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Sony is stepping out from the shadows to take on smartphone heavyweight Samsung. Whereas its Xperia Z5 Premium, announced overnight at the IFA tradeshow, appeases the needs of multimedia users, Samsung's Note5 satisfies the demands of users driven to...
Sony offloading its smartphone business is bad news for every stakeholder other than its competition. It’s bad for the company, for carriers and for anybody with a smartphone. Here are the top five reasons why.
Apple’s iPhone 6 is being challenged by underdog Sony, which released the Xperia Z3 Compact this week in Australia. Both smartphones are crammed with the best technologies Apple and Sony have to offer, but the feature-set couldn’t be more different. ...
Not everyone wants a behemoth smartphone flagship, which is why the miniature smartphone market has spawned iterations from Samsung, Sony, HTC and LG. Donning screens 5-inches and less is one way these smartphones prove more comfortable in the pocket...
Next generation smartphones, tablets and smartwatches from the world’s biggest brands near as the IFA 2014 tradeshow kicks off next week. Invitations, taunts and leaks from people in the know has helped the online community shape what products will b...
Savage competition has seen the gap separating Apple’s iPad from a slew of Android tablets close. This comparison takes the two most competitive tablets, Samsung’s Galaxy NotePro 12.2 and Sony’s Xperia Z2 Tablet, and measures how they stand next to A...
Flagships from the leading Android manufacturers are on sale now in Australia. There’s the 5.2in Xperia Z2 from Sony, the 5.1in Galaxy S5 from Samsung and the 5in One (M8) from HTC. All three are fantastic choices, but one of them will go down as an ...
Customers no longer have to choose between an iPhone or a big Android device following the release of Sony's 4.3in Xperia Z1 Compact. The smartphone bundles performance innards with a 20.7MP camera and waterproof credentials, but will this be enough ...
Samsung and Sony recently showcased the new tablets that will lead their range, the Samsung Galaxy NotePro (12.2) and the Sony Xperia Tablet Z2. We have put the two tablets head-to-head in an effort to figure out which tablet will be the biggest thre...
Here's our first impressions of the Sony Xperia Z, including what we love about it so far and what we don't.
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Welcome back to This Week in Apps, the Extra Crunch series that recaps the latest OS news, the applications they support and the money that flows through it all.
The app industry is as hot as ever, with a record 204 billion downloads in 2019 and $120 billion in consumer spending in 2019, according to App Annie’s recently released “State of Mobile” annual report. People are now spending 3 hours and 40 minutes per day using apps, rivaling TV. Apps aren’t just a way to pass idle hours — they’re a big business. In 2019, mobile-first companies had a combined $544 billion valuation, 6.5x higher than those without a mobile focus.
In this Extra Crunch series, we help you keep up with the latest news from the world of apps, delivered on a weekly basis.
This week, we’ll look at the coronavirus outbreak’s impact on the App Store, China’s demand for App Store removals — and soon-to-be-removals, it seems. We’re also talking about Facebook’s lawsuit over a data-grabbing SDK, Tinder’s new video series, the TSA ban on TikTok, Instagram’s explanation for its lack of an iPad app and how Democratic presidential primary candidates are performing on mobile and social, among other things.
Coronavirus concerns send Chinese ride-hailing apps crashing, games surging
One of the many economic fallouts related to COVID-19 coronavirus concerns is a significant decline in the usage of Chinese ride-hailing applications. According to Sensor Tower data, downloads of the three most popular apps — Hello, Didi and Dida — were down 75% year-over-year during the week of February 10 compared with the same time frame in 2019. Meanwhile, people staying home have been ordering food and groceries more often. Overall downloads of the top 10 apps in the food-ordering category increased by 68% from January 13 to the week of February 3.
Also on the rise are mobile games. According to a recent report by the FT, users in China downloaded a record number of games and apps as the virus outbreak confined people to their homes. More than 22 million downloads were registered in Apple’s App Store in China during the week of February 2, according to App Annie, and average weekly downloads during the first two weeks of February were up 40% over the same time last year.
Meanwhile, Chinese tech giants, including Alibaba and Tencent, have been deploying health-rating systems to help authorities track the movements of millions of Chinese. Alibaba had been tapped to explore the rollout of a rating app to help the government control who can travel into and around the city. Along with Ant Financial, it worked to develop a smartphone-based rating system in conjunction with the government of Hangzhou. Tencent created a program for Shenzhen, reported The WSJ.
Top mobile game Plague Inc. pulled from China’s App Store amid coronavirus outbreak
Plague Inc., a simulation game with more than 130 million players, was pulled from the Chinese App Store this week, a move that appears to be linked to the coronavirus outbreak. The company behind the game, Ndemic, posted a statement announcing that the game’s content is now considered “illegal in China as determined by the Cyberspace Administration of China.” Ndemic says it’s trying to reach out to find out what, specifically, it could change in order to get the game back in China.

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New Delhi, Covid-19-impacted Indian apparel exporters should diversify revenue sources by producing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to meet global demand, said Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC).
Accordingly, AEPC organised a webinar to promote the idea. This webinar was attended by about 2,000 participants mainly apparel exporters from across the country.
“We find that there will be a domestic demand of Rs 10,000 crore for the next one year and internationally there will be a $60 billion business in 2025 whereas India has done only $260 million so far last year, a study says,” AEPC Chairman A. Sakthivel said while addressing the webinar.
Though many of PPE products needed for frontline health workers are banned for exports currently, he said that once the local manufacturers satisfy the Indian demand, they should be allowed to export in the foreign markets and for this AEPC has already submitted a request with the government.
“I believe all the apparel manufacturers can enter into the cover all garments provided they have a seam sealing machine. That’s the machine we need for our factories. We will have to import this machine if we want to go for PPE kits,” he said.
Besides the webinar, AEPC intends to have a separate cell for PPE kits as it aims to provide sufficient kits domestically to prevent further imports.


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In the land with a rich history of growing weed, cannabis capitalism is an uneasy fit
Jamaicans say the cultural ownership they feel towards cannabis is getting ignored by foreign investors looking to make money in the weed mecca
There’s a hint of disappointment in Courtney Betty’s voice when he talks about the present state of Jamaica’s legal medicinal cannabis regime.
“I don’t think some of the companies coming in to do business here want to understand the social realities of Jamaica, or the real history of ganja in my country,” he said from his home in the country’s capital, Kingston. “I don’t think it is out of ignorance; I think this is just the way Western companies conduct business abroad.”
By “Western” companies, Betty — the chief executive officer of Jamaican medical marijuana company Timeless Herbal Care — means Canadian. Since Jamaica legalized cannabis for medicinal cultivation and sale four years ago, a slew of Canadian pot companies have flooded the tiny island nation, lured by an ideal climate, cheap labour, a friendly business environment and, most of all, Jamaica’s reputation — in history and pop culture — of growing the best strains of weed in the world.
If cannabis companies replicate this country’s sugarcane plantation history, it is going to be a real political problemCourtney Betty
But there’s a cultural ownership that Jamaicans feel towards cannabis that Betty believes is often ignored by foreign investors looking for ways to monetize the country’s status as a weed mecca. That, combined with the reality that a significant number of locals have, for decades, relied on cannabis for their livelihoods — albeit illegally — is starting to create an uncomfortable tension between newcomers and those who believe that Jamaican cannabis belongs to Jamaicans.
“If cannabis companies replicate this country’s sugarcane plantation history, it is going to be a real political problem,” Betty said, referencing Jamaica’s checkered colonial past under British rule.
Since going legal in 2015, Jamaica has dispensed almost 30 licences to cultivate and sell cannabis, according to Cindy Lightbourne, director of the Jamaican Cannabis Licensing Agency (CLA). Approximately 170 applications have been conditionally approved, with hundreds more in the queue. Most of those licences, she said, have a significant amount of foreign investment attached to them, although the CLA does not divulge specifics of which entities hold licences or are waiting to get them.
There are at least five Canadian cannabis companies making inroads into Jamaica: Canopy Growth, Aphria, The Green Organic Dutchman, Global Canna Labs and the Jamaican Medical Cannabis Collective. All are involved in either cultivation, retail, or both, and are obligated to have a local partner who will hold majority control over the business, at least on paper, according to Jamaican law.
Global marijuana trade is still five to seven years off, but Canada aims to be world's cannabis king
“It is not easy to get a licence,” said Balram Vaswani, a wealthy local businessman who runs Kaya, a publicly listed cannabis company. “The barriers to entry are big, because you need money to set up your security systems and meet the standards of the licensing authority.” Kaya has multiple retail locations and cultivation sites across Jamaica and recently entered into a strategic alliance with Canadian retail giant Hiku Brands, which owns Tokyo Smoke and was purchased by Canopy last year.
Those barriers to entry are even higher when one considers the difficulty locals have in accessing capital for anything cannabis-related. Lightbourne explained: “The banking sector is a big problem for farmers wanting to transition from the illegal to the legal market, or wanting to just get into cannabis, because our local Jamaican banks have ties to the U.S. and are not willing to take cannabis clients.”
To enter the legal industry, farmers — many of whom have been in the ganja cultivation business for generations — are left with little choice but to partner up with cash-rich foreigners or wealthy locals, or be relegated to the sidelines of Jamaica’s fast-growing medical marijuana sector.
“Bruce (Linton) says he wants to open Tweed stores in Jamaica — everybody is coming to Jamaica because they are going to pass the rules on exporting next month,” Vaswani said, referencing the chief executive of Canopy and the company’s recreational brand.
The way the Caribbean nation’s legal weed system has evolved isn’t exactly how one of its architects envisioned it to be. “In our election campaign, we made a commitment that we would not charge any application fee for farmers looking to enter the legal industry,” said Mark Golding, Jamaica’s former Minister of Justice, whose left-leaning People’s National Party drew up Jamaica’s cannabis legislation back in 2015. That legislation at last allowed the Rastafarian community to cultivate the plant for personal use, a significant pivot from nearly 60 years of government crackdowns.
In 2016, however, when the Jamaican Labour Party was elected, the development of the legal cannabis industry slowed dramatically, according to Golding, as the new government worked to interpret the legislation and how it would fit into Jamaica’s international treaty obligations.
“We had always envisioned there needed to be a holistic approach to find a way of bringing in the small farmers who had developed this industry for Jamaica over decades,” Golding said. “But in fairness to the present government, there has to be effective monitoring and reporting of all legal cannabis growers that met international security standards. Unfortunately, that’s a disadvantage for small farmers.”
Be sensitive to the history of Jamaica, and the realities of Jamaican societyMark Golding, Jamaica’s former Minister of Justice
There is, however, a pilot project in the works to facilitate the entrance of Jamaican farmers to the legal cannabis industry. Termed the Alternative Development Program (ADP), it would allow cannabis already in cultivation illegally to be fed into the legal system, instead of incurring massive expenses to apply for a licence to grow from the CLA.
Lightbourne explained: “The government has allowed us to use this system in two areas. If these two pilot projects are successful, we can expand it to other areas.”
But Golding is critical of the ADP, and the way in which the Labour Party has embraced cannabis reform altogether. “It has been slow, and lukewarm. The ADP has been three years in the making and all they have is two pilot programs. I can tell you there’s a lot of frustration on the ground from local farmers, especially when they see these big foreign companies and richer Jamaicans capturing the market,” he said.
Diane Scott, the chief executive of the Jamaican Medical Cannabis Collective, a Canadian cannabis company that grows Jamaican weed to export to international markets, believes that there’s a happy medium somewhere. “Look, we employ farmers who have skills passed down from generations and that’s a huge benefit to us. There has to be healthy and immense respect on both sides.”
Scott would not divulge how much cannabis is currently being cultivated in Jamaica, but she did confirm that all of it will eventually be exported, including to Canada.
For Golding, that simply isn’t enough — the fact that farmers most equipped to grow cannabis, who understand the plant best, are struggling to gain legal ownership of their crop continues to be a problem.
“To the Canadians, all I can say is, don’t look at Jamaican cannabis as a typical money-making industry for you. Be sensitive to the history of Jamaica, and the realities of Jamaican society.”


