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Why You Should Book Your Ski Trip by the End of August
According to mountain vacation package site Ski.com, booking a ski trip by the end of the month ensures that you’ll be able to get the best deals on accommodations, flights, and lift tickets. The site reported it is currently seeing savings of up to 40 percent for lodging options at popular destinations like Whistler and Vail when booked by August 31.
This time frame also ensures ski enthusiasts are able to secure ski-in, ski-out accommodations, which the company said can be some of the first to get sold out.
Related:74 Getaways to Make You Love Winter
“There’s a finite number of prime hotels and condos, as well as a finite number of flights that go into these typically smaller airports in the mountains,” Dan Sherman, vice president of marketing at Ski.com, told Travel + Leisure. “People often wait until they get into winter mode to start shopping for their holiday vacations ... and at that point, it’s too late for many resorts.”
If you’re wondering which winter wonderland to explore next, here are 12 locations around the globe offering prime deals and top-notch amenities for those looking to book early.
Whistler, British Columbia
Whistler Blackcomb is already popular thanks to the 8,171 skiable acres it provides. The area is also known for its high-end lodging, most of which can sell out fast.
While the destination is already a hotspot, Ski.com predicts it will be in even higher demand this year since skiers can now take advantage of the Epic Pass — which offers unrestricted access to 15 different North American resorts and 30 different European resorts — at this location.
Whistler Blackcomb will also be raising the price for its EDGE card, which gives you five days of access to the resort and limited access to participating Vail Resorts in Colorado, Utah, and Lake Tahoe, on September 4, meaning you're guaranteed the lowest price if you purchase before that date.
Ski.com is also offering up to 40 percent off lodging at the resort when you book before August 31.
Aspen offers four ski mountains to choose from, and an eclectic après-ski scene that includes pop-up champagne bars and daytime parties at locations like Cloud 9, but it's the flights you'll want to watch out for when planning a trip.
“There’s not a mountain airport that’s more convenient than Aspen,” Sherman said. “It’s about three miles from Aspen and the runway ends across the street from the half pipe where the X games take place, but while it has a lot of service for a mountain airport, it’s an expensive route and airlines yield that price regularly."
Booking early can help you snag lower flight prices, as well as you give you more options on flight times and seats.
Japan has also become a destination of growing interest for winter enthusiasts, with heavy snowfalls that make for prime skiing terrain.
According to Sherman, January is a top time for U.S. skiers to head to Japan thanks to the high likelihood of deep snow, with industry professionals even nicknaming the trend “Japanuary.” Booking early will help to guarantee you won’t miss out on the top spots if you’re looking to head to the destination during this time.
In Telluride, Colorado, skiers and boarders alike are treated to views of the San Juan Mountains and open, often crowd-free slopes.
When it comes to accommodations, visitors can choose from ski-in, ski-out lodges and resorts at Mountain Village or in the former mining town of Telluride.
Those looking to access the ski-in, ski-out properties should book their trips before September, as these are the first to go, according to Sherman.
Vail is known as one of the largest ski resort towns in the world, offering more than 5,200 acres of developed ski and snowboarding terrain and Black Bowls that extend for seven miles.
The destination has been a regular winter stop for snow enthusiast for years, which is why Ski.com recommends booking now to ensure not just a prime spot, but any spot in Vail, as accommodations here can sell out quick.
Vail is also one of the locations where the Epic Pass applies, so once again booking before September guarantees you the lowest price on the pass. The resort is currently hosting a flash sale of up to 40 percent off of lodging when booked by August 25, while Ski.com also has various deals offering up to 35 percent off lodging when booked by September 1.
Deer Valley, Utah
Open for skiers only, Deer Valley is renowned for its luxurious touches that include uniformed ski valets and even complimentary tissues handed out in lift lines.
The resort limits its number of daily lift tickets to around 8,000 skiers to ensure a lack of big crowds, meaning you’ll want to book early to secure your spot, while famed dinner at locations like Fireside Dining, where everything from meats to cheese are cooked directly over a burning fire, also fill up earlier on in the year.
The ski resort town of Breckenridge stretches across five different peaks that include the highest chairlift in North America, the Imperial Express, which takes skiers a whopping 12,840 feet into the air.
Since it’s near Denver, the location is a popular weekend destination for locals, according to Sherman, and you can expect prices on accommodations to increase based on demand.
Breckenridge is also part of the Epic Pass route, so booking now will get you the lowest rate on the pass before prices rise on September 4. Meanwhile, the resort is also having a flash sale starting at $99 per night for bookings made before August 25.
Ski.com is also offering up to 25 percent off of lodging for bookings made by August 31.
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
While the Jackson Hole Airport is located near the resort and provides regular service, the routes can get pricey the longer you wait, according to Sherman, and the accommodations located in the popular base area of the resort at Teton Village can sell out fast.
Finally, a Grand Pass sale is offering unlimited half-price lift tickets at 16 partnering destinations and five 50 percent off passes at affiliate resorts. Prices for the pass will go up on September 1.
Crested Butte, Colorado
Crested Butte is home to 1,547 acres of skiable terrain, with over half of the mountain offering runs for intermediate and beginner skiers.
Crested Butte is also surrounded by 1.7 million acres of the Gunnison National Forest, allowing for additional activities that include snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and biking.
$300 in flight credits is currently on offer for those flying into the Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport on a first-come, first-serve basis, and you can also bundle the deal with lodging promotions of up to 30 percent off, available until September 15.
Revelstoke, British Columbia
Revelstoke is popular today for those looking to experience heli skiing, with 500,000 acres of exclusive terrain to enjoy.
Selkirk Tangiers Heli Skiing caters to the area, though these heli trips have limited inventory, so you’ll need to book rather quickly, according to Sherman. In addition, Revelstoke is offering up to 44 percent off lift tickets when you book your vacation by August 31.
Steamboat Springs, Colorado
According to Ski.com, Steamboat has some of the most affordable ski-in, ski-out condos on the market, with terrain for skiers of all levels to explore.
Steamboat’s airport is tiny and has limited flights, so you’ll need to book early if you’re looking to avoid last-minute price hikes, according to Sherman.
If you book lodging by the end of August, you could also save 15 percent on a stay during the week of Christmas.
The Alps have long been a winter playground for those traversing Europe, with countries like Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Slovenia, and Switzerland all offering summer and winter activities of their own.
According to Ski.com's flight department, travelers tend to book flights to the destination as soon as the inventory is released, which can be as early as February of the year before. So, while the top price deals for these destinations have likely already passed, if you’re still looking to book a ski trip here, you’ll want to do it now since fares will continue to be on the rise.


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Knowledge gained through its carrier business, in addition to R&D work on 5G, will put Huawei in a better position to implement new network technologies into its handsets sooner, the company...
At a news conference in Berlin, Germany, Huawei introduced its first line-up of three personal computer models for consumers.
Two Electronics and Computer Science (ECS) undergraduate students have been successful in gaining a place on the highly competitive Huawei ‘Seeds for the Future’ Programme 2017
Huawei's Global Connectivity Index (GCI) 2017 report says that digitally advanced and digitally developing nations continue to gain strong economic growth and secure larger ICT investments, while...
The company joined the employers' organisation, the Spanish Confederation of Business Organizations (CEOE).

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SINGAPORE - Airport and food services provider Sats has joined forces with logistics giant DHL to offer carriers like Singapore Airlines (SIA) new ways to better manage food and other resources.
The initiative will deliver costs savings for airlines while giving travellers more choice of in-flight meals and a greater array of amenities such as duty-free goods, among other benefits, the firms said.
They will be focusing on the airline market in India, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
Sats, Changi Airport's biggest ground handler, and DHL said the memorandum of understanding combines their strengths: "The comprehensive ... solution spans demand planning, menu customisation and planning, to supply chain consultancy and reverse logistics."
Reverse logistics involves moving goods from where they are consumed back to their point of origin for reuse or disposal.
The firms added: "With end-to-end visibility, airlines will be able to achieve higher consistency, better inventory management, reduced waste and greater customer insights."
They also said the tie-up will remove the need for airlines to seek out different providers for different services.
Being able to better predict demand means airlines will not have to hang on to inventory unnecessarily, which in turn reduces storage and warehouse costs.
DHL will contribute to the partnership through its expertise in areas such using data analytics to estimate demand and in generating revenue from food waste while Sats brings its experience in large-scale catering and ground handling.
Sats executive vice president for food solutions Kerry Mok said on Friday (Sept 13): "Our partnership with DHL extends our global reach through reliable third-party logistics, allowing us to partner with airlines across their entire flight network".
The firm recently reported that first-quarter net profit fell 14.4 per cent to $54.7 million from the same period a year earlier due to the weaker global economy.
It had received a boost in March when its ground handling contract with SIA was renewed for another five years with an option to extend for a further five years.
The new contract includes in-flight catering, passenger and cargo handling, aircraft interior cleaning, aviation security and laundry services.


