text:
Archive for the ‘smartphones’ tag
Smartphones have recently appeared to be useful not only for calling, writing messages and surfing the Internet. It is also not enough to pay with smartphones – soon, they will replace bank cards making it possible to withdraw money from cash machines. It is possible because PC/E Mobile Cash – app launched for Android and iOS – has been improved by Wincor Nixdorf who is also the first to integrate this service in Apple Passbook using Apple passes.
It is quite a simple process. Through the app bank customer receives QR code for the transaction. Then, the QR code is read in at cash machine. The app can also show the way to the nearest cash machine that supports Mobile Cash. Next, the customer selects the Mobile Cash function and from now on the transaction is controlled from customer’s smartphone. Additionally, a transaction PIN can be entered.
To enable customers to withdraw cash with smartphones, banks probably will have to carry out some small, but significant, enhancements. For example, they will have to add a barcode scanner to cash dispensers to read the QR code, or install client software on them to support the function.
As Stefan Wahle, Vice President of Software Solutions at Wincor Nixdorf, said: ‘Consumers are increasingly demanding innovative end user concepts – not just in payment processes with mobile wallets but also they will play a key role in interaction with cash machines in the future’. Then, the new concept of using smartphones is not surprising to be available worldwide with immediate effect for piloting by financial institutions.
Quick look on the insurance offers on the British market show that there are plenty of insurers who provide cover from between £3.99 and £6.99 a month. The cheapest basic covers include accidental damage (up to £500) , overseas cover and cover for immediate family. However, if you have a top smartphone like the newest iPhone 4S it might be more profitable to pick a full cover (for around £6.99 a month or £55-59 a year). Such policy protects you from accidental damage, loss and theft, but also covers unauthorized calls and mobile wallet protection.
An Indian digital company ENMAC has recently released their line of smartphones that targets the Islamic community, especially in India – Smartphone for Muslims. Their phones have all the functionality of modern smartphones such as double SIM card slot, touchscreen, GPRS connectivity and video camera. Additionally they have all sort of applications useful for any Muslim. For example, there is a compass that always points to Mecca, a complete Holy Qur’an, the holy Islamic book, in 29 languages including English, Urdu or Bengali, or tutorial on how to perform the Hajj rituals. On top of this, there is an auto-silent mode that turns on during pray times and when you are in mosque.
Smartphone for Muslims
Anuj Kanish, ENMAC, says that there is a need for such devices as there is around 180 million Muslims in the Indian society, for which religion has a very important place, just as the mobile phone. The company wants to cater for both of these important needs providing a product that is a combination of technology and religion.
It turns out that there is a huge group of Brits who really regret picking the newest iPhone 4S as their new smartphone. According to a poll conducted by Good Mobile Phones a fifth of iPhone owners are not happy that they made the purchase. The survey that was answered by around 1,700 Brits with iPhones asked about their opinion on their choice of phone.
Among the 22 percent of the completely unsatisfied customers who regret buying an iPhone 43 percent said that the competition has better smartphones than iPhone 4S, while 25 percent is dissatisfied with the battery life. Apart from those two issues, the iPhone 4S owners also pointed to lack of “buttons”, difficulty using emails and poor functionality. It seems that people who regret choosing iPhone where lured by Apple’s marketing department, that makes the Apple gadgets so trendy and desired. Instead, they should have done their homework and research the latest phones to pick the right one for them.
Motorola has unveiled its new redesigned version of the iconic Motorola RAZR mobile phone. The updated version will be one of the thinnest smartphones available on the market – only 7.1mm thick. In comparison with the former RAZR the new one will not be a clamshell mobile phone. But it will be a powerful smartphone with 4.3” Super AMOLED touchscreen and dual-core 1.2 GHz processor. Additionally, RAZR will have two HD cameras with 1080p HD video recording capabilities. The phone will be working on Android software (Gingerbread), but the newest version of Android– Ice Candy will be installed starting from 2012 . The phone producer also equipped it with a large 1800 mAh battery that supposedly gives 12.5 hours of talk time or 8.9 hours of video playback.
The Motorola company hopes that their new phone will be a bestseller just like the original version of RAZR, which is the best-selling clamshell phone ever. Motorola RAZR will be available in the UK next month and currently only O2 confirmed that it will have the new RAZR for its customers.
The Chinese mobile phone company, Huawei, decided to launch their own brand of smartphones. Currently the brand does not have a well-established name, as they mainly produce handsets for mobile networks, which then sells them under their own brand, for example – Orange Barcelona . Now Huawei declared that they want to create their own brand which will have affordable smartphones for people who want to have a smartphone but not splurge much money on it. Their newest smartphone, the Blaze, will be launched in September in UK and China. Blaze will have a 3.2 inch touch-screen, 3.2 camera, 256MB of RAM and will run on Android 2.3 “Gingerbread”. The phone will probably cost around 100 quids.
This trend is also visible on the mobile phone market, as 2010 was the year where many customers migrate from PAYG sim cards to contracts to get a brand new smartphone at a lowered price.
Majority of smartphone users try to protect the data on their phones by using a passcode. It is usually a four digit code which has to be entered to use the phone after it is powered on or “waken”. But is using a passcode a really safe way to protect your phone?
passcodes used on iPhone
An iPhone application called Big Brother Camera Security anonymously collected over 200,000 passcodes from iPhone users and analyzed them. The results showed that top 10 passcodes used on iPhone represents 15 percent of the collected data. Most of them are typical formulas like the same four digits or moving up or down the pad and the top one used is 1234. The study also points to the fact that years of birth or graduation, as numbers between 1980 and 2000 were all in top 100 codes used. What this implies is that we should choose more complicated and less formulaic passcodes otherwise the phone’s security is compromised. From statistical point of view, a thief has 1 in 7 chance of unlocking an iPhone if he uses top 10 passcodes. The chances are even higher when he or she knows your birthday and other personal data. Most probably this trend doesn’t refer solely to iPhones as users of other smartphones probably also use simple, formulaic passcodes.
GfK, a global analyst company, reported that PAYG smartphones became more popular on the prepay market in the United Kingdom. Last year in December, smartphones accounted for 20% of the prepay phone market. This is a great increase as 2009 only 2% of the market was taken by PAYG smartphones. However, overall the prepay phone market shrinked by 7.4% in 2010. Megan Baldock from GfK is optimistic as she says that the smartphone prepay market could continue to rise in 2011.


text:
Last week EA announced the release of Battlefield 1 which was a true shocker to the fans as everyone was expecting the continuation of the main plot aka Battlefield 5 especially after series 2015 spin off Hardline. Battlefield 1 trailer got a record number of likes in YouTube history and that’s no wonder as it revealed the game return to the roots in terms of dynamics, spectacular battlefield, weaponry and the signature BF style. Here is what is known so far:
Battlefield 1 is set to be released on October, 21st but those who purchase Early Enlister edition will be able to start playing 3 days prior the official date. Developers made it clear the game is not going to be another Hardline sort of thing but will follow into traditional Battlefield patterns. Theoretically it’s the fifth installment of the Battlefield series that was strategically named Battlefield 1 for marketing purposes. Battlefield 1 brings up the World War I theme hence the number 1 is used to emphasize the fact and the history around the plot.
It has been a while since we last wrote the news on the legendary Battlefield franchise. To the delight of series fans, Hardline will become available for the EA Access Vault in a few days which will provide members unlimited access to the game.
More games such as Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare, BF4, Dragon Age: Inquisition, FIFA15 and others have also been added to Vault.
Battlefield franchise is famous for it military warfare but Hardline new developers, Dead Space and Dante’s Inferno’s Visceral Games, went for an experiment and put a lot of emphasis on to a new option featuring robbers and cops theme.
Although BR Hardline can be considered a great addition to a Battlefield franchise family, video gaming industry experts express a lot of doubts whether the game will become very popular among true fans of the series due to its overall similarity with “normal” BF games.

domain: news


text:
FRESNO, CALIF. — Sun-Maid Growers of California is expanding its lineup of flavored raisins with new tropical punch and peach varieties. The products join a range of sour raisin snacks, available in blue raspberry, strawberry, mixed berry and watermelon flavors.
Made with golden raisins, the snacks contain no added sugar or artificial ingredients and were designed as a better-for-you option that tastes like candy, according to the company. The products are Non-GMO Project verified and gluten-free.
“Traditionally, fruit snacks have been loaded with added sugars, corn syrup and artificial ingredients, and it is time real fruit takes center stage,” said Harry Overly, president and chief executive officer. “Our Fruity Raisin Snacks are simply real whole fruit that tastes like a candy, not a gummy fruity snack posing as real fruit. By adding in these delicious new flavors, we're delighted to offer fans the choice between a sourer punch or sweeter fruity taste — just in time for summer.”
Sun-Maid Fruity Raisin Snacks are available online at Amazon.com and at Albertsons and Kroger stores for a suggested retail price of $3.29.


