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SAP, the 40-year-old German enterprise software company, is making a big push right now to engage with startup companies with a new program known as Startup Focus.
Similar in structure to Microsoft’s BizSpark effort, SAP’s goal is to get early adoption of its newly-launched high-performance database program known as HANA. But it also hopes to learn from startup companies that might be able to more nimbly attack business problems.
To drum up support, SAP is taking to the streets, launching a 15-city tour of various tech hubs around the world in the next two months. This week, SAP’s Kaustav Mitra is in Seattle, meeting with about 15 startups and touting HANA.
We chatted with Mitra to get more details on the program and what they are looking for. There’s real money at stake. In addition to the company’s accelerator program, which includes mentorship and support, SAP recently started a more than $100 million venture fund to bankroll some of the best ideas they encounter.
Mitra said they hope to have as many as 100 companies in the accelerator program, ideally with more than half a dozen up-and-comers from Seattle.
What is the Startup Focus program all about? “This is SAP’s, for the very first time in its history actually, trying to make a systematic program of outreach to startups. SAP has always been an application company, and with SAP HANA we’ve actually got some very compelling platform technology which we think could be used in a variety of use cases. Of course, by SAP itself, but also by startups that are trying to do interesting things in the real-time analytics space.”
Why is it important for SAP to connect with startups? “We’ve had 40 years of experience building enterprise applications … and there are certain types of applications that we build very well. These tend to be very heavy-duty, big enterprise applications which will take a developer team of 200 people, working for two years to deliver the application. But we’ve seen recently is that there are all kinds of really cool use cases which are completely outside SAP’s traditional base, which will still lend itself very well to this, and startups are perfectly positioned to take advantage of it because they are nimble, agile and they’ve got really, really good ideas. So, that’s the very specific interest around engaging with startups. We feel they can do things much faster than we’d be able to.”
What do startups get who are accepted into the accelerator program? “Just like any other accelerator, there’s the free licensing; the technology support; and consulting and all of the technical resources they’d need for their devs to do this quickly…. Our goal is to take the most compelling stories that we find, and really showcase them with SAP’s marketing machinery, so putting out press releases, getting them exposure at big events, making introductions to customers where appropriate, and getting them access to analysts like the Gartners and Forresters of the world. So, all the kind of things that would accelerate a startup’s access to the enterprise space, because that’s an area where we have a lot of credibility. It is basically putting a big megaphone in the hands of these startups.”
How many startups are attending the Startup Focus program in Bellevue Tuesday? “We have 15 startups attending, and my hope would be to find at least seven from here, but we haven’t restricted the number by location. If all 15 have fantastic use cases, I’d be happy to take all 15.”
Do startups go into the physical space? “There’s no physical location. It is not an incubator as such.”
Why did you want to host this program in Seattle? “Being down in Palo Alto, we all know that Seattle, and the Northwest in general, is a big startup hub and we’ve running into more and more companies in the analytics space that are headquartered in Seattle or Vancouver, and even Portland…. We’ve just been seeing a lot of nice use cases of real-time analytics being used in the mobile space, and so it just seemed like a no-brainer for us to be up here.”
On the HANA platform: “Really, the strength of SAP HANA is that it shines in uses where there is really critical business value which is realized when you can do real-time analytics on large amounts of data. HANA will go up to 100 Terabytes or so … and that’s a boatload of data. It is the ability to crunch through that rapidly if there are startups that can benefit from that, that’s where our sweet spot is…. HANA is doing very well as a product. It is the fastest ramping product in SAP’s history…. So, there have been a lot of sales, but our customers are eager to find new applications that they can run on this shiny toy that they have. So, we have a vested interest in finding startups who enjoy access to these customers.”
Here’s a look at some of the companies that are participating in SAP’s Startup Forum:
Yottamine Analytics; PathAuth; Xprevo; Appature; Alight Analytics; Crowd Computing Systems, Inc.; Applexus Technologies; Propeld; Rodax Software; Zoomingo; Carbon Credits International Inc.; InterraIT; Edifecs; Xprevo; nFluence Media Inc.; Text-a-Day.


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Now that New York legalized recreational cannabis, how are they going to implement it? What does it cover? What does it mean for growers?
Our friends at CNN laid out the basics for what New York plans to do to implement this new industry. They will begin to lay out permits that cover every step from growing, distributing, to selling! They also include how New York plans to use the revenue from cannabis sales and more importantly who gets the permits to operate in this new industry.
Click Here for more details.

domain: news


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As consumers use their smartphones for a growing number of tasks, retailers are being advised to keep up.
As m-commerce reaches an explosive growth rate, retail mobile apps are becoming increasingly important to consumers as they shop. In fact, this trend is becoming important enough that retailer are now being cautioned that if they don’t start offering the right tools to attract and keep shoppers over their smartphones, they will already be losing out.
Due to a growing number of analytics reports, it has become generally accepted that more traffic comes from mobile than PC.
The figure currently sits at around 60 percent. Within another handful of years, it is likely to rise to be closer to about 80 percent. While North American consumers are still shopping more and are making bigger purchases over their computers in terms of the actual purchases they make online, smartphones are playing an unparalleled role in the shopping process as a whole.
Retail mobile apps are helping consumers to research stores and products, regardless of whether they make the final purchase on computer, mobile web, an application or even in person. Shoppers are using their devices to inform themselves, making these gadgets an integral part of the overall purchasing process.
However, not all retail mobile apps are generating the same results and many retailers aren’t focused on the channel.
A recent study from Cartful indicated that even though purchases made through the use of mobile apps have a three times greater likelihood of being completed than those made through a website, only 10 percent of the leading 500 retailers actually offer their own application. This represents a potentially important missed opportunity.
Cartful’s data shows that, despite the expense associated with the development of mobile applications, the outcome of a well-made app is improved brand engagement, connection with the consumer and loyalty as well as faster checkout and a significant boost on sales conversions.
The firm said that consumers stay longer on retail mobile apps than websites and that they return more frequently. Shoppers also have an improved overall user experience, easier navigation, better speed and a smoother path to purchase.


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VICTORIAN CONTAINER DEPOSIT SCHEME FILLS “A MISSING LINK IN THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY”
The Executive Director of the Australian Retailers Association, Russell Zimmerman, today welcomed the announcement by the Victorian government that it would introduce a container deposit scheme, saying it would “fill a missing link” as governments across Australia implemented policies based on a circular economy and waste management.
Noting neighbouring South Australia and New South Wales already have container deposit schemes in place, Mr Zimmerman said the move by Victoria to introduce a similar scheme would add certainty for residents in communities in border towns like Wodonga, Mildura and Casterton, while reducing litter and boosting recycling rates generally.
“The ARA congratulates Minister D’Ambrosio for her announcement of this worthy initiative,” Mr Zimmerman said.
Mr Zimmerman said his understanding was that extensive consultation would now be undertaken between the state government, small and large retailers, and industry partners such as the ARA, which he said looked forward to engaging on the issue.
“The ARA is pleased the announcement by the government today makes it clear that the Minister and her department will undertake extensive consultation, and we look forward to being part of that process,” he said.
Mr Zimmerman said the ARA – whilst lauding the government’s announcement – was keen to ensure there was no repeat of industry confusion and costs to retailers that followed the implementation of a ban on lightweight plastic bags last year, and said the ARA stood ready to partner the government on any industry education campaign it might seek to conduct.
“Once again, we welcome today’s announcement of a container deposit scheme in Victoria, and on behalf of the retail sector wish to offer whatever assistance to the government we can to make that process seamless,” Mr Zimmerman concluded.
ENDS…to interview Mr Zimmerman or for more details: Tim Janczuk (m) 0431 045 373 (e) email@example.com


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Welcome to the seventeenth edition of Nordic Game, the only conference in the world with a dedicated focus on the entire Nordic games industry.
This May, NG20 goes online with a second event, NG20+, slated for November.
Offering maximum visibility and access to countless of Nordic Game attendees, this May’s NG20 is more than an online conference – along with MeetToMatch and Discord, it’s a dedicated digital space to spotlight the latest game innovations, welcome participants and hold meetings online.
Download the Nordic Game 2020 Opportunities brochure here and NG20 Online Opportunities brochure right here. Contact Teddy Florea for some great opportunities on group and expo packages for May and November!
About the Nordic Game conference
Nordic Game is the leading games conference in Europe, and 2020 marks its seventeenth edition. Gathering thousands of industry professionals in Malmö annually, Nordic Game is the one and only “home turf” meeting place for the highly successful game developers of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden.
Get all the latest Nordic Game, NGDC and Nordic games industry news, including updates about NG20 in May and NG20+ in November at nordicgame.com.


