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With users continuing to flock to apps, problems with fraud and brand safety in-app are escalating. Pubmatic Ad Solutions Manager, Australia & New Zealand Brittany Lefave, explains how a few changes could help solve some of the problems.
We spend more time than ever before on our phones, with each individual spending over 2.5 hours per day* on their mobile devices in Australia/globally.
A majority of this time is spent In-App, and with more opportunities than ever to show relevant ads to an engaged audience in-app, why do brands still have reservations around advertising in this environment?
One of the biggest concerns we hear at PubMatic is around brand safety along with the lack of measurement and transparency within app environments. These are valid concerns and we are seeing a growing number of advertisers turning to both publishers and Ad Tech providers to help eliminate these concerns. So what are we doing about it?
We at PubMatic are focused on ensuring buyers have the confidence to run across in-app with our fraud-free guarantee and quality focus. We have also been working closely with the IAB who has been hard at work creating an industry-wide solution to help fight ad fraud within the In-App environment known as App-Ads.txt.
This is an extension to Ads.txt which was rolled out in 2018 to give publishers and authorised partners a way to determine legitimate sellers of digital ads across desktop. So what does this mean for publishers and buyers?
What does app-ads.txt mean for publishers?
App-Ads.txt gives publishers the opportunity to publicly declare the companies they authorise to sell their digital inventory. This will help provide transparency to buyers and help publishers take control over their inventory in market making it harder for bad actors to profit from selling counterfeit inventory across the ecosystem. PubMatic will reject any inventory where PubMatic is not listed as an authorised seller according to app.ads.txt.
What does app-ads.txt mean for buyers?
Buyers can have increased confidence in accessing fraud-free, legitimate inventory on behalf of brands in the In-App environment. As publishers adopt ads.txt, buyers will be able to more easily identify the Authorised Digital Sellers for a participating publisher, providing them the assurance that they are buying authentic publisher inventory.
Other initiatives to combat fraud
Adoption of App-Ads.txt is just one part of the equation. Knowing where your supply has come from is another step in the right direction in achieving greater transparency and brand safety on behalf of advertisers in the digital supply chain.
We’ve seen an increasing trend over the last 12-24 months of advertisers taking the step to work directly with their SSP partners to take more control of their supply. Deciding to work with a consolidated number of SSP partners who have rigorous inventory quality initiatives can make a huge difference in avoiding ad fraud.
As another step towards combating fraud and ensuring brand safety, PubMatic has made a conscious decision to remove all supply paths where unnecessary double hops have been discovered in the supply chain.
This means any inventory not coming from a direct publishing partner or channel partner who have a direct, contractual relationship with the originator of the inventory will be removed from PubMatic’s supply. This is another initiative and commitment to our buyers and Advertisers when it comes to unlocking quality, brand-safe In-App inventory.
Other industry initiatives like SupplyChain object and sellers.json will shine further light onto the supply. As publisher adoption increases we need to focus on educating and up-skilling advertisers on the quality initiatives taking place in our industry so they can take confidence in expanding their in-App presence.
This adoption and education is everyone’s responsibility and we at PubMatic are focused on driving adoption and education across both our publishers and buyers alike.


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NEW YORK ( TheStreet) -- Cisco (CSCO - Get Report), Adobe (ADBE - Get Report) and Google (GOOG - Get Report) trumpeted a few product announcements, breaking up a pretty quiet week ahead of tech earnings season.Cisco and Google launched similar offenses, unveiling more details about their plans to invade consumers' living rooms. Looking to expand its burgeoning teleprescence/video-as-the-future plan to folks beyond enterprise, Cisco revealed a video system geared for the home. Called Umi, the solution, which sells for $600 plus a monthly charge of $25 per month, comes with an HD camera, console and a remote intended to transform TVs into live-chat and video-making stations. (See a picture from the unveiling below.)
We were due: the Verizon (VZ) iPhone rumors swirled again late Wednesday, when The Wall Street Journal reported what has been widely speculated and written about for months: Apple is developing a CDMA iPhone late this year, which inevitably means the Verizon iPhone will land sometime in early 2011. When asked about the rumors on Thursday, Verizon Wireless exec Lowell McAdam told press that it's up to Apple "to make that kind of announcement," according to blog Electronista. What McAdam did want to talk about was Verizon's 4G network launch, which supposedly will occur in 38 cities by year's end. Verizon shares, down slightly for the week, closed down 10 cents at $32.83.

domain: news


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Top Ashok Leyland official: EV mobility in India will initially be driven by commercial vehicles
According to a statement made by a top Ashok Leyland official on Friday, electric-vehicle (EV) mobility in India will initially be driven largely by commercial vehicles rather than private vehicles. India has been lagging behind in terms of electric vehicle sales compared to China. Indian government announced few initiatives for promotion of EVs but industry experts feel that these are too-little compared to perks announced by China.
The statement was made by Karthick Athmanathan -- Ashok Leyland’s Head of EV & eMobility Solutions -- on the sidelines of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII)’s one-day e-mobility conference held in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, on July 27. The aim of the CII conference was to sensitise all stakeholders on clean energy and e-mobility solutions, along with creating requisite enablers for supporting a shift from conventional transportation to e-mobility solutions.
Asserting that the responsibility of driving EV mobility in India will initially be taken up by commercial vehicles, Athmanathan said that individual users will probably hesitate to switch to EVs at first, even despite the government aims to promote EV adoption in the country.
Athmanathan also added that the high costs of EVs may also be a potential deterrent for individual users in switching to EVs.
In highlighting the significant role which commercial vehicles are likely to play to trigger EV adoption in India, Athmanathan said that Ashok Leyland has efforts underway to deliver 50 electric buses for the Ahmedabad Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) by April 2019. He further added: “Ahmedabad will become second place after Gutenberg in Europe to have flash charging electric buses. The first lot of buses will start running in January 2019.”
During the course of a recent conversation with Autocar magazine, Swedish automaker Volvo’s COO Jonathan Goodman has disclosed a few details about the first fully electric car to be launched by the company.
According to an Automotive News report, German automaker Volkswagen (VW) is likely to unveil a midsize pickup concept at the New York auto show this week. The move will mark VW’s potential foray into the midsize truck segment.
Tesla has recently confirmed its production and delivery data for the first quarter for current year. The data suggests that Tesla Model 3 has now officially become the best-selling electric car in the US.
According to an announcement by the executives at Groupe PSA, the company has plans underway for a new business unit -- to be called the ‘Low Emission Vehicles Business Unit’ -- which will focus on the development and launch of plug-in electric ve
According to a recently published Reuters report, German automaker BMW -- which sold more than 100,000 battery-electric and plug-in hybrid cars in 2017 -- does not plan to commence mass production of electric cars before 2020.
According to EV magazine Electrek report, electric vehicle manufacturer Tesla Motors has hit a new production record in the 2018 third quarter. The company has reportedly produced a record high number of ~80,000 vehicles during the quarter.


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By now most of us have heard the news that the Stage will soon be no longer at the Plaza, as it was first announced in the Club Penguin Times. Today on the Club Penguin Blog Megg has made a post about what to expect from this change.
Here is what she wrote in her post:
Guess what, guess what, GUESS WHAT! I’m super excited to announce that the Puffle Berry Mall is going to be coming back to the Plaza—permanently!
It’s a whole new (-ish) place where you can hang out and meet with your friends. It’ll go up where the Stage is, so we’ve created a new Stage igloo and furniture for members to design their very own performances!
We’ll have a special meet up and grand opening June 5 for everyone! What do you think of the Puffle Berry Mall coming back permanently?
It seems like ever since the change was announced, people have been quite upset by the thought of there no longer being a Stage at the Plaza.


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New Technology Bypassing Electric Cars
StartFragment --> Nearly 15 years ago, electric cars were all the road rage with bureaucrats and environmentalists who thought the nonpolluting vehicles would eventually take over California's freeways.
But the growing popularity of hybrid cars and an upcoming state "Hydrogen Highway" proposal highlight how other cheaper, more convenient or politically expedient technologies have leapfrogged the vehicles powered by rechargeable batteries.
The electric car is wheezing its last breath. Fewer than 1,000 of them remain on the road in California, and automakers have turned their backs on the technology.
"The big problem with electric vehicles is that the automakers have thumped their heads on getting battery technology up to snuff," said James Bell, publisher of Campbell-based IntelliChoice, which tracks trends in the automotive industry. "They've never been able to solve the range and recharge problems to make electric cars competitive."
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In IIoT-based smart factory setups, AI-enabled digital assistants are linked into all assets and all data. It is this intelligence that takes the IIoT beyond data collection to predictions and decisions.
Displaying 5 results for
Industry 4.0 initiatives need to consider safety as well as other functions
Automakers during this decade face a big challenge. They are having to invest in electric vehicles. But EVs, at least for now, won’t generate the profits of conventional vehicles, according to an annual report by consulting firm AlixPartners.
With vaccinations on the rise, the in-person collaboration that is still essential to doing business, including trade shows, is growing. But challenges to recovery from the pandemic remain. Global supply chains are struggling with multiple disruptions. Shipping rates are historically high. Computer chip shortages are curbing output.
A widening skills gap threatens U.S. manufacturing competitiveness and consequently our economy. A talent pipeline with a sufficient supply of properly aligned skills is imperative to meet U.S. manufacturers’ needs for capacity, productivity and innovation.


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Audi officials in Europe said the company will probably be back next year to defend this year's Le Mans win.
Audi motorsport boss Wolfgang Ullrich said he ``thinks Audi will do the race again next year,'' brushing aside speculation that the German manufacturer would abandon sports cars to join Opel and Mercedes in the new-look DTM touring car series in 2001.``I hope that we can continue this pro-gram [in the 24-hour and the American Le Mans Series]. If you look back at Le Mans history, the winners that stick in the mind are not those manufacturers that won it just once. It would be nice to create a little sports car heritage for Audi.''
He stressed it was unlikely Audi would build an all-new car for next year to replace this year's R8.


