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Digital TV News: Netflix
Roku announces new streaming player line-up for UK
Sep 19, 2019 – Roku (NASDAQ: ROKU) has unveiled its 2019 streaming player lineup for the United Kingdom. Roku is launching a redesigned Roku Express and new to the UK line-up is the Roku Premiere which delivers 4K streaming with HDR.
News categories: Roku, Lloyd Klarke, OTT, Set Top Box, UK
Subscriptions now account for nearly 86% of US internet TV and movie spending
Sep 17, 2019 – New research from Parks Associates finds that subscriptions, formerly representing just over half of total online video spending in 2012, now account for nearly 86% of all U.S. internet spending on TV and movies.
News categories: Parks Associates, Brett Sappington, Digital TV, Market Research, OTT, USA
Online video viewing to reach 100 minutes a day in 2021
Sep 16, 2019 – The average person will spend 100 minutes each day watching online video in 2021, up from 84 minutes this year, according to Zenith’s Online Video Forecasts 2019 report. That’s the equivalent of watching 25 continuous days of video in 2021.
News categories: Zenith, Jonathan Barnard, Matt James, Advertising, Digital TV, Market Research, OTT, Worldwide
Irdeto secures Airtel Xstream 4K set-top box
Sep 15, 2019 – Bharti Airtel has selected Irdeto to securely deliver content on its Airtel Xstream 4K Hybrid Box. The STB, based on Android 9.0, brings satellite TV and OTT content together on a single device, secured by Irdeto Cloaked CA.
News categories: Irdeto, Bharti Airtel, Doug Lowther, Sunil Taldar, Content Protection, Digital TV, IBC2019, India, Satellite, Set Top Box
Synaptics to show Smart Edge AI media streamer solutions at IBC 2019
Sep 9, 2019 – Synaptics (NASDAQ: SYNA) has announced that at IBC 2019 it will show edge computing demonstrations featuring its Smart Edge AI AudioSmart and VideoSmart SoCs with machine learning AI capabilities that target a new generation of emerging smart home devices.
News categories: Synaptics, Saleel Awsare, Digital TV, IBC2019, ICs, Set Top Box, Smart Home, Worldwide
SVOD subscriptions to double to 970 million by 2024
Sep 5, 2019 – The gross number of SVOD subscriptions will increase by 91% - or 462 million - between 2018 and 2024 to reach 970 million. The total will climb by 124 million in 2019 alone, according to Digital TV Research.
News categories: Digital TV Research, Simon Murray, Digital TV, OTT, Subscribers, Worldwide
Amazon brings more Fire TV Edition devices to Europe and North America
Sep 4, 2019 – Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN) has announced a lineup of more than 15 new Fire TV Edition products, including the world’s first Fire TV Edition smart TV with built-in far-field voice control and the first OLED Fire TV Edition smart TV.
News categories: Amazon, Marc Whitten, Canada, Digital TV, Germany, Smart TV, UK, USA, UX
Amazon introduces second generation Fire TV Cube
Sep 4, 2019 – Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN) has announced a new Fire TV Cube. The streaming media player features far-field voice control built directly into the device and is now available for pre-order in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, and Japan.
News categories: Amazon, Marc Whitten, Digital TV, Germany, India, Japan, OTT, Set Top Box, Smart Home, UK, USA
Airtel launches converged entertainment platform
Sep 2, 2019 – Bharti Airtel has announced the launch of its converged digital entertainment play: Airtel Xstream. Over the coming months, Airtel plans to roll out a range of solutions to cater to the entertainment needs of every customer segment of India.
News categories: Airtel, Adarsh Nair, Digital TV, India, Mobile, OTT, Satellite, Set Top Box
- Roku OS 9.2 to begin rollout
- Roku announces new streaming player line-up for UK
- Eros Now to develop online video platform with Microsoft
- FourthWall Media introduces Reveal 5 TV analytics and optimization platform
- Hearst Television moves to impressions-based selling of Local TV ad inventory
- Roku releases U.S. cord-cutting study
- Facebook introduces Portal TV set-top box
- CTA launches 8K Ultra HD logo program
- SVOD subscriptions soar by 38% in 2018
- Subscriptions now account for nearly 86% of US internet TV and movie spending
- NBCUniversal streaming service to be called 'Peacock'
- Vizio adds additional Alexa capabilities to SmartCast TVs
- LIWEST latest Austrian operator to deploy IPTV with Verimatrix and Ocilion
- Channel 4 to use Sky's AdSmart technology
- TV penetration in Sub-Saharan Africa still low
- Amazon Prime Video to be made available on Altice One
- NEOTION renews partnership with Irdeto
- Online video viewing to reach 100 minutes a day in 2021
- Irdeto secures Airtel Xstream 4K set-top box
- Netgem and Sharp release smart soundbar for telcos


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CO2 from cars and vans: EU auto makers press for resolution to current impasse
Brussels, 9 March 2023 – The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) calls upon the European Commission and the Council to come to a resolution to the current impasse on the EU legislation on CO2 emissions from cars and vans, which was due to be signed into law in early March. The fundamental transformation for the European automotive industry needs planning security.
ACEA takes note that the final CO2 deal – reached last October between the European Commission, Parliament and Council – includes references to the possible future role of renewable fuels in the transport sector.
ACEA is convinced that the national and European climate targets should not be called into question. To achieve these goals, technology openness remains essential. Europe needs to retain the agility to respond to different needs and to adapt to changing circumstances.
ACEA also calls on policy makers to address emissions from the existing fleet of vehicles on the road.
“Mass electrification is a major part of the solution that we are all pushing towards, but it is no silver bullet,” stated ACEA President, Luca de Meo. “The enemy is fossil-based energy, not a particular technology.”
“We note that Europe is the only geographical area set to abandon technological neutrality as a pillar of its regulatory framework,” de Meo added.
The EU automobile industry is unequivocal and fully committed to tackling climate change as fast as possible, working with all partners. It is doing its utmost to invest massively in electrification, build up the vertical value chain, retain jobs and help the EU stay competitive.
ACEA also urges policy makers to put in place the framework conditions that are essential for a strong and rapid market uptake of zero-emissions cars and vans. These include access to the necessary raw materials, and a dense network of charging and refuelling infrastructure for these vehicles. As part of the review of the CO2 regulation foreseen for 2026, there should be clear KPIs to monitor progress in these areas.
Mass electrification is a major part of the solution that we are all pushing towards, but it is no silver bullet.
- The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) represents the 15 major Europe-based car, van, truck and bus makers: BMW Group, DAF Trucks, Daimler Truck, Ferrari, Ford of Europe, Honda Motor Europe, Hyundai Motor Europe, Iveco Group, JLR, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Renault Group, Toyota Motor Europe, Volkswagen Group, and Volvo Group
- Visit www.acea.auto for more information about ACEA, and follow us on www.twitter.com/ACEA_auto or www.linkedin.com/company/ACEA/
- Cara McLaughlin, Communications Director, email@example.com, +32 485 88 66 47
- Ben Kennard, Content Editor and Press Manager, firstname.lastname@example.org, +32 495 61 84 42
Interested in ACEA press releases?
Receive them directly in your inbox!
About the EU automobile industry
- 12.9 million Europeans work in the automotive sector
- 8.3% of all manufacturing jobs in the EU
- €392.2 billion in tax revenue for European governments
- €101.9 billion trade surplus for the European Union
- Over 7% of EU GDP generated by the auto industry
- €59.1 billion in R&D spending annually, 31% of EU total

domain: news


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Potcast 44: Casually Baked Q&A
It's an impromptu casually baked Q&A. We're talking FDA and Epidiolex, DIY CBD oil, and I do a little personal shopping for a Florida medical cannabis patient.
'After the Show' Notes
Print your cannabinoid and terpene chart for easy reference! This cheat sheet includes benefits and boiling points of the major cannabinoids and terpenes.
Epidiolex is the CBD anti-seizure drug that is the first cannabis drug to be approved by the FDA.
How FDA Approved Cannabis Products Could Affect CBD Distribution Channels - This is a great overview by New Cannabis Ventures quoting industry experts on the situation.
"FDA approval of a CBD-based drug is likely to be a boon for the entire category, raising interest and acceptance of the cannabinoid as being safe and therapeutic. New Frontier Data predicts that the overall U.S. CBD market will increase more than 422% over the next five years to $1.9 billion."


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Contact Lacie Dotterweich, Communications and Social Media Manager
The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) welcomes the nomination of Alexis Taylor as the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s undersecretary of trade and foreign agricultural affairs. President Joe Biden’s announcement today is vital as the U.S. animal food industry’s ability to grow relies on filling the increasing need for animal protein and dairy foods in export markets.
Below is a statement from AFIA President and CEO Constance Cullman regarding the nomination:
“Alexis Taylor‘s extensive experience working on behalf of U.S. agricultural trade interests as deputy undersecretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Service during the Obama administration, while leading the Oregon Department of Agriculture, and in Congress is welcome in this challenging environment. This experience makes her an ideal candidate for representing and advocating on behalf of U.S. agricultural interests to expand export opportunities and maintain U.S. competitiveness in the global marketplace.
“We look forward to working with Ms. Taylor to leverage opportunities to maintain science and evidence-based international standards, mitigate trade barriers and open new markets for the U.S. animal food industry.”
The U.S. animal food manufacturing industry relies heavily on trade. In 2021, U.S. animal feed and pet food manufacturers exported over $7.5 billion in products, including $5.5 billion in feed and feed ingredients and $2 billion in pet food products, a 22% increase in value over 2020. The industry’s exports support thousands of jobs across the feed industry and associated industries, and ensure that global farmers have access to the latest animal feed ingredients to help them produce food more efficiently and sustainably.