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(CapitalWatch, Nov. 25, New York) The Luokung Technology Corp. (Nasdaq: LKCO) affiliate eMapgo has forged a relationship with Microsoft that will likely play a vital role in the future of autonomous driving in China.
eMapgo is one of China's top map providers and an operating affiliate of leading spatial-temporal intelligent big data services company Luokung. Luokung announced Sept. 16 that eMapgo signed a cooperation agreement with Microsoft to provide auto manufacturers with various services including the collection, storage, analysis, management and simulation testing of autonomous driving data. Luokung said in a press release that eMapgo and Microsoft will pair their strengths to address the market opportunities for autonomous driving in China and create an automobile industry solution designed for the Chinese market. eMapGo said it's honored to join Microsoft's automotive ecosystem, and looks forward to using Microsoft's high-performance, high-reliability, and high-concurrency leading technical service capabilities in the future.
eMapgo's customers primarily consist of auto manufacturers. It has approximately 24% of China's in-dash navigation market share, and it's actively developing autonomous driving and HD Map services. eMapgo was one of the first entrants into its market and it has amassed a large portfolio of experience with over nine million kilometers of geographic data, data for more than 80 million Points of Interest and more than 30 million vehicle regulations, as well as established relationships with automakers in China. Though eMapgo is now a wholly-owned subsidiary of Luokung after the company acquired it in March, eMapgo maintains its independent brand and operations. Through this acquisition, Luokung is combining eMapgo's comprehensive data and high definition map services with its advanced spatial-temporal big-data processing capabilities, giving Luokung a "clear competitive advantage" in various sectors including autonomous driving, intelligent transportation, location-based services, remote sensory imaging, smart cities and more.
eMapgo was also invited to participate in the 2021 Microsoft Inspire China Conference in August, where eMapGo's vice president shared four key thoughts on the current state and evolution of the automotive industry. The Microsoft Inspire China Conference brings together Microsoft partners, employees and industry experts to showcase new developments, technologies, products, and solutions with the goal of "digital transformation, nurturing inspiration and promoting innovation." As a strategic partner of Microsoft, map provider eMapgo was invited to participate and share its ideas on changes in the automotive industry. At the conference, eMapGo Vice President Yang Cheng delivered a keynote speech detailing four key points to consider when looking at the future of automotives.
"We are currently undergoing the fourth major revolution in the automotive industry," Yang said. "New energy cars, smart cars and other changes are coming. In essence, it can be regarded as the application of software."
As the industry evolves, Yang presented these four thoughts on the changes and trends in automotives:
1. Software empowers cars, data empowers software, and the development of the autonomous driving industry requires big data to lay the foundation.
"In a sense, data is becoming crucial," Yang said, pointing out the necessity of data for AI model training, algorithm optimization and customization among other aspects of car development. "These all show that big data is driven from beginning to end. It runs from the research and development of the car to the whole life cycle of the car."
2. In the era of autonomous driving, the entire industry chain is not only a traditional multi-tier supplier model, but it also requires the cooperation of many players in the industry chain to better respond to increasingly complex automotive ecosystems.
The importance of cooperation is especially relevant today as supply chain issues continue to plague the industry and manufacturers struggle to acquire semiconductors and other essential parts.
3. Core service capabilities of map manufacturers: Only by providing users with the freshest and most accurate maps can they better serve the autonomous driving industry.
eMapgo's track record reflects this point as it has shifted focus in recent years to providing high-precision maps, high-precision positioning, simulation testing, and other services related to autonomous driving for various international automobile manufacturers
4. Autonomous driving projects launched in China are different from other countries. they need to be modified and adjusted according to local conditions and requirements.
Microsoft has achieved great success in the global automotive industry, and many well-known international manufacturers have adopted its products and services, but some solutions need to comply with Chinese laws when they're launched in China, and they must be localized.
Luokung said that through the relationship between eMapgo and Microsoft, both companies will contribute to building up the Chinese autonomous driving market, and the company also said that eMapgo has already obtained contracts from a European car manufacturer and a U.S. manufacturer, both of which are expected to be implemented in the coming months.
"As the demand for flexible computing continues to expand, China's autonomous driving data service market shows significant room for growth," Luokung chairman and CEO Xuesong Song said. "We are pleased to deepen our existing relationship with Microsoft in this effort to promote the development of safe and intelligent autonomous driving in China."
All information contained herein as well as on the CapitalWatch website is obtained from sources believed to be reliable but not guaranteed to be accurate or all-inclusive. All material is for informational purposes only, is only the opinion of CapitalWatch and should not be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell securities. The information includes certain forward-looking statements, which may be affected by unforeseen circumstances and/or certain risks. This report is not without bias. CapitalWatch received remuneration for this report. Please consult an investment professional before investing in anything viewed within.


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TransferWise, a UK-based startup that opened its first U.S. office earlier this year,. and Hellobit, which uses bitcoin to complete transfers.Say hello to TransferWise, the clever new way to move your money.But from what I can see money transfer companies such as TransferWise enables you to move money for around 0.5% (on the basis of a 1,000 Euro to Indian Rupee transfer.).
CurrencyFair vs TransferWise - Live Enterprise
TransferWise used to be my go to internet site for transferring money to.Both participants on the panel seemed to agree with the popular sentiment of dismissing Bitcoin while embracing.A bitcoin start-up has made exchanging currency free. where a number of companies such as U.K.-based Transferwise are contesting the currency.TransferWise is a UK-based peer-to-peer money transfer company launched in 2011 by early employees of Skype.Although Hinrikus noted his appreciation for blockchain technology, he made no indication that his company is currently looking at implementing (or even testing) any sort of distributed ledger technology.
Richard Branson, Peter Thiel take aim at Western UnionWe have inspected the trustworthiness and costs of both companies and have reached a conclusion.
In his view, these added costs make the idea more expensive than originally thought.We compare and review TransferWise and CurrencyFair to see the similarities,.TransferWise CEO talks about Brexit worries for fintech companies. Bitcoin vs.TransferWise on Bitcoin and the Battle for International Money Transfers. by Kyle Torpey Jan 28,.Do not use URL shortening services: always submit the real link.Week 3: increased Bitcoin yields, low Ether value. Bitcoin yield was actually higher than previous week.
The Fight For The $400 Billion Business Of Immigrants
TransferWise Support & FAQ | 2017 Transferwise Support Faq
It seems to be lauded as revolutionary with minimal transaction fees etc.Therefore 0.5% margin and a billion turn over will be very sustainable.Protocol Tokens I want to share my experiences with startup equity and protocol equity. How to invest in companies on Wefunder using Transferwise.Comparing CurrencyFair vs TransferWise is like comparing apples to oranges.Btw, you are asking the key question which creates an on-going heated debate: for companies like Western Union, Xoom, TransferWise, the back-end costs are relatively minor and are not presenting big issues.Ethereum vs. Bitcoin. So while some recent fintech applications (think Venmo and Transferwise) have managed to lower consumer costs through smart models,.
Bitcoin vs Western Union. The Best Money Transfer services
Heck we only have to look in the bitcoin community to see the likes of circle charging close to zero fees and they are profiting or intend to in the near future.PayPal Money transfer or TransferWise money Transfer, which one is the best.
TransferWise - WikiVisually
Brexit News - Cointelegraph
Although Hinrikus appeared to be bullish on blockchain technology, he said the Bitcoin experiment is nearly over.
Bitcoin Payments Cheaper & Safer Than Credit CardsAntony Lewis is Head of Business Development at itBit, a bitcoin exchange based in Singapore.REDDIT and the ALIEN Logo are registered trademarks of reddit inc.We compare these money transfer companies with each other to find the best for you.Transferwise meets US money transmitter laws. Transferwise vs the banks.The funds already donated will be spent on some sort of advertising, as intended.
As such, it is more resistant to wild inflation and corrupt banks.Operational costs and fraud are mostly related to employees and customers.In many ways Bitcoin is similar to traditional currencies: it is recognised and has a value, it can be used to buy things, and its value can.When viewing Bitcoin as a system for money transfers, Hinrikus noted the costs associated with each end of the process.
Transferwise – Leaders
Fintech and Bitcoin: A new era of finance
TransferWise CEO Taavet Hinrikus says there was up to triple the level of usual activity in and out of Britain on the fintech platform last week.


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A home baker has gone viral for creating a toilet paper-themed cake.
Kate Pritchett, a public servant from Sydney, Australia, created the cake as she has had toilet paper “on the mind a lot lately” amid the coronavirus outbreak.
“I’d just been thinking a lot about how we’ve come to fetishise toilet paper and have made it distressingly out of reach for many vulnerable people who can’t stockpile,” she told the PA news agency.
Photos of the cake were posted to Twitter by Ms Pritchett’s husband Michael Harris, and they quickly reached more than 100,000 likes.
Somebody suggested my wife should make a toilet paper cake.
So she did. pic.twitter.com/8aqoRRevMb
— Michael Harris (@MichaelH_PhD) April 1, 2020
The cake, which took five hours to bake, is made of dark chocolate and a Japanese black sugar called kokuto, along with vanilla buttercream and mochi fondant.
Ms Pritchett, 41, said the attention the cake had received was “lovely but a little surprising; I make much more complicated cakes all the time!”
With stockpiling of some items being reported across the world, toilet paper has become an unlikely symbol of the coronavirus outbreak, with shortages in many supermarkets.
British supermarkets including Sainsbury’s and Tesco responded by limiting sales of essential items and introducing special opening hours for disabled, elderly and vulnerable customers.
Ms Pritchett told PA: “I’m really not making light of a situation so many people find difficult, but I do truly love how delighted people seem to be about cake.”