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While Samsung already has some proprietary efforts in the health and fitness space, the company also wants to see what the industry can do by working together.
At a San Francisco event on Wednesday, the company is announcing open software and hardware efforts along with a new $50 million fund designed to help companies looking to work together on Samsung’s Digital Health Initiative. Samsung also showed off a reference design for a wearable that could track heart and respiratory rates, blood pressure and other data.
“Samsung’s Digital Health Initiative provides an exciting opportunity for the brightest minds in the technology world to come together to develop products that will, for the first time, put individuals in the driver’s seat in understanding their own health and wellness,” Samsung Chief Strategy Officer Young Sohn said in a statement. The announcement is really the first big effort from Samsung’s Strategy and Innovation Center, a year-old Bay Area initiative headed by Sohn and part of the company’s component unit, which makes memory, storage, chips and other technologies.
Samsung’s modular hardware approach, dubbed the Simband, is designed as a starting point, where other companies can add in their own sensors, algorithms and innovations in other areas, such as battery life. Samsung says it has no plans to sell the reference design hardware commercially. The sensors involved include the usual ones, but also some innovative ones, such as light and acoustic sensors to measure other things going on inside the body.
On the software side, Samsung is looking to a cloud-based, open source software platform it hopes will help bring together fragmented data from a variety of sources for more useful analysis. Samsung also has an earlier partnership with the University of California, San Francisco on a lab where all this health gear can be tested and validated.
Meanwhile, the Samsung Digital Health Challenge is a $50 million investment fund for connected health startups. It’s not necessarily new money, though, as that money is coming from an earlier announced $100 million Samsung Catalyst Fund.
The move comes at an interesting time, with Apple rumored to be introducing its own health ecosystem as part of iOS. That announcement could come as soon as next week’s Worldwide Developers Conference.
This article originally appeared on Recode.net.


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Japan will have ‘some form’ of digital currency by 2023
Chairman of Japan’s Digital Currency Forum revealed that the consortium hoped to create “some form” of digital currency by 2023. Stressing that Bank of Japan may take “several years” to issue its digital currency the chairman said in a statement:
Japan would lag behind other countries if we take a wait-and-see stance until the rollout of the BOJ’s CBDC. We hope Japan leads [other major countries] for digital currency.
The official, Hiromi Yamaoka, who was in charge of payment and settlement systems at the Bank of Japan said that the digital currency would be similar to Facebook’s Diem plan.
According to Yamaoka, the Forum would aim to collaborate with the Japanese central bank, in order to develop technologies “if possible.” The Forum is working with three major banks in Japan, such as MUFG Bank, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp and Mizuho Bank. It is also collaborating with 30 big companies to study CBDC developments.
Additionally, Yamaoka said that it was China that “prompted moves toward digital currency,” globally. He expected China to officially launch the digital yuan by 2022 the official said:
It [China] [has done so at] surprising speed, as central banks tend to take a cautious stance [on new approaches].
Earlier, BOJ said it would release a feasibility study on digital yen in April next year. But in September, reports stated that officials from Bank of Japan had suddenly prioritized the development of its digital currency. Some speculated that the Japanese digital currency movement gained momentum because of a “slowdown in global productivity” from the coronavirus pandemic.
Furthermore, calling the design of a CBDC “very tricky and delicate,” Yamaoka believed that digital currencies could conflict with existing payment and banking systems, especially “in advanced countries.”


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Sep 27, 2013
Coke's spread has been far and wide. But some countries have been tougher endeavors for the soda giant.
Sep 26, 2013
As Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh visits the White House to talk about trade between India and the U.S., some American businesses are protesting what they see as India shutting out foreign firms.
Sep 4, 2013
Some low-tech innovations are making a big difference.
Aug 30, 2013
Emerging markets that thrived during the recession are seeing the flow of capital dry up.
Aug 29, 2013
A poor onion crop in India has sent onion prices skyrocketing.
Aug 28, 2013
With the Syria headlines, the price of oil could become a drag for the U.S. economy and beyond.
Aug 28, 2013
With the focus on Syria, also keep an eye on an unfolding economic meltdown in one of the world's most important economies: India.
Aug 16, 2013
A run on India's currency presages trouble in other emerging markets.
Jul 24, 2013
India has a strict rules for big international retailers: 30 percent of the merchandise sold at big box stores has to be purchased in India.
Jul 18, 2013
Indian officials have announced plans to place 50,000 troops on the northern border with China. The move could cost $11 billion over seven years.


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COMMUNICATIONS ALLIANCE WELCOMES LATEST MEASURING BROADBAND REPORTSydney, 21 May 2020: Communications Alliance has welcomed today’s Measuring Broadband Australia report from the ACCC, showing that quick work by the telecommunications industry enabled customers to return to pre-pandemic download speeds despite the extreme increase in network demand.
“Despite facing the highest demand Australia has ever seen, which has included a nearly 130% increase in upstream traffic, the ACCC’s report shows that our industry has adapted quickly to support Australians during this crisis,” said Communications Alliance CEO, John Stanton.
“We are also pleased that through the past 3 years, this report has consistently shown that Australians are generally receiving the speeds advertised by their retailers.”
“We understand how vital it is to remain connected at all times, and particularly in light of the current pandemic. If customers have concerns about their service, we strongly encourage them to check their RSP’s self-service resources and tips, and if they are still having challenges, to talk to their RSP.”
Communications Alliance and the Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association (AMTA) have provided consumer guidance and information on initiatives to help ensure Australians stay connected to the telco services they need during the COVID-19 pandemic, in the “Keeping Australians Connected” package.
ABOUT COMMUNICATIONS ALLIANCE
Communications Alliance is the primary telecommunications industry body in Australia. Its membership is drawn from a wide cross-section of the communications industry, including carriers, carriage and internet service providers, content providers, search engines, equipment vendors, IT companies, consultants and business groups.
Its vision is to provide a unified voice for the telecommunications industry and to lead it into the next generation of converging networks, technologies and services. The prime mission of Communications Alliance is to promote the growth of the Australian communications industry and the protection of consumer interests by fostering the highest standards of business ethics and behaviour through industry self-governance. For more details about Communications Alliance, see www.commsalliance.com.au.
Media information contact:
Kurt Graham email@example.com
0431 478 558


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There has been rumors of Nokia 9 launching at the MWC and the smartphone is one of the most awaited smartphones of 2018. Nokia 9 will boast two 13 MP rear cameras, 128 GB of internal storage and will run Android 8.0 Oreo out of the Box. The device will reportedly come with a 5.5 OLED 18:9 widescreen bezel-less display and will run Snapdragon 835 backed by a 3250mAh unit. HMD Global hasn’t confirmed Nokia 9 yet, but as per the rumours, Nokia will launch at least two new smartphones at MWC 2018, and it could be either Nokia 1, Nokia 6 (2018) or Nokia 7 Plus.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 5
Xiaomi may launch the Redmi 5 Plus as Redmi Note 5 in India. Xiaomi India has remained tight-lipped about their upcoming launches this year, but Xiaomi is launching something next month in India. The company has already launched Redmi 5 Plus in China, and Note 5 is still due. Rumours suggest Redmi 5 Plus will launch as Redmi Note 5 in India with a 5.99 inch full HD+ 18:9 display, 12MP rear camera, Snapdragon 625 in two storage variants – 3GB of RAM and 32GB onboard memory and 4GB of RAM and 64GB onboard memory backed by a 4000mAh battery.
One of the first big smartphone releases we expect to see in 2018 is that of the LG G7. Rumoured to arrive with the brand-new Snapdragon 845 chip, it would put the G7 ahead of the pack in terms of speed and performance
LG has had a few missteps here and there, with the G5 being the most significant, but when the Korean giant gets things right it can deliver some truly excellent hardware. Here’s hoping that the G7 is exactly that.
Future BlackBerry phones
BlackBerry maker TCL have announcement a new bronze version of the KeyOne, but in doing so, also confirmed that BlackBerry has plans for new phones in 2018. Not just one phone, two, in fact.
Beyond that, there’s very little information to go on. We don’t know what level they will be at and there’s been little talk of anything BlackBerry related recently, so this one is a mystery.
With Mobile World Congress incoming we might see BB back in the limelight.
Apple iPhone 9 and/or iPhone XI, iPhone X2
The iPhone X is a celebration of 10-years of iPhone. It’s also super-premium and expansive. But Apple has confirmed that this phone lays the foundations for the next 10 years of the iPhone and we suspect that the 2018 iPhone update will take a lot from the iPhone X.
There’s currently no knowing what Apple will call the new iPhone, but we suspect it will move from stainless steel back to aluminium to bring the price down, while retaining that 19:9 display and using Face ID rather than Touch ID in a home button. We’d expect Apple to offer a couple of sizes in this design, making some differentiation between the two as it does with the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus currently. At the moment, however, there’s no evidence to say exactly what might happen.
We can expect the iPhone 9 to launch in October 2018 but there may also be an iPhone SE2, too.
Sony Xperia XZ2 and XZ Pro
Sony churns phones more often than we have hot meals. Having announced the Xperia XZ1, XZ1 Compact and XA1, new rumours then appeared suggesting that Sony wants to change its smartphone design.
That’s big news, because we’ve essentially had the same OmniBalance design in Sony Xperia phones since the Xperia Z.
Now there’s talk of what we’re calling the Xperia XZ2. A render appeared that shows no bezel, as well as a spec sheet that details a 5.48-inch display with Full HD resolution, a Snapdragon 845 and twin rear 12-megapixel cameras, with a 15-megapixel camera on the front. There will also be a XZ Pro, we’re hearing, a replacemet to the Premium line of handsets.
This is your very first post. Click the Edit link to modify or delete it, or start a new post. If you like, use this post to tell readers why you started this blog and what you plan to do with it.