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The four-day Ninth China (Zibo) International Ceramics Exposition and the 8th China (Zibo) New Material Technological Forum began on September 6.
Distinctive industrial ceramics, ceramic new material and glasses will be shown during the expositions.
The expositions will feature seven main activities, including the 2009 China (Zibo) Ceramics Product and Technological Innovation Development Forum, the China (Zibo) Fair for Trade and Economic Cooperation and the First Zibo Culture and Art & Shandong Classic Rosewood Furniture Expo.
Zibo is well-known for ceramics in China. The city is now homes to approximately 150,000 people who work for nearly 600 ceramics-related enterprises that generate an annual revenue of over 40 billion yuan in total.
Editor Li Jing
By Zhao Ruixue (China Daily Shandong Bureau)


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20 September 2011
One major hassle in owning an electric vehicle has got to be tracking down a place to charge the thing. What if I want to drive my (hypothetical) EV to the train station in the morning and run a few errands before driving home, and that adds up to more miles than can be driven on a single charge? A bit of quick Web research proved that while I’m worrying about this question, others are acting. Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield just recently posted an article on Green Car Reports announcing that, “Central Parking, a nationwide parking garage company responsible for 1.1 million parking spots — and its Tennessee-based subsidiary USA Parking Systems — will soon host electric car charging facilities at 2,220 of its parking garages.”
That probably solves my parking at the train station dilemma, but how about finding other charging stations? Once again, it’s covered–this time by Google. GreenBeat posted an announcement in March that “Google will display the locations of electric vehicle charging stations on its Google Maps web and mobile applications in an attempt to push potential electric car buyers to take the plunge.”
This past spring saw announcements that San Francisco will install more than 80 free electric vehicle charging stations and Boston unveiled three charging stations near City Hall. Additionally, a cartech blog article by Liane Yvkoff announced in July that Coulumb Technologies plans to install 150 ChargePoint stations in the Boston metropolitan area. The article explains that the “planned installations are part of Coulomb’s $37 million ChargePoint America project funded by the Department of Energy. The 150 networked EV charging stations will be installed primarily within the Route 495 Beltway, and available for use by any ChargePoint member. After they are built and go online, drivers can find the stations using the ChargePoint iPhone, BlackBerry, or Android apps. TomTom GPS users will also be able to locate the new charging stations on their mobile devices. “
Heck, the Department of Energy even has a list of electric charging station locations.
So, it sounds like my fears can probably be put to rest. But what I want to know is how does this all work in the real world? I’d like to hear stories about the real-world ease or difficulty of finding a charge for your EV. Post your story in the comments field below or send me an email (email@example.com).


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Members of the Dothan-Houston County Substance Abuse Partnership is urging parents to lock up their liquor.
They were handing out locks and information at the Southside Wal-Mart in Dothan to warn parents about the dangers of underage drinking.
Every day thousands of children have their first alcoholic drink, and it usually comes from the home.
"Parents don't think about the fact that a beer in the fridge is tempting to an adolescent who has already been thinking about drinking so even beer and wine coolers needs to be taken into account if you have a child in the home," said Beth Ford with Dothan-Houston Co. Substance Abuse Partnership.
Prescription drugs and tobacco should also be kept out of children's reach.


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Although an electric truck has a higher sticker price than a conventional vehicle today, the low number of moving parts in an electric engine means they often have longer lifecycles and need less maintenance. Meanwhile, the price of batteries is decreasing at a rate that’s outpacing most analysts’ expectations. Ongoing investment in the renewable energy sector is bringing down costs of generating electricity to the point where running a truck on electricity will be a fraction of the cost of diesel.
As demand for electric vehicles has shot up, battery innovation is also accelerating. Lighter, lithium-ion batteries are about a third of the weight and half of the volume when compared to lead-acid. And they are becoming even lighter and more powerful as the tech improves. Even more, gains could be made with the next generation of batteries, known as solid-state batteries. These charge faster, are safer and deliver up to twice the battery density of today’s lithium-ion batteries, which could potentially double the range.
Today, charging an electric truck for shorter-range tasks can be easily done overnight. While the infrastructure for fast-charging trucks is still small, it is expanding as cities, logistics centers, automakers, and gas stations look to cater to an emerging demand. And new technologies including smart chargers and smart batteries are making ultra-fast charging possible under a broader range of conditions. New discoveries are also demonstrating that charging speeds will be increased drastically by improvements of lithium-ion batteries.
As the price of electric vehicles goes down, choosing electric could become more than a question of sustainability and cost. Electric trucks are also proving popular with drivers because they generate fewer vibrations than traditional diesel vehicles. They are easier to maneuver and park, making them well-suited to urban driving and deliveries. As a low-carbon option with no tailpipe emissions, electric trucks are proving popular with companies that want to operate more sustainably.
The switch to electric vehicles could go faster than many have anticipated. At least, there are many signs indicating this development. And electric trucks are already rolling on our streets in real operation.
Environment and Innovation Director at Volvo Trucks


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Job openings a hot topic at Cincinnati Sub-Zero
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Cincinnati Sub-Zero, a manufacturer of “temperature management solutions,” is looking to hire another 20 workers at its growing Sharonville facilities.
The company is holding a job fair on Saturday Feb. 16 at its Mosteller Road headquarters from 8 a.m. till noon. It has openings first- and second-shift assemblers, welders, electricians, brake press operators, brazing/soldering and painters.
I wrote about Sub-Zero’s growth spurt back in December 2011, shortly after it added 50 new positions and acquired a Denver company that makes stress-testing equipment.
The family-owned business makes deep-freeze chambers for industrial applications and testing, and it also makes medical equipment to rapidly lower body temperatures.
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NEW DELHI: Drug firm Abbott India today said it has posted a net profit of Rs 27.08 crore for the quarter ended March 31, 2012 over the same period of previous fiscal.
The company had posted a net profit of Rs 5.94 crore for the quarter ended March 31, 2011 Abbott India said in a filing to BSE.
Total income of the company stood at Rs 375.98 crore for the quarter ended March 31, 2012. It stood at Rs 245.54 crore for the corresponding period of previous financial year.
The results are not comparable as the results for the quarter ended March 31, 2011 are for Abbott India prior to its amalgamation with Solvay Pharma, Abbott India said.
Stakeholders of the company have approved a dividend of Rs 17 per share on 2,12,49,302 equity shares of Rs 10 each for the year ended December 31, 2011, it added.
The company is the Indian arm of the global drug major Abbott.
Shares of Abbott India today closed at Rs 1,505.35 on BSE, down 0.79 per cent from its previous close.


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Millions of fake condoms smuggled into UK over last 18 months raising risk of STIs
- Fake condoms from Far East use cheaper materials that burst more easily
- MHRA has employed sniffer dogs trained to spot counterfeit condoms
Soaring numbers of counterfeit condoms are being smuggled into the UK, the government's health regulator warned yesterday.
For the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulation Agency claims that millions of the fakes have been illegally imported in the last 18 months.
The bogus condoms use cheaper materials and could increase the risk of users passing on STIs or lead to unwanted pregnancies, warn family planning experts.
Surge in demand? Millions of fake condoms have been illegally imported in the last 18 months
Counterfeiters have managed to copy well-known brands like Durex to convince people that the fake products are the genuine article.
BBC Radio 1 Newsbeat reported that tests carried out on many of the fakes show they have a high burst rate.
Senior investigator Danny Lee-Frost says: 'These products are made in the Far East for pennies and then sold over here for pounds.
'They will cut corners. They will cut costs. They will use cheaper ingredients and materials.'
He said it was vital that people only bought condoms from reputable retailers and pharmacies as the fakes have mainly been found on sale in corner shops and on market stalls.
Trading Standards are regularly intercepting fake hauls across the country. In August 2012, £1.5m worth of counterfeit condoms were seized at Heathrow Airport, with a similar amount found in Yorkshire.
The MHRA have employed the help of the UK's first sniffer dogs trained to try to tackle the problem.
Paul Maddox is responsible for the dogs' training. He told the BBC: 'I was really surprised when I found out about the problem. I've heard about counterfeit medicines but I never thought condoms would ever be an issue.
'When we've trained the dogs up we managed to find a chink in the counterfeiters' armour and we've exploited that. That's why the dogs have been successful.'
But while the dogs can tell the difference, authorities are worried unwary shoppers could easily fall for the realistic fakes and want to raise awareness of the issue.
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The average British worker spends as many as 120 hours per year using their smartphones in the workplace, and those working in IT are some of the worst culprits, according to research.
Research of 2,012 UK adults carried out by gadgets and technology etailer, LaptopsDirect.co.uk, has revealed almost all (96%) of IT workers admit to using their smartphones during working hours.
78% regularly respond to text messages during working hours, and 59% regularly take personal phone calls whilst working.
52% admit to answering instant messages via platforms such as Whatsapp and Facebook, whilst 9% have sent a Snapchat from their workplace.
44% of respondents said their workplace permitted reasonable use of smartphones.
More than a third (38%) regularly check their social media accounts while in the workplace.
Those working in marketing took the top spot (98%).
Mark Kelly, marketing manager at LaptopsDirect.co.uk, said: “It’s no surprise that we are addicted to our smartphones however overuse during working hours can add up, leaving a serious shortfall in productivity. Although companies monitor and prohibit the use of social media during the working day, the research shows that there is still a large amount of people continuing to use their device.
“Use of smartphones and social media in the workplace can lead to hundreds of thousands of hours in lost productivity per year, which could cost UK companies millions of pounds.”
14% have been told off for using smartphones at work, while just 4% have been disciplined for use of their own tech during work time.
The top 10 business sectors who use smartphones:
Marketing – 98%
Information and communications – 96%
Creative and photographic – 92%
Professional service (law, accountancy) – 86%
Trades (construction, plumbing) – 78%
Manufacturing – 74%
Retail – 64%
Transportation – 48%
Education – 44%
Healthcare – 23%


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COLONIE, N.Y. — Hannaford Supermarkets is expanding its Hannaford To Go grocery service, which allows customers to order items online — including special requests — and then drive to their nearest store to pick up the items.
The service rolled out to an eighth location, in Colonie, N.Y., on Thursday. Hannaford To Go is already available at the supermarket chain's stores in Maine, New Hampshire and New York.
The Delhaize America-owned chain originally piloted the service at a store in Dover Fields, N.H., about three years ago, and then at a location in North Windham, Maine, before beginning to roll it out to select sites, spokesman Eric Blom told Progressive Grocer, a sister publication of Convenience Store News.
The decision of where to introduce the service depends on many factors, he explained, chief among them the demographics of the surrounding community. Hannaford To Go is particularly geared toward commuters, busy moms and other time-stressed shoppers.
Blom noted that the convenient curbside pickup service should prove especially popular in the winter, and is a more time-efficient solution for many shoppers. So far, customer feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.
"People really appreciate the service," he added.


