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Business Briefs: Arch Chemicals to discuss 2010 results
Published 10:46 pm, Friday, January 14, 2011
Arch Chemicals to discuss 2010 results
Norwalk-based Arch Chemicals Inc. will host a conference call to review its 2010 results and to provide guidance for 2011 at 11 a.m. on Feb. 3. Michael Campbell, chairman, president and chief executive officer; Steven Giuliano, senior vice president and chief financial officer; and Luis Fernandez-Moreno and Joseph Shaulson, executive vice presidents, will participate in the presentation. Remarks will take about 20 minutes and will be followed by a question-and-answer period. Financial and segment information will also be released before the market opens. To participate, call 888-395-3186, access number 8747130, at least 10 minutes before the call. The live online broadcast can be accessed at www.archchemicals.com. A replay will be available until Feb. 10 at 11 p.m. The replay number is 888-203-1112, access number 8747130.
Galasso, Hill merge accounting services
William T. Galasso Accounting & Tax Service in Norwalk has transferred the practice to Stephen Hill, certified public accountant. The new practice is known as Stephen T. Hill PC and will remain at 5 Eversley Ave., in Norwalk. William Galasso will remain with the firm for an indefinite period as a principal.
Townsquare Media enhances digital sites
Townsquare Media LLC in Greenwich has relaunched more than 30 of its digital properties for its local radio station brands across six of the company's 36 markets. The company intends to relaunch all its local radio stations' digital properties by the end of the first quarter of this year. The new digital properties are local resources for consumers with locally produced entertainment, news and information content. The company announced that Sun Sachs, Jared Willig, Peter Schiecke, Stephen Lenz and seven other digital executives have joined the company's management team. Townsquare, which focuses on a country music format, has launched a new website, "Taste of Country," a national news and lifestyle brand.
Stew's listed among best places to work
The Best Companies Group and Hartford Business Journal has named family-owned grocer Stew Leonard's in Norwalk one of the Best Places to Work in Connecticut. Stew Leonard's, which began as a small dairy store in Norwalk in 1969 with seven employees, has grown to become a nearly $400 million-dollar business with more than 2,500 team members across four stores, including sites in Norwalk, Newington and Danbury.
Ethan Allen furnishes
HGTV Dream Home
Ethan Allen Interiors Inc., a Danbury-based manufacturer of home furnishings, recently partnered with HGTV as primary furnisher of the 15th annual HGTV Dream Home in Spruce Peak at Vermont's Stowe Mountain Resort. Ethan Allen furnishings included four sets of Dylan bunk beds in the ski dorm, a black Barrett canopy bed and a pair of Parker chairs in the master bedroom and a parson's leg dining table and 10 chrome and black leather Sutton chairs in the dining room. Floor-to-ceiling windows were adorned in custom Ethan Allen draperies.
The home will be given away in the HGTV Dream Home 2011 Sweepstakes.


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The proposed merged entity will be led by current Zee CEO Punit Goenka.
Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) and Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. (ZEEL) have entered into an exclusive, non-binding Term Sheet to combine both companies’ linear networks, digital assets, production operations and programme libraries.
The non-binding Term Sheet provides an exclusive negotiation period of 90 days during which ZEEL and SPNI will conduct mutual diligence and negotiate definitive, binding agreements. The combined company will be a publicly listed company in India and be better positioned to lead the consumer transition from traditional pay-TV into the digital future.
The merger of ZEEL and SPNI will bring together two Indian media network businesses, benefitting consumers throughout India across content genres, from film to sports. The combined company is expected to benefit all stakeholders given strong synergies between ZEEL and SPNI.
Under the terms of the non-binding Term Sheet, Sony Pictures Entertainment will inject capital into SPNI, approximately $1.575bn, as part of the growth plan for the new entity that includes building out its digital platforms and bidding for sports rights.
The proposed merged entity will be led by current Zee CEO Punit Goenka. Sony Pictures Entertainment, the parent company of SPNI, will hold a majority stake in the combined company.
The move follows years of corporate turbulence at both companies and comes at a time when the massive Indian television landscape is being transformed by vastly wider access to broadband internet and the incursion of streaming video services.
In a statement, Sony Pictures Networks India said: “The merger of ZEEL and SPNI would bring together two leading Indian media network businesses, benefiting consumers throughout India across content genres, from film to sports. The combined company is expected to benefit all stakeholders given strong synergies between ZEEL and SPNI.”

domain: news


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Although commercial vehicle orders slipped month over month in June, there was still good news to be had. Class 8 net orders fell below 20,000 units for the first time since last September at 18,830 units. Classes 5-7 net orders also retreated, totaling just under 15,500 units. This updated status of the North America commercial vehicle market was included in the State of the Industry report, recently released by ACT Research Co. (ACT). The report covers Classes 5 through 8 vehicles for the North American market.
"Positively, Class 8 retail sales, when seasonally adjusted, were at a nine-month high of 22,000 units. Through year-to-date June, sales have occurred at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 249,000 units," said Kenny Vieth, ACT's president and senior analyst. "Inventories were down 12,000 units from last June, and the inventory-retail sales ratio dropped to its lowest level, excluding the last two Decembers, since November 2011 at 47 days of supply at June's sales pace," he added.
September is typically the second weakest order month of the year for Class 8, so modest activity was expected.
North America heavy GVW Class 8 commercial vehicle preliminary net orders for December were slightly higher than expected, as reported by ACT Research Co., LLC (ACT). The final numbers, which will...
June Class 8 truck net orders were at 16,195 units, the lowest month for orders since September 2010.


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The weather outside is frightful, but this event is definitely making it a bit more delightful. Fishtown Freeze kicks off this weekend, and in 2023, the ice sculpting event will be expanded into a two-day family-friendly extravaganza full of food and drinks specials, shopping opportunities and holiday fun.
The highlights of the annual activation come from the internationally renowned ice sculpture artists at Ice Sculpture Philly, and Philadelphians will be able to catch live carving demonstrations and fully formed ice sculptures around the neighborhood at spots like Cake Life Bake Shop, Cheu/Nunu, Cloud 9 Clay, JINXED, Mural City Garden, Johnny Brenda’s and more (a full list of when and where is available online.)
Fishtown Freeze in 2023 will also feature Pop-Up Makers Markets throughout the day on Dec. 9, plus holiday shopping deals at the area’s independent boutiques. Philadelphians can find vintage and craft vendors with warm beverages at the outdoor bar at Johnny Brenda’s, dog tintype portraits at Vanity Tintype (pre-booking is encouraged), plus other activities that span free photos with Santa at Frankford Hall and caroling in Kondrad Square with the St Laurentius School Choir with hot chocolate, hosted by Fishtown Neighbors Association & Friends of Konrad Square.
Locals can also partake in the event’s Shopping Spree (Saturday, Dec. 9, from noon to 8 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 10, from noon to 6 p.m.) According to a release, the holiday shopping spree showcases 20 local, independent shops and boutiques. During that time, customers get increased discounts the more they shop, starting with 5% off their first store during the event, and increasing discounts up to 20% for all additional participating stores for the weekend, plus complimentary beverages and holiday snacks at select locations along the way.
The release also mentions shoppers can enjoy food and drink specials once they’ve made 4 purchases, including a complimentary glass of bubbles at Fishtown Social. Participating vendors in the Spree include Cake Life Bake Shop, Cloud 9 Clay, Craft Foundry, Fishtown Jewelers, HAM+BONE, Riverwards Produce, The Sacred Path- Herbal Collective, TOILE, and Whipped Bakeshop to name a few.
Other stand-outs throughout the event span The International Bar’s Outdoor Holiday Makers Market with warm butter-washed rum in hot cider, holiday ham and raclette cheese, plus a market from Mural City Garden with Myrtle & Magnolia featuring wreath-making, a winter floral sale, festive beverages and arts and crafts for kids.
For more information, locals can follow @fishtownfeastivale and @fishtown_district on Instagram, @fishtowndistrict on Facebook, #fishtownfreeze or visit fishtowndistrict.com.


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Berkshire Hathaway Reaches 1,000th Office Milestone
September 24, 2014
Real estate brokerage Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices marked its one-year anniversary of its brand launch this week by naming its 1,000th office.
The One-Year Journey
California Realty, based in Torrance, Calif., with three offices of 160 agents, will mark the brand’s 1,000th office with its Torrance/Skypark office, which serves as the brokerage’s headquarters. Starting in October, the brokerage will operate as Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties.
“The brand gained significant traction in one short year with stellar brokerages across the country,” says Bruce Short, broker-owner of California Properties, about the decision to join the Berkshire Hathaway network.
Overall, the franchise now boasts more than 33,300 agents operating in 47 states.
“Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices’ momentum keeps building,” Earl Lee, CEO of HSF Affiliates, the family of real estate brokerage franchise networks that includes Berkshire Hathaway, said in a statement. “This further demonstrates the power of the brand, and is a tribute to the quality of affiliates and agents who have brought the brand to life across America.”
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices launched a year ago when one of its largest affiliates, San Diego–based California Properties, joined its brand with 63 offices and more than 2,500 agents. Numerous other brokerages shortly followed suit. The real estate franchise is part of billionaire Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway brand.
The franchise plans to begin international expansion in 2015.
Source: Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices
Updated: June 26, 2019


