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Tony Fadell, Former SVP of Apple's iPod Division, Steps in on the Subject of iPhone Addiction in a Video Report
Starting the week off Patently Apple posted a report titled "Big Apple Shareholders Sent Apple a Letter Saturday urging them to take Steps to Address Growing iPhone Addiction." While Apple already offers Parent Controls for macOS and iOS, Apple recently communicated with the tech site iMore to say that they have even more new features and enhancements coming to their current Parent Controls on the way.
On Thursday Tony Fadell stepped, former SVP of Apple's iPod division, stepped in to discuss the rise of smartphone addiction and how Silicon Valley can fix the problem. The CNN video report was conducted by Tech Senior Correspondent Laurie Segall.
At the end of the day, dubbing it the 'iPhone addiction' in a negative way is a nice marketing move on the part of Apple's competitors who collectively own 85% of smartphone sales around the world.
In a Bloomberg video report as noted below, they question why it's an iPhone addiction when Facebook and Snapchat and other apps and smartphones are just as addictive. Though no matter how it plays out, at least for Apple fans, it's premium addiction.
About Making Comments on our Site: Patently Apple reserves the right to post, dismiss or edit any comments. Those using abusive language or negative behavior will result in being blacklisted on Disqus.
Side Note: While CNN credited Fadell as being a co-iPhone creator, history only acknowledges Fadell as having created the rejected version of the iPhone that resembled an Pod. The original team stories (one and two) don't have Fadell associated with iOS and the final original iPhone as we know it. Jonathan Ive is credited with the design of the iPhone.
While Fadell attempts to force history to remember him as a co-iPhone creator through round end stories and blurring-line projects in the hopes of it translating to him being a co-creator, you have to wonder why there isn't an official account crediting him as such. Did Jony Ive make sure of that politically?
While some will argue, do you think that Fadell's work on the iPod instantly make him a co-iPhone creator? Wikipedia's bio on Tony Fadell never associates or connects him to the iPhone at all. Where do you stand?


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Nokia is looking to become a "global leader" in technology with the purchase of French company Alcatel-Lucent in a deal worth $16.6 billion.
The new model of the Nokia Lumia 930 keeps it classy with a subtle golden trim.
The top-class Windows 8.1 phone brandishes a fashionable new look.
This portable tablet impressed us with its matte silver finish and Android OS. Too bad it only sells in China.
The Android Lollipop 5.0 powered tablet makes an appearance outside of China on the Mobile World Congress show floor -- and it's really good.
Demonstrations at Mobile World Congress show the growing momentum toward the launch of faster, more responsive mobile networks in 2020.
A slow year for tablets finally kicks into gear with a variety of new models debuting at MWC 2015.
We check out Nokia's futuristic system for getting a focused beam of 5G to your smartphone. Hit play now.
Nokia's CEO has argued that certain futuristic technologies will need to be prioritised, flying in the face of recent victories for net neutrality.
What we want out of the first Lumia phone with Microsoft's name attached isn't rocket science. It's for the company to give those entry-level specs a break.
Check out these impressive big-screen smartphones that won't cause a big drain on your wallet.
You'll never miss an alert with this Lumia charger, which pairs with your phone and lights up when you have new messages.
The spring issue is here
Find out what Sofia Vergara wants from her modern smart home. Get your copy today for big savings off newsstand prices.

domain: news


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Newsweek’s Dan Lyons talks to David Webster, general manager for brand marketing at Microsoft, regarding Microsoft’s new ad campaign for Windows:
He says the idea was to turn Apple’s “I’m a Mac” campaign to Microsoft’s advantage. “We associate real people with being PCs, [but then Apple] ends up looking pretty mean-spirited, the way they go after customers,” he says. “It’s clear that’s who they are insulting.” At the same time he can’t resist taking a crack at the preciousness of some Mac users. “Not everyone wants a machine that’s been washed with unicorn tears,” he says.
It seems clear that Microsoft’s stance on the Mac’s sales growth is that there’s nothing wrong with Windows or right with the Mac, but rather that there’s something wrong with Mac users.
Reminds me of the attitude of U.S. carmakers in the ’70s and ’80s, as more Americans switched to Japanese imports.
★ Sunday, 5 April 2009


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Trademark — the highly acclaimed line by Pookie and Louisa Burch — is ceasing operations, WWD has learned.
Trademark was founded as a ready-to-wear and accessories venture in 2013 but in 2016 narrowed its scope to focus on accessories. The label’s retailers were recently informed that their wholesale relationships would not be continuing. Resort 2019 product, which hit stores in recent weeks, will be Trademark’s final collection.
“After much consideration, Louisa and Pookie Burch have decided to take a pause from Trademark, their accessories label,” a spokesperson said in a statement to WWD. “As a result, resort 2019 will be the final collection. Louisa and Pookie are extremely thankful to their retail partners, talented team and loyal customers who have supported them along this journey.”
The label traded in a whimsical, urban prep aesthetic — utilizing unconventional color combinations and interesting materials — that earned it fanfare from downtown creative types and fashion insiders. Trademark’s shoe, handbag and jewelry designs were often early to trends. With a loyal, influential following, the label’s jewelry helped popularize a recent craze for Baroque pearls and its shoe line did a similar favor for mule shapes.
The Burch sisters were born into a fashion industry dynasty — their father, and primary investor, is Chris Burch; their stepmother is Tory.
Their label’s distinct approach lapped up a roster of blue-chip stockists including Net-a-porter, Bergdorf Goodman and Boon the Shop.
But while many of Trademark’s designs retailed for under $1,000, it’s understood that stores often still found the designs too expensive — suggesting that the Burch sisters reconsider their pricing model. Recent collections reflected this advice — with most bag and shoe styles dropping down to under $400, or about a 30 percent reduction.
Trademark had briefly operated a stand-alone, 2,600-square-foot shop in New York’s SoHo neighborhood, which closed upon the brand’s consolidation to accessories.
The mid-tier accessories category — to which Trademark was an early member — has quickly evolved from a novelty craze to a standard component of the accessories industry. Recently, retailers and designers have begun griping that the under-$1,000 bag market has become a particularly competitive space, with consumers now expecting high-fashion, high-quality product for a bargain price.