text:
An independent study has found OpenOffice.org's free office suite to be five times more popular among adult US internet users than Google Docs.
Microsoft Office remains dominant, with 51 percent of US Internet users over age 18 using it, according to a 6-month study conducted by market researcher ClickStream Technologies.
OpenOffice.org was used by 5 percent of people, versus Google Docs' 1 percent, according to the survey of 2,400 users on their home PCs conducted between May and November of this year.
OpenOffice.org was also found to be used more often, 8.7 days, versus 1.5 days; and longer, an average of 9.3 minutes, versus 3.4 minutes for Google Docs, according to ClickStream's panel, which was two-thirds comprised of women.
During a keynote speech at a Gartner conference last month, Ballmer said: "We have better competition today than Google Docs and Spreadsheets. We get more competition from OpenOffice and StarOffice, frankly."
Microsoft is poised to cement that domination with its upcoming Office Web, and online versions of its Exchange and SharePoint products, to be announced on Monday.
The latest version, OpenOffice.org 3.0, had a strong first week, with more than 3 million downloads in that time. After one month, OpenOffice.org 3.0 had been downloaded 10 million times, the group said.
ClickStream also found that 68 percent of Google Docs or Spreadsheets users also used Microsoft Word at least once, "indicating that Google Docs has yet to be considered a stand-alone product by most of its users." In contrast, 74 percent of OpenOffice users didn't use Word at all.
"Although Google Docs and Spreadsheets has been touted as a potential competitor to the Microsoft Office Suite, OpenOffice is currently the more likely app to take that position, possibly indicating the value of offline and local processing enabled by installed applications," said ClickStream.
A Google spokesman said in response to ClickStream's finding, "Google Docs has millions of active users and hosts tens of millions of documents. It has seen strong and steady growth since it launched two years ago as people have increasingly shifted to the cloud in order to access and collaborate on documents online."
ClickStream's figures are not surprising. A NPD Group Inc. survey reported similar findings last year. But the ClickStream findings may arouse some skepticism. The company's CEO, Cameron Turner, formerly worked at Microsoft doing similar market research on Microsoft Office and its competitors. Turner said ClickStream was not paid by Microsoft to conduct this study.
ClickStream's figures for OpenOffice.org include usage of StarOffice, a near-identical version that is sold for $70 (£47) and officially supported by Sun Microsystems. Google began distributing StarOffice via its free Google Pack download service in August 2007. But it recently pulled StarOffice from Google Pack, suggesting that Google is starting to feel competitive with OpenOffice.org.
Other free Microsoft word processers are actually far more popular than OpenOffice.org or Google Docs. Notepad was used by 48 percent of those surveyed by ClickStream, though more sparingly than OpenOffice.org. WordPad, meanwhile, was used by 21 percent of apparently thrifty users.
Fewer than 1 percent of users used Zoho Office, while none of ClickStream's sample used ThinkFree or WriteBoard.


text:
It appears that our cynicism is well placed. According to a survey of financial services, only 37 per cent of companies have a team dedicated to customer service and fewer than half have any budget earmarked for developing long-term customer relationships.
Julian Berry, whose consultancy conducted the study with sponsorship from AT&T, the US-based telecommunications and electronics group, says the findings show that for all the talk of customer service "the reality in UK financial services organisations is that customer focus programmes are immature".
He adds that almost without exception these groups say they are concerned about customers "but when you ask searching questions, you get different answers".
It is, for example, well known that banks think in terms of accounts rather than customers - with the result that they are ill placed to cross- sell products. Indeed, they often annoy otherwise happy customers by seeking to sell them things they already have.
While retailers and other sectors are compiling ever more detailed information about the people with whom they do business, it emerges from the survey that just 9 per cent of the 60 senior marketing managers from Britain's leading banks, insurance companies and other consumer financial services groups had systems to measure the direct contribution of individual customers to profits.
This would perhaps not be so remarkable if it did not sit so oddly with the other professed aims set out in the report Putting the Customer First? A report into customer focus in the consumer financial services industry. For example, 88 per cent said generating more revenue per customer was the vital factor driving customer focus in the consumer financial services industry. Ninety per cent said retaining profitable customers and increasing levels of repeat business were seen as key indicators they planned to use as measures of success for customer focus.
Mr Berry believes the report is the first to examine customer focus in this area and says the response represents about one- third of the UK's consumer financial services industry. "The results show how an organisational structure and information technology structure that focuses on financial product lines rather than customers is highly ineffective in managing customers," he says.
Consequently, there are plenty of opportunities for organisations supplying and operating properly organised databases as well as for financial services groups, such as the telephone-based ones, that are showing signs of getting it right.
Mr Berry predicts banks will speed up their move away from their old image as "socially minded" organisations that treat all customers the same. Cross subsidies will end. In stark contrast with the 1980s when market share was all, they will become increasingly choosy about with whom they want to do business. As a result, a new banking sector may have to grow up to handle the people not wanted by the increasingly commercially minded mainstream suppliers of financial services.
On the bright side, junk mail should diminish as the senders find out more about their existing and would-be customers.
However, Mr Berry is equally confident that progress will be slow. This is because, firstly, moving power and budgets away from product managers to customer service people will involve a "huge cultural change", and, secondly, appraising people on their abilities in the customer service area rather than according to previous criteria will also demand great changes to the reward system.Reuse content


text: It's been one year since the launch of Microsoft's Bing ranked third in the volume of searches at 3.24% behind Google and Yahoo. Recently, Microsoft launched a cool new Bing Entertainment section featuring a wide selection of music, online gaming, movies, and TV shows. Each are loaded with a massive collection giving consumers a huge variety of choices and hours of entertainment. Acting like a content portal, the new Entertainment section could be seen as a strategic move to attract more users and encourage repeat visits, as Microsoft pointed out 76% of people use search to help find and navigate entertainment options online. Is it enough to gain a substantial amount of market share from Google and Yahoo? Maybe if Bing decides to go down the path of integrating their entertainment system with TV, Google TV may have a big contender on their hands.


text:
The Huawei smart screen offers an 8.9-inch ultra-clear (1920 x 720) resolution display with brightness up to 700 nits and comes with reflection-free glass as well as support the cross-screen transfer of mobile applications (HiCar) and more.
Huawei Car Smart Screen is priced at 1699 yuan ($258). According to the information, the pre-booking of this device starts at a discount price of 1659 yuan. However, the official sale will be held on January 8, 2021.
The Huawei Smart Screen for Cars also supports 30+ Chinese applications such as Baidu maps, Gaode maps, mainstream navigating apps, and others, pop-up selfie camera, rear camera, voice recognition as well as air gesture control.
At HDC 2020, Richard Yu, CEO of Huawei’s Consumer Business Group, said that Huawei’s HiCar smart solution has currently partnered with over 20 automakers, 150+ models, and 30+ applications. It plans to pre-install this device in over 5 million units in 2021.


text:
The reviews page has been keeping an eye on the closures since March. Businesses can update their status to temporarily or permanently closed on Yelp.
As of August 31, nearly 163,700 companies on Yelp have closed since March 1, the company said, marking a 23% increase from July 10. Of those, about 98,000 say they have closed their doors for good.
Of all closed businesses, about 32,100 are restaurants, and close to 19,600 or approx. 61% have closed permanently.
According to Yelp, some eateries have performed better than others: Pizzerias, delicatessens, food trucks, bakeries and coffee shops have overall done better than Mexican restaurants, breakfast and brunch, burger or sandwich shops or eateries that focus on dessert.
Restaurant groups have warned that many eateries will not survive the blow that the pandemic delivered.
This week, the National Restaurant Association said 100,000 restaurants have closed either permanently or long-term, adding that the sector is on the verge of losing $ 240 billion in sales this year.
A number of factors have made it particularly difficult for restaurants that tend to operate on razor-sharp margins, even in the best of times, to cope with the disruption.
Retail operators are also struggling. About 30,400 shopping and retail businesses on Yelp have closed since March 1, approx. 17,500 or 58% of them permanently. And the cities are particularly affected, according to the data. Los Angeles, New York, Chicago and Miami have all seen a particularly large number of companies permanently stop working.


text:
Pupils will be treated to first-class British food when a menu inspired by a Michelin-starred chef is served at their schools.
Phil Howard – who has two stars for his restaurant The Square in Mayfair – is teaming up with school catering firm Cucina Restaurants ready for British Food Fortnight.
They will produce a British Classics school food range for the annual celebration of food from the UK.
The menu will be served at Edgbarrow School in Crowthorne, Charters School in Sunningdale and Sandhurst School during the fortnight, which runs from Saturday, September 20, to Sunday, October 5.
Pupils will be able to sample dishes such as pea and bacon soup with a sausage roll and rarebit; shepherd’s baked potato with rosemary melted onions; cauliflower, ham and cheese fritters with an apple and onion dip; and, for dessert, orange beignets with lemon posset.
Mr Howard, who was named Chefs’ Chef of the Year at the 2012 Restaurant of the Year Awards, said: “The future of British food lies with our children.
“To help play a part by devising a menu to champion British food and produce, and the promotion of it during British Food Fortnight, seemed like a very sound place to start.”
All dishes will be offered at standard school meal prices. Pupils and teachers will be also have the opportunity to try extended restaurant-style recipes out at home, using specially-prepared menu cards.
The managing director of Cucina Restaurants, Steve Quinn, said: “This collaboration with Phil is an opportunity to showcase just what can be possible with school food, with a little imagination and the right priorities in place.
“We’re not only highlighting the best of British food – with Phil’s help, we are aiming to bring a new level of awareness to British food.”
British Food Fortnight is a national food promotion, now in its 13th year, which brings communities together to celebrate the best of British food.
It also aims to reinvigorate the tradition of celebrating the annual harvest during autumn.
Promotions will include a competition to find the best community-organised harvest event, a National Harvest Service for children and a fun Twitter and Facebook campaign using the hashtag #HarvestFever.