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- Why Bangladesh
- Trade Information
BGMEA President Faruque Hassan has said both workers and owners will have to remain united and work in a spirit of collaboration in order to take up emerging challenges and turn them into opportunities for the RMG industry of Bangladesh.
The RMG industry of Bangladesh is going through a very important time when enormous opportunities on one side and many challenges are on the other side, he said.
Concerted efforts would help the industry to strengthen its standing in the changing business landscape, he added.
Faruque Hassan made remarks while addressing an Iftar Mahfil organized by BGMEA for the leaders of garment workers’ organizations in Radisson Blu in Dhaka on April 5.
This is the first iftar party organized by BGMEA after two years of the Covid-19 pandemic.
While exchanging views with the labour leaders, Faruque Hassan said the RMG industry of Bangladesh will need to get prepared to address challenges in the face of the technological advancements and changes in business models and production methods.
Factory owners will have to adapt to the newer methods of production while garment workers will also have to adapt their skill sets to remain competitive in the global apparel export market, he said.
Years of hard work and dedication of garment workers and owners have earned Bangladesh RMG industry a prestigious position in the world, he said.
They would have to remain united to maintain the momentum, he said adding that if the industry performs well, it will benefit the workers, owners and the country as a whole.
Chairman of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Ministry of Labour and Employment Mujibul Haque Chunnu MP, Member of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Ministry of Labour and Employment Begum Shamsun Nahar MP, ILO Country Director Tuomo Poutiainen, Labour and Employment Secretary Md. Ehsan-E-Elahi, former BGMEA President Md. Siddiqur Rahman, Textile Cluster Coordinator of GIZ Bangladesh Werner Lange attended the Iftar Mahfil.
BGMEA Senior Vice President SM Mannan (Kochi), Vice President Shahidullah Azim, Vice President (Finance) Khandoker Rafiqul Islam, Vice President Md. Nasir Uddin, Directors Tanvir Ahmed, Abdullah Hil Rakib and Rajiv Chowdhury and BGMEA Standing Committee on ILO & Labour Affairs ANM Saifuddin were also present.
Leaders of the national federation of trade unions in RMG sector, including General Secretary of Bangladesh Trade Union Kendra Dr. Wajedul Islam Khan and President of IndustriALL Bangladesh Council (IBC) Mir Abul Kalam Azad attended the Iftar Mahfil.


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The world’s biggest vaping device provider, VAPORESSO‘s parent company, SHENZHEN SMOORE TECHNOLOGY LTD (SMOORE), has become the first in the vaping industry to announce an IPO in Hong Kong, with a total market value of over 21.8 billion USD – triple the estimated value before IPO.
A milestone event in vaping history.
On December 19, 2019, SMOORE submitted the listing application materials to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in the name of the holding company SMOORE International Holdings Limited. At 9:30 am on July 10, 2020, SMOORE International (6969.HK) was officially listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.
Who’s SMOORE? And how it achieved those significant achievements so far?
As the world’s largest provider of vaping equipment, SMOORE constantly aims to improve the status quo and is committed to bringing a unified and complete standard to the entire vaping industry. The listing in Hong Kong has provided SMOORE with a strong supporting role in setting the industry benchmark. Hiring more employees in the R&D field than employees in the sales team, it’s obvious the significance SMOORE puts on the innovation part. With 14 years’ experience in the field of OEM/ODM, it’s no wonder that, according to Frost & Sullivan, based on 2019 revenue calculations, SMOORE accounts for 16.5% of the total market share. Synonymizing with high quality, SMOORE has obtained its professionality in heating element technologies, which has been passed down to its sub-brands’ products, giving them the same innovative and safe qualities.
Being a vaper, you definitely know VAPORESSO, which is an owned vape brand of SMOORE since 2015.
As one of the sub-brands, Vaporesso has inherited SMOORE’s spirit and incorporated it into its own mission to be Beyond the Ordinary. With cutting-edge ingenuity, VAPORESSO is dedicated to satisfying its customers with the high-quality vaping experience. VAPORESSO’s products – such as VECO, ZERO, LUXE and the GEN family – cover the full range of open-system vapes and fulfil the various needs from the vapers.
So far, along with SMOORE, VAPORESSO’s business has spread to more than 60 countries and regions around the world and has established a substantial brand influence in Europe, America, and emerging markets.
But VAPORESSO’s efforts far exceed that. By working closely together with partners, with its consistent innovation and craftsmanship, VAPORESSO will keep providing high-quality products and services for the existing 800 million happy users and counting, thereby providing a better future for the vaping industry.


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CONSUMERS feel upbeat about their own lives despite being pessimistic about the outlook for the economy, research showed today.
A consumer confidence survey for Leeds-based supermarket firm Asda showed that people rated their confidence in the economy at an average of just 28 out of 100.
They did not feel much more positive about the direction in which the country is heading, giving this an average rating of 33 out of 100.
Despite their pessimism about the state of the economy, people were more confident about the security of their job and their personal finances, with these scoring 65 and 51 out of 100 respectively.
Prof Nick Wilson, of Leeds University Business School, which carried out the poll, said: “The findings of the index reflect overall concerns about the economy and personal finance widely reported elsewhere.
“But that is balanced by a demonstrable resilience and positive outlook in other areas of family life.”


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Sen. Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., introduced legislation on August 4 that aims to strengthen the cybersecurity posture of small businesses by providing funding to Small Business Development Centers that will help businesses with security.
The Small Business Cybersecurity Act would establish a Federal program to provide direct grants to Small Business Development Centers to create or continue cybersecurity programs for small businesses. Small Business Development Centers can use the funds to provide cybersecurity training for small business employees and administer reviews of small businesses’ cybersecurity posture.
The centers were created by the U.S. Small Business Administration to provide informational tools to support business start-ups, and to help existing businesses expand.
“As small businesses continue to modernize and do more work online, the risk of cyberattacks becomes more serious,” said Sen. Hassan in a press release. “I encourage my colleagues to pass this bill so that Small Business Development Centers … across the country can keep working to protect small businesses from cyberattacks and help them thrive.”
“A cyberattack can seriously debilitate a small business’s operations, and it is essential that small businesses have the tools to fend off these risks,” said Liz Gray, state director of the New Hampshire Small Business Development Council.
If Sen. Hassan’s bill becomes law, the New Hampshire Small Business Development Center’s Cybersecurity Review program – which started in 2020 – will be bolstered with additional funding support, the senator’s office said.
The New Hampshire Small Business Development Center’s Cybersecurity Review program, with the support of funding authorized through the CARES Act, is helping New Hampshire small businesses strengthen cybersecurity. New funding from Sen. Hassan’s bill would ensure the program continues to help small businesses strengthen their cybersecurity posture.
“I am excited that Senator Hassan is now introducing this bill to help us continue our efforts. This program is essential to getting our state’s small businesses additional tools to be prepared for cyberattacks,” Gray said.


text: It’s been a tough month for Apple’s poor security team. It looked like they had a pretty tight lid on things ahead of WWDC last year, as the new iPad Pro productivity features and some other items came as a surprise. Today, not so much. They can’t seem to keep a lid on anything, software or hardware, at this point. In fact, it looks like they just gave away some of the last bits and pieces of info themselves.


text: MAW Enterprises, the authorised distributor of Yamaha motorcycles and scooters in Nepal has introduced its consumer scheme for the Nepali New Year. Through the scheme titled ‘Wish Count’, customers can win Rs 8,000 to 50,000 cash prizes instantly on every purchase of Yamaha two-wheeler. Apart from this, purchasers can win Rs 100,000 bumper prize every week in a lucky draw. The lucky draw will be broadcasted live on television and on the Facebook page of Yamaha Nepal. MAW Enterprises has also announced easy on-spot financing scheme of up to 80 percent. The New Year Scheme is applicable to all models of Yamaha two-wheelers.


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DENVER — A new campaign hopes to assist Colorado's small businesses in advance of the holiday shopping season.
Gov. Jared Polis (D-Colorado) and the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) announced the new #ShopLocalColorado campaign Monday.
“Colorado’s small businesses, entrepreneurs and restaurants are an economic engine for so many communities across Colorado and while the pandemic has created unique challenges, we are resilient and will build back stronger,” said Polis. “I encourage every Coloradan to shop local this holiday season and purchase superior grown in Colorado and made in Colorado products so we can support our small businesses that create local jobs, strengthen our communities, and fuel our economic momentum.”
> Above video: Small businesses brace for new struggles during Colorado's latest COVID wave
The campaign encourages everyone in Colorado to participate by posting on social media using the hashtag #ShopLocalColorado.
Colorado's small businesses can also print out flyers to put up around neighborhoods and shops as well as on their social media sites.
There are more than 611,000 small businesses in Colorado, representing more than 99% of Colorado businesses, according to the Colorado governor's office. Small businesses in Colorado employ more than 1.1 million people, or nearly 50% of the Colorado workforce.
“As a former small business owner, I know how important local participation is to business success and sustainability," said OEDIT Executive Director Betsy Markey. "That’s doubly true today as small business owners retool and reimagine their business models to safely serve customers. When we shop local this holiday season, we receive the best of Colorado goods and services while giving the vital support that sustains local jobs and businesses. By shopping local, our spending helps our neighbors and our economy."
Seventy percent of money spent at local businesses stays in the local economy, whereas only 40% remains when shopping non-locally, according to the Small Business Administration (SBA). Local tax revenues are used to support schools, police, fire stations, roads and more.
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Adelaide-based commercial law firm Kelly & Co., in conjunction with the Crown Solicitor’s Office, has advised the South Australian Government on the $427 million sale of the right to operate SA Lotteries’ brand and products.
The $427 million is the highest valuation multiple ever achieved for a lotteries transaction in Australia.
The sale was to Tatts Group who has been appointed exclusive master agent with the right to use SA Lotteries’ brands for a period of 40 years. The agreement was signed on 26 November 2012 and will complete on 10 December 2012.
The cross-disciplinary Kelly & Co. team was led by Partner Jamie Restas with support from Lisa Jarrett and Kate McKeough (Corporate), Peter Campbell (Competition) and Luke Dale (IP).
Kelly & Co’s Chairman of Partners, Jamie Restas said: “We were extremely pleased to have the opportunity to once again work with the Crown Solicitor’s Office and the South Australian Government on this transaction.”
The Crown Solicitor’s Office team was led by Assistant Crown Solicitor Chris Gray
and Samuel Nelson.