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Google Photos helps users capture every single photo they shoot, USA Today reports.» Read More
While the bulk of the 18,000 Microsoft job cuts are coming from Nokia, more than 5,000 are coming from within the traditional ranks of the company.
A former Twitter employee claims he was fired despite having received performance reviews that met or exceeded expectations, SFGate reports.
Alix Tichelman pleaded not guilty in the death of Google executive Forrest Timothy Hayes.
Google has the potential to hit a trillion-dollar market cap in the next 10 years, according to one technology investing leader.
New York State is weighing a raft of new rules to regulate bitcoin and other virtual currencies.
Officials have told Aereo that they do not consider it a "cable company" under the terms of copyright law, according to a letter obtained by CNBC.
Microsoft has joined Google and launched its own version of the “right to be forgotten” request form for its serach engine bing.
News that Microsoft will cut 18,000 jobs over the next year sent shares to new highs. Tech analysts say the layoffs are needed.
The recent rally in tech stocks has lacked one notable Internet name: eBay.
The company said it would cut up to 18,000 jobs and take restructuring charges of up to $1.6 billion.
Investors will be looking to see how strong Google's paid search business was in the second quarter to gauge its mobile strength.
Visa Checkout is the latest effort to make the company relevant in a world of digital payments, reports Re/code.
Ebay earnings beat by a penny while revenue missed expectations. Shares rose after initially fluctuating in extended hours trading.
If Apple delivers the new products analysts expect, it could have the best pipeline it's had in more than two decades, Gene Muster said.
An Apple-IBM partnership could add management features to devices used for work and make Apple gadgets more attractive to business users.
Former Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega is suing Activision Blizzard for using his name and image in its "Call of Duty" video game series.
Amazon is working on a subscription that would offer unlimited access to e-books and audiobooks for $9.99 a month, according to a report in Gigaom.
BlackBerry's shares took a hit after IBM said it planned to partner with Apple to sell iPhones and iPads loaded with business applications.
The Apple-IBM partnership also greatly benefits both companies, says Roger McNamee, founding partner of Elevation Capital.
Steve Jobs probably wouldn't have approved of the IBM deal, but get used to it—this is the new age Apple, says Michael Yoshikami.
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Matt Hunter is the senior technology editor at CNBC.com.
Ari Levy is CNBC.com's senior technology reporter in San Francisco.
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Josh Lipton is CNBC's technology correspondent, working from CNBC's Silicon Valley bureau.


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Displaying items by tag: Mickey Mikitani
Thursday, 09 April 2020 06:15
Rakuten Mobile launches world’s first virtualized mobile network
Rakuten Mobile turned on commercial 4G service after a six-month delay, to become the fourth mobile operator in Japan, a move it claimed made it the first operator with a live service based on fully virtualized infrastructure.
Published in Telecom Operators


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Eaton will place safety, reliability of service and consumer interaction at the heart of its home storage offering as it prepares to roll out nationwide with “an army” of electrical contractors and support staff.
Last week the power technology company launched a new partnership with Manchester City FC to support the roll out of its xStorage Home device, which uses batteries from Nissan to offer a stationary storage solution.
According to Stephanie Ordan, head of Eaton’s energy storage business unit EMEA, the company is aiming to build a “delegated set of certified installers” – two for every postcode – with 100 in place by the end of 2017 to meet expected demand.
They will be trained at a facility in Bedford across a two-day installation programme to ensure that those installing the second life batteries are safe to do so.
Frank Campbell, Eaton’s EMEA president for corporate functions and the electrical sector, said: “This notion that you are going to bring to the market a product and get it into people's homes safely is not trivial. We have 100 years of experience, an army of electrical engineer sales people and support people in this country that can service this product and explain it to customers.
“We support that installer network every single day and call on that distribution channel every single day. That's a very strong differentiator for an electrical manufacturer like us that we go to market and put the product in your home in a safe and efficient way that's cost-effective.”
The safety of installation will be supported by that of the battery technology which according to Eduardo Mascarell, head of vehicle to grid and stationary storage at Nissan Europe, has proven itself to be safe for wider use than in electric vehicles.
“We have more than 300,000 EVs all around the world with zero incidents in the batteries so that reliability and safety in our technology is what gives us the confidence to start analysing new chances to bring new solutions in stationary storage and contribute to this new paradigm of how electricity is being delivered,” he said.
Ordan added: “Between Eaton and Nissan, we are controlling the complete technology and therefore the safety that is around that from the manufacturing up to the delivery and the installation in-house and I think that makes a big difference.”
As well as the “comprehensive training package” undertaken by installers from Eaton and its partner, Carter Sullivan, a third day will be added for those going out to meet homeowners to ensure they can understand the needs of customers and suitability of storage to their homes.
Richard Molloy, head of UK energy storage at Eaton, explained: “There needs to be a conversation between the installer and the homeowner to understand what their expectations are for that system, why they want it, how they are going to use it and to advise them on the best way that they can use it.”
Following a prolonged period of recorded complaints related to mis-selling of energy storage, the chief executive of the Renewable Energy Consumer Code (RECC) Virginia Graham welcomed the emphasis on certification of installers who can explain the product to homeowners.
“I think it's so positive that people coming in to the market understand that you need certified installers, people who understand the technology, the households and what their usage is and how it can work,” she said.
“As well as the technical aspects of the training, we think the consumer protection side of training is very important to understand why people might want this, how it will interact with them and actually understand what it means for somebody in the home.”