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Balmy evenings in the city of Karachi, not too long ago, would echo with a familiar sound. One that generations had grown up tuned to. “Get your hair cut, get your beard shaved, refresh your look!” peddlers would chime in the local language, trotting from one neighbourhood to another. Their footsteps followed by the jangling of their barber’s box, a metal or sometimes wooden chest that would sway to and fro with every frolic.
With the passage of time however, the once familiar chants of Karachi’s street barbers have become a thing of the nostalgia-brimming past. Their services now have been replaced by modern day salons and hairdressers that tout luxury and panache at their swanky outlets.
“We would go door-to-door and yet charge barely a fraction of what the cheapest of these hair salons do now. These salons have started offering at-home services that cost a sum we could never imagine of,” said 55-year old Naziran, one of city’s last peddling-barbers who quit some 10-years ago, when modern hairdressers were inching to be the norm. “I have now set up my own shop in Punjab Colony. It is not fancy like the big salons, but it’s all I can afford to have,” he said.
The closet that come to the peddling-barbers of the not-too-distant past are the street barbers one can still spot, often camped under the shade of the city’s many Neem or Banyan tree lined sidewalks. “Most of us have been in the profession for generations. Our forefathers would walk from street to street. However, our later generation finds it more lucrative to set up a makeshift shop on the footpath, as people have become shy of inviting service people into their homes,” expressed Safiullah, who runs a humble barber’s shop on a footpath in Karachi’s FC Area.
Though it’s debatable whether a crooked chair, a dusty mirror mounted on a tree bark, a wobbly table with barber’s box on it, could be considered a shop in the modern sense, but it is where Safiullah offers his services and his clients religiously return to the same spot every time that they need a fresh cut. “It’s mostly the elderly who come to our humble, little shops, mostly because they have been getting our services for decades and have built a degree of loyalty.
Also, that generation is not as superficial to care about ritzy salons that cost a fortune. For them, a barber is a barber whether he, be under a neem tree or a glamorous store,” he added.
Speaking in this regard, 65-year old Haji Sharafat who’s a veteran hairdresser believes that salons and spas are among the most lucrative businesses in the city, with a majority of them being run by young, educated individuals with an entrepreneurial streak. “In the past, hairdressing was a skillset that was passed down from one generation to another. Now it’s an entire discipline, an art form almost, that people are trained to. While those who inherited the skill from their forefathers, are fast losing interest in it, because they cannot compete with the modern trends.
“Modern-day salons are not just for haircuts, they offer a variety of services ranging from pedicures and manicures to skin and hair treatments and spa services. The bill they charge accounts for the training of their employees, the products they use and the investment put into setting up the swanky salon,” he told The Express Tribune.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 7th, 2021.


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by Brendan Dunne
While Kanye West's Yeezy Season 3 show wasn't as deep on the sneakers as some would have hoped, West did veer into sportswear industry politics while on the microphone.
He thanked adidas for paying for the event, a hybrid fashion show/listening party at Madison Square Garden in New York City, prompting the crowd to deride the brand he previously endorsed.
"Fuck Nike!" the crowd chanted, West egging them on and letting them know that they weren't saying it loud enough. One audience member even yelled "Fuck Michael Jordan!" which earned a very different response.
"Not fuck Michael Jordan, Michael Jordan is our boy," West replied. "I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for Michael Jordan. Respect Jordan."
West went on to call his adidas Yeezy Boost the number one shoe and promised again that more pairs are coming.
"Adidas did promise that they're going to press up more so more people are going to be able to get em. We gon' lower prices, seriously."
Watch the Yeezy Season 3 show in its entirety via the embed below.


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Biometrics industry stocks this week: IQE, Gemalto, IDEX
Author: huifan Time: 2018-03-12
It seems face-based biometric ID apps are quite the rage of late. Sci-fi and action movies conditioned many to assume faced-based biometric identity is a sophisticated technology that is used only to guard, say, major military bases or nuclear reactors. But the reality is turning out to be something different.
Today face-based biometric ID is being used for all kinds of common, run-of-the-mill functions. Consider several examples from just the past several weeks:
– Facebook has announced it is testing a new security feature that will use face recognition for account recovery.
– Facebook also introduced a facial recognition tool that alerts people when they appear in photos on other pages (as a way of finding out if they’re being impersonated online).
– Google is working on a security feature that uses the phone’s front-facing camera to detect if someone is looking over your shoulder at your screen–the app then alerts the user to the snooper behind them.
– A new drone has hit the market that is designed to facilitate “outdoor self-photography”. It uses biometric tech to identify a particular person and then follows that person around.
– Saks Fifth Avenue is using face-based ID to identify VIP customers when they enter one of the company’s stores.
According to experts these “leisure” uses of biometrics tech are, arguably, rolling out much faster than the traditional security-based commercial and industrial applications. Taking this trend to its logical conclusion is an example from China where a company is using face-based biometric tech in a KFC to allow customers to pay by looking at a camera and ‘smiling.’ A subsidiary of massive Chinese tech company Alibaba has developed the technology, which it calls Smile to Pay. Are so-called leisure uses of biometrics technology the future of the sector, as opposed large-scale industrial uses? Could be.
Here in North America it is the consumer-facing tech companies like Facebook and Google that are rolling out the leisure-based uses of face ID. It’s worth noting that in a week when stock markets are on edge as Donald Trump plunges the world into a potentially damaging trade war, it is the tech sector that is (again) proving the most resilient. As a group the so-called FANG stocks (Facebook, Amazon, Netflix and Google) are off, as is the S&P 500 index, the Dow Jones industrial average and Nasdaq. But tech shares have lost less ground than the wider markets. Facebook and Google have even regained lost ground of late and said to be “putting in a base” in terms of price (according to analysts). Believe it or not but classic tech name Hewlett Packard even managed to pack on 13% in February hitting a record high of almost $19 per share here in early March.
That said, the stock of one company operating in the face-based ID biometric sector is not having a good run of late. IQE is a semiconductor technology company. Its products are used in the iPhone X’s facial recognition sensors. The company has become the target of short sellers as some investors claim IQE has fudging its accounting.
Short sellers use common financial tricks to take positions in companies they think are going to do badly. If an investor has a “short” position in a company’s stock that means the investor will make money if the stock goes down. A couple of well-known short sellers have taken such positions in IQE and are now publishing reports about the suspect accounting at the firm in a bid to get the stock to plunge.
Shares in IQE (which trades in the UK) recently slid 11% in one day in the wake of a report published by a firm called Muddy Waters Research, which is distributing reports outlining what it claims are spurious accounting methods at IQE. Since November shares have tumbled from a high of about $178 to near $100 a share in early February. The stock price is back up to $149 a share this past week, so it seems some have faith in the company’s accounting.
Gemalto reported 2017 results this past week. The company generated a generous EUR 3 billion for the year. Management stated that a non-standard accounting measure called “profit from operations” came in at EUR 310 million, which sounds positive. But the bottom line is that company’s revenue was down five percent from 2016. In fact, the company registered an overall net loss on the year of EUR 423.9 million. This compares to a profit of EUR 185.7 in 2016. Revenues from the company’s mobile division were off seven percent. A decrease in credit-card sales in the U.S. and lower demand for removable SIM cards were to blame.
On a positive note the company said that in the second-half of the year revenue was up by one percent, which suggests a possible turnaround in fortune. More so, management is forecasting double-digit revenue growth for its Identity business (which includes biometric products). Sure, the mobile business may be slowing (as smartphone sales level off globally) but the Identity segment grew by two percent last year and brought in EUR 533 million. The company is introducing a biometric payment card in 2018 in conjunction with the Bank of Cyprus, and so this seems to be where the growth is at for the company.
According to CEO, Philippe Vallée, Gemalto’s strategy is focused on strengthening its, “… leadership in biometrics, civil identity and data protection.” Like many other biometric companies this season the company mentioned the need to improve security after the string of security breaches last year. According to Vallée, “Moving forward, the strong demand in the Enterprise, Government and IoT markets is expected to continue, driven by the rising level of cyber incidents and data breaches, the need for increased security at country borders and the growing benefits of connected devices expanding across industries.”
Of course, Gemalto was also the subject of a bidding war this past December. French defense-electronics maker Thales SA won that battle and is set to acquire the firm for EUR 4.8 billion in the year ahead. In the press release announcing results Vallée also noted that combining the operations of Gemalto and Thales will “accelerate” the implementation of Gemalto’s strategy and that the process of merging operations is “on track.”
Like many other tech companies Gemalto is also eyeing up the connected car market as a source of future revenues. The company has recently announced some partnerships in that area. Kangrim Choi, vice president and head of the connected car business, KT, was quoted in a recent press release as saying, “Gemalto’s solutions will help strengthen our partnerships with 13 major automotive brands in six major countries to drive the adoption of our GiGA drive platform, as well as open doors for us to actively participate in upcoming connected car programs around the world.”
It’s worth noting that on February 28 Morten Opstad, chairman of the board and primary insider of IDEX ASA, purchased 100,000 shares at an average price of NOK 5.09 per share. Stock exchange rules require that sales or purchases of shares by insiders be made public. In this case the news is good. It’s considered a good sign of positive future performance at a company when a corporate insider buys that many shares (corporate insiders having the best sense of a company’s future potential). The purchase adds to Opstad’s holding of 7,149,196 shares in IDEX. Opstad made the purchase through his wholly-owned company, K-Konsult AS.