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Midnight madness materialized just as retailers wished, but there wasn’t enough of the same old Black Friday magic in malls and along major shopping avenues through last week to juice up the mood for the holiday season.
That leaves retailers prepared to stay the course and still confident, after a week’s worth of intense promoting and extended store hours, that they’ll meet holiday goals, conservatively set at 3 to 4 percent ahead on average. They also believe consumer confidence is holding up, though there’s plenty of uncertainty with the fiscal cliff looming and with Northeast cities still recovering from Hurricane Sandy, which cost retailers billions of dollars in business. For fashion retailers, it will be impossible to entirely make up the lost volumes, though companies involved in construction and home furnishings will see a lift as communities rebuild.
Terry J. Lundgren, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Macy’s Inc., characterized Black Friday as “similar” to last year, while at Bloomingdale’s, a division of Macy’s, “We have a game plan and a strategic plan and you tweak here and there for things, but we are not changing our game plan,” said Michael Gould, chairman and ceo.
“We are hitting our targets,” said Linda Chang, Forever 21’s senior marketing manager. “It is a little early for us to tell, but in the past two weeks, we have been seeing good, strong sales growth.”
“December is a big month. A lot can happen,” cautioned Kathryn Bufano,president and chief merchandising officer for Belk Inc., the Charlotte, N.C.-based Southern regional department store chain. Bufano said Belk had an “unbelievably good,record-volume” Black Friday. It helped that Belk opened at midnight on Thanksgiving, three hours earlier than in 2011, and planned aggressively by offering over 300 doorbusters from midnight to 1 p.m. on Black Friday.
“Many of us were out in the stores. It was very packed from midnight to 2:30 or 3 a.m., but it wasn’t a mob scene,” Bufano said. Traffic settled down from 3 to 5 a.m., helping the company restock and tidy up for the next wave of shoppers. “It was very strong from 5 all the way through,” Bufano said.
Industry-wide, electronics, smartphones, toys, small kitchen appliances, footwear (particularly boots), coats and sweaters carried the day and were buoyed by discounts typically at 40 to 60 percent off, and extended to before, during and after Thanksgiving. Best Buy, for example, staged “a countdown” to Thanksgiving, offering deals every day leading up to Thanksgiving.
In a very bullish report on the season’s start, the National Retail Federation, which has projected a 4.1 percent increase in total holiday spending, reported total spending for the four days ending Sunday hit $59.1 billion, a 12.8 percent increase from the $52.4 billion spent during the comparable 2011 period. Including projections for Sunday, the average holiday shopper spent $423, up 6.3 percent from $398 last year. RELATED STORY: Black Friday Bestsellers >>
The NRF said apparel and accessories were the most purchased category, favored by 57.7 percent of buyers versus 51.4 percent a year ago. The percentage purchasing gift cards also jumped, moving to 32.6 percent from 23.1 percent last year, according to research compiled for the NRF by BIGinsight. Matthew Shay, president and ceo of the NRF, said “Everyone I’ve spoken to feels very bullish that the momentum from the weekend will carry into Cyber Monday. Everyone has held back some special deals available only for it, and shoppers are looking forward to that.”
The NRF projects 129.2 million shoppers will be online on Monday looking to buy, up from 122.8 million in 2011 and 106.9 million in 2010. About 85 percent of online retailers — both pure play and multichannel —will have special promotions for the day.
Thanksgiving hours encouraged early shopping, especially among younger consumers. Twenty-eight percent of weekend shoppers — about 35 million people — were at stores before midnight on Black Friday, up from 24.4 percent, or about 29 million, last year. Forty percent of those age 18 to 34 participated in Thanksgiving night shopping. The share engaging in Thanksgiving shopping in 2009 was just 3 percent.
A less-robust report on Black Friday itself came from ShopperTrak. “Consumers responded to Thursday’s promotions greater than we expected and better than retailers might have expected, which siphoned off some dollars from Black Friday,” said Bill Martin, chairman of ShopperTrak, which estimated Black Friday generated $11.2 billion in sales in the U.S. this year, versus $11.4 billion in 2011.”
Martin said that Thursday and Friday combined would exceed $11.4 billion, though he didn’t have a specific estimate. “It was a reasonably good start for the holiday,” Martin said. “If the volume was down in the $10 billion range, that might have been cause for concern. If you don’t have a good day on Black Friday, it’s hard to catch up.” ShopperTrak bases its estimates on data from 40,000 sensors in North America monitoring traffic in the stores, government statistics, proprietary retail data and some of its algorithms.
By the weekend, retailers were fixated on measuring the impact of their Thanksgiving store openings, which were more widespread this year. It’s believed the Thursday openings, rather than encouraging shoppers to buy more items, just spurred them to shop that day and less on Black Friday. Also, some retailers questioned whether the volumes attained on Thursday were enough to rationalize the costs of keeping stores open on the holiday, though there was a consensus that retailers open on Thanksgiving probably grabbed some business from stores that stayed closed.
“Increased hours do not increase the demand pool. Thursday didn’t make a huge amount of difference,” said Craig Johnson, president of Customer Growth Partners. He suggested Thursday openings just shifted sales rather than amount to plus sales.
Specialty retailers felt that earlier Black Friday hours were effective, though in many cases, crowds leveled off pretty quickly. “Because of the Wal-Marts and Kmarts of the world and their earlier deals, I think that softened a little bit of the traffic, but there were still significant lines,” said Chang of Forever 21, which had 313 of its 458 stores open at midnight.
Gap Inc., across all its brands, had 1,100 stores open Thanksgiving. “We felt that there was good demand pretty early on. It dropped down and then there was steady flow in the early morning hours through the rest of the day,” said Mark Breitbard, president of Gap North America. “We will be studying this to see how the traffic patterns have changed by opening a little bit earlier to understand the consumer dynamics. A lot of people said there wasn’t as much frenzy, but we still saw lines out the door.”
Gary Schoenfeld, ceo of Pacific Sunwear of California Inc., believes the shift to Thursday night, which he called a “sea change” initiated last year, has retailers better positioned for business at their full-price locations. “The outlet malls used to own the jump-start on Thursday night. Now, it is clear that most all malls around the country are open, and you are seeing full-price malls win back that Thursday night business,” he said.
Retailers — brick-and-mortar and online — staged Cyber Monday sales before Cyber Monday, which as a consequence will lose some steam this year. It’s considered the biggest volume day of the year online, but retailers assured that both Cyber Monday and Black Friday are still very significant volume days, even as business gets spread out more before and after those days.
Apparel wasn’t top of mind for most consumers.“People do not feel the urgency to shop for clothing on Thanksgiving,” said Hana Ben-Shabat, a partner in the retail practice of A.T. Kearney consulting firm, which projected a modest 2 to 3 percent increase in total retail sales last week. “There’s an overall perception that [apparel] promotions will continue. On other hand, consumer electronics, toys and home got a lot of attention. There was a lot of advertising on doorbusters and people know doorbusters are in small quantities. Apparel was not a winner last week, but there is time to recover that.”
DEPARTMENT STORES ROCK
Belk’s Bufano said the store sold “hundreds of thousands of boots in a day,” including Rampage boots, priced at $19.99. Sweaters, denim, small kitchen appliances such as single-serve coffeemakers and mixers, luggage and tablets were also bestsellers. “We feel we are going to have a good Christmas, better than 5 percent ahead.” She acknowledged that usually there’s a lull in traffic the first week of December, and Belk hopes to counter that with a strong cyber effort at the beginning of this week and a “Santa fest” Saturday at all Belk stores.
Brendan Hoffman, president and ceo of The Bon-Ton Stores Inc., visited his stores in Pennsylvania on Black Friday. “I have never seen malls and stores this crowded. It looked like the last Saturday before Christmas.” Bon-Ton did best with soft home, shoes and cold weather apparel, which “bodes well for the next five weeks,” Hoffman said. “It is a long stretch between now and Christmas, but there are reasons to be optimistic judging by the traffic.”
“We were very pleased with the weekend,” said Bloomingdale’s Gould. “There was a terrific beat in the stores, with a lot of tourists at 59th Street. Business was pretty good across the board,” he added, citing men’s wear, sweaters, cosmetics and coats.
J.C. Penney broke from its controversial everyday low price policy by running sales on certain items. People queued up before 6 a.m. store openings Friday for specials like $25 women’s boots. Bestsellers included junior sweaters, men’s flannels, women’s pashmina scarves, bed pillows and $8 kitchen electronics, according to Penney’s Twitter news feed.
Von Maur enjoyed “nice increases” at its 27 stores and online business, according to Joy Place, vice president of merchandising at the Davenport, Iowa-based retailer. “It’s pretty encouraging considering we are not a store for the big day-after-Thanksgiving promotions,” Place said. “What was marked down before is still marked down.”
Von Maur opened only an hour earlier than usual Friday and did well with handbags, contemporary sportswear, shoes, cosmetics, men’s half-zip sweaters, Coach Legacy, Michelle and Michael Kors watches, Kate Spade cross-body bags and Tommy Bahama sweaters, while cold weather apparel lagged. SPECIALTY STOREPROMOTIONS PAY OFF
RetailNext, which provides a technology platform for retailers to measure and understand shopper behavior, said specialty retailers were more productive on Black Friday 2012 than a year ago. Although overall traffic to the segment was down 5.6 percent, total sales rose a healthy 16.2 percent due to conversion rates up 2.3 percentage points, and average values seen as 20 percent better than a year ago. The busiest period was from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with 58.5 percent of the day’s shopping trips and 60.2 percent of the day’s sales happening then. Black Friday’s peak sales hour was noon to 1 p.m., and traffic peaked from 2 to 3 p.m.
“Business obviously is more and more competitive every year,” said Jerri Ulves, vice president, general merchandise manager, at 135-unit Anaheim, Calif.-based retailer Styles For Less, who singled out knit bottoms, jeggings and lightweight sweaters as strong sellers. “We offered an entire-store deal, which most of our competitors did. That seemed to work for customers this year because they weren’t going after specific items. They were looking for multiple items and a lot of different product. I don’t know if it was weather driven or fashion driven, but it was exciting to see them buying multiple items.”
“I would expect aggressive promos in the marketplace to continue,” said Gap North America’s Breitbard, who pointed to sweaters, knit tops, colored jeans and pajama sets as brisk sellers. “As we have been saying all year, we have been trying to present a pretty balanced approach, and we have felt confidence in our assortment.”
C. Wonder, the 11-unit retailer owned by Christopher Burch, distributed scratch-off cards with rewards at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The same day, it offered 30 percent off already marked down goods. On Friday, up until 8 a.m., C. Wonder offered an additional 50 percent of off markdowns, plus 30 percent off the entire store.“We had a very high rate of conversion,” said Amy Shecter, president. “Most importantly, our product is so much better this year than last year,” particularly with personalizing of products.
Jacinto Romero, director of operations at Planet Blue, said the five-unit Southern California retailer nurtured a relaxed atmosphere on Black Friday. It offered free manicures and juice, and a 10 percent discount off purchases of $100 and above, and a 20 percent off purchases of $200 and above. Romero said, “We adopted a system that said as long as you shop in the store, you are going to get something. We were able to beat last year’s numbers.”
Harrods plans to remove the famous statue of Princess Diana and Dodi Al Fayed from the bottom of the Egyptian escalators and hand it back to Mohamed Al-Fayed. “We are very proud to have played our role in celebrating the lives of Diana, Princess of Wales and Dodi Al Fayed at Harrods and to have welcomed people from around the world to visit the memorial for the past 20 years,” said Michael Ward, Harrods managing director. “With the announcement of the new official memorial statue to Diana, Princess of Wales at Kensington Palace, we feel that the time is right to return this memorial to Mr. Al Fayed and for the public to be invited to pay their respects at the palace.” More on the news, with reporting by @loreleimarfil, at WWD.com. #wwdnews
@prada is introducing a new project at its men’s fall 2018 show this Sunday: “Prada Invites.” The fashion house invited four celebrated creative minds – @ronanaerwanbouroullec, Konstantin Grcic, @herzogdemeuron and @rem.koolhaas – to each create a unique item with its iconic nylon material. The designs will be unveiled on the runway show, which will take place at the company’s warehouse in Viale Ortles 25. #wwdfashion #mfwm (📷: @martinocarrera)
@kering_official is spinning off its stake in puma in an effort to focus on its luxury brands, the brand operator announced yesterday. “We are proud to have supported the turnaround of Puma, which now has unrivaled capabilities to take full advantage of the specific dynamics of its global markets and is poised to achieve substantial growth,” said François-Henri Pinault, Kering’s chief executive officer and chairman. Artémis will become a “long-term strategic shareholder” of Puma with a 29 percent stake. #wwdnews #wwdfashion (📷: @jilliansollazzo)
The fashion world mourns for celebrated street style photographer, Nabile Quenum, who died at age 32 in Paris.
Quenum, creator of the fashion blog “J’ai Perdu Ma Veste,” was a fashion week fixture, and regularly shot for New York magazine’s The Cut, among other outlets, and brands such as Louis Vuitton, Moncler and Adidas. He was also actively involved in the #NoFreePhotos initiative, which kicked off in the fall. Read more about Quenum in @kbsmoke's story on WWD.com. #wwdnews
@verwanggang and @maisonladuree have teamed up on a dessert collab called Vera Wang Pour Ladurée. The collection, which launched this week, features a specialty macaroon, as well as a wedding cake inspired by one of the designer’s gowns. “I could not imagine a more delicate or sophisticated creation to grace any couple’s celebration,” said Wang. #wwdfashion