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Table of Contents
IFIT Overall health & Health and fitness Inc. will acquire Sweat, an on the internet physical fitness teaching platform, forward of an initial public providing that is anticipated in the tumble, in accordance to men and women familiar with the make a difference.
IFIT is buying Sweat, which was co-established by coach
in 2015, for all over $300 million, some of the persons said. IFIT plans to retain Sweat, which is based in Australia, as a stand-on your own brand and Ms. Itsines and Mr. Pearce as executives.
IFIT is beefing up its written content offerings in advance of its expected IPO. The business, which owns NordicTrack, was recently valued in surplus of $7 billion in its most latest round of funding in late 2020 and is anticipated to attain a valuation in excess of that in its IPO.
Need to the organization debut as planned later this year, it is expected to faucet a current market hungry for speedy-growing businesses in the busiest year for public choices on document. IFIT’s closest competitor,
Peloton Interactive Inc.,
produced its debut in late 2019, and while its stock selling price has tumbled this calendar year soon after a recall of its treadmills, buyers experienced raced into the inventory. Even with the pullback, Peloton shares have far more than quadrupled from their IPO selling price.
IFIT, formerly acknowledged as Icon Health & Exercise Inc., has been going quickly with its IPO programs and confidentially filed papers a short while ago with the Securities and Exchange Commission, in accordance to folks common with the featuring.
Produce to Maureen Farrell at [email protected]
Copyright ©2021 Dow Jones & Corporation, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8
Appeared in the July 14, 2021, print version as ‘NordicTrack Operator to Invest in Conditioning Platform.’


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NOPA discussed the future of media in Brussels
NOPA, Nordic Offset Printing Association held their autumn meeting in Brussels in October.
Jan Morten Drange, The Norwegian Advertisers Association, told a rather sad story about mistrust, lack of transparency in media agencies and ad fraud in digital advertising that had been revealed in a Norwegian investigation in 2016. Sorry to say the situation is not better today, rather on the contrary. Out of 100 dollars spent for advertising, some 60 dollars go to wrong pockets, and Facebook and Google take 7 billion NOK out of a 20 billion NOK media market in Norway. Procter & Gamble and Adidas now admit they have overinvested in digital media, and have been working with too narrow channels.
A question from the audience: “Advertisers are not stupid, why does this go on?” No reasonable answer could be given to that question.
Mikko Grönlund, research manager University of Turku, has been an appreciated guest at NOPA meetings many times over the years. He now gave us an updated status of the European heatset and coldset printing industries, and his message this time did not differ very much from the dull realities and outlooks we usually hear from Mikko. Bearing in mind the tough times for newspapers, it is a bit astonishing that the operating margin in coldset is better than in heatset, but this has been the case for many years.
Out of all companies, 37 % of heatset printers and 25 % of coldset printers are in “the swamp”, meaning that the have both low margin and low added value. These companies are likely to dissolve in some way or other over the next few years, history proves that.
The seminar was concluded by a very interesting panel discussion about spare parts for legacy equipment, but that will be the theme for next issue of Grafkom.info.
Note the next NOPA meeting: Thursday–Friday 7–8 May 2020 in Stockholm. This will be a joint event with Grafkom and the Swedish Graphic Industries Federation. The NOPA dinner on Thursday evening and visits on Friday, however, will be exclusively NOPA.
/Mats Olsson, secretary
The presentations from the meeting are available for download at the NOPA website www.nopa.nu, member page.


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Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra with Exynos 2200 runs Geekbench
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra is the latest to run on Geekbench in its Exynos 2200 flavor with 8GB of RAM. And while we should refrain from taking pre-release bench scores seriously (across platforms even less), the 691/3167 of the Exynos 2200 is in line with the Tensor and Snapdragon 888 chipsets and worse than the A15 in the iPhone 13 series .
The device that ran the benchmark has the model number SM-S908B, which in all probability is the Galaxy S22 Ultra. We have already seen similar numbers from the SM-S906B, probably the Galaxy S22 +, which also runs an Exynos 2200. Both devices dispel the rumor that all Galaxy S22 devices will have a Snapdragon 898 instead of an Exynos.
The Samsung Galaxy S22 series is expected to arrive on February 8 in three variants – the S22 with a 6.06-inch FHD + screen, the S22 + with a 6.55-inch FHD + screen and the S22 Ultra with a 6.81-inch QHD + -screen. Camera-wise, the Galaxy S22 and S22 + will have a new 50MP main camera and a 10MP 3x zoom and a 10MP selfie. The S22 Ultra will carry a new 108 MP main camera, 12 MP ultrawide and 40 MP selfie from the Galaxy S21 and two 10 MP sensors for 3x and 10x.


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Update 1.09 (see the full patch notes below) has five main fixes, including one for “a rare issue where the game progression would reset if the game was started with an unstable network connection”.
The patch was released on Friday alongside a message from developer Polyphony confirming plans to rebalance Gran Turismo 7’s in-game economy following severe criticism from players.
Gran Turismo 7 - the VGC review
Polyphony boss Kazunori Yamauchi apologised to fans for recent issues with the game, including a lengthy server outage and a lack of transparency over changes to its in-game currency system, and promised to alleviate them with a major update in early April.
“We know that this is not the Gran Turismo experience you expect and we will be making a goodwill gesture in the form of a non-paid credit pack of 1 million Cr available to those players who may have been affected,” he said.
The credits, which would cost around $15 if bought with microtransactions, will be made available to everyone who owned a digital or physical copy of the game before today.
In the long term, Yamauchi also said the Sony studio will add the much-requested ability to sell cars for in-game credits.
Gran Turismo 7 update 1.09
Improvements and Adjustments
1. Daytona International Speedway
- Fixed an issue where swerving suddenly into the pits on the Tri-Oval and Road Course caused the pitstop sequence to be skipped, and the car going straight to the exit.
2. Sport & Lobby
- Fixed a very rare issue where an application error would occur in an online race or Lobby when entering a race event.
3. My Page
- Fixed an issue where the stats for Clean Races, Fastest Laps, Pole Positions and Victories in the “Sport” category in the Profile section would not display correctly.
- Fixed an issue where the value for the “Races” statistic in the “Sport” category in the Profile section was displayed as double the correct amount.
- Fixed a rare issue where the game progression would reset if the game was started with an unstable network connection.


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Update, March 11, 2021: Today is the day, folks. Taco Bell announced back in January that its beloved potato menu items would be returning permanently on March 11 and would you look at that...it's finally March 11! Time flies when you're yearning for a spicy potato soft taco, I guess!
Last summer, the spicy potato soft taco and the cheesy fiesta potatoes were taken off the menu to help simplify Taco Bell's menu items during the ongoing pandemic. While we totally understood why the decision was made, many Taco Bell fans were not happy, especially those who don't eat meat. Thankfully, that change didn't last too long and Taco Bell heard all of our pleas, so the potato items are back for good.
The spicy potato soft taco will be only a buck and the cheesy fiesta potatoes are $1.49. You are also totally able to swap out the meat and add potatoes to any of Taco Bell's menu items if you're living that meatless life or just want to try something new. Such amazing news to finish up your week! May your future be full of spicy, cheesy potatoes. Praise be.
Original Post, January 14, 2021: Here's something you may no longer be used to: good news! Taco Bell announced today that it is bringing back its potato options in just a few weeks.
In the announcement, Taco Bell said that its Cheesy Fiesta Potatoes and the Spicy Potato Soft Taco will be back PERMANENTLY starting on March 11. They were originally taken off menus last summer in order to simplify Taco Bell's menu options, which, while totally valid, definitely broke some hearts. But now, they're on their way back and carb fans can breathe easily. The Spicy Potato Soft Taco will be just $1 and the Cheesy Fiesta Potatoes are $1.49 at participating locations. You can also easily swap meat for potatoes or beans on any of Taco Bell’s menu items if you're looking for more veggie-friendly options.
The chain also announced that it would be beefing up (haaaaaha) its vegetarian options, teaming up with Beyond Meat to create a new plant-based protein that will be tested within the next year. It's not clear what exactly this innovation will look like, but our fingers are personally crossed for a Beyond Doritos Locos Taco. YUM. This will be Taco Bell's first time testing out plant-based meat in the U.S. and we couldn't be more excited about it...and the potatoes. Still psyched about those too!
I dunno about you, but my stomach growled just THINKING about getting a forkful of Taco Bell's cheesy potatoes! May we never take them for granted again!
Kristin Salaky is the news editor at Delish.com covering viral foods, product launches, and food trends. Before joining Delish, she worked as an editor at insider.com and as the front page editor for talkingpointsmemo.com. She graduated with a degree in journalism from Ohio University in 2015.
Alexis Morillo is the Associate Editor at Delish.com where she covers breaking food news and viral food trends.