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Apple is making a significant stride in artificial intelligence (AI) with its latest research focusing on running large language models (LLMs) directly on hardware, particularly iPhones. This marks a pivotal shift from the conventional cloud-based AI operations, setting the stage for a new era in smartphone technology.
Background: The Shift to On-Device AI
Traditionally, AI operations, especially those involving large data sets like LLMs, have been confined to cloud-based servers. These servers offer the necessary computational power to handle complex AI tasks. Apple’s new research direction, however, aims to transition this power to personal devices like smartphones.
Overview of “LLM in a Flash” Paper
Published on December 12 and gaining attention after being highlighted by Hugging Face, “LLM in a Flash” by Apple proposes a solution to the computational bottleneck in AI. It details how to effectively run LLMs on devices with limited memory, a groundbreaking approach in the AI world.
Technical Insights from the Research
The paper outlines a method for efficient AI inference on devices with constrained resources. Inference, in this context, refers to the process by which AI models respond to user queries. This advancement could potentially allow complex AI interactions directly on smartphones.
AI in Smartphone Industry: Current Trends
The smartphone market is evolving, with AI becoming a crucial component. Despite a decline in overall smartphone shipments, the integration of AI features is seen as a key factor in revitalizing the industry.
Apple’s Position in AI: Past and Present
Despite being an early player in AI with Siri, Apple has lagged in the generative AI wave. However, this new research indicates a significant catch-up, reflecting Apple’s renewed focus in AI under the leadership of John Giannandrea, a former Google AI executive.
The Significance of On-Device AI
Running AI directly on devices like iPhones offers several advantages, including improved response times and enhanced privacy. This approach aligns with Apple’s longstanding emphasis on user privacy and data security.
Comparisons with Rivals' AI Strategies
Unlike rivals such as Microsoft and Google, which focus on cloud-based AI services, Apple is steering towards on-device AI capabilities. This strategic divergence could redefine competitive dynamics in the tech industry.
Future of AI Smartphones
The industry is abuzz with the anticipation of AI smartphones. Companies like Samsung are gearing up to launch new models, with AI capabilities expected to become a standard feature in the near future.
Implications for Privacy and Efficiency
On-device AI offers significant privacy benefits, as data processing happens locally, reducing the need for data transmission to the cloud. This is particularly important in an era where data privacy is a major concern.
Technical Challenges and Solutions
Implementing AI on personal devices is not without challenges, given the limited computing resources and power constraints of smartphones. Apple’s research is focused on overcoming these hurdles to make on-device AI a reality.
Apple's Research Direction and Innovations
Apple’s research papers provide insight into the company's direction and innovations in AI. While academic in nature, they signal the company’s ambition to integrate advanced AI features into its products.
Industry Perspective: Qualcomm’s View
Qualcomm, a leading chipmaker, sees on-device AI as a game-changer for the smartphone industry. Its CEO, Cristiano Amon, predicts that AI will create a new user experience, potentially reversing the trend of declining mobile sales.
Google’s Moves in On-Device AI
Google is also making strides in on-device AI, with its Gemini LLM set to run natively on Pixel smartphones. This indicates a broader industry trend towards more sophisticated AI features in personal devices.
The Future of AI in Personal Devices
The integration of AI into personal devices like smartphones is not just a technical advancement but a shift in how we interact with technology. AI capabilities are expected to become more ubiquitous and sophisticated in the coming years.
Conclusion: Apple’s Path Forward in AI
Apple's foray into on-device AI represents a significant shift in its AI strategy, positioning the company to play a pivotal role in the future of smart devices. As AI continues to evolve, Apple’s research and innovations are set to redefine the user experience in ways we can only begin to imagine.
- What does Apple’s “LLM in a Flash” paper signify?
- It signifies a breakthrough in running AI models on devices with limited computational resources.
- How does on-device AI differ from cloud-based AI?
- On-device AI processes data locally on the device, enhancing privacy and response times.
- What are the benefits of Apple’s approach to AI?
- Improved user privacy, quicker response times, and potential for offline AI interactions.
- Will on-device AI become standard in smartphones?
- Yes, industry trends suggest that AI features will become a standard in future smartphones.
- How does Apple’s AI strategy compare to its rivals?
- Apple focuses on on-device AI, contrasting with rivals' emphasis on cloud-based AI services.


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KFC is finally upgrading its chicken sandwich
By Jordan Valinsky, CNN Business
via Erie News Now (PA) - January 8th 2021
Colonel Sanders is entering 2021 ready to rumble in the seemingly never-ending chicken sandwich wars.
KFC is finally updating its fried chicken sandwich after finding itself playing catch-up against rival chains' sandwiches in recent years. The aptly titled "KFC Chicken Sandwich" features an extra crispy chicken filet placed on a buttered brioche bun and topped with pickles and spicy or classic mayonnaise.
The new sandwich is available Thursday in nine US cities: Chicago, Kansas City, Louisville, Portland, St. Louis, Sacramento, San Francisco, Seattle, and Tulsa. It will gradually roll out across KFC's 4,000 restaurants nationwide over the next two months and fans can track the sandwich's arrival on a special website.
The sandwich costs $3.99 ą la carte or $6.99 for a combination meal with fries and a medium drink.
KFC trialed the sandwich last June in 15 restaurants across Orlando. At the time, Andrea Zahumensky, KFC's chief marketing officer, told CNN Business that the reformulated sandwich "boasts an upgrade of every single component" and she believes the chain is "now is going to be able to compete."
The KFC Chicken Sandwich will replace the chain's current sandwich, the "Crispy Colonel."
"The 'Crispy Colonel' has a lot of fans, but we knew we could do better and it wasn't good enough for us," she said.
more, including links


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CropIn: an innovation to address problems of Indian farmers
CropIn tags farming land and conveys the information through an Android-based app to various companies
In 2009, software engineer Krishna Kumar, working at US conglomerate General Electric Co. (GE) India’s state-of-the-art Bangalore office, decided that he wanted to build and work on technology solutions that would address the problems faced by the bottom half of India’s 1.2 billion strong population.
After reading former GE chief executive Jack Welch’s book Straight From The Gut, where Welch describes the innovation cycles of various technology solutions that the company builds, Kumar realized that he would possibly be better off developing such innovations on his own, rather than at a large corporation.
“In the book, Welch mentions an episode where the company came up with an energy-saving bulb that eventually had to be scrapped because the cost of manufacturing was too high,” recalls Kumar. “Through that, I got a sense of how things worked, where somebody at the top sat and decided on what innovations could go to the market.”
“That proved to be a turning point for me—I didn’t want to be the guy who sits and develops something that eventually might or might not go to the market. That day I decided I wanted to be the guy who had complete control over his own innovation,” says Kumar.
And thus in August 2010, a few months after Kumar ditched his cushy job at GE, was born CropIn Technology Solutions Pvt. Ltd—a farming technology solutions start-up that would address several pain points of hundreds of farmers across the country.
Kumar along with a few of his friends initially raised about Rs.7-8 lakh from more than dozen close associates and funds and went live shortly after.
From a small bootstrapped start-up that originated in a single-room office in Bangalore’s Indiranagar locality, CropIn now generates revenue of over Rs.1 crore per year and has ambitions of tripling that number over the next few years.
“The idea was to do something for a sector that desperately needs technology,” says 32-year-old Kumar. “We have been talking about ICT (information and communications technology) for the agriculture sector for three decades now, but there hasn’t been any meaningful technological breakthrough.”
In layman’s terms, CropIn’s software product tags thousands of acres of farming land. The tags convey the information through an Android-based smartphone app to field officers of companies, such as global beverage and food major PepsiCo Inc., that work with farmers.
“In one word, we want to make every farm and every farmer traceable,” says Kumar. “Imagine buying an apple from a store and when you scan the apple, you get information on which plot, which area, when the apple was first planted, what pesticides were used on it, etc. That’s what our technology does.”
CropIn uses an affordable cloud-based pay-as-you-go platform that impressed companies such as FieldFresh Foods Pvt. Ltd so much that they are now one of CropIn’s biggest customers, giving out Rs.12 lakh of annual business to the Bangalore-based start-up—a far cry from the early days of starting up when Kumar and his team approached several top firms and, in most cases, struggled to get their attention.
FieldFresh also happened to be CropIn’s first major customer, signing business of about Rs.60,000 to start with. Kumar recalls that getting FieldFresh opened the floodgates of business for CropIn, which prior to that was struggling to raise more funds to ensure survival.
CropIn’s technological innovations are now being used and sought by major multinational corporations such as PepsiCo that uses data generated by the startup’s crop tagging technology to empower their own field officers who, in turn, work with farmers to improve their produce.
The technology at the heart of CropIn helps farmers on several counts, most importantly, informing and educating them on ways to salvage and improve the productivity of crops.
Kumar uses the example of a tomato farm located in rural Karnataka, where farmers were facing a problem of salvaging crops that used to rot on a regular basis. CropIn’s platform analyzed that the crops were being planted on land that was exposed to humidity. To ensure their survival, the tomatoes needed to be planted on a drier tract of land.
“From the moment a farmer decides to plant or sow his seeds, it is mapped immediately onto our platform,” says Kumar.
Kumar also has an eye on the future and wants to take advantage of the Big Data analytics boom in the world of technology—with vast volumes of data being generated from tagging crops, there is a significant opportunity for CropIn to tap into.
Technology researcher Gartner Inc. estimates that the smart-computing software market, which includes data analytics and business intelligence apps, will generate $41 billion in spending worldwide in 2013, and expects that to grow to $48 billion in 2014.
Kumar says the company, which has so far raised about $250,000 in seed funding, will raise another small round of funding as it looks to expand operations. In its Bangalore headquarters, the start-up employs about 14 people currently and plans to nearly double that number next year.
“We won’t go for Series A (funding) yet though. That’s still some way off,” says Kumar.
CropIn has also received buyout offers from some large Indian corporations, but Kumar is not keen on selling yet.
“We don’t want to give control to a major company yet. The concern is always around having your own vision being under the authority of someone else,” Kumar says.
Mint has a strategic partnership with the Digital Empowerment Foundation, which hosts the Manthan Awards.
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Service output down in restructuring-hit region
The Korean industrial city of Ulsan suffered a setback in service output in the third quarter from a year earlier due to poor performance in the petrochemical industry, data showed Friday.
Service output in Ulsan — home to a major petrochemical complex, shipbuilder Hyundai Heavy Industries and Hyundai Motor — edged down 0.1 percent in the July-September period from a year earlier. It marked the third straight quarter that service output has fallen in Ulsan.
Yang Dong-hee, director of the short-term service division at Statistics Korea, said a dwindling population and a decline in output in the petrochemical industry in Ulsan were to blame for the decreased service output there.
Meanwhile, output of vessels and cars in Ulsan rose 25 percent and 3.3 percent in the third quarter from a year earlier, respectively.
Retail sales in Ulsan edged up 0.2 percent in the third quarter from a year earlier due to increased sales of cars and consumption of gasoline.