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Hair care brand Mizani has announced that soul singer Beverley Knight will be the new face of the brand. The award-winning singer, currently starring in the West End production of The Bodyguard, recently received an MBE and performed at the opening ceremony of the London Paralympics. 'Selecting Beverley Knight as the new Mizani celebrity ambassador is thrilling,' says Tumi Soyinka, Mizani Senior Product Manager. 'Not only is she a household name, but she also genuinely loves the brand. We're very excited to be working with her.'
Beverley's favourite products are the H20 Intense Night-Time Treatment, £9.80 and the Supreme Oil Sulphate-Free Moisturizing Shampoo, £12.90. 'As afro and curly hair can be brittle and fragile, you need to pump as much moisture into it as you can,' says Beverley. 'Mizani products work, and the brand exemplifies everything that I'm about - freedom, movement and sleekness.'


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On November 7th, the government of Zimbabwe is considering the use of cryptocurrency as a legal payment method in order to bridge the gap in cross-border payment capabilities between African countries and other countries. According to sources, a civil servant said: “Initially we tried to understand the meaning of cryptocurrencies because they are fundamentally different from previously known financial instruments, and people are concerned about the cross-border flow of funds, money laundering, externalization of funds, and inflow of funds illegally.” He also mentioned that the country is still far from making any major statements because they are still in the negotiation stage. However, according to the country’s Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube, they may not provide cryptocurrency with the currency status.
Disclaimer: As a blockchain information platform, the information provided on this site does not represent any investment recommendation. The articles published on this site only represent personal opinions and have nothing to do with the Official Position of GHDIB. Virtual currency does not have the legal status equivalent to legal currency, and there are legal risks involved in virtual currency investment transactions. GHDIB opposes all kinds of token speculations and invites investors to view market risks in a rational manner.


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Lackluster iPhone X Sales Hitting Samsung as Well
Apple’s new iPhone X isn’t selling exactly as expected, and as a result, the company has adjusted orders for components, including for the OLED panels manufactured by Samsung.
The South Korean firm has thus reduced production at its A3 plant by 10 percent as compared to the same month of the previous year, which marks the first time in many years when the facility isn’t operating at full speed.
A report from South Korea-based The Investor indicates that the A3 production plant has a monthly output of 135,000 units, and Apple accounts for no less than 105,000 of them. But given the declining demand for the iPhone X, Apple reduced orders and Samsung lowered production, with a bigger impact now expected in the total earnings for the year.
Furthermore, Samsung has also suspended expansion plans for a display manufacturing facility in Vietnam, as the company’s current collaboration with Ap… (read more)
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USC Iovine and Young Academy Students Launch Augmented Reality Startup
Trojan classmates-turned-entrepreneurs premiere a smartphone-powered headset.
Tucked in a building in downtown L.A.s Broadway Theater District, Mira has all the trappings of a startupcramped quarters, 16-hour days, late-night conference calls with Chinese manufacturers and a mosaic of Post-It notes covering the white walls.
But this startup has a Trojan feel: It grew out of a college project created by three USC seniors. Its also the first to come out of the USC Jimmy Iovine and Andre Young Academy for Arts, Technology and the Business of Innovation since the undergraduate program started in 2014.
Mira co-founders Matt Stern, Ben Taft and Montana Reed launched their first product in summer 2017: an augmented reality headset dubbed Prism that retails for $99. An iPhone snaps on the front, and once the app is engaged, content will stream onto the lens, bringing hologram-like images into the users surroundings. Winning a $10,000 Iovine and Young prize allowed the students to build their first prototypes.
The idea for Prism came about when they looked into the popularity of virtual reality and wanted an experience that didnt disconnect users completely from their current reality. They found there werent a ton of augmented reality optionsespecially affordable ones.
In VR, theres a whole spectrum of devices, but in AR, headsets were self-contained computers that cost many thousands of dollars. Then, on the other side of the spectrum, you had these Pokemon Go-style games on your phone, Taft says. No one had figured out a middle-market solution.
Mira has since raised $1.5 million in funding including investment from venture capital firm Sequoia Capital, musician Will.i.am. and Salesforce chief executive and USC Trustee Marc Benioff 86. It also has a dozen employees, half of whom are Trojans.
Weve literally been working in a closet on this for so long, and were just like, Here it is, Reed says. Its good to be able to be out in the community.