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The RV industry recovery from the economic downturn will continue to build strength in 2013, as shipments are expected to rise to 289,900 — a 4.5% increase over the projected 2012 total of 277,300 units, Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) Vice President James Ashurst, standing in for President Richard Coon, told attendees today (Nov. 27) at “Outlook 2013: A Golden Opportunity,” the kick-off event to the 50th Annual National RV Trade Show in Louisville, Ky.
Addressing approximately 1,000 RV manufacturers, dealers and industry representatives on, Ashurst presented a positive outlook for the industry’s future, based on new projections from Richard Curtin, director of consumer surveys at the University of Michigan, in RVIA’s quarterly forecasting newsletter RV Roadsigns.
The rise in shipments to 277,300 units by year-end 2012 would be a nearly 10% gain (9.9%) over the 2010 total of 252,300 and include double digit gains in conventional travel trailers and Class A motorhomes. The expected increase in 2013 would mark three consecutive years of RV market growth.
“RV shipments are trending up,” Ashurst said. “We’ve had good crowds and strong business at fall shows, and demographics are in our favor. It is time to shine for the RV industry.”
According to the new forecast, most of the 2013 gain will come in conventional and fifth-wheel trailers and by type A motorhomes. Conventional and fifth-wheel trailers are expected to account for 86% of all RV shipments in 2013 — which would be an all-time high.
The continued strength in 2013 RV shipments is due to rising consumer confidence and improved economic conditions; however, a failure by America’s political leaders to bridge the “fiscal cliff” could significantly alter the industry’s fortunes in 2013, Ashurst cautioned.
“Our forecasts are affected by volatility in the economy,” Ashurst said. “If Congress and the President don’t act on the fiscal cliff before the end of the year, federal tax rates will rise, mandatory cuts in government spending go into effect, and the economy could go into recession.”
During his presentation, Ashurst walked the audience through RVIA’s 2013 projection for each of the major RV product types:
- Travel trailers: up 5% to 180,200 units.
- Fifth-wheel trailers: up 7% to 68,800 units.
- Truck campers: up 3% to 3,500 units.
- Folding camping trailers: down 17% to 9,000 units.
- Class A motorhomes: up 8% to 15,400 units.
- Class B motorhomes: up 10% to 2,300 units.
- Class C motorhomes: down 2% to 10,700 units.
“We’ve had a good year in 2012 in terms of sales and in how we’ve been able to promote RVs to our core markets,” Ashurst said. “There’s a lot of versatility in the RV market — many products, price points and how they’re used. There is strong demand for RVs, and I am optimistic about our industry’s future.”


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- News tagged "downsizing"
Monday, 25 Jul 2016
Android OS software makers Cyanogen Inc. lays off around 30 out of 136 employees, with reports citing that the company is shifting its focus away from OS development to apps.
Friday, 26 Jul 2013
As part of its "complex transition", Blackberry has confirmed that it has laid off 250 employees from its R&D and new product testing facility.


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Robotic Process Automation (RPA), an emerging technology based on bringing Artificial Intelligence (AI) workers, is rapidly transforming the supply chain and logistics operations.
Today's supply chain and logistics operations are undergoing a series of dramatic changes that are delivering a more agile supply chain. Using human workers for updating customer Web portals with current load status and estimated time of arrival (ETA), scheduling a delivery, or tracking a trailer has become an inefficient and costly use of resources. Instead, electronics OEMs can benefit from the deployment of RPA.
Robotics Process Automation is better deployed to complement existing automation initiatives. RPA, therefore, is ideal for adding efficiency to the supply chain by:
- Eliminating manual data copying from internal systems back into business-to-business portals;
- Automating the scheduling of 100,000+ appointments, to let customer service representatives to focus on higher value work;
- Deploying intelligent software robots to read 500,000+ emails annually and update trailer portals more frequently, to capture productivity gains and deliver better service.
Use Case: Efficiently-Integrated RPA Exceeds ROI Expectations
To automate business activities that are core to logistics operations and business interactions such as internal systems, Websites, and partner portals, Crete Carrier, one of the largest privately owned trucking companies in the U.S., has recently deployed software robots through a no-coding integration and automation approach. The company focuses on providing low-cost quality transportation and logistics services.
During a recent webinar, Transforming Your Supply Chain And Logistics Operations with Robotics Process Automation, Matt Schnake and Jim King, website integration administrators at Crete Carrier, revealed how deploying robots in 15 different terminals across the U.S. helped the company achieve their goals.
Crete Carrier used RPA for key processes such as appointment scheduling, B2B integration, and trailer tracking. “Our initial business use was for appointment setting,” said Schnake, who explained that for B2B integration they wanted to fully integrate two of their vendors, Travel Centers of America eShop (a Web interface company) and Cetaris (a fleet software provider).
King explained they were also looking to decrease the time needed to set appointments as well as to improve transit, which they did by 7.14%. They also saw a slight gain on on time deliveries. “Robots can begin setting appointments within minutes of being into the system,” said King, “we saw a ten fold improvement of time to appoint; that has been a dramatic increase.”
B2B was fully integrated as results of deploying RPA and everything exceeded their expectations, including Return on Investment (ROI).
King went on to explain how, after implementing RPA, the company could efficiently automate data mining, focus efforts of trailers process groups, increase frequency, and supplement GPS tracking. “From the end of 2014 to the end of 2015, the results skyrocket,” he added. “Nearly 90% of the 30.000 trailers were updated to using RPA. This resulted in a lot of savings. There was a significant decrease in profit loss.”
Constantly collecting data and keeping track of changes translated into a more efficient business process. They didn't require any human intervention for updates. “We have a robot than monitors robots,” said Schnake, adding they can deploy a robot within a week or two. “A typical robot takes us three to four days to build and deploy.”
In summary, 311 unique robots were rolled out in 2015, and now that figure has reached “more than 400 robots deployed and the number will continue to grow,” says King. Crete Carrier increased efficiency, productivity, and speed.
To implement this kind of system, OEMs should look for a product that is flexible, adaptable, reliable, and scalable when adopting RPA technology, King said. “The software pays for itself within a year,” he added.
RPA will undoubtedly become more and more common in the future of the supply chain. What's your organization's view on this trend? Have you already adopted RPA, or are you considering putting it on the next board meeting's agenda?


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SEMINARS and Platinum Luxury Society said its ninth
International Platinum Luxury Society Symposium will be held at the
Hyatt Regency Pier Sixty-Six Hotel in Fort Lauderdale on March 6,
immediately preceding CLIA's Cruise3sixty conference. Platinum
President and CEO William W. Brown said, "We intend to hold up our
end by offering the same quality of speakers and panelists that
make Cruise3sixty a travel agent must-attend event. The only
difference is that our venue will spotlight the luxury travel
experience. It is the perfect segue into CLIA's conference." The
symposium, which will be held from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., will be
sponsored by Costa Cruises. Agents can register for themselves and
a companion for $49 by visiting www.platinumseminars.com. They may then register for
CLIA's Cruise3sixty for $159 by visiting www.cruise3sixty.com.
COUNSELLORS, a U.K.-based host agency with 850 home-based
agents worldwide, recognized its top performers during the
company's annual conference in Manchester, England. Diane Hutchins
was named Best Travel Counsellor in the U.S. for the second
consecutive year. She had achieved more than $500,000 in sales
during the past 12 months. Travel Counsellors also rolled out a
customer service award, based on surveys sent to clients. It said
more than 95 percent of its agents received top scores of 9 or 10
from their customers. The counselor with the highest score was a
U.K. retailer, Dorothy Woolnough, who was awarded a new BMW, said
said it is on track to deliver more than 65,000 training events
this year, a 38% increase over 2006. CLIA said that the number sets
a record in training programs delivered to agents, enabling them to
earn CLIA certification credits. "We are extremely happy with the
strong demand for our training programs this year," said Terry
Dale, CLIA president and CEO. CLIA training in the U.S. and Canada
includes classroom training, online courses, video courses, CLIA
textbooks, conference seminars, TrainingFest and Seminars at Sea.
According to CLIA, agents who have earned their CLIA Cruise
Counselor Certification have reported an increase in annual sales
productivity by 261%.
PORTHOLE: Disney Cruise Line will keep the Disney Magic in
the Caribbean in summer 2009, when the ship will offer two new,
seven-day itineraries in the eastern Caribbean. The itineraries
will include two new islands for Disney: St. Croix, U.S. Virgin
Islands, on one route and Tortola, British Virgin Islands, on the
other. The itineraries will add two seven-day options to Disney's
summer cruise offerings in the Caribbean. The Disney Wonder will
continue to operate three- and four-day cruises in the Caribbean at
the same time.
FAM OF THE
Trip: Visits Lima, Cusco and Machu
Departure: March 14 from New York to Lima
via Taca Airlines.
Length: Five nights.
Sponsor: Pacific Holidays, New
Cost: $1,550 per person, double. Includes
roundtrip air, accommodations, transfers, sightseeing and
Noteworthy: The companion rate is $200
Contact: (800) 355-8025 or (212) 629-3888;
fax: (212) 629-8882; e-mail: [email protected].
Agent Editor: Donna Tunney
Phone: (508) 221-3674
opportunities in the E-letters, contact [email protected].