text:
As stated in the Deloitte Executive Report of Winter/Spring 2009, 2008 saw a significant slowdown in revenue per available room (revPAR) in most world regions, particularly in the final quarter. North America ended the year with a 1.6% decline, while Asia Pacific and Europe saw growth of less than 2%, in US dollars.
Average global revPAR has suffered further during 2009 and a recovery is not expected until 2010. In the UK, Deloitte's Hotel Market Outlook has forecasted the regional UK to begin recovery during the first quarter of 2010, whereas London is not expected to see a recovery until the second half of the year. The hotel market is still struggling to overcome the downturn and we are therefore likely to see operators continue to offer special deals and two-for-one packages over the Christmas period and into the New Year to entice consumers into taking that winter break.
The 2009 World #Travel Market Global Trends report, has also forecasted 2010 to see the emergence of new, 'pop-up' hotels. The report states that 'with the housing market down and foreclosures way up, new pop-up hotels create an opportunity for travel accommodation providers to offer affordable, quality yet unique hotel experiences. These temporary hotels are pre-built units, incorporated into a steel frame which can be easily demolished, where construction time is reduced by almost 50% compared to traditional methods. Temporary hotels are expected to change the face of UK travel by attracting a larger consumer base with their affordable pricing and sustainable living.'
The damage caused by the recession to the airline industry has been equally, if not more severe. As the Deloitte Executive Report states: 'The credit crunch, wildly fluctuating fuel prices and exchange rates, together with the deepening global economic downturn are combining to turn a difficult market into one of extreme turbulence.' Between January and September 2008 30 carriers failed globally, including Silverjet, Zoom Airlines and XL Airways in the UK market. Mergers and acquisitions within the industry are now becoming increasingly likely as operators take strides to significantly reduce their expenses and increase buying power.
Numerous airlines, including some high profile 'flag carriers,' that are now in a precarious position are looking to larger competitors to take them over. This can be seen with speculation surrounding Alitalia, Olympic Airlines and SAS Scandinavian Airlines, the proposed merger of BA with lberia Airlines, the continued attempts of Ryanair to acquire Aer Lingus, and Lufthansa's acquisition of bmi and its purchase of significant stakes in Brussels Airlines and Austrian Airlines.
Despite the economic gloom, summer holidays are a luxury that the British consumer is simply not willing to sacrifice. Passenger numbers for Ryanair and easyJet have continued to increase and load factors have remained above 80% despite the fact that Ryanair's 3rd quarter results for 2008 showed a loss of EUR102 million, a swing of EUR147 million compared to 2007, and easyJet's 2008 year-end results were down 45% to £110 million (figures from Deloitte's Executive Report). Customer demand is therefore clearly still strong but, during these difficult economic times both leisure and business passengers are seeking clear value. Given the strong cash positions of both Ryanair and easyJet, there is evidently plenty of life in the low cost model to see this recession through.
The hardest hit have been the 'flag carriers' who have suffered hugely due to the slump in premium and business travel, coupled with the sharp rise in fuel prices. British Airways Plc in November posted a larger than expected first-half loss and predicted revenue would slump by one billion pounds by the end of 2009. Germany's Deutsche Lufthansa AG in October provided a gloomy outlook for the airline industry and reported that its third quarter operating profit fell 21 percent. Air France-KLM posted a current operating loss of 543 million euros for the six months ended in September, compared with a current operating profit of 592 million euros for the same period a year earlier. First-half revenues for the company declined 19.9 percent to 10.775 billion euros (all figures taken from Reuters.com).
Nonetheless, in a statement to Reuters Chief Executive Pierre-Henri Gourgeon said that the group's performance improved in the second quarter compared with the "deep losses" it experienced in the first quarter, which he attributes to the positive impact that cost cutting measures are having. Regardless, as the Deloitte report summarises, 'the next six to twelve months are likely to see further significant changes, losses and failures within the industry. Winter is traditionally the period when airlines, in the Northern hemisphere at least, burn cash rather than fuel. Those that are already in financial difficulties may struggle to survive a winter that promises to be longer than usual.'
Those who are taking a break this winter should take advantage both new and old foreign exchange comparison sites, such as The Currency Exchange Site and Moneysupermarket.com. With consumers continuing to focus on getting value for money while ensuring that the summer holidays are not lost, these sites allow a valuable opportunity to ensure you don't stumble at the final hurdle. The sites compare cash, travelers cheques and travel from multiple online providers. Buying you travel money online is likely to save you pounds anyway, and using a comparison site will help you stretch your budget that bit further. So, wherever you decide to go, now or once we start to see light at the end of the recession, there are many opportunities online to help you save money.


text:
The report of the working group set up by the RBI suggested that Clearing Corporation of India should be made the repository of all interest rate and forex derivative transactions
Mumbai: In order to improve transparency and avoid build up of a financial crisis, a Reserve Bank of India (RBI) panel on Wednesday suggested tighter norms for reporting and monitoring of interest rate and forex derivatives, reports PTI.
The report of the working group set up by the RBI suggested that Clearing Corporation of India (CCIL) should be made the repository of all interest rate and forex derivative transactions.
The report, on which RBI has invited comments from the stakeholders by June, underlines the “need for consolidation of reporting arrangement with a view to improving the transparency of the market, facilitating its comprehensive monitoring by the regulator and improving the efficiency of post trade processing infrastructure.”
Non-transparency of the over-the-counter (OTC) market, the report said, “Results in build-up of risks in the system which is widely believed to be one of the contributory causes of the recent financial crisis.”
It suggested that all forward transactions and swaps between banks and their clients, worth over $1 lakh, should be reported to the CCIL.
As a trade repository, CCIL should be encouraged to offer post trade processing services, such as, valuation, management information system and life-cycle event management, the report said.
It also suggested that reporting framework could be extended to other complex financial products as and when they are introduced.
RBI had set up a committee under the chairmanship of P Krishnamurthy, the then chief general manager, to examine the reporting format for inter-institution transactions and recommend modalities for an efficient single point reporting mechanism for all OTC interest rate and foreign exchange derivative transactions.
Food inflation, which was on a declining trajectory for the previous three weeks, rose by 1.08 percentage points in the week under review over the 7.47% inflation rate recorded in the previous week
New Delhi: Food inflation shot up to 8.55% for the week ended 14th May, the highest level in four weeks, as prices of fruits, cereals and protein-based items escalated, reports PTI.
Food inflation, as measured by the Wholesale Price Index (WPI), was on a declining trajectory for the previous three weeks. The figure for the seven-day period under review was 1.08 percentage points higher than the 7.47% inflation rate recorded in the previous week.
During the week ended 14th May, cereals became costlier by 5.03% year-on-year and prices of onions were up by 8.32%, official data released here showed.
Prices of fruits rose by 32.37%, milk by 5.53% and eggs, meat and fish by 8.26%.
Rice also became 2.63% more expensive and potatoes 0.17% costlier on an annual basis.
Food inflation remained in double digits for most of 2010, before showing signs of moderation from March 2011.
Prices of vegetables and pulses declined by 1.46% and 9.49%, respectively. Also, wheat became cheaper by 0.30% on an annual basis.
On an annual basis, the primary articles category saw an inflation rate of 11.60%. On the other hand, prices of non-food primary articles were up 23.22% during the week under review. Fibres became dearer by almost 61%, while minerals were up 11.78%.
The government and Reserve Bank of India had said that in the months to come, inflationary pressure would be more from core (non-food) items on account of high global prices of commodities, particularly crude.
“Though the state government and NGOs wants to preserve a part of the factory from where the gas leaked as monument, the Centre and the Group of Ministers on the Bhopal gas tragedy want to raze the building of the Union Carbide factory due to mercury contamination,” Union environment minister Jairam Ramesh said
Bhopal: The Centre is contemplating to demolish the building of the now defunct Union Carbide factory here due to mercury contamination, Union environment minister Jairam Ramesh said on Wednesday.
“Though the state government and NGOs wants to preserve a part (of the factory) from where the gas leaked as monument, the Centre and the Group of Ministers (GoM) on the Bhopal gas tragedy want to raze the building of the Union Carbide factory due to mercury contamination,” he told reporters here.
However, a final decision in this regard will be taken only in July-August after the state government and NGOs present their case before the Centre, he added.
Mr Ramesh said that the state government and the NGOs were free to put their point across and make a presentation against flattening of the Union Carbide factory’s building.
Over 15,000 people were killed and lakhs maimed after methyl isocyanate gas leaked out from the Union Carbide factory in December 1984.


text:
Orange today announced that it will launch a mobile gaming service with HMV. ‘Hmv mobile games’, powered by Orange, will be available next week to customers across any network and on over 1,000 Java enabled handsets. It is the first service of its kind from a mobile operator.
Customers will be able to access the service simply by following a weblink to an online portal. All customers have to do is text ‘HMV’ to 87010 and they will be sent an SMS with a link which says hmv mobile. When they click on this they will then be able to access the site. Here customers can enjoy reviews and previews of the latest games, download demos for free and purchase their favourite games, as seen in HMV stores and online at hmv.com.
Hmv mobile games will provide customers with access to a library of over 400 games, with new titles available every week. They will have access to their favourite games including some of the more popular titles such as Fifa Manager 10, Call of Duty MW2, Tetris® and PAC-MAN. Games will be priced starting from £1, while new releases and premium games will cost between £3 and £5. The service will also include free demos.
Orange customers will be billed directly for their mobile game-play, while customers on other networks can use a ‘Pay For It’ billing system, where they will be charged for the individual cost of each game.
As the mobile market evolves and the popularity of digital and mobile media continues to increase, new and innovative services such as hmv mobile games are becoming an essential part of consumers’ everyday lives.
Stephen Harris, business development director, Orange UK, said: “Orange is proud to be introducing this new service in strategic partnership with HMV, which will enable both parties to deliver greater value, products and services to our customers. It will also allow us to increase our reach in mobile gaming and build on our success as the number one mobile gaming operator in the UK. Our partnership with HMV is a key part of our strategy to grow and evolve our business, while giving consumers even more convenient ways to play games on their mobile phone.”
Tim Ellis, head of games at HMV, said: “We’re delighted to be launching this new mobile offer to get them closer to games content in a way that’s relevant to them. It also demonstrates the kind of added-value benefit that we can deliver to our customers by working in partnership with Orange.”
Orange and HMV continue to develop their partnership, following last year’s announcement that HMV would install concessions in up to 100 stores.
HMV mobile games goes live from Friday 26 March.