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When Facebook’s creator and CEO Mark Zuckerberg revealed in the summer season of 2021 that his business was altering its name to Meta and setting its course to end up being a metaverse, the term “metaverse” became a buzzword.
Soon, Zuckerberg was signed up with by other tech giants like Microsoft, who likewise declared that they were preparing to produce their own metaverses. Mass media right away overtook the subject and enhanced the buzz. It seems like some big corporations desire the concept of the metaverse to seem like their advancement in the future. What if that development has currently taken place?
The Problem with the Word Metaverse
The term metaverse is puzzling. A metaverse is normally specified as a virtual area where individuals can come together to play video games, chat, or perhaps have company conferences. It seems like something we’ve checked out in the sci-fi book “Ready Player One” by Ernest Cline or seen in its movie adjustment by the popular Steven Spielberg. It’s an unclear principle of a 2nd life in the digital area offered to people by tech corporations through VR sets. With all this speculation, it is not surprising that the concept of the metaverse has actually ended up being a meme, due to the fact that tech leaders usually do not trouble to elaborate on the functionalities of it.
Zuckerberg utilizes the term metaverse, however he can’t describe precisely why we should all immerse ourselves in it. This is more than likely since he just utilizes it as a marketing tool. It’s a recognized reality that Facebook’s rebranding followed the business was extensively slammed by the public. Now, numerous tech specialists in media and marketing see the Meta circumstance as the business’s effort to distance itself from the unfavorable aura of Facebook.
Another issue with the present use of the word “metaverse” is that it removes the years of VR development history that came long in the past Meta. The fact is that metaverses currently exist, while Zuckerberg’s metaverse at this moment is a hazy concept-in-the-making. Technically, the existing metaverses might not yet be perfect variations of a metaverse, however they are most likely to develop faster than Meta’s job and accomplish more powerful outcomes due to the fact that they’ve been committing time to a particular objective, while Facebook was attempting a range of things.
The Metaverses We Already Have
If a metaverse is a virtual area where individuals can lead a 2nd life comparable to what they have in the real world, we currently have that. Take video games. They are immersive digital worlds where human beings can interact socially. Think about the popular collective fight royale Fortnite from Epic Games. Its gameplay needs interaction in between users themselves, however there’s more to it. Fortnite has actually been a platform for events for a couple of years currently, even prior to the pandemic prompted individuals to look for brand-new methods to interact online.
In February of 2019, Fortnite held the first-ever live, virtual performance on its platform with electronic dance music (EDM) star Marshmello as the headliner. In April 2021 Travis Scott effectively set up a program inside the video game’s digital world, and later on Ariana Grande attempted her hand at producing her own variation of the exact same experience. In the summer season of 2020, there was a series of discussions inside Fortnite dedicated to the Black Lives Matter motion.
Virtual truth parks include more information to the photo of what checking out a metaverse might be in the future. Immersing oneself in a VR tourist attraction suggests using more user interface tools than a normal non-VR player would. It allows full-body interaction and supplies an even more robust experience. The experience of virtual truth parks more carefully looks like that of the real world, compared to the experience of standard video gameplay.
With computer game today, you can check out virtual worlds, consisting of fantastical ones. Can VR supply any usage beyond that? Yes, it can. Besides home entertainment, virtual truth permits us to make strides in education, medical training, psychological health, and research study.
VR is ending up being a growing number of popular as a training tool for medical specializeds. It is revealing potential customers for usage in medical evaluations. Cosmetic surgeons at the George Washington University healthcare facility make use of VR to check the lungs of clients with COVID-19
VR is a appealing instructional tool, putting trainees in immersive knowing environments that are more interesting than a routine class or checking out a book. Trainees can check out architecture or historical occasions in digital areas without geographical constraints. Museums have actually been acquainting themselves with the possibilities of VR for a while now, wishing to make their exhibits available all over the world, and there is fantastic possible for this sort of experience going full-metaverse in the future.
The idea of the metaverse appears fresh, however that’s primarily due to its newspeak nature. The VR and video gaming markets have actually been working on various metaverses for a while now. Obviously, to attain the ideal metaverse experience, we will still require much better devices, however it appears that there is a lot going on in VR and video gaming that deserves attention.


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Westland launches online snowplow tracker
WESTLAND, Mich. – Westland launched a new online snowplow tracker to help residents know where snowplows have been after a major winter storm.
You can visit the website by clicking here.
For the full story, watch Kim DeGiulio's video from Local 4 News at 6 above.
Copyright 2016 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - All rights reserved.


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I have a love/hate relationship with Super Bowl commercials. Some of them can be genuinely funny and I do like to see which car companies reveal new cars. However, as a lifelong football fan, I hate when people come over for the Super Bowl party only to talk during the game but shut up to watch the commercials. Then, when the game comes back on, they talk at a shockingly high volume about the last few commercials they just watched seconds ago. It's my nightmare. This year, it's going to be even worse because there aren't even going to be many car commercials to bring me solace.
Why are so many brands forgoing Super Bowl commercials this year? According to CNBC, most automakers are prioritizing electric vehicle investments over advertising. Kantar Media, the London-based marketing analytics company, says that a 30-second Super Bowl ad spot costs $6.5 million for 2023. And that's just for the time slot, not to mention the millions more spent on making the commercial itself. When automakers are spending billions on EV development, spending millions more on just one ad might seem unwise.
CNBC also reported that, according to Eric Haggstrom, director of business intelligence for Advertiser Perceptions, supply chain issues have had a big impact as well, causing fewer sales and tighter inventories.
Only four car companies will air commercials during this year's big game—GM, Kia, Ram, and Jeep. Porsche will air an ad before the Super Bowl, in partnership with Paramount. WeatherTech will also continue its ten year streak of Super Bowl commercials, the longest running streak for any automotive-based brand. But brands like Toyota, Hyundai, and Ford, who typically join in on the fun, have all chosen to sit this year out.
In previous years, car companies were the biggest Super Bowl commercial spenders, having spent $99.3 million last year, with the second biggest industry (movies, TV, web) spending $70.5 million. This year, that number could fall closer to the 2021 Super Bowl, in which the auto industry spent $66 million (which was still the most money spent that year).
So if you were hoping to see a bunch of car commercials in between drives by the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles, you might be disappointed this year. And if you have too many annoying relatives over for a Super Bowl party, talking through the game, hopefully you have another room in the house with a TV that you can sneak off to, so you can yell about missed holding calls in peace.
Got tips? Send 'em to email@example.com


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B>I/B>NS Holdings Berhad - a major player in the country's biotechnology industry - is planning to list at least three of its 21 subsidiaries on the Malaysian Exchange of Securities Dealing and Automated Quotation (Mesdaq).
NEVER being content with past achievements is the key to Duopharma Biotech Bhd's success.
TWO Malaysian companies have formed a joint venture to market Innoxa skincare products and has attracted the interest of multinational company Zuellig Group.
WHAT#8217;s in store for the agriculture sector? There must be huge prospects for Malaysia that has prompted Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to give it a new lease of life through his policy direction.
Thalgo Cosmetic (SEA) Sdn Bhd is confident of meeting its turnover target for the year. It has a slew of new products lined up that it expects would contribute substantially to revenue, corporate and legal affairs director Tan Wei Ming said.
At an international conference he attended three years ago, Tan Wei Ming discovered a few facts that would ultimately influence his choice of career.
AFFIN-UOB Securities last week launched its syariah services in a move to capture a slice of the growing interest for investments guided by Islamic principles.


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It’s no surprise that Final Fantasy 7 Remake‘s sales have taken the UK’s chart like a storm.
Fans have been patiently waiting for Final Fantasy 7 Remake since the game was first announced by Sony at E3 2015. And now when it’s officially released, obviously it has met the community’s expectations and received praise from both critics and the gaming community. And these positive reviews are turning into strong sales of Final Fantasy 7 Remake when the game topped the UK sales chart last week. GfK released a list of the top 10 best-selling games in the UK for the week of April 6 to 11, and it’s no surprise that Final Fantasy 7 Remake landed the first spot.
According to GamesIndustry.biz, Final Fantasy 7 Remake‘s sales has risen over 1 million boxed games in the UK since the start of the lockdown, rising to 1.5 million if you include the previous week and the launch of Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
It was followed closely by Call of Duty: Modern Warfare and Animal Crossing: New Horizons, and the older games in the remaining positions. Interestingly, Grand Theft Auto 5 is still in the Top 10, despite the game’s first launch in 2013. Another notable name on the list is The Last of Us: Remastered. Last week, The Last of Us was still in 17th place, but it seems that its revenue has recently increased again, helping it reach 10th place. Probably, the delay of “The Last of Us 2” has contributed to this, yet it is only a prediction. It will be interesting to see how long Final Fantasy 7 Remake can last in the rankings, but based on popularity, it can take a long time. The game is currently released exclusively on PS4.
Chart of PS4 game sales last week in the UK
- Final Fantasy 7 Remake
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare
- Animal Crossing: New Horizons
- FIFA 20
- Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
- Forza Horizon 4
- Resident Evil 3
- Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order
- Grand Theft Auto 5
- The Last of Us: Remastered


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As more attention is directed towards reopening our economy, the work of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation has become more important than ever.
The U.S. Chamber Foundation conducted a series of interviews featuring Coalition to Back Black Businesses (CBBB) grantees and their stories. We heard from Black small business owners on how the CBBB grant helped them, the impact of the pandemic on small businesses, and what Black business owners need during this challenging time.
At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, in March, companies had to quickly adjust in order to support their employees with the changes that were taking place. For many, childcare was the number one issue.