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A popular pizzeria reopened closer to the heart of downtown Hot Springs on Friday, less than 10 days after closing the Park Avenue location it had called home for the past five years.
Owner Anthony Valinoti said getting DeLuca's Pizzeria open at its new location at 831 Central Ave. was nothing short of a miracle.
For the time being, DeLuca's will keep about the same hours, but over time there will be a few additions to the restaurant folks have come to love, he said.
"We'll probably keep the longer hours, probably be open at night," he said. "We were thinking of putting a bar in here initially, but we just wanted to see what it looked like at the onset and was it actually a good idea to do that.
"We'll definitely be adding some new menu items and some new exciting things that we've thought up that we couldn't do before. I'm just so excited. This is just a dream come true."
The new location is actually a bit smaller than the previous space on Park Avenue, but Valinoti said less square footage won't make a difference.
"I always say this, 'Is it the proper size space for us?' No. 'Is it the right location for us?' The answer is yes. That's what it comes down to," he said. "We have never ever, in the five years that I've done this, had any kind of walking traffic. No one's ever walked by us so we hope to introduce ourselves to a bunch of new people and hopefully they'll enjoy it as much as everybody else has the last five years."
On Thursday, DeLuca's welcomed a group on an economic tour of downtown Hot Springs as a somewhat soft opening. However, Valinoti joked shortly before opening Friday that he was about to get run over by customers.
"It's pretty amazing how we were tucked away where nobody saw us, but I think the biggest problem with the business always was we couldn't get enough people in there throughout the course of the day," he said. "Thank goodness we would always be busy from like 4-8 p.m., but that meant the old man always had to work a little bit harder than he wanted to. Tonight, I think it's the same thing."
Valinoti said business will be great in the new neighborhood.
"I think it's going to be great," he said. "Our business is going to be good for their business, and we want that. We want to keep all the business down here. We don't want people to go to chains. We want people to eat downtown, drink downtown, play downtown, shop downtown. That's what we're all about and that's exactly what it is."


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We have smartphones, we have smartwatches. and we have… Nubia-α that is something in between, and which the company (Nubia) promotes as a “wearable smartphone”.
The device comes with a long curved display, and you’d wear it around your wrist just like a watch with access to fitness apps, and music, but just like in a phone, you could make phone calls and send SMS thanks to 4G connectivity, as well as taking selfies or making video calls with its built-in camera.
We don’t have the specifications yet, but the thing is real as it was showcased at IFA 2018, although for the eyes only, i.e. no hands-on or even touching the Nubia-α. Engadget reported about the device, and while the reporter clearly did not like the largish camera on the side, she seems impressed by the brightness and colors coming out of the Flex OLED display. The watch / phone? can also be used for payment, I suppose via NFC.
Looking at the promo video embedded above, we’ll also notice pogo pins for charging, a heart rate monitor, a speaker, a button on the right side, and a micro USB port on the other. It looks neat, but you’d probably not want to browse the web on such a narrow display.
Nubia told the people at IFA 2018 that more details about Nubia-α will be released in Q4 of this year.
Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.


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More car tires stolen from area dealers - Oct 12th, 2012 - Local
Ottawa County detectives say thieves continue to take tires and wheels from new vehicles at area dealerships and another incident took place in Coopersville. Thieves hit at least 15 vehicles at Betten-Baker Chevrolet Buick. They found at least 52 tires and rim sets were taken, which is valued to be around $50,000. The thieves appear to be the same ones who hit the Ed Koehn Ford Lincoln near Greenville. They took tire and wheel sets from 6 cars and stole a used cargo van. Detectives believe the criminals may be linked to similar thefts in Kent and other counties.


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n3 Buying Group
Connecting a network of over 15,000 members
"Dynamics 365 is our first cloud-based system and it’s opened up a whole new world to us"Sean Chen, IT Manager for n3
n3 is a business buying group. It connects a network of over 15,000+ members to more than 60 leading New Zealand suppliers, including Bunnings, OfficeMax, Mobil, BP, Z Energy, NZ Safety Blackwoods, Fonterra, Pit Stop, NZ Couriers, OfficeMax, and Noel Leeming.
The group helps member businesses to save money on their operational purchases. At the same time, they generate new opportunities for their extensive network of suppliers. Over the past 12 months they have facilitated over $65 million in savings for their members.
The business rebranded as n3 in 2013, however it has been operating for over two decades, starting out as a state-owned enterprise Government purchasing department (Government Stores Board) and then becoming GSB Supplycorp in the late 1980s.
Unfortunately, the new name didn’t come with a technology upgrade. While the group grew in the 2000s, it was clear that their legacy systems would eventually hold them back. Finally, the ‘where to from here?’ decision became pressing.
“We’d reached end of life with the systems we had,” says Sean Chen, IT Manager for n3. “We had to decide if we should invest in newer versions of our existing technology or start afresh. We made a strategic decision to adopt Microsoft throughout the business so we could better support and grow our customer base, supplier partnerships, and the business itself.”
n3 went to market in 2015 to choose the partner who could completely overhaul and upgrade their systems from the ground up. They decided on Fusion5 to implement a solution based off Dynamics 365 CRM, Microsoft Power Platform, ClickDimensions (integrated directly to the CRM), and to move the business to Azure.
The out with the old, in with the new project commenced in March 2016 and has been deployed in incremental phases right through late 2018.
Chen, and Jeremy Howcroft, CEO of n3, both say the move to Azure has had a significant impact on the business, and that their new Microsoft environment delivers the value they expected.
“We’re now at the stage where we’re realising a lot of the benefits from the new technology, and learning a lot too,” says Howcroft. “Our old platform didn’t have an upgrade path. By comparison, Microsoft has a constant upgrade approach, and they put changes through every day, so we’re always up to date.
n3 now use Dynamics 365 Customer Engagement to record customer information, track services used by customers, and capture details of potential new members. The n3 sales team use the CRM’s prospecting features to track and nurture leads. The marketing team utilise ClickDimensions’ email automation functionality to keep in contact with, and provide offers to, prospects and customers.
“Dynamics 365 is our first cloud-based system,” says Chen, “and it’s opened up a whole new world to us. We no longer have to host the platform or maintain the services. We can put it all into Microsoft’s hands and just focus on running the business. The challenge for us is how to adapt to the changes and make the most of the opportunities it offers us – and that’s where Fusion5 continue to add value.”
More recently, Fusion5 played a critical role in the launch of n3’s newest product – Boost, an ‘employee benefits’ programme.
Designed to create a new revenue stream for n3, Boost allows member businesses to choose a plan, and top up their employees’ remuneration by giving them access to discount purchasing. A dedicated Boost website hosts supplier offers, and employees use an app, to take advantage of the special pricing. The app sends employees special codes and vouchers that can be used in-store or online for everyday discounts, extra-special deals and limited time offers, from brands like PlaceMakers, Resene, Pit Stop, Specsavers, 1-day, The Coffee Club, and Torpedo7.
The project required Fusion5 to integrate n3’s new Boost website and app to Dynamics 365 Customer Engagement.
Boost has been a gamechanger for n3. They already have 44,000 employees eligible to enjoy discounts from 40 suppliers.
After four years of working together, n3 and Fusion5 have established a solid relationship. The n3 system is complex, and Chen says the support from Fusion5 is very responsive.
Howcroft agrees. “One of the good things about working with Fusion5 is that they have a strong relationship with Microsoft. They keep us updated on upcoming changes and updates, so we can rapidly assess how they impact our business. Another strong point in our relationship is Fusion5’s very accessible senior management.”
While the n3 team is small – with just under 30 staff – that’s no impediment to growth. And n3 has big ambitions.
Howcroft says that having a solution that scales alongside the business is important. “We selected Dynamics 365 so we can continue the growth path we’ve been on. We’ve been very successful in growing the business over the last seven years, and our Microsoft solution will support the future growth and volume that we anticipate in terms of members and supplier numbers and interactions.
“We didn’t want to make a short-term investment. We don’t want to choose and migrate to a new platform every year. Fusion5’s solution simply means we develop and fine-tune, getting more and more out of it all the time.”