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LOS ANGELES -- (BUSINESS WIRE) -- VidCon, the largest industry conference and fan extravaganza in the world for online video, today announced additional speakers, keynotes, and industry panels for the event that will be held June 26-28 at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, Calif. More than 18,000 online video fans, content creators, entertainment industry executives and YouTube personalities are expected to attend the fifth installment of the annual event.
Keynote speakers will include bestselling author John Green, former NBCUniversal executive Lauren Zelaznick, Fullscreen founder George Strompolos, Burnie Burns of Rooster Teeth, Brian Robbins of AwesomenessTV, Sarah Penna of Big Frame, Grace Helbig, Freddie Wong and several others yet to be announced.
The event includes programming geared toward both fans and industry professionals, including celebrity Q&A’s and signings, special gatherings, keynotes, performances, panel sessions, outdoor concerts, receptions, dance parties and an expo hall.
Industry panels will cover a myriad of topics, some of which are titled:
Online video personalities who are confirmed to attend VidCon include Philip DeFranco, iJustine, Hank and John Green, The Gregory Brothers, Jack Harries (Jacksgap), Hannah Hart, Ian Hecox and Anthony Padilla (Smosh), Grace Helbig, Dan Howell and Phil Lester (Danisnotonfire and AmazingPhil), Charlie McDonnell, Tyler Oakley, Charles and Alli Trippy (CTFXC), Toby Turner, Freddie Wong, Craig Benzine (Wheezy Waiter), Dane Boe (Annoying Orange), Michael Buckley, Shay Carl, Shane Dawson, Dave Days, Tanya Burr, Jim Chapman, Marcus Butler, Caspar Lee, Troye Sivan, Zoella Sugg, Alfie Deyes, Our2ndLife, The Fine Brothers, Mamrie Hart, Rhett & Link, Tessa Violet, SourceFed, Mark Malkoff, Bethany Mota and dozens of others.
Event sponsors include YouTube, Kia Motors, Maker Studios, AwesomenessTV, Fullscreen, HGTV, Dolby, Tubestart, Penguin Publishing, Stylehaul, Loudr, Tubular Labs, Glide Talk, DFTBA Records, Subbable, Snap Yourself, VideoInk, Videomaker and more to come.
Attendees may purchase either community or industry passes to the event. The community pass offers full access to gatherings, performances, concerts, signings, the festival, dances and the expo hall. The industry pass includes access to all of the community events as well as industry-specific content that runs throughout the conference. Industry content is geared toward professional creators and others in the industry such as people who work for advertisers, platforms, agencies and networks. Community passes can be purchased for $150 and industry passes for $500 at www.VidCon.com.
VidCon is the largest industry conference and fan extravaganza in the world for online video. Started in 2010 by online video personalities and brothers Hank and John Green, the event has grown exponentially and is now attended by more than 18,000 industry professionals, content creators and fans. More information is available at www.VidCon.com.


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In the United States of America, 1 in every 8 women will develop an invasive breast cancer over the course of her life. Similar studies have shown that the rate of deaths from breast cancer are the highest among any known types of cancer, including cancers of the lung, and represent the primary cause of cancer related deaths in the United States.
Here at Lucky Dog Custom Apparel, we recognize that education and knowledge may mean the difference between early detection of breast cancer, and its discovery at a later stage where disease management may be a lot more difficult.
In light of this, and in recognition of October as the month for global awareness of breast cancer, we are proud to announce that Lucky Dog Custom Apparel will be making a donation to the Shirley Mae Breast Cancer Assistance Fund. Lucky Dog Custom Apparel will also provide pink breast cancer awareness ribbons to our customers that visit our shop (while supplies last).
For those groups that will be participating in Breast Cancer Awareness activities, we can work with any group or organization in the production of custom breast cancer awareness gear. We will help customize your gear with pink ribbons and statements of hope and support in a bid to help you and your organization raise awareness about breast cancer and hopefully help put an end to this disease.
To work with us, call, email or visit us at the shop to get started.


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Jul 21, 2015 02:59 PM IST | Source: CNBC-TV18
Expansion, not profits, main focus currently: Intrasoft
In an interview with CNBC-TV18, Infrasoft Technologies's managing director said that profit is not the main concern, but expansion of business is to survive the competitive market.
Arvind Kajariya, Managing Director, Intrasoft Technologies told CNBC-TV18 that is focused on expanding business and not profits currently. The cash is reinvested to expand management, develop technology and infrastructure, he said.
Watch video for more.


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Drones feel a bit like old news already, don’t they? At least in the Valley, with its hyper-fragmented mayfly attention span. The military has used them for decades. DJI, the undisputed (consumer) polycopter industry leader, was founded in 2006. We tech journalists can’t stop talking about drones, but they’re still mostly playthings, curiosities. One might well ask: what became of all that hype?
It’s a fair question, given our raised expectations — drones replacing FedEx trucks, drones providing emergency relief, drones creepily face-scanning every protester at a demonstration — but I think it evinces an unrealistic expectation of consistent, linear change.
The world's biggest technology showcase CES (the Consumer Electronics Show) is held every year in Las Vegas over the last 50 years. New 2017 is not an exception – the event ran from January 5 to January 8.
assistant, whose seemingly ubiquitous nature means a lot of these devices now have a voice. First comes conversation, then comes an emotional attachment. As the show progressed, the lines between a robot and smart device blurred, hinting at a big future for the prospects of robots in your home.
But what makes a robot? Does a voice assistant such as Amazon's Alexa, found in LG's Hub Robot, automatically count? Does it need human features? I talked to exhibitors at the show to get their take.
Huawei is supporting Google VR in its aim to expand its reach in the virtual and augmented reality markets by releasing a new Daydream-ready headset and a Tango-based smartphone.
Huawei’s new headset was recently announced in a Google blogpost which detailed upcoming Daydream-ready devices.
As well as its headset, Huawei’s Mate 9 Pro and Porsche Design Mate 9 smartphones were also revealed to be joining the Daydream family. According to Google, Huawei’s headset has been “built to be easy to use” with “an adjustable focus so it can be used without eyeglasses.”
Brothers Massoud and Mahmud Hassani grew up in Kabul, Afghanistan, knowing that one wrong step could end their lives. “When we walked to school, we had a special path to follow—otherwise we would end up in a minefield,” Massoud says. Mines are cheap to manufacture and deploy, but slow and expensive to remove. An estimated 110 million land mines litter the globe, killing 15,000 to 20,000 people a year. Living among them “becomes like a mental disorder,” Massoud says. “The fear is on your mind all the time.”
For the past few years, Dell’s XPS 13 has widely been considered one of, if not the best Windows laptop for most people.
It looks good, its keyboard is comfortable, its battery life is superb, and, most notably, its bezels are super thin, which effectively lets it pack a 13-inch display into the body of an 11-inch machine.
We liked the most recent model enough to include it in our roundup of last year’s top laptops.
Military drones are cheap, but they could certainly stand to be a whole lot cheaper. At least, that’s the rationale behind an Air Force solicitation for a “Low Cost Attritable Strike UAS Demonstration,” posted online yesterday. To encourage the design of a cheap and deadly drone, the federal government is willing to reimburse up to $7,450,000 for developing the concept in 30 days.
As they fit into the existing military air fleet, drones like the Predator and Reaper are cheaper than, say, $100+ million F-35s, but that doesn’t mean they’re exactly ependable. Reapers cost about $13 million each. The moderately cheaper Gray Eagle, which is about a half-step between the original Predator and the Reaper, runs about $5 million per drone.
The Apple Watch doesn't work with Android phones -- but your Samsung watch might now work with Apple. Today, Samsung has released a pair of apps on Apple's iOS App Store which allow the Samsung Gear S2, Gear S3, and Gear Fit 2 wearables to pair and work with Apple's iPhones.
One of the longest running bugbears of PC gaming is screen tearing — ever so often you’ll notice that when in motion, visuals on screen appear torn or distorted, even with the best possible PC. Screen tearing happens when the PC’s graphics card pushes out frames either faster or slower than the monitor can refresh its image, resulting in visible jitter and split frames. While only seen for a fraction of a second, tearing is extremely jarring can ruin the experience of playing a game.
‘It’s raining.’ ‘It’s cold.’ ‘The duvet is too heavy.’ ‘I’ve got to be at work early.’ ‘I must stay late at the office.’ ‘I’d rather have a drink…’
Any of these gym-avoiding excuses sound familiar? Well, thanks to a combination of smartphone convenience and the latest sports science, you can skip paying a fortune to workout somewhere and get the same results in your own home.
Research shows you can achieve more progress in a mere 15 minutes of High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) - done three times a week – than hitting the treadmill for an hour.