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Canadian PGA Tour rookie Ben Silverman, competing in his second RBC Canadian Open this week, has some unique practice and business habits.
There is plenty to talk about from an equipment standpoint at this week's Open Championship at Carnoustie with several new sticks in play.
Equipment companies are going to great lengths to make golf's shortest and scariest shots as easy as possible.
On Tiger and TaylorMade, big changes at Bridgestone and a gaming coup for a Canadian company.
PING continues to produce quality products of which its founder would be proud.
Plenty of player signings and new product releases highlighted the first half of the annual PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando, Fla.


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With today’s release of Patch 8.3: Visions of N’Zoth, Battle for Azeroth has entered the final stage of its lifespan. The impending release of WoW’s next expansion, Shadowlands, has shifted the focus of the game immensely, but if anything remains imperative for Blizzard, it’s going to be ensuring that Patch 8.3 serves as a transitional bridge between the closing chapter of BfA and a new era for World of Warcraft.
It’s no secret that Battle for Azeroth hasn’t been the most well-received expansion. If anything, these past two years will go down as one of the darker blemishes on the pages of WoW’s figurative history book. With that in mind, it should be a major focal point for Blizzard to try and get the game back on the right track. That initiative starts today with the launch of the expansion’s final patch. The groundwork for any successful expansion starts in the closing patch of the previous expansion. In the case of a successful Shadowlands, that process starts with the launch of Visions of N’Zoth.
And while it’s going to be important for Patch 8.3 to serve as a grand finale to BfA, it’s going to be even more important for the patch to be a way for the game to move on from the expansion altogether.
If we think back to the launch of BfA, WoW was doing really well. Legion was fresh off an incredible run and the franchise was heading into another monumental period in its history. And although the launch of Battle for Azeroth was remarkable, many players who found themselves jumping back on the WoW bandwagon in August of 2018 were quickly jumping off of it a few months into the expansion’s lifespan.
Any expansion launch is going to be a major event from a business standpoint for Blizzard. Whenever a new WoW title hits the servers, an influx of new and returning players are sure to historically pop out of the woodwork, and the company should most definitely expect the same for the Shadowlands launch later this year. However, patch releases do have a similar effect, albeit to a lesser extent.
When a new patch releases, it isn’t incredibly far-fetched to assume that a strong portion of the playerbase returns to dive headfirst into some new content. Today, with Patch 8.3 finally coming to fruition, it would be expected to see many players jump back into WoW. Additionally to that point, many of the players who bought into the game back when BfA launched could be coming back for Patch 8.3 to see how things wrap up.
The main challenge for Blizzard today – and for many of the upcoming weeks – is going to be keeping those players who return to the game engaged with WoW as a whole. It’s definitely expected that Patch 8.3 will supply a bit of a boost to the playerbase, and keeping that boost intact should be on the company’s radar moving forward. BfA struggled with player retention early on in its lifespan, but here towards the end, it could be a major strength of the expansion as we head into Shadowlands.
A new patch so early here in the year bodes well for an earlier release date for Shadowlands. Whereas Legion, BfA, and even WoW: Classic were released in late August, it wouldn’t be totally out of the question to see Blizzard nip Battle for Azeroth ahead of traditional schedule to get the next expansion out before that August window arrives. The fact that we’re getting a patch here in January and Shadowlands is slated to release sometime this year could be a sign that the expansion will hit live servers way before Q4 and perhaps pretty early into Q3.
Regardless of when Shadowlands does release, however, it’s important the expansion comes sooner rather than later. World of Warcraft is getting a pretty big boon today in Patch 8.3 and letting it squander wouldn’t quite be in the best interest of Blizzard. Don’t be shocked if the momentum that the game picks up today and over the course of the coming weeks is quickly utilized into a prompt release of the game’s next era.
Photo Credit: Blizzard Entertainment, World of Warcraft


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Israel-based Teva Pharmaceutical Industries has made an offer of around $40bn to acquire US-based generic and specialty pharmaceuticals firm Mylan.
Teva has proposed to pay $82.00 per Mylan share, representing a 37.7% premium to its stock price on 7 April. Teva board of directors have unanimously approved the proposal.
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries president and CEO Erez Vigodman said: "We have long respected Mylan’s business, and we are confident that Mylan’s board of directors and stockholders will agree that our proposal represents a significantly more attractive alternative for Mylan and its stockholders than Mylan’s proposed acquisition of Perrigo.
"We are very satisfied with the progress Teva has made over the last year, solidifying the foundation of our company, protecting its main specialty franchises and building our engines for organic growth.
The proposed combination of both entities will create a leading company in the pharmaceutical industry, specifically in the generics segment.
Earlier this month, Mylan made an offer to acquire Irish over-the-counter (OTC) and nutritional products maker Perrigo for around $29bn in a cash and stock deal.
According to Teva, the proposal provides Mylan stockholders with an attractive alternative to Mylan’s proposed acquisition of Perrigo.
Teva board of directors chairman professor Yitzhak Peterburg said: "Teva’s strategy has been to aggressively pursue growth opportunities that advance our goal of being a stronger, more diversified organisation with the scale and resources to drive value across our business."
Subject to customary conditions, the proposed transaction is expected to be completed by the end of this year.


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Green Jade Games Unveils New Arcade Game ‘Tap Tap Splat’
New from skill-based arcade games pioneer Green Jade Games comes Tap Tap Splat, a cartoon whack-a-mole style game that allows players to bet on their splatting skills.
Tap Tap Splat invites players to choose a wager amount, then whack as many jelly monsters that pop up randomly on their screen as possible in one minute. Players tap on the targets to gain points and payouts while avoiding the bombs that will deduct points if they’re detonated.
It’s the latest addition to the Green Jade lobby, which includes a suite of state-of-the-art skill-based gambling games like Jade Puzzle, Casino Blocks, Cash Quiz, Cash Smash, Galaxy Wing and Speedy Candy.
The Arcade Lobby offers many different genres of games, from Brick Breaker, to Puzzle, and from Hyper Casual to First Person Shooter. Players can also take advantage of special promotions and track their progress on leaderboards.
Green Jade has spent years researching, developing and building this brand-new vertical in the igaming space. Arcade games offer the same volatility, prize range and hit frequency as slots, but with a completely different interactivity and reward sensation.
Green Jade believes arcade games help operators grow their audience through the acquisition of players who wouldn’t have previously been interested in sports betting or slots, generating increased revenues and more loyal players.
Mark Taffler, Chief Commercial Officer at Green Jade Games said: “Tap Tap Splat says it all really. It’s inspired by end-of-the-pier whack-a-mole games, but with a gambling element. Over the past 12 months, we’ve seen a huge growth in the audience for skill-based arcade and we believe that will continue for the foreseeable future. Tap Tap Splat is a great addition to our ever-growing lobby of games. Not just that but it’s a great addition to any Casino’s Lobby. It stands up vs any slots out there today“


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At its monthly meeting Tuesday night, the Westwood Community Council supported alcohol sales at a new restaurant in Westwood Village but not at the incoming Target store.
The first request came from for support from the council for their permit request for on-site beer and wine sales. The request also included an incidental permit would allow the restaurant to sell wine and/or beer to be consumed elsewhere along with any take-out orders.
Council Chair Steve Sann said the council had already sent a letter of support for the restaurant's permit when it submitted it to the city of Los Angeles in June. The option for the incidental accessory option was discovered only recently.
"I think this is open to a lot of abuse," said Laura Lake about the option.
Shannon Montora, a former employee at Napa Valley Grille, said that restaurant had the option on its license and that it wasn't abused, presumably because of the higher prices on wine purchased at restaurants.
"I personally see it as a nice touch," she said.
David Hekmat, who owns , said that he was unaware of the option and was concerned that the council would have to support it for all eateries in Westwood if it supported 800 Degrees Pizza's request.
"My license does not allow it," he said about the incidental accessory option. "If you give it to them [800 Degrees], then you have to give it to the others."
Sann explained that because the council had already sent a letter of support earlier in the process, it could, as a body, agree to "table the discussion indefinitely," meaning that they would take no action, which the council voted to do.
The second request for an alcohol permit came from the which is applying for a permit to sell the full range of beer, wine and distilled spirits.
"We certainly have enough alcohol in Westwood," noted Gail Freedman during the discussion, a sentiment that was echoed repeatedly.
Both Wolfgang Veith and John Heidt, vice chair of the council noted that the company has already signed the lease for the space and that the ability to sell alcoholic beverages was not a condition for the store to open.
"We know the lease is signed, so they're coming," Heidt said.
Tony Ranger, however, expressed concern that by not supporting the permit, Target officials will complain about the difficulty of doing business in Westwood.
"We wanted Target to talk to their peers," Ranger said.
Sann, prior to the vote, pointed out that there was a strong precedent to deny similar stores such permits. He said allowing alcohol sales at Target would be in violation of Westwood Specific Plan codes limiting the number of similar businesses in the immediate area, including the Ralph's and the Trader Joe's close by. Sann also noted that the .
The council voted to go on record with a letter as not supporting the permit.