text:
Apple’s iPhone 15 is the latest and most anticipated smartphone model from tech giant Apple. It promises to be a game-changer in the industry with its expected features, which are already causing a stir among tech enthusiasts and the general public. The iPhone 15 is expected to be an advanced model, building on the success of the iPhone 14 with even more innovative features. In this article, we will take a closer look at the expected features of the iPhone 15.
iPhone 15 Expected Name
we expect to see the familiar four model names in the iPhone 15 lineup. The names are expected to be as follows:
- iPhone 15
- iPhone 15 Plus
- iPhone 15 Pro
- iPhone 15 Pro Max (or a very slight chance we might actually get an iPhone 15 Ultra)
iPhone 15 Display Specs
The iPhone 15 is still several months away, but it’s hard for Apple to keep secrets about the iPhone lineup because there are so many different suppliers involved, some of whom end up leaking information. We are expecting a total of four iPhone 15 models in the same sizes as the iPhone 14 models, including two 6.1-inch iPhones and two 6.7-inch iPhones.The 6.1-inch iPhones will be the standard iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 “Pro.” The 6.7-inch iPhones will be iPhone 15 “Plus” and iPhone 15 “Pro Max”.
- iPhone 15 (6.1 inch)
- iPhone 15 Plus (6.7 inch)
- iPhone 15 Pro (6.1 inch)
- iPhone 15 Pro Max (6.7 inch)
iPhone 15 design features
The iPhone 15 models could be available in dark pink and light blue color options. Apple often offers the standard iPhone models in a range of bright colors, and this year is no exception .The bright pink and blue shades are likely to be available alongside standard black, white, and PRODUCT(RED) color options.
iPhone with Titanium instead of Aluminum
While the base iPhone 15 and 15 Plus models will allegedly still come with aluminum frames, the Pro versions will swap the previously used stainless steel for titanium, a much lighter material that Apple is also using on other products like the Apple Watch Ultra.
In the ever-evolving world of smartphones, rumors often circulate, providing glimpses into potential design features before official announcements. An unverified rumor from Weibo has recently surfaced, hinting at a noteworthy design element for the highly anticipated iPhone 15 models. While this information remains speculative, it is worth exploring the possibility that both the standard iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro models may introduce a frosted glass back. If true, this design choice would mark a departure from Apple’s usual differentiation between glossy and frosted glass, usually reserving the latter for their premium Pro lineup.
- Frosted Glass Back for iPhone 15
According to the unverified Weibo rumor, the iPhone 15 lineup might adopt a frosted glass back design, a feature typically associated with Apple’s Pro models. It suggests a departure from the traditional glossy black design found on standard iPhone models. This potential shift could signify a harmonization of design elements across the entire iPhone 15 series, providing a consistent and premium aesthetic.
While the exact reasoning behind this alleged design decision remains unclear, the adoption of frosted glass backs for both standard and Pro models would likely enhance the visual appeal and luxurious feel of the iPhone 15 lineup as a whole. The frosted texture offers a more subtle and refined appearance compared to glossy finishes, providing an elegant and sophisticated touch to the devices.
- Design Cohesion
If this rumor holds true, the decision to extend the frosted glass back design to both standard and Pro models of the iPhone 15 would bring a new level of design cohesion to the lineup. Apple has historically employed subtle differentiating features between their standard and Pro models, and the frosted glass back could serve as a unifying element, showcasing a seamless and consistent design language across the range.
By implementing this design choice, Apple could create a sense of parity among the iPhone 15 models, giving users the opportunity to enjoy a premium design aesthetic, regardless of the specific model they choose. This move could potentially align with Apple’s desire to provide a more inclusive and consistent user experience, emphasizing the overall elegance and sophistication of the iPhone 15 lineup.
No touch id
Though there have been ongoing rumors suggesting Apple has considered bringing Touch ID back to its flagship iPhones using an under-display solution, the iPhone 15 models are not excepted to include Touch ID and will continue to use Face ID.
Apple is working on an under display face id picture, but it won’t be ready until 2025. Instead, in 2023, the iPhone 15 will continue to use the Dynamic Island, which Apple is expected to expand to all models instead of just the Pro models.
Apple’s upcoming iPhone 15 devices are set to undergo a significant change in their charging ports. According to reliable sources, including Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman and Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple is expected to replace the Lightning port with a USB-C port. This transition is primarily driven by new regulations implemented in Europe, which require Apple to produce iPhones with USB-C ports in the region. This article explores the implications of this transition, including the potential for unified charging standards and varying data transfer speeds across iPhone 15 models.
- Unified Charging Standard
The adoption of USB-C ports in the iPhone 15 lineup will result in a more streamlined and convenient charging experience for Apple customers. By aligning the Mac, iPhone, and iPad with the USB-C standard, users will have the flexibility to charge multiple devices using a single charging standard. This simplification eliminates the need for separate charging cables and adapters, enhancing user convenience and reducing clutter.
- Varied Data Transfer Speeds
While all iPhone 15 models will feature USB-C ports, it is important to note that there may be differences in data transfer speeds among the variants. According to reliable sources, the iPhone 15 Pro models are expected to support higher-speed data transfers, potentially reaching USB 3.2 or even Thunderbolt 3 standards. This would enable significantly faster transfer speeds, especially for video and large file transfers.
On the other hand, standard iPhone 15 models may continue to support USB 2.0 speeds, which are comparable to the previous Lightning port. While USB 2.0 speeds may be sufficient for everyday usage, the Pro models’ higher-speed capabilities offer an advantage for users who require faster data transfer rates.
- USB-C Accessory Limitations
To maintain control over the user experience and ensure compatibility, Apple is likely to implement restrictions on USB-C accessories. Leaker ShrimpApplePro has suggested that only USB-C accessories certified by the Apple Made for iPhone (MFi) program will be officially supported. This certification would guarantee compatibility and quality, potentially limiting features like fast charging and high-speed data transfers to Apple-approved accessories.
Furthermore, cables without MFi certification may have limitations on data and charging speeds. Ming-Chi Kuo has also indicated that Apple may require Made for iPhone certification for USB-C chargers capable of fast charging the iPhone.
While these restrictions may be viewed as a measure to ensure a consistent and reliable user experience, they could limit the availability and options for third-party USB-C accessories that do not carry the MFi certification.
iPhone 15 camera features
As leaks continue to surface regarding the upcoming iPhone 15 lineup, one notable aspect gaining attention is the camera system. The leaks indicate that the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus models will sport a dual rear camera system, while the Pro and Pro Max models will boast a triple camera setup. What makes this revelation particularly intriguing is the inclusion of a periscope-style lens for the Pro Max model, marking a significant milestone for iPhone cameras. This article explores the leaked information surrounding the camera system, highlighting the introduction of a long-range zoom lens and its potential implications for the iPhone’s photography capabilities.
- Dual and Triple Camera Systems
The leaks suggest that the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus models will incorporate a dual rear camera system. While specific details remain undisclosed, this camera setup is expected to provide users with versatile photography options, such as improved depth effects and enhanced low-light performance.
On the other hand, the Pro and Pro Max models are said to feature a triple camera system, further expanding the photographic capabilities of the iPhone 15 series. This advanced camera system is likely to offer additional shooting options and professional-grade features, enabling users to capture stunning images and videos.
- Periscope-Style Zoom Lens
A significant development in the camera system leaks is the inclusion of a periscope-style zoom lens in the iPhone 15 Pro Max model. This marks the first time such a lens will be utilized in an iPhone, representing a noteworthy moment for Apple’s camera technology.
Reports indicate that the Pro Max model will feature a 5X to 6X zoom periscope lens, providing users with an extended zoom range. This lens is rumored to house a 12MP sensor, enabling high-quality zoomed-in shots with enhanced clarity and detail.
- Significance and Industry Comparisons
The introduction of a periscope-style zoom lens in the iPhone 15 Pro Max model represents a significant advancement in Apple’s camera system. While this technology has been utilized in various Android flagship smartphones for some time, its arrival on the iPhone signifies Apple’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of photography capabilities.
With the inclusion of the periscope lens, iPhone users can expect improved zoom functionality, enabling them to capture distant subjects with remarkable detail. This enhancement will offer greater flexibility in photography, particularly for users who require long-range zoom capabilities.
Furthermore, the adoption of a periscope-style lens demonstrates Apple’s intention to compete with other top-end Android smartphones that have already incorporated similar technology. By incorporating this feature, Apple aims to deliver a competitive camera system that can rival its Android counterparts in terms of zoom capabilities and overall photographic performance.
iPhone 15 storage specs
- 128 GB
- 256 GB
- 512 GB
- 256 GB
- 512 GB
- 1 TB
iPhone 15 Processor and Specs
As anticipation builds for the upcoming iPhone 15 lineup, leaks have provided insights into the expected processors and modems that will power these devices. While the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus models are rumored to feature the Apple A16 Bionic chip, the Pro and Pro Max models are likely to step up with the next-generation Apple A17 Bionic chip, offering even faster performance. Additionally, all four models are expected to utilize the same Qualcomm-made modem, as Apple’s attempts to develop its own modems have reportedly faced challenges. Furthermore, the Pro and Pro Max models may see an upgrade to 8GB of RAM, while the 15 and 15 Plus models may retain 6GB of RAM. Lastly, satellite connectivity, introduced in the iPhone 14, is expected to be further refined in the iPhone 15 lineup.
- Performance Boost with Apple Bionic Chips
The iPhone 15 and 15 Plus models are rumored to feature the Apple A16 Bionic chip, while the Pro and Pro Max models are expected to house the next-generation Apple A17 Bionic chip. This leap in processor technology would result in enhanced performance across the board, with the Pro and Pro Max models benefiting from even faster speeds and improved efficiency. The Bionic chips are specifically designed by Apple to deliver exceptional performance and power efficiency, ensuring a smooth user experience.
- Consistent Qualcomm Modem
Despite Apple’s past attempts to develop its own modems, leaks suggest that all four iPhone 15 models will feature the same Qualcomm-made modem. Apple’s relationship with Qualcomm has seen ups and downs, but analysts believe that Apple’s independent modem development has proven to be more challenging than anticipated. As a result, Apple is expected to continue its partnership with Qualcomm, relying on their reliable modem technology to provide seamless cellular connectivity in the iPhone 15 lineup.
- RAM Upgrades and Satellite Connectivity
The Pro and Pro Max models of the iPhone 15 are rumored to receive a memory boost, with 8GB of RAM, while the 15 and 15 Plus models may retain 6GB of RAM. This increase in RAM capacity in the Pro models would enable smoother multitasking and improved performance for resource-intensive applications.
Satellite connectivity, introduced in the iPhone 14, is expected to undergo refinements in the iPhone 15 lineup. This technology enables users to send emergency messages and make calls in areas without traditional network coverage. With further advancements and refinements, satellite connectivity on the iPhone 15 is anticipated to offer enhanced reliability and functionality, ensuring users can stay connected in challenging scenarios.
iPhone 15 Excepted Price
- $799 for 128GB
- $899 for 256GB
- $999 for 512GB
- $899 for 128GB
- $999 for 256GB
- $1099 for 512GB
- $1099 for 128GB
- $1199 for 256GB
- $1399 for 512GB
- $1599 for 1TB
- $1199 for 128GB
- $1299 for 256GB
- $1499 for 512GB
- $1699 for 1TB