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An FDA Guide to Dietary Supplements & FDA Approved Breast Pills
by Paula Kurtzweil
Set between a Chinese restaurant and a pizza and sub sandwich eatery, a Rockville health food store offers yet another brand of edible items: Bottled herbs like cat’s claw, dandelion root, and blessed thistle. Vitamins and minerals in varying doses. Herbal and nutrient concoctions whose labels carry claims about relieving pain, “energizing” and “detoxifying” the body, or providing “guaranteed results.”
This store sells dietary supplements, some of the hottest selling items on the market today. Surveys show that more than half of the U.S. adult population uses these products. In 1996 alone, consumers spent more than $6.5 billion on dietary supplements, according to Packaged Facts Inc., a market research firm in New York City.
But even with all the business they generate, consumers still ask questions about dietary supplements, for example FDA Approved Breast Pills: Can their claims be trusted? Are they safe? Does the Food and Drug Administration approve them?
Many of these questions come in the wake of the 1994 Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act, or DSHEA, which set up a new framework for FDA regulation of dietary supplements. It also created an office in the National Institutes of Health to coordinate research on dietary supplements, and it called on President Clinton to set up an independent dietary supplement commission to report on the use of claims in dietary supplement labeling.
In passing DSHEA, Congress recognized first, that many people believe dietary supplements offer health benefits and second, that consumers want a greater opportunity to determine whether supplements may help them. The law essentially gives dietary supplement manufacturers freedom to market more products as dietary supplements and provide information about their products’ benefits–for example, in product labeling.
The Council for Responsible Nutrition, an organization of manufacturers of dietary supplements and their suppliers, welcomes the change. “Our philosophy has been … to maintain consumer access to products and access to information [so that consumers can] make informed choices,” says John Cordaro, the group’s president and chief executive officer.
But in choosing whether to use dietary supplements, FDA answers consumers’ questions by noting that under DSHEA, FDA’s requirement for premarket review of dietary supplements is less than that over other products it regulates, such as drugs and many additives used in conventional foods.
This means that consumers and manufacturers have responsibility for checking the safety of dietary supplements and determining the truthfulness of label claims.


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New Fortnite Agent Jonesy Skin Leaked
A new Fortnite skin has leaked, teasing PS4, Xbox One, PC, Nintendo Switch, and mobile players of [...]
A new Fortnite skin has leaked, teasing PS4, Xbox One, PC, Nintendo Switch, and mobile players of the game what will soon be coming to the Item Shop in a future update. Yesterday, Fortnite's Season 3 Doomsday Device event finally went down after a couple of delays. During the event, Epic Games introduced players to Agent Jonesy, a seemingly prominent character in the game's lore. And it looks like this character is coming to the game proper as a skin.
Over on Twitter, prominent Fortnite dataminer FortTory shared a new discovery, presumably plucked out of the files of the game's most recent update. More specifically, the dataminer revealed that a new skin has been decrypted, and it's an Agent Jonesy.
At the moment of publishing, it's unclear what exactly the skin will look like, but it presumably will be a mirror of the aforementioned event character. Meanwhile, it's also unclear when the skin will drop, but it does appear to be an Item Shop skin, and it's likely going to drop tonight or tomorrow or at the latest, sometime this week.
An Agent Jonesy skin was encrypted.
- Agent Jonesy
Espionage suits him well pic.twitter.com/bX6p6oXgPz— FortTory - Fortnite Leaks & News (@FortTory) June 15, 2020
As always, everything here should be taken with a grain of salt given that everything here is not official, but leaked information. That said, not only have datamining leaks proven very reliable in the past, but it's fairly obvious Epic Games is going to release this skin after so prominently featuring it in the event.
Fortnite is available, for free, via the PS4, Xbox One, PC, Nintendo Switch, and mobile devices. For more news, rumors, leaks, and every other type of coverage on the game click here or see the relevant links below:
- Fortnite Season 3: Teasers, Start Time, and More
- Fortnite Adds Adorably Creepy Mushrooms That Talk and Dance
- New Jason Momoa Aquaman Teaser Has Fortnite Fans Excited
- Fortnite Doomsday Device Event: Here's What Happened
- New Fortnite Cyclo Skin May Contain Huge Hidden Secret
- Ninja Pops Off Explaining Why He Doesn't Want to Play "Boring" Fortnite


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The Roaring Sporting 20s India Leads the Way in Innovation and Engagement
The 20,000 Foot View: Touted as the home of the next billion online consumers, India’s rapid adoption of digital media services has been driven by the explosion in smartphone adoption over the last few years. While per capita smartphone penetration still significantly lags behind developed markets, India’s billion population means that it now has the second largest global smartphone user base after China. In a sports-obsessed country, much of the attention of this vast mobile audience is now being captured by both established traditional sports and newly emerging digitally-native esports and fantasy leagues. Where India goes, the rest of the world is likely to follow as the imminent D-Day for sports rights changes the dynamics of revenue versus reach. Global sports engagement in the is likely to be heavily shaped by what emerges in the Indian market over the coming years.
- India is as a sporting nation, with performing across different international sports of cricket like kabaddi, motorsports, chess etc.
- Cricket’s continuous has played a huge part making the sport the phenomenon it is, and Star India’s of the India Premier League rights has turbocharged its OTT Hotstar
- Star India peak viewership of million for 2019 IPL final on Hotstar, compared to the million viewership 2018
- Following the Cricket World Cup semi-final between and New Zealand, Hotstar holds world record for largest concurrent streaming audience at million
- In a that lives and swears by there is now no way watch it without paying
- Hotstar is in over languages, emphasising the of the Indian market – live sport is able to through
- Fantasy sports rising fast in popularity, with fantasy league growing its player from million users in 2015 over million in 2020
- A rapidly esports ecosystem is rising on back of the explosion in activity
- India offers glimpse into sports’ digital future low margins but vastly enlarged
Companies and brands mentioned in this report: Airtel, Century Fox, Star India, Disney+, Vivo Indian Premier League, Dream Indian Premier League, Jio, Reliance, IMG, BAARC, Hotstar, Pro Kabaddi League, Disney, Star Sports, Sony Pictures Network, SonyLiv, JioTV, AirtelTV, IMG Reliance, Indian Super League, WWE, English Premier League, Redmi, OPPO, Vivo, Micromax, Reliance Industries, Vodafone, ZeeTV,


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New Delhi | People faced hardships on Wednesday in procuring essential items and using public transport as they scurried for small change while petrol pumps were flooded with harried consumers and toll plazas saw long queues, a day after high denomination notes in the country were withdrawn.
Daily wage earners and casual low income group workers were the worst affected, struggling to make transactions and get ‘chutta’ or change while roadside kiosks, vegetable sellers, small traders and hawkers were gripped with anxiety notwithstanding calls to avoid panic.
Reports from several cities said that several mom-and-pop stores experienced a drop in consumers with the difficulties of the man on the street compounded with ATMs remaining closed after overnight demonetisation of Rs 1000 and Rs 500 notes by the government as part of the crackdown on black money.
Also, some small time traders and grocery shops put up boards outside their establishments, saying that notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 denominations would not be accepted for any transaction, thus inconveniencing the common man who makes day-to-day transactions in small cash.
In many places, people having Rs 1000 and Rs 500 denomination notes with them were seen running pillar to post for getting it changed for Rs 100 bills amid reports that people were having a tough time to get medicines.
Thousands of Mumbaikars were put to hardship in procuring essentials and meeting other daily chores like catching local trains and buses to reach their workplace.
Many locals said they had to return empty handed this morning while purchasing milk, vegetables, medicines in the absence of adequate Rs 100 notes. Several commuters using public transport like taxis and auto-rickshaws faced a tough time as they were refused transaction with Rs 500 notes.


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This new device from Atomos is what DSLR users have been waiting for - and its half the price we expected!
This is the first of our series looking at people who run a video production business focusing on their strategy and their technology. Mark McCarthy of Sparky Media Productions specialises in very high quality video which is increasingly obtainable on lower-cost equipment - although he's not afraid to use high-end kit where necessary.
In the wake of the Atomos Shogun 4K recorder's first significant firmware update, RedShark News Technical Editor Phil Rhodes weighs in on the red-hot device.
Why is a big company like Panasonic licensing ProRes not from Apple but from Atomos?
This is a camera that changes everything in its market sector: 4K for less than 1,000 USD
While many of us are patiently waiting for the Atomos Shogun 4K HDMI recorder, Convergent Design reminds us that they already have an SDI 4K and other recorders on the market, now made better with a recent firmware update.
Something is different about NAB this year and it's probably a good thing as an industry once wedded to launching new products instead discovers the joy of upgrades, modularity, durability and extending the product life cycle. Buy a new camera today and the chances are it will last a lot longer than one even from just a few years ago.