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Acclaimed director Jeff Labbé has joined Furlined for representation in the United States.
Jeff Labbé’s award-winning work expresses big ideas as simple human truths, touching …More >>
Cheerios “Dadhood” and McDonald’s “Our Food. Your Questions” among the career highlights of FCB’s newest addition who joins in the role of Director of Integrated …More >>
Rooster Post Production is pleased to announce that Michelle Czukar has joined the team as Senior Editor.
Czukar is one of the top television commercial …More >>
Quiver Launches to Help Tackle Integrated Production
Former Jam3 Executive Producer Graham Budd has launched Quiver, a Toronto-based integrated production management company.
Working with a …More >>
Giants & Gentlemen Team Up With Soccer Brand INARIA
After conducting an agency search, INARIA, a Canadian designer and manufacturer of soccer equipment and a …More >>
New Toronto agency invests in creativity. Literally.
send+receive puts 10% of its revenue …More >>
Giants & Gentlemen Gets a Giant-er Space
Following four years of steady growth, Toronto strategy and creative shop Giants & Gentlemen (G&G) has moved out …More >>
Vapor RMW is pleased to announce that renowned voice director Karen Goora has joined the audio house. A highly respected voice director in Toronto, and …More >>


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Volume 8, Issue 3 - March 2007
Raises the Bar in a High-End Market
Russ Traficante, co-founder and vice president of WinDoor, based in Orlando, saw the need for an improved door system while working for another door and window manufacturer. Traficante, no stranger to the door and window industry, shared his vision with a customer, Frank Lukens, Jr. It was a unique product that offered both an impact and non-impact glazing system and a level of quality that would be unparalleled. The two businessmen formed WinDoor in 2001 and Lukens now serves as its president.
“Our desire was to develop the best doors and windows, not just meet codes but exceed them,” says Traficante.
The company adopted a philosophy of designing products based on strict commercial standards for durability but with attention to aesthetic appeal to homeowners.
Time to Expand
In the start-up year, sales reached $1.8 million, according to Traficante. The following year, they more than doubled to $4.6 and more than doubled again in 2003 to 10.3 million. Sales were nearly $17 million in 2004 and $31 million in 2005—$10 million beyond its projection. In 2006, sales exceeded the forecast again with more than $42 million.
But success, especially when it is achieved so quickly, can bring its own set of challenges.
Hanus says the company grew to 25 people within a short period of time. The most obvious indicator of rapid growth was the need for more space. Within 18 months, the plant expanded to 50,000 square feet and employed 45 people. Twelve months later, the company leased space next door for another 36,000 square feet, and one year later, an additional 44,000 square feet. At that point, there were 200 people, and that is when planning began for a new facility.
“Our biggest challenge has been adequate room,” says Traficante. “We grew so fast, we used up our space. We have outgrown every facility within 12 months. We kept leasing more and more space, bumping out walls. We built this building so we wouldn’t have to lease again.”
In September 2006, the company moved into its new 310,000 square foot facility that took ten months to complete. Anticipating a high rate of growth when the new building was planned, Traficante designed it to support $250 million in sales in a single shift. It features an attractive interior with showrooms that create ideal settings for its doors, says Tony Grossi, director of sales and marketing. The roof was built to withstand hurricane winds, the windows (manufactured by WinDoor of course) are impact-resistant and meet the large missile impact code, the ceilings in the manufacturing area have a minimum clearance of 30 feet and can accommodate high extrusion racks, and the facility far exceeds current building codes. In fact, a local official remarked that it meets the requirements of a county shelter says Traficante. The building also has its own generator system so it can be self-sustaining. As far as the location, the area is exploding in growth and development.
The Change to Automation
“We will continue to automate because of the substantial time and labor savings we have seen. Through automation in some departments, we have more than tripled production,” says Grossi.
One such example is the new automated frame unit by Joseph Machinery that processes the corner fabrication and fastener locations to meet certain code requirements. He says this equipment allows the same team members that produced these fabricated parts to do in a day what used to take them three. Joseph Machinery was selected because they meet the company’s complex and extensive re-tooling needs.
Grossi points out that there is a goal to re-tool all panel systems with automated equipment for the new thermally-broken doors and windows the company will be introducing. Not all components are produced inside. Laminated impact glass and insulating glass are supplied by Cardinal, PPG and Techno-Glass.
“These suppliers were selected to insure our quality. They are the premier suppliers of technically advanced glass systems and they have business philosophies that are in keeping with ours,” says Grossi. “Our special business relationship has fostered a true ‘partners program’ that affords us timely glass supplies.”
To increase efficiency, orders are optimized so there is minimal waste.
Expanding the Market
“We are developing thermal break to thermally improved products, using an advanced thermal strut technology,” says Grossi. “We will continue to offer impact-resistant door and window products that meet the needs of discerning customers in the coastal environments.”
The target markets are the coastal regions, west to Texas and north up the eastern seaboard.
“We already have dealers in place in coastal areas such as the Carolinas, where our thermal break products will be introduced. We just set up an organization in Mississippi to meet the challenges they are facing,” adds Traficante.
Since most states have selected the Miami-Dade protocols, Grossi says meeting individual state codes will not be an issue.
“We have already met the TDI Texas Department of Insurance requirements and of course AAMA 506 and Miami/Dade protocols,” says Grossi.
Traficante points out that a large percentage of the residential doors are marketed through the distribution of large wood window manufacturers.
“We are to aluminum doors as Pella and Andersen are to wood windows,” he says.
A potential target market is the Caribbean “where we believe there is a need for the level of quality and performance that we offer,” adds Traficante.
Testing and Certification
“We were the first manufacturer to be fully tested for an impact-resistant door,” says Grossi.
He points out that the company tests for impact as well as resistance to sound transmission and has one of the highest acoustical ratings for aluminum sliding doors.
Two independent, third party testing agencies—the Fenestration Manufacturers Association (FMA)/ Keystone Certifications and Miami-Dade—are used and they not only test for certification but also make on-site inspections. In-house testing is done to AAMA and ASTM protocols. The company has a full-time, quality assurance manager and a team of people who do spot checks at sites, often unannounced, to be sure doors are installed according to specifications.
“This is a costly program but we feel it is well worth it. We even provide the AAMA 502 water test at no cost to verify that the door performs in accordance with the client’s specification,” says Grossi.
He points out that dealers send their lead installation people to a full day of training at the facility.
“Our new training room serves many purposes. We also use it for plant training programs, including safety and quality control,” he adds.
Design and Versatility
Versatility is another factor.
“Today, we get excellent on-time service and high quality (imported glass) and price is not the issue.”
As a result, the company will consider additional off-shore purchases in the interest of being able to better serve its customers. Traficante points out that with hardware, the issue is technology.
“We’re looking at handle systems that are made out of composites for non-corrosion. The Europeans are way ahead of us on this technology,” he says. “We expect to be the only door manufacturer with a product that is totally non-corrosive. We are looking for a better technology, whether it is state-side or anywhere.”
Again, he points out that the issue is not cost but quality and lead times.
Labor is another issue, says Traficante.
“What limits the industry today is not capacity. It’s the huge labor shortage, especially with installation.
Grossi explains that the company offers plant tours that include career opportunities at WinDoor to high schools, trade schools and colleges. At this time, there is no apprentice program being developed.
More Growth Planned
Traficante says the company is not affected by a softening market.
“Right now, we are focusing on replacement. This is our lowest growth year and we will still be at 25 percent” pointing out that the company has always outperformed its projections.
“People who want the best will demand the best and we welcome those demands.”
In less than a decade, what began as a vision has led to a fast-growing manufacturer whose doors have raised the bar in a high-end market.
Alan B. Goldberg is a contributing writer for DWM magazine. He has 31 years of experience in the window industry.


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'Shop' of fake goods is raided by police officers
A makeshift shop containing counterfeit clothing, jewellery and shoes has been raided in south Armagh.
Police found two "viewing rooms" and a storeroom packed with fake goods when they swooped on a property at Blaney Road, Crossmaglen.
Clothing with brand names Chanel, Barbour, Ralph Lauren, Hollister and Michael Kors were recovered. There was also counterfeit make-up, perfume, jewellery, watches and shoes. A small quantity of fireworks and bottles of poteen were also seized.
The raid was carried out on Friday. A 39-year-old woman and 44-year-old man arrested at the scene have been released on bail pending further enquiries.
Detective Chief Inspector Stephen Wright said: "The counterfeit market damages our local economy and diverts much needed finance away from small and local businesses.
"There are also many instances where the counterfeit market is used to fund organised crime and terrorism."
"We would ask the public to support us as we address this crime and encourage anyone who has information to contact us on 101."


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Google is targeting a $50 price point for its modular smartphone, which will see a commercial launch next year.
Google may have sold Motorola to Lenovo for $2.9 billion, but it did retain Motorola’s unit that was working on the Project Ara modular smartphone.
Google dished out more details about the handset earlier this week, and mentioned that it will hold a trio of developer conferences focused on the project. The first Ara Developers Conference will be held on April 15-16 and will be streamed online. At the event, Google is set to unveil the first Ara Module Developers’ Kit (MDK) that allows developers to design their own modules for the device.
The modular handset will be available next year, with the most basic version set to retail for just $50. This variant will only feature Wi-Fi connectivity out of the box, but users have the ability to add more modules. With the handset, Google is looking to create a platform which developers can then build on and provide additional modules. The device itself which will be built by google comes with an endoskeleton constructed out of aluminium. The endoskeleton features circuitry that allows modules to talk to one another. On this endo, users can attach and remove modules as they see fit.
However, there will be designated slots for certain hardware. For instance, an antenna module cannot be installed anywhere, as it would affect the cellular signal. But other than that, users have full control on what modules they wish to add. Furthermore, the modules that users add at the front will be secured by latches, while the ones at the back will be held in place by magnets. The device will also be water resistant. There is no indication as to when the device might actually be available, or whether regulatory agencies like the FCC sign off on such a device, but if anyone has the resources to bring such a handset to the market, it is Google.