text:
WASHINGTON — Three months into its first term, the Obama administration has not filled two key posts important to the apparel and textile industries.
Some names have started to surface, however, for the posts of special textile negotiator in the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative and the deputy assistant secretary for textiles and apparel with the Commerce Department, who serves double duty as the chair of the interagency Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements.
Hermès is launching a Laundromat pop-up shop in NYC - dubbed Hermèsmatic - where customers can bring their old scarves to be dip-dyed by an expert. Get all the details on WWD.com. #wwdnews (📷: @donstahl)


text:
RBI Vostro Account For Trade In Rupees : The Reserve Bank of India has allowed two big banks of the country, HDFC Bank and Canara Bank, to trade in rupees with Russia (Special Vostro Account For In Russia) by opening a special Vostro Account. Rupees) is approved to. Also, India is going to benefit a lot from this decision.
This is Vostro Account
Explain that Vostro Accounts are such accounts, which are opened in one bank for transactions on behalf of another, often foreign, bank. It is an important part of banking transaction. RBI has decided to take this step for digital settlement of trade between India and Russia in Rupees. With this decision, now cross-border transactions will be done in Indian currency rupees.
9 vostro accounts opened
Special Vostro accounts have been opened in a total of 9 banks along with 2 Indian banks after permission from RBI to facilitate foreign trade in Indian Rupees. In July 2022, guidelines for foreign trade in rupees were announced by Russia’s largest bank Sberbank and VTB RBI. Another Russian bank Gazprom, which does not have any branch in India, had opened a Vostro account in Kolkata-based UCO Bank.
Accounts are opened in these banks
Releasing the business figures, Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal had informed that so far 9 Vostro accounts have been opened in the country. Out of which 1 has been opened in UCO Bank, one in Sber Bank, one in VTB Bank while 6 have been opened with IndusInd Bank. These are 6 different banks of Russia.


text:
Some time ago Amazon launched their Fresh grocery delivery service in the US, and today it is finally available across the pond.
Now rolling out to the UK, Amazon Fresh is now available to take advantage of in central and east London, allowing Amazon Prime members to get grocery delivery to their door.
They have done this with a new partnership with Morrisons, allowing them to offer around 130,000 products at launch in the UK.
Ajay Kavan, Vice President of Amazon Fresh explained more:
“The bar in grocery retailing is exceptionally high. The supermarkets and grocers are amongst the very best retailers in the world”
“We believe that the key to the long term success of AmazonFresh is to bring together the low prices, vast selection, fast delivery options and customer experience that Amazon customers know and love.
“We are launching with a comprehensive offer in a limited area and will take our time to hone and improve our service based on our learnings and feedback from our customers,” said Kavan. “We will be very methodical and considered in how we roll this service out further in the UK.”
You can find out more about the Amazon Fresh service at the source link below.


text:
PEGASUS AGRICULTURE TO HOST FOOD SECURITY CONFERENCE IN DUBAI WITH INDOOR AG-CON
October 5th, 2016
Dubai – International hydroponic experts Pegasus Agriculture have announced that they will be hosting a Food Security and Sustainability Conference in Dubai, in collaboration with leading events business Indoor Ag-Con. The conference is set to be held in November of 2017 and is anticipated to involve a variety of government stakeholders, as well as thought leaders hailing from across the indoor agriculture industry.
Pegasus Agriculture is heavily vested in the indoor agriculture industry in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, and hopes that this conference can help bring together like-minded individuals to address the food security and sustainability issues that face not only the immediate area, but also the world as a whole. The Company has a unique perspective as it is one of the few indoor agriculture firms to have operations globally, in the Middle East, Asia and through a recently acquired lease in the United States (US).
One of the company’s main goals has always been to help countries, regions, and communities attain independent food security. In fact, Pegasus Agriculture Group Chairman Mahmood Almas has referred to the conference as what he hopes to be “an inspiring look into what the future of the MENA region might look like in the future. Not just in terms of food security, but with regards to redefining the region’s economy entirely.”
Indoor Ag-Con is a natural partner for this endeavor as it is one of the pioneers of the indoor agriculture industry, having hosted events in the space for nearly five years and authored the first white papers on the US industry and on the application of automation to the sector. “Interacting with forward-thinking governments, such as those in Singapore and New York City, has given us an understanding of the role that indoor agriculture can play in global food security policies. We’re excited to partner with Pegasus Agriculture to further explore this perspective in the important Middle East region” said Nicola Kerslake, founder of Newbean Capital, the US registered investment advisor that owns the Indoor Ag-Con business.
About Indoor Ag-Con
Indoor Ag-Con hosts events dedicated to the technology and business models of the burgeoning indoor agriculture industry; growing in hydroponic, aquaponic & aeroponic systems in warehouses, greenhouses & containers. It currently hosts the industry’s premier events in Las Vegas, Singapore and New York.
For more information, please visit https://indoor.ag
About Pegasus Agriculture
Pegasus Agriculture is one of the leading owners and operators of hydroponic farming facilities in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Their head office is strategically located in Dubai, U.A.E. and serves as the headquarters for their global growing and distribution network.
With over 150 years of combined market experience, Pegasus Agriculture leads the MENA region in its goal to attain independent food security.
For more information, please visit http://pegasusagriculturegroup.com
Pegasus Agriculture Contact
+971 4 818 8300


text:
Source: Spin to Go to Hartle Media by March
Spin magazine, the music title oft-rumored to be on the block for the better part of a decade, is close to a sale to San Francisco-based Hartle Media, according to sources familiar with the deal. An announcement is imminent, the sources say, and may come as early as next week.
Sources had speculated that the sale price would be close to $5 million, the price tag reported last week by Women’s Wear Daily. But one source said that the actual cash value of the transaction, after the assumption of a subscription liabilty, would be significantly less. As recently as last August, Quincy Jones, the legendary record producer who founded Vibe in 1994, had reportedly offered Miller Publishing $100 million to buy both magazines, but Miller wanted to open up the sale to other bidders.
But even at $5 million, an amount shocking for a magazine that once sold for $42 million, the deal illustrates another drastic devaluation of a once-revered print brand. Last year, G+J sold Inc. and Fast Company;a pair of titles it had originally bought for $550 million;to Joe Mansueto for $35 million.
The once-groundbreaking title has reportedly been losing up to $3 million a year and marketshare;both in terms of advertising and cache;to upstarts like Blender, among others. Last year, the 550,000-circ Spin took in $33.83 million PIB revenue;flat when compared to 2004;on 580 ad pages, a decrease of four percent, according to Publishers Information Bureau figures. Bob Guccione, Jr. launched Spin in 1985.
Hartle declined to comment. Representatives from Jordan, Edmiston, the media investment firm representing Spin, also declined to comment. Executives at Vibe/Spin Ventures were unavailable for comment.
"There’s a tendency for bigger publishers to look at smaller publishing companies and go, ‘Oh, they’re cute little operators,’" Hartle said in an interview with FOLIO: for a feature in the upcoming Entrepreneur Issue. "But that’s because we have to be nimble, quick and enterprising."


text:
In the wake of his Belize neighbor’s unsolved murder, John McAfee’s lurch through the news damaged the reputation of his namesake, the security company McAfee Inc., a brand expert said Thursday.
McAfee, 67, founded the firm in 1987 as McAfee Associates, took the company public in 1993, raising $50 million, but resigned from his creation in 1994. In early 2011, the company was acquired by Intel for $7.7 billion.
But although McAfee has had little or no connection to the security firm for nearly two decades, the link was strong enough to drag down the latter’s consumer perception score, said Ted Marzilli, the global manager for BrandIndex, a brand awareness service of U.K.-based YouGov.
“If you are going to keep the name of the founder of your company after it’s sold, you had better make sure he does not get into trouble later on,” Marzilli said in an email.
McAfee Inc.’s “Buzz” score—an indicator of its current standing in the “noise” generated by advertising, the news and word-of-mouth—had been in a slump before Belize authorities said they wanted to question John McAfee about the shooting death of neighbor and fellow American expatriate, Gregory Faull. But almost as soon as McAfee began blogging—maintaining his innocence, boasting of his evasion of the police, telling tales that made some Belize officials wonder if he was mentally unstable—McAfee Inc.’s numbers began plummeting.
And when news broke of McAfee’s flight to neighboring Guatemala, McAfee Inc.’s consumer perception score nosedived to -17.
“This was the lowest score for McAfee [Inc.] that we’ve recorded in over five years of tracking the company,” said Marzilli in an interview Wednesday. “It’s never been in negative territory before.”
BrandIndex measures brand perception by interviewing thousands of U.S. adults daily, asking them to give companies thumbs up or down in several categories. Negative impressions are subtracted from positives to produce a score between 100 and -100.
The extended run of news stories about McAfee had an affect on McAfee Inc.’s brand perception, said Marzilli. Even reporters who diligently noted that McAfee was not affiliated with the firm may have unknowingly contributed.
“That may have helped readers associate the two,” said Marzilli. “Without that attribution, many would have had no idea who he was, and would not have made the connection to McAfee [Inc.].”
Last week, after he was expelled from Guatemala, McAfee flew to the United States.
Ironically, although the security firm now bears McAfee’s name and started with it, too, there were years when it was known as Network Solutions, a brand used from 1997 to 2004. After disposing of several business groups, the company returned to its founder’s name, reportedly because it wanted to stress its security roots.
Marzilli could not recall another example of a company founder negatively impacting his or her namesake. The closest, he said, was in early 2009, when then Apple CEO Steve Jobs unexpectedly announced he was taking a medical leave, saying that he was stepping away for “health-related issues [that] are more complex than I originally thought.”
“That had a negative impact on the brand,” Marzilli said.
Jobs died in Oct. 2011 of complications from the pancreatic cancer he had had treated in 2004.
This story, "McAfee's business takes reputation beating after founder fled police" was originally published by Computerworld.


text:
October 9, 2012
Google’s 10-inch Nexus Tablet may swing Samsung’s wayby Gareth Mankoo
Google is hot in the baking oven with a toasty new Nexus Tablet on its way. That’s when we take stock of who could be the one to actually roll the 10-inch device out? Given that the device will host a pixel density higher than the Gen 3 iPad, we’re not surprised by the news that it’s Samsung who will be the most likely candidate for co-branding. The previous, Nexus 7 tablet did go well with Asus doing just fine, but it looks like Google’s got its ideas set straight.
Certain reports suggest that Google will commence production of a $99 tablet, sometime in December. Well, it looks like the Galaxy Nexus did impress Google enough to make this move. Time alone shall tell the truth.