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Increasing sales of medium and large SUVs and utes are decimating the small reductions in carbon emissions gained from Australia’s slow uptake of electric vehicles.
A new report released today by the National Transport Commission (NTC) said that because of the continued preference for large vehicles, Australia continues to fall behind other countries.
The latest NTC report, titled “Carbon Dioxide Emissions Intensity for New Australian Light Vehicles 2021,” says that Australia’s transport emissions reduced 2% from 2020.
But it is still falling far behind, as this figure shows below. Whilst Europe – which fines carmakers for not reaching stipulated emissions targets – achieved a fleet average of 115gmCO2e/km, Australia’s emissions are still sitting at 160gmCO2e/km (adding together passenger cars, light SUVs and heavy duty SUVs and utes.)
Pushing Australia’s emissions up are utes and SUVs, the average emissions for which exceed 210gmCO2e/km.
Key to the reduction of transport-related emissions in other countries is legislated carbon emissions targets that ensure carmakers sell enough zero and low-emissions vehicles to offset polluting, high emissions vehicles.
According to the NTC, “if all cars sold were ‘best in class’ for emissions, Australia’s total emissions for lighter passenger vehicles and small SUVs would have reduced by 91 per cent and larger SUVs and utes reduced by 47 per cent.”
Australia has no such targets, except voluntary emissions standards implemented by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI), which most carmakers failed to achieve in its April report.
Because of this, carmakers continue to sell large 4×2 and 4×4 utes in particular, as well as medium and large SUVs. As the NTC report notes, “sale of 4×4 and 4×2 utes increased by more than 43,000 between 2020 and 2021, and large SUV sales increased by around 25,000.”
The latest figures from the FCAI show there is no sign of this trend slowing down. Year-to-date August 2022, there were 12,000 more medium and large SUVs sold than in 2021.
While there were 1,000 less utility vehicles sold year-to-date compared to the previous period, this is more likely because global supply chain crisis and pandemic challenges have delayed manufaturing and shipping of vehicles.
The NTC estimates there are currently 42,500 EVs on the road against a wider national fleet of 18.4 million passenger and light commercial vehicles.
Battery electric vehicle sales totalled around 17,000 in 2021. This was lead by and large by Tesla, which sold 12,094 vehicles in Australia in 2021.
Clean energy lobby group Solar Citizens says the report underlines the importance of legislating fuel efficiency standards in Australia.
“Australians love their utes, and the market is already responding to the demand for a right hand drive EV ute,” said Solar Citizens clean transport campaigner Ajaya Haikerwal in a note to The Driven.
Shadow deputy leader Sussan Ley made a wildly inaccurate claim in August that no carmakers are making electric utes, a fact that was roundly debunked.
Whilst several EV makers are making left-hand drive utes, there is already a right-hand drive LDV ute available in New Zealand, and there are signs it may come to Australia in the not-to-distant future. But not even this electric ute has yet been cemented for the local market, despite the likelihood it would be welcomed by drivers.
“When electric utes arrive in Australia, we know that people will embrace them,” said Haikerwal. “Demand for EVs has never been higher and when Australians can pair their love of utes with the petrol and pollution savings of an electric model, they will leap at the opportunity.”
Australia is starting to adopt more electric vehicles, as state incentives and stamp duty waivers encourage more drivers to make the switch, and more vehicles with longer driving range become available.
August in particular saw a record uptake of 4.4% for EVs on the local market, spearheaded by Tesla which started delivering its Model Y and recommenced deliveries of the Model 3.
However, the global average for EV market share now sits at 17 percent according to the NTC, underlining how far Australia still has to go.
Bridie Schmidt is associate editor for The Driven, sister site of Renew Economy. She has been writing about electric vehicles since 2018, and has a keen interest in the role that zero-emissions transport has to play in sustainability. She has participated in podcasts such as Download This Show with Marc Fennell and Shirtloads of Science with Karl Kruszelnicki and is co-organiser of the Northern Rivers Electric Vehicle Forum. Bridie also owns a Tesla Model Y and has it available for hire on evee.com.au.


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The semiconductor industry is ever changing and is not for the faint hearted. If we holistically look at the changing market dynamics, there are three emerging realities that operate in today’s semiconductor industry.
Firstly, there is a higher demand on power consumption by mobile devices. Today’s hand-held smartphones are magnitudes higher in computing power than high end minicomputers from just two decades ago. Higher performance in a pocket sized form factor places huge demands on efficient power management in chips powering today’s smart phones.
Second, the role of semiconductor firms and OEMs has expanded beyond just providing microprocessors. Clients today want OEMs to manufacture fully featured devices with accompanying software that can be white labeled.
Lastly, the demand for fully featured white labeled mobile devices puts pressure on semiconductor firms to have a deep understanding of several geographical markets and their own unique consumer nuances and insights to enable them to manufacture products that will generate significant consumer traction.
These market demands are causing five key market trends to emerge:-
1. Commoditization: Innovation in the entire mobile ecosystem is essential to avoid commoditization of mobile devices. Standalone devices are themselves “dumb”, but a full ecosystem of content, apps and interoperability is the game changer.
2. Tablets: Apple created a new market for tablets with the iPad. Samsung followed soon after. Tablet sales will soon exceed PC sales. A coherent tablet strategy is essential to succeed for any semiconductor company.
3. Four Screens: Content and apps are not consumed on a single screen any more. More often than not, the experience continues from PC to smart phone to TV to automobiles and even wearable devices. The trend is clearly out there and semiconductor companies must essentially decide on their device and application strategy in the context of four screens to succeed.
4. Enterprise Mobility: Mobility is not just limited to the consumer space any more. More and more business applications are embracing the reality of ever connected and powerful mobile devices in the hands of their employees and customers. Consequently, IT budgets across most large companies are shifting from being hardware focused to being centered on solutions to leverage this key trend.
5. Application Development: Mobile platforms are fiercely competing with each other, and most trends indicate that even after consolidation, there will be 2-3 key platforms that will co-exist in the end. There is a significant push from platform owners to have a large app ecosystem to make the platform attractive; from application developers’ side too, there is a clear need to develop apps to serve every large mobile platform.
The winner, in the end, will be the one who clearly understands the market dynamics in this industry, and is able to move fast by partnering with an entity who shares the same level of understanding of the market and emerging consumer and business trends.
Do write in with your comments and views in the comments section below.


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Gatorade's latest ad from TBWAChiatDay features Serena Williams cradling her daughter, who has been confirmed as a body double, while telling her why sports are important. In the ad Serena says, "Sports will teach you to be strong. You'll discover the power and grace of your body."
Procter & Gamble's chief brand officer says marketers should "raise the bar on creativity, on transparency, on innovation, in order to drive growth." Marc Pritchard was critical of the digital media supply chain in a January speech.
IKEA's latest ad shows Leonardo da Vinci's "Salvatore Mundi" in the retailer's $9.99 frame. The painting sold for $450 million last week.
Sandy Greenberg, co-founder of Terri & Sandy, discusses agency culture and why her company has been successful in the ad industry. She also shares advice on finding talent and getting a start in the industry, saying, "Put a little bit more effort in ... [m]ake it happen for yourself."
GroupM's chief digital officer, Rob Norman, has announced he is retiring from the post in January. Norman, who has been with WPP for 31 years, plans to continue as an advisor to GroupM and its clients.
Old Navy's new TV spot, "HoliYAY," features kids sneaking out of their homes to hold an impromptu street dance party, soon joined by adults who dance joyfully alongside. The spot is part of the brand's "Hi, Fashion" push, which also includes digital ads starring Jenny Slate promoting Black Friday deals.
Above + Beyond's new digital holiday spots for Amazon Music in the US and UK bring back its "Moments" campaign. The ads match songs to viral-worthy video clips, such as a baby riding past a Christmas tree on a robot vacuum to the tune of Charmillionaire's "Ridin' Dirty."
The Ad Council, with Havas Adrenaline, has launched a campaign in partnership with the American Stroke Association, American Medical Association and American Heart Association to draw attention to the warning signs of high blood pressure and the importance of it being checked. "HBP Numbers" features real people talking about how their high blood pressure led to them suffering strokes or heart attacks.
Tense political times are leading to a turbulent experience for brands on social media, with Keurig, Papa John's and Jim Beam the latest to feel the brunt of a politically charged backlash and calls for boycotts. Social media has given a transparent voice to consumers, and for brands that means "there is nowhere to hide," said Mindshare's Norm Johnston, adding, "it may be impossible for brands to not take a position on core values."
Combined growth in the third quarter for the major holding companies -- Omnicom, Publicis, WPP, Havas and Interpublic -- is estimated to be only 0.5%, according to Pivotal analyst Brian Wieser. The year's stagnant results can be attributed to clients tightening up fee structures due to transparency revelations and a dip in digital ad investment, but Wieser is optimistic that new revenue streams will lead to higher growth in the coming years.


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The big boss of the parent company for Rockstar Games and 2K Games thinks some games will be indistinguishable from live-action entertainment within the next decade - visually speaking, anyway.
Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick shared his predictions for the future of the games industry during a presentation at the UBS Global TMT Virtual Conference this week, as reported by GamesIndustry.biz. He explained that the company's business model has changed a ton in the last ten years through mobile games and in-app purchases, and one of the only safe guesses to make for the next decade is that it will change just as much.
"And I can't quite say what that will involve, but I think what you're going to see is technology will allow our creative folks to do things they've never been able to do before, including make games that look exactly like live-action," Zelnick explained.
"Some of what we do now looks a lot like live-action, but it's still animation. In 10 years, you'll have the option if you want to make things that look completely realistic, all done inside a computer, never mind all the other advances technology will enable."
Photorealism has been the end goal for advances in gaming visuals for decades, and like Zelnick said, we do find moments of it in modern games. It's exciting to think of the possibilities that games which are visually indistinguishable from live-action movies or TV would give to developers - though I'm even more excited to see what artists can do when they have all that power and all those tools, and no compunction to make the final result look like anything like reality.
Check out our guide to the best graphics cards if you want to get a little closer to the photoreal.