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Thursday, March 28, 2019
Safety Advocate Wants to Probe Subaru/Toyota Valve Spring Recall
A US-based safety advocate wants the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to investigate how Subaru, but more specifically, Toyota is handling the valve spring recall after complaints are starting to mount of engines knocking and stalling after the recall work was done.
A report from Automotive News says Jason Levine, the executive director of the Center for Auto Safety is calling the NHTSA to review the ongoing recall remedy after numerous customer complaints began to surface about engines seizing after the defective valve springs were replaced. He went so far as to suggest that Toyota and Subaru “cease recall repairs and provide vehicle owners who received the repair a loaner [vehicle] until the problem is identified.”
Though the valve spring recall is affecting various Subaru models, Levine is zeroing in particularly on the Subaru BRZ / Toyota 86.
Owner forums have suggested that Toyota dealer technicians may not be as adept at handling horizontally-opposed Boxer engines as Subaru, resulting in the engines breaking down after the valve spring recall work had been done on them. One theory is that Toyota technicians may be improperly applying RTV sealant to the engine during re-assembly. Loose pieces of cured sealant could potentially clog oil passages restricting oil flow and potentially causing damage. This has been corroborated by a spokesperson from Subaru of America who confirmed that only “one person returned for a post-recall fix.”
At this point, it’s worth pointing out that fixing this valve spring defect is a very intricate process and requires a very good understanding of how Boxer engines work. Thus, it’s advisable that only certified technicians handle it. It could possible serve as a lesson that if you plan to buy a Subaru-engined car, perhaps it is best to stick to something with a Subaru badge upfront.
For security and peace of mind, Motor Image Pilipinas says they are pointing owners of affected vehicles to their C5 – Pasig and Manila Bay dealerships because the valve spring work can only be done by their most senior (and seasoned) technicians. Since this work will require about 12 hours, it is critical to set an appointment ahead of time to make sure your unit can be accommodated. Regardless, any work on the valve spring at any authorized Subaru dealer carries a separate one-year warranty against any defect.
Source: Automotive News


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Mondelez International announced that it has acquired full ownership of Hu Master Holdings, a maker of healthy snack items and vegan, paleo-friendly chocolate bars. The confectionery giant said that the deal closed on Jan. 4.
Though Mondelez (MDLZ) did not disclose the terms of the deal, the Wall Street Journal reported a deal value of about $340 million. Notably, Mondelez had already bought a minority stake in Hu in 2019, with an option for “a right of first offer to acquire the company.”
Glen Walter, president of Mondelez International North America said that “Hu is a strong strategic complement to our snacking portfolio in North America.” (See MDLZ stock analysis on TipRanks)
On Nov. 18, Citigroup analyst Wendy Nicholson initiated coverage on the stock with a Buy rating and a price target of $68 (17.3% upside potential). The analyst said that Mondelez has progressed to become a global leader in snacking foods and has nine global brands. In a note to investors, Nicholson said that she expects Mondelez to overcome the pandemic with momentum and is likely to see a 20% upside from current price levels.
Overall, consensus among analysts is a Strong Buy with 7 analysts recommending a Buy and 1 analyst suggesting a Hold. The average price target of $64.13 suggests upside potential of around 10.6% over the next 12 months. Shares have increased 9.3% over the past year.


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Aurora Labs, a Tel Aviv based start up, has developed a proactive and remote system that will find and fix vehicle malfunctions without the need of intervention by an external entity, or any downtime. Of course, we’re all kind of used to the fact that cars are changing rapidly – self-driving cars entered the scene a good few years ago, but self-healing cars are definitely a newer invention. In fact, modern cars are becoming increasingly sophisticated. Apollo 11 landed on the moon with only 145,000 lines of code behind it (admittedly, this was 1969), while some computerized cars are now requiring 150 million lines of code, and self-driving cars need up to one billion lines of code. As Israel is developing self-healing cars, let’s take a peek at some of the other technological accomplishments the country has had.
Aurora Labs is the mastermind behind this project. They decided to develop self-healing cars, which have software which uses AI and machine learning to detect when there is potential for a vehicle to malfunction, and promptly fixes it. I was kind of imagining a Ratatouille situation here (with rats running all over your engine with spanners and the like), but the reality is even better.
According to Ori Lederman, co-founder and COO of Aurora Labs, “The automotive industry is facing its biggest revolution to date.” He told the Jerusalem Post, “The most critical aspect of all that sophistication and software coming into the car is whether you can trust it, even before you hand over complete autonomy to the car. It poses a lot of challenges to car-makers.”
However, this project is still very much in the early stages. Lederman proposed a couple of challenges that the technology was facing, including whether defects can be fixed without stopping the use of the vehicle, whether the self-healing software could be detected after selling the vehicle, and whether malfunctions can actually be solved safely and securely by the software. They have real cause for concern here. In 2018 alone, around 8 million cars were recalled because of software defects alone.
It’s probably safe to say that we’re still a few years away from seeing this technology in action. As Israel is developing self-healing cars, let’s take a look at some of the other innovations to come out of this tiny, but impactful, country.
We probably all know what a firewall is right? It’s the software that protects your devices and data from sketchy cyber activity. In 1993, the first commercially viable firewall was developed by Gil Shwed, Marius Nacht, and Shlomo Kramer at Check Point Software Technologies. Since then, Check Point has grown – partnering with tech giants like Nokia.
Anyone else here old enough to remember the days of floppy disks? I, unfortunately, most certainly am. Luckily, in 1999 M-Systems, an Isreali company, filed a patent for a USB-based PC flash disk (yes, it was that wordy to start off with), that opened up production of the portable USB that most of us use today.
Waze is something I use on a daily basis. When Ehud Shabati, an Israeli engineer, first tried out a GPS, he was both enthralled and disappointed. He got where he needed to go, but his path was marked by traffic and roadworks. Shabati decided to develop a community-based navigation device, that provided real-time road reports and guided its users to their destinations without a hitch. Waze was sold to Google for $1 billion in 2013, and provides services to more than 50 million users around the world.
More than just self-healing cars
Israel is developing self-healing cars, but the start-up nation in the heart of the MIddle East is driving innovation around the world. From USBs, to Firewall and Waze, the Iron Dome, and so much more, Israel is making waves in the tech industry. For a country that only achieved independence 70 years ago (give or take), Israel has had a massive impact on the course of technology. Here’s to seeing some more incredible innovation from the start-up nation in the future.


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Latest Business class Stories
Announces Exclusive Business Class Promotion on the World's Best Business Class WASHINGTON, Nov.
CHICAGO and NEW YORK, Nov.
FirstBusinessFlights.com now offers cheap deals for business class flights to London.
American will welcome US Airways Dividend Miles members, moving account balances into AAdvantage in the second quarter of 2015 FORT WORTH, Texas, Oct.
After a report from CNN Lets Fly Cheaper explains there are options to maximize comfort and announce the top 5 U.S carriers with the most legroom San Ramon,
CHICAGO, Aug. 6, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Now is the time to purchase that trip to Europe since LOT Polish Airlines is having a crazy fare sale beginning for purchase today, Aug. 6, through Aug.
Nonstop Service Begins Today June 20, 2014 BOSTON, June 20, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- China's Hainan Airlines today launches nonstop service between Boston's Logan Airport and Beijing,
BEIJING, June 18, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --To celebrate the official roll out of Hainan Airlines global website's new domain (www.hainanairlines.com)
Flight Snap Is A New Service, using new technology to make international business and first class bookings simpler and more efficient. Burlingame, CA (PRWEB)
- Having a loud voice; vociferous; clamorous.
- Of grand or imposing sound.


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Businesses that embrace the trucking industry’s data revolution position themselves for success; those that don’t are at risk of being left behind.
EROAD’s Travis Ross visits FreightWaves’s Running on Ice podcast to share his expertise on cold chain logistics technology.
Advanced technology, such as artificial intelligence, is reshaping construction. Here’s what you need to know about emerging technologies.
From probe-less temperature monitoring to predictive alerts and more, artificial intelligence has exciting applications for cold chain.
Artificial intelligence has wide-ranging applications for cold chain logistics and the transportation industry in general.


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CWU launches sale of anti-racism football shirt to fundraiseJune 18 2020
After a hugely successful launch, the CWU has today put the CWU Against Racism football shirts on sale, with all profits received by the union being split 50/ 50 between anti-racism charities and FareShare, the UK-wide organisation which gets food to millions of vulnerable adults and children.
The shirt, which was produced in coordination with Show Racism the Red Card and manufactured by small business SWAZ Teamwear, will be available in both child and adult sizes. Purchases can be made via the link below:
Commenting on this news, CWU General Secretary Dave Ward, said: “We are delighted the shirts were so popular that we have been able to make them available for purchase. This is a unique way in which people can show their support for our anti-racism work whilst also supporting charities in this area and the fantastic work FareShare do – particularly at this crucial time. I would urge people across our movement and beyond to buy the shirt and wear it with pride.”
Show Racism the Red Card CEO, Ged Grebby, said: “It has been a pleasure to work with the CWU on this project and we appreciate their support both now and over a number of years. Any funds we receive will be put towards the education of young people.”
Andy Notman of SWAZ Teamwear said “This is such a fantastic cause to be involved in – the number of people’s lives this will have a direct and positive effect on is amazing. For Swaz, a local business that is trying to grow to be chosen to be part of the project is something we are very proud of – it really is an honour for us.”
James Persad, Head of Marketing at FareShare, said: “Since lockdown measures came into place, demand for FareShare’s services has soared and we are now providing more than 3 million meals a week to thousands of frontline charities and community groups across the UK. The need for our services has never been greater.
“We are grateful to the Communication Workers Union for their valuable support during this critical time. Every shirt sold will help FareShare distribute enough food to create up to ten meals for people facing hardship through the crisis.”
NOTES TO EDITORS
For CWU interview or comment, please contact firstname.lastname@example.org or email@example.com.
The Communication Workers Union is the biggest union for the communications industry in the UK with almost 200,000 members.
Formed in January 1995 when the Union of Communication Workers joined forces with the National Communications Union, we represent members in postal, telecom, mobile, administrative and financial companies including Royal Mail Group, UK Mail and BT, Telefonica O2, Virgin Media, EE and Santander, as well as outsourcing company Capita. Our members’ expertise includes engineering, computing, clerical, mechanical, driving, retail, financial, call centre and manual skills.
For FareShare interview or comment, please contact firstname.lastname@example.org
FareShare is the UK’s largest food redistribution charity, with 25 warehouses across the country. It takes food from the food industry that can’t be sold in shops, either because of packaging errors, a short shelf life or overproduction. That food, which is the same as the food you’d eat at home, is then redistributed through a network of 11,000 frontline organisations, across the UK such as homeless hostels, school breakfast clubs, domestic violence refuges, older people’s lunch clubs, food banks and hospices. FareShare provides enough food to create almost a million meals for vulnerable people every week.
Bryan Robson, former Manchester United and England Captain, wearing the CWU Against Racism Shirt:


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MTN Rwanda has announced the launch of its 'Mobile Money' service, targeting 100,000 subscribers in 2010, local daily The New Times reports.
MTN invested USD2 million in the implementation of its new offering, which enables customers on the MTN network to carry out financial transactions using their wireless handset through the 120 agents nationwide appointed by the operator. The service also allows non-subscribers of MTN to receive money.
Khaled Mikkawi, CEO at MTN Rwanda, commented: ‘We have a network reaching over 90% or the population and it is only right that we leverage this coverage for a common good product that will go a long way in the financial deepening of the Rwandan economy.’
MTN Rwanda is working with Commercial Bank of Rwanda (BCR) as the partner bank for its mobile money service.