text:
Chin up, Itagaki. You went out a winner! Tecmo have announced today that Ninja Gaiden II has now sold over one million copies worldwide since release. Which, really, they’ll be over the moon about considering the game launched with little marketing and (come on, let’s be honest) wasn’t even as good as the first one. Wonder whether the next one – the one without Itagaki – will do any better. For all we know, Square could add Sephiroth as a playable character and watch it sell 20 million.
Ninja Gaiden II skewers 1M [GameSpot]


text:
A businessman aggressively challenged a Circuit court judge after he was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment on the charges of conspiracy to steal, abetment of crime and money laundering.
Immediately the Judgement was read, Frank Kwesi Obeng reportedly asked: “Please do you know me somewhere, why have you given me 15 years jail term?”
Obeng then took off his shirt and walked aggressively towards the judge.
But with the timely intervention of the prosecutor and a court warrant officer, the trial judge, Evelyn Asamoah, was escorted to her chambers.
Obeng was then escorted out of the courtroom bare-chested and without his sandals.
Some sympathisers who thronged the court also objected to the judgement of the court, expressing their doubt over the complainant’s claims.
Also in the dock was Joyce Safowaa, his wife and an accomplice, who was also found guilty on the charges of conspiracy to steal, abetment of crime and stealing GHC 712, 229 belonging one Mavis Toffan, the complainant.
Safowaa is to serve 10 years imprisonment, to which she shouted amidst tears: “God, I am dreaming”! and sat in the chair in apparent disbelief.
The trial Judge, Evelyn Asamoah at the end of the trial, ordered that all the landed property and a Toyota Venza believed to have been acquired through the crime proceeds were to be given to the complainant.
Additionally, it ordered that the items in a shop belonging to the convicts be released to the complainant.
Again, the convicts are to refund the complainant’s GHC712,229 to her.
The Prosecution led by Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Emmanuel Haligah said the complainant, Mavis Toffan was a businesswoman, residing at Accra.
According to ASP Haligah, the complainant is the proprietress of MAVOBED Enterprise, dealers in children’s clothes and babies’ accessories. She owned a big store at Okaishie and also had a warehouse where she kept the bulk of her goods, located behind her store.
The Prosecution said the complainant usually imported goods from China but sometimes she received deliveries from her colleague traders at Okaishie.
The prosecutor said Joyce Safowaa and Frank Kwesi Obeng were lovers and they both resided in Accra.
The Prosecution said Safowaa was employed by the complainant as a salesperson in her shop and had been working with the complainant for the past 13 years.
According to the Prosecutor, Safowaa gained the trust and confidence of the complainant to the extent that whenever the complainant travelled on a business trip to China, she entrusted both the store and the warehouse, with their respective keys in her care.
Safowaa is also responsible for the collection of goods from the warehouse to the store.
The Prosecution said in the course of their love relationship in the year 2013, Obeng convinced Safowaa to steal from the complainant so that they could establish their own store and trade in the same business.
The Prosecutor told the court that pursuant to this agreement, Obeng rented a store at Weija to put their plan into fruition.
Since Safowaa was the custodian of keys to the complainant’s store and the warehouse, it was easy for her to have access to the goods, which she stole with the connivance of Obeng and used them to fill their shop at Weija, according to the Prosecution.
According to the prosecutor, anytime the complainant was absent from the store, Safowaa would quickly pack quantities of goods from the store and warehouse, give same to a head porter only known as B2, who carried them to Obeng in a waiting BMW saloon car at the Rawlings Park.
Prosecution said Obeng then drove the stolen goods to their shop at Weija.
The act continued until the two filled their shop at Weija to full capacity and restocked it when they ran out of goods.
The Prosecution said sometimes Safowaa ordered goods in the name of the complainant but diverted them into their store at Weija.
After operating the Weija store for some time, Obeng suggested to Safowaa that business was not flourishing as he expected and wanted it moved to Kasoa.
Prosecution told the court that during the year 2015, Obeng used part of the proceeds from the sale of the complainant’s goods to rent another store at Kasoa at GH¢45,000.00 for a nine-year period.
The couple then closed the Weija shop and transferred the goods into the Kasoa store.
The Prosecution said Obeng again used part of the proceeds to buy a Toyota Venza vehicle with registration number GX 1061-14 at a cost of GH¢45,000.00 to facilitate the carting of the stolen goods.
Additionally, Obeng used part of the monies realised to purchase a plot of land at McCarthy Hill at a cost of GHC10,500.
Prosecution said the complainant did not detect the theft until 2016, when she realised that her business was running into debts and the profit margin was rapidly declining.
In January 2018, she began investigations to find out the cause of the declining profit margin and also to know why she was running into debt.
When she took stock in the warehouse and store and realised that she was in debt of GHC600,000.
She then reported Safowaa and Obeng to the Police and during interrogation, they admitted the offences in their investigations caution statement.
The Prosecution said the complainant led the Police to the couple’s shop and identified GHC80,000 worth of goods, with some of the goods embossed with the name of the complainant.
The complainant produced receipts on the items to buttress her claim of theft, but the couple could not produce any documents in respect of any purchase.
An inventory was then taken of the goods at the Kasoa shop.
“The audit report revealed that between the year 2013 to 2018, Safowaa stole goods worth GHC712, 229.”
BBNaija star, Ka3na seeks spiritual blessings from water goddess
Wendy Shay cries over her missing phone after performing at Nkwanta show
Kumasi 1 Thermal Power Project to address voltage and power quality
HOT VIDEO: Leaked Video of a Ghanaian Seamstress goes viral
VIDEO: Pupil teacher c*ught having s*x with 11-year-old in an uncompleted Building
NDC declines EC’s invitation to review 2020 polls
Lifestyle2 weeks ago
Road Safety Authority narrates how buttocks causes road accident
GENERAL NEWS4 weeks ago
Why 15 police officers stormed Owusu Bempah’s church – Kumchacha narrates
GENERAL NEWS2 weeks ago
Watch how Ibrahim Mahama rode Honda superbike to pay last respects to late friend
GENERAL NEWS3 weeks ago
How Offinso residents storm destooled queen mother’s house, demand for new chief
South Africa News3 weeks ago
Woman thrown out of a speeding taxi while on her way to work
GENERAL NEWS1 day ago
Deadly clash between youth and navy personnel results in two deaths at Tema Manhean
SHOWBIZ KONKONSAH3 days ago
Junior Pope’s Death: Video of John Dumelo refusing to join canoe for movie shoot over safety concerns resurfaces
News Africa1 month ago
‘Satanically dubious’ – SCOAN releases statement on BBC’s report about TB Joshua, church


text:
TikTok scammers are pretending to be medical professionals and altering before-and-after weight loss videos in order to sell potentially dangerous products promising rapid results, and they’re racking up millions of views.
It is no secret that TikTok has a problem controlling the spread of weight loss scams and other unregulated products on the platform; this new one involves users misrepresenting health care professionals or stealing others’ weight loss videos to mislead people into buying potentially dangerous weight loss products. TikTok's community guidelines prohibit “frauds and scams” as well as “medical misinformation that can cause harm to an individual's physical health."
Media Matters has identified multiple accounts engaging in this fraudulent behavior. These accounts promote the same dangerous weight loss product in three different ways: using stock photos of health care professionals to mislead viewers, recycling the same video of a doctor to suggest a product is approved, and editing users’ before-and-after weight loss content to suggest they used dangerous products and benefited.
Using stock photos of professionals to trick users into thinking products are approved by medical providers
Some scammers are using stock photos of medical professionals as profile pictures to appear legitimate. Below are two separate accounts with the same profile picture of what appears to be a smiling medical professional. Both account bios link to the same weight loss product, and every video on each account is dedicated to promoting that product.
A simple reverse Google image search revealed that this profile picture is a stock photo.
Another account, using a stock photo of a doctor, is also promoting a weight loss coffee and promising quick weight loss. The product is also linked in the account’s bio.
Recycling the same video of a doctor nodding and smiling, edited as a reaction to the weight loss product
A video of what appears to be a doctor nodding and smiling is also being used to help promote weight loss products on TikTok. It seems that the video is stolen and the clip has been reposted (sometimes with the orientation flipped) as a reaction video to doctored weight loss videos promoting unproven products.
Editing real before-and-after weight loss videos from TikTok users in order to promote the product
Multiple accounts we identified are circulating edited before-and-after weight loss videos. Between the before photo and the after images, a video of the product is inserted as an attempt to trick users into thinking the product caused the depicted weight loss.
One user featured in the scams called out the fraud. “This is my video! I did not lose weight drinking ‘Special’ Coffee please report anyone who uses this video trying to make money,” she wrote in overlaid text.
Scammers have managed to rack up millions of views and thousands of followers
Scam videos have racked up millions of views, and the related accounts continue to grow. This is all happening even though TikTok’s community guidelines prohibit “frauds and scams.” There are real life consequences to this kind of scam: According to the FDA, “‘miracle’ weight loss supplements and foods (including teas and coffees) don’t live up to their claims” and can result in serious injury or death.
The “weight loss coffee” being sold on TikTok promises to reduce “weight as quickly as possible.” It encourages users to drink the caffeinated product before exercise and meals.
TikTok must begin aggressively enforcing its own community standards and protect its users from dangerous weight loss scams.


text:
Two deer walk into a furniture store.
No joke. Employees at Malchow's Home Furnishings were amused and surprised when two deer meandered into their display room around 4 p.m. Thursday.
Alessa Martin, an employee at the store, said she was in her office when she heard there was a deer in the store.
One of the deer bolted around the store before finding its way out shortly after entering, Martin said.
The owner of the store opened the front door to let the lost creature out, she said.
The other deer's sense of direction wasn't as keen, and it took another five minutes to find an exit, she said.
However, nothing was broken in the store, employees said. The only sign the deer were there: mucus on the windows from when the two animals tried to walk through.
Other deer sightings were reported at the South Dakota School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Alexander Mitchell Public Library and Domino's Pizza.