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Minneapolis Ad Agency Thrives by Adjusting to the Digital Era
Thirty percent of our work now is interactive,” Tim Clarity says. “Ten years ago, it was zero.”
That nimble response to changing marketing trends may point to why Clarity’s Minneapolis ad agency, Clarity Coverdale Fury, has been around for 30 years. The shop, whose revenues were $9.6 million last year (up from $7.4 million in 2006), currently has 55 employees. Four new positions were added last year. All were in the agency’s interactive practice.
But categories between “new” and “old” media are becoming more and more fluid. Traditional ad creatives working on print, TV, and radio campaigns may find themselves shoulder to shoulder with event coordinators or freelance design specialists.
“We can organize an entire team around a client,” Clarity says. “We all work under that tent, and when the event or promotion is over, we just fold up the tent. We’ve got a cadre of freelancers we work with who are working out of their own virtual offices.”
In an increasingly complex business climate, clients are looking for help in social networking and electronic connection to their customers, Clarity notes. Thirty years ago, clients were looking for “more bang for the buck.” Today, they want their product or brand to “go viral.”
That’s what happened with Clarity Coverdale Fury’s campaign for the Indiana-based Red Gold brand of canned tomatoes. A billboard installed in cities including Milwaukee and Columbus, Ohio, featured a tomato vine that seemed to grow larger every day, eventually sprouting two enormous Red Gold cans as well as three “tomatoes” that measured 5 by 13 feet each.
Bloggers first picked up on the evolving 3-D billboards; they later made local television news programs. Today, if you start to Google “Red Gold,” “Red Gold Tomato Billboard” pops up on the top of the option list. The agency also linked press releases informing local media that the “cans” could hold “more than 100,000 normal store cans of diced tomatoes.” (What’s more, Red Gold donated 10,000 pounds of tomatoes to both of the cities’ food shelves.) In addition, the billboard directed viewers to the Red Gold Web site, whose new features included meal-planning tips, recipes, coupons, and offers for free tote bags.
“Thirty years ago, some of our clients just wanted business cards,” partner Jerry Fury says. “Now they may come to us and say, ‘How do we reach our base?’ Today it could be a matchbook, or it could be Facebook.”


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Digital TV News: Carlos Tibi
ICFLIX secures content with KeyOS MultiKey service from BuyDRM
Feb 22, 2018 – BuyDRM has announced that ICFLIX has deployed the KeyOS MultiKey DRM Service for their streaming and VOD platform. ICFLIX provides Hollywood, Bollywood and Jazzwood (Arabic content) for the growing MENA marketplace.
News categories: BuyDRM, ICFLIX, Christopher Levy, Carlos Tibi, Content Protection, Digital TV, Middle-East, Mobile, OTT
ICFLIX inks deal with Zain Bahrain
Nov 9, 2016 – ICFLIX is expanding its footprint to the Kingdom of Bahrain with the announcement of a strategic partnership with Zain Bahrain. Zain Bahrain customers will be able to enjoy the ICFLIX library for a monthly or weekly fee.
News categories: ICFLIX, Zain, Carlos Tibi, Roland Loetscher, Bahrain, Digital TV, Mobile, OTT
ICFLIX launches on Xbox One console
Oct 24, 2016 – Gamers in the MENA region can now instantly stream movies and TV series by downloading the ICFLIX app via their Xbox One video game and entertainment system, MENA's leading Internet streaming service, ICFLIX, has announced.
News categories: ICFLIX, Microsoft, Carlos Tibi, Kanta Mirchandani, Apps, Digital TV, Gaming, Middle-East, OTT
ICFLIX now accessible on Hisense TVs
May 1, 2016 – ICFLIX has partnered with Hisense to make movies, TV series, documentaries and kids entertainment from ICFLIX more accessible to consumers across the Middle East and North Africa region.
News categories: ICFLIX, Hisense, Carlos Tibi, Apps, Middle-East, OTT, Smart TV
ICFLIX launches on PS3 and PS4 gaming consoles
Oct 26, 2015 – ICFLIX has partnered with Sony to make movies and TV series from ICFLIX available to be streamed instantly to TVs via the PlayStation3 (PS3) and PlayStation4 (PS4) consoles.
News categories: ICFLIX, PlayStation, Carlos Tibi, Robert Fisser, Digital TV, Gaming, Middle-East, OTT
- Highest ever Samsung Smart TV sales in 3Q 2020
- Orange France delivers targeted ads with SoftAtHome video player
- Velocix unveils cloud-native video personalisation service
- DIRECTV GO now available in Brazil
- VR consumer content revenue to exceed $7 billion in 2025
- XroadMedia to power hyper-personalization at ZEE5
- Ericsson predicts 40% of mobile subscriptions in 2026 will be 5G
- Pay TV revenue in New Zealand to follow -3.1% CAGR
- iQIYI International available for ZEASN-based smart devices
- Growing demand for smart displays driving smart speaker sales
- Forthnet becomes part of United Group
- Anevia powers Skymedia's SkyGo service in Mongolia
- UK marketers expect to spend more on Advanced TV ads in the next 12 months
- NetRange moves browser to the Cloud for low-cost Smart TVs
- Over 13 billion Smart Home devices in use by 2025
- MultiChoice picks Metrological to deliver OTT services on DStv
- Oregan Networks builds on Amlogic's Android TV reference platform
- Bitmovin and OKAST team up to deliver live and VOD streaming
- 61% of US broadband households subscribe to two or more OTT services
- 14% of Australians plan to cancel pay TV as a result of the pandemic


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Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau has announced that his government will ban single-use plastics by as early as 2021. Although the government has yet to decide exactly which products will be banned, it will likely include items such as plastic carrier bags, straws, cutlery, plates and stirrers. The country will also introduce standards and targets for companies that manufacture plastic products or sell items with plastic packaging to make them responsible for their plastics waste. Trudeau said the country will follow the model in Europe, where the European Council formally adopted a ban on single-use plastics in May 2019 see Plasteurope.com of 23.05.2019
Less than 10% of plastics used in Canada gets recycled and the government said that without a change in course, Canadians will throw away an estimated USD 11 bn (EUR 9.7 bn) worth of plastic products each year by 2030. Canadians know first-hand the impacts of plastic pollution, and are tired of seeing their beaches, parks, streets, and shorelines littered with plastic waste, Trudeau said. We have a responsibility to work with our partners to reduce plastic pollution, protect the environment, and create jobs and grow our economy. We owe it to our kids to keep the environment clean and safe for generations to come.
Trudeaus announcement comes as his government has less than five months in office before a national election in October 2019. Canada recently hit international headlines after a company illegally shipped containers of rotting waste to the Philippines, having falsely declared the contents as recyclable plastics. The Philippines returned the containers to Canada in May 2019.


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CryptoCurrency Miners Causing VR-Ready Graphics Card Shortage Cards such as Nvidia GeForce 1080s and AMD RX580s are in short supply.Bitcoin News: Shortage of Graphics Cards Intensifies in Russia as Cryptocurrency Mining Becomes More Popular.Sapphire Technology Announce Production of Graphics Cards. meteoric price rise of bitcoin and other. shortage has also seen many.
Most new altcoins are dead easy to mine and can sell for quite the pretty penny on exchanges.Russian consumers have faced massive graphics card shortages following a.I was just looking around at Amazon and now they are selling video card 6 packs lol.Cryptocurrency Mining Is Fueling a GPU Shortage. Ethereum is similar to Bitcoin insofar as the.With cryptocurrency mining offering profits that are potentially higher than those offered by the labor markets of many developing nations, it is unlikely that the demand for GPUs in low-wage nations like will Russia cease anytime soon.
Today in Bitcoin (2017-07-05) - Bitcoin News and UpdatesGet the latest price charts, statistics and our news feed on your site.Chinese Investors to Trade Bitcoin Over-The-Counter Via Telegram.With bitcoin mining being conducted on an industrial scale using Application Specific Integrated Chips (ASICs) many miners from lower income nations are choosing to mine alternative cryptocurrencies.ASICs are a no-brainer when it comes to bitcoin,. this week several tech sites reported that litecoin miners are causing a shortage of Radeon graphics cards.
Shortage of GPU Cards - BitmartSamuel Haig Samuel Haig is a cryptocurrency and economics journalist who has been passionately involved in the bitcoin space since 2012.
The rising popularity of bitcoin has caused a shortage in supply.In the beginning, mining with a processor (CPU) was the only way to mine bitcoins.Video Perspective: GPU Shortages and Litecoin Mining. radeon, hawaii, r9 290, R9 290X, bitcoin,.Russian Miners Demand Cause Graphics Cards Shortage in Market.
GPU Shortages in Russia as Bitcoin Fever Shows No Sign ofDemand from ethereum miners has created temporary shortages of some of the graphics cards, according to analysts,.
Building a mining rig despite graphics card shortages in
Expert: Seven Reasons Why Chinese Regulators Shut Down Bitcoin Exchanges.An ordinary Russian consumer may face difficulty buying a video card for his home PC, Vedomosti newspaper reports.
Our local GPU shortage just got worse | NAG
CryptoCurrency Miners Causing VR-Ready Graphics Card
AMD and NVIDIA preparing graphics cards for cryptocurrency
Bitcoin mining,. all those mining activities are currently causing a global video card shortage and because of those doing this,.Reports have suggested that individuals are purchasing up to 600 graphics cards at once, driving prices to surge by approximately 80 percent.So I was perusing the RX 580 section of NewEgg and I noticed that all of the cards are out of stock.GPU Shortage Intensifies as Cryptocurrency Mining Offers up.The rising popularity of bitcoin has caused a shortage in supply of. be effectively mined with central processing units or even graphics processing.Russian Federation faces shortage of PC graphics cards due to Bitcoin mining 2 months ago DieselGasoil Comments Off on Russian Federation faces shortage of PC.