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Akitio Thunder Dock offers a remarkable amount of value for money in the age of slim computing News | CIOL Bureau MUMBAI,... ...http://www.ciol.com/ciol/news/210934/apical-launches-akitio-thunder-dock-exclusively-mac-users?WT.rss_f=Home&WT.rss_a=Apical+launches+Akitio+Thunder+Dock+exclusively+for+Mac+users
Ill-fated Malaysia Airline passenger jet could have been hijacked using a mobile phone or a USB stick, says expert. A former scientific adviser in... ...http://www.medindia.net/news/expert-says-missing-malaysian-jet-could-be-first-cyber-hijack-using-mobile-phone-133335-1.htm
B Bengaluru, March 14: After mobiles, tablets are supposed to be the next big market for the companies and now after some research on the Indian... ...http://www.channeltimes.com/story/acers-tablet-strategy-is-65-retail-30-e-tail/
Allows sending SMSs via system by bridging USB GSM dongle and mobiles/PC News | by CIOL Bureau NEW DELHI, INDIA: Software... ...http://www.ciol.com/ciol/news/210929/techfactory-brings-infinity-sms-unlimited-messaging?WT.rss_f=Home&WT.rss_a=Techfactory+brings+Infinity+SMS+for+unlimited+messaging
New York: People using Android devices know it's not easy to move files from their phone or tablet to a PC. Now, a special USB drive will make the... ...http://ibnlive.in.com/news/leefs-bridge-30-an-androidcompatible-usb-30-flash-drive/458374-11.html
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Using runway and street style photos, as well as archival images of celebrities and designers as inspiration, I meticulously added each outfit to a Pinterest board that I regularly updated throughout the year. In the vast universe of digital collaging, I was able to tune up my style and expand it at the same time. Take, for example, the many versions of suiting I pinned to my board throughout 2022, which evolved from all-black versions worn with sneakers, to cream monochrome iterations that feat…….
As they grow older, many Americans begin to think about the best time to retire.
Yet a new study throws some warning signs around that decision — as retiring early could actually worsen people’s health.
A recent paper published in the Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization suggests that early retirement may accelerate cognitive decline in late adulthood.
Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.
Starting an online business is great for bringing your products or services to a broader audience. However, the competition is fierce, and it can be difficult to stand out in the crowded online marketplace.
That’s where marketing comes in. Implementing the right marketing strategies can boost your visibility, attract more customers and achieve online business success. Here are ten marketing tips that …….
The number of U.S. professionals freelancing, whether part-time or full-time, continues to climb. In the era of the side hustle, a new report from freelance platform Upwork identifies the top skills sought after from workers.
At Frankly Co., a consulting platform for female entrepreneurs, founder Johanna Buchweitz has noticed a trend: Many of the fast-growing businesses she works with have no one on staff as full-time employees. Instead, she says, more…….
Local business owners who have suffered damages or losses due to the recent storms can now apply for financial assistance from the Small Business Administration (SBA).
Owners can apply whether they have experienced physical or economic losses. SBA issues low-interest and long-term loans specifically to cover damages caused by disasters.
FEMA is working to open a Disaster Recovery Center to serve as a resource for residents where they can ask questions or receive help during the …….
Here’s the rundown for the last week:
Purchase application data has stabilized — the bleeding stopped.
Housing inventory increased by 1,339 homes nationwide. This is a small number but could be the start of an important trend.
Mortgage rates fell along with bond yields, showing that mortgage rates peaked on Oct. 20.
The weekly data shows some good news for the housing market! The weekly inventory data, which had fallen faster than I had anticipated the last few weeks,…….
Buy cheap? Even in the stock market, buyers like to find a bargain. Defining a bargain, however, can be tricky. There’s a stigma that gets attached to low stock prices, based on the reality that most stocks don’t fall without a reason. And those reasons are usually rooted in some facet of poor company performance.
But not always, and that’s why finding stock bargains can be tricky. There are plenty of low-priced equities out there with sound fundamentals and solid future prospects…….
The cryptocurrency lending firm Nexo was fined $45 million for violating federal securities law, the Securities and Exchange Commission announced on Thursday, the latest in a string of enforcement actions that U.S. regulators have taken to crack down on misconduct in the crypto industry.
Starting in 2020, Nexo allowed customers in the United States to hand over their cryptocurrency savings and earn interest on those funds, the S.E……..
An aerial view of prototypes for the Starship rocket and Super Heavy booster stacked at the company’s facility near Brownsville, Texas on January 9, 2023.
CNBC’s Investing in Space newsletter offers a view into the business of space exploration and privatization, delivered straight to your inbox. CNBC’s Michael Sheetz reports and curates the latest news, investor updates and exclusive interviews on the most important companies reaching new heights. Sign up to receive futu…….


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Renowned smartphone brand, TECNO, launched a new addition to the Camon 19 series, the Mondrian version. The event took place at the Art Hotel in Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria. This event was in partnership with the African Artistry Foundation (AAF).
The event was topnotch, with stakeholders in the art, tech, and entertainment industries present. One of the things that made the event unique was the presence of TECNO’s first female brand ambassador, Tiwa Savage, KOLs (names to be included) amongst others.
TECNO has never taken technological innovations lightly, and as a result, they are constantly looking for new ways to improve their smartphones and make them better. The Mondrian version has a unique tie to art; in fact, the name Mondrian is the cake of it all. The word Mondrian is coined from the name of the renowned artist Piet Mondrian, a Dutch painter who was famous for his color-blocked abstract artworks in the 1880s. This begs the question; how does art relate to technology? This question is what TECNO has answered with the Camon 19 Mondrian edition.
The Camon 19 Mondrian edition is specially and artistically designed with a clean and beautiful black and white aesthetic that allows the back of the phone to change colour to the Mondrian painting technique when sunlight hits it.
This is the first smartphone device to feature sunlight drawing technology, which allows the phone to change colours in direct sunlight. What this means is that you have a working, unique, genuine piece of art in your hands.
This beautiful innovation was shown to the audience at the unveiling, and they couldn’t help but marvel at TECNO’s initiative to merge art with technology, especially in times like these when phone design and aesthetics are beginning to matter to consumers.
The Mondrian edition boasts excellent specs, such as a 64MP rear camera, a 32MP selfie camera, optical zooming for more detailed photos, a 6.8-inch LCD display, and a memory fusion of 8GB RAM + 256GB internal storage. The TECNO Camon 19 simplifies and improves its users’ day-to-day tasks, including work and life in general.
Apart from this beautiful artistic feature, TECNO also throws in more to make the MONDRIAN EDITION special. The MONDRIAN EDITION will have a limited edition comes with a special autograph from Tiwa Savage, their first female brand ambassadors, at the back of the phone.
TECNO is one of the world’s leading smartphone innovators, sitting at the pinnacle of smartphone creativity and technology. The Mondrian edition seems to be a piece of unique and premium artsy technology everyone should have. One cannot wait for this luxury piece to enter the market in Nigeria.


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There’s a pretty amazing documentary about the life of Sam Kinison that’s going to hit the shelves in about a week’s time. The DVD, Back From Hell: A Tribute To Sam Kinison will hit stores on November 16th. We figured Sam would need a proper send-up on this big day of his. So we’re doing just that.
Comedy Central, The Laugh Button, and our pals at Metal Insider (because let’s face it Sam Kinison was a rock ‘n’ roll kinda guy) are throwing a DVD screening party for the documentary.
The event will be held at New York City’s Idle Hands Bar on NYC on the day the DVD comes out, Novmeber 16th. This is a 21+ event, but there will be drink specials ($5 for a can of beer and a shot?!) and door prizes. So if you’re in NYC and looking for something to do after work next Tuesday, come on out and hang with The Laugh Button and do a shot for Sam.


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File this one under “intriguing” for now; Sony Online Entertainment and Overkill have announced a brand new FPS, Payday: The Heist for PC and PSN.
This co-op focused shooter, as the name suggests, puts players in one of six different heist scenarios, including bank robberies and hostage situations. You’ll have to pull off the perfect job and then shoot your way out with up to three other friends online. Sharing ammo, providing cover fire, healing each other and working together is all key to getting away with the “big score”. Stick “Directed by Michael Mann” on the cover and we’ll be there day one.
Players can choose from assault, sharpshooter or support classes, all of which have different uses. This is mixed into character progression that will unlock new weapons and items as you go.
The first trailer is below, showing police shootouts and stealth sections amongst other clips. The game claims to have endless replayability thanks to adaptive AI. Let’s hope the devs pull it off then, because this could be a real winner if so.
Payday is set to launch later in the year, DLC has been promised too. We guess that means more scenarios and more weapons will be out a little while after the initial release.


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On June 26th June 2018, four Volvo colleagues arrived at the Volvo Group site in Curitiba to make history. Their names are Meelis Smeiman, Madis Reinpold, Maksim Golenkov and Lauri
VISTA goes back to 1957 and has been a global competition since 1977. However it wasn’t until 2007 that organisers decided to award world championship. Since then five world champions have been crowned.