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Willie Revillame’s "Willing Willie" and TV5’s rise featured in The Wall Street Journal
The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) has reported that Willie Revillame’s variety show Willing Willie is "shaking up (the) Philippine TV market."
In an article by James Hookway, the WSJ said that after Revillame transferred from ABS-CBN to TV5 last year, he inspired "other entertainers to jump ship... boosting the fortunes of his new network." According to the WSJ, TV5 "grabbed 29 percent of the weekend prime-time audience in the Manila area (in the fourth quarter) to become No. 2, overtaking ABS-CBN, which had 23 percent." Still at the top, GMA network said it "welcomes the entry of TV5." "The ratings competition is turning into a three-way battle sooner than we previously thought," the WSJ quoted Deutsche Bank analyst Carissa Mangubat.
Citing Nielsen Co., the WSJ reported that the Philippine TV ad market had almost $4 billion in spending last year. "The Philippine TV ad market is bigger than India’s and on par with Indonesia’s...While newspapers take up the bulk of advertising in India, TV eats up about 75 percent of ad spending in the Philippines and draws buyers from around the world."
For more on this story, log on to The Wall Street Journal.


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The Securus eZoom tracking and safetly locator's hardware is quite good, but expensive operation costs and buggy software tarnishes its recommendation.
After allegedly being raped by her Uber driver in Delhi, an Indian woman sues the US-based ride-hailing service on its home turf. She's asking Uber to "overhaul" its safety measures around the world.
The carmaker shows off a concept augmented reality system based on a pair of high-tech glasses that give you information about the real world plus navigation and safety views.
The ride-hailing service will help the India-based safety-tracking app collect more information about various areas in New Delhi.
Brian Cooley offers up the latest safety tech checklist for buying a new car.
After a series of allegations of Uber drivers committing rape and other crimes against passengers, the ride-hailing company expands on its safety measures.
Brian Cooley takes a look at the little-known bible that rules all cars in the US.
Drones are pretty difficult to control, something one tech blogger learned the hard way. On a "Fox & Friends" segment, Dave Mosher of Popular Science almost nailed the cameraman.
The panic button comes a couple of months after a woman was allegedly raped in India while using the car-hailing service.
After a slew of alleged assaults by drivers for taxi companies and ride-hailing services, firms like AsterRide and Shuddle are looking to increase passenger safety.


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Summer sales – Summer sales start tomorrow, Wednesday 26th June and will last until August 6th. According to a recent survey 81% of shoppers will spend an average of 200 euros during the sales, a budget which has been increasing over the last three years. In recent years, apart from the winter and summer sales, other promotions have emerged, such as Black Friday.
La plage des Ondes in Cap d’Antibes has been closed to swimmers due to pollution. Read More


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The experiential nature of Millennials presents a growing opportunity for businesses according to Eventbrite, and companies having experiential components are in the best position to reach these consumers.
Millennials’ spending shows a greater emphasis on collecting experiences rather than tangible goods with 78 percent saying they would choose to spend money on an experience or event over an object. And 77 percent say some of the best memories of their life have been made at live events; 69 percent say attending events makes them feel more connected to other people. Additionally:
- 69 percent feel time spent out with friends and family is more valuable than nights at home
- 79 percent feel going to live events with family and friends helps deepen their relationships
- 30 percent say they met someone at a live event that became a good friend
The documentation and sharing of the experience is also important to Millennials with 60 percent saying they posted in the past year about their event attendance and experiences.


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U.S. net MSNBC has commissioned Pot Barons of Colorado, a six-part documentary on the explosive commercial retail development of selling recreational marijuana.
The 6 x 60-minute series, produced by MSNBC’s Longform Unit, Triple Threat TV and 44 Blue Productions, focuses on a handful of marijuana dispensary owners and entrepreneurs who hit the ground running when Colorado legalized marijuana, which paved the way for them opening their dispensaries on January 1, 2014.
MSNBC senior executive producer Scott Hooker tells realscreen that he’d been considering doing something on the subject since 2013.
“I’d been thinking about it for awhile, how voters in Colorado had passed recreational marijuana, that it would be this rather chaotic new world come January 1,” Hooker said. “So we hatched the idea back in mid-winter and I’m really pleased we went into the field. We’ve been shooting for a year and these shows are coming out in an interesting way.”
Triple Threat’s Gary Cohen – the exec producer, writer and narrator of Pot Barons of Colorado - said it was important for his team, which had four or five cameras shooting daily, to try and get out in front of the story.
“From the beginning, the thing that Scott and I totally understood is, the story is hot, it’s going to continue to grow, but we want to be the first to market and we want to be there because history is being made and we want the cameras to see it, while it’s an unprecedented situation,” Cohen told realscreen.
Cohen said one of the dilemmas of the business is that although recreational marijuana use is now legal in Colorado, the federal government still views it as illegal, and the Fed-controlled banks “can’t do business with marijuana companies because they’re exposing themselves to fines for money laundering, so all of these companies that average $10 million to $15 million worth of business a year, deal primarily in cash.”
He says the ensemble of entrepreneurs the team has assembled to “take you inside the world – and it’s an unprecedented world” offer a fascinating look at a budding industry that is expanding at an accelerating pace.
“Literally, a year ago, there was no such thing as legal marijuana sales in the United States on a recreational basis,’ Cohen tells realscreen. “Today, Denver is the marijuana capital of the world.
“There are more marijuana dispensaries in Denver then there are Starbucks, than there are liquor stores, public schools, pharmacies. It’s kind of crazy, the stories, and we’ve been there. We’ve watched this happen where new stores would open every day, and it’s thrilling.”
With Oregon, Alaska and Washington DC also having legalized recreational pot use on November 4, Cohen expects both the recreational and edible marijuana industries to generate plenty of stories out of the gate.
Pot Barons of Colorado premieres during U.S. Thanksgiving weekend on November 30 at 10 p.m. EST, and will run for six consecutive Sunday nights. MNSBC will also show a sneak peek on Friday, November 28 at midnight.
MSNBC’s Michael Rubin serves as VP, Vicki Sufian is senior producer, and Carrie Wysocki is production director. For Triple Threat, Niki Usbay McDonald serves as director, while Matt McDonald fills the role of senior producer. Rasha Drachkovitch is co-executive producer on behalf of 44 Blue Productions.


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Demand for luxury homes in Paradise Valley continues to gain momentum in its first quarter with a 200% increase in sales compared to this time last year, according to the Paradise Valley Luxury Market Update for May 2021 from Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty.
A total of 81 sales took place in April 2021, compared to 27 sales in April 2020.
In addition, an 8% increase in sales was recorded month-over-month, with 75 total sales.
According to the report, inventory levels and day on market have both experienced a decrease compared to last month. The number of active listings in April 2021 was 140, a 7% decrease from the previous month, and a 52% decrease from this time last year.
In addition, the number of days on market for listings throughout Paradise Valley sits at 83 days for April 2021, compared to 176 days in April 2020, a 52% decrease compared to last year.
According to Realtor.com, the current Median Sales Price for April 2021 is $2.75M, compared to $1.82 in April 2020. A 35% increase compared to this time last year.
With more buyer demand than available listings, most homes are selling for 100% of their asking prices proving a strong Seller’s Market throughout the Paradise Valley, reports Realtor.com.
This market report has been provided by


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Google has been among the biggest names when it comes to the world of internet technology. The company has been bringing forward numerous changes to their apps and services. However, the most frequent changes tend to come to Google Search, which is Google’s primary offering. Google is now working on bringing two big changes to their search - auto-playing videos and instant search.
Auto-Playing Videos in Google Search
Of late many social media platforms have been emphasizing on videos. Google too has joined the party now, as latest reports indicate Google is working on plans to introduce auto playing videos in search results. While some users prefer their videos to auto play, the general consensus is that this is quite annoying.
Reports from SEM Post indicate that Google is working on a plan to begin auto-playing videos, and that this update has already started out for some users, especially with popular queries such as Justice League trailer, Game of Thrones, etc. Thankfully, these videos auto-play with the sound off, for now. Once the entire clip is played, it does not loop.
What was rather interesting about this is that these videos were not from official sources. Basically, this means that Google might soon start taking advertiser money to auto-play their videos for a particular set of keywords. Google is yet to comment.
Instant Search Feature To Shut Down
Google introduced Instant Search - the intuitive search feature way back when PC searches were still going strong. The company had launched this with the intention of saving the users with millions of seconds as it would predict what the users are searching for. However, with mobile searches on the rise, this felt like it was backfiring.
Many users felt it wasn’t intuitive enough on mobile, and the search had to continuously update itself on the small screen of the phone, which caused even more problems. Keeping these factors in mind, Google has finally decided to put Instant Search to rest. While many might disagree, this was a really cool Google Search feature, at least for us.
A Google spokesperson has commented on this decision to end Instant Search by stating: We launched Google Instant back in 2010 with the goal to provide users with the information they need as quickly as possible, even as they typed their searches on desktop devices. Since then, many more of our searches happen on mobile, with very different input and interaction and screen constraints. With this in mind, we have decided to remove Google Instant, so we can focus on ways to make Search even faster and more fluid on all devices.
What Do These Changes Indicate
The closure of Instant Search feature indicates that Google is going in the right direction keeping the needs of the mobile phone users above all. Google Search has always adapted itself on the basis of the convenience and ease of the users. The decision to end Instant Search might be a hard one as it is quite a polarizing feature, but Google has done it for the greater good keeping the mobile future in mind.
With autoplaying videos, the needs of advertisers have been given priority. Google, with these two decisions, has kept both, the users as well as advertisers happy. Stay tuned with us for more updates on Google Search.