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The Flipz Cookies & Cream pretzels are the latest offering from the Pladis-owned brand that will offer consumers with a salty way to enjoy the namesake ice cream flavor.
The snack starts off with salty pretzels that have been covered with a cookies & cream glaze to give them the perfect level of sweetness. The flavor was created in a bid to offer shoppers with a new variety to pick up as they scour store shelves for some of the latest treats.
Marketing Director at Pladis Jonathan Bull spoke on the Flipz Cookies & Cream pretzels saying, "Cookies & Cream felt like the natural fit for the latest Flipz variant, as this flavor phenomenon shares the brand’s American roots and has become a classic combination both in the US and worldwide. Given that Flipz has built an incredibly loyal shopper base since launching in the UK – with a strong repeat purchase rate of 33% – we are confident that the latest addition to the Flipz line-up will be a hit with British shoppers.”


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JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) reported its second quarter earnings before opening bell this morning, posting results that were ahead of consensus estimates. The company’s net income for the second quarter of the year jumped to $1.60 per share or $6.5 billion.
Analysts were expecting the company to report earnings of $1.42 per share with an adjustment for a one-time item. Last year the bank reported $1.21 per share in earnings for the same quarter. Revenue for the second quarter was reported to be $26 billion, compared to consensus estimates of $25 billion for the quarter. In the same quarter a year ago, JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM)’s revenue was $22.9 billion.
JPMorgan Reports Strong Performance Across Divisions
The bank reported a 10 percent increase in consumer and community banking deposits and a $49 billion or 12 percent increase in mortgage originations during the quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM)’s credit card sales volume hit a new record of $105.2 billion, a 10 percent increase. Automobile loan originations also rose 17 percent during the quarter.
Signs Of An Improving Economy
The bank’s strong earnings report means more than just good things for the bank. It also means the economy may be strengthening as well. JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) Chairman and CEO Jamie Dimon noted some important changes they made in light of the improving economy.
“Net charge-offs remain near historical lows in our Credit Card business, have dropped to less than half of what they were a year ago for our Real Estate Portfolios and remained very low in our wholesale portfolios,” said Dimon in a statement. “In light of these trends, we reduced the allowance for loan losses in Consumer & Community Banking in the second quarter by a total of $1.5 billion.
Consumers, Businesses Remain Cautious
According to Dimon, consumers and businesses are still proceeding cautiously as loan growth throughout the banking industry was still soft during the second quarter. Nonetheless, he said they still see “broad-based signs” that the economy in the U.S. is improving and hopes that as jobs are added and consumer confidence increases, the economy in the U.S. will strengthen.
JPMorgan Increases Dividend
JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) reported an increase in its common stock dividend as well. It raised the dividend from 30 cents per share to 38 cents per share, returning it to its highest level.


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Most of us are probably more comfortable looking at a dyno graph than any sort of financial data, but believe it or not, the AutoGuide staff actually have interests outside of cars, and for some of us, that includes finance.
The Tesla IPO was one story that came to our attention, as it was the perfect nexus of technology, automobiles and financial markets. Tesla has gotten a lot of publicity among the IPO happy tech-crowd – the same one that was responsible for two equity bubbles this decade, but not a lot of love from the car or business community, who are skeptical of a company that has promised the moon but delivered relatively little.
As you can see from the chart, the Tesla IPO opened at $17, and rocketed up to $30.41. The stock is now worth $16.63. Seeking Alpha, another financial blog, claims that some of the up and down patterns at the very top of the graph indicate that the stock is being flipped quickly and constantly by speculators (perhaps the computerized HFT machines) looking to make a quick profit by taking advantage of the minor price differences throughout the day. This is in stark opposition to the received wisdom that eco-conscious small-time investors would buy and hold the stock due to the cachet and “green” disposition of the company.
Aside from the usual Wall St. market manipulation nonsense analysts are taking an increasingly skeptical view of Tesla Motors; the company’s product plans are hazy, the delays constant and the volumes low. The reports coming out of the media that Tesla executives are treating it like a “Silicon Valley venture” rather than a company that makes tangible products is worrisome for some, but all we can do now is sit back and track it. What’s most interesting is how Toyota will fare in this situation. It traded its NUMMI plant for $50 million in Tesla stock, and if it goes belly up, Toyota will have to eat a substantial loss.


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NEW YORK - Technology and health care companies jumped Tuesday as U.S. stocks started the new year the same way they spent the last one: rising steadily and setting records.
The Nasdaq composite busted through another milestone as it closed above 7,000 points.
Energy companies, which struggled in 2017, also climbed.
Asian markets rose after surveys in China and India showed continued manufacturing growth in the world's most populous countries. U.S. stocks followed suit as investors snapped up shares of companies that should benefit from faster economic growth, including tech, health care and materials companies, just as they did last year.
The global economy should keep growing and businesses and consumers around the world will continue to spend more money, said Kate Warne, an investment strategist for Edward Jones. It helps that interest rates are low, and governments in areas that reduced their spending during the Great Recession are becoming more willing to spend.
The Nasdaq had its best opening day since 2013 as the big technology companies that dominated in 2017 got the new year off to a good start.
Drug and medical device companies led the health care sector higher.
Retailers also rose. That included Amazon, which added 1.7 percent to $1,189.01. Retailers that struggled last year, including big box and department stores, also fared well. Target rose 3.9 percent to $67.63, while Kohl's picked up 3.9 percent to $56.35. Early indications suggest shoppers had a busy holiday season and investors will look for confirmation of those reports in the weeks to come.


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Recent AURI News
The “Reverse Pitch” Comes to Minnesota: Ag and Food Leaders to Seek Fresh Ideas from Entrepreneurs and Researchers
MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL—On March 27, some of the world’s largest and most influential food and agricultural companies will gather to present “reverse pitches” to an audience of researchers, entrepreneurs, innovators and subject-matter experts. The businesses will talk about distinctive industry challenges and invite the audience to propose solutions. Reverse pitches are helping companies speed innovation in […]
The Agricultural Utilization Research Institute (AURI), seeks two diverse and highly skilled candidates to serve on its governing Board of Directors to fill open seats for a term of three years each. One of the open seats must be occupied by representatives from the agribusiness, while the other is an at-large seat, which is open […]
There are opportunities for farmers to save money by switching from wood to agricultural residue materials —like straw and corn cobs— to remove nitrates from drainage water. That is the conclusion of a new study published by the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute (AURI), in partnership with USDA‐Agricultural Research Service (USDA‐ARS), Minnesota Corn Research & Promotion […]
Consumer demand for protein products expected to double by 2025. Can the Minnesota ag community benefit? In response to an ongoing rise in consumer demand for foods with increased protein content, the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute (AURI) released a new study exploring ways Minnesota’s agriculture sector could benefit from this trend. The 47-page report, available […]
Entrepreneurs consider pricing way too late and may cheat themselves in the process, report claims “On average, companies spend two to three years on product research and development, 12 to 18 months on go-to-market planning and execution, and just under eight hours on pricing.” So states the provocative claim that opens a comprehensive new pricing […]
See all AURI News.


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Articles Tagged ‘Rogers’
How much is local TV worth?
CRTC hearings into the fate of local TV see new funding models on the table.
Viceland to launch across 25 carriers
Rogers and Vice release details on the launch date for the new youth-facing channel, which will reach over 60% of connected households across Canada.
Rogers, Bell Media court sports lovers with 4K plays
Big broadcast is revving up the premium-pixels engine in the hopes that sports fans will pony up for a better picture.
ICYMI: TSN adds more tennis, Atedra picks up publishers
In case you missed it: TSN will be airing more tennis in 2016, Atedra has added to its Quebec publisher list and AdParlour Canada has named a new head of sales.
ICYMI: Rogers/NHL cleared, Supergirl opens strong
In case you missed it: The Competition Bureau gave the green light to the Rogers/NHL deal, Virool added to its Canadian team and Twitter launched a new brand tool.
Rogers goes Peanuts with Fox
The telco is promoting its family phone plans through a unique partnership with Fox Studios for The Peanuts Movie 3D.
Rogers rolling out 4K in 2016
The company is bringing a 4K set-top box to market, and will begin broadcasting in the higher resolution format in January.
Mobile TV fee dispute brews between Bell, Rogers
City has been dropped from Bell’s Mobile TV service and Sportsnet access reduced as the two companies fail to agree on rates.
Blog: Addressing TV’s addressability
PHD Canada’s Rob Young makes a case for increased addressability in TV but acknowledges that Canadian media cos may not be ready yet.


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There is no denying that addictions continue to evolve as new generations emerge. And one of the latest dependencies concerns e-cigarettes and the habit of “vaping” among teenagers. Across the country, hundreds of thousands of high schoolers are puffing on a daily basis and consuming massive amounts of nicotine. The issue has gotten so bad in fact, that U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams has labeled it an epidemic.
At a news conference this week, Dr. Adams addressed the topic. He urged parents and lawmakers to pay attention to the vaping craze and look for solutions to decrease it.
“I am officially declaring e-cigarette use among youth an epidemic in the United States,” he said from the podium. “Now is the time to take action. We need to protect our young people from all tobacco products, including e-cigarettes.”
Dr. Adams also wanted the public to understand the many dangers of vaping, particularly among young people. Just like traditional cigarettes, there is a tobacco concern (which is linked to lung cancer) and it can become very addictive; leading to lifelong habits. Adams also spoke out to retailers and business owners, pressing for more regulations on the sale of these products and the prospect of banning vaping from public venues.
To put things in perspective, NPR recently reported that vaping among high schoolers rose by more than 20 percent this year. It is also increasing among middle schoolers, jumping to nearly 10 percent in 2018. The stats, which were provided by The New England Journal of Medicine, are broken out more clearly below.
The concern for young people regards the nicotine element of e-cigs. Test have shown that heavy usage could impact brain development.
Human and Health Services Secretary Alex Azar also spoke at the briefing, calling out the alarming stats among teens. “We have never seen use of any substance by America’s young people rise this rapidly,” he added. “This is an unprecedented challenge.”
The biggest problem, both Adams and Azar argued, is that both parents and students don’t fully understand the dangers of this habit. There are also several e-cigarette manufacturers (like the company Juul, which was specifically singled out) who package the products with sleek designs, purposely designed to lure in young customers.
Clearly this is a new form of addiction that deserves attention and we applaud both Adams and Azar for bringing it center stage.


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We were delighted to announce last week, that Vimeo will become Firefly Communications’ latest consumer client, as we expand our consumer practice.
Firefly will be utilising its pan-European network to service the account – with the hub operating from London, and the network running across Firefly France, Firefly Germany and our sister agency in Spain.
The story was covered by several industry publications, including The Drum and Gorkana; we replicate the Gorkana story here:
Published: Tuesday, 13 March 2012, 11:42am
Vimeo win for Firefly
Vimeo has brought in Firefly to handle its European PR
Firefly Communications has been brought in by video sharing website Vimeo to handle its European PR following a five-way pitch.
The agency has been briefed to build consumer awareness of the brand via tech, lifestyle and consumer titles. It will also continue to communicate with the brand’s heartland creative audience.
The team will also build on the momentum from Mobile World Congress 2012, helping Vimeo to be recognised by other potential brand partners and localise its global reach to different markets.
The account will be led by Fiona Hughes, head of consumer Europe at Firefly in London, with support from European agencies in Paris, Munich and Madrid.
The team will report to Vimeo’s marketing comms director, Deborah Szajngarten, and European PR lead, Nikki Thompson.
Deborah said: “Vimeo is a global site that continues to experience tremendous year-over-year growth. We sought out a European agency-partner that could truly aid us in our international communications expansion.
“We needed someone that understood Vimeo’s unique culture and could easily assist us in properly localising our global messages. We chose Firefly as our European PR partner because they have a clear understanding of the variety of cultures and countries that make Europe such an interesting and challenging market.”
Fiona said: “This pan-European win puts Firefly’s new consumer practice firmly on the map. Vimeo is high performing, ambitious, creative and passionate, meaning it has all the ingredients for a brand we’re all very excited to be working with.
“Our work for Vimeo will take us right into the heart of what we do best at Firefly Consumer – community engagement and media conversation on and offline.”
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Digital TV News: Steve Koepp
Microsoft Selects Symbio as a Microsoft® Mediaroom™ IPTV Set-Top Box Testing Partner
Sep 8, 2010 – Symbio has announced it has been selected as a Microsoft Mediaroom set-top box integration and testing partner. Symbio will provide software quality assurance and testing services for OEMs to test new STB models for deployment by Mediaroom's clients.
News categories: Microsoft, Symbio, Steve Koepp, Jacob Hsu, IPTV, Middleware, QoE, Set Top Box
Sigma Designs Unveils Low-Cost Microsoft Mediaroom Set Top Box Platform
Jul 21, 2010 – Sigma Designs (NASDAQ: SIGM) has announced availability of the first low-cost Microsoft Mediaroom™ compatible set top box platform based on Sigma's SMP8652 media processor SoC (system-on-chip).
News categories: Sigma Designs, Tatung, Microsoft, Ken Lowe, Luke Dang, Steve Koepp, Digital TV, IPTV, Middleware, Semiconductor, Set Top Box
Samsung and Sigma Launch Second Generation Support for Microsoft® Mediaroom™
Sep 10, 2009 – Samsung (Seoul: 005930) and Sigma Designs (Nasdaq: SIGM) have announced that Samsung will be delivering the SMT-E7200 line of set-top boxes, based around Sigma's SMP8654 media processor, and supporting Microsoft's Mediaroom client.
News categories: Sigma Designs, Samsung, Ken Lowe, Hee-Won Park, Steve Koepp, Digital TV, IBC2023, IPTV, Middleware, Semiconductor, Set Top Box
Microsoft Selects S3 as Mediaroom IPTV Set-Top Box Testing Partner
Sep 8, 2009 – S3 has been selected as a Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) Mediaroom testing partner to provide set-top-box (STB) testing services. S3 will undertake testing work for OEMs to test new and derivative STB models for deployment by Mediaroom customers.
News categories: Silicon & Software Systems, Microsoft, Paul Kavanagh, Steve Koepp, IBC2023, IPTV, Middleware, Set Top Box
Broadcom BCM7405 Set-Top Box Chip Completes Microsoft® Mediaroom™ Integration
Sep 8, 2009 – Broadcom (Nasdaq: BRCM) has announced that its BCM7405 set-top box (STB) SoC has completed Microsoft® Mediaroom™ client integration. As a result, the chip can now be used in service provider set-top boxes based on the Mediaroom platform.
News categories: Broadcom, Microsoft, Richard Nelson, Steve Koepp, IBC2023, IPTV, Middleware, Semiconductor, Set Top Box
- Ateme enables 5G Broadcast transmission in the U.S.
- Amazon announces Fire TV product updates
- TCL adds Fire TV options to U.S television portfolio
- Another slow year expected for AR/VR headsets
- Intigral partners with DIAGNAL to enhance entertainment experiences
- Du chooses DataMiner monitoring for broadcast and teleport operations
- TSTT switches to Zappware's multi-screen client framework
- Allegro DVT launches video encoder IP for 4K/8K video
- AVOD revenues to hit $69 billion in 2029
- ZTE unveils updated Cloud PVP solution at IBC 2023
- Accedo brings AI-powered sports highlights to Accedo Launcher
- 76% of Nordic households now have an internet connected TV set
- TVMonaco chooses OKAST streaming platform
- DAZN Edge platform expands coverage in Europe with MainStreaming
- LG presents vision to become media and entertainment platform company
- UK PSBs developing broadband-delivered free TV service
- ZTE and Netgem collaborate on cloud gaming for Android TV
- Rokid shows portable Android TV device for AR glasses at IBC
- NPAW introduces Nokia-developed video probe at IBC 2023
- Eutelsat and ENENSYS show live DVB-NIP over 5G at IBC