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He emphasized that revenge travel contributed to an increase in airline ticket prices and is expected to continue until the end of 2023
The general manager of Wego, Mamoun Humaidan, said in an interview with Al-Arabiya that there are no indications of a decrease in the cost of airline tickets during the current period.
Humaidan added that prices are expected to witness some decline by the last quarter of this year, subject to the entry of more aircraft into service, the entry of new airlines into the market, and the introduction of new tourist destinations, which may adjust from the current prices, saying: There is no return to pre-pandemic prices. .
He explained that the prices of airline tickets rose during the last period due to the weak capacity of the aviation fleet, which contributed to the weak supply in exchange for the increase in demand with the growing concept of retaliatory travel after the pandemic period.
He pointed out that oil prices raised the cost, in addition to the Russian-Ukrainian war, which affected some destinations and airlines, all of which contributed to an increase in the cost of airline tickets by an average of more than 20%, and is expected to continue until the end of 2023.
The general manager of Wego revealed that the most tourist destination that attracted tourists around the world in the first quarter of 2023 is Valencia in Spain, which is the first time in the last 10 years that it tops a destination other than Madrid or Barcelona.
He continued: “The movements of the currency exchange rate against the dollar contribute to increasing demand, as we witnessed growth in travel to Egypt, Turkey and South Africa after devaluing their currencies against the dollar.”


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Jimmy John's has been putting up quite a battle since 1983, when it introduced inexpensive subs and delivery services, despite the fact that the sandwich chain industry
Subway and complaints go together like peanut butter and jelly when discussing often criticized sandwich companies.
At this time, Arby's is as well-known for its roast beef as it is for the dissatisfaction of its customers with the quality of its cuisine.
It feels futile to criticize a decreasing company like Quizno's, but there's likely a valid reason why this once-prolific chain has shrunk from thousands of locations
Cos is falling quicker than the Titanic in terms of people's abandonment of sandwich chains. A stark cry from its former 127 outlets, the fast-casual brand now has only 27 locations.
When your brand name becomes best recognized as a punchline in The Devil Wears Prada and a regular joke in programs such as 30 Rock, you know things have gone awry.
Au Bon Pain, like Sbarro and Orange Julius, is an endangered fast-food chain whose stores have decreased as the American mall food court has disappeared.
Chicago's Portillo's may be a renowned jewel in the land of hot dogs, but the sandwich restaurant also has its fair number of enemies.


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ING closing in on deal for ShareBuilder
Online broker based in Bellevue
Published 10:00 pm, Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Dutch financial-services giant ING is close to announcing an acquisition of ShareBuilder, the Bellevue online brokerage service, according to sources familiar with the deal.
One source, who asked that his name not be used, said Tuesday that the deal is expected to close in mid-November at a purchase price of more than $100 million. That would produce a solid return for some of the early venture backers in the 11-year-old company, though the source said it is hardly a grand slam since ShareBuilder is generating about $60 million in annual revenue.
Jeff Huse, the former chief technology officer at ShareBuilder, who spent nearly eight years at the company, said he has heard that ING Direct is paying $220 million. The deal is expected to close Nov. 14, he said.
"It is a terrific deal for them and it is a very good outcome. Patience has paid off," said Huse, who no longer holds shares in the company.
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Founded in 1996 as Netstock Direct, the company has grown its online brokerage business by allowing investors to buy partial shares of stock in dollar increments. Investors also can set up weekly, biweekly or monthly automatic purchases of more than 6,000 stocks. That means an investor could allocate $50 each month to buy Google, which is trading at $694.77 per share and, therefore, too expensive for many to buy on the open market.
In 2004, ShareBuilder said it surpassed more than 1 million accounts and touted itself as the eighth-largest online brokerage in the country. (The Wall Street Journal reported earlier this month that the company now has more than 2 million accounts.) ShareBuilder is marketed through banks, credit unions and retailers, including Compass Bank, Costco, Wal-Mart and Boeing Employees Credit Union.
ING spokeswoman Pilar Teixeira declined to comment. Madrona Venture Group's Greg Gottesman, whose Seattle firm was an early backer of ShareBuilder, also declined to comment. ShareBuilder Chief Executive Jeff Seely was traveling and could not be reached.
Investors, including Madrona, Goldman Sachs, Wells Fargo and Safeco, sank $8 million into ShareBuilder in 2001. That followed $40 million that had previously been invested in the company.


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Maine anti-gay marriage ad features innkeepers who refused wedding
October 22, 2012 4:22 PM. PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — A Vermont couple sued for refusing to host a lesbian couple's wedding reception at their inn are featured in a new TV ad in Maine opposing a referendum seeking to legalize same-sex marriage. In the ad … See all stories on this topic » Google Alerts – wedding
This entry was posted by Sara on October 23, 2012 at 4:19 am, and is filed under Weddings. Follow any responses to this post through RSS 2.0.Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.


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Amazon is making its streaming mobile games service available to all developers.
The AppStream tech is designed to enable developers to build high-fidelity applications that can run on an array of devices as well as give them access to compute and storage resources on the AWS cloud. This means that apps may not be constrained by device specifications.
Amazon said developers can now use EC2’s new G2 instance type for their games, which includes high-performance GPU-powered rendering of 2D and 3D graphics.
New features added to the service following its test period include automated version resolution, Mac client support and simplified documentation for developers starting out with the tech.
In January, CCP chief technical officer Halldor Fannar said the Eve Online developer had been experimenting with the service to enable play parts of a game while it is downloading.
For more information on Amazon Appstream, visit the official website.


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Update: Here’s the final version of this story, as it ran in the paper. Mayor Ed Murray’s office outlined its plan for the medical-marijuana industry this afternoon. The plan calls for licensing of recreational and medical-marijuana businesses and creates regulations for medical-marijuana providers. The mayor’s plan would establish a regulatory system for medical similar to that…More
Topic: medical marijuana
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The city of Seattle will hold a public forum on medical marijuana next Thursday, Nov. 20, at City Hall. This symposium represents the first step in the mayor’s plan to change how the industry is regulated. “The mayor intends to propose a draft ordinance before the end of the year. This forum is an opportunity to…More
Medical-marijuana businesses operate in a legally gray, loosely regulated climate. But Seattle’s approach with the industry could change soon. The mayor’s office plans to introduce a plan for licensing marijuana businesses. Some quick facts from the story: Just 45 of 300 medical-marijuana businesses on file with the city paid local business and occupation taxes in 2013, according…More
We’re about a month and a half into marijuana sales, but readers still have plenty of questions about pot. Here’s our take on few: Q: I want to know how oil availability will work in Washington? Will companies like Open Vape or Ionic be able to sell pre-filled oil in stores now? Or does the pot used…More
As lines formed outside Washington’s first legal retail marijuana shops today, a quiet waiting room in a downtown Seattle office building filled with another group of people looking to buy pot.
The Green Wellness clinic is an alternative-medicine center whose business cards say “Medical Cannabis Doctors.”
Keith Gordon, 61, came to the clinic to get re-authorized for medical marijuana. Despite legalization, he said, he doesn’t plan on buying from the retail shops.
“Here [in the medical-marijuana system] there are more choices, more flexibility and the price is easier to control,” Gordon said. “It’s easier to find a supply and go buy it, too, and I don’t want it to be that much harder.”More


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2018-01-09 — usatoday.com
``Americans' outstanding credit card debt hit a new record in November, highlighting a more confident U.S. consumer but also flashing a warning signal of potential trouble down the road.
Revolving credit, mostly credit cards, increased by $11.2 billion to $1.023 trillion, the Federal Reserve said Monday. That nudged the figure past the $1.021 trillion highwater mark reached in April 2008, just before the housing and credit bubbles burst. Over the past year, revolving credit has surged by $55.1 billion, or 5.7%, according to the Fed and Contingent Macro Research.
The new all-time-high for credit card debt doesn't pose the risks to the economy that existed in 2008 because incomes are higher, says UBS Credit Strategist Stephen Caprio. The ratio of credit card debt to U.S. gross domestic product is about 5%, compared with 6.5% in 2008, he says.
Still, Caprio notes that credit card delinquencies have increased to about 7.5% from 7% a year ago, underscoring, growing stresses for low-income households in particular. While that's still below the 15% delinquency rate reached during the financial crisis and the 9% historical average, he says the increase over the past year raises some concerns
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WPP's Xaxis to Acquire Triad Retail Media
By Nabamita Chatterjee | Vjmedia Works | October 18, 2016
The deal will establish Xaxis in Fast-Growing Retail Media and E-Commerce Markets; Provides Triad with Direct Access to Technology and Resources of Xaxis and WPP.
Xaxis, one of the world’s largest programmatic audience company, recently announced an agreement to acquire, subject to regulatory approval, Triad Retail Media, the global leader in digital retail media advertising, from Rockbridge Growth Equity and Falcon Investment Advisors. Triad fuels mobile and desktop e-commerce by enabling large retailers to turn their websites and apps into valuable advertising platforms, providing marketers with the ability to reach and engage consumers as they shop online. The deal will establish Xaxis as a significant player in the fast-growing retail media and e-commerce market while providing Triad with access to Xaxis’ technology expertise and the resources and client base of WPP, the world’s largest communications services group. Following the closing of the acquisition, Triad Retail Media and its nearly 700 team members across 14 global offices will continue to operate as a standalone brand under its own leadership.
Walmart, eBay, Asda, Toys "R" Us, CVS, Sam’s Club, Staples and Kohl’s are among the major global retailers that rely on Triad Retail Media to power their media platforms. On the brand side, more than 1,500 of the world’s largest advertisers utilize Triad’s full-service creative, data and production solutions to connect with shoppers at point-of-sale.
The deal represents a win for both retailers and advertisers, who will benefit from more advanced shopper customization tools, better targeting, new mobile products and stronger international reach that the combined companies can deliver.
“Triad has played a pioneering role in the development of digital retail media as a compelling ad channel where both retailers and brands are aligned in delivering a positive experience that drives shopper response,” said Brian Gleason, Global CEO of Xaxis. “Today’s acquisition brings Xaxis into an exciting new category, further extending the reach of our audience platform to interact with shoppers,” he added.
Powered by the $1.5 trillion e-commerce industry, digital retail media provides unique benefits for brands, retailers and shoppers. Brands gain access to shoppers at point-of-sale in an attractive customer-experience environment. In addition, retailers can drive incremental revenue from their e-commerce sites and apps while providing a more engaging, media-rich environment for shoppers.
“We’ve been connecting brands and retailers for more than a decade with our innovative solutions,” said Roger Berdusco, CEO of Triad Retail Media. “With our digital retail media expertise, Xaxis’ world-class technology platform and WPP’s worldwide network of brands — we’re all better together.”


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Today the Bank of Thailand (BOT) issued preliminary guidance on stablecoins and also requested input on potential regulatory guidelines.
It split stablecoins into two buckets, the first being stablecoins backed by Baht currency which it considers e-money. Hence issuers and those that provide stablecoin services are expected to consult the central bank before starting operations.
The second group is any other type of stablecoin, such as one backed by a foreign currency, assets or algorithmic. The central bank said these stablecoins are not currently illegal, but it is considering regulatory guidelines.
At the same time, the Bank of Thailand highlighted its own retail central bank digital currency work.
Last week, it published a report about its CBDC trial for corporate payments with the Siam Cement Group, highlighting performance concerns. Siam Cement Group is involved in a very successful blockchain procure-to-pay solution. The central bank is also a participant in cross border or multi CBDC trials with Hong Kong, China and the UAE.
Thailand is pretty progressive when it comes to the use of blockchain and DLT. The central bank has already issued scripless blockchain bonds to retail investors. And at least 22 banks are involved in a blockchain letter of guarantee system that has processed many hundreds of millions in guarantees. The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) plans to launch digital asset trading later this year.


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Tango for Sale
The announcement of Google’s Project Tango, a consumer-grade 3D mapping tablet, was easily one of our newsletter’s most read stories of all time. Since we posted it more than a year ago, anticipation for Google’s scanning technology has only increased as 3D-scanning professionals and tech-savvy consumers alike wait for an opportunity to get their hands on a precise but inexpensive mapping rig. If that describes you, then today’s your day, because Google is selling an unfinished version of the tablet on their website. It costs a paltry $512 and you don’t need an invite to buy one.
(It’s a funny joke: the tablet used to cost $1028.)
The tablet is still a developer’s kit, which means you shouldn’t expect to find any apps made for it. Google has simply opened the doors up to all developers who can afford $512 (or: all of the developers). Given Google’s stature within the tech industry and the coverage that their I/O conference has been receiving over the past few days, I think it won’t be long before developers are pushing Tango’s 3D sensor hardware and we begin to get a feel for what it can really do.
Will it be the amazing advancement that we all hope for? If history’s any indication, probably not. But it’s certainly a sign of things to come.
Smartphone Version Uses Time of Flight Camera
A few publications in attendance at Google’s I/O developer’s conference are reporting that the company has partnered with Qualcomm to make a new Tango smartphone. If you remember, the original Project Tango device was a smartphone, so just think of this as the new and improved version.
Gizmodo writes that the “secret sauce” in the new Tango smartphone is the time of flight camera, which requires a minimum of space on the back of the phone.
Both the Tango tablet and previous smartphone version used structured light scanning, much like Microsoft’s Kinect. This requires both a projector and a camera to perform 3D measurements, and the devices need to be separated a fair amount to work properly.
Time of flight, on the other hand, uses one device. It shoots out light and measures how long it takes for the light to bounce off an object and come back. That sounds suspiciously like some LiDAR devices…
I haven’t found any more information about Tango, but I’m sure more will be coming in the future and I’ll be sure to cover it right here.
Check out The Verge for some good video of the device in action.


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LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Tuesday took up the petition challenging the recent hike in prices of petroleum products, ARY News reported.
The court issuing interim order on the plea ordered the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) officials to appear before the court on May 24 along with the record.
The applicant has stated in his petition that while prices of petroleum products have decreased in the global market, the federal government increased fuel prices.
The government has already been charging tax on petroleum products, which is taking a heavy toll on consumers, he added.
The post LHC summons FBR officials in petrol price hike case on May 24 appeared first on ARYNEWS.


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Netflix adds enhanced parental controls including profile PINs and more
Supervision for when you aren't aroundBy Shawn Knight
In brief: Netflix on Tuesday said it was giving parents more control over what their children watch on the video streaming service, a timely move considering many kids are actively stuck at home under Covid-19 lockdown orders.
From today, account holders will have the ability to PIN-protect individual profiles to prevent kids from using them. What's more, parents can filter out titles that are not appropriate based on age using country ratings or even restrict access to individual series or films.
Netflix said that when shows or movies are blocked by name, they will not show up anywhere in that profile.
Netflix already had some parental controls in place but these latest additions really help to shore up its offering.
The move is timely in more than one way. Netflix is facing increased competition from services like Apple TV+, Quibi and more specifically, Disney+, which exclusively features family-friendly programming. Demonstrating to parents that it can be a viable option for families with young children could help attract even more subscribers.
Those interested in establishing user account restrictions can do so by visiting the account settings menu on Netflix's website or in the mobile app. You'll also be able to see what sub account viewers have been watching and disable auto-play should you so choose.
Masthead credit: LumineImages


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Travel industry workers could fill staffing gaps at Schiphol this summer
Employees of travel agencies and other travel organizations may be able to assist at Schiphol this summer to help manage crowds. Travel industry association ANVR and trade unions FNV and CNV are looking at the possibilities of quickly getting hundreds of employees working temporarily at the airport.
“Now that it will not be possible to sell trips for the summer months in the coming period, we can deploy the employees to try to keep as many trips as possible,” said Frank Radstake, responsible for labor affairs at the ANVR. He explained that the summer is usually a hectic period for the travel industry because people book many last-minute trips. But due to the limited capacity at Schiphol, those last minutes are not available.
Where the temporary workers can help at the airport depends on where there is the most demand, Radstake said. He knows that the need for personnel is especially high at security, but working there also requires the most training. It is well known that Schiphol often has office workers help out at busy times. So there must be functions where help is possible.
Radstake also said it is likely to be quite demanding on Schiphol’s screening process. It can take weeks before someone can start working at security. The parties, therefore, quickly want to meet with Schiphol to make concrete agreements about the secondment of travel industry employees.
An airport spokesperson said that Schiphol has received the proposal and will forward it to the security and handling companies. Schiphol previously indicated that it could not cope with the expected crowds at the airport due to staff shortages, especially in security and baggage handling. That is also why airlines must cancel many flights this summer.
FNV and CNV are optimistic about the idea, but they find it important that everything is properly arranged. “We think it is important that it is voluntary and that the travel professionals have the choice whether they want to make themselves available for this,” said CNV director Sijtze de Bruine. “And in addition, there should be no competition on employment conditions,” said FNV director Mohamed Gafki. “The employees who the travel companies second at Schiphol must also receive the summer bonus, as agreed with the unions.”
Reporting by ANP


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WASHINGTON (CBS.MW) -- An IBM manager testified Monday that Microsoft delayed the negotations for licensing its Windows 95 operating system in an attempt to bully IBM out of a plan to preload its own software on the computers it made.
Garry Norris, an IBM IBM, -0.72% manager, said that top Microsoft MSFT, +0.19% officials indicated they would resolve issues tied to the licensing of Windows 95 to IBM, provided the computer maker would agree to hold off on shipments of its Lotus SmartSuite software, which was a direct competitor to Microsoft Office software.
Office and SmartSuite are bundles of business and productivity software that include word processing, spreadsheet and database programs. Microsoft dominates the market.
Norris' testimony is the first in the trial that alleges that Microsoft used its monopoly power in operating systems to advantage its other software. Similar charges were included in the original state lawsuit, filed more than a year ago, but the charges were dropped from the suit before the trial began.
The standoff with Microsoft over the software came just weeks before Windows 95 was slated for release in August 1995, leaving IBM in fear that it would be the only major computer maker unable to ship machines with the operating system.
Norris also testified that Microsoft charged IBM a higher price for Windows due to IBM's refusal to reduce or elimination shipments of its rival OS/2 operating system.
Norris is seen as the government's key rebuttal witness in the landmark antitrust trial. IBM is the only comptuer maker to offer testimony for the government about Microsoft's allgedly illegal anticompetitive tactics.
Norris' testimony about Microsoft's alleged use of its Windows monopoly to protect its applications software business comes on the same day Microsoft will release its new version of the suite, Office 2000.