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The app lets guests in a newly opened tower request hotel amenities from anywhere on the property, not just a guestroom. A sampling: From the app, you can tell the valet service to get your car while leaving the Celine Dion showroom — no more waiting on line outside. You can order room service from the pool — and then run upstairs to get it. You could request extra towels for the room — from the elevator.
The app is available for Apple, BlackBerry and Android devices, and was launched this week, to coincide with the arrival of CES attendees, says the hotel's Tommy Harris. "We feel it's something that will not only get attention from the Consumer Electronics Show group, but be a great benefit for our guests."
Technology Live covers computers, electronics, and the Internet, with a focus on cutting-edge technology that has a real impact on your life. Our reporters and editors -- based in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle, New York, and Washington – offer news and tips to help you make the most of your digital domain. More about the team
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From couple of days on social networking websites there are many rumors regarding to Facebook phone. At this time million of people are addicted to Facebook and when they listen this news they want to grab this phone as soon as. so i decided to tell you some fact about this Facebook phone.
Rumor 1: Is Facebook tapped with HTC to make a smartphone.
Ans:- Yes, its true Facebook has tapped Taiwanese cellphone maker HTC to build a smartphone.
Rumor 2:- Is Facebook Phone name is Buffy?
Ans:- Yes, it is quite shocking, Facebook phone name is based on a Vampire Slayer an old 1990 tv show. I think Facebook have any hidden strategy to choose this name.
Rumor 3:- Is Facebook give this phone free?
Ans:- I think, we get the right answer after officially announced, but according to a sources buffy(Facebook Phone) price is 0$ means freely for everyone and Facebook make the money through advertising and at the same time from another sources tells this phone would cost 700$.
Rumor 4:- The Facebook Phone Hit the Market on Next Year.
Ans:- This time Facebook only choose its hardware partner HTC and Samsung, So at least it will take 1 year to hit the market.
I think you got all of your answer. but it is too early to get the correct answer till it is officially announced. According to a Facebook Spokesman..
Our mobile strategy is simple: We think every mobile device is better if it is deeply social. We’re working across the entire mobile industry; with operators, hardware manufacturers, OS providers, and application developers to bring powerful social experiences to more people around the world.


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What to Read Next
Are your employee apps ethical? Companies are providing employees with more and more digital services for purposes that range from enhancing teamwork to getting a better night’s sleep. But do they promote agency — or addiction? Perhaps it’s time for managers to take a closer look at the design of those services — and question the techniques they employ to create a compelling user experience.
Toward this end, Tristan Harris has some choice words in a new article on Medium. “I’m an expert on how technology hijacks our psychological vulnerabilities,” he begins. “That’s why I spent the last three years as Google’s Design Ethicist caring about how to design things in a way that defends a billion people’s minds from getting hijacked. When using technology, we often focus optimistically on all the things it does for us. But I want you to show you where it might do the opposite.”
Harris goes on to call out common hijacks that are intentionally and unintentionally built into the design of websites and apps. They include: menus that give the impression of choice, while limiting it; the embedding of intermittent, variable rewards that induce addictive behaviors; reliance on powerful motivators such as social approval and reciprocity; and seven more.
“I’ve listed a few techniques but there are literally thousands,” adds Harris. “Imagine whole bookshelves, seminars, workshops and trainings that teach aspiring tech entrepreneurs techniques like these. Imagine hundreds of engineers whose job every day is to invent new ways to keep you hooked.”
Harris, who studied under Professor BJ Fogg in Stanford’s Persuasive Technology Lab, is talking about big social media services offered to the general public by companies, such as Facebook, Instagram, TripAdvisor, and NYTimes.com. But his conclusion applies to digital services aimed at employees, too:
“The ultimate freedom is a free mind, and we need technology that’s on our team to help us live, feel, think and act freely. We need our smartphones, notifications screens and web browsers to be exoskeletons for our minds and interpersonal relationships that put our values, not our impulses, first. People’s time is valuable. And we should protect it with the same rigor as privacy and other digital rights.”
Directing investment in big data and predictive analytics: Corporations aren’t having any trouble scaring up data these days. And over the next few years, as the Internet of Things grows by billions of connected products annually, a mere ocean of data is likely to become a Noah-worthy inundation. Companies are busy investing in big data storage and infrastructure in advance of the flood. But how will they earn a return on their capital?
In a new article on HBR.org, a five-member author team composed of economists and data scientists from Microsoft offer up three use cases.
- Predicting demand: Forecasting using time-series econometrics with historical sales data will be enhanced with anonymized and aggregated web search or sentiment data linked to each store’s location.
- Improving pricing: All retailers will gain access to the nuanced pricing strategies of e-tailers by tracking customer activity in their stores through their smartphones.
- Predictive maintenance: Real-time connections to and detailed data from production processes coupled with analytics will enable companies to prevent mechanical failures.
The cases illuminate a couple of general principles, say the authors. First, the value of analytics can greatly exceed the cost of infrastructure — so, expect lots of investment. Second, new sources of data will provide greater value than lots more of the same data. Third, because new data will often be unstructured data, it will take teams made up of data engineers, statisticians, and behavioral scientists to unlock its insights.
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Your 3D printer just arrived: Last week, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, vice-president and prime minister of the UAE and ruler of Dubai, cut the ribbon on the world’s first 3D-printed office. That’s right, Dubai Future Foundation printed its new 2,700-square-foot headquarters using “a special mixture of cement” and 20×120×40 foot printer. Government officials told Reuters that the 3D printing technology “could cut building time by 50-70% and labor costs by 50-80%,” and that 25% of the buildings in Dubai would be printed by 2030.
I doubt your company will be printing its new headquarters by 2030, but I bet it’ll be 3D printing something. And HP might have a hand in it. The company began taking orders on two new commercial 3D printers, priced under $200,000, which can “print superior quality physical parts up to 10 times faster and at half the cost of current 3D print systems.” HP also announced 3D printing partnerships with Nike, Johnson & Johnson, and Shapeways.
According to a report by Michael Molitch-Hou in Engineering.com, Nike will use HP’s technology to prototype footwear, J&J will use it to produce patient-specific medical devices, and Shapeways, a 3D-printing incubator, will turn its community of designers and customers loose on the new tech. What will your company be 3D printing?


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Usage of the Oxford Dictionaries 2014 Word of the Year, “vape”— defined as the act of smoking an electronic cigarette — has doubled this year compared to 2013.
First used in the 1980s, “Vaping has gone mainstream,” according to Oxford Dictionaries editorial director Judy Pearsall.
Celebrities who vape and growing debate on the public dangers and the need for regulation contributed to the “marked” increase, she added.
Mark Kagan, director, Logic Ecigs Australia told C&I WEEK that the popularity of the word “vape” reflected the fact that “e-cigs are accepted internationally and are starting to be accepted in Australia as people understand the difference between ‘steaming’ and ‘smoking’”.
Mr Kagan said that sales of Logic Ecigs were increasing with the big tobacco companies now also selling similar product. He expects that the word “vape” will continue to increase in usage as more and more consumers are looking to the product as a way to reduce or stop smoking.
Although Australian regulations prevent e-cigarettes being sold or advertised as an aid to quitting, Mr Kagan said, in his experience, “Ninety per cent of the people who contact me are looking for a way to reduce or quit smoking,” and that e-cigs are “really beneficial to the Australian public as the harmful chemicals are contained in tobacco smoke and tar, and not in the steam (or “vape”) from e-cigarettes”.
Australian legislation currently prohibits the sale of nicotine based e-liquids, filter tips or disposable e-cigs (although these items may be imported in limited quantities for personal use).
Queensland will, in Mr Kagan’s opinion, lose a valuable opportunity when, on 1 January 2015, e-cigs “go under the counter” as new legislation comes into effect banning the marketing and display of e-cig products in that state.
Nevertheless Mr Kagan sees a bright future for the sale of e-cigarettes as the product continues to gain acceptance Australia-wide. The Logic Zero brand of e-cigs is already widely available through retailers including NewsLink, United Petrol and BP and, under a recent deal with Metcash, at selected IGA, FoodWorks and Ritchies stores, with more stores to follow.
There seems to be no doubt the word “vape” – like e-cigs themselves – will only continue to grow in popularity.
“Contactless” also made it onto the Oxford Dictionaries list as the use of cards with special chips to make payments in retail outlets and on public transport becomes increasingly common.