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Electronic Arts expects tablets to outperform consoles as games devices in the near future, citing the increasing power and graphical quality today’s smart devices enjoy.
The comments came from CFO Blake Jorgensen, who predicts that tablets will become a major pillar of EA’s business going forward, according to GameSpot.
"What gets us most excited is the power, the computing power, of mobile devices and the speed at which that’s growing," he told attendees of the Technology, Internet and Media Conference. "What that might mean is that a tablet, three or four years from now, has more power than what a typical console has.
"That will open up a whole new set of people to console-style games that are much more immersive, much deeper, much more character-driven than simply a static mobile game that you might play for a small burst of time while you’re waiting for the bus.
Jorgensen added that EA is looking for ways to merge the two business models – something that "could be in your living room, could be on the bus, or could be in a friend’s house". The idea of a games model that is "much more portable" than today’s represents a "huge opportunity" for the publisher.
Obviously, this doesn’t mean the publisher will be backing away from traditional consoles like Xbox One and PS4, with new instalments of Battlefield, Mass Effect, Mirror’s Edge and more currently in the works.


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People in Broken Hill will be able to take advantage of a fresh produce pop-up happening at Memorial Oval on Wednesday, September 20 from 8am-11am.
A refrigerated truck from Sydney will make its way into town, filled to the brim with 12 pallets of fruits and vegetables, free to anyone who needs it.
The pop-up event is a partnership between JobLink Plus and Foodbank NSW and ACT and after previously putting an event on in Armidale last November, it was decided to bring the initiative to Broken Hill. The organisations are encouraging anyone to come along to the pop-up this Wednesday morning and fill their reusable shopping bags with fresh produce.
“Times are hard for everybody and having this come in, it will just help so many people,” Courtney Trenerry, JobLink Plus Youth Consultant., told the Barrier Truth.
“It’s all going to be free for the community. There’s no eligibility – it’s for everybody in Broken Hill. Anybody that’s in need, they can come down and they can grab it. There’s going to be heaps so we can try and provide as much food as we can for everybody, but it will operate on a ‘first-in, best-dressed’ basis.”.
“It’s a really big community event,” she says of Home in Place hosting a free BBQ throughout the morning, and a forklift donated by the Broken Hill High School, adding “everyone’s pitching in and it’s going to be a good event.”
The fresh produce pop-up is happening at Memorial Oval on Wednesday, September 20 from 8am-11am. People are encouraged to bring their own reusable bags, though there will be some available.


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Edgefest 2012 -- to be headlined by Three Days Grace, Evanescence and Chevelle -- will happen on Buffalo's outer harbor on Sept. 2.
Organizers announced late this afternoon that the Sunday, all-ages show will feature more acts, which will be announced later. Doors for the show will open at 4 p.m.
Edgefest tickets will go on sale Saturday at 10 a.m.; they are $38 in advance plus a $2 facility fee. They'll be available online at Ticketmaster.com, as well as through Ticketmaster locations, including Walmart locations. To order by phone, call 800-745-3000.
For more information, visit www.outerharborconcerts.com.
A deal to hold shows at the outer harbor location was reached in April.
The show is presented by Edge Rock Radio 103 and produced by Funtime AfterDark.


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Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and DC Entertainment have confirmed the rumors, releasing an announcement trailer for Injustice 2.
NetherRealm Studios will once again be developing the sequel and Ed Boon, the man behind Mortal Kombat, has been promising that the new game will alter the way that fighting titles are played. This is a lofty claim indeed, and one that wasn’t elaborated on with anything specific in terms of new features and mechanics.
The first game – Injustice: Gods Among Us – was released three years ago and was highly praised by both comic fans and fighting game fans alike. Injustice 2 is set to continue the story from the first game while adding new characters into the fray. On the official PlayStation blog, Ty Lansdown said:
“When last we saw them, Superman was imprisoned in a Red Sun prison cell, while Batman was continuing the good fight against the forces that would see Superman’s tyranny back in power. Where do we go from here? And what new characters will join the fight? Of course you’ll have to play the game to find out”
Lansdown also shed some light on the improvements and additions to the games features: “We’re adding new characters, new environments, and we’re taking environment destruction and interaction to the next level.” So in the very least, the developers aiming for bigger, better, and more!
There was also confirmation that, much like Tekken and Street Fighter, both fighter appearance and fighting style can be fully customized for a more personalized experience. On top of this, owners of the mobile version of Injustice: Gods Among Us will be able to unlock alternate versions of Injustice 2 Superman and Aquaman by completing certain challenges in-game.
The game is scheduled for release in 2017, with no specific date yet announced.


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PPC marketers warned about impressions
PPC marketing professionals have been urged to move beyond counting impressions when measuring overall ad reach.
John Burbank, chief executive officer at the Nielsen online division, feels that brand marketers are failing to maximise returns on investment by focusing exclusively on PPC volume. During a keynote presentation at the OMMA Metrics & Measurement event in New York, he argued they should consider how many of their most valuable customers saw an ad. He also said it was important to take into account how many times the key audience saw the ad and whether the internet was the most cost-effective delivery medium.
Traditional metrics and controlled tests advocated
Next, Mr Burbank suggested that measuring PPC attitudinal impact was about more than collating click-through data, search reports and website visits. Instead, he proposed that the online marketing sector should use traditional brand metrics like product awareness, and carry out controlled tests to track consumers who did not see the ad.
Finally, he argued that measuring response should not be limited to online sales. Rather, performing controlled tests would show the true effectiveness of a PPC ad, while tracking the impact on offline sales would also provide a more rounded picture.
"The 360 approach must become the new normal if the advertising community is going to move more brand marketers to invest heavily on the web," he concluded. "The tools exist


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Seth made the announcement earlier this morning
One of Hollywood’s most iconic cannabis enthusiasts announced the launch of his own weed brand this morning, and people are losing their minds over it.
Seth Rogen, star of the stoner comedy classics Pineapple Express and This Is The End, announced earlier this morning that his new cannabis brand Houseplant will have products available in California stores starting next week.
Here’s Rogen himself with the reveal:
Almost ten years I go, I envisioned having my own weed company. And today I can say that my company Houseplant’s weed will be available in California next week! Also, Houseplant is making lovely Housegoods like ashtrays, lighters, and YES, even ceramics. https://t.co/TNjpWFhbWB pic.twitter.com/00xR8QKNH3— Seth Rogen (@Sethrogen) March 1, 2021
To Read The Rest Of This Article On Leafly, Click Here


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Anthony Morrison is releasing a new traffic software on September 9, 2013. This will likely be something completely new, as his last course focused very heavily on buying CPV (cost per view) ads to promote affiliate products.
Not much information has been released about this product just yet, but it’s likely to be a big launch, as most of the products by Anthony and Adrian Morrison tend to stir up a lot of buzz.
You can stay up to date on news and information related to Anthony Morrison’s launch at Traffic With Anthony Review.
Anthony’s brother Adrian has just release a new system called Fast Traffic Formula, which many people are getting started with right now.
One of the things that many people have been talking about since the launch of Fast Traffic Formula is the weekly live trainings that help users learn even more about making money online. Some of the live trainings do have sales pitches at the end, but most of the free information that you will get is pure gold.
Please be sure to check back soon for more information on upcoming Internet marketing product launches that will help you make money online!