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STM: $10,000 winners all set for Karrinyup shopping spree
Retired financial planner Peter Mercovich may have won STM’s $10,000 Karrinyup shopping spree but when it comes to spending the winnings, he’s under no illusions as to who is in charge.
In fact, his wife Carol already has a wishlist ready for when the pair hit the shops at the newly redeveloped $800m shopping centre.
And though they share seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, Peter said they’re looking forward to splurging on themselves.
“My wife’s a bit of a shopper and she’s looking at maybe some … pearls or something like that,” Peter said.
“She’s getting pretty excited about what she’s going to buy.
“I still haven’t given it a lot of thought.”
Winning the prize — which includes $10,000 to spend at Karrinyup stores that take in JB Hifi, Sephora, Zara, Rebel Sport and Polo Ralph Lauren — was a family affair for the Attadale retirees and longtime The Sunday Times readers, with Carol buying a copy of the newspaper and their daughter helping Peter put through his entry.
“We’ve got a local shop and part of my ritual on a Sunday is to go up and get a takeaway coffee and bring the paper back and read it every Sunday,” Carol said.
“I love the STM and I love all the gossip stuff.”
Designed to mark the relaunch of STM, WA’s only glossy magazine, the competition continues this Sunday with two more chances to win the ultimate $10,000 shopping spree at Karrinyup.
To enter, look for the code word inside STM this Sunday and on October 24.
Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.
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The legal struggle between the publishing industry and Google over Google Book Search took a chilling turn yesterday as Yahoo refused Google’s request for info on how it copies books digitally. As the Associated Press notes, Amazon.com gave Google a similarly cold shoulder last month, puncturing Google’s plans to defend itself against charges of copyright infringement by comparing “its plans to provide online access to millions of library books” to “similar projects involving some of its biggest rivals.” As far as Yahoo’s concerned, that’s just an excuse to try to get hold of its trade secrets, and they aren’t falling for it.
To say thank you for a great year, we’re offering 15% OFF any boot camp, in-person course, or online course when you use code MBTHANKU. Choose from any of our exciting upcoming courses, from a novel writing class taught by an accomplished author, to an intro course for Excel. Hurry – offer expires 12/24! Browse our upcoming courses.


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The brokerage company Bernstein said in a statement that its macro economic index is showing signs of a decline in economic activity during April and May.
PM Narendra Modi.
In view of the looming threat of economic revival due to COVID-19 Pandemic, the government may announce a Stimulus Package immediately after the lapse in lockdown. The brokerage company Bernstein said in a statement that its macro economic index is showing signs of a decline in economic activity during April and May. The government can bring this package to the small businesses and self-workers most affected by the lockdown.
The brokerage company said, there has been a 4 per cent decrease in power consumption and 16 per cent reduction in fuel consumption in May. There is a 16 per cent reduction in e-waybills. Due to the closure of retail shops, production of some categories of factories has come down.
Promotion package may be announced if lockdown is removed
The closure of retail outlets is limiting the ability to increase production, Bernstein said. Supply management, however, did not have that much of an impact, as restrictions on factory operations are less in most states.
He said, we believe that the government can announce another stimulus package if the lockdown is lifted. The SME sector and self-employed employment have been the most affected due to Corona. The lower middle class may have been affected, but this time the consumer sentiment in the upper-middle class may be weak and this aspect needs attention.
Condition deteriorating slightly on macro economic front
Bernstein said that what we are seeing this time, there is nothing shocking for the economy. On the macro economic front, the situation is deteriorating slightly but at a lower pace than the lockdown imposed last year. This time too, the economy may slow down for a few months, because the effect was seen on the economy even a few months after the lockdown was removed.
read this also- big news! Toll plazas will not be taxed, free of cost, trains will be able to travel for more than 100 meters


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Randy Guthrie – Microsoft Technology Evangelist
A few years back a small group inside of Microsoft Research developed a functional game development platform for the Xbox they called “Kodu”. It looks like Kodu has grown up a bit and will soon be released as a touch development platform for Xbox One and Windows called “Project Spark”. While details appear to sketchy, Project Spark looks to be a platform where you can develop a single game concept and then deploy seamlessly to both the Xbox One and Windows 8 stores. There is some kind of community being developed behind it; we’ll have to see, but the platform beta is scheduled to be released this month. You can sign up here: http://joinprojectspark.com and you’ll be notified when it goes live. I’ve used Kodu and several years ago watched a 7-year walk a group of adults through making a pretty legitimate game without the need to purchase graphical assets. I’m signed up; how about you?


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Custom-made cup-sleeve printer with QR Code Generation and Twitter integration.
Custom Printer Social Machine
The brief was to help Gulf News, the UAE’s leading newspaper, reach even more readers and convert them into subscribers.
Fresh news goes well with fresh coffee. So we adapted the coffee cup sleeve of Tim Hortons, a global coffee chain, into an advertising medium and we created The ‘Headline News’ Cup Sleeve.
Every cup. Every hour. Every day. When Tim Hortons customers received a cup of coffee, they also received the headline of the hour, printed using a special printer that pulled out tweets from the Gulf News’ Twitter account.
It allowed us to be the first throughout the day to deliver breaking news to potential subscribers and make a meaningful connection with them.
Until now, over 2,880 headline tweets have been printed on more than 1,680,000 coffee cups. More than 2,900 new Gulf News Twitter followers in the first two weeks of the campaign launch. To date, it has grown by more than 210%. The traffic on the Gulf News website grew by 41%. Subscription’s up by 10.8% so far. The project was rolled out in 15 Tim Hortons outlets across the UAE with more stores to open soon.
The project was featured in more than 100 popular blogs and news sites such as AOL, MSN, Springwise, PSFK, Trend Hunter, Discovery News, Creativity-Online, Design Taxi, Best Ads on TV, Creative Review, DieLine, Packaging Gateway and Food Beast among others. With a small investment and no media budget, it resulted in a combined PR value of more than USD 150,000. So far, it has been shared 70,345 times on Facebook.


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It has been more than eight years and 99 issues since Vogue China debuted to a fashion-hungry and potentially massive audience ready to pounce on its pages.
153 pages of beauty and trends were shot exclusively for Vogue China by Mario Testino.
In an interview at her office, Vogue China editor Angelica Cheung described how she and Testino met while working together on his photo exhibition in China and shoot here for American Vogue, developing a friendship in which the pair “knew we wanted to do something together, but it took a while to figure out what that should be.”
The resulting collaboration is the December issue, which hits China’s newsstands on Nov. 11.
Chinese film star Shu Qi is featured on the cover dressed in all black, a cap and veil showing off subtle style.
“The cover story was with the actress Shu Qi, and for this I wanted her to emulate a mix between Audrey Hepburn and Angelina Jolie.”
Cheung says she believes Testino is one of the first non-Chinese photographers to understand how to capture modern fashion and beauty in China in a way that speaks to Vogue China’s audience.
The magazine launch will be followed with a cocktail party on Nov. 12 with Testino in Beijing.
“China is a country that is growing and finding its path as it goes along,” said Testino. “I am curious how it will carry on developing and changing, especially with young Chinese people growing up in a more open environment than what it used to be.”


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According to AppleInsider, Apple is planning to open a multi-story store on Ste-Catherine street West for Summer or early Fall 2008. They would heavily renovate (in the hip way that Apple's stores are known for: with lots of glass and aluminum) the MENS building (1321 Ste Catherine W) near De La Montagne street (see pictures). Work should start this winter.
That's a great news, since downtown Montreal has been lacking a decent Mac-friendly store since the demise of Bmac several years ago. It's even getting difficult to find a decent computer store (besides the big chains like Staples, Future Shop or The Source). I even noticed this week that the CompuSmart on Square Philips had disappeared -- but at the same time I discovered that there was a tiny Micro-Boutique on the fourth floor of the Eaton Center. There's also MicroBytes that is good for accessories and peripherals. The best specialized stores are now mostly online (what about touching & physically checking the product before buying?). So, there's nothing like a big, real Apple Store. One opened earlier this year at the Carrefour Laval, but it's relatively small (I was rather disappointed when I visited). Apparently, the new downtown Apple store will be 9,300 square feet, a bit smaller than the Manhattan store!


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The battle for mobile OS superiority escalated last week when the Symbian consortium signed up a mammoth ally, then closed the doors to its powerful wireless club.
Matsushita, the fourth-largest Japanese mobile phone producer - also known as Panasonic - became the last Symbian consortium member after it paid £22 million for a 8.8% stake in the venture that also includes Psion, Ericsson, Motorola and Nokia.
The deal was a blow to Microsoft, which is struggling to push its rival Windows CE OS in roughly the same arena. Symbian, which now boasts 65% of the worldwide mobile communications market, owns the Epoc OS for high-bandwidth data on mobile appliances.
Symbian head of marketing communications Jeremy Cobb said: "We will not invite anyone else to join Symbian. Matsushita is the last member."
"Symbian represents a formidable set of players. In the mobile communications space, it's way ahead," said Peter Richardson, principal analyst for Dataquest.
But Dilip Mistry, Microsoft's CE marketing manager for Europe, disputed the perception that CE had failed to capture significant market share: "We're achieving our growth aim. Symbian's strategy is a narrow-focused mish mash, not a co-ordinated end-to-end strategy. What about the server and services side?"
Richardson predicted that Microsoft's "diverse approach to the mobile market" strategy would drive applications such as NT and Outlook into the wider world.
Within the UK, Microsoft is working on strategically-important trials with BT. The telco giant is considering setting up NT-based data servers on its network for CE appliances.
By licensing Epoc to manufacturers worldwide, Symbian will reap rich rewards - a fee of £6 per unit for communicators and a £3 per unit fee for smart phones.
The addition of Matsushita strengthens Symbian's presence in the Asia Pacific region, particularly Japan, which will be the first country in the world to roll out third-generation mobile services.
Cotton seedling freezes to death as Chang'e-4 shuts down for the Moon's 14-day lunar night
Fortnite easily out-earns PUBG, Assassin's Creed Odyssey and Red Dead Redemption 2 in 2018
Meteor showers as a service will be visible for about 100 kilometres in all directions
Saturn's rings only formed in the past 100 million years, suggests analysis of Cassini space probe data
New findings contradict conventional belief that Saturn's rings were formed along with the planet about 4.5 billion years ago