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Hawaii has decided to turn its medical marijuana program into a cashless payment system in the hopes of avoiding the problems that other states and businesses have faced when dealing large sums of cash. The goal is that by October 1, all of Hawaii’s licensed dispensaries will no longer use cash, but instead ask their customers to pay with a debit payment app.
Governor David Ige said at a press conference on Tuesday, “Cannabis is illegal at the federal level, still a schedule one controlled substance. Because of this, all financial institutions in Hawaii have decided against providing banking services to the dispensaries. This solution allows the dispensaries to be able to write checks, to do all of the normal financial transactions that most businesses would do.” Hawaii legalized medical marijuana in 2000, but only recently implemented its program.
Banking has been tremendously difficult for cannabis companies. The major banks refuse to work with these businesses because marijuana is still federally illegal. The major credit card companies have also turned their backs on customers wanting to use their bank cards to engage in such transactions. This has caused inconvenience for the customers who are forced to pay with cash and the dispensaries that end up with stacks of cash that needs to be processed.
“The arrival of banking and payment services for the cannabis industry in Hawaii will enable dispensaries to reduce or eliminate cash sales, which will help keep these businesses much more secure,” said Kerry Komatsubara, Executive Director of the Hawaiian Educational Association for Therapeutic Healthcare. “The cash-only precedent in this industry is less than ideal for customers, employees, and the general community, so having alternative options available really does change how we do business for the better.”
The debit app called CanPay steps in to provide an alternative to cash-only transactions. It is partnered with Safe Harbor Private Banking, a Denver-based division of partner Colorado Credit Union, which is a leading compliant banking program that specializes in working with cannabis companies.
“Removing cash from the equation leads to a more transparent and legitimate way to do business that’s both convenient and secure for all involved,” said Dustin Eide, CEO of CanPay. “Through the lengthy collaboration between ourselves, Safe Harbor, and the tremendous individuals in Hawaii’s legal cannabis market, these dispensaries are now able to operate as closely as possible to businesses in any other industry.”
While the cash has been a problem for some customers and businesses, there are many who prefer to keep these transactions in cash. Concerns over government intrusion and general privacy have kept these consumers wary of a system that can track all cannabis purchases. Dispensaries will still be able to accept cash transactions, although they will encourage customers to use the cashless system. Patients that don’t have a smart phone to use the CanPay system can set up an account with their email and log into a computer at the dispensary to complete a transaction.


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If you’re stumped, the folks at the Open Source Ecology project say you only need about 50 machines such as a wind turbine, cement mixer and sawmill to get things going. And they should know since they are currently building and creating open source industrial machines and sharing the designs online without cost.
The project, started by physicist Dr. Marcin Jakubowski, is on a mission to create the next economy. This economy will optimize production and distribution and instead of destroying the environment to produce, the new economy stresses environmental regeneration and social justice.
To aid in the development of this new world order, OSE is employing 3D-printing technology to build its set of essential machines, collectively referred to as the Global Village Construction Set. Jakubowski’s Open Source Ecology Project has several 3D printers in its arsenal— two LulzBot TAZ printers and an AO-101. OSE uses the printers for rapid prototyping or quickly creating mechanical components from a computer-based drawing.
Rapid prototyping is an important part of the OSE mission because the big idea behind the project is to build industrial machines at a fraction of current costs.“Rapid prototyping allows you to build at a very low cost because you’re doing it once instead of 10 times,” said Jakubowski.
Rapid prototyping is also a tremendous time-saver for the OSE crew. “The efficiency is that is we can prototype something before we build it in metal, we’re saving ourselves wasted time and parts,” said Jakubowski.
For example, Jakubowski said it used to take three days to build a backhoe without rapid prototyping, but with a 3D printer, it only takes one day to build one. The project aims to be able to build each GVCS machine in a day. OSE has built about 12 of the 50 machines it plans to create. In 2007, the project created a Compressed Earth Brick Press. By 2013, the organization was able to build and use a host of machines to build an actual house.
Learn more about the Open Source Ecology project and its Global Village Construction Set here. Could 3D printing usher in a new economy, one which puts extra weight on environmental preservation, as well as self sufficiency? Let us know your opinion on OSE project in the Open Source Ecology forum thread on 3DPB.com. Check out the video below about Open Source Ecology’s Microhouse 3.0 construction.[Source: LulzBot]
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An Indonesian sports apparel company has issued an apology after printing a horribly sexist message on a label inside its garments.
Salvo Sports Apparel is trying to salvage its reputation after a photo of the label started circulating on social media. The label reads: “Washing Instructions: Give this your woman. IT’S HER JOB.”
While feminists around the world celebrated International Women’s Day on Sunday, the people at Salvo Sports tried to come up with an explanation for the label. Apparently, the “joke” was intended as a compliment to women:
3. Pesan sederhananya "drpd repot2 dan salah nyucinya, lebih baik serahkan ke wanita aja, karena mereka memang lebih paham masalah itu"— Salvo Sportswear (@salvosportswear) March 8, 2015
Translation: “The message is simply, instead of washing it in the wrong way, you might as well give it to a lady because they are more capable.”
Unsurprisingly, the message did little to silence Salvo’s critics, who were still enraged by the company’s sexist tone. So the company was forced to take actual action on Monday, issuing a legitimate apology and vowing to remove the labels.
1. Kami memastikan bahwa kami akan mengganti redaksional pada washing label kami yang diberitakan menyinggung isu gender.— Salvo Sportswear (@salvosportswear) March 9, 2015
Translation: “We will replace the washing label which alluded to gender issues.”
Indonesian website M Sports spoke to Salvo director Ridho Hezbollah on Monday. Bear in mind that this is a translation.
“We will replace the text. We are currently drafting writings as his successor. We do not want the controversy surrounding the writing happened in the last few days to re-emerge, “said Ridho.
“As a civilized nation, there was no intention at all patronizing a particular gender. Moreover arouse controversy. The article was pure gimmick in jersey and is easy to care for its main jersey.”
Well, guess that settles that. Let this be a lesson to you, clothing brands: In the future, don’t let Ricky Ricardo write your washing instruction labels.


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Target has shiny red carts and Amazon lets you holiday shop in your pajamas, but to find unique, handcrafted gifts from local artisans, craft fairs and markets are your best bet.
And in the coming weeks, you’re in luck. Craft fairs around the area range from a Holiday Bazaar at University Park that sells unusual items from around the world, to the annual juried Winter Craft Market and options for kids to browse inexpensive gifts, such as the Elves’ Gift Shop at Park Forest Middle School.
In Lemont, it’s a “Weihnachtsmarkt,” also known as the 8th annual German Christmas Market held in the grain elevator and coal sheds at the historic Granary. Ron Smith, a Christmas in Lemont committee member, said the event was started by Chris and Penny Eifrig.
“Chris was born and raised in Berlin, where they had outdoor Christmas markets,” Smith said. “When they came to live most of the time here, they thought the coal sheds were perfect for a market.”
This year, the Dec. 2-3 event features 20 vendors selling local products. There’s also music, bratwust and hotdogs, treats and beverages. Smith said the event started out small, but he credits the location itself for growing popularity of the event.
“A lot of people like coming just to see the elevator and coal sheds,” Smith said. “It’s a different view than most people have at any of these markets.”
The Winter Craft Market at Mount Nittany Middle School celebrates its 41st event on Dec. 3. The juried show features all handmade items from more than 70 artisans who work in jewelry, ceramics, fiber, wood, mixed-media, metal, glass and more.
“A large percentage of the craftsmen showing at the Winter Craft Market are also participants in The People’s Choice Festival or The Central Pa. Festival of the Arts,” said Heidi Urbanski, a member of the Winter Craft Market committee. “Our show allows you to see these same artisans in an indoor, relaxed environment.”
Last year, more than 2,000 people attended the show, which helps support a local nonprofit every year. The market will be held for one-day-only this year, with extended shopping hours.
“Our show has become the unofficial kick off to the holiday shopping season in Happy Valley,” Urbanski said.
The Holiday Craft Fair at Ferguson Township Elementary takes place a little later in the season — Dec. 10 — and with kid’s crafts and a free wrapping station, chairwoman Brandi Wagner said the annual event is aimed at family-friendly fun. Vendors at the fair have two requirements: all wares must be handmade, and there must be at least one item on their table that costs less than $5.
“That way, kids can purchase gifts for their friends, families or teachers,” Wagner said.
Vendors interested in taking part in the Holiday Craft Fair can email Wagner at email@example.com.
Craft fairs and markets
Fall Craft and Gift Fair, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Bald Eagle High School, 751 S. Eagle Valley Road, Wingate.
Holiday Bazaar, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 2, Matson Museum of Anthropology, 409 Carpenter Building, University Park. anth.la.psu.edu.
Christmas Bazaar, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Dec. 2 and 9 a.m.-noon Dec. 3, Park Forest Village United Methodist Church, 1833 Park Forest Ave., State College. 238-2657.
Stocking Stuffer Antique, Art and Fine Craft Sale, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 2 and noon-4 p.m. Dec. 4, Centre Furnace Mansion, 1001 E. College Ave., State College.
Lemont Christmas Market, 5-8 p.m. Dec. 2 and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 3, the Granary, 133 Mount Nittany Road, Lemont. www.lemontvillage.org.
Juried Winter Craft Market, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Dec. 3, Mount Nittany Middle School, 656 Brandywine Drive, State College. www.wintercraftmarket.com.
Elves’ Gift Shop, 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Dec. 3, Park Forest Middle School, 2180 School Drive, State College.
Handmade Holiday Market, 5-9 p.m. Dec. 9 and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 10, Bremen Town Ballroom, 105 E. Main St., Millheim.
Holiday Craft Fair, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Dec. 10, Ferguson Township Elementary School, 215 W. Pine Grove Road, Pine Grove Mills. firstname.lastname@example.org.