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Nvidia ‘frees up’ RTX 4080 GPU (12GB) due to ‘confusing’ name
Nvidia will “launch” 12 GB model of its RTX 4080 graphics card, the company announced Friday. The news comes just weeks after the company unveiled the product as part of the a new line of GPUs. In a short blog post, Nvidia didn’t provide much context for the decision beyond saying that the card was “not properly named.”
Nvidia announced two – well, technically three – new GPUs in late September, RTX 4090 and RTX 4080. There will be two versions of the latter, Nvidia said: one with 16GB of video memory and the other with 12GB.
Based on that, one might think that RAM would be the only difference between the two RTX 4080 variants. However, that is not the case – the GPUs have significantly different specifications. The 16GB model has 9,728 CUDA cores, up more than 26% from the 12GB card’s 7,680 cores. And while both models have GDDR6X memory, the RAM in the 12 GB variant is slower, with lower memory bandwidth. As we include it in Nvidia’s 40-series GPU announcement article, it’s probably better to consider the 12GB model “as an entry-level RTX 4080 closer to the RTX 4070.5” than the true high-powered RTX 4080.
“Having two GPUs with the 4080 designation is confusing,” Nvidia admitted Friday.
The two RTX 4080 models are priced according to their specifications – the 16GB version will start at $1,199, while the 12GB model will start at $899. Nvidia’s decision to pull out the cheaper card leaves only two extremely expensive GPUs in the company’s 40-series lineup: the RTX 4090, which launched earlier this week, starts at $1,599. It’s hard to swallow that the hefty price tag of these new graphics cards has PC gamers expressing anxiety about being able to afford them.
The future of the 12 GB RTX 4080 is still unclear; all Nvidia says is the company will “decode” it. (While we’re here, it’s worth noting that neither of the RTX 4080 models are actually out yet – both are scheduled for November.
“Inactive” could mean Nvidia will suspend the 12GB card. It’s also possible that Nvidia will just rebrand this GPU in a way that feels more representative of its specifications. The company probably already has plans for lower-powered 40-series graphics cards in the future – the RTX 4070, RTX 4060, etc – so perhaps this one could join that development somewhere.
Polygon has reached out to Nvidia for more context on its decision and clarification on the future of the 12 GB RTX 4080. We will update this article with any information we receive.


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No surprise, then, that a lot of Wii U games have already been ported to the console, giving those who missed the Wii U a chance to play the failed console's greatest titles.
Another one, reports say, is coming over — a full-fledged Legend of Zelda title, at that.
Legend Of Zelda: Skyward Sword Coming To Switch?
According to recent reports, Zelda producer Eiji Aonuma, during a recent Zelda concert performance at the Nintendo Live event in Osaka, Japan, apparently teased that Skyward Sword is coming to the hybrid console. Yes, the Wii title originally released in 2011 that heavily relied on motion controls and became controversial because of such a scheme.
"I know what you're waiting for — Skyward Sword for Switch. Right?" Aonuma said onstage during the event. Backing up the report are multiple Twitter updates from those who were in attendance, each mentioning that the game would be heading to the Switch.
If the game is indeed arriving on Nintendo's latest console, then that begs the question as to why it never arrived on the Wii U in the first place. On second thought, though, it makes sense: the Wii U was never meant to be played with Wii remotes. In fact, they were only optional as the main controller of the Wii U was the included GamePad. Developers would have had to require players to purchase remotes to fully enjoy the game.
What About The Controls?
Not so with the Switch. The Joy-Con controllers are already packed with motion-sensing technology, used by games such as Mario Tennis, ARMS, and a lot more. That means developers can have more freedom porting Skyward Sword to the console because it already has the necessary technology to support the game's motion-focused control schemes. Then again, the team could very well change this and make the game more traditional, which is something players had originally wished for given that the controls oftentimes proved finicky or a chore to pull off properly.
It's not certain whether Nintendo will port the game with its original motion controls intact, but in any case, it would be a natural fit for the console.
What do you think of a potential Skyward Sword remaster for the Switch? As always, if you have anything to share, feel free to sound them off in the comments section below!


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Three new Nokia feature phones hope to win entry level customers and emerging markets
Nokia has expanded its feature phone range with three almost identical models the Nokia 207, Nokia 208 and Nokia 208 Dual SIM.
The candybar form handsets promise an unrivalled feature set, versatility and connectivity for their price point as Nokia continues to take advantage of its strength in the entry-level mobile phone market.
All three offer popular social apps such as WhatsApp, Facebook and Twitter, along with the Nokia Xpress Browser used in the Asha range, which compresses mobile Internet data in the cloud to allow for cheaper web browsing.
Nokia 207 and 208
The phones are billed as ‘3.5G’ compatible, meaning they work with HSPA networks, and can be used as a portable modem via a USB cable. This is a sign that Nokia is targeting emerging markets where fixed line broadband is not available or prohibitively expensive as it seeks to get the “next billion” people online.
Other productivity features include Mail for Exchange and scratch protection for hot and dusty environments.
“The Nokia 207 and Nokia 208 are designed for people who like a classic phone and traditional keypad but don’t want to miss out on smartphone experiences, like staying connected to social media and accessing the Internet,” said Timo Toikkanen, executive vice president, Mobile Phones, Nokia. “As our most affordable 3G devices yet, the Nokia 207 and Nokia 208 offer a perfect balance of performance, features and quality.”
Feature phone pedigree
The difference between the three handsets is that the Nokia 207 does not have the 1.5 megapixel camera included in the other two models, while the Nokia 208 is simply a single-SIM variant of the dual-SIM Nokia 208.
Long-lasting battery life has always been a trademark of Nokia’s feature phones and these are no exception. The Nokia 207 and 208 boast a standby time of up to 33 days and the 208 Dual SIM will last for 20 days on standby.
Nokia says the phones will cost €52 when they start shipping in the third quarter of 2013 and will be available in a number of colours, including red, cyan, white and black.
The company has struggled to make an impact on the smartphone market with its Windows Phone-powered smartphones in recent years, but strong sales of its feature phones have softened the blow. However there are signs that even this source of income is slowing, given that sales of mobile phones have fallen by around 30 percent. However some analysts suggest feature phones could ensure the company’s survival, especially in emerging markets.
What do you know about Nokia? Find out with our quiz!


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Consultancies cash in as firms struggle with change
As companies around the world search for new markets and ways to deal with everchanging technological and regulatory landscapes, management consultancies are finding their services increasingly in demand.
Bain & Company, one of the world’s top three elite consultancies, has seen its business in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) more than double over the past three years, worldwide managing director Bob Bechek said during a recent visit to South Africa.
Bechek attributes the firm’s success to attractive opportunities in SA and the significant work undertaken to build its business in Nigeria, as well as having the right leadership and top talent in place.
“We have a very good business here in Sub-Saharan Africa, generally driven out of South Africa. In the last five years it’s been a rocket ship for us,” Bechek said. It is one of its fastest-growing offices globally, with the firm seeing growth in East Africa in addition to the growth of its South and West African business.
The company, which is owned by the firm’s partners, has 51 offices in 33 countries, and was the first global toptier consultancy to tie its fees to the bottom-line results of its clients. Bain & Co. operates independently from private equity f irm Bain Capital, a major shareholder in Edcon. Although both companies were founded by Bill Bain, they have no shared ownership or management, and Mr Bain is not involved in either today.
While Bain is notoriously secretive about its clients and works across i ndustries, t he l ocal mining and telecommunications sectors in particular are experiencing turmoil – which offers opportunities for consultants. “The mining industry for example needs to go through significant transformation as pricing levels have come under pressure in many different sectors. The industry therefore needs to increase productivity or find other avenues for growth. The organisational challenges are all very significant,” he said.
As is the case in most other emerging markets, the telecommunications sector, because of technological changes, is moving from a wired world to a wireless world, and needs to adapt to a market where increasing data usage is making voice an afterthought, Bechek said.
“It has a wonderful democratising effect, but it requires a very significant infrastructure buildout, customer service capabilities and distribution in very competitive telecoms marketplaces that we help carriers with all over the world.” Globally, Bain is seeing signif icant demand for its services from the retail and healthcare sectors in particular, Bechek said. “Retail’s been changed so much by technology, and we’re helping many retailers around the world to make that change successfully.”
A Bain study of 300 firms across 20 global industries, released in October, found that only 20% of companies had progressed beyond the “beginner” stage in responding to digital innovations that are transforming their industries. “A quarter century into the digital revolution, many companies still question whether to invest in digital capabilities or are unclear about how to best execute a digital strategy that will augment their business. Others have launched digital initiatives, but keep them entirely separate from their physical operations,” Bain found.
On the retail side, for example, Bain predicts that physical retail stores won’t


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Food and Wine
- Throop social activist encourages others to discuss issues
- Archbald woman elevates broccoli’s appeal with cheese, mushrooms
- Three types of Asian cuisine help Scranton restaurant stand out
- Anniversary ale continues love affair with Weyerbacher
- Turn to fizzy brachetto for a low-alcohol treat
- Scranton woman combats icy nights with spicy delight in Chilly Day Chili
- Dunmore’s Sushi Thai more than a flash in the pan
- Chic Chic Marketplace’s new shop focuses on local
- Bordeaux often linked with reds, but inexpensive whites worth a try
- Scranton woman finds new way to use extra food with casserole
- Grill at the Highlands and Pizza Deli gains popularity with focus on details
- Turn to dark, thick IPA for warming winter drink
Cooperage Farmers' Market now open
The third season of the winter Cooperage Farmers' Market has begun its series of fall/winter marketplace hours inside the Cooperage, 1030 Main St., Honesdale. The market will be open Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The market offers seasonal produce, meats, breads, baked goods and artisan items. Vendors are located within a 50-mile radius of Honesdale. It's a producer-only market, which means that everyone selling at the market grows, raises or makes their products. For an up-to-date list of participating farms and artisans, visit www. thecooperageproject.org.
New this season is the addition of a rotating "artisan" vendor. Each week, this stand will feature a local artist or craftsperson selling handmade wares.
Returning this season is the Market Café. Shoppers can pick up a farm-to-table brunch featuring seasonal and local products.
The winter market will run every Saturday through Dec. 28. Starting Jan. 4, the market will run every other Saturday, opposite the dates of the Callicoon Farmers' Market in Sullivan County, N.Y.
NEPA native has top barbecue
Clarks Summit native Bob Trudnak finished first in a cooking competition in Las Vegas last weekend.
Mr. Trudnak won top honors for his pork ribs in the World Barbecue Championship at the World Food Championships. His barbecue black beans took seventh place in the side-dish category.
Mr. Trudnak, who now lives in Lansdale, is the marketing manager for BBQ Guru.
Pastry shop offers holiday rugelach
With Thanksgiving and the first day of Hanukkah falling on the same day this year - Thursday, Nov. 28 - My Mother's Delicacies Inc. founder Susan Herlands is preparing a couple of special treats.
"We created two new flavors of rugelach for this year's once-in-a-lifetime, unique celebration: Pumpkin Rugelach and Cranberry Rugelach," she said in a statement.
With this unusual convergence, Ms. Herlands said, "All Jewish people will be sitting down at their Thanksgiving tables celebrating the second night of Hanukkah, as well."
Priced at $11.99 per pound, the rugelach are available in her cafe and pastry shop, 302 Cherry St., Scranton. The shop is open Mondays through Fridays, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturdays, 8 a.m. to noon.
For more information, call the store at 570-343-5266.
Pappas plans PanCAN benefit
Pizza by Pappas will hold its fourth annual Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Fundraiser on Tuesday, Nov. 19, and Wednesday, Nov. 20, at the restaurant on North Washington Avenue.
As it has in past years, Pappas will donate 50 percent of the sale price of pizzas purchased on those two days to Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. In the past three years, the event has raised more than $17,000.
For more information, call 570-346-2290 or email firstname.lastname@example.org.