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November 30, 2020
Shoppers who have turned to online grocery ordering during the pandemic aren’t changing course any time soon. A new survey from Oracle Grocery Retail shows that 53% of U.S. respondents have shopped online for groceries during COVID-19, and a whopping 93% of those surveyed say they plan to do so after the pandemic, with 74% noting they’ll order at the same pace or even more than they currently are going forward. And it’s not just young people. The survey found that 72% of Gen X respondents (defined as those ages 40 through 54) led the way with online ordering, and the share of online Boomer shoppers (age 55+) soared 173%.
Home delivery is one especially hot area, with 72% of consumers opting for this service. Just 13% order online to pick up in store and 15% order online to pick up their groceries curbside.
“So many trends that were already in motion have been greatly accelerated by the pandemic,” says Bob Burke of Natural Products Consulting LLC, adding that many will remain long after the pandemic is behind us. “All the elements of online, like direct-to-consumer, home delivery and curbside pickup, will be elevated and part of the normal mix of how brands and retailers will intersect with consumers.”
Some good news for retailers who offer store brands is that private label is growing in the pandemic. Oracle’s survey found that 86% of shoppers explored store-owned brands and private label alternatives during the pandemic, and just 20% plan to go back to preferred brands. "The surge in private label purchases has become the unexpected silver lining of COVID-19 for grocers," said Mike Webster, senior vice president and general manager of Oracle Retail, in a statement. "Consumers uninterested in trying something new were forced to branch out due to shortages and now plan to stick with their new finds. This allows grocers an opportunity to increase brand affinity with customers and, in turn, their margins."
If you ask Burke, this may not be enough and independent retailers who haven’t yet started to move at least some of their services online need to tackle the learning curve, understand what investments need to be made and shift online where it makes sense for their customers and store.
“The reality is that consumers’ expectations around convenience, service and instant gratification, as well as product knowledge, transparency in sourcing and value, is going to keep evolving,” he says. “Smart retailers need to be tuned into this and generally open to adapting, consistent with their values, their brand and their resources.”
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Comments /1165 Views / Thursday, 5 April 2012 00:44
Triumph will celebrate the spirit of Easter with an Easter egg hunt during the Easter week starting from 8 to 10 April. It will feature an addition to the usual shopping experience and allow consumers to enjoy their shopping spree while indulging in some delicious Easter eggs.
All Triumph Exclusive stores will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. while providing the shoppers the opportunity of winning gift vouchers courtesy of Triumph.
A daily Easter egg hunt will take place and one lucky winner will walk away with a voucher worth Rs. 2,000 from Triumph daily. An Easter egg will be hidden in store and the customers will be invited to find the concealed Easter egg and the first to discover it during the course of the day will receive the gift voucher.
Triumph’s innate desire for perfection, combined with 125 years of understanding the intimate needs of women around the world, allowed the brand to earn global reputation in the lingerie field as the benchmark for quality and perfect fit, bringing new confidence and beauty to women all over the world.
Triumph is ready to mesmerise its customers during Easter so, be a part of this glorious season at Triumph!
Triumph International is one of the world’s largest underwear manufacturers. The company enjoys a presence in over 120 countries with its core brands Triumph, sloggi, Valisère and HOM. Triumph employs more than 36,500 people and achieves a turnover of CHF 2.2 billion (2010).
28 November 2015
The eighth death anniversary of a man named Manjeri Narayanan Nambiar or M.N. Nambiar fell on 19 November. He was 89 years of age at the time of his death. Nambiar was a terrible villain who could terrify people by merely grimacing and sc...
27 November 2015
Eelam People’s Revolutionary Front Leader and TNA member Suresh Premechandran “I don’t see any difference between the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) &nd...
27 November 2015
Radical budgets call for reinvigorated critical engagement by Civil Society. Governments that dodge bullets and clampdown on media commentaries by their mandarins – culpable of conflicts of interest (or not); or worse, chicanery &nd...
25 November 2015
While the Government provides the infrastructure, the potential to transform education is in the hands of the National Institute of Education which is responsible for curricula and teacher training and development. The spotlight rea...


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But uptake has slowed.
BYOD trend to explode over next 2 years, study says
Enterprise IT professionals who fervently wish the "bring your own device" phenomenon will blow over are in for some bad news: This is just the beginning.
A recently published report from analyst firm Juniper Research predicts the number of BYOD smartphones and tablets used by employees for their jobs will more than double within two years.
Juniper's study, titled "Mobile Security Strategies: Threats, Solutions and Market Forecasts,” estimates that the current total of 150 million employee-owned devices now being deployed in enterprises will balloon to 350 million by 2014.
And that's not even counting the hybrid tablet/smartphone devices that are on the horizon.
Not surprisingly, enterprises in the public sector have been more reluctant to permit BYOD than private-sector organizations. There are two obvious reasons for this: 1) Public-sector enterprises such as government agencies have concerns about protecting confidential data that, if leaked, could create security problems, and 2) Private-sector enterprises feel pressure to stay competitive by embracing technology trends and offering employee-friendly environments. One way to accomplish the latter is to allow BYOD, which is a consumer-driven trend.
Juniper also said BYOD is (and will continue to be) most popular in Western Europe. This contradicts data from a Dell-Intel research project which shows that France, the U.K. (and the U.S.) lag behind emerging markets such as China, Mexico and Brazil in BYOD adoption.
The study reports that most employees surveyed lack security software on their personal devices -- just the kind of thing that keeps IT professionals up at night.
According to research from enterprise mobility security vendor Good Technology, Apple's iOS accounted for 71% of activations in the second quarter by the company's enteprise customers, with Android devices comprising 28.3% and Windows Phone 7 at 0.9%.
Smartphone usage still dominates, Good reports, with 73% of total activations among its clients in Q2. Among tablets, Apple's iPad accounted for 94.5% of activations, Good said.
Google's plan to bring Chrome packaged apps to Android and iOS is part of its strategy to make the web the primary platform for users. Converting Apple device owners will be a challenge.
Most companies understand that they need a social media presence, but many are flying by the seat of their pants instead of crafting a social media plan that aligns closely with business goals.


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Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday asked the exporters to be more careful to bring back the money, which is used in export purpose, and maintain balance in import and export.
“We need to urgently maintain balance in import and export. I will urge everyone to be more careful about that purpose,” she said.
The prime minister said this while inaugurating the the month-long 28th edition of the Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF) at Bangabandhu Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Centre (BBCFEC) at Purbachal.
She also put emphasis on searching for new markets and products for the export basket to reduce dependency on handful of destinations.
“For that we need to look for new products, new destinations and markets abroad. We should not be dependent on one or two markets worldwide,” she said.
In this connection, she mentioned that Bangladesh has to overcome various types of hurdles and barriers to send its export items worldwide.
Hasina, also chief of the ruling Awami League, said that in its manifesto for January 7 election the Awami League projected export earnings at USD 150 billion by 2030.
“But for that we have to catch new markets, and our time is short. Above all, if we have fixed a target it will be easy to attain the target. We want to work like this way,” she said.
State Minister for Commerce Ahsanul Islam, Commerce Secretary Tapan Kanti Ghosh President of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) Mahbubul Alam and vice-chairman of the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) AHM Ahsan also spoke at the programme.
From the inaugural programme, the prime minister also declared Handicrafts Products as the product of the 2024.
A documentary on the export trading of the country was screened at the programme.


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IRMA: Hi-Def Discs a Hot Topic26 Sep, 2002 By: David Ward
Even as DVD continues to bolster the home video industry, battle lines are being drawn for the next generation of optical technology, as companies used the International Recording Media Association Technology and Manufacturing Conference to outline what may end up being a contentious fight to bring high-definition to movies and other disc-based content.
The IRMA conference in Las Vegas last week found the replication industry in an interesting position -- profits are up, largely thanks to DVD, yet many manufacturers are walking a tightrope as they continue the slow transition out of videotape while at the same time face increasing competition from other replicators of disc-based media.
In his opening speech, IRMA President Charles Van Horn said more than 10.5 billion CDs and DVDs were replicated last year in North America up 2 percent from the year before, adding, “CD-Audio and CD-ROM units were down but they were offset by growth in DVD and video-CD. In fact, revenue to replicators increased 5.4 percent in North America as DVDs' higher replication prices offset declines in the CD industry.”
Van Horn said DVD-video replication was expected to rise from 636 million units in 2001 to 960 million this year and should reach 1.225 billion by 2003. “DVD is definitely the star player for (replication) plants, now and in the future.” But despite mass consumer migration to DVD, Van Horn did note that VHS recorder sales remain strong, adding that 250,000 VHS machines are still being sold each week on average.
During a session on new technology, Jacques Heemskerk, program manager for Philips, reassured the audience that the new Blu-ray Disc technology for high-definition DVD playback would also contain red laser as well, meaning they would be backward compatible for existing DVD discs. “It's obvious that any blue ray disk drive must read DVD to be successful in the market, we all know that,” he said.
Blu-ray uses the same size disc as currently used for DVD-Video, but with far greater capacity -- a single-sided disc will be able to hold up to 25GB while double-sided discs could hold up to as much as 54 GB, Heemskerk said.
Blu-ray, which is backed by consortium of nine companies including Philips, Sony, Thomson and Matsushita, is facing competition from new technology proposed by Toshiba and NEC that also uses a blue-ray laser but is incompatible with the Blu-ray system.
Toshiba/NEC technology has slightly smaller capacity (20 GB for single-layer disc), but companies claim it will be more cost effective for disc replicators since it uses the same 0.6 mm bonded-layers technology that is used in DVD manufacturing and therefore would not require entirely new equipment. The companies have also said they will soon propose a 40 GB single-sided, dual-layer read-and-write disc to the DVD Forum.
The wild card in next-generation home video technology is the Warner Bros./Warner Home Video proposal for red-laser HD-DVD 9. During the same session, Alan Bell, Warner Bros. SVP for technical operations, said the move to HD quality home video was the next logical step, but added the move could be done through improved compression such as MPEG-4, rather than increasing capacity of discs.
One major advantage of HD-DVD 9 would be in retail inventory. Warner has suggested that single discs could be viewed in standard definition by current generation DVD players, yet also be seen in high-definition by consumers who had new players. The DVD Forum is still in the process of determining what compression technology will be used for HD DVD 9, but Bell, who is participating in those discussions, indicated that MPEG-4 is the favorite.
While he carefully refrained from siding with the blue-ray technology from either the nine-company Blu-ray consortium or Toshiba/NEC, Bell did question claims made by both sides that replication costs for new media would be comparable to current DVD discs. “Nobody really knows what the costs are,” he said. “Both say they'll be similar to current manufacturing and I know that's not true.”
Bell also warned that the consumer electronics industry could be heading for yet another competing technology spat that could delay introduction of high-definition disc-based players. “It's d?j? vu all over again,” he said, adding, “Two formats is one format too many.”


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Next Batmobile to be built by GM?
According to enthusiast site Batman on Film, the next Batmobile is currently being designed by General Motors, and that an "old Cadillac" will be prominently featured in the movie. Batman's new car is being designed by the same GM team responsible for the vehicles in the upcoming Transformers 4 – including the all-new Bumblebee – and it will ditch the military-like design as seen on Batman's most recent car, the Tumbler (shown above). It's unclear if the Cadillac will actually be the Batmobile or just act as Bruce Wayne's lavish daily driver.
- Most and least efficient car companies
- Fastest-depreciating cars in the United States
- Find and compare 2017 Models


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Even before Overwatch was officially announced for the Nintendo Switch, speculation skyrocketed on the possibility of a character from Blizzard’s hero-based FPS making it into Super Smash Bros. Now, the Overwatch devs have weighed in on the possibilities.
The first serious discussion arose back when a licensed Overwatch protection case for Nintendo Switch appeared in an Amazon listing. While many accurately assumed this meant Overwatch would be coming to the Nintendo console, others brainstormed the chance of a hero appearing in Smash.
On September 4, Overwatch for Switch was finally announced during a Nintendo Direct. At the very same direct there was a series of important Smash Bros news. Not only was the release date for the game’s newest character Banjo-Kazooie announced, but so too was the follow-up fighter Terry Bogard from SNK’s Fatal Fury. Most interestingly, however, was the reveal that there would be more than five DLC fighters added to the game.
Prior to this announcement it was believed that there would only be five fighters added post-launch, but now players are guaranteed at least two more with the fifth in the original fighter pass yet to be announced.
In a September 19 interview with Inverse, Blizzard producers Wes Yanagi and Andrew Boyd briefly discussed the possibility of an Overwatch character making their way to the critically acclaimed fighting game and which hero they think would be the best fit.
“It’s hard to pick your favorite hero,” Boyd said. “All of them have their own draw in Smash and it’s a really cool idea.”
- Read More: Mysterious new object appears in Overwatch
“It would be an awesome thing to have but that’s up to Nintendo right now,” Yanagi added.
This echoed Yanagi’s previous comments to Eurogamer when asked about the chance of Tracer appearing in Smash. “There are any number of characters I would love to see in Smash, but we’ll let Nintendo take care of that!” he said in the September 6 interview.
In the same interview lead game producer Matthew Hawley weighed in saying that while the idea of an Overwatch hero in Smash was a fun idea, it’s “not something that’s up to the Overwatch team.”
It’s no secret that plenty of developers are open to having characters from their games appear in Smash Bros as the title has become a celebration of gaming as a whole and not just Nintendo properties.
Most notably, Metal Gear Solid creator and director Hideo Kojima wanted Solid Snake in Smash Bros as far back as Melee, but had to wait until the franchise’s next instalment ‘Brawl’ to get his wish.
With Blizzard seemingly giving the green light for Nintendo to add Tracer, D.va or other Overwatch heroes to Ultimate, it appears that the ball is in Nintendo’s court.
If an Overwatch character is announced for Smash, it could be revealed at Blizzard’s flagship event Blizzcon in November. Until then, we’ll just have to wait and hope.


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An American investment giant which has bought billions of pounds of loans from UK taxpayers is among a pack of suitors circling Addison Lee, the minicab operator.
Sky News has learnt that Cerberus Capital Management has been weighing a bid for Addison Lee in recent weeks as the company's current owner attempts to secure a rapid sale.
City sources said on Monday that Cerberus had submitted an offer for London's second-largest minicab company ahead of a recent deadline, although it was unclear how formal, or at what level, any proposal had been.
Cerberus did not respond to more than half a dozen requests for a response.
The auction of Addison Lee, which its current owner, Carlyle, wants to conclude before the end of the year, comes as Uber Technologies faces a fresh legal battle to renew its London operating licence.
Several parties are said to have tabled bids for Addison Lee, but these are expected to value the company at well below its £230m of outstanding borrowings.
That is likely to mean that the company will undergo a debt-for-equity swap or a pre-pack administration as part of a prospective change of control, according to insiders.
They added that an insolvency event has become less likely in the last few weeks.
It is unclear whether Cerberus has any existing financial exposure to Addison Lee, which directly employs 1,000 people and has about 5,000 drivers on its books.
Cerberus, which manages tens of billions of dollars in assets, is best-known in Britain for having bought a £13bn portfolio of consumer loans from an entity owned by UK taxpayers in 2015.
It has recently been linked with a takeover of Europcar Mobility Group, the car rental giant.
Sky News revealed in October that a syndicate of more than a dozen banks led by the Dutch financial giant ING had drafted in advisers from Alvarez & Marsal (A&M) to consider their options during the minicab operator's auction.
Addison Lee, which has been owned by Carlyle since 2013, is due to repay about £200m to lenders next spring.
The accountancy firm Deloitte is working alongside Rothschild on the sale process.
Carlyle kicked off the auction six months ago, attracting tentative scrutiny from financial sponsors and companies including Uber Technologies and Ola, the Indian ride-hailing app.
While valuations as high as £800m were suggested earlier in the year, fierce competition from ride-hailing apps including Uber and the patchy performance of Addison Lee's US business have contributed to substantial losses at the British company.
Bankers are said to have raised the idea of a break-up of its operations in an effort to smooth the path towards a sale.
Its UK business is understood to generate cash but the group's financial performance has been hampered by its results elsewhere.
In its results for the year to August 2018, Addison Lee posted a 13% increase in revenues but recorded pre-tax losses of almost £39m, up from £20.8m a year earlier.
It said it had grown revenues by 47% over a three-year period "in an incredibly competitive market".
Addison Lee, which was established in 1975 by John Griffin, says it transports more than 10 million people in London alone each year, giving it a market share of roughly 10%.
Carlyle declined to comment on the progress of the Addison Lee auction.


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Panasonic, IBM Team On Watson-Driven Smart Mirror For Hotels
January 8, 2017 by Dave Haynes
Panasonic and IBM were showing a smart mirror/digital concierge last week during CES, at an offsite demo area run by IBM.
The Panasonic Digital Concierge uses the IBM Watson artificial intelligence platform as part of a digital envisioned as being installed in the rooms of, let’s assume, higher-end hotels. The idea is that a guest would be able to to not only checkout whether they zipped their fly and tucked in a top, and also poke away at that mirror for information on things like hotel services, news, local transport and so on.
In the demo in the video below, the guest orders a bottle of wine without getting any sense of what kind, size of bottle or price – which means he either badly needs a drink(s) or no one back at the office scrutinizes his expenses.
“Panasonic has identified a need for this and several other kinds of connected solutions in the hospitality industry,” says Yasuji Enokido, president of Panasonic Corporation’s AVC Networks Company. “Working with IBM, we plan to further implement our connected solutions vision while making use of Watson intelligence to provide end-users with more natural cognitive functionality as well as richer feature sets.”
The release goes on to say:
Panasonic and IBM will also partner to extend their collaboration to applications for the Panasonic-developed LinkRay. This technology enables users to automatically receive content from digital signage or light source by merely pointing a LinkRay app-equipped mobile device at such a source. Integrated with hospitality applications in customers’ mobile phones, this enables a whole range of new opportunities to enhance consumer experiences around location based services and content consumption through the cloud.
“IBM Watson gets to truly know the individual and provides highly personalized experiences and recommendations,” says Bruce Anderson, Global Managing Director, IBM Electronics Industry. “Together with Panasonic we are bringing the power of cognitive to the hospitality industry to introduce a new level of customer service and further brand loyalty.”
This would be an interesting way to improve on the binders we all find stuff in desk drawers or by the TV, explaining what’s available in the hotel. Instead of being updated, maybe, every year (and probably not that frequently), this is information that can be updated pretty much on the fly. Hotels could push late night food based on over-supply in the kitchen, and prompt for things like late checkouts.
On the other hand, this could and is being done on smart TVs in rooms, and in some cases, on room-installed networked tablets.
I wonder how you get the fingerprints off without the UX on the screen going nuts …
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Council to clean up in Melbourne
THE Coast is heading to Melbourne to deliver a sales pitch backed by the council's new business strategy.
Now able to deliver some carrots for those firms considering the Coast as a destination for business, economic development Councillor Lew Brennan will support those in our growing cleantech industry.
Cr Brennan will "stand shoulder-to-shoulder" with those in our solar, clean energy and water-saving firms to sell us to investors.
"We're hoping to bring back some businesses," Cr Brennan said.
"We have some keen interest from some businesses in Victoria for opportunities on the Coast."
Cleantech Industries Sunshine Coast president Bruce Napier said we had a lot to offer these firms.
"We are potentially a centre for this type of industry," Mr Napier said.
"We have, by Queensland standards, a high amount of cleantech businesses on the Sunshine Coast."