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24 hour wristbands couponRestaurants snap up fake donkey meatAustin Texas City Of Music Festivals Go through your jewelry boxes, or your dresser, or your junk drawer, wherever you threw that broken gold chain, find it and get some cash. Gold is trading at historically high prices, as is silver and platinum, so now is the time to cash in on that old broken outdated jewelry you no longer wear. According to a federal court lawsuit this Tuesday, Taylor Swift was sued after a concert back in August 2012 at the Capital Hoedown festival wristbands. After the festival show was canceled, the "Never Ever Getting Back Together" singer reportedly kept her major paycheck of $2.5M. The lawsuit adds that the blonde starlet failed to reschedule her concert appearance as well, leading Taylor Swift to breach her contract in that regard as well. Trade indexes not individual stocks - Indexes generally have much lower volatility than individual stocks and for this reason, I rarely use this strategy on individual stocks. Using FFIV as a recent example, on one particular day, there was a negative news report and the stock dropped about 20%. While possible, it is incredibly rare that you would see an index fall by this much in a single day, but it occurs more regularly with individual stocks especially tech or small caps stocks. The bid-ask spread is also lower for indexes meaning you are not suffering event wristbands a liquidity premium. I mean when given a choice to BS the public and defame a Conservative, the press seems to choose the run down the Republican option, almost without fail. So when there is no Republican to blame, will these paragons of virtue, the American Press Corps, do their jobs as the Fourth Estate, or will they practice their part-time avocation - prop up a Lefty, regardless of fact, truth or common sense? During this phase, you should decide on the number of participants that you will be comfortable hosting. Are you visualizing a small sport wristbands group of less than people? Or do you see yourself talking to a larger group perhaps in the hundreds? The Goods: Live-Sell Hard: Rated R for sexual content, nudity, pervasive language and some drug material. A group of conmen led by Don Ready descend on a town to sell, drink, sell some more and hang out in strip clubs until Ready falls in love. Stars Jeremy Piven and Ving Rhames. Virtual Memory uses space on your hard disk to improve performance, but it must be properly configured. Right-click My Computer, select Properties and then select Advanced tab. Under Performance, click Settings, then select Advanced tab again. At the bottom under Virtual Memory, click Settings. Finally, in the window that appears, make sure that System managed size is selected. If you have any problems with what I just told you then you can go on line to a cell phone web site or go down to your local cell phone store and they will be able to tell you more about the phone that you want.
City starts inspection as workshops accused of using mule, horse flesh
A citywide inspection has been launched in Hejian, the "home of the donkey burger" in Hebei province, after the discovery of hundreds of workshops making and selling fake donkey meat.
The city government announced the crackdown after an investigation by Beijing News found that many family businesses and companies have been using cheap cuts from mules, horses and pigs to make illegal products.
Restaurants and other businesses nationwide have been snapping up the fake meat at a cost of about 40 yuan ($6) a kilogram, less than half the price of real donkey meat, the paper reported.
Located about 200 kilometers south of Beijing, Hejian is famous for lyurou huoshao, a traditional snack of ground donkey meat in a baked wheat bun. The city is also a major source of donkey meat, particularly in northern China.
"Yet much of the donkey meat is not real. In fact, it"s made from the meat of mules, horses and even pigs, which is cooked together with food additives to make the meat smell like donkey," according to the Beijing News report.
Out of Hejian"s more than 300 family workshops, only a few have business licenses, and even some of them are producing fake donkey meat to ship to Beijing as well as Hebei, Henan, Shandong and Anhui provinces, the paper said.
The owner of one workshop, identified only as Zhao, was quoted as saying that about 20 metric tons of donkey meat are transported by three trucks each day from Hejian to Beijing, where the meat is then distributed to various restaurants.
Zhao said only 30 percent of the meat was real. "Ordinary consumers can"t tell the difference because it tastes just like the real thing," he added.
According to employees at other workshops, the mule and horse meat they use is imported frozen, while the pork is bought from Jiangxi and Shandong provinces.
On average, the cost of 1 kg of this meat is about 20 yuan. However, after being processed into fake donkey meat, it can be sold for at least 40 yuan, bring in a healthy profit, the paper reported.
The price for real donkey meat ranges from 96 yuan to 150 yuan per kilogram due to the time and complexity in raising donkeys.
Authorities in Hejian held an emergency conference on Monday to deal with the matter and launched a campaign to inspect every meat-processing workshop and company.
"Businesses operating without a license will be shut down immediately, and the people in charge will be punished according to the law," the city government said in a statement.
Officials who are found to have failed in their supervision duties will also face penalties, it added.wristbands com flash drive wristband hospital wristband wristband maker bracelet maker online


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Alibaba’s Latest Open Sesame: Live Crabs in Vending Machines
Alibaba just can’t sate its appetite for automated retailing.
First the e-commerce giant wowed consumers with its high-concept unmanned convenience stores, and then it was automated gas stations. Now the company has mouths watering at an office building in Shanghai, where it has set up a vending machine dispensing live, freshwater hairy crabs — one of the city’s most famous delicacies.
Alibaba was set to roll out the machine around the just-ended Oct. 1 National Day holiday in partnership with Yiguo, one of its main partners in selling fresh produce, according to local media reports. Yiguo’s own website features a variety of fresh seafood, including oysters and other shellfish.
The hairy crabs go for 15 yuan ($2.25) each in the machine, about half the price similar crabs are normally sold for in traditional markets. Photo: Visual China
The cost is relatively modest 15 yuan ($2.25) for a crab weighing about a quarter of a pound, or an eighth of a kilogram, according to a report on TechWeb.com.cn. Similar crabs sold in traditional markets go for about twice that amount. Another report on the website online.sh.cn showed a machine with the Tmall logo filled with rows of the green crabs, each tucked neatly into a transparent plastic bubble.
Alibaba’s Tmall, one of its main online shopping platforms, previously experimented with another concept machine using hairy crabs as reward. That endeavor saw hairy crabs substituted for plush toys in a fresh-food version of the popular game where a player positions a claw-like device above a pile of prizes, which is then dropped onto the pile in an effort to grab one of those prizes.
Hairy crabs, known for the thick mat of hair on their foreclaws, are one of Shanghai’s best-known delicacies, and are farmed in bodies of fresh water throughout the Yangtze River Delta for consumption during the autumn months.
Alibaba has been aggressively pursuing similar automation concepts, as it attempts to create a blend of online and high-tech traditional retailing that it believes will be the wave of the future. Earlier this year it rolled out an unmanned convenience store concept filled with high-tech bells and whistles. More recently, media reported the company is also planning to roll out a completely unmanned gas station concept in its hometown of Hangzhou by the end of this month.
Contact reporter Yang Ge (email@example.com)
Jul 16 17:58
Jul 16 17:19
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Target Field debuts new concessions, lower prices for Twins season
When the Twins host the Houston Astros Friday for their home opener at Target Field, the stadium's concession options will feature even more local restaurants and bars.
What's happening: The stadium released its list of new foods and beverages available this season on Monday, including outposts of local eateries and more products from Minnesota-made brands.
Here's what to expect:
😋 More from Twin Cities favorites: Official Fried Chicken and the popular Union Hmong Kitchen will debut their first stadium stands. The latter will serve Hmong sausage and noodle bowls with meat from local deli Kramarczuk's.
- Soul Bowl, T-Rex Cookie and Jonny Pops will also expand their offerings, including a wider variety of desserts.
🍸 Minnesota-themed cocktails: O'Shaughnessy Distilling Co. will mix up drinks like "Whiskey Sota" and "Hot Honey Crisp," a rye-based cocktail with hot honey and apple syrups, topped with soda.
💸Budget-friendly options: There are now three "Family Value" concession stands throughout the concourses, which serve classic ballpark foods like hot dogs, popcorn, nachos, pretzels and sodas for under $5.
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And possibly a new drivetrain.
Lexus has been very busy with its US lineup. Recent developments include the tweaking of the 2021 ES hybrid to be more efficient, as well as the addition of a stunning new color on the 2021 LC 500. These are all cool moves, but what exactly has Lexus got planned for the near future? We might have the answer. According to Lexus Enthusiast, the Japanese carmaker has recently registered the RZ 450e in the USA, Europe, and Australia which means that we could soon be seeing a new model and powertrain make its way to the USA. The main thing is to figure out what exactly the RZ 450e could be.
If we know anything about Lexus, and its customer base, we can bet that the new model will be some sort of crossover hybrid. What we can definitely make out from the letter "e" in the name is that this new vehicle will be of the electric persuasion. This falls in line with Toyota's vision of producing six electric vehicles by 2025. The Lexus UX 300e was the first to launch in China earlier this year. At this pace Lexus and Toyota should have no problem meeting that deadline.
The name RZ 450e gives a few more clues: the letter Z is yet to be used in the Lexus family, which means we can be guaranteed a new model. The letter R opens up even more possibilities. The only two cars which make use of the letter is of course the Lexus RC, a stunningly beautiful coupe, and the RX, a classy SUV. This leads us to believe that Lexus is planning to build a luxury coupe crossover, a combination that is becoming more popular with luxury manufacturers by the day. The car could possibly resemble renderings of a similar Toyota design we recently covered. Either way, we're excited for some new Lexus action.


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In a shocking development, smart lock manufacturer August has been caught promptly patching security holes discovered in its product.
At this year's DEF CON, security researcher Anthony Rose gave a presentation where he outlined how a whole range of "smart locks" were hackable.
But what was surprising was that just 10 days later, August had put out patches that fix the holes. Even Rose was surprised, tweeting: "August just patched their web services to stop guest from being able to insert backdoor keys in homekit locks! Kudos to their engineers."
Kudos indeed. Now if we could just get the other 11 manufacturers named by Mr. Rose to act likewise, we'll really get somewhere.