text:
NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- Honeywell International Inc. HON, +0.83% said Friday its third-quarter earnings fell to $608 million, or 80 cents a share, from $719 million, or 97 cents a share in the year-ago period. Sales fell to $7.7 billion from $9.3 billion. Analysts polled by FactSet Research were looking for earnings of 72 cents a share on sales of $7.9 billion. For the full year, the Morris Township, N.J., company forecast earnings of $2.85 a share on sales of $31 billion. The Wall Street consensus is for a 2009 profit of $2.77 a share on sales of $31.5 billion. Shares of Honeywell were up 2.5% premarket at $39.50.
Honeywell Intl posts a smaller quarterly profit


text:
January 23, 2012, kicked off a 15-day traditional celebration of the Lunar – or Chinese – New Year with the new moon. Following suit in the Chinese 12-year zodiac calendar, we have officially entered the Year of the Dragon. For us at East Coast Chair & Barstool, it means giving our China-based manufacturers and friends time off to celebrate and planning ahead for the schedule of our container shipments of tables, chairs, and barstools. But for you – as restaurant owners – it could mean attracting new business with traditional new year recipes, new year – inspired promotions or giveaways, and the chance to cross cultural boundaries and experiment with a new theme! Restaurants and event venues across the U.S. from L.A. to New York City will be adding festivities and special new year menu items, all in honor of the Year of the Dragon.
Because it’s a 15-day celebration, you still have time to plan something big for the Lantern Festival on the 15th day, or you could introduce a dragon-themed menu item(s) for the duration of 2012! Get creative, as the possibilities are endless!
Here are a few links to help get you thinking:
- Nation’s Restaurant News posted a blog detailing how some national chains are celebrating the new year with specials (Read it here!)
- SmartBlog on Restaurants posted similar information and detailed what types of foods will be celebrated (Read it here!)
- The Daily Meal shares a recipe for Peking Duck in honor of the celebration (Read it here!)
- The Daily Meal also shares 4 spirits you should offer in honor of the holiday (Read it here!)
Happy Chinese New Year to you, and best wishes for a festive Year of the Dragon!


text:
CANNABIS INDUSTRY JOURNAL
When Nevada legalized adult use sales this past summer, the market exploded and undoubtedly flooded licensed testing labs with samples to get products on shelves. In August, roughly a month after the start of adult use sales, a Las Vegas cannabis-testing lab, G3 Labs, had their license suspended for an unknown compliance issue.
The British online newspaper, The Guardian, has just begun to cover cannabis. The regular feature, part of their “society” section, is clearly attempting to cover cannabis a bit more consistently and regularly as the California rec market begins to gain (legal) steam.
Regardless of whether your grow is indoor or in a greenhouse, mold is a factor that all cultivators must consider.Photo credit: Steep Hill- a petri dish of mold growth from tested cannabis
After weeks of careful tending, pruning and watering to encourage a strong harvest, all cultivators are looking to sell their crop for the highest market value. A high mold presence, measured through a total yeast and mold count (TYMC), can cause a change of plans by decreasing crop value. But it doesn’t have to.
Sunrise Genetics, Inc., the parent company of Marigene and Hempgene, announced their partnership with New Brunswick Research & Productivity Council (RPC) this week, according to a press release. The company has been working in the United States for a few years now doing genomic sequencing and genetic research based in Fort Collins, CO. This new partnership, compliant with Health Canada sample submission requirements, allows Canadian growers to submit plants for DNA extraction and genomic sequencing.
German media is now reporting that in the first 10 months of medical cannabis reform, over 13,000 applications for medical cannabis have been received by the largest three public health insurance companies. Most of the applications were received (and processed) by AOK who received 7,600 applications. Barmer received 3,200 applications. Krankenkassen Techniker (or TK as it is widely referred to here) received approximately 2,200 applications.
Vermont could become the ninth state to legalize recreational cannabis soon, and the first to do so via the legislature. The Vermont Senate just voted to pass H. 511, a bill that would legalize cannabis for adults. The bill now goes to Governor Phil Scott’s desk for his signature, and he has indicated previously that he will sign this bill into law.
According to The Associated Press, U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions rescinded the Cole Memo today, an Obama-era policy barring Department of Justice officials from going after state-legal cannabis businesses. This move comes just after California, the nation’s most populous state, legalized adult use sales of cannabis. Previously, the Cole Memo has served as a kind of stopgap for states to conduct legal cannabis markets, giving them peace of mind that the federal government wouldn’t interfere.
I have been studying microorganisms for over 35 years, and the elusive critters still fascinate me! Here in Microbiology 101, I write about the foundation of knowledge on which all microbiologists build. You may have a general interest in microbiology or have concerns in your operation. By understanding microbiology, you understand the diversity of microorganisms, their source, control of microorganisms and their importance.
California’s full legal cannabis market officially opened its doors for business on January 1st, 2018. Following a relatively short time frame when they announced the first licenses awarded less than a month ago, retail stores were open for business in counties throughout California. Customers came out in full force, with long lines on the opening day, with some hundreds deep stretching around blocks.
Cannabranding is buzzy. In the United States and in Canada, it is a vertical that is developing fast along with the multi-billion dollar legitimizing cannabis market. In both the United States and Canada, digital marketing to promote brands is a hot topic.
It is that time of year where the holidays afford us an opportunity for rest, recuperation and introspection. Becoming a new father to a healthy baby girl and having the privilege to make a living as a scientist, fills me with an immeasurable sense of appreciation and indebtedness. I’ve also been extremely fortunate this year to spend significant time with world-renowned cannabis experts, such as Christian West, Adam Jacques and Elton Prince, whom have shared with me a tremendous wealth of their knowledge about cannabis cultivation and the development of unique cannabis genetics.
Last week, the Bureau of Cannabis Control issued the first licenses for California’s new market. The first license went to Moxie, a cannabis distribution company out of Lynwood.The search feature for the list of licenses issued so far
As of the publication of this article, the Bureau, the state authority tasked with leading the regulation of the industry, has issued 43 temporary licenses. So far, four laboratories have received licenses, along with a number of retailers, distributors, microbusinesses in both medical and adult-use markets.
The end of the year is often a time for reflection when people look back at their accomplishments over the last year; and those in the cannabis industry are no different.
2017 was a year of monumental change for the cannabis industry. Riding high on a wave of electoral victories and changing public sentiment, more states than ever have legalized cannabis in some form or fashion and nations like Canada are headed down the path of full legalization.
Part of the thanks for this seismic shift in public policy and consciousness has to go to the countless women and men who have tirelessly campaigned for cannabis reform for years; but a sizable portion of that thanks must also go towards the unsung heroes of the cannabis industry: the cannabis PR firms.
Editor’s note: This article should serve as a foundation of knowledge for yeast and mold in cannabis. Beginning in January 2018, we will publish a series of articles focused entirely on yeast and mold, discussing topics such as TYMC testing, preventing yeast and mold in cultivation and treatment methods to reduce yeast and mold.
Europe saw big developments on the cannabis front all year. This includes country-by-country developments that include legalization of medical use and even plans to begin domestic production, no matter how delayed such plans have turned out to be.
By far the most interesting market developments were in Germany all year. The Teutonic state has entered some interesting territory – even if its potential is still in the development rather than rollout status.
As many states’ medical cannabis programs are already in full swing and several are launching or nearing their one-year or biennial maturation periods, medical cannabis dispensaries and cannabis cultivation and processing facilities should be fine-tuning their Continuing Cannabis Education Program, or CCEP, and be ready for inspection by state agencies.


text:
Last week, SmartMetric, for the first time in an exhibition, demonstrated its biometric payment card with built in fingerprint reader at the Smart Card Alliance Payments Forum.
“We had a constant stream of some of the largest credit card issuers in the country come by our stand to see first hand the new biometric credit card,” said SmartMetric’s President & CEO, Chaya Hendrick. “What amazed so many was the fact that we had embedded a fully functional fingerprint scanner inside a credit card while conforming to credit card industry standards regarding card size and thickness. It was also recognized that the card is able to be issued by banks without them having to change any of their existing systems since the card operates using existing chip card readers and ATM’s. Another big issue that pleased the banks seeing our card was the fact that SmartMetric can produce currently up to 1 million cards a month with the ability to ramp this up considerably within a relatively short space of time.” Source


text:
Where to Buy the Air Jordan 1 ‘Lost and Found’
News on this release was first published on October 31, 2022.
Update November 14, 2022: You can expect the Air Jordan 1 'Lost and Found' to land this week on November 19! Peep all the retailers who'll be stocked down below.
Update November 7, 2022: The Air Jordan 1 'Lost and Found' aka 'Chicago' has been added to SNKRS, locking in the release date for November 19. You can view all the retailers who'll be stocked down below.
One of the most hotly anticipated sneaker releases of 2022 is surely the Air Jordan 1 ‘Lost and Found’ aka ‘Chicago Reimagined’ aka 2022 ‘Chicago’ retro.
You don’t have to be a sneakerhead to know the importance of this particular Jordan Brand colourway. It was one of the OGs that released in 1985 and was donned on the court by the GOAT Michael Jordan throughout his early NBA career. Rumours of the retro started to spread toward the tail end of 2021, shaking the zeitgeist to its core. Leaked imagery and word followed throughout most of 2022, culminating in the confirmation of its existence in October.
Officially, these are known as the ‘Lost and Found’ and pay homage to Mom-and-Pop stores, coming with a fictional receipt and special tissue paper. The colour-blocking emulates the OG ‘Chicago’, with white underlays, red overlays and black accents. This retro will also exude a vintage aesthetic, opting for cracked leather throughout and a box with a faux-damaged look.
All reports point to a November 19 release date for the Air Jordan 1 ‘Lost and Found’, and a few retailers have already loaded pairs onto their release pages. We’ve included those who confirmed they’ll have stock in our Where to Buy guide below.