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Viacom18 Media Pvt Ltd has announced the appointment of Ravish Kumar as General Manager and Head of its to-be-launched Hindi movie channel. Kumar takes charge from August 3, 2011 and will be reporting into Raj Nayak, CEO, Colors. The new channel is slated to go on air in the last quarter of this year.
STAR India and NDTV Group have signed an agreement for the ad sales function of the NDTV news channels – NDTV India, NDTV 24x7 and NDTV Profit. It is understood that a five-year agreement has been signed, which can be extended based on mutual agreement. This is effective immediately.
Aidem Ventures has appointed M Suku as Executive Vice President, reflecting the company’s expansion into new emerging media, markets and verticals. Prior to this appointment, Suku was with Reliance ADA Group, where he was the Head of Media & Alliances.
NDTV Ltd and NDTV Media Ltd, headed by Raj Nayak, are entering into a fresh arrangement that is beneficial to both organisations. Nayak and his team are setting up a separate new media company, called AIDEM Ventures Pvt Ltd. Under the new arrangement, NDTV will save substantially on costs and will have greater control of its sales operations while working very closely with Nayak’s new organisation.


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UPDATE: 17 October, with Q&A with Green Monday CEO & Founder, David Yeung
After teaming up with Cathay Pacific and helping it be the first airline to serve a plant-based alternative pork, Omnipork will be launching its product in China in Q4 2019, AFN can reveal. Speaking exclusively to us, David Yeung, the CEO and Founder of Omnipork manufacturer Green Monday, said “with food safety and security being threatened by African Swine Fever, and with pork prices skyrocketing 69% year-on-year, the awareness and demand for alternatives has never been higher.”
Read on for the rest of our Q&A with Yeung
In an earlier release, Cathay said the mock meat will be minced up and dished out in a bolognaise sauce pasta on all business class flights out of Hong Kong from November 2019. The mock pork joins Beyond Meat in Cathay’s culinary repertoire – it’s already sitting in dishes at the airline’s Hong Kong International Airport lounge. The airline is also planning to include Omnipork in more of its dishes to cater to passengers on plant-based diets.
“One of the most frequently received requests by our team is to collaborate with airlines to increase and improve in-flight plant-based options. We appreciate that the Cathay Pacific team sees the need to cater to passengers with various dietary needs…as it sets an example for its industry peers. We are confident that when it comes to the possibilities of new-generation plant-based food, the sky is not the limit!” said Yeung, earlier.
Snapshot: About Cathay Pacific and Omnipork
OmniPork is a vegan blend of pea protein, non-GMO soy, shiitake mushrooms and rice. It’s said to look and taste like the real deal. But here’s how it’s supposedly better than the red meat: it contains zero cholesterol, is cruelty-free and 86% lower in saturated fat and 66% lower in calories, according to its website. The mock meat also features a reduced carbon footprint. Serving it would align with recent efforts by airline carriers to go green. In July 2018, Air New Zealand began serving Impossible Foods as part of its Business Premier menu on its Los Angeles to Auckland routes.
AFN caught up with David Yeung.
Joe Gan: Why team up with Cathay Pacific? What’s the strategy behind this move?
David Yeung: We had been getting so much requests from people who desperately want to see more choices and better quality vegan options for in-flight meals. Given Cathay Pacific is clearly one of the world’s leading international airlines and they have always taken a leadership position in various social initiatives, it was an easy choice to kick off discussions and collaboration with them.
Joe: How has been reception to OmniPork thus far?
Yeung: We are pleasantly surprised by the reception. Chefs and diners really love the versatility of OmniPork, as well as its applications for many Asian cuisines. That explains why in Taiwan, where we just launched our retail pack, we are ranked #2 in the entire frozen meat section in one of the most prominent supermarket channel!
Joe: Will Omnipork be expanding into China? There’s a pork shortage there.
Yeung: Most definitely. In fact, it will happen within Q4. With food safety and security being threatened by African Swine Fever, and with pork price skyrocketing 69% year-on-year, the awareness and demand for alternatives has never been higher.
Joe: What your outlook for the ‘mock meat’ industry in China?
Yeung: First of all, the vegetarian population has always been there in China. Just to serve the tens of millions of vegans/vegetarians is already a very significant market. Secondly, with ASF devastating the animal protein supply chain, industry leaders are becoming much more opened.
Joe: Any plans to expand your product range?
Yeung: Surely! We have many more exciting products in the pipeline. We look forward to announcing them in the foreseeable future.
Plant-based entering the mainstream
Hong Kongers have been snapping up Omnipork since its debut in stores and restaurants. It’s also expanded its distribution to Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand. The mock meat is set to launch in China soon, too. Across the Pacific, McDonald’s has begun firing up Beyond Meat burgers in Southwestern Ontario, including Canada’s largest city, Toronto, for 12 weeks. Burger King sells Impossible Whoppers all over the US. White Castle, Qdoba, Bareburger and more have hopped on the plant-based menu bandwagon too.
China’s Pork Shortage
Omnipork’s prevalence in the Greater China region also comes amid a pork shortage, brought about by the African Swine Fever. China recently went public about digging into its pork reserves. It’s also culled over one million pigs, according to the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). It’s also clear Green Monday wants a share of China’s plant-based meat pie. The industry is growing rapidly, up 14.2% to $910 million in 2018, from the year before, according to a report by US-based Good Food Institute. In comparison, the American market stood at $684 million that year.


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williamstown, nj (PRWEB) November 05, 2013
Impulse Design Co. is offering a Mini O's sale of 45% off from November 3rd till the 19th for all motocross graphics orders. Enter the code: GOBBLEGOBBLE online or over the phone at ImpulseDesignCo.com//856.885.4249
Impulse will also be printing graphics track side at Mini O's this year from November 22nd to the 28th. Stop by them on vendor row to order graphics for same day delivery or order ahead of time for early pickup at the track!


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Apart from kits, the sportswear brand is also planning to launch special merchandise for the club’s fans.
As reported by Khel Now earlier, Delhi-based sportswear brand SIX5SIX have agreed to a kitting and merchandise partnership with Indian Super League (ISL) club Kerala Blasters for the next three years. SIX5SIX will be designing the team’s home and away kit, practice kits and fan merchandise.
This deal is the brand’s second partnership in the ISL, with FC Goa being the other club who are currently in an ongoing long-term partnership with them.
“We are extremely elated to come on board with a club that enjoys fandom of meteoric proportions. The kit will be crafted keeping the traditional yellow theme in place which is synonymous with the club’s tremendous fan base, and becomes the color of the city on match days. We also plan to launch special merchandise for the fans which will make them feel closer to their team and players,” stated Ambar Aneja, co-founder and CEO of SIX5SIX.
Khel Now’s interaction with SIX5SIX
Following the official announcement, Khel Now reached out to Aneja, who shared with us some exclusive details regarding their new partnership with Kerala Blasters.
“I think as a brand investing in the Indian Football ecosystem, there’s no way one can ignore Kerala Blasters, we’re very happy to associate with them,” he began.
“As for the designs, they’re going to stand true to the club as well as to our approach as a brand.”
Sportswear designer Muhammed Bilal, who has racked up many followers on social media with his eye-catching work, will play a role in the designs of the Kerala Blasters kits. “Yes, Bilal is a part of team SIX5SIX now,” Aneja revealed.
The CEO also revealed that the new kits would be of supreme quality. “I’d say the fans are going to be blown away by what we’ll give them this time around. We’ve learnt from our past in terms of what we did well and what we could do better and all of that is going to be reflected in the product that will come out this season. To the fans, all I have to say is, SIX5SIX has your back!” he was quoted saying.
When asked about pricing, Aneja revealed, “Well, we operate in a market that expects global quality but Indian pricing. We’re mindful and aware of that. For the fans, any of them who want to buy the original product will be able to afford it.”
The new kits are expected to launch prior to the commencement of the upcoming season of ISL. According to SIX5SIX, they will be a unique expression of the club’s ethos and the brand’s unique design language. The new merchandise will be available through the brand’s website, as well as certain set of retailers on-ground in Kerala.
Words from the club’s Director
“A jersey is something which brings an identity to a club and the color yellow has reverberated with the state of Kerala and across the country on match days,” said Nikhil Bhardwaj, Director of Kerala Blasters.
“We are happy to associate with a home-grown brand like SIX5SIX that understands the pulse and emotions of a football fan. We recognize a great cultural fit with a young and vibrant brand like SIX5SIX and I am confident that this association is ought to set a new benchmark.”


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Now that Twitter has filed a lawsuit, Mr. Musk and his lawyers are expected to respond. While the timeline after that depends on many factors, it is likely that the company and Mr. Musk will be called to a hearing in Delaware and proceed with the discovery process, with both sides digging up the facts they believe are relevant to the case.
The case may then go to trial, although there is an opportunity for the judge assigned to the case to reject Mr. Musk’s efforts to leave. If the lawsuit goes to trial, the judge will decide whether the Twitter disclosures were insufficient and materially damaging to the deal.
In the past, the Delaware Judicial Court has prevented companies from trying to walk away from deals. In 2001, for example, when Tyson Foods tried to back out of its takeover of the meatpacking company IBP, the court ruled that Tyson had to pursue the agreement. In cases where the court allowed buyers to move out, it required them to pay damages. According to most readings of Twitter’s contract with Mr. Musk, the damages will be set at $1 billion.
Twitter and Mr. Musk have assembled legal teams to get rid of this. Twitter’s efforts in Delaware are led by William Savitt, attorney at Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz. Wachtell Lipton is known, among other things, for developing legal tactics to protect businesses from hostile buyers, such as The so-called contraceptive pill Originally set up by Twitter to defend itself against Mr. Musk.
Mr. Savitt has experience before Chancery Court in Delaware and has previously defended companies such as Carl Icahn and Pershing Square, the investment firm run by billionaire William Ackman. But Mr. Musk Unlike any other striker in the company before himwhich makes it a particularly complex opponent.
Musk’s legal team includes his personal attorney, Alex Spiro, as well as attorneys from Skadden, Arps, Slate, Major and Flom. Skadden is a corporate law firm, with extensive experience debating cases in Delaware court, including the bid of luxury giant LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton. to dismantle its $16 billion deal to acquire Tiffany & Company. Skadden’s client, LVMH, eventually shaved off about $420 million from the purchase price.
Mike Isaac Contribute to reporting and Jack Big Contribute to research.
“Wannabe music enthusiast. Professional creator. Amateur food fanatic. Freelance pop culture maven.”