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It is no secret that Maruti Suzuki the country’s largest selling car manufacturer has been busy readying a facelift of the Ciaz sedan. We have already seen many spy images of the upcoming model. While the latest spy images of a completely undisguised of 2018 Maruti Ciaz Facelift suggest that the launch is near.
Recent spy images by AutoX, show the ready models of 2018 Maruti Ciaz facelift at one of the showroom backyards. The sedan was spotted in blue and white colours. The photos indicate a new set of headlamps over a more aggressive front grille. Also, the bumper also looks like it has been reworked. However, there would not be any major changes on the rear part. While the sedan will receive some cosmetic updates, it is going to get an updated feature list. The list might include LED DRls, Electric Sunroof and an updated infotainment system. Another highlight of the facelift is the new rumoured 1.5 Litre Petrol engine replaced the current 1.4 Litre one. The car is expected to launch between July and Festive season. Ciaz facelift is expected to start from Rs 7.83 Lakhs to Rs 11.62 Lakhs (ex-showroom).
The Maruti Ciaz has been on sale with two engine options – 1.4-litre Petrol and 1.3-litre Diesel. The petrol engine outputs a maximum power of 92.45 PS along with a peak torque of 130 Nm. It comes mated to a five-speed manual transmission as standard. A four-speed automatic is also available. The Diesel engine outputs a maximum power of 90 PS along with a peak torque of 200 Nm. However, this facelift is going to come with a new 1.5 Litre K15B petrol engine. It will replace the current iteration’s 1.4-litre engine. The K15B is capable of producing 104 BHP of power along with 138 Nm of peak torque. It gets a 5-speed manual transmission along with the option of an automatic gearbox as well.
The updated Maruti Ciaz sedan is very likely to launch between July and Festive season 2018. While the company is yet to divulge details on any such plan, we are hoping that the manufacturer will put the updated Ciaz on a display at the fast-approaching Auto Expo 2018. The Ciaz will continue to be on sale at the NEXA premium dealerships even after the advent of the facelift.
Prices are likely to remain more or less the same. It is expected to start from Rs 7.83 Lakhs to Rs 11.62 Lakhs (ex-showroom). That said, the fully-loaded variants of the new Maruti Ciaz 2018 facelift could cost slightly more due to the addition of new features. There won’t be any change in the variants nomenclature. Currently, there are five trims on offer – Sigma, Zeta, Delta, Alpha and S. The ‘S’ trim is nothing but the ‘RS’ trim. It looks like Maruti Suzuki wants to reserve the ‘RS’ moniker for high-performance variants like the Baleno RS.
The India-spec New Maruti Ciaz 2018 facelift will get the same engines as the current car. This means that the K14 1.4-litre Petrol and the Fiat-sourced 1.3-litre DDIS turbocharged Diesel engines will continue to impress us with their smooth performance and a high mileage. Rumours abound that India might also get a new 1.6-litre petrol engine that powers the China-spec model. This new engine will enable the Ciaz to fend off the heat from the powerful new Hyundai Verna. This Petrol engine outputs a max. power of 121 BHP and a peak torque of 158 Nm. Also, the facelift might even get the new 1.5-litre Diesel engine instead of the 1.3-litre Multijet engine. The sedan will get a 5-speed manual transmission and a 6-speed Auto Gear Shift. However, our guess is that these new engines will debut much after the launch of the upcoming facelift.
Following are the features that might come in the facelift Ciaz:
- Projector Headlamps
- LED Daytime Running Lights
- 16-inch Alloy Wheels
- Key-less Entry
- Engine Push Button Start/Stop
- Tilt-Telescopic Adjustable Steering Wheel
- Multi-Functional Steering Wheel
- Automatic Climate Control
- Parking Sensors With Camera
- Leather Upholstery
- Electric Sunroof
So, are you waiting for the launch of the new Maruti Ciaz 2018 facelift? Share your views with us by writing them down in the comments section below. Also, stay tuned to Carblogindia for the latest news updates on cars and motorcycles relevant to India.


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Blueberry Diapers Upgrades its Web Platform, Grows Online Sales
Blueberry Diapers started the process of introducing its brand and products to international consumers through partnerships with distributors. First came a deal with a distributor in the U.K., then one in Spain, then Portugal, and so on. Blueberry Diapers now has branded sites across 22 countries in North America, Europe, Asia and South America. All of those sites run on NetSuite's SuiteCommerce platform.
The typical challenges associated with selling your products online in a foreign land — language barriers, adhering to regulations, applying taxes, payment processing — have been overcome in large part to the SuiteCommerce platform, McClure says. "NetSuite has made it very easy for us to do business internationally."


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BlackBerry is getting closer to shipping a red, limited edition version of the Z10 to selected developers who have created applications for its new BlackBerry 10 OS.
BlackBerry's Z10 went on sale today at the unsubsidized price of $999 through wireless service provider Solavei and its retail partner GSM Nation
The newly rechristened BlackBerry delivered on its promise to breathe new life into an aging, iconic product line, but it still faces an uphill battle in a market dominated by Apple's iPhone and devices based on Google's Android operating system.
BlackBerry says launch sales of its new BlackBerry 10 handsets in Canada and the UK have beaten previous company records, but it isn't releasing actual sales figures.
The BlackBerry Q10 with a physical qwerty keyboard may not be available in the U.S. until May or June, suggested BlackBerry CEO Thorsten Heins in an interview with the Associated Press.
BlackBerry and Unity are working together on an add-on for BlackBerry 10 smartphones that should make it easier for developers to create games for the new OS.
Despite some caution about the fortunes of BlackBerry, Facebook and Apple, solid financial results from tech vendors coupled with positive reports about the economy are boosting confidence in IT, with share prices of computer, consumer electronics an...
BlackBerry has unveiled its completely new mobile operating system and launched two new smartphones but the revamped devices won't hit Australian shelves until sometime in March, it was revealed today.
Our initial glimpse at RIM's (er, make that BlackBerry's) attempt to claw its way back into the smartphone market
BlackBerry 10 launches today, but the firm's European MD adopted a bizarre strategy in promotional interviews this morning.
Research In Motion (RIM) has officially announced its first BlackBerry 10 smartphones, the Z10 and Q10, at a series of elaborate press events across the globe.
RIM has unveiled its highly graphical, touch-oriented Peek and Flow user experience in a bid to regain its lost relevance
Research In Motion is changing its name to BlackBerry, a move it hopes will signify a fresh start for the company.
With its future in the balance, the company until now known as Research In Motion launched its new BlackBerry 10 operating system, two new handsets and a new company name.
It's finally go time at Research In Motion. After delays that have tested the resolve of even its most enthusiastic customers, the Canadian company will finally launch its BlackBerry 10 OS on Wednesday and the stakes couldn't be higher.
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A better than expected third quarter has Cantor Fitzgerald Canada analyst Ralph Garcea feeling bullish about Pivot Technology Solutions (Pivot Technology Solutions Stock Quote, Chart, News: TSXV:PTG).
Yesterday, Pivot Technology reported its Q3, 2015 results. The company lost (U.S.) $2.6-million on revenue of $414.5-million, a topline that was up 15.2 per cent over 2014’s third quarter.
“While we experienced solid revenue growth from both major and non-major accounts, profitability suffered as a result of increased contribution from lower-margin product sales, lower service revenues, as well as competitive pressures in the storage segment compared to last year,” said CEO Warren Barnes. “In general, we experienced relatively healthy levels of business activity, with the exception of storage offerings which continue to see competitive pressure and commoditization influence, while we continued to grow our customer base. In that respect, we benefited from the delivery of a sizable data centre project for one of our new customers.”
Garcea notes that Pivot beat his expectations on the topline but its EBITDA was impacted by revenue mix. The analyst points out that the company’s revenue became more concentrated in the quarter, with its top ten customers accounting for 60 per cent of total revenue, versus 55 per cent in the third quarter of last year, and 50 per cent year-to-date. But he says the quarter leaves Pivot with plenty of flexibility.
“PTG declared a quarterly cash dividend of C$0.0075/share (C$0.03/yr), payable on December 15, 2015 (record date of December 2, 2015),” says Garcea. “CFOPS was $4.8M with cash at qtr end of $12.5M. Plenty of room to grow the dividend, possibly start a NCIB and start looking at M&A again – especially now that there are no more contingency payments and the credit facility has been restructured (interest payments lower by $1-1.5M/year) to provide more financial flexibility.”
In a research update to clients yesterday, Garcea maintained his “Buy” rating and one-year target price of $1.50 on Pivot Technology Solutions, implying a return of 189 per cent at the time of publication.


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Download: iOS 13.6 Final IPSW Links, OTA Update Released For iPhone And iPad
You can now download iOS 13.6 and iPadOS 13.6 final IPSW links and OTA update for your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch device. Here are the details on the release.
This time of the year is always a confusing one for a lot of people. On one hand, Apple has announced and released an initial preview of iOS 14 and iPadOS 14 which has introduced an increased level of excitement into the iPhone and iPad-owning communities.
On the other hand, that is nowhere near an official public release and we still have actual public firmware and updates to deal with on the iOS 13.x.x spectrum.
So, for now, put that iOS 14 excitement to one side and concentrate on the hear and now, which comes in the form of iOS 13.6 and iPadOS 13.6 releases. The earlier beta releases of iOS 13.6 showed signs of having a number of changes in that Apple could flip live at any time, including an Apple News+ Audio feature that will allow subscribers to access audio versions of some news stories as well as a daily briefing of the top stories, presumably in a similar fashion to what is accessible on Amazon’s Echo devices as a “flash briefing.” The firmware also includes evidence of a few keyboard shortcuts that could allow those with an attached keyboard to adjust the brightness levels of their keys.
If this is something that you want to get installed to your iPhone or iPad, then head over to Settings > General > Software Update and grab the latest OTA update from there. Alternatively, you can download the IPSW links directly from below and then update using Finder/iTunes on your PC or Mac if you prefer a clean and brand new installation.