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Long gone is the image of British textile designers as patient craftspersons, weaving and stitching their way through the twentieth century. Now it is almost more appropriate to call them our new scientists, beavering away to create new synthetic fibres and production processes; whereas 20 years ago the industry was more akin to graphic design, today it is less to do with pattern-making and more about surface.
Man-made fibres are the trademark of the Nineties, with Lycra king Du Pont ruling the roost. Creating a fabric that meets today’s needs is one of the keys to success. Constant innovation in production processes is crucial, as textile designer Janet Stoyel has discovered. She transfers decorative surfaces on to man-made fibres with the use of lasers and ultrasound technology. High-frequency sound waves and high-intensity light beams produce the heat needed to change the molecular structure of textiles and produce patterned textile substrates. Stoyel has been commissioned by clients such as Donna Karan and Paul Smith; Gucci has asked her to experiment on leather.
But what are the implications of new technology? As industry pioneers the race to create utterly practical everyday fibres, James Park, head of the School of Fashion and Textiles at the Royal College of Art, feels students are in danger of being left behind. “In industry, the machinery is so sophisticated that it can do things we can’t here,” he says. Yet innovation can take the strangest of forms, as fashion designer Hussein Chalayan proved when he buried fabric with rusty nails in his north London garden and waited until it had oxidised and decomposed before turning it into garments. And Lindsay Taylor, head of Printed and Knitted Textiles at Glasgow College of Art, sees technology as a rather double-edged sword. As production methods improve, greater possibilities are opened up, but the parameters in which to create disappear. “Now that there are no restrictions on colour and techniques, there is a temptation to get more complicated. And it is often the simplest designs which work best,” she says. Yet she and Park both agree that the future lies in using science and chemistry to experiment with new fibres.
The desire for a huge range of new fabrics has come about, in part, as barriers between fabrics have been broken down. As interior design starts to mimic the life cycle of fashion, furnishing fabrics are interchangeable with dress fabrics. Knitted curtains, once deemed impractical, have found their way into our homes along with textiles derived of agricultural and architectural products. When it comes to the cloth that surrounds us, there are no rules.
Hardly surprising that, like fashion, textiles has its fads. The interest in recycled textiles, all the rage in the early Nineties, has waned, while the issue of ecotextiles is now top of the agenda. The battle is on to find ways of combating pollution and minimising the use of dyes, chemicals and drying processes found in traditional textile processes. With these objectives in mind, Stoyel’s process allows for decoration without the use of dyes and chemicals.
While individuals try to conceive environment-friendly fabrics, so too does industry. Huge amounts of money are going into plant-breeding and genetics, particularly in the US, to produce indigo cotton, thereby ridding the need for dyes. The argument that natural fibres are more eco-friendly than man-made ones no longer rings true, says Taylor. “A natural fibre like cotton uses so many bleaches that it is more damaging than nylon, which is a by-product of the petroleum industry.”
Just as the fibres and yarns used in the textiles industry are constantly evolving, so is the image of the trade itself. Since textiles is an umbrella for what is a huge field, ranging from knitting to catwalk fashion, it is impossible to conjure up a stereotypical image of a textile designer. However, in the UK, the boundaries between disciplines are much stricter than they are abroad, believes Polly Binns, textile representative at the Crafts Council. “Whereas Michael Brennand-Wood calls himself an embroiderer in the UK, he represents the UK as an artist in other countries,” she says. Likewise Caroline Broadhead, who uses wire, net and nylon to create conceptual forms of dresses and dolls more akin to sculpture than textiles. Her work won this year’s 1997 Jerwood Prize for Textiles at the Crafts Council and 15 000 in prize money, and overseas she too is termed an artist, as was the case in a recent show at New York’s Guggenheim Museum.
Despite the semantics of what textiles really means – and the stories of overcrowding on textile courses and unemployment at graduation – in the UK the industry is experiencing a boom. Last year, Taylor carried out a survey into what her students were doing four years after graduation and found that 90 per cent were employed in a textile-related field. Binns claims that the flurry of textiles exhibitions over the past two years has been more high profile than ever. Meanwhile, this month a new gallery called Fibres, Fabrics and Fashion opened at the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester. As the textile trade redefines itself and embraces new technologies, perhaps the UK will adopt a 21st century “cottonopolis” to challenge its nineteenth century equivalent.
The Jerwood Prize Textiles Conference takes place on 4 October at The Crafts Council. Call 0171-806 2528 for details.


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Pride celebrations have come and gone, but their legacy continues for a couple big national brands, one of them local. As you may recall, Target and Bud Light both became national news subjects, in a way that brands don’t really want.
It got me wondering about authenticity in marketing, why brands increasingly want to burrow into complicated social issues, and whether it’s something consumers expect or want.
It started when Bud Light decided, as a March Madness marketing gambit, to engage trans TikTok influencer Dylan Mulvaney to promote the beer on social media. It was an idea that reeked of youthful executives without adequate supervision. The effort rankled Bud Light loyalists and produced a boycott that reportedly tanked the product’s sales.
The Anheuser Busch exec responsible was supposedly trying to water down the beer’s frat-boy vibe. Taking probably the most high-pitched social issue of the day—gender identity—and rubbing it in the snout of a traditionally minded customer base is a tactic reflective of the moral high ground mindset that plays out in social media every day.
Things got rough at Target Corp. as well, when the chain’s stores moved an edgy collection of Pride merch front and center and got heat because some of it included emphatic messaging about trans rights and a swimwear item designed to hide a certain body part. In some communities this sparked public displays of opposition, creating hostile environments for Target store workers. The company decided to de-emphasize the displays in some stores.
That response continues to reverberate on the culturally progressive retailer. Target is clearly eager to wade into topical social conversations, including the fraught area of gender identity transition, even in markets where that would accrue little benefit to its bottom line or team morale. (Full disclosure: My wife and son are Target employees.)
Both controversies felt unnecessary and left me scratching my head. I’m not a marketing savant, so I called Aaron Keller—TCB‘s marketing expert and co-founder of Capsule Agency in Minneapolis—for a gut check.
“Marketers typically engage in a risk assessment before stepping into a particular issue,” he told me. “Bud Light was lazy in how it approached its audience, and Target,” well-intended as it was, “saw it come back on them.”
“The social pressure to be in the conversation is profound. It’s driving companies to occupy controversial or divisive positions because [the perception is] if you’re not in that conversation, you’re against it.”
—Aaron Keller, co-founder, Capsule Agency
Keller sees the growing effort to align products with social issues as a form of signaling, an outgrowth of an era of purpose-driven marketing pioneered by companies like Patagonia. Now marketers confuse doing good with aligning themselves with righteousness. Even worse, he says, Bud Light was “telling a lie about its business,” since trans issues “had never been part of its DNA.”
For Target, Keller suspects it merely felt the need to be relevant. “The social pressure to be in the conversation is profound. It’s driving companies to occupy controversial or divisive positions because [the perception is] if you’re not in that conversation, you’re against it.” This is a logical extension of the anti-racism paradigm, which states that individuals and entities that offer only tacit support for BIPOC rights—rather than working actively on their behalf—are also sort of bigots.
Not long ago, the Business Roundtable redefined the purpose of business beyond solely serving shareholders. As that mindset becomes more pervasive, Keller suggests, there is growing pressure within marketing to stake out positions that would previously have been deemed too risky or with no upside. Companies will learn, he says, they don’t need to be in every conversation.
But try telling that to CEOs. Target’s employees are telling it otherwise. Even more prosaic businesses like electric utilities are feeling the heat.
In a profile of outstanding director Lynn Casey in our latest issue, Xcel Energy CEO Bob Frenzel laments the current pressure even on utilities: “The last four years have been particularly challenging in managing community/employee relations. … We’ve been asked [by employees and community members] to be involved in non-traditional areas of corporate engagement…. Picking sides has never been a goal of mine.”
Maybe he should just think of it as an exciting new regulatory burden.


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itel, India’s leading smartphone brand, has captured the hearts of million and united the nation with its emotionally charged brand campaign, timed perfectly with the World Cup season. As a brand that prides itself on democratizing technology for all, itel India has underscored its commitment to providing incredible value in every product it delivers while fostering a sense of togetherness and shared experiences among its customers.
The campaign's centerpiece is a touching short film that encapsulates the values and aspirations of itel India. It tells the heartwarming story of a father and son, blending the emotional journey of their dreams and sacrifices with the transformative power of technology.
As the campaign reminds us, itel India is not just a smartphone brand; it is a unifying force that brings together families, generations, and the entire nation, especially during moments of sporting and emotional significance.
Speaking about the campaign, Arijeet Talapatra, CEO, itel (Transsion) India, said “We believe that in today's digital age, the smartphone has become the new TV. For many in the country, it serves as the gateway to information, entertainment, and connection, and for many, the gateway to the Cricket World Cup this season. Just like food, clothing, and shelter, the smartphone has also become a fundamental necessity in our lives. Like we see in the digital film, watching the World Cup is an activity that brings all the generations of the country together. Thus, in the spirit of #JodeBharatKaHarDilitel, we aim to democratize watching the World Cup by placing an itel phone in as many hands as possible. itel is here to serve the aspirations of Gen Z, providing them with endless opportunities and connections.”
The digital film has been conceptualized and executed by Havas Worldwide India. It offers a fresh approach to storytelling in the digital advertising realm.
Anupama Ramaswamy, Chief Creative Officer, Havas Worldwide India said, “Indians love two things – cricket and family. And they are happiest when they can bring the two together. This was the inspiration that went into creating this heart-warming story. A story that touched upon small-town India’s many realities - parent’s pride and belief in their children’s abilities, a father’s love for his son that pushes him to take on every challenge, the fact that life can be tough sometimes but when loved ones come together anything is achievable. And at every step of the way, itel is there to help these bonds grow stronger. We wanted this story to help itel become more than yet another mobile phone brand. We wanted itel to be seen as a companion that truly celebrates the coming together of people and their passions.”