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The discredited Euro 6 emissions regime is changing with the arrival of WLTP & RDE1 tests. Meanwhile UK Government has decided (vehicle excise duty) rates on new diesel cars from April 2018 would be based on the RDE Step 2 standard, RDE2 which hasn’t even arrived yet. How does this affect you?
The 2015 Euro 6 standard in theory has an 80 mg/km limit for NOx emissions. In reality the lab based test (called NEDC) was so flawed and widely abused that on average Euro 6 diesels emit over 5 times this amount (420mg) and the worst emit 19 times the limit (1,500 mg/km). They are sold to consumers as “clean diesels”. These cars produce around 7x the NOx of a petrol cars and the worst are up to 25x more polluting.
The new Euro 6 from regime requires slightly more realistic testing of all new cars from Sept 2018.
WLTP – This is a slightly more demanding lab test regime that should produce economy and emissions figures closer to what drivers can achieve on the road. In reality it’s brought good and bad news.
- All Cars sold after Sept 2018 have to pass WLTP lab tests
- The very dirtiest diesels (those over 20x as polluting as a petrol ) have struggled to pass the test and some (like the Fiat 500x diesels) have been removed from sale.
- The figures are closer to being realistic.
- Some cars will now be cleaner. Petrol cars which produce very little toxic NOx pollution but did produce particulate pollution are now finally getting fitted with filters that make them super clean for both main risks to health. Likewise some filthy diesel models are finally being fitted with Adblue cleanup systems.
- WLTP testing takes longer -not only is the test longer, every version and option that affects the results (eg size of wheels) has to be tested separately. The backlog has meant many models have had to be removed from sale just because they haven’t been tested yet.
- existing dirty diesels don’t have to pass the RDE 1 test until September 2019. So diesels up to 20x as polluting as a petrol car remain on sale with no warnings for consumers (unless they use the MyUrbanCar app or other real world emissions data)
- While some dirty models have been withdrawn even more clean models like petrol hybrids from VW group have been removed from sale.
- Rather amazingly in EU land once they test more realistically for things like CO2, they put the result in a computer than converts it back to the what the old unrealistic lab test would have produced. Yes.. honestly. It’s called NEDC equivalent. The car is then advertised and taxed on this not the more realistic figure. This situation carries on till 2020.
RDE tests require cars to pass an on the road test with portable equipment (called PEMs) strapped to the back to measure everything that comes out of the exhaust as it is driven for minutes or hours on the road. It isn’t perfect but one can hope that RDE tests will bring real emissions for diesel cars to within 10% of the official test results.
As around 90% of diesels would fail the RDE1 test if they were required to achieve under 80mg/km in the real world, the EU allowed a car to pass if it came within 210% or 2.1 times the 80mg limit. ie on RDE 1 or step 1 a car passes the test if it achieves under 168mg/km. If you still assume a little bit (10%) of manipulation by carmakers then 185mg on the road, still a big improvement on Euro 6 but over double the official limit.
RDE1 only becomes a requirement for all cars even with 168mg limit from Sept 2019. Until then new models have to pass the test but existing dirty diesels remain on sale.
Update: a court decision in december 2018 found the EU acted illegally in raising pollution limits in a real world test. This may mean diesels have to pass the 80 mg in a real world test. This really would force the dirtier models to be removed from sale. The ruling could essentially replace the 163mg RDE1 limit and 120mg RDE2 limit with the 80mg maximum allowed under Euro 6- but diesels would have to achieve it on the road not just fake it in a lab test.
@ClientEarth comments on the ruling that the EU commission acted illegally when they more than doubled emissions limits for cars in EU real world tests. Limits were raised as most diesel cars & vans would have had to be removed from sale https://t.co/EWlpZFxXcQ
— David Nicholson (@rivergecko) December 14, 2018
On the one hand Dieselmakers claim diesel cars are so clean that NOx is as low as zero ( on ADAC tests)
At the same time they are insisting that if they had to comply with the 2015 legal emissions limit of 80mg /km on the road from feb 2020 50% of cars cease to be legal to sell https://t.co/DcG06xmZYD
— David Nicholson (@rivergecko) February 22, 2019
RDE step 2 reduces the lobbying factor to 50% and is due to start in 2020. This means a max on test of 120mg/km or 132 g/km assuming 10% manipulation. It was only due to be a requirement from Jan 2020/21. This is the standard now being used to decide vehicle excise duty in the UK.
Manipulation options still available include choosing the test track used and weather conditions and choosing the individual car to be tested (ie not a random selection)
Expressed as “petrol car’s worth of pollution” (60mg/km that most petrol cars comply with) a diesel car could emit as much toxic NO2 as :
- 32 petrol cars before September 2019 under Euro 6,
- 3 petrol cars for new diesel models launched after September 2017 under RDE1
- a max of just over 2 petrol cars to comply with the latest RDE2 standards to be defined as clean for the April 2018 (Vehicle Excise Duty) VED table.
- a max of 1.3 petrol cars worth of pollution if the court decision is upheld and the limit is set to 80mg
Why The UK gov using RDE 2 for vehicle excise duty matters – ULEZ Zones
What the Chancellor has done is rather quietly (and in his speech very vaguely) established RDE-2 as the official measure of what is a clean diesel. It’s not perfect but several years ahead of rest of the EU. What cities and councils across the UK should be asking themselves as they debate clean air zones is this – If a clean diesel for VED is RDE 2 then should that also be the standard for what is a clean diesel in a clean air zone or ULEZ? This opens up Euro 6 diesel even on step 1 to being subject to limits and charges. So the question is when will the Mayor of London and others try out the new emissions standard as a requirement of a clean car and how soon?
To be clear on this Euro 6 (both dirty and clean) are allowed to be sold for 2 more years but there is a strong risk they will no longer be officially seen as clean. Which is fair as most aren’t but they are still on sale now.
Another issue is that there are around 15% of cleaner diesel cars on sale have been independently tested as compliant with the Chancellors 120mg /km limit, but unless carmakers submit them for an official RDE2 test they still will be hit for not being compliant with the standard. No diesel currently on sale has been tested on or passed RDE2.
There is a substantial chance that only a handful of diesels (if any) will be officially RDE2 compliant by next April. Food for thought.
#RDE2 “To help arrest diesel sales slump, manufacturers wanted the government to tax older diesels off the road and reassure buyers that the latest diesels were nice and clean. That's not what happened.” https://t.co/y4YQ4qNM8Y
— David Nicholson (@rivergecko) November 25, 2017
Short term effects of the announcement
The DVLA will need to add a field for RDE2 pass / fail on registration docs and information about cars. The current assumption is the actual test result won’t be provided but this could change.
In the UK (because cars need to achieve RDE2 to avoid stepping up a band for CO2) the RDE1 168mg limit is likely to be passed over as makers aim to pass RDE-2 120mg limit. As the average Euro6 diesel produces around 480mg of NOx the new standard will finally sift truly clean diesels from those that are clean in EU lab tests but filthy on the road.
Car industry groups have pushed back against the proposals to use the RDE2 standard on three grounds:
- that this “punishes diesel drivers”. Not really adding much as a point. Diesel drivers aren’t some persecuted religious cult, they’re just car drivers who choose to buy a new diesel car after April 2018. If diesel isn’t tax efficient any more they will just choose another fuel.
- That the lack of notice means they haven’t had time to develop cars to meet the standard. Well lets face it Euro 6 has required a maximum of 80mg/km of NOx. So complaining that 4 years later cars actually have to achieve 120mg/km on the road (50% more than the limit they were meant to have met 4 years ago!) seems a little odd. In any case around 15% of new cars have been independently tested as being below RDE2 NOx levels on the road. So cars can already meet it and have done for years in the United States. Which brings us onto the third point.
- The RDE2 test doesn’t exist yet! RDE2 is an EU test that wasn’t due to begin till 2020. In addition to a lower NOx limit than RDE1 it also tightens up some of the test requirements to reduce potential manipulation. Industry groups claim ( and they may be right ) that there isn’t a final approved RDE2 test that can be officially taken yet. Obviously it would be wrong if cars able to pass RDE2 can’t take the test because it’s not ready.
If that is correct then a logical compromise might be that cars achieving under the 120mg/km limit during an RDE1 test should be considered clean under the VED proposals. Carmakers would then have the choice of submitting cleaner diesels for RDE tests to achieve the tax benefit.
Government notes on the new policy are available here
Company Car changes


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Menu innovation in quick service has given consumers the Epic burrito at Del Taco, premium burgers at McDonald’s, Cantina bowls at Taco Bell, endless variety at Jack in the Box and hand-rolled shrimp stuffed enchiladas at El Pollo Loco.
But culinary creativity in an industry born to deliver food fast has become a problem. Quick service brands are scrambling to satisfy consumer demand for convenience and higher quality foods. That’s led to bloated menus and slower service.
“We've been our own worst enemy when it comes to speed of service as the breadth of our ever-changing menu has added complexity in prep times in our kitchen,” Jack in the Box CEO Lenny Comma said during the chain’s second quarter conference call.
This year, major chains such as McDonald’s, El Pollo Loco and Jack in the Box are taking actions to trim the fat. Jack in the Box is reducing redundant ingredients from menus at 180 restaurants. McDonald’s recently trimmed sections of its menu during certain dayparts and is exploring kitchen automation to increase efficiencies.
Tim Powell, a senior restaurant analyst at Q1 Consulting in Chicago, said culinary experimentation at McDonald’s is positive for a brand that has been “loathe” to try new things in the past. But those changes — all-day breakfast and custom burgers — can be a juggling act for over-extended operators, he said.
“The orders and needs are so fragmented that it’s challenging for a restauranteur to know what to offer and when,” Powell said.
McDonald’s: Don’t call it robots
Besides trimming its menu, McDonald’s is also turning to automation to simplify operations for task-weary kitchen employees.
In mid-June, the brand began testing in a handful of U.S. restaurants “advanced kitchen equipment” designed to automate repetitive tasks such as cooking fries and dispensing beverages. Despite reports describing the equipment as robot cooks, McDonald’s strayed from mentioning robots in its press materials.
An illustration provided by the company shows automated baskets shaking fries in oil next to an employee scooping up the final product.
“The innovations are focused on simplification, providing restaurant employees with more time to focus on the hospitality experience our customers seek,” the company said.
Redeploying staff to provide more one-on-one hospitality is a good move for McDonald’s if that’s the true intent, Powell said.
When it comes to hospitality, friendliness, order accuracy and overall service, McDonald’s regularly scores lower than rival brands, he said.
“Maybe this [technology] is in response to that,” he said.
McDonald’s is also testing Alexa-style voice ordering, a trending technology solution used by other operators to increase speed and order accuracy. The company said the pilot program builds on the chain’s effort to “serve food on our customers’ terms” with plans to eventually take the efforts global.
“We’re leveraging technology to improve and modernize the way we connect with customers,” McDonald’s CEO Steve Easterbrook told investors during the April conference call. “We’re confident about the road ahead.”
Powell said the chain’s effort to increase automation should have a positive economic impact on operations.
“Looking past the capital expenditure, it will save on operating expenses, food waste and portion sizing,” he said.
Shrinking bloated menus
In the spring, McDonald’s joined several other chains looking to streamline kitchen operations by trimming three sections of its menu.
It scaled back its late-night menu in April to include only popular selling items. Axed, after midnight, were: Artisan Grilled Chicken Sandwiches, Buttermilk Crispy Chicken Sandwiches, Buttermilk Crispy Tenders, Filet-O-Fish and premium salads.
That same month, the company said it would phase out its premium burger line, Signature Crafted Recipes.
In May, the biggest pivot came when it scaled back all-day breakfast, a lifeline for the brand when it first launched in 2015. Serving Egg McMuffins all day led to same-store sales improvements the following two years after the program launched.
It was one of the most significant operational changes made to McDonald’s restaurants in the U.S. But the complexity of offering breakfast at dinner finally prompted the company to retrench. McDonald’s gave franchisees the option to choose which breakfast foods to serve all day.
McDonald’s said the flexibility will improve speed of service and simplify kitchen operations for employees.
“Giving local restaurants the ability to select the items they serve for their all-day breakfast menus means an even better, faster experience for customers, day and night,” the company said at the time.
Other brands trim the fat
Besides McDonald’s, San Diego-based Jack in the Box and Costa Mesa, Calif.-based El Pollo Loco have also made efforts to shave off items or reduce redundant ingredients.
At Jack in the Box, CEO Comma said the brand this year has deleted low-volume items and eliminated complex ingredients in meals at 180 company and franchise stores. For example, he said the chain has trimmed a large amount of redundant mayo-based sauces and cheese offerings at test stores.
Also gone: “A ridiculous number of bread carriers,” he said.
At test locations, restaurants are modifying products to include one type of bread, or cheese, instead of “2 or 3 ingredients,” Comma said.
Consumers, so far, are not balking at the changes, he said.
“We're very pleased with the results of Phase I of this program and saw no detrimental impact on sales,” he told investors during the company’s last earnings call.
Speed of service has also improved at Jack in the Box stores involved in the menu test. The goal, he said, is to make training and execution easier on crews.
The company expects to roll out these changes systemwide in July.
“By the end of 2021, we're targeting a 1-minute improvement in average service time, while maintaining quality, accuracy and friendliness rate,” Comma said.
El Pollo Loco has also slimmed down its menu and added new back-of-the-house procedures at 90 stores, the company said during a May earnings call.
CEO Bernard Acoca said the programs, along with a new employee appreciation program, are contributing to retention of managers and crew members in a tight labor market. In May, Acoca told investors during a quarterly earnings call that trimming the menu of lower-margin items did not impact transactions, which dropped 3.1% at company stores and 2.3% at franchise locations.
“We didn’t see any degradation,” he told investors.
Peter Saleh, an analyst with BTIG equity research, said fat menus are part of the “life cycle” of quick-service restaurants looking to boost guest counts when foot traffic is stagnant.
But brands can only “pile on” so many salads, vegan foods and wraps before things get dicey, Saleh said.
“Then all of a sudden it slows down the kitchen,” he said.
As for innovation in the kitchen, Saleh said that’s not lip service. That’s a necessary strategy to retain employees in an “extremely tight” labor market where turnover is the highest it’s ever been in at least a decade, he said.
“You’ve got to make it easier to train,” he said.
Contact Nancy Luna at [email protected]
Follow her on Twitter: @fastfoodmaven


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5 Finance Reforms Taking Place From March 2021
Posted by Creditkaro
The year 2021 has arrived with a lot of new changes and reforms across all sectors of the economy. Following this, the Reserve Bank of India has announced several measures in the personal finance sector to secure and simplify payments to the markets. Today, we are going to take a stroll through the new set of rules and regulations in the personal finance sector to understand what all will come into effect when India wakes up to 2021.
During its monetary policy meeting in the month of August 2020, the RBI had announced a positive pay system for the purpose of cheque clearance and had declared that this will come into effect from the 1st day of the year i.e. 1st January 2021. RBI had issued notification to banks, that they would be required to enable this amenity for all their account holders issuing cheques above INR 50,000. Under this whole process, the cheques would be processed for payment by the drawee bank based on information provided by the consumer at the time of issuance of the cheque. The central bank has also declared that availing this benefit is at the discretion of the account holder, but banks can consider mandating this even for cheques valued more than INR 5 lakh.
The best part about this mechanism is that your cheque payments will be much safer and will also reduce fraudulent activities which otherwise take place because of the tampering of cheque leaves.
The Reserve Bank of India had allowed the processing of E-mandates/standing instructions of credit card and debit cards for recurring transactions up to INR 2,000 back in August 2020. This limit had been hiked in December 2020 to INR 5000 and will come to effect from 1st January 2021. This transition will help the consumers to make payments of up to INR 5,000 without the two-factor authentication process by giving an e-mandate for credit card and debit cards. This automatically makes it easier for consumers to make small value payments online.
Since the global covid-19 pandemic had made sure that all of us stayed back home, the RBI announced that from 1st January 2021, customers can make transactions of up to INR 5,000 using contactless cards without the need of two-factor authentication. This had been done to promote the adoption of digital payments in a safe and secure manner, before this the earlier limit for the same facility was INR 2000. This move will definitely push customers to make more online payments in a hassle-free manner and avoid physical payments through cash during this time.
IRDAI has made it compulsory for life insurers to provide a standard individual life term insurance with effect from 1st Jan 2021. This particular insurance product has been termed as the ‘Saral JeevanBima’ along with the name of the insurance provider prefixed to the product’s name. The Saral Jeevan Bima will be offering a minimum assured amount of INR 5 lakh and the maximum amount has been fixed at INR 25 lakh. This step has been taken to ensure that insurance is affordable to all kinds of consumers. According to IRDAI this kind of a product will help rebuild a healthy relationship between insurers and the insured and will also help the consumer make an informed choice.
SEBI has issued new rules for multi-cap mutual fund schemes in September 2020. These new norms state that multi-cap fund schemes will now have to invest a minimum of 25% in each in large cap, mid cap, and small cap stocks mandatorily. Earlier, this category had the flexibility to invest anywhere without any restrictions. To comply with the new norms, SEBI has ensured that fund houses have some time to prepare themselves before January 2021. The advantage of this scheme is that if an investor has invested in one or more multi-cap mutual fund schemes, your erstwhile multi-cap scheme may shift to the 'Flexi-cap' category and consequently and you will not have to comply with the changed norms for the multi-cap category.
The new year has begun on a positive note and will bring in a lot of changes in the personal finance sector. These transitions will eventually help the modern consumer in a lot of areas. Let’s all hope this year turns out to be better than the previous one.


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The Kanawha Boulevard Rod Run and Doo Wop has revved things up in downtown Charleston.
More than 800 cars from 16 states will be on display along Kanawha Boulevard through Sunday. "I live to work on them. I live to drive them. I like to work on them. I like to walk around and look at them. I live the creativity that people put into them for hours and hours," said John Smith.
Organizers expect around 100,000 people to attend this year's event. In addition to the cars, there are live concerts, food and vendors who've set up along Kanawha Boulevard. There will also be a huge post-concert fireworks display on Saturday night.
350 Quarrier Street
Charleston, WV 25301
Main (304) 343-1313
Fax (304) 343-6138


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New Study Reveals Six Foods that Reduce Risk of Heart Disease
In an effort to combat the leading cause of death in the US, a new study has identified six key foods that could significantly lower the risk of heart disease. The study, which reviewed data from over 245,000 people, found that individuals who followed a healthy eating plan had a nearly 20% lower risk of cardiovascular disease.
The foods highlighted in the study include fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes, fish, and whole-fat dairy. Researchers discovered that individuals who consumed higher amounts of these foods had a lower risk of heart disease and death. Furthermore, the study also revealed the optimal amount of each food that should be consumed in a week to maximize cardiovascular health.
These findings align with the American Heart Association’s guidelines for a healthy eating pattern. Notably, all of these recommended foods are rich in fiber, which has been shown to regulate cholesterol levels and aid digestion. Additionally, healthy fats found in nuts, seeds, oily fish, and olive and avocado oils can lower levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol.
However, the recommendation for whole-fat dairy products remains controversial. Despite this, research has shown that including full-fat dairy products in a heart-healthy diet can bring significant benefits. Furthermore, the increase in potassium consumption on this diet can also help lower blood pressure.
Experts emphasize the importance of simplicity in maintaining a heart-healthy diet. By focusing on fruits, vegetables, whole foods, and limiting red and processed meats, individuals can significantly reduce their risk of heart disease. However, it is advisable to consult with a doctor or registered dietitian for personalized guidance on maintaining a heart-healthy diet.
With heart disease being such a prevalent and dangerous condition, adopting a heart-healthy diet has become crucial. By incorporating these six foods into their daily routine, individuals can actively lower their risk of developing cardiovascular disease. It is time to make a positive change and prioritize heart health.
“Travel aficionado. Incurable bacon specialist. Tv evangelist. Wannabe internet enthusiast. Typical creator.”


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March 2020 Budget sends clear signal of government support for carbon reduction targets and the net zero journey. For businesses who trade in supply chains and sectors where CO2 reduction will become more important, face a number of challenges as well as opportunities. Priorities and buying decision criteria are changing. Businesses need to think ahead to anticipate and develop propositions that address these changing needs.
Posted on March 11, 2020 by Cambium Insights


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The global patent system ought to be overhauled in order to reflect computer inventorship, in a move that would encourage the development of 'creative computers'. That is the suggestion of Ryan Abbott,...
One of the biggest flaws of artificial intelligence is poor quality data, claims MarkLogic CEO Gary Bloom
Moving to the cloud doesn't mean outsourcing your entire security infrastructure, argues Max Heinemeyer of Darktrace
Internal Apple documents found on child's MacBook in folder named 'hacky hack hack'
Intel's 10nm Core i3-8121U CPU comes to the NUC mini PC


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Square could be at crossroads
Square, the service that makes it simple for vendors of any size to set up a website and take credit cards from a smartphone or iPad, could be reaching a critical juncture in their evolution as a company.
This week, reports emerged that Square might be up for sale, at least if rumors are correct. re/code for example reports that the infamous "industry sources" have told them both Apple and Google have approached Square about a purchase, but to this point nothing substantial has happened.
re/code has pegged a possible purchase price at a whopping $8 billion and if Apple and Google were truly interested and got into a bidding war, the price could potentially rise considerably.
The company has modernized transaction processing for small businesses, providing a way to set up a new business online, accept credit cards from a smartphone or set up an iPad-based cash register, something I've seen locally in several businesses.
When I was at a craft fair not long ago, just about all the vendors had a Square credit card swiper attached to their smartphones. It was a simple and quick way to complete a transaction and it meant more sales for the vendors because it was so fast and easy. When I encountered a vendor with one of the old credit card swipe machines, it seemed antiquated compared to the Square device.
I'm sure small businesses out there probably don't want their beloved service to be a part of Google (and founder Jack Dorsey is reportedly not thrilled with the idea either). Apple would actually make more sense since the service is designed as an add-on for Apple products, but the smartphone credit card reader component also works with Android, so Google isn't completely out of left field.
An IPO is still also possible, which would of course provide a huge influx of cash and provide a platform for the company to continue growing without being purchased by one of the tech behemoths.
For more information:
- see the re/code article


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Last updated on September 18th, 2019 at 04:22 pm
Since cannabidiol (CBD) was legalized by the Farm Bill in 2018, CBD products have become one of the biggest trends in retail, with many consumers turning to CBD for help with various health ailments and their general well-being. “The CBD Effect: A Rapidly Emerging Consumer Trend,” a new report from Acosta, a full-service CPG sales and marketing agency, investigates the topic and reveals CBD usage trends and what retailers and manufacturers can do to capitalize on the increasing demand.
“Health ailments without a one-size-fits-all treatment are quite common and avoiding chemicals when it comes to health and self-care is important across all age groups. CBD sales and projections show consumers are turning to CBD for help, and demand is growing rapidly,” says Colin Stewart, SVP of business intelligence at Acosta. ”Consumer CBD sales are expected to reach $20 billion by 2024—larger than the current annual sales of candy, gum and mints combined.”
Who is using CBD products?
Twenty-eight percent of consumers currently use CBD products daily or as needed, according to the report.
Millennials, males and those with four-year degrees are currently the key CBD demographics. Those who reported daily or as-needed use of CBD include:
- Fifty-six percent of Millennials
- Thirty-two percent of Gen X
- Fifteen percent of Baby Boomers
- Forty-eight percent of men
- Forty-nine percent of those with a bachelor’s degree
Pain, mental health and general wellness are key reasons for usage, with specific health ailments varying from generation to generation. Millennials most commonly use CBD for anxiety (31 percent) and general wellness (30 percent), while Gen X and Boomers use CBD products to help with joint pain (31 percent and 36 percent, respectively) and muscle pain (both 23 percent).
Consumer perceptions and barriers
When asked for their perspective on CBD:
- Fifty-five percent of consumers said, “CBD oil is/might be a new miracle treatment.”
- Thirty-five percent said, “I’m not sure what to think of CBD oil.”
- Eleven percent said, “CBD oil is just hype.”
- Non-users who are open to trying CBD reported price (26 percent), lack of studies (18 percent) and distrust in claims (14 percent) as the biggest barriers for usage.
CBD already popular with pet owners
- One in 10 pet owners reported purchasing CBD products for their pets. Of those consumers, 52 percent made the purchase based on a recommendation from their vet.
- Top reasons for usage were pain (29 percent), anxiety (32 percent) and general wellness (29 percent).
- The top pet CBD products include treats/chews (48 percent), oil (27 percent), capsules (14 percent) and topical ointment (9 percent).
Acosta’s report was compiled using industry data and proprietary information sources including online surveys of the company’s proprietary shopper community. To access the full report, visit acosta.com/news.


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Welcome to another edition of Adi’s Week in Tech News. If you are new to this website, this is where we take a look at the week’s technology news stories.
Apple will be holding a special event on the 12 of September at 6PM(UK Time). For the curious amongst you it will be taking place at the Steve Jobs theatre at Apple Park. To find out how to watch it live, read the article right here.
Streets of Rage is a series of side-scrolling beat-em-up video games that came out in the 1990s. Whilst the series has seen plenty of re-releases over the years, we’ve not seen a new one one. That is of course until now. Earlier this week, DotEmu announced that they will be making Streets of Rage 4 in collaboration with Guard Crush Games and Lizardcube. DotEmu also released a trailer that you can check out above. No release date has been announced.
IFA is one of Europe’s big consumer technology events and it’s going on at the time publishing this article. LG announced the LG G7 One smartphone at IFA this year. It’s got a 6.1″ screen (which has a notch), 16 megapixel rear-facing camera and 8 megapixel front-facing camera and 32GB of internal storage (with the ability to expand that by up to 2TB with a Micro SD card). At the time of publishing this article, there is no information on pricing or a release date.
Sony has also come out at IFA with a new Smartphone dubbed the Xperia XZ3. They seem to be bucking the trend with it’s 6″ screen that has no notch. It’s got a 19 megapixel rear-facing camera and a 13 megapixel front-facing camera. Of course, it will have wireless charging. The Xperia XZ3 will be priced at £699 and will release on the 5th of October 2018.
Marshall is a company well known for it’s guitar amps but more recently they have been getting into speakers and headphones. In particular they have announced a new portable bluetooth speaker called the Kilburn II. It sports a total of 36 watts of power (20 watt woofer plus a pair of 8 watt speakers). The Kilburn II speaker will be available here in the UK on the 13th of September and will set you back £269.
On the laptop front Acer has come out with a beast of a gaming laptop called the Predator Triton 900. It’s a 2-in-1 laptop. It’s got a swivel hinge that allows the screen to rotate vertically. There is no information on pricing or a release date.
Microsoft has a new update coming out for Windows 10. Officially dubbed the October 2018 update it will bring a few new features such as a dark mode for the File Explorer, and some improvements to the Xbox Game Bar. As the name suggests it should be coming out at some point in October.
That’s going to be it for this edition of Adi’s Week in Tech News. What were your favourite news stories from this week? Let me know in the comments.


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During SEMA’s recent international event located in Dubai, SEMA News had a chance to discuss the merger with the CEO of SCT, Rick Trudo.
SCT Holdings (SCT) recently announced the acquisition of Bully Dog, a manufacturer dedicated to automotive calibration solutions for the truck aftermarket. The combined company will now offer customers a more effective software solution to optimize their vehicles’ performance across an unprecedented number of vehicle types.
“Combining the strengths of these two leading companies will expand our vehicle coverage and accelerate our international growth in both the performance and fleet segments,” said Lisa Schule, managing director of GEF, a global firm that invested in SCT in 2013. “Bully Dog and SCT’s complementary software will be a crucial part of new technology advances in vehicles as they become more intelligent, fuel efficient and powerful.”
According to Bully Dog’s COO Daryl Klassen, “SCT’s calibrations and custom tuning software are second to none. Merging with SCT will allow us to take advantage of these strengths and take our products to the next level.”
The companies’ software solutions optimize a vehicle’s engine and transmission systems to improve fuel efficiency and vehicle performance. Currently Ford, GM, Chrysler, Nissan, Toyota, Paccar, Mercedes-Benz, Caterpillar, Cummins, Detroit Diesel and Polaris vehicles can capitalize on the technology.
“There are many synergies between both companies, and our combined performance and fleet customers will see the direct benefits—more products for more vehicles with more features, sold in more places in the months to come,” said Rick Trudo, CEO of SCT. “With Bully Dog’s vast vehicle coverage, we can offer our customers calibration solutions for even more vehicle applications.”