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The chairman of Apple supplier Foxconn said on Saturday that he expects his company and its clients will face only “limited impact” from a chip shortage that has rattled the global automotive and semiconductor industries. “Since most of the customers we serve are large customers, they all have proper precautionary planning,” said Liu Young-way, chairman of the manufacturing conglomerate formally known as Hon Hai Precision Industry Co Ltd. “Therefore, the impact on these large customers is there, but limited,” he told reporters.
Liu said he expected the company to do well in the first half of 2021, “especially as the pandemic is easing and demand is still being sustained.”
The global spread of COVID-19 has increased demand for laptops, gaming consoles, and other electronics. This caused chip manufacturers to reallocate capacity away from the automotive sector, which was expecting a steep downturn.
Now, car manufacturers such as Volkswagen AG, General Motors Co and Ford Motor Co have cut output as chip capacity has shrunk.
Counterpoint Research says the shortage has extended to the smartphone sector, with application processors, display driver chips, and power management chips all facing a crunch.
However, the research firm predicts Apple will face a minimal impact, due to its large size and its suppliers’ tendency to prioritise it. Apple is Foxconn’s largest customer.
Foxconn is looking at other areas for growth, including in electric vehicles (EVs), and Liu said their EV development platform MIH now had 736 partner companies participating.
He expected it would have two or three models to show by the fourth quarter, though did not expect EVs to make an obvious contribution to company earnings until 2023.
Liu also said the company was still looking for semiconductor fab purchase opportunities in Southeast Asia after not winning a bid to take over a stake in Malaysia-based 8-inch foundry house Silterra.
Is HomePod mini the best smart speaker under Rs. 10,000? We discussed this on Orbital, our weekly technology podcast, which you can subscribe to via Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or RSS, download the episode, or just hit the play button below.


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At New York Fashion Week, famous faces have been everywhere.
And once again, the tried and tested sequence of events is rolling. First, FROW, then a nip backstage for kisses with the designers, followed by that night’s hottest party.
In the battle of the best front row, there have been serious contenders. At Moschino, where celeb-favourite Jeremy Scott showed his Baby Boomer collection, the likes of Megan Fox and Karen Elson took shelter under their umbrellas. Tory Burch attracted a huge crowd to the cobbled Mercer Street; Gemma Chan watched on sat next to Emily Ratajkowski, before the pair headed backstage to pose with the likes of Mindy Kaling and Lukita Maxwell post show.
The best model moments have included Kendall Jenner shimmering down Michael Kors’ runway in a sleek black, cut out sequin gown; Winnie Harlow in a show stopping white satin dress decked out with huge feathers and veil for Christian Cowan’s collection; and Paris Hilton swathed in a sparkling purple bodysuit at The Blonds. But the undisputed champion this season has been Gigi Hadid, who kicked off the week walking for Proenza Schouler, before storming the stage at Altuzarra, Brandon Maxwell, Moschino and Tom Ford.
Ella Emhoff, Kamala Harris’ step-daughter, made an appearance at Thom Browne’s show, alongside Masie Williams, the Game of Thrones star who has since proven her dedication to the fashion scene. And Kylie Jenner made an appearance in a full length, orange trench to attend a Revolve event, but is no doubt saving her best for the Met Gala tomorrow. But for that, we’ll have wait and see.
Scroll the gallery above for the best dressed celebrities at New York Fashion Week


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Entrepreneur Graham Weston seeks to create tech hub downtown
(Page 2 of 3)
“I think by working in a collaborative atmosphere it will help our companies to become more powerful and ultimately more successful,” Weston says.
Akimbo co-founder Tom Turner says the recent efforts to foster a startup community and revitalize downtown are bringing new energy to the Alamo City.
“It’s exciting to see where San Antonio is going,” Turner says. “We certainly think we have something to add and are thrilled to join the movement.”
Akimbo’s other co-founder and CEO, Houston Frost, says he hopes the move will bring the company closer to a greater number of businesses in banking and finance that would be interested in the technology their firm has to offer.
“We’re excited about the new business opportunities San Antonio can provide, as well as the innovative early-stage companies we’ll be co-working with at Geekdom,” Frost says.
Since it was founded in 2010, Akimbo has raised more than $1 million in seed money from angel investors in Austin and San Antonio.
Weston says he hopes to attract more companies like Akimbo from out of town as well as consolidate local companies that are already established and looking for a more collaborative work environment.
“The downtown area is on the rise,” Weston says. “Our economy is strong, and we have an educated population where companies can recruit new employees.
“This area will be very different 10 years from now, and we are looking for companies that want to be part of and to lead that change as it happens.”
An example of a local tech company that would fit in well to Weston’s vision is Denim Group, the application security company that currently offices in the Technology Center at 3463 Magic Drive in Northwest San Antonio.
Mike W. Thomas covers technology/telecom, military, finance, regulatory issues as well as nonprofits/education.
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Galaxy Entertainment Group Completes Topping Off Ceremony for Galaxy International Convention Center, Galaxy Arena and Andaz Macau!
Galaxy Entertainment Group (GEG) held a Topping Off Ceremony to celebrate the highly anticipated Galaxy International Convention Center (GICC), Galaxy Arena and Andaz Macau set to open in the first half of 2021.
The Topping Off Ceremony marks the start of a new chapter for Galaxy Entertainment Group as it significantly expands the Galaxy Integrated Resorts precinct. At the ceremony, guests of honor poured concrete to symbolize the successful progress of GICC as it nears completion. The arrival of the new GICC, Galaxy Arena and Andaz Macau in 2021, gives visitors yet another reason to either host or attend events in Macau.
Mr. Francis Lui, Vice Chairman of Galaxy Entertainment Group said, “GEG is pleased with the progress of GICC, Galaxy Arena and Andaz Macau as we strive to become Macau’s leading MICE and entertainment destination. We remain committed in our efforts to diversify Macau’s economy and assisting Macau in becoming a ‘World Center of Tourism and Leisure’.”
Guests of honor attending the ceremony included: Mr. Francis Lui, Vice Chairman of GEG; Mr. Gu Chun Ming, General Manager of Shanghai Construction Group (Macau) Limited; Mr. Kevin Kelley, Chief Operating Officer – Macau of GEG; Mr. Edmond Ting, Director, Project Development of GEG; Mr. Scott Kreeger, Director, Operations Development, New Resort of GEG; Mr. James Koratzopoulos, Executive Vice President, Hospitality, New Resort of GEG.


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May 4- Twenty-First Century Fox Inc, owner of cable channels including Fox News as well as the Twentieth Century Fox movie studio, reported a better-than-expected 5.7 percent rise in quarterly adjusted revenue as ad sales and affiliate fees rose. Total day and primetime ratings for Fox News topped all U.S. basic cable channels from January through March, the... » Read More
The Academy doubled the number of nominees for best picture to 10. No surprise "Avatar", "The Hurt Locker", "The Blind Side", "Precious", Inglorious Basterds and "Up in the Air" were on the list.
The science-fiction sensation "Avatar" and the war-on-terror thriller "The Hurt Locker" lead the Academy Awards with nine nominations each, including best picture and director for James Cameron and ex-wife Kathryn Bigelow.
Sony Pictures Entertainment is feeling the pinch of online piracy and the decline of DVD sales. The movie studio announced on Monday that it will lay off 450 employees, or 6.5 percent of its workforce, and also plans to close 100 open positions. It will start handing out pink slips in March.
While singers brought home plenty of awards from the Grammys last night, the biggest winner was CBS. The network scored its highest ratings in six years — preliminary Nielsen ratings show a 35 percent increase in viewers to 25.8 million viewers.
The Grammy Awards are shaping up to be a showdown between four powerful women -- Beyonce, Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, and Fergie from the Black Eyed Peas.
The Super Bowl isn't just about football; it's the biggest advertising event of the year with 100 million viewers tuning in. Ad prices are watched as a key indicator of the health of the ad market.
Hollywood had a huge year in 2009: the box office hit an unprecedented peak and ticket sales reached highs they haven't seen since 2004.
How appropriate that AT&T's earnings were released the morning after Apple's big introduction of the iPad. AT&T is riding high thanks to its exclusive deal with Apple's popular iPhone.
CNBC's parent, NBC Universal and cable giant Comcast are trying to convince the Federal Communications Commission to approve their planned merger -- today filing a merger application and public interest statement.
The nation's second largest cable company reported results that were better than last year and better than expected, also announcing a quarterly dividend.
The online DVD rental giant, Netflix, continued its strong run and shares rose after hours. Not only is Netflix growing subscribers — up 31 percent from a year ago — but also it's growing the number of people who watch streams online. When I interviewed CEO Reed Hastings at CES earlier this month, he stressed that Netflix's future is all about digital distribution.
The sheer cost of the health care plan seems to have scared the independent voters in Massachusetts. America has not fallen in love with Republicans. They have fallen out of love with lofty speeches, ambitious goals, and the "establishment" and will vote anybody out of office who gets in the way.
The news is out, Apple's iPad will compete with e-Readers, portable game devices, and it will create a whole new category of portable video players. The good news for content creators is the fact that it'll sell for $499.
Levinson has not had a big hit like "Rain Man" in quite awhile, but he will reportedly be taking on the topic of bigness in the new GlaxoSmithKline-funded documentary about obesity. GSK makes the over-the-counter diet drug Alli.
Last week on "30 Rock" Tina Fey's character decides to blame an imaginary character "Dale Snitterman" for everything, from gross food in the cafeteria to the pressing need to work until late at night.
Ahead of Steve Jobs big presentation tomorrow attention turns to Verizon — a company that many thought would be featured in the Apple event.
Steve Jobs revolutionized the music business, creating a new way for consumers to listen to music on the go, and buy songs.
Monday night "Avatar" is on track to surpass Titanic's $1.842 billion box office record from 1997 and 1998. Yes, "Avatar's" box office isn't adjusted for inflation. And yes, it's worth noting that 3-D tickets sell for an average of $3 more than typical 2-D movie tickets. Yet even with those advantages Avatar's success is huge. While "Titanic" was in theaters for a whopping 41 weeks before it hit that record-breaking box office, "Avatar" has only been in theaters for six weekends.
Stocks advanced Monday, rebounding off of their worst week since last March, as worries about Bernanke's confirmation subsided and investors scooped up bargains. Techs advanced ahead of earnings from Apple and Texas Instruments after the bell.
The world's largest ticketing giant, Ticketmaster, and concert promoter, Live Nation just tackled a huge barrier to their planned merger. The two companies have reached agreements with the Department of Justice so the new "Live Nation Entertainment" is just around the corner.
Strong demand in the scatter market helped CBS see double-digit ad revenue growth in the first quarter.
The tech giant is trying to revamp the interface, build out its digital radio service and integrate platforms.
Mike Hopkins discusses what is next for the company and for the future of streaming television with The New York Times.
Alphabet's YouTube is working on a paid subscription service that would offer customers a bundle of cable TV channels, according to reports.
Mike Hopkins says the company is trying to deliver what users want to watch next.
That pits the streaming service against similar offerings from Dish's Sling TV and Sony's PlayStation Vue as more and more Americans shift to watching TV online. CEO Mike Hopkins confirmed the news at a presentation in New York on Wednesday but gave few specifics. And Sony has been expanding its PlayStation Vue streaming service.