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Announcing Grand Theft Auto III: 10th Anniversary Edition for Select Mobile Devices & the Limited Edition Claude Action Figure
10 years ago, this month, the revolutionary open-world epic Grand Theft Auto III was released to the world – a game that set players loose as a small-time criminal at the bottom of the food chain in Liberty City, a sprawling metropolis where anything can happen – and probably will.
To commemorate the game’s 10th anniversary, we’re proud to announce that Grand Theft Auto III will be coming to select new generation iOS and Android devices later this fall. For the lineup of supported devices, check the list below:
Apple iOS Devices: iPad 2, iPhone 4S
Android Phones: Droid X2, HTC Evo 2, LG Optimus 2X, Motorola Atrix, Samsung Galaxy S2
Android Tablets: Acer Iconia, Asus Eee Pad, Motorola Xoom, Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1
We’re also pleased to announce that beginning today, a limited-edition action figure of lead character Claude, created by renowned collectible manufacturer Sideshow, will be available for pre-order in limited quantities at the Rockstar Warehouse.
This fully articulated 1:6 scale action figure of Claude comes dressed in his original attire of cargo pants and a bomber jacket, but can also sport his iconic Liberty City Prison-issued jumpsuit (supplied) and comes equipped with an arsenal of classic weapons from Grand Theft Auto III including a bat, knife, grenades, pistol, sniper rifle, and assault rifle.
This rare and valuable collector’s item MSRPs for $149.99, but Social Club members have the exclusive opportunity to nick one for free. Visit http://www.rockstargames.com/socialclub/sweepstakes/gtaiiianniversary and fill out the entry form by this Sunday October 16th for a chance to be one of three lucky winners.
Also, if you’re in the NYC area and heading to New York Comic Con, stop by our booth where mobile versions of the game will be available to play, you can tour an exclusive gallery featuring the game’s signature art, and get even more chances to win special anniversary edition Grand Theft Auto III and Rockstar Games gear.


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We were delighted to host the Fintech Roundtable on June 8th in collaboration with Google Cloud, which successfully gathered 130+ prominent founders and thought leaders from the fintech ecosystem. Our primary objective was to cultivate an intimate atmosphere that fostered meaningful interactions and progressive discussions, particularly focused on the ever-evolving regulatory landscape within the fintech industry.
We had the pleasure of kicking-off the Fintech Roundtable with a captivating fireside chat featuring Siddarth Pai, Founding Partner at 3one4 Capital, in conversation with Abhishek Pandey, Head of Venture Capital & Startups at Google Cloud. Subsequently, a panel of distinguished industry innovators convened for a comprehensive dialogue. The conversations spanned diverse subjects, encompassing the vast opportunities within the fintech sector, the impact of evolving customer demands and remarkable technological advancements, as well as the strategic methods employed to navigate regulatory challenges and leverage future growth prospects. Here is a concise summary of the main highlights and takeaways from these enlightening conversations:
India's Potential for Fintech Innovation: India has the potential to drive fintech innovation not only for its own population but also for the rest of the six billion people globally.
This requires respecting local regulations, understanding the unique needs of the global market, and building fintech solutions that are cost-efficient and scalable. Entrepreneurs and investors who recognise and capitalise on this potential can create transformative solutions that address financial inclusion and propel India's fintech ecosystem onto the global stage.
Internationalisation of Indian Fintech: The global expansion of the entire Indian fintech ecosystem will be a crucial factor over the next decade. India's notable achievements in digital public goods such as Aadhaar, UPI, Account Aggregator, etc have gained significant attention on the global stage. Indian entrepreneurs can leverage their expertise with these systems to get a first mover advantage in the internationalisation of India Stack.
The importance of first-mover advantage cannot be overstated in the fintech industry. In order to capitalise on international expansion opportunities, Indian fintech companies must collaborate, reach a higher level of maturity, and establish effective engagement strategies. As the doors open for global expansion, low-cost payment solutions originating from India are poised to garner significant demand from countries across the globe.
Compliance and Adherence to Regulations: Fintech regulations have emerged basis the “Mischief Rule” in jurisprudence - which aims to mitigate mischief while advancing good behaviour. Neglect of this principle in regulated financial services will undo the most robust business models. Adhering to regulations is of paramount importance for establishing sustainable success within the fintech sector. Neglecting compliance can have far-reaching consequences, including reputational harm, legal complications, and operational disruptions.
“Irrespective of your business model or the specific products and services, just the fact that you're actually walking the straight and narrow can ensure long term success and compounding,” said Siddarth.
Fintech companies should prioritise understanding and adhering to applicable regulations, even in an evolving landscape. By proactively adopting the appropriate protocols, seeking legal guidance, and asking the right questions, businesses can mitigate risks, build trust with stakeholders, and position themselves for sustainable growth.
Dialogue and Engagement with Regulators: To navigate the fintech industry successfully, it is important to establish open lines of communication and engage in dialogue with regulators on a principal to principal basis.
Speaking on the matter, Siddarth commented, “The reason why we suffer from over-regulation in this country, to a large extent, is a lack of direct dialogue between industry and the regulator.”
Entrepreneurs and investors need to actively seek opportunities to understand and address regulatory concerns. Lack of communication and understanding between industry players and regulators can lead to policies that may hinder innovation or create unnecessary obstacles. By proactively engaging in discussions and sharing insights, stakeholders can contribute to the creation of more favourable and balanced regulatory frameworks.
Monetization Opportunities: With digital transactions being a large percentage of India’s GDP, India is in a privileged position in terms of monetisation. The government & RBI’s push to increase digital transactions have seen them take consumer-friendly calls such as zero MDR. This compels the industry to monetise via additional services and ease of usage as opposed to infrastructural charges.
The Value of Greater Regulation: While it's a commonly held belief that the ultimate goal of any fintech company is to achieve a high market valuation, the greatest reward for growth is gaining greater regulation. Increased regulation is a sign that the company is crucial and integral to the financial ecosystem. It also instils confidence in investors, customers, and partners, which ultimately contributes to long-term sustainability and market leadership.
Fintech as a Social Issue: Fintech is not just an engineering problem but a social issue. It involves mediating and remediating societal challenges. Fintech companies should have a broader perspective, considering the implications of their solutions on society, customer security, and privacy. Sensitising your internal team to these aspects helps in building responsible and sustainable fintech solutions.
Focus on SMEs: One key area of focus is addressing the financial needs of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). These businesses contribute a substantial portion to India's GDP and employment, yet many face challenges in accessing formal financial capital. Fintech companies have the potential to tap into this opportunity by utilising technology to offer tailored solutions for underwriting, data management, collections, and customer acquisition, specifically designed to address the needs of SMEs.
We’ve also looked at the three most promising and exciting spaces to build within Fintech in the coming years. They are as follows:
Unlike domestic payments, which are subject to regulatory restrictions on profit pools, international payments has immense inefficiencies that are ripe for disruption. The international payment transaction chain is still highly fragmented and burdened with multiple challenges, such as documentation requirements and internal policies. By streamlining and digitising this process, fintech companies can tap into a significant profit pool that exists for cross-border payments.
The insurance sector presents a compelling opportunity for innovation and growth. The low insurance penetration rates in India indicate a market gap that can be filled by new players in the industry. By simplifying the insurance process and making it more accessible, fintech companies can attract a large number of potential customers who currently lack insurance coverage. The liberalisation of insurance regulations further paves the way for disruptive solutions to thrive in this domain.
Another crucial area that requires attention is the inefficiencies in various transaction chains around the world. An example of this is government subsidy programs. While India has made tremendous strides in Direct Benefit Transfer, this issue plagues governments across the world. Fintech solutions that can aid in discovery, streamline documentation, verification, and distribution processes in government programs can have a profound societal impact by ensuring that subsidies and benefits reach the right individuals in a timely manner.
Furthermore, Fintech is evolving from being a verticalised, standalone industry to a horizontal one that permeates all facets of a company's operational framework. Through collaborations with diverse stakeholders and harnessing the extensive information available within businesses' financial records, fintech companies can offer services such as creditworthiness assessment, invoice discounting, and acting as clearinghouses. This integration of fintech into existing business operations creates seamless processes and unlocks novel possibilities for growth and innovation.
There is a consensus that the next 10 years will be India's decade in terms of economic growth and development. While other geographies contend with internal challenges and constraints, India is viewed as one of the remaining substantial drivers of global economic expansion. Within this landscape, fintech companies have the opportunity to significantly tap into the potential for growth, innovation, scalability, and monetisation. However, at the core of it all, a comprehensive understanding of regulations and adherence to compliance requirements remain essential for achieving sustained and organic growth.
We were delighted by the community's enthusiastic engagement with India's fintech growth narrative and the prospects it offers for establishing purposeful companies with a compelling value proposition. The Fintech Roundtable we hosted provided a gratifying experience, and we eagerly look forward to fostering more stimulating discussions in the times ahead.


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Beijing, Solar racer in NYC, Event.
Reading tip: Chinese capital Beijing just lifted the 3-day red alert due to high smog levels. According to Reuters, Chinese car dealers are already noticing an increase in demand for electric cars.
Video tip: Ars Technica got to take a trip in the Schulich Delta solar racecar through the shady street of Manhattan. Still, the solar-powered car built by the University of Calgary had nearly unlimited range. Conclusion: the technology “seems usable by a regular person.”
youtube.com via autoblog.com


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In late 2021, the government lowered the monthly import limit of pre-packaged milk coming into the province for processors and producers. The limit was lowered from five percent to three percent without consulting processors and retailers. The new limit will come into force in August 2022. The vast majority of milk coming into Newfoundland and Labrador from outside the province is lactose-free milk. Retailers have expressed concern that the government’s change may result in the demand for lactose-free milk outpacing supply. In conversations with RCC, government states that for years, the number of milk products imported from outside the province have not surpassed the pending three percent limit. However, processors argue that the popularity of lactose-free milk continues to grow and thus, could limit the ability of people with lactose intolerance from purchasing this product.
RCC will continue to raise this issue in the interest of ensuring adequate product choice for its customers.
For questions or more information contact
Director, Government Relations (Atlantic)