text:
Update: This two-part series is now available as an e-book for the Amazon Kindle for your reading comfort.
Editor’s note: This story is the first of two articles on the 10th anniversary of the launch of Microsoft’s Xbox video game console, which debuted Nov. 15, 2001. The narrative is based on recent interviews as well as my two books: Opening the Xbox: Inside Microsoft’s Plan to Unleash an Entertainment Revolution, published in 2002; and The Xbox 360 Uncloaked: The real story behind Microsoft’s next generation video game console, published in 2006. This piece follows the Xbox from conception to launch. Part two of the series traces the history from launch through today.
Microsoft launched its Xbox video game console a decade ago this week. Nobody expected it to succeed. The skeptics were out in force when the giant-size console launched on Nov. 15, 2001.
GamesBeat Next 2023
Join the GamesBeat community in San Francisco this October 24-25. You’ll hear from the brightest minds within the gaming industry on latest developments and their take on the future of gaming.
But it turned out to be successful beyond Microsoft’s wildest expectations. Microsoft lost (or, more politely, invested) more than $4 billion in the first console. But it has created an entertainment business that is now much more valuable than that, said Robbie Bach, the former head of Microsoft’s game business and the highest-ranking executive who was present at the beginning of the project through his retirement last year.
Microsoft’s second console, the Xbox 360, and the game business that goes with it are now churning out more than $1 billion in profits a year in what has become Microsoft’s most successful diversification to date. The making of the Xbox was a historic event that changed gaming forever, allowing Microsoft’s brand to be associated with something cool and sexy for the first time.
The console finally helped Microsoft wedge its way into the living room with a device that people craved. Now that box is a gateway to internet services, from online games to streaming video. The Xbox Live online gaming service, launched a year after the Xbox in 2002, represents Microsoft’s greatest achievement in the social market that has become key to engaging users for the long term. Not only did it create a true connected console and make online console gaming a reality, Xbox Live created an ongoing relationship with 35 million gamers and a live service that could be updated through software changes, not the introduction of new hardware.
“Today, the TV screen is just one of several where you want entertainment and other experiences,” Bach said a couple of weeks ago. “Xbox plays a central role in delivering that. It is now more than just gaming, but includes social interaction, video, TV, movies, and communications like Skype.”
For gamers, the Xbox brought a whole new landscape to gaming. Before, first-person shooters were a lucrative domain on the PC. But with the launch of its massive hit Halo, Microsoft migrated the first-person market to the game console. More broadly, consumers got to see the benefits of increased competition at a time when Sega’s failure had consolidated the market into two rivals. The result was a whirlwind of better games, improved graphics, and innovations in game play.
“More generally, it played an important role in making gaming a mainstream form of entertainment and broadening it to include video, music and other forms of entertainment,” Bach said.
Microsoft didn’t defeat its rivals Sony and Nintendo, but it has earned a measure of respect for its accomplishments in games. There’s no denying that Microsoft is now a force to be reckoned with.
A decade later, the original Xbox team has scattered to the winds. But we caught up with a number of the key members of the founding team to get their perspectives on the tenth anniversary of the Xbox.
“It feels awesome how it turned out,” said Seamus Blackley, one of the Xbox founders. “Xbox seems like a de facto, foregone conclusion in the history of games. It wasn’t. It was a tenuous thing for the first year. It is a testament to the people who made it happen.”
Before Xbox was born
At the beginning, Microsoft started with very little. The company had scraped together a game business with popular niche titles such as Microsoft Flight Simulator. In 1995, the team had about 150 game developers. At that time, Ed Fries took over the business and commissioned a game that would become a monster hit: Age of Empires, produced by Ensemble Studios in Dallas. It debuted in the fall of 1997 and Fries used the profits from that business to justify an expansion of the game development studios.
But Microsoft had no presence in consoles. By comparison, Sony had carved out 47 percent of the game console market with its PlayStation, soaring past both Nintendo and Sega on the strength of a flood of cool games.
Microsoft tried many times to create set-top boxes or game boxes for the living room that never saw the light of day. Sega agreed to use Micrsoft’s software for Dreamcast games, but that partnership went nowhere.
Meanwhile, in the 1990s, a trio of engineers that nicknamed themselve “the Beastie Boys” arrived at Microsoft. Three rather large, physically-imposing engineers — Alex St. John (pictured above), Eric Engstrom, and Craig Eisler — were renegades of the empire. In a strategy document dubbed Taking Fun Seriously II from 1995, they noted that Sony depended on third-party developers for much of its content and so it was vulnerable to having those developers lured to another platform. They thought the winning game platform would be the PC, which could adopt new technology a lot faster.
They saw the future of 3D graphics — then the domain of Silicon Graphics supercomputers — coming to the PC. To capitalize on that, they created DirectX, a set of technologies that enabled 3D software to run on a computer. DirectX would make it easy for game makers to create 3D games without having to port their games to every single graphics card that could be plugged into a PC. Spurned by their official bosses, the “Beastie Boys” worked on their own, stealing resources to make DirectX viable.
DirectX enabled the PC to take advantage of the enormous boosts in 3D graphics and keep up with consoles such as the Sony PlayStation. Were it not for DirectX, Microsoft would have had no foundation at all to build a software-based games business.
To court game developers, St. John threw lavish parties, like one themed Pax Romana, complete with “slave girls” and a Playboy Playmate who auctioned off guests to the audience. Maybe it was tasteless. But the industry adopted DirectX, embracing it even to the point where Microsoft’s proprietary Talisman graphics chip architecture never got off the ground.
Sadly, St. John got himself into hot water after he ordered a $2 million alien spaceship to be built as part of a gigantic game promotion. Then he got himself fired after he mouthed off in a “fuck you all” way, in a dripping-with-sarcasm response to criticism from a colleague. Then Microsoft found that the PC alone wasn’t quite enough to conquer the game industry.
A state of panic
One of the apocryphal stories was that Bill Gates approached Sony’s CEO, Noboyuki Idei (pictured right), before the PlayStation 2 game console was announced. Gates wanted Sony to use Microsoft’s programming tools, but Idei turned Gates down. Idei said that Gates flew into a rage, taking the affront surprisingly personally. Later, Idei said in an interview with Ken Auletta of the New Yorker, “With Microsoft, open architecture means Microsoft architecture.”
Sony’s decision not to depend on Microsoft was no surprise. Everyone in the tech industry knew not to turn their back on Microsoft, based on what happened decades ago when IBM gave its PC operating system rights to Microsoft. So Sony decided to make its own software for its machine.
Sony announced the PS 2 on March 2, 1999. Sony game chief Ken Kutaragi called it a “revolutionary computer entertainment system set to reinvent the nature of video games.” Trip Hawkins, who ran the rival 3DO game company, called Sony’s box a “Trojan Horse,” meant to get into the home as a game machine and then becoming the gateway for all home entertainment. With such a machine, no one would need a personal computer in the home. Andrew House, then-senior vice president of marketing at Sony’s U.S. game division said that Sony had broader ambitions.
“If it is just a game console, then we have failed,” he said.
Gates had seen it coming. After his meeting with Sony’s Idei, Gates returned to Redmond, telling his people that Sony wanted the PS 2 to compete with the PC, that it was going to be more than a TV set-top or game box: It was going to be a threat to Microsoft’s Windows franchise. (Gates recalled the meeting with Idei as amiable.)
The PC and consumer electronics were on a collision course, and the press was already talking about a “post-PC era.” Gates held a strategic retreat where his executive team focused on two pillars, the first based on productivity software such as Microsoft Office, and the second based on home computing and entertainment. At the end of the retreat, the executive team decided it had to delve deeper into gaming and come up with an answer to the PlayStation 2. Games were on the cusp of breaking out into the mass market and could even become bigger than the movies. The fear that Microsoft would miss out on this lucrative market flowed down from the top.


text:
The wait for Mercedes-Benz’s first mass-produced pickup will soon be over
A report from France claims Mercedes-Benz will release the first details and photos about its first high-volume production pickup on October 25.
According to French television TF1's website that cites unnamed sources, the new Mercedes-Benz pickup will have its official presentation on October 25, before a formal world debut at the Sao Paulo Auto Show on November 8 and a market launch scheduled for early next year.
The model's name is not yet known, but the automaker is rumored to choose between GLT and X-Class. Whatever its name, the Mercedes pickup will share the same platform with the Nissan Navara NP300 and Renault Alaskan, since it's the result of a collaboration between Daimler and the Renault-Nissan Alliance.
That means it will feature the same 2.3-liter dCi turbodiesel four-cylinder engine from the Navara, available in 160 PS (158 hp) or 190 PS (187 hp) variants, with a peak torque of up to 450 Nm (332 lb-ft). Mercedes-Benz may also donate its 258 PS (255 hp) 3.0-liter V6 turbodiesel to make the pickup a worthy rival for the VW Amarok.
The design will be the only thing that will distinguish the Mercedes-Benz pickup from its siblings, as the vehicle will feature the brand's new styling language. The front end will obviously be the most distinctive part, while the cabin will retain the layout of the donor vehicle while featuring more upscale materials.
It remains to be seen whether the Mercedes-Benz pickup will look more like the official design sketch (the grey vehicle) than the rendering courtesy of Christian Schulte (blue). The Mercedes-Benz pickup will be built at Nissan's plants in Barcelona (Spain) and Cordoba (Argentina), as the model will be sold in Europe, Australia, South Africa, and Latin America.
Illustrations: CHRISTIAN SCHULTE, Mercedes-Benz


text:
Four Points by Sheraton, part of Starwood Hotels and Resorts, is set to expand its portfolio in 2010, with 14 new hotels in North America, Asia and Africa.
In the first half of 2010, Four Points by Sheraton plans to opens its 150th property worldwide.
New-build hotels will mean the brand's debut in Nigeria, in the capital Lagos. In Thailand, Bangkok and Phuket will get their first Four Points hotels, also new-builds.
Simon Turner, President of Global Development, said: "In North America, where the brand already enjoys market leading presence, we are seeing growth through conversion and adaptive reuse projects."
In Canada hotels will open in Calgary, Niagara Falls and Saskatoon, and in the US properties are planned for San Jose, Oklahoma City, Memphis and Long Island City.
In China, new hotels will open in Lianyungang, known as China's east-west freight corridor, the port city of Taicang, and Tai'An, home to Mount Taishan, a UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage site.
The Four Points brand has recently undergone a $1 billion rejuvenation. There are currently 148 properties in 24 countries.