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Choice Hotels Europe’s UK division, the company behind the Comfort™, Quality™ and Clarion® brands, today revealed the findings of its first “Hotelier Pulse-Check” designed to take a snap shot of what’s top of mind of UK hoteliers and general managers and their views on the UK economy and its impact on the UK hospitality sector.
The findings reveal that 68% of hoteliers surveyed are very or fairly confident towards an uplift in the UK economy compared to this time last year. However, there are mixed reactions on how hoteliers view the current economic environment - 31% think the last six months have been the most difficult trading environment they have experienced, another 31% are confident that in 2011 the hotel and travel sector will recover, while 36% believe recovery will be slow and take several years.
The “Hotelier Pulse-Check”, conducted amongst Choice Hotels UK hoteliers and general managers between the end of May and June, also unearthed their top business priorities to improve trading and increase business. 59% said their number one business priority for the next six months was to step up marketing activities to attract new customers while18% are investing in new facilities at their hotels. A further 18% are focusing on enhancing staff training to ensure better guest experience as their number one business priority.
Duncan Berry, UK CEO, Choice Hotels Europe, said “Our Hotelier Pulse-Check reveals that while for many the current economic environment remains tough, there is optimism that the hospitality sector will improve and many hoteliers and GMs are stepping up marketing activities, enhancing staff training and investing in hotel improvements”.
The hoteliers and general managers were also asked to rate what skills were essential to be a successful hotelier. 36% rated sales and marketing expertise as the most important while 31% believed it was management experience. 27% rate financial and accounting acumen as the most essential. The vast majority (86%) felt the ability to multi-task was the most essential attribute for today’s hotelier rather than the ability to remain calm under pressure and demonstrate precise attention to details.
While they are focused on winning new customers, the biggest barrier to losing customer loyalty was attitude of staff, with 50% believing that they potentially had the most negative impact. This was followed by weak reception or check-in experience (27%). 22% of respondents believed that problems with the hotel bedroom were the biggest turn-off in securing customer loyalty.
Berry, added: “It’s clear that today’s hotelier requires a multitude of skills to succeed ranging from marketing flair through to accountancy. The fact that so many of our respondents rated the ability to multi-task as the most essential attribute shows that the role of hotelier or GM is challenging, pressurised and varied.”


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Twitch is getting a fresh look ahead of this year’s Twitchcon held in North America.
This includes making an innovative logo, new purple colour, and a new font to the streaming site’s branding.
The Purpose of the Change
Byron Phillipson, the company’s executive creative director, says that the latest design has been a year in the making.
He further mentioned that the team went far, digging into what makes Twitch Twitch.
The purpose was to future-proof the brand and to describe its creator community better.
Phillipson said he believes the critical feature is that they are not tearing everything down.
Twitch is a name that is preferred by a lot of people, and they want to be very attentive to their community.
The Major Changes
In a crux, there is a new purple and a new font which is called Roobert that is situated on the Moog synthesizer typeface.
Adding to this there are around 20 new colours, and there is a new glitch.
The net result is that Twitch’s logo looks smoother and more modern.
It is less blocky and way less 2011 than its ancestor.
The director of design Tricia Choi said the new font is also user-friendly, and there are also projects to achieve a high contrast feature.
The company is hiring a program manager for accessibility and general design, which leads to its ambitions in that arena.
The switch comes with a new slogan which says “You’re already one of us”.
This is intended to both to welcome new creators to the platform who are not necessarily the company’s core audience of gamers.
And also to those to showcase the type of content that is already on the platform.
The new-look will be joined with a big ad campaign featuring some of the platform’s most celebrated names to introduce it to the world.
Phillipson further says the company intends to bring in new groups to Twitch through the vehicle of their creators.
That appears to be at the heart of the redesign.
The New Look Goals
It seems like the new look is expected to draw people in due time while maintaining the focus squarely on the platform’s community.
Through the research process, the company tried to classify a framework to lead the redesign.
Phillipson added that everything they do needs to be in aid of making sure that the folks that are on their platform feel like they matter.
For more updates and the latest tech news, keep reading iTMunch.


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Dec. 1, 2006 -- Activity at U.S. factories slowed in November for the first time in more than three years, the Institute for Supply Management reported Friday.
Production, new orders, and employment in the manufacturing sector were all down in November, while manufacturers paid higher prices for raw materials, the report said.
The declines were blamed on the downturn in the housing market and a weaker economy, the report said.
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Four Years From Now: a Glimpse into the Near Future of Mobile IoT
2017 was the year Mobile IoT became a commercial reality. Connectivity to the Internet of Things through LPWA in licensed spectrum – the most secure and reliable means to do so – is now offered by 38 operators globally. The two technologies by which Mobile IoT can be delivered, LTE-M and NB-IoT, offer connectivity to a vast range of devices, with very low demands placed either on networks or power consumption. The relative ease with which this can be done, by simply updating existing base sites, and the enormous commercial opportunities from doing so – estimated at $1.8 trillion globally by 2026 – is proving an attractive combination to operators, who are now increasingly announcing roll-out across the world.
The most recent of these announcements – and, due to the implications for coverage, among the most significant – has been T-Mobile’s plans to launch NB-IoT across the United States. The telco giant has chosen NB-IoT as ideal to serve the use cases it plans to serve, and is set to provide nationwide coverage from 2018. The low power connectivity Mobile IoT provides is the best-suited technology to applications such as utilities, smart city monitoring and asset tracking, and as a result T-Mobile’s partners are “highly interested” in making the switch once it is available, with deployments expected to rise dramatically from the time it is fully launched. “Those partners using 2G and 3G modules, they all want NB-IoT,” explains Doug Chartier, Senior Vice-President at T-Mobile. What has seemed a futuristic concept for some time will soon become an increasingly normal and tangible feature of daily life in the United States.
With Mobile IoT infrastructure and coverage increasingly in place, there are now numerous burgeoning deployments in the pipeline. So what are we likely to see in a few years’ time? The GSMA’s Mobile IoT Innovators Showcase at this year’s Mobile World Congress in San Francisco gave us a glimpse into the future four years from now.
Asset and Logistics Tracking to Increase Transparency and Efficiency
One valuable contribution to asset tracking will come from Link Labs, who exhibited a multi-stage tracking system which uses LTE-M technology to help construction companies locate their assets throughout supply chains. The trackable tag helps the business optimise routing and scheduling, and improve worker safety, alongside a range of other uses. The exhibitors were in no doubt as to the exciting juncture at which we now stand in IoT implementation: “Link Labs was excited to be included in the GSMA Mobile IoT Showcase. Based on the plethora of interesting use cases and business models that we’ve heard this week, when talking to companies about the low-power capabilities of LTE M and NB-IoT, it’s clear that we’re at the precipice of explosive growth in the Mobile IoT industry. 2018 will be a breakthrough year for the industry, and we’re excited to be a part of it!”
This message was echoed by BXB Digital, who demonstrated a logistics tracking device which uses both LTE-M and NB-IoT sensors to pinpoint shipping containers, allowing the owners to recover losses. The geo-location data generated can then be used to improve future asset management, without needing to refit devices or even change batteries. “The increasing use of LTE-M and NB-IoT by mobile operators is an exciting enabler for BXB Digital, as we architect end-to-end digital supply chain solutions on a global scale,” the team told us. With the world’s major shipping lines making combined operating losses of $3.5 billion in 2016, this dramatic improvement to the tracking of assets will prove a welcome arrival indeed.
IoT Flood Prevention System
Of particular interest given the recent tragic events across the mid-Atlantic will be the work being undertaken by Tussock, who in partnership with Nokia are developing an NB-IoT-powered flood abatement system. What is effectively a ‘connected storm drain’ will enable communication between municipal storm water systems and Nokia’s IMPACT IoT platform, providing forewarning of maintenance and capacity issues in a city’s flood response systems. Such systems – those which employ devices which are difficult to reach and absolutely must be relied upon – are an excellent example of the need for low-powered connectivity to the Internet of Things. “We have already backed LTE-M and NB-IoT as our platform of the future,” Tussock explain. “It will enable us to offer our long-term battery powered remote water level sensor deployments on carrier grade networks.” Such innovations will without question save lives on their arrival, and given what we have seen over this summer cannot arrive too soon.
What’s Coming Next?
Judging from what we saw in San Francisco this month, we can anticipate a range of new capabilities in the years immediately ahead, including smart improvements to street lighting, environmental monitoring, waste management and parking. With new IoT technology as a whole progressing apace, Mobile IoT looks set to cement its reputation as the most trusted means to offer these revolutionary capabilities. And, given the important improvements they offer to both quality of life and profitability across the board, that can only be a good thing.Back