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Business optimism in India remained tepid in the second quarter of this year and the country continues to rank 6th in the global optimism index, says a survey.
A similar trend was seen globally as business optimism dropped from the record high "net" 61% in Q1 2018 to a "net" 54% in Q2 this year, according to Grant Thornton's International Business Report (IBR), a quarterly global business survey.
India has recently been declared as the 6th largest economy by the World Bank, surpassing France. However, higher twin deficits resulting in a falling rupee and rising crude oil prices and inflation continue to be the reasons for the sluggish business optimism in the country, the survey released yesterday said.
"It (India) continues to rank 6th on the optimism index with 75% businesses in India optimistic about the economic outlook in Q2 2018," the Grant Thornton's report said.
Indonesia topped the optimism index, followed by Netherlands, Austria, Philippines and Mainland China.
The advisory firm said that the confidence of Indian businesses has been low since Q3 2017 and is indeed a wake-up call for the government and policymakers.
“Rising oil prices and inflation and therefore expected interest rate revisions, in the middle of an election year, threaten the much talked about reversal in the investment cycle in India," said Vishesh C Chandiok, CEO, Grant Thornton India.
"Further, mid-sized businesses continue to complain of capital shortage due to our banking system still being over cautious because of mistakes of the past.
"The fundamentals behind high gross domestic product (GDP) growth remain intact though the mood on the street isn't going to change to overall optimism any time before the next government is well in place,” said Chandiok.


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TechGeeze > Windows Phone 7 coming to Europe in October, US in November [Video]
Windows Phone 7 coming to Europe in October, US in November [Video]
1 min read
Looks like Europeans would be likely first on handling Windows Phone 7as Microsoft‘s COO Kevin Turner revealed rolling out time-frames of the new OS would fall on October across Europe and by November in U.S in his recent presentation. You can check out the video after the break.


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Cadence’s Takeaways from the ICSC “Here. We Go, 2021” in Las Vegas Dec 5-7 2021.
The ICSC is a major event for us every year, bringing the entire retail real estate industry together from all over the nation – and the world! The event is hosted by global trade organization International Council of Shopping Centers, although they’ve recently rebranded the ICSC acronym to stand for “Innovating Commerce, Serving Communities.”
Like 2020, the year 2021 was not without its disruptions and uncertainties. After two different virtual versions of the conference, ICSC was finally able to organize an in-person event in early December. And Cadence was ready! The last time we went to Las Vegas for this event was in May 2019. So a group of five of us – William, Kay, Luch, Kim, and Dave – headed to the conference to represent Cadence. It was mostly business, with a side of pleasure. Here are our takeaways:
More Business, Less Fluff
Compared to the pre-pandemic version of this event, almost everything felt strikingly different. Because of the timing in December and the uncertainty that lingers around live events, the conference felt much smaller – maybe around 20% of the usual turnout. But that didn’t dampen the mood. Those who had made the trip were extra motivated to make the most of it.
The attitude of “let’s get deals done” was almost contagious. Networking with a smaller group of highly driven attendees meant there was less filler and fluff. Kay noted that “it was refreshing and energizing in a way that I did not expect.”
Retail is alive and evolving
From all the conversations we had and the wisdom we shared, one big takeaway emerged: retail is here to stay! While commentators were predicting the end of a brick-and-mortar era during the height of the pandemic, the emerging new reality is bursting with promise.
Everyone was abuzz with new developments and projects in the works. Experts led sessions on the innovation that is taking place in the areas of dining, workplaces, and shopping, and entertainment spaces. Far from going extinct, these physical spaces are integrating technology faster than ever.
Same Las Vegas home, stunning new conference venue
One thing remains constant about the ICSC convention – Las Vegas is the perfect home for it. As a global destination for conferences, dining, shopping, and entertainment, the city is like a living museum for the marketplace industry.
However, we were pleasantly surprised by the change in venue for the 2021 “Here. We Go” conference. It was held in the newly built West Hall, a 14 million square-foot expansion of the Las Vegas Convention Center. Its renovation had a $1 billion price tag and debuted in June of 2021. We recommend checking out the 14,000 square foot outdoor terrace with amazing views of the strip.
Another highlight of our conference visit was a meal at Nobu. Inside Caesars Palace, we got into full Las Vegas glamour mode as we experienced chef Nobu Matsuhisa’s high-end Japanese cuisine. Five stars!
One thing is certain – we will be back to Las Vegas for the May 2022 ICSC. We’ll be excited to see all our friends and connections in the industry as conferences get back into full swing.


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WASHINGTON – TalkCity.com violated industry guidelines that limit information Web sites should collect about children, a trade group said Tuesday.
"They were prepared to do something, but not as much as we thought was necessary," said Wally O'Brien, vice president of the council.
The industry's move comes as the federal government is scrutinizing Web sites' privacy policies. In August, the FTC signed a consent agreement with Geocities in which the company pledged to obtain parental consent before collecting information about minors.
TalkCity.com asks visitors to type in personal information, such as email and home addresses, to become members. Anyone can participate in chat rooms as a guest without divulging any data.
Guidelines from the BBB's Children's Advertising Review Unit say Web sites should make "reasonable efforts" to ensure that parents give permission before children enter personal information.
But TalkCity.com's sole verification step is to send email to an address the child provides.
Executives at Talk City Inc., a company that owns TalkCity.com and OnNow.com, say that their privacy policies comply with the law.
As privacy violations go, most observers would agree that this isn't one of the most significant. What seems to have irked the BBB, though, is Talk City's unwillingness to change its mind. "We spent a month doing handholding with them and going back and forth," said one source close to the BBB.
In a statement, Talk City said that it has been waiting for the FTC to publish guidelines based on the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act, which Congress approved last October.
The FTC released the guidelines late Tuesday. The commission suggested that Web sites require a consent form, a credit-card number, or an "email address accompanied by a valid digital signature."


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(Adds share price, store closures, analyst comment and detail about profit warning.)
Shares in Dixons Carphone PLC (DC.LN) tumbled on Tuesday after it warned on profits for both fiscal 2018 and 2019 citing higher costs, low margins and a contraction in the U.K. electrical market.
The retailer also said it plans to close 92 Carphone Warehouse stores this year.
For the year ended April 28, Dixons said it expects headline pretax profit to be about 382 million pounds ($508.6 million), excluding the disposal of its honeybee unit. This is compared with the GBP501 million Dixons reported in fiscal 2017 and its previous guidance of headline pretax profit to between GBP365 million and GBP385 million.
The company said fiscal 2018 revenue rose 3% from the previous period, while like-for-like revenue increased 4%.
For fiscal 2019, Dixons expects headline pretax profit to fall to about GBP300 million. The company said for the new financial year, as in fiscal 2018, its is budgeting for a contraction in the U.K. electricals market and some cost increases such as from the U.K. National Living Wage.
Dixons's international business led revenue growth, with like-for-like revenue for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018 up 8% across the Nordics and 10% in Greece, the company said.
It concluded the sale of its honeybee business in May and said there will be a non-cash write-off associated with the transaction.
The board intends to maintain the full-year fiscal 2018 dividend at 11.25 pence, the company said.
New Chief Executive Alex Baldock said there is "plenty to fix" at the company but that it is "all fixable."
"Right now, with our international business in good shape, we're focusing early action on the U.K. In electricals, we're focused on gross margin recovery. In mobile, we're stabilizing our performance through improvements to our proposition and network agreements. In both, we'll work hard to improve our cost efficiency. We won't tolerate our current performance in mobile, or as a group," he said.
AJ Bell's investment director, Russ Mould, said investors may forgive Mr. Baldock the pain caused by Tuesday's "shock profit warning if he can back up his assertion that the problems the company faces are 'fixable.'"
However, Mr. Baldock "needs to get it right as there is unlikely to be a second opportunity to ground expectations in this way," Mr. Mould said.
At 1135 GMT, Dixons shares were down 41.25 pence, or 18%, at 192.15 pence.


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New research has found that small businesses in particular are suffering at the hands of cybercriminals these days.
The report from the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) estimates that SMBs in the UK are attacked in excess of 7 million times every year, and the cost to the country's economy is around £5.26 billion.
Almost all small businesses take steps to protect themselves from digital threats – 93% of firms according to this research – but still, 66% of SMBs have been a victim of cybercrime when you look back over the past two years.
Those who have been hit have, on average, suffered four incidents costing each business an estimated £3,000 in total, the FSB says.
The FSB further notes that when you take into account an organisation's size, small businesses are disproportionately affected by cybercrime compared to larger firms, and so it argues that SMBs should be given more support in combating attacks.
The biggest danger to businesses comes from phishing, which are the top two most common threats aimed at SMBs: phishing emails represent 49% of threats, and targeted spear phishing is on 37%, considerably ahead of malware attacks which are in third place on 29%.
Plan of action
As for SMB security, the report noted that 80% of small firms use computer security software and 53% said they perform regular updates of their computer systems. However, only 24% of small businesses have a strict password policy, and only 4% have a written plan of action to follow if they are hit by an attack from a cybercriminal.
The FSB said there should be better incentives for SMBs to invest in cyber-defences, and that there should be a "simplification and consolidation" of cybersecurity resources provided by the government online, with the National Cyber Security Centrebecoming a central hub for the latter.
Mike Cherry, National Chairman of the FSB, commented: "The digital economy is vital to small businesses – presenting a huge opportunity to reach new markets and customers – but these benefits are matched by the risk of opportunities for criminals to attack businesses.
"Small firms take their cybersecurity responsibility very seriously but often they are the least able to bear the cost of doing so. Smaller businesses have limited resources, time and expertise to deal with ever-evolving and increasing digital attacks. We're calling on Government, larger businesses, individuals and providers to take part in a joint effort to tackle cybercrime and improve business resilience."
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Darren is a freelancer writing news and features for TechRadar (and occasionally T3) across a broad range of computing topics including CPUs, GPUs, various other hardware, VPNs, antivirus and more. He has written about tech for the best part of three decades, and writes books in his spare time (his debut novel - 'I Know What You Did Last Supper' - was published by Hachette UK in 2013).


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There is no lack of advice when it comes to legal marketing, but it can sometimes be overwhelming. What are the basics in a law firm’s online presence and where should lawyers focus their time and money? In this short podcast, Adriana Linares and Jason Marsh interview three law firm marketing specialists about their areas...
On the Road
Gyi Tsakalakis is a former lawyer and the founder of AttorneySync, an online legal marketing agency, to help lawyers...
Previously an attorney and marketing manager at General Assembly, Eva Hibnick co-founded One400, a digital agency focusing on helping law...
Allen Rodriguez, co-founder of the One400 digital agency, has 15 years experience marketing for lawyers and legal tech startups.
Recorded on the conference floor, "On the Road" includes highlights and interviews from popular legal events.
Ivan Hemmans and Brooke Moore offer seven bonus tech tips following their 60 in 60 appearances at ABA Techshow.
Learn why law practice management expert Laura Keeler thinks firms should rethink office spaces rather than return to business as usual.
TECHSHOW co-chairs Allan Mackenzie and Roberta Tepper discuss the process of moving the 2021 conference to an entirely virtual format.
Damien Riehl demystifies AI applications in law firms and explains its potential for helping lawyers make better business decisions.
Forget ads on billboards, buses, and in the Yellow Pages. Building a law practice today requires a new approach.
In its fifth year, the Startup Alley Pitch Competition showcased a new group of 15 emerging companies in the legal tech market.


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Qubee introduces hassle-free environment-friendly billing
Karachi, August 15, 2012 (PPI-OT): Qubee Pakistan takes pride in being the first to introduce an easy, hassle-free and environment-friendly billing mechanism in Pakistan, which is now replicated in other operations of Qubee abroad.
Qubee and its family of customers have set a tremendous example for environmental protection in Pakistan by the efficient and effective use of contemporary telecommunication tools for its billing and bill collection.
Qubee is Pakistan’s 4th WiMAX operator which has been successfully providing uninterrupted broadband services in Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad and Rawalpindi since July 2010. Today, the broadband service provider is effectively executing its billing cycle (information circulation, collection and record keeping) in a paperless fashion for the past 6 months, thanks to the cooperation of its progressive and loyal customer base.
Noman Shamim, Manager Marketing Communications of Qubee on the occasion said “Nearly 24 trees are consumed to produce 1 ton of paper (depending on the quality and grameage), which when shipped translates into approximate 40 cartons of paper for office / regular consumption. Effective February 1st, 2012, Qubee has been trying to reduce its impact on the environment by limiting paper based wastage.” He went on to say “this is the first step in this direction and we are evaluating other opportunity areas so the same”
For more information, contact:
Augere Pakistan (PVT) Limited
10th floor, WTC, Khayaban-e-Roomi,
Clifton Block 5, Karachi, Pakistan
Fax: 92 21 5838157


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Dubai, UAE: Brazilian companies are making a beeline for the Middle East beauty and wellness market, with the upcoming Beautyworld Middle East 2105 setting the scene for a score of new regional product launches from the Samba nation.
More than 25 Brazilian majors will participate at the Middle East and Africa’s largest trade show for beauty, hair, fragrances, and wellbeing, including 19 at a dedicated Brazilian pavilion, which has grown by 71 per cent over the previous year.
The Brazilian foray is at the forefront of a marked increase in international participation at the 20th edition of Beautyworld Middle East, which takes place from 26-28 May 2015 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.
All will be eager to grow their share of the Middle East beauty market, which imported US$15.5 million worth of beauty and wellness products from Brazil in 2014, an increase of 20.2 per cent over 2013, according to Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce.
“The impressive increase in Brazilian beauty majors exhibiting at Beautyworld Middle East 2015 underscores the potential of the lucrative Middle East beauty and wellness market,” said Ahmed Pauwels, CEO of Messe Frankfurt Middle East, the organiser of Beautyworld Middle East.
“Beautyworld Middle East’s trans-regional reach and widening footprint makes it the ideal launch platform for Brazilian companies looking to gain traction, in what is for them a faraway market.”
Among those setting the pace at the Brazilian pavilion include De Sirius Cosmeticos and EST, along with hair care company Itallian Hairtech, all three of which will debut innovative new products at Beautyworld Middle East 2015.
EST will introduce its three newly-launched product lines, including its Juatinga shampoo, conditioner, and skincare range, of which 20 per cent of revenues are invested into the conservation of the Juatinga rainforests in Paraty, Rio de Janeiro.
The South American powerhouse will also launch its brand new baby line range of shampoos and skin ointments, made from 95-99 per cent natural ingredients, along with its Beach Extreme Spray.
“We believe the Middle East offers great opportunities for premium quality products made with natural ingredients,” said EST Director Luciana Peccioli. “Our company is now prepared to export to this market and Beautyworld Middle East is our best port of entry. We expect this market to represent an important portion of our exports, reaching millions of dollars.”
Meanwhile Itallian Hairtech will launch its ‘Trivitt Color Blonde Carolina Bittencourt’ hair dye, and will give sachet samples to trade buyers at Beautyworld Middle East 2015, while De Sirius Cosmeticos will unveil its ‘Divine Waves’ hair straightening treatment.
Other Brazilian pavilion exhibitors at Beautyworld Middle East 2015 include Bionat, Brazilian Secrets Hair, Daltro Cosméticos, Embelleze, Goz Cosméticos, Honma Ideal, Nazca Cosméticos, Nunaat, Prolab, Realgems Amenities, Sther Cosméticos, Studio Hair, Sweet Hair, Tech Line and Vidal Life.
The strong international flavour at the three-day event will be emphasised with 24 country pavilions featuring prominently, including for the first time, a pavilion from Romania.
Major country pavilions include Italy with 67 exhibitors and an 11 per cent growth over last year, Germany (41 exhibitors and 11 per cent growth y-o-y), France (102 exhibitors and 15 per cent y-o-y growth); USA (26 exhibitors); UK (20 exhibitors); Spain (40 exhibitors) and Turkey, (99 exhibitors).
Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, Beautyworld Middle East focuses on the core areas of Cosmetics & Skincare; Hair, Nails and Salon Supplies; Fragrances; Machinery, Packaging & Raw Materials, and Professional Equipment & Spa.
Further information can be found at www.beautyworldme.com


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It's here! It's here!
The release date for EVE's latest expansion and graphical overhaul Trinity has been announced! You can start tooling around the galaxy in your shined up starships beginning on December 5th.
Reykjavik, Iceland November 28, 2007 CCP, one of the world's
largest independent game developers, today announced that the highly
anticipated EVE Online: Trinity expansion for its popular massively
multiplayer online game (MMOG) will be available on December 5, 2007.
Available as a free online download for all EVE subscribers, Trinity
features a next-generation graphics engine that sets a new aesthetic
standard for online games. This expansion comes on the heels of
another important milestone: more than 200,000 players now subscribe
to EVE Online.
Get more info about EVE at their official site.
To read the latest guides, news, and features you can visit our EVE Online Game Page.


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DETROIT, MI- General Motors Co. faired quite well in to the J.D. Power 2014 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study released today.
The Detroit-based automaker led the industry with eight segment awards for the Buick Lucerne; Cadillac DTS (tie); Cadillac Escalade; Chevrolet Camaro; Chevrolet Volt; GMC Sierra HD; GMC Sierra LD; and GMC Yukon.
The study grades vehicles in the third year of ownership on the number of problems customers experience per 100 vehicles during the first three years of ownership.
All four of GM’s brands – Cadillac, Buick and Chevrolet and GMC – scored at or better than the industry average of 133 problems per vehicle, a 6 percent increase from a year ago – marking the first time since the 1998 study that the average number of problems has increased.
Rounding out the top three were Toyota with seven and Honda topping six. GM crosstown rivals Chrysler and Ford did not receive any awards.
“Until this year, we have seen a continual improvement in vehicle dependability,” said David Sargent, vice president of global automotive at J.D. Power. “However, some of the changes that automakers implemented for the 2011 model year have led to a noticeable increase in problems reported.”
The most notable problems, according to J.D. Power, are due to automakers attempting to increase fuel economy with higher speed transmissions and smaller engines – particularly four-cylinder engines.
J.D. Power reports engine and transmission problems increased by nearly six problem per 100 vehicles year over year, accounting for the majority of the overall increase in reported problems.
“While striving to reduce fuel consumption, automakers must be careful not to compromise quality,” Sargent said. “Increases in such problems as engine hesitation, rough transmission shifts and lack of power indicate that this is a continuing challenge.”
Dependability is typically a major consideration for car buyers and is used extensively by manufacturers and suppliers worldwide to help them design and build better vehicles, which typically translates into higher resale values and customer loyalty.
Regarding brand rankings, Lexus was the most dependable with 68 problems per 100 vehicles, followed by Mercedes-Benz at 104; Cadillac with 107; Acura at 109; and Buick at 112. Other domestic brands under the industry average included Lincoln, tied for sixth, with 114 problems per 100 vehicles, Chevrolet at 13th with 132; GMC ranked 16th with 133. All other domestic brands, including Dodge and Jeep toward the bottom, were higher than the industry average.
The study, now in its 25th year, is based on responses from more than 41,000 original owners of 2011 model-year vehicles after three years of ownership. The study was fielded between October and December 2013.
Click here to view the full study.