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Top 3 FinTech Scaleups of the UK and Europe in 2021
By Joy Dumasia
FinTech is used to describe new tech that seeks to improve and automate the delivery and use of financial services. At its core, FinTech is utilized to help companies, business owners, and consumers better manage their financial operations, processes, and lives by utilizing specialized software and algorithms that are used on computers and, increasingly, smartphones.
FinTech also includes the development and use of cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin. While that segment of FinTech may see the most headlines, Cryptocurrency exchanges have connected users buying or selling cryptocurrencies. Blockchain solutions have aimed to reduce fraud by keeping provenance data on the blockchain.
A scaleup is a startup that has grown, that has changed scale. To move to this next stage, the startup must have succeeded in stabilizing its business model and industrializing its offer. It has therefore proven its viability; a scaleup is nothing other than a successful startup. Since it will not remain a startup indefinitely, a young company’s prospects are limited.
The UK FinTech sector is booming; FinTech startups and scaleups are on the rise in 2021. New and exciting startups are emerging around the UK and particularly in London’s bustling FinTech hub. These FinTech startups and scaleups provide more efficient and streamlined services and pose a real threat to traditional banking, payment, and lending services.
The following are the Top 3 FinTech Scaleups of the UK and Europe in 2021:
The FinTech company is offering a range of digital banking services. They targeted their audience as tech-savvy mobile app users, including transferring money abroad in 29 different currencies with prepaid debit cards that enable cash machine withdrawals in 120 countries. Since its launch in 2015, Revolut has facilitated over 350 million transactions worth over £40b, serving over 9 million customers.
Users can also exchange money in 30 currencies—standard account users are capped to exchange £5,000 per month, whilst paid users and unrestricted—with no hidden fees. Premium and Metal account holders can instantly exchange any 30 currencies directly into five cryptocurrencies, namely Bitcoin, Litecoin, Ethereum, Bitcoin Cash and XRP.
IBS Intelligence recently reported that FinTech Revolut, the super financial app, has announced simplifying cross-border payments between the US and Mexico with the launch of its US-Mexico remittance corridor.
Atom was founded in 2014 as the UK’s first app-based Bank. Atom has grown to over 400 people, based in the North of England, focused on building the bank customers would want Atom to be. Atom operates a digital-only banking service, with all its services provided through its app. Atom has opted to divert from providing current accounts, instead offering savings accounts, mortgages and business loans to its customers.
Atom’s savings accounts, mortgages and business loans are all available through its app. Its fixed savings accounts range from three months to five years, with either monthly or annual interest. These accounts offer competitive interest rates, with the money saved from forgoing physical branches that provide these attractive rates.
Recently, IBS Intelligence reported that Atom Bank, the UK’s first app-based Bank, achieved two significant milestones this week when it exceeded £3bn of residential mortgage completions and, on the same day, hit £1bn in deposits into its Instant Saver accounts.
Nutmeg is a digital investment and wealth management firm. Investment management and financial advice experts help investors to build global portfolios through Nutmeg’s online investment platform. Nutmeg’s customers can easily monitor and update their investment preferences using Nutmeg’s online platform, which smartphone apps can also access.
Investors can also choose whether all their capital is invested immediately or gradually. Finally, Nutmeg’s wealth management experts build a suitable portfolio based on the investment goals and desired investment style.
IBS Intelligence recently reported that UK digital bank Starling has announced that digital wealth manager Nutmeg has joined its Marketplace. The new addition is expected to help the Bank’s personal and sole trader customers connect their banking to their investment accounts and pensions. The new integration will give Starling’s growing customer base the ability to keep track of their pension and investment balances all within its app.
ALSO READ: Applications of Artificial Intelligence In Banking 2021
IBSi Daily News Analysis
May 31, 2023
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Leading Mobile Phone brand in India, G’FIVE has announced today its new series of mobile phone phones, which includes Movie King E680, 650, 620 and one Gaming Phone G20 which are claimed to leashed with new compression technology breakthrough and gaming wonders respectively.
The phones were announced on 22-July but pricing details have been just announced by the company today. G’FIVE Movie King Series Phones comes with 20 full-length blockbuster movies, 20 ringtones and 5 FTV videos pre-loaded along with 4GB memory card in the sales package. The company has loaded these mobiles according to the regional preferences including North, South, East and West India. It other words, mobiles will be shipped loaded with regional content such as Hindi, Punjabi and Bhojpuri movies for North India.
The G’FIVE Movie King E680 is equipped with 2.2-inch QVGA display and Dual Camera. It offers multimedia features including surround-sound effect, FM radio player, music player, video player, 3.5mm audio jack in addition to the wireless connectivity. Whereas, the other two phones comes with some additional features. The Movie King E620 offers all of the E680 features, but in addition it offers analog TV features, whereas Movie King E650 is a flip phone with 2.4-inch QVGA Touchscreen display. But after looking at the specs, we didn’t found the anything ‘Innovative’, which company used while announcing these phones.
The G’FIVE G20 is gaming oriented phone, same like some recent offerings like Airfone,,,, It comes pre-loaded with 1000 games including 16-bit games that includes Mario, Contra, Tetris, Goonies, and Battle City . The screen size offered is 2.4-inch which is a QVGA display (looking good but we’re eager to see its performance live). Other features include dual memory card slot, analog TV, 3.5mm audio jack, music player, and sound is enhanced with built-in Yamaha amplifier, whereas the music player and audio players can play all major file formats. Besides, short-range wireless connectivity, the G20 comes bundled with a gaming console for playing the games somewhat like playing on the PC.
The G’Five Movie King Phones comes at an affordable price, Lets look at the pricing details of G’Five Movie King Series Phones:
E680: Rs. 2600
E620: Rs. 2700
E650: Rs. 3000
Whereas, the G’Five G20 Gaming Phone is priced at Rs. 2900. All the phones will be available soon at your nearest mobile stores.
Category: Mobiles Phones


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SAN DIEGO — Batman is a favorite among role-playing fans every year at Comic-Con International. This year, with the help of virtual reality, they can be Batman.
Comic-Con, the annual comic book convention, is expected to draw more than 130,000 people when it opens on Thursday in San Diego. And as media companies compete for the attention of all those fans, they are turning to virtual reality to gain an edge.
At the DC Entertainment booth, visitors can don the cape and cowl of the Dark Knight in Batman Arkham VR, a virtual reality video game in which players try to solve a murder. DC will also present demonstrations of Medium, a virtual reality sculpting tool for Oculus Rift. Comic book artists will put on goggles and sculpt while their creations begin to take shape on a screen behind them.
“Part of being able to draw in 2-D is being able to visualize it in 3-D,” said Jim Lee, the co-publisher of DC Entertainment, who will be one of the artists involved. “It’s the intersection of technology and art.”
Other media companies are creating original virtual reality content to promote their movies and television shows.
FX Networks is planning a virtual reality journey inspired by “American Horror Story” using HTC Vive that will incorporate 4-D, a technique that combines 3-D film with physical effects like vibrations or smells. “It will be a spine-tingling ride for anyone who is willing to put the headset on,” said Kenya Hardaway, the vice president of integrated promotions at FX Networks.
Amazon is building Amazon Village, which will include a virtual reality promotion for its series “The Man in the High Castle.” Using HTC Vive, visitors are invited to explore a world in which the Axis powers have won World War II as they search for clues to locate a missing film reel.
Warner Bros. opted for Samsung Gear VR to put visitors in the middle of a fight scene with the team of “worst heroes ever” from its upcoming film “Suicide Squad.” Fans of “Rick and Morty,” the animated series on Adult Swim, can play a game called “Rick and Morty: Virtual Rick-ality,” and MTV has similar plans to promote its “Teen Wolf” series.
Some projects, however, will eschew big thrills. In a partnership with USA Network, Universal Cable Productions, the studio behind the series “Mr. Robot,” produced a 12-minute film that provides a look at the backstory of the show’s protagonist, Elliot Anderson, played by Rami Malek. The film was made by the show’s director, Sam Esmail, and Chris Milk, the founder and chief executive of the virtual reality venture Within.
“Rather than use the medium to experiment with interactivity and action as is often the case with a lot of V.R. films, I opted to tell a smaller story that would instead explore empathy with our characters in a way ‘Mr. Robot’ fans wouldn’t be able to experience through traditional 2-D storytelling,” Mr. Esmail said by email.
The film will be presented once Thursday evening during Comic-Con and simulcast nationwide. After the presentation, however, the film will disappear. The idea was to create a communal experience that could be shared by thousands of people at the same time, Mr. Milk said.
“There is something special about something that everyone on is watching at the same time,” Mr. Milk added. “People talk about virtual reality being an isolating medium, but I don’t believe it has to be.”


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Coca-Cola India has decided to award the ad account for its two forthcoming brands to regional divisions of agencies. Triton, Mumbai has been awarded Rimzim account and Lowe Lintas, Chennai gets Portello.
According to industry sources, Coca-Cola India has decided to adopt an advertising strategy different from that for its other mainline brands -- Coke, Thums Up, Fanta, Limca, Kinley, Mazaa and Sprite. Portello and Rimzim being are regional brands, Coca-Cola will be restricting their advertising to print media and outdoor.
Along with Triton and Lowe Lintas, Coca-Cola India now has five different ad agencies servicing its brands. While McCann-Erickson handles the advertising for Brand Coke and Fanta, Ogilvy & Mather handles Limca and Kinley. Leo Burnett is in charge of the advertising for Thums Up, Maaza and Sprite.
Rimzim -- the masala soda brand which Coca-Cola had acquired from Parle -- has already been rolled out in Mumbai and Gujarat. The black currant flavoured Portello is expected to be introduced early next year and will cater to the Tamil Nadu market.
Rimzim is essentially a relaunch and is being priced at Rs 7 per 250-ml bottle, while Portello is expected to be priced at Rs 10 for 300-ml bottles each.
Both Rimzim and Portello are aerated beverages and will be made available in local flavours. According to industry sources, Coca-Cola India has lined up a series of niche beverages in specific flavours targeted at regional consumers.


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New Delhi, March 18, 2021: Toyota Kirloskar Motor launched the Urban Cruiser last year by entering the range of sub-compact SUVs in India. The company has rescinded more than 9 thousand units. According to the information received, a total of 9,498 units of the model made between 28 July 2020 and 11 February 2021 has been rescinded. The reason behind this is the driver-side airbag. For the information related to the same, the official Toyota dealers of the company will contact the owners of the affected vehicles.
The Toyota Urban Cruiser was launched by the company in three trims (Mid, High, and Premium). Powering this compact SUV is a 1.5-liter, 4-cylinder naturally aspirated petrol engine that generates 105bhp of power and 138Nm of torque. With this, the company offers a choice of a 5-speed manual gearbox or a 4-speed torque converter automatic transmission. Although mild hybrid technology is available exclusively on AMT variants.
The price of this sub-4 meter SUV has been fixed between Rs 8.40 lakh to Rs 11.30 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). Which is available in six variants Mid, Mid AT, High, High AT, Premium, and Premium AT. The manual version of this SUV gives a mileage of 17.03kmpl, while its automatic model (with mild hybrid system) gives a mileage of 18.76kmpl. The Toyota Urban Cruiser is one of the top-selling vehicles of the Japanese carmaker in India.
Toyota is planning to launch the RAV4 and C-HR SUV in India. Both these models will be sold in India via the CBU route. According to reports, the Toyota RAV4 2021 with a hybrid powertrain can enter the Indian market before Diwali. However, the company has not confirmed it yet.Follow Punekar News: