on-going story of infrastructure development, job creation and broad economic development”.
It would be recalled that the Tanzania Cement plant is seventh multi-million dollars plant outside Nigeria. Just before Tanzania, Dangote had inuguarated that of Zambia, which was graced by Vice president Yemi Osinbajo. The idea according to investment analysts is to build about 16 big Cement plants across the continent with the aim of also addressing the infrastructure deficit which is quite evident in Africa.
There is no doubt that going by the Country’s estimated population of about 42 million people, Tanzania’s per -capita cement consumption of around 50kg per annum is well below the global average and low even for the continent of Africa. Policy and development experts believe that the country’s economy is projected to grow at an estimated ratio of 7.0 % over the next five years on a consistent basis. This growth would be anchored on supports and backings from other sectors such as the manufacturing, mining and tourism sectors. Officials in Tanzania are of the view that the country enhanced economic performance has expectedly accelerated strong demand for cement hence the economic and business justification for citing the gigantic Cement Plant in Mtwara by Dangote Group. The rural community known as Mtwara is just about 400km from Dar Salaam, the capital of Tanzania.
Full operational activities are projected to commence by the end of this year, after an investment of more than $600m. With the factory in full force at that time to meet the rising demand of the domestic market, there is no doubt that the Dangote Tanzania Cement Plant located in Mtwara will also be able to serve local export markets by sea. The plant has 500 million tonnes of limestone reserves, enough for 149 years.


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Driverless Superbikes Vehicles – The future for modern day police security system.
The rapid growth and improvement in the world of technology, one may soon be able to “cook food using the internet”. – Driverless Superbikes Vehicles
Physical harm faced by our security agents in their service to our various nations will soon be reduced to a great extend.
Driverless Superbikes Vehicles Introduction
Driverless police drones are now the future of modern day policing. The introduction of THE INTERCEPTOR – by conceptual designer Charles Bombardier will change the world of security. The Interceptor is a superbike that will be driverless.
This “super robot” could monitor cities round the clock while issuing tickets to any offender via mobile application.
According to CNN, – “The design for theses futuristic police drones already eists. It’s called interceptor and could soon become a reality”.
Canadian mechanical engineer Charles Bombardier told CNN – “ it’s only the natural evolution to technology”.
Mechanical engineer Bombardier gets inspired and ideas by looking at existing everyday products. Driverless Superbikes Vehicles
The Interceptor may feature seamlessly scan license plates and record offenders using real time video. The drone could automatically issue citations via e-mails, text message if violation is recorded.
In his statement, Charles Bombardier said, one police could supervise five interceptor units.
“But these police drones would require a big investment. You would need $5 million, so they would need to be financed by a government organization,” Charles Bombardier told CNN.
In another recent development, Eduardo Arndt a Brazilian designer working with mechanical engineer Charles Bombardier is developing a new vision called the Brigade.
Driverless Superbikes Vehicles
Ardnts says, is inspired by the geometric simplicity of racing motorbikes from 1980s.
According to Arndt, “ To counter the vintage look I was going for, I added more modern details like LED headlights and security cameras across the bicycles”.
The future of driverless vehicles are closer to us than we think.
Driverless Superbikes Vehicles an awaiting police security system


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Meniga, an Iceland and UK-based digital banking and personal financial management (PFM) software provider, has appointed a new CEO, Simon Shorthose.
Shorthose takes over the role from co-founder Georg Ludviksson, who remains a shareholder of the company.
Speaking on the new appointment, Ludviksson says Shorthose has a “20-year track record of proven results in tech on a global scale”.
Over those two decades, Shorthose has held various senior leadership roles at firms across software and financial services, including head of global sales at SaaS banking platform Mambu.
Ludviksson co-founded Meniga in 2009 and the firm now boasts banking customers across 30 countries, including Intesa, Nordea and UOB.
Shorthose says: “There is a growing demand to invest in improved online and mobile channels to create deeper customer engagement, build greater loyalty and ultimately meet business outcomes.”
Meniga‘s products include data aggregation technologies, personal and business finance management solutions, cashback rewards and transaction-based carbon insights.
Image and article originally from www.fintechfutures.com. Read the original article here.


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The 23rd Universal Postal Union Congress ended yesterday, highlighted by representation from a record 173 UPU member countries, plus six more by proxy. Nearly 2,000 delegates, observers and guests attended the event in Bucharest, Romania, which began Sept. 15.
About 500 proposals were examined. Notable decisions made during the Congress include:
· Adoption of the Bucharest World Postal Strategy, a four-year roadmap for governments, postal operators and UPU bodies. The strategy directs postal organizations regarding how to do business in the future, interact with other stakeholders, respond to demands of a new business environment and meet customer needs.
· Creation of a Consultative Committee, a new UPU body representing the interests of external stakeholders and private sector partners in the work of the UPU. Charles Prescott, vice president of international business development and government affairs at the Direct Marketing Association, was elected its chairman.
· Adoption of proposals aimed at making the system used to compensate postal administrations for processing and delivering letter mail coming from other countries more country-specific and reflective of costs.
· Approval of a new country classification system that is in line with that of the United Nations Development Programme.
· Introduction of an improved Quality of Service Fund to ensure that countries most in need receive additional funds for improving their postal infrastructure and quality of service.
· Adoption of a worldwide quality of service standard and targets for international mail services.
· Adoption of a series of resolutions highlighting the need to improve security as well as combat terrorism and money laundering through the use of the mail network.
· Decisions to modernize and expand postal financial services through the use of technology, such as electronic fund transfers and computerized accounting methods.
· Adoption of a proposal to amend the UPU Convention to legally define the Electronic Postmark (EPM), formally recognizing it as a new optional postal service. The EPM provides evidentiary proof of an electronic event, in a certain form, at a certain time, involving one or more parties.
· Adoption of a resolution that items sent through extraterritorial offices of exchange are to be considered commercial items not subject to the UPU Acts, and that any country or operator wishing to establish an ETOE on the territory of a UPU member country must obtain prior permission from the host country.
· Measures to make postal parcels more competitive and enhance awareness of environmental protection.
· Election of Edouard Dayan of France's La Poste as the new UPU director general and Huang Guozhong of the Chinese Post as deputy director general. Also, new members of the UPU Postal Operations Council were elected. James Wade of the United States was elected chairman.
Nairobi, Kenya, will host the next UPU Congress in 2008.


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Despite the Russian state maintaining a mostly unfriendly stance on cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin (BTC), a major state-backed museum is benefiting from the industry by raising hundreds of thousands of dollars with nonfungible tokens, or NFTs.
The Russian State Hermitage Museum, the largest museum in the world, has finished its first auction on the NFT platform by Binance — the world’s largest crypto exchange — selling five tokenized collectibles depicting masterpieces from artists like Leonardo da Vinci and Vincent van Gogh.
The auction included five NFT copies of Hermitage-hosted artworks, including Wassily Kandinsky’s “Composition VI,” Giorgione’s “Judith,” Da Vinci’s “The Madonna and Child,” Claude Monet’s “Corner of the Garden at Montgeron” and van Gogh’s “Lilac Bush.”
According to data from the Binance NFT platform, the Hermitage’s auction has generated a total of more than $444,000 worth of Binance USD (BUSD), a U.S. dollar-denominated stablecoin operated by Binance.
The auction’s highest bid went to “The Madonna and Child,” with the winning bidder placing a 150,500 BUSD bid to buy the digital representation of the famous artwork.
A spokesperson for the Hermitage told Cointelegraph that all the NFT auction proceeds will go to the museum, “except for the expenses agreed in the contract within the framework of this project.” “The Hermitage does not make any operations with cryptocurrency. All funds will go to the Hermitage in Fiat currency — Russian rubles,” the representative noted.
Announcing the NFT sale plans in July, the Hermitage said that its legal department was working with legal consulting company LFCS to create and sell NFTs using a model that “fully complies with Russian legislation.”
Related: Master-pieces: Swiss bank issuing NFT shares in Picasso painting for $6K each
Payments in cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin are far from being legally accepted in Russia. Earlier on Tuesday, Dmitry Peskov — the official representative of Russian President Vladimir Putin — reiterated that Russia has no reason to recognize Bitcoin as legal tender, as this would be detrimental to the country’s financial system. Russia officially prohibited residents from making payments in cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin as part of its crypto law, “On Digital Financial Assets,” in January.


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Earlier today, we reported that Xiaomi was going to soon announce the new generation Xiaomi Yi 4K Action Camera 2. Then, we got our hands on a test doc of the Yi Camera’s battery life and it showed that the device could record 4K videos at 30 fps for nearly 120 minutes continuously. Now, we have got our hands on another document of the new Yi camera generation, this time testing the data transfer speeds, from the camera to the connected smartphone via its Wi-Fi connection.
So, the Wi-Fi was set at a random channel and the distance between the Yi 4K Action Camera 2 and the connected smartphone was 1 meter. The test was simple. The user first recorded a video of around 500MB on the new camera. Then he downloaded and installed the companion camera app onto his phone and connected the camera via Wi-Fi. There were two phones used for this test, a Xiaomi Mi Note and an iPhone 6S Plus. Further for comparison, the GoPro Hero 4 Black edition was also tested following the same process.
So, the results of the test are as follows:
|Model number||band (channel)||Phone||download file size（MB）||download time（s）||download rate（MB/s）|
|Z16V13LW612-AUS1094059||2.4G (chl 6)||MI NOTE LTE||510||153||3.33|
|5G (chl 153)||MI NOTE LTE||510||155||3.29|
|2.4G (chl 6)||MI NOTE LTE||510||175||2.91|
|5G (chl 161)||MI NOTE LTE||510||155||3.29|
|Z16V13LW612-AUS3368264||2.4G (chl 6)||MI NOTE LTE||540||177||3.05|
|5G (chl 157)||MI NOTE LTE||540||174||3.10|
|Z16V13LW612-AUS2545843||2.4G (chl 6)||MI NOTE LTE||540||170||3.18|
|5G (chl 149)||MI NOTE LTE||540||172||3.14|
|GoPro HERO4 Black||2.4G (chl 11)||MI NOTE LTE||540||355||1.52|
So, there are four samples being tested out here of the new Yi Action camera. Plus, at the end, you can find the GoPro Hero 4 Black for comparison. It looks like the new Yi Camera generation manages to transfer the video at double the speed as compared to the GoPro model.
We hope to get more details about the new Yi camera from our source, including some camera samples. So, stay tuned to gizmochina in the coming days.


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- 16,182 Posts
Fixing the Lightning port on the Magic Mouse 2
When Apple released the updated Magic Mouse 2 earlier this week, like the Magic Keyboard and Magic Trackpad 2, it came with a rechargeable lithium-ion battery. Unlike the keyboard and trackpad, however, the mouse didn't have the Lightning charging port on the back. It had it on the bottom. And that led to some complaints...
Full story from the iMore Blog...
- By iMore Question in forum OS X El Capitan (10.11)Replies: 2Last Post: 10-15-2015, 08:18 PM
- By iMore.com in forum iMore.com News DiscussionReplies: 0Last Post: 10-15-2015, 08:12 PM
- By fmirzamd in forum iPhone 6s PlusReplies: 5Last Post: 10-15-2015, 07:54 PM
- By iMore Question in forum Ask a QuestionReplies: 1Last Post: 10-15-2015, 06:27 PM
- By iMore Question in forum Ask a QuestionReplies: 1Last Post: 10-15-2015, 06:26 PM


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(Reuters) – Quality of new vehicles sold in the United States is declining as factors such as growing use of technology and lower build quality of certain parts are making the models more “problematic”, according to automotive consultant J.D. Power.
Build quality of certain parts such as audio systems and cup-holders have resulted in quality issues, the report said, which collected data from 93,380 purchasers and lessees of 2023 model-year vehicles.
Automakers have been leaning on software and technology as they rush to roll out innovative models amid easing supply constraints and labor shortages.
Problems per 100 vehicles (PP100) rose 30 PP100 during the past two years, the report said. A lower score reflects higher vehicle quality.
Quality ratings of Tesla Inc, which is not officially ranked among other brands in the study as it did not meet ranking criteria, increased by 31 PP100 year-over-year to 257 PP100 in 2023.
Electronic touch-point designed door handles offered on new vehicles have also become an issue, with seven of the 10 most problematic models seen in battery electric vehicles, the report said.
The wide range of quality problems in the automotive industry is “a phenomenon not seen in the 37-year history of the Initial Quality Study”, said J.D Power’s senior director of auto benchmarking Frank Hanley.
“Today’s new vehicles are more complex — offering new and exciting technology — but not always satisfying owners,” Hanley added.
Dodge ranked the highest overall in terms of initial quality, while Chrysler and Volvo were jointly ranked lowest, according to J.D. Power.
The study, carried out from February through May, is based on 223 questions divided into nine vehicle categories.
(Reporting by Nathan Gomes in Bengaluru; Editing by Shilpi Majumdar)


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Kale University participated in the March Against Monsanto rally in Balboa Park, San Diego on Saturday May 25th 2013 in an effort to support the public in their right to know what is in our food. Bees are dying at an alarming rate and much of it is traced back to the use of deadly pesticides.
To find out more about GMO Foods and why it’s so important to only buy non-gmo products go to: http://www.nongmoproject.org/
on the public’s health must stop immediately.
The world is waking up to who is at the forefront of this assault on our personal rights. Organic, non-gmo foods are the only products that should be sold, Period.
I encourage everyone to write to their representatives and demand that this madness stop. Also getting involved and educating others is a great way to get the movement moving faster. Here is a link to more information about GMOs: http://kaleuniversity.org/5011-label-gmo-foods-infographic/
San Diego had around 1000 people it seemed marching from Balboa Park to the Little Italy Farmer’s Market today and it was a peaceful yet energized crowd.
We at Kale U. were proud to be a part of it!
Here are a few images of the March and Rally.
Images source: Kenario


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Hip-hop mogul Dr Dre's forthcoming music streaming service with rocker Trent Reznor has been given a massive financial injection after receiving US$60 million in investments.
The unlikely duo is working together to create the new digital platform, tentatively called Daisy, which will offer users track suggestions based on listeners' recommendations instead of computerised choices.
The service, which is being developed by Dre's Beats Electronics firm, is expected to be launched later this year and it's already attracted huge interest from billionaires including Warner Music Group owner Len Blavatnik, Texan oil magnate Lee M. Bass and Australian business mogul James Packer.
According to a Beats spokesperson, each investor brings "significant expertise in (the) music and subscription business".
source: newshub archive


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In an industry first, all of the commercial TV broadcasters have announced today they will provide an electronic program guide to all manufacturers of free-to-air personal video recorders and similar services..
Julie Flynn, chief executive officer of industry body Free TV said the announcement was a "critical plank" in the transition to digital adoption.
"Free-to-view digital television is an open platform -- available to every household in Australia. In the same spirit, we believe all consumers should be able to access our electronic program information", Flynn said.
The announcement comes after Harold Mitchell, chairman and CEO of Mitchell and Partners, told CNET.com.au last month that an.
The new agreement will mean that services such as IceTV and the forthcoming TiVo will be able to use the TV program data provided they meet the terms set down by the stations and Free TV.
A spokesperson for Channel Ten said the Free TV "principles" included encrypting the data to protect the guide information involved.
"If a service provider agrees to the principles they can get our data", she said.
At present, the EPG will only be available to free-to-air services, and will not affect the ongoing dispute between Foxtel, Seven and Ten or be available to the upcoming Channels A and B.
General Manager of IceTV Matt Kossatz said today's announcement should "shed some light" on the court precedings between Channel Nine and IceTV. Channel Nine claims that the IceTV guide is a breach of the station's copyright.
"We strongly believe we're not using copyrighted material from Channel Nine or any other network and we go to extreme lengths to prevent that," Kossatz said.
Kossatz said that the agreement is "something that we've wanted for a long time" and added that it wouldn't affect his business because IceTV "isn't just an EPG" but a service that included remote recording via the Internet and other exclusive features.
The EPG could be available in as little as three months, but the way the data will be delivered is still being worked out -- it could take form of a signal broadcast alongside the digital transmission.
Kossatz said he hopes IceTV will be involved in determining the best method: "We've been doing this for several years now. If anyone's an expert on distribution of guide information to digital recorders -- we're the people".


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New research shows that Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN) takes about half of its resellers’ total revenue. This is according to a study by MarketPlace Pulse: “Amazon is pocketing more than 50% of sellers’ revenue – up from 40% five years ago. Sellers are paying more because Amazon has increased fulfillment fees and made spending on advertising unavoidable.”
Most of the money is for referral fees. However, as much as 10% is for advertising, one of Amazon’s fastest-growing lines of revenue. Looking back to 2016, the total percentage sellers gave to Amazon was about 35%, so 50% is a huge jump.
Amazon needs the money, no matter how much it undermines seller sales. Amazon’s huge e-commerce business barely breaks even today. Its bottom line is carried by Amazon Web Services, its huge cloud services business, which is the largest in the world.
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Last year, Amazon’s North American e-commerce business lost $2.8 billion on $316 billion in revenue. Its international e-commerce business did worse. It lost $7.7 billion on $118 billion. Worrying that these losses will worsen due to legacy infrastructure costs and slowing revenue improvement has kept investors out of the stock. (Click here for the 21 companies making the most profit per second.)
Amazon’s shares remain down by almost 40%, despite a modest recovery recently. Investors do not believe management can fix a system that may be too expensive but is also at the center part of a permanent decline in growth. Amazon may dominate E-commerce, but retailers across the industry have shown more and more ingenuity, and Amazon’s path to higher market share has been blocked.
Whether or not resellers or the public think Amazon is being fair, it needs the money.
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I would like to start by wishing everyone a Happy (belated) Easter. Many of us couldn’t be with our immediate family this holiday thanks to COVID-19, but I hope you were all able to make the best of a bad circumstances!
The past two days I have been in such a good mood. I got to spend the weekend hanging out with my mom (and boyfriend) despite all the Coronavirus restrictions and chaos.
It seems like the world has gone mad due to the dreaded Coronavirus. Stores are nearly empty and despite their best efforts to continuously restock their shelves, it appears that they are just out of everything; there is nothing left.
Almost everyone has heard of the dreaded Coronavirus (COVID-19) by now. When I checked my local news website a few days ago the total cases for this virus in Pennsylvania were at 76 infected victims.


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AFA’s Australian delegation of furniture designers and makers to China and the UK received a tremendous response in 2015 as the ‘Aussie invasion’ to some of the world’s largest furniture trade events and featured a diverse mix of industry members in the Australian Pavilion.
|‘I highly recommend AFA’s International Pavilions as a great introduction to the global marketplace for furniture and furnishing, supported by an Association with real credibility on the international scene.’
Dylan Falecki, TV Presenter,
AFIA Award Winner and International Exhibitor, NSW
Presented in very highly sought after locations, the Australian Pavilions showcased a fabulous mix of designers, makers, commercial, bedding, lounge, dining, seating and theatre/stadium solutions, in a magnificent backdrop of the Australian outback.
Following the success of International Pavilions in 2015 the Australian Furniture Association has been formally invited to lead delegations to ‘exhibit’ under the banner of Australia again in 2016. Due to the quality feedback from attendees and exhibitors alike, event organisers have seen first-hand the demand for unique, quality Australian products.
|‘One of the highlights was the strength and support between us as a group exhibiting under the banner of the AFA in the Australia Pavilion. The times shared together, debriefing and discussing ideas will be invaluable. This is no doubt due to the work and efforts by the AFA. Business highlights include establishing relationships with potential clients across a range of sectors in the furniture industry, confirmation of my work and personal style by making sales during the exhibition, being within a new environment inspiring new ideas and a greater clarity in my future business direction’.
Furniture Designer and Maker, NSW
The AFA is continuing its work to develop an Australian presence in more countries from 2016 and to act as a door opener to the International market for Australian designers and manufacturers, whilst simultaneously building awareness of Australian design in a global market.
The Australian International Pavilions will showcase works of both established and up-and-coming designers, and feature a number of the country’s leading manufacturers. Those selected to take part will benefit from being part of the AFA’s International Pavilions exhibition program abroad and will be given a unique opportunity to network with international buyers and the global design industry.
Designers and Manufacturers interested in AFA’s International Pavilions 2017 should apply via email to Craig Cock at firstname.lastname@example.org or +613 9856 1600, or by completing the below form:


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New Age Rating Standards Encourage Wider Adoption Of PEGI Age Ratings
New research from the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) andVideo Standards Council Rating Board (VSC) shows that 94% of parents find that consistent age ratings are an important factor in making an informed choice. This and other findings have led to the BBFC and VSC publishing a set of standards to encourage good practice.
The PEGI app is a great way for parents to find out more about these ratings, and get further information about specific games from the examiner’s reports. It’s also an excellent way to find age-appropriate games for specific platforms and genres.
The Best Practice Guidelines will help online platforms work towards greater and more consistent use of trusted age ratings online. The move is supported by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport as part of the Government’s strategy to make the UK the safest place to be online. Of specific interest to parents is that it includes recommending the use of consistent and more comprehensive use of PEGI symbols across online games services.
The Video Recordings Act requires that the majority of video works and video games released on physical media must be classified by the BBFC or the VSC prior to release. While there is no equivalent legal requirement that online releases must be classified, the BBFC has been working with VOD services since 2008, and the VSC has been working with online games platforms since 2003. The Best Practice Guidelines aim to build on the good work that is already happening, and both authorities are now calling for the online industry to work with them in 2019 and beyond to better protect children.
Most game platforms, like Xbox, Nintendo, PlayStation and Google already apply PEGI ratings to both physical and online sales. These companies are ahead of the curve with Netflix today announcing that it will similarly apply the BBFC ratings to online video.
Ian Rice, Director General of the VSC, said: “We have always believed that consumers wanted a clear, consistent and readily recognisable rating system for online video games and this research has certainly confirmed that view. While the vast majority of online game providers are compliant and apply PEGI ratings to their product, it is clear that more can be done to help consumers make an informed purchasing decision. To this end, the best practice recommendations will certainly make a valuable contribution in achieving this aim.”
Digital Minister Margot James said: “Our ambition is for the UK to be the safest place to be online, which means having age ratings parents know and trust applied to all online films and video games. I welcome the innovative collaboration announced today by Netflix and the BBFC, but more needs to be done.
“It is important that more of the industry takes this opportunity for voluntary action, and I encourage all video on demand and games platforms to adopt the new best practice standards set out by the BBFC and Video Standards Council.”


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LORDSTOWN, OHIO. General Motors’ Lordstown Assembly could spit out 400,000 Chevrolet Cruze sedans annually, and the new owner of the 6 million-square-foot plant, Lordstown Motors, projects they could make 600,000 of their battery-electric pickup trucks here. A prototype of the sleek, high-tech truck called the Endurance made its public debut on June 25, rolling up a ramp and onto the stage to reveal the latest best hope for the area to knock off its Rust Belt image and become something new and innovative.
The fleet-focused Endurance will reportedly have a 250-mile range, 600 HP, and 7,500-lb. towing capacity. An onboard power export will also be able to run power tools. The cost of the five-seater is expected to be $52,500 and the truck could start production next year, meaning it would beat out battery-electric competitors such as the Tesla Cybertruck and Nikola Badger.
Factoring in the Plug-In Electric Drive Vehicle Credit of $7,500, the total cost of ownership could be $52,000, or $19,000 less than the Ford F-150 Lariat 4WD. This is also due to a 35% less maintenance cost and 36% less in fuel cost, comparing kWh cost to gas being $2.57 per gallon. Fast charging (level 3 DC) could be done in as little as 30 minutes, while normal charging in a home garage (Level 2-7kW AC) could take 10 hours.
To show what a big deal this startup truck’s unveiling was for one of the most critical swing states in the upcoming presidential election, out of the passenger side popped Vice President Mike Pence, former governor of neighboring Indiana.
“It’s a new beginning for Lordstown and it’s a new day for leadership in electric vehicles,” he proclaimed before going into a 15 minute or so speech to promote the efforts of his boss, President Donald Trump.
“The recovery is on,” the vice president touted, “which makes it more timely and more appropriate to be here at Lordstown Motors, a part of the great American comeback.”
The president and this particular factory have had a complicated relationship since GM ceased production in March 2019. That didn’t fit his narrative for a booming economy and bringing jobs back, but GM wanted to move away from the internal combustion engine and downsize, making the plant that’s been in operation since 1966 expendable.
Following months of speculation that an electric delivery truck manufacturer named Workhorse would buy the plant to produce some vehicles, the CEO of that company left and started up Lordstown Motors Corp., which took ownership of the assembly plant last November. Workhorse licensed some pickup truck designs that would carry over to the Endurance and has a 10% stake in the startup.
Lordstown Motors has been developing the truck for less than a year, with the 100 engineers on the project starting from scratch in many areas. Instead of a typical electric drivetrain, the Endurance has four independent in-hub motors, each with its own computer brain.
“The modern-day pickup has thousands of moving parts,” Burns explained, citing the pistons, valves and crankshaft as a few. “And every moving part is a decrease in efficiency.”
Fewer parts also increases ease of manufacturing, which is why he thinks they can eclipse GM’s production volume at the plant, which needs to go through some serious retooling. GM, which also provided a $40 million loan, left the factory intact at the behest of Lordstown Motors.
That will allow the tires to sense what they need to do while stuck on a muddy jobsite. A partnership with Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, based not far away in Akron, will also help uncover new innovations where the rubber meets the road.
“We have the best traction of any truck ever made,” Burns boasted, adding, “We will be the safest pickup truck ever made.”
He claimed that replacing the engine with more crush area provides a safety advantage, and previously told Green Car Reports the truck can reach a five-star crash rating in a software simulation.
By the end of the year, beta customers will be able to get behind the wheel and prove one of Burns’ more incredible claims, that the truck “handles like a sports car.”
The question on Burns’ mind was if fleets could believe in a new startup OEM. It seems that at least some do, as the first year of production is already pre-sold, Burns said.
“We know we got the chops to make it, but do people want it?” Burns asked.
Pence said the company has 14,000 trucks pre-sold. If true, that means the company in year one of operation will be at 2.3% of what it believes to be the potential capacity.
But on what Burns called the biggest day for a vehicle maker, when the product is shown off for the first time, he felt confident that lofty goal is in reach.
“Even before anyone saw the truck, it was clear that the demand for the Endurance was there. Most Americans know that the number one, number two and number three best-selling vehicles are pickup trucks, and even with so many cars going electric, there still isn’t an all-electric pickup truck,” Burns said. “We founded Lordstown Motors to change that and we are dedicated to that mission.”
Much work has to be done, and there’s no telling how the COVID-19 pandemic will delay things, but if this underdog comes out on top, it could lead to big things for a small city that had lost 4,500 manufacturing jobs. It’s unlikely all those jobs will return, as the Endurance requires fewer workers and leverages industrial robots for many tasks, but it’s a start.
GM also announced a partnership with LG to build a $2.3 billion battery factory across the street, leading to a potential new name for the area: Voltage Valley, which Burns sees could compete with Silicon Valley in the area of electrification.
“There's nothing wrong with California, but the Midwest is where the cars are made,” he said. “The Midwest happens to be where most pickup trucks are sold. And so we thought, ‘Why should California have all the fun?’”


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Walmart testing store employee delivery of US online orders
BENTONVILLE - Walmart says it's testing a delivery service using its own store employees, who will deliver packages ordered online while they are driving home from their work shifts.
The "associate delivery" program would use Walmart's 4,700 U.S. stores and roughly 1.2 million employees to speed delivery and cut costs. The world's largest retailer says workers can choose to participate and would be paid. The service is being tested at two stores in New Jersey and one in Arkansas.
It's the company's latest effort to compete with online giant Amazon.
Walmart says it has stores within 10 miles of 90 percent of the U.S. population. Marc Lore, CEO of Walmart's U.S. online operations, says imagine all the routes employees drive to and from work, "and the houses they pass along the way."
Desktop NewsClick to open Continuous News in a sidebar that updates in real-time.
Bar owners start thinking about reopening ahead of Governor's phase two announcement
Baton Rouge residents watch historic SpaceX launch
Mom and pop shops buzzing with business after shutdown
Watch: Historic space launch Saturday
Two fleeing drivers take troopers on separate, wild police chases overnight (2)


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Blog of Frank Knapp, President/CEO of the South Carolina Small Business Chamber of Commerce
March 21, 2020
U.S. Senate Republicans and Democrats are discussing what should be in the Senates Stimulus package which might receive a vote on Monday.
The urgency for Congress to come up with a plan that will work to save small businesses is shown in a survey this week by Goldman Sachs (see story below). About 51% of small businesses surveyed said that they will “only be able to continue to operate for 0-3 months” because of the economic downturn due to the coronavirus.
The GOP is proposing a $300 billion loan guarantee for banks to lend to businesses with up to 500 employees. These loans, in the original proposal, were to be used for 6-weeks of payroll.
History and common small-business sense tell us this loan guarantee program won’t work.
In 2010 President Obama’s Small Business Jobs Act guaranteed $30 billion for banks to make loans to small businesses, something they were not doing. The result was that little of the $30 billion was used because banks just didn’t want to make risky small business loans right after the Great Recession.
Common small-business sense tells us that small business owners who don’t know if they will be around in a few months are not going to take out debt to survive. They will cut as much operational costs as they can and if that isn’t enough, they will shut down.
Fortunately, there are some Senate Democrats who understand that small businesses don’t want loans, they need an infusion of cash from federal grants to stay in business, keep workers on the payroll, and pay for the usual operational expenses.
Two bills to make small business grants were introduced this past week.
Senators Ron Wyden and Ben Cardin rolled out their Save America’s Main Street Act:
What American small business owners need right now is cash. Cash to pay employees, cash to pay rent, cash to pay debt-service, cash to pay vendors, cash just to keep the lights on. Small business owners are weary of taking on more debt when they are fighting to survive, unsure of what even the next six weeks will look like.
Senators Chis Murphy, Jeff Merkley and Chris Van Hollen introduced their Main Street Emergency Grant Program:
Small businesses as defined in Section 3 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 632) and consistent with SBA size standards by industry for 2019, who have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 health epidemic, through a reduction in revenue of at least 50%. Nonprofit organizations with under 500 employees are also eligible. Businesses who have been shut down due to state or local regulation would use an expedited process and other businesses could apply by showing hardship.
Both bills offer cash to small businesses to help keep them alive.
However, the Main Street Emergency Program would be available to all small businesses compared to the Wyden/Cardin bill that establishes a “gross receipts” cap.
Getting grants to small businesses quickly to help keep them viable will enable them to keep workers on the payroll. Maintaining the employer-employ relationship will cut unemployment, keep money flowing through local economies, be a big psychological/emotional boost for workers and the public—and will enable the economy to bounce back faster when the health crisis subsides.
Congress must act now!!
Survey: Many small businesses don’t expect to survive long as coronavirus wallops economy
March 21, 2020
More than half of U.S. small businesses say that they won’t be able to operate beyond three months because of the economic impact caused by the coronavirus, a new survey from Goldman Sachs found.
This week, Goldman surveyed more than 1,500 participants in the firm’s 10,000 Small Businesses program, which runs across 48 states and four U.S. territories. Of those surveyed, 54% were female business owners.
There are nearly 30.7 million small businesses in the U.S., employing around 47.3% of the private workforce, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration. Approximately 51% of the business owners surveyed by Goldman reported that they can “only be able to continue to operate for 0-3 months,” according to Goldman.
The results highlight the severe and sudden impact COVID-19 is having on the economy, which is expected to contract and hemorrhage jobs in the coming weeks amid widespread public lockdowns.
According to Goldman, almost all of the respondents, some 96%, said their business has already been impacted by the virus, with 75% reporting fewer sales.
While many Americans are working from home, self-quarantining, or under “shelter-in-place” orders in their cities, 53% of the small businesses surveyed stated that their employees can’t telecommute.
With the growing need for financial relief, 67% are uncertain about how to access or apply for emergency funding. Meanwhile, 75% feel as if they have no voice or not a very strong voice in the policy-making process.


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Companies big and small are joining in the effort to fight the pandemic. Some companies design and make ventilators while others including the likes of Automobili Lamborghini, New Balance, Razer and more are making face masks and medical shields. Los Angeles Apparel too has join the fight, but the difference is, it is already selling […]
The global coronavirus pandemic shows no sign of stopping. We can do our part to slow the spread by staying out of the streets. But lets face it, sometime you have to step out and if you do, make sure you put on a mask.
I was dumbfounded when WHO advised against wearing a face mask if one is not unwell. I know the rationale. You know, the global shortage of mask and all that. But seriously, a mask, regardless of the effectiveness, is better than no protection at all. It was an ill advice, pardon my pun, since novel […]
As the world and Italy is grappling with the onslaught of the novel coronavirus pandemic, Italian supercar manufacturer Automobili Lamborghini has announced that has converted some of its production plant in Sant’Agata Bolognese to produce surgical masks and protective medical shields.
There is no lacking of video tutorials teaching you how to make your own face mask to keep yourself and others around you safe in this unprecedented time, but this particular tutorial stands out because, the instruction is coming from the person who is most at risk: a medical doctor.
New Balance has joined the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to the $2 million New Balance Foundation has committed to support local, regional and global communities, the Boston sporting goods maker has announced on its Instagram page that its “U.S. factories are working to develop, manufacture and deliver face masks to the hospital […]
In the face of the shortage of mask due to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, China’s ‘useless Edison’ has created a stainless steel mask/breathing apparatus. ‘Useless Edison’ goes by his Weibo handle shou gong geng (手工耿 – loosely translate as handcraft specialist) makes all sort of wacky stuff.
With the outbreak of COVID-19 and the global shortage of mask, it is not surprising that one campaign stood out on Kickstarter. I am talking about AusAir. AusAir is pitching its Australia-designed, “botanically-infused, designers masks” that is capable of blocking out “over 97% of PM2.5 particles while remaining highly breathable and looks fashionable too boot.
The threat of COVID-19 is very real. This flu-like disease is unlike anything modern history have seen. It is super contagious and the fact that it could be transmitted during incubation period is a cause for alarm. Having said that, we can minimize the risk by donning a mask. But herein lies a modern person’s […]
What you see here is a glove, a 3D printed glove from Jaguar Land Rover’s Garden site, also the home to one of the largest 3D printing facilities in the U.K. Yes. Affirmative. That is a glove, alright. However, it is not the glove you thought you know.


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Recode, Inc. has a special deal with brands to make video content.
The company is hosting a video for every new Up Up Unison logo and up.
In addition, it will be sharing new logos, up styles, and new images on the company’s YouTube channel.
The company is using the #upunity logo, which is the official logo of UpUnison.
It is also the company logo on the back of its shirt and on the front of its sneakers.
Here’s the video for the brand’s newest logo, the one for the new Upunison logo.
The brand will also be releasing a #upsup uniform video in the coming weeks.
The #upupunison video will be available for purchase through the brand and the UpUnification app.
The UpUnified app will allow brands to upload their own #upsunison videos to promote their products.
The video will also include up styling tips and product descriptions.


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Pentair purchases tooling and intellectual property of HE Group
October 22, 2014
By Liza Mayer
Pentair Aquatic Eco-Systems, Inc. recently announced that it has purchased the tooling and intellectual property of HE Group, Inc. (HGI), a fiberglass design and manufacturing company, specializing in aquaculture and water treatment systems.
“The technology and manufacturing capability acquired from HGI is a win-win for Pentair and its customers,” said Karl Frykman, President of Pentair Aquatic Systems. “It provides product flexibility for our customers and adds an array of commercial equipment to our recirculating aquaculture system portfolio.”


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Disney launched its new streaming service today and signed up a lot of new subscribers. The company said earlier today that their new Disney+ option acquired over 10 million new customers within the first 24 hours. Stock shares for the company increased by 7% due to the successful launch.
Disney is giving new customers a seven day free trial to decide whether or not they are interested in keeping the service. Customers of Verizon are also being offered a free year of Disney+ to customers who have signed up for their Unlimited plan.
Here is a look at subscribers of other streaming services.
Netflix (introduced streaming in 2007): 158 million subscribers, 60.6 million U.S. subscribers (as of October).
Hulu, (began streaming in 2007): 28.5 million U.S. subscribers (as of November).
HBO (founded in 1972, began streaming outside pay-TV bundle in 2015): 34 million U.S. subscribers, 8 million HBO Now subscribers (as of October)
CBS All Access and Showtime (began streaming in 2014): 8 million subscribers (as of February)
ESPN+ (began streaming in 2018): 3.5 million subscribers (as of November)
DAZN (began streaming in 2016): More than 4 million global subscribers (as of May)
Crunchyroll (began streaming in 2006): More than 2 million global subscribers (as of November)
It will be interesting what the future of streaming will be..


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Google pays Apple lots of money for search, Uber’s next CEO could possibly be Jeff Immelt, Volkswagen electric Microbus is going on sale in 2022 and the Tesla Model X beat a Lambo in a drag race. All this on Crunch Report. Read More
NYS Entity Status
NYS Filing Date
APRIL 03, 2013
NYS DOS ID#
NYS Entity Type
DOMESTIC BUSINESS CORPORATION
2013 - EZ CORPORATE FILINGS LTD.
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By Khaled "Tito" Hamze - Tuesday Aug 22, 2017
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State Street Corporation, which denies the Labor Department’s claims, has agreed to pay $5 million to settle allegations of compensation discrimination.
- RadioShack Is Down To Fewer Than 30 Corporate Stores
By Laura Northrup - Friday Sep 8, 2017
After filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy twice in two years, closing thousands of its corporate-owned stores, and auctioning off its corporate treasures, RadioShack is improbably still around. A new plan for getting out of bankruptcy filed with the court spells out the company’s plans, which involve online sales, franchising its brand, and somewhere between a few dozen …
- SEC Discloses Edgar Corporate Filing System Was Hacked in 2016
Wednesday Sep 20, 2017
The SEC disclosed that hackers penetrated its electronic system for storing public-company filings and may have traded illegally on the information.


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Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Marks & Spencer are investigating the source of their chicken products after an investigation by the Guardian newspaper poor hygiene practices that can ease the spread of campylobacter – the most common cause of food poisoning in the UK.
Undercover reporting in chicken processing facilities of two of the UK’s largest poultry firms – Sisters Food Group and Faccenda – have raised crucial questions on food hygiene and contamination.
Footage revealed carcasses falling on the floor or coming in contact with equipment and workers’ boots, being repeatedly put back on the production line, factory floors flooded with chickens guts and other poor practices that ease the spread of bacteria.
Campylobacter is of particular concern, affecting around two-thirds of British chickens. Despite the bacteria usually being killed during cooking, it can still contaminate people and it in fact poisons around 280,000 people in the UK each year.
Executive director of consumer group Which? Richard Lloyd, commented, “The Guardian’s investigation raises serious concerns. Tackling campylobacter has to become a much bigger priority for supermarkets and their suppliers as it is responsible for thousands of cases of food poisoning and the deaths of 100 people every year.”
Some supermarkets have launched an immediate investigation into their chicken suppliers.
Retailer M&S said, “We take food safety very seriously and regularly audit all of our suppliers to ensure that they meet our strict codes of practice. We do not tolerate any alleged breach of our standards and have launched an immediate investigation.”
One of the poultry processors involved in the allegations, Sisters Food Group has replied saying the reports are “untrue, misleading and inaccurate”.
“We strongly deny and defend ourselves against these allegations. Our company’s heritage is steeped in the poultry sector. We are extremely proud of this heritage and our excellent track record as a poultry processor, and we will remain so”, the company said in a statement.
Photo: qmnonic via flickr


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announced today the launch of a new membership program in collaboration with its recent acquisition, online grocery delivery service Redmart. The program, called LiveUp, will bring the two companies together with four more international online brands: Taobao Collection, Netflix, Uber, and UberEats.
LiveUp will pool together benefits from the Alibaba-owned ecommerce website and all the other services. It’s subscription-based, with an annual fee of about US$36. To start with, the subscription will be offered at US$21.
In many ways, this is Lazada
and Redmart’s answer to Amazon’s Prime service, which includes benefits like same-day delivery and access to the company’s video streaming service. The US ecommerce juggernaut has delayed its Southeast Asia market entrance, but its arrival is hotly anticipated.
Unlike Prime, however, which offers benefits exclusively on Amazon, LiveUp bunches up perks from a range of companies and services.
“We thought it was very powerful to bring to the customers something they really wanted across multiple services, to have a much better offering than what Amazon will bring to them,” says Alexis Lanternier, CEO of Lazada
The program is aimed at consumers who primarily go online for shopping, entertainment, transportation, and food delivery. The companies call them the “online lifestyle natives.” “That’s the term we use for people who are very savvy shoppers but are time-starved and want affordable convenience,” says Redmart CEO Roger Egan.
Between Lazada, Redmart, Uber, and Netflix, this covers a broad range of Singaporean customers.
Benefits include rebates from Lazada
and Redmart purchases, free and faster delivery from Lazada
and its recently launched Taobao Collection component, discounts on Uber
and six months off a Netflix
This is an excerpt from the article published on Tech In Asia. You can read it here
This is an excerpt from the article published on Tech In Asia. You can read it here.


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Suzuki Corporation’s 15-member delegation pays courtesy visit to CM
Suzuki Corporation will call 500 young engineers from its Gujarat plant to Japan to give automobile training
Suzuki’s presence in Gujarat will create great scope for skill development in auto sector in the State
The presence of 430 Japanese companies, highest participation ever, in investment seminar held during Mr. Modi’s Japan visit will create a great scope of investment and partnership between the companies of Gujarat and Japan: Suzuki Chairman
Mitsubishi to develop ‘Smart City’ in Gujarat
A 15-member delegation of Japan’s world-famous automaker Suzuki Corporation, led by the company’s Chairman Osamu Suzuki, paid courtesy visit to Chief Minister Narendra Modi today and thanked for the State government’s cooperation in setting up of the company’s expansion plant in Bahucharaji in north Gujarat.
Mr. Suzuki lauded the Gujarat government’s commitment in extending support to the company in developing world-class infrastructural facilities in accordance with the state policies.
He said that Suzuki will call about 500 young engineers from its Gujarat plant for automobile engineering training in Japan. Suzuki is also interested in setting up of an automobile engineering institute in Gujarat, he said.
Mr. Suzuki mentioned the Chief Minister Narendra Modi’s recent successful Japan visit. He also mentioned the unprecedented success of the investment seminar which was held in Hamamatsu during Mr. Modi’s Japan visit, in which around 430 Japanese auto vender companies participated, highest participation ever. “This will create a great scope of investment and partnership between the companies of Gujarat and Japan”, Mr. Suzuki said. Mr. Modi’s Japan visit has become instrumental in strengthening the ties between Gujarat and Japan, he added.
The Chief Minister asked to create a Japanese venders’ zone at the company’s expansion plant in Bahucharaji. He said that a high-power committee of secretaries will discuss various aspects of the company’s Gujarat project with Mr. Suzuki and his delegation.
Considering the likelihood of trade ties between the companies of Japan and Gujarat on grand scale the Chief Minister expressed interest in developing township, restaurants and other ancillary services on the lines of Japanese culture in inclusion with the company’s expansion project.
It is noteworthy that Suzuki Corporation will develop a state-of-the-art infrastructure model as a part of its expansion project with the estimated investment of Rs.4000 crore on 650 hectare land in Bahucharaji. Suzuki’s presence in Gujarat is considered to create a great scope for skill development in auto sector.
Gujarat government is committed to developing Japanese township in the State. Mitsubishi has undertaken the constructing of ‘Smart City’ in Gujarat.
Principal Secretary M Sahu, Secretary to Chief Minister A K Sharma, Chief Resident Commissioner at Delhi Bharat Lal and the CEO of Maruti Suzuki’s Manesar plant Mr. Bhargav was present on the occasion.


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Why Doesn't Everybody?
Although all this talk of making a site work well for its intended users seems obvious, apparently it is not. Just consider a few statistics. According to a recent study of 150 Web sites conducted by Forrester, only 45 percent of manufacturers' sites offered relevant and complete content about their products. In a controlled online shopping test run by consulting firm User Interface Engineering, users were given money to shop at well-known sites. Some 65 percent of the shoppers' attempts ended in failure. And a joint study conducted by Jakob Nielsen of the Nielsen Norman Group and Mark Hurst of Creative Good found that 42 percent of the subjects were unable to complete job applications on the Web sites of six major corporations, including such household names as Cisco Systems, Citibank, and Proctor & Gamble.
"I've been working on this problem for four and a half years now, and I've come to the conclusion that usability will be a problem forever," says Hurst. Although Hurst is clearly speaking about the well of frustration that has caused many people to yell at their screens, the situation still begs the question, Why are Web sites still so hard to use some six years after the Internet burst into our lives? According to the many design veterans we spoke to, a variety of factorssome obvious, some notcontribute to the current state of usability hell.
First, the past five years have been marked by a collective go-go mentality, where everyone rushed to launch Web sites and Web-based businesses. Getting a site up quickly was the goal. Flash was good if you could get it. Quality? Ease of use? Those came later.
Along with the "get wired quick" approach is what usability expert Jakob Nielsen calls "a complete misunderstanding of the interactive media that is the Web." Nielsen notes that a lot of Web content was and continues to be repurposed material initially designed for print. Large graphics and pages of text may make a good brochure, but they don't translate well to a 15-inch monitor over dial-up speeds. Most organizations only recently began to reassess the reams of material sitting on their sites.
Nielsen also blames "television envy" for much of the garish and ineffective design on the Web. "Everyone just kept saying, 'Oh, throw it in; once we have broadband, we'll turn the Web into a broadcast network just like television,'" says Nielsen. That doesn't result in a good site, because it relies on technology that's not yet universally available.
Many companies certainly were seduced by cool technologies, lured into thinking that showcasing the latest, hottest tech tools on their sites would win them customers and accolades. One of the most unfortunate manifestations of this trend remains out there in force.
"Flash intros are one of the best examples of why technology should never come before design and why there should always be a good business case for anything a company does on its Web site," says Jeff Rubin, The Usability Group's managing partner. Rubin says companies spent tens of thousands of dollars and many months of development time on Flash designs, so they're not willing to give them up, yet 75 percent of users skip Flash intros.
The insidious and damaging obstacle to quality Web sites is a lack of respect for users and a presumptiveness with regard to what they want and need. Indeed, the majority of the companies we spoke with either were involved in or had recently completed major redesigns of their sites, yet most had not invested in any type of usability testing before launch. Formal user surveys were not conducted. Even more disturbing, nearly everyone expressed surprise that we would ask such a question.
Their reasons for not having a firmer commitment to usability ran the gamut. Most said they relied on e-mail complaints as their guide for adding new features or axing old ones. Some cited expense as a hindrance, while others mentioned the time-to-market factor. Most companies, however, simply were confident that they knew their customers wellperhaps better than their customers knew themselves.
"It may sound arrogant," says Geric Johnson, vice president of marketing services at shoe manufacturer Skechers, "but we really believe that we are the best judge of what our customers want."


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Bank customers want a more personalized mobile banking experience, but most aren’t getting it or are dissatisfied with current options, according to a recent survey by Sinch.
Data from the survey of 3,000 financial services consumers in more than 15 countries showed that 93% of respondents want personalized financial assessments from their bank, but fewer than 30% have received the kind of two-way, real-time problem-solving interactions they expect. Fifty-three percent reported frustration at not being able to reply to a mobile message, and one in three under age 40 have switched banks to get a better mobile experience.
This desire for personalized banking is largely driven by younger customers. More than 80% of Gen Z (those born in mid- to late-1990s) surveyed want to solve even more complex tasks using digital channels, including completing a loan application or sharing personal information to get tailored financial product recommendations, according to the survey. Ninety-eight percent of all respondents said they want questions answered quickly, but 58% reported experiencing it.
The research also showed that a positive technology experience correlates with securing consumer trust. Trust is also gained by knowing when human interaction with a customer is needed. In moments of frustration, customers still want to hear a human voice and 95% of those surveyed want an option to switch seamlessly from automated messaging to a human conversation from inside the messaging technology.


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A proposal to nullify intellectual property regarding COVID-19 vaccines seems unlikely to affect Moderna's bottom line.
With a third of revenue coming from "Call of Duty" last year, is Activision too dependent on this best-selling title?
The game maker turned in a stellar quarter and is ramping up investment for long-term growth.
More people are playing the company's video games than ever before.
It's going to become the must-have device of the high-end smartphone market.
Dynetics and Blue Origin are upset over SpaceX's $2.9 billion moon contract win.
The smartphone giant's latest lineup is dominating global sales charts.
One analyst sees gains of nearly 40% ahead for the biotech's shareholders.
The market leader is still struggling against the underdog.
The Chinese fintech company reported fourth-quarter results and issued strong guidance for 2021.


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Google is amidst the launching of yet another service that will deliver fresh groceries in two cities in the U.S., which will only intensify the competition with Amazon.com the retail giant online and other start-ups in the tech industry like Instacart.
This new service offered by Google Express will offer delivery on the same day of dairy, frozen foods, vegetables, fruit, meat and seafood.
It has launched in select Los Angeles and San Francisco neighborhoods, said the Internet search giant.
Google Express, which delivers non-perishable items already wants to hit each item on consumer’s grocery lists.
In the city of San Francisco, perishable goods will be from Smart & Final Whole Foods and Costco. In Los Angeles, they will come from Smart & Final, Costco and Vicente Foods.
Deliveries for the perishables have a starting price of $2.99 for its members and $4.99 for the non-members. They are delivered within a window of two-hours, says Google Express product group manager Prabhu Balasubramanian.
Google Express will be increasing the minimum order from $15 to $35.
Online grocery deliver has received a second wind after Webvan burned out during the dot-com implosion of 2000 and filed bankruptcy in 2001.
The grocery industry was very slow to move online after Webvan and due to high costs with low profit margins, along with challenges logistically of transporting dairy and produce.
However, there have been a growing number of recent entrants that have leaped into the business of online grocery delivery, including companies such as Amazon.com, which operates AmazonFresh. Instacart is another that is gaining a name for itself.
Google said it had tested the delivery service for a number of months, narrowing the delivery windows as well as labeling times on the grocery listed to refrigerated or frozen as a way to remind people to put them in their proper please quickly.


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The Samsung Galaxy Note 7 may have fallen flat on its face, but that doesn’t mean Samsung will stop trekking forward with their other endeavors. We’re still waiting on the Samsung Gear S3 to make its way into stores everywhere, and the wait might not be too long from now.
Korea Times reports that Samsung is targeting a mid-November launch for the Samsung Gear S3, and that prices will likely fall into the $350 range. The device was originally announced late August, so a 2.5-month wait seems quite lengthy compared to what we’re used to from Samsung these days. Of course, they’ve had other things to worry about as of late so perhaps we aren’t too surprised.
In any case, if you haven’t outright abandoned Samsung and still think they’re about to offer one of the best smartwatches on the market, you can look forward to slapping one onto your wrist in a month’s time. In the meantime, be sure to take a closer look at the Gear S3 in our hands-on from earlier this year.


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Lasso and CLMBR today announced that the brands have teamed up to make Lasso CLMBR’s “movement improvement” partner, complete with category exclusivity on support and compression socks. CLMBR x Lasso co-branded products will be sold directly on the CLMBR website, as well as the mobile app. Lasso will also unveil an interactive retail display experience in the CLMBR Denver, Colorado flagship location with plans to expand with CLMBR nationwide. Together, the brands also plan to introduce additional co-branded products that will reflect the sensibilities of both companies. CLMBR will be including Lasso in future photo shoots, featuring the brand in their marketing efforts.
CLMBR and Lasso both share a passion to improve human movement and the overall human condition. Both companies have reinvented their respective categories of performance enhancement products by fundamentally evolving the pure functionality of human to product integration. CLMBR and Lasso are dedicated to helping raise awareness of the benefits to stay moving and promote new and better ways for individuals to workout.
“We’re excited to have the opportunity to work with a growing brand like CLMBR, which aligns with us from a brand ethos and community standpoint,” said Partha Unnava, Founder and CEO of Lasso. “Their physical footprint lets us reach consumers in person to give them a personal experience with our brand with the opportunity for exciting collaborations in product and media between our brands.”
“Lasso’s reputation in the fitness world makes them an ideal partner for us, giving our customers yet another way to take their workouts up another notch,” added Avrum Elmakis, CEO & Founder of CLMBR. “Not only that, but the partnership adds value to our overall marketing efforts and adds yet another element to our physical retail locations.”
Lasso is a movement company, led by the mission to improve human movement in performance, prevention and recovery for everyone on a daily basis. Lasso designs and manufactures proprietary patented support and compression apparel that provide joint stability and circulation improvement to advance how the body moves – great for activities like serving and dancing that require balance and quick movements. For more information on Lasso visit www.lassogear.com. For more information on CLMBR, visit www.clmbr.com or follow @CLMBR_Official on Instagram.


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The world's biggest retailer, often blamed for driving mom-and-pop stores out of business, said it would offer business development grants to nearby companies and give them free in-store advertising as part of a new economic development program.Free money and information on how best to succeed in the same markets as Wal-Mart? That doesn't sound like the picture of the evil, community squashing, corporate giant PARD has painted in the media over the past year. They've also come under fire from PARD for their willingness to develop new land, and the possibility of one day leaving a hideous, empty building to scar our landscape. Of the 50 new stores the article discusses, however:
Wal-Mart will also hold seminars for minority and women-owned business owners on how to become Wal-Mart suppliers, as well as seminars for all surrounding small businesses on how to compete in a community with a Wal-Mart.
Wal-Mart said it will open more than 50 stores over the next two years in neighborhoods with high unemployment, on sites that are environmentally contaminated, or in vacant buildings or malls in need of revitalization.I don't hold a Ph.D in Chinese, nor am I an expert in deer mating, but this sounds like awfully socially conscious and responsible behavior to me.


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Yellow Dingman Dollars filled the cups and bins on eager entrepreneurs’ tables at the 4th Annual BB&T Invitational on April 1. Resembling the brightly colored currency used in Monopoly, each yellow piece of paper counted as a vote for an attendee’s favorite start-up to be tallied up and awarded at the6th Annual Cupid’s Cup competition later that afternoon.
Part of the 2011 University of Maryland Entrepreneurship Invitational powered by the Dingman Center for Entrepreneurship at the Robert H. Smith School of Business, the festivities of the day didn’t end with the colorful money. Balloons floated in every corner, chocolate candies covered the tables, and Testudo danced through the crowds of people, inviting them into the Grand Ballroom at the Stamp Student Union to participate in a celebration of entrepreneurship at the university.
The entrepreneurs arrived early to set up their booths, complete with eye-catching signage, colorful business cards, and information regarding their start-ups. Some brought computers for added explanation of their entrepreneurial visions, some had models to show off their technology, and some had freshly baked cookies to entice passersby to stop by and listen to their business pitches.
Regardless of how simple or elaborate their displays were, all of the entrepreneurs at the invitational wanted to win the one of the four fan favorite awards, which came with $2,000 or $500 in prize money from BB&T to help kick off their business.
David Croushore, co-founder of Atmo, a system that allows people to vote for their favorite music using Smartphone apps to play in places like bars and restaurants, said the event was great exposure for Atmo and allowed him to meet other entrepreneurs like himself.
“We had some great conversations with people about Atmo. I found it interesting that people were reluctant to play around with our system, but the ones who did seemed to really enjoy it,” he said. “I think the most beneficial thing for our company that came out of the day was getting to meet with all of the other entrepreneurs at the event. There were a number of companies that could become strategic partners with us to help both of our businesses succeed.”
Atmo was just one of 12 university start-ups, also called “New Terpreneurs,” and one of more than 40 business present at the entire event. Other university startups at the invitational included campus-focused ventures such as Greek Recruits, a database for pledges to find fraternity and sorority requirements, and InkUp, a printer ink-refill service for students. Broader-focused student startups included Blind Pig Cocktails, a pre-mixed cocktail company, and Mike & Cookies, a fresh-cookie food truck.
Other startup companies at the BB&T Invitational were: Beagle, a mobile app which serves as a task distribution service for university students and professors; Community Ladders, an organization that helps people make better financial decisions; Dingman Pedicabs, a campus bike taxi service; GreekUs, social networking for fraternities and sororities (voted the fan favorite); Melia’s Cupcakes, a cupcake business run out of a local fire department; Pamble, an online gambling site that uses prizes instead of money; and Veggiecool, a cold-storage company for produce and winner of the Dingman Center’s January 2011 China Business Plan Competition.
“This invitational is a terrific opportunity for us and for entrepreneurs,” said Dan Waetjen, the Greater Washington, D.C. group and state president of BB&T Corporation. The invitational also showcased regional companies and past Cupid’s Cup winners, as well as the 2011 Cupid’s Cup competitors. (A complete list of BB&T participants can be found here.)
Adam VanWager and his bother Eric VanWagner created their company, MyFridgeRental, which ultimately took home $18,500 from the Cupid’s Cup Challenge. They showcased their business during the invitational as well as pitched to an audience of more than 500 people, including event sponsor and CEO of Under Armour Kevin Plank ’96.
“Meeting Kevin Plank was definitely very exciting,” Adam said, adding that he enjoyed Plank’s talk during the competition, especially when he talked about New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and his passion for his job. “Later, Kevin told us, ‘You guys seem to have focus a lot like Tom Brady.” I just took a step back there mentally, and was like ‘Wow, Kevin Plank, the CEO of Under Armour who knows Tom Brady personally compared our focus and energy and passion to Tom Brady’s.’ That is something I’ll never forget.”
Other businesses at the invitational aspire to win the Cupid’s Cup challenge in future years, but this year they just took in the atmosphere and the experience of the afternoon’s events: “Overall, I really enjoyed Cupid's Cup and all of the other events that were going on around it. It was great to be around so many people who are looking at starting new businesses and doing interesting things,” said Croushore, the Atmo entrepreneur. “We would definitely participate in the BB&T Invitational again, and we hope to be on stage winning Cupid's Cup next year.”
Jessica Bauer, Office of Marketing Communications