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Destination for good life, best food: Pineda seeks new ‘branding’ for Pampanga tourism
The provincial government is working on its tourism brand to strengthen the foothold of Pampanga as a premier destination for a “good life” and best food.
Governor Lilia Pineda has created a technical working group (TWG) to craft the province’s branding as a destination for good life and best cuisine to promote tourism in the province.
Lord Francis Musni, a local historian and consultant of Heritage Museum, is a member of the TWG and he already has an idea on a sustainable and focused branding theme.
“We will be capitalizing on the unique experience that Pampanga has to offer, not only to Pampanga, not only to the region, to the Philippines and to the world. For the longest time, we are the oldest province since 1571 but for the longest time, we’re just a stopover, pit stop for comfort room stops, for buying ‘pasalubong’ (souvenirs). If you get hungry along NLEX, they don’t really stay. But Pampanga has a lot to offer. In short, Pampanga will be coming out to become one of the viable places for people to enjoy the good life. We will be repackaging Pampanga as a destination for a good life,” he said in an interview on Thursday.
Musni added the central theme of the brand highlight food as Pampanga is known as the “Culinary Capital of the Philippines.”
“Central idea will be food because we can brag about it and we can get away with it because we know we have a very discriminating taste and this will work with food being the central theme. We would also be capitalizing on other good things that we have: efficient transport service, our synergy of roads, our connectivity to the airports and the ports and our hospitality as a people,” he said.
Aside from the tourism seal, the TWG is also working on the branding system for Pampanga-made products.
Board member Anthony Joseph Torres, chairman of the Committee on Trade, Industry, and Commerce, said that product branding would raise the quality and marketability of local products.
Torres said a team from the TWG would receive, evaluate and accredit applications for both products and producers in the province.
Once accredited, the product would bear the “Quality Seal” or the registered logo of the province on their packaging, he said.
Provincial tourism officer Arwin Lingat said the provincial tourism brand will be launched in December to coincide with the celebration of Pampanga Day. (PNA)
The comments posted on this site do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of management and owner of POLITICS.com.ph. We reserve the right to exclude comments that we deem to be inconsistent with our editorial standards.


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McConnell Wants Hemp Removed From Controlled Substances List
Kentucky longest serving Senator has introduced a bill that many thought he never would.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has introduced a bill that would remove hemp from the federal government's schedule of controlled substances. It's a legal cash crop and McConnell wants it classified as an agricultural commodity.
Kentucky has led the way in the comeback of industrial hemp which is used to make rope, cloth, and paper. Hemp oil can be used in cosmetics, food, paper, and other products. Industrial hemp is a non-psychoactive relative of marijuana which similar but it contains negligible amounts of THC which is intoxicating.
Removing hemp from the controlled substances list would mean cultivators would no longer need a federal permit and the Agriculture Department would issue competitive grants to hemp researchers who are developing cultivation methods and uses for the plant.
More than 30 states currently authorize hemp research.


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Fashion for Change held its annual theme release party last Friday at the Bombshelter Pub. The party featured a live DJ, free hors doeuvres, and a ballot draw for prizes. Over 300 people were in attendance. Fashion for Change is an organization under the Federation of Students, made up…
And this year’s theme is…!
Can’t wait to get tickets!
Check out the Feds Facebook page for event details: https://www.facebook.com/events/695318607180236/
One more chance to celebrate New Years with your Waterloo friends.
More details - Bomber.ca
Tons of Free giveaways!


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The shift marks the most up-to-date hard work by the U.S. chip large to divest its non-main enterprises, shift away from the volatile commodity NAND chip marketplace and emphasis on its remaining Optane memory organization, which is scaled-down but extra valuable mainly because it faucets more sophisticated technology.
It is the major acquisition to day for SK Hynix and follows its $3.7 billion expense in Japanese rival Kioxia in 2017, as the Korean business attempts to boost its ability to construct NAND chips – used to keep knowledge in smartphones and info centre servers – and beef up its pricing electric power.
The offer will assist SK Hynix overtake Kioxia in the NAND memory market although narrowing the gap with market place leader Samsung Electronics Co Ltd .
SK Hynix shares jumped right away right after the information ahead of valuation issues saw them reverse gear to fall 2%, though the wider industry was down .7%. Samsung Electronics received 1%.
“Shareholders are destructive about the offer simply because they feel the rate is much too high-priced. It is superior news for other memory chipmakers, since the shift would guide to market consolidation,” reported Lee Seung-woo, an analyst at Eugene Financial commitment & Securities.
SK Hynix mentioned Intel would market all of its NAND small business which includes its solid-state push small business, NAND component and wafer procedure, and its factory in Dalian, China.
Intel would maintain its sophisticated Optane memory technological innovation, formulated in partnership with Micron Technological know-how Inc , which would make the Optane chips for Intel underneath a source agreement.
The Intel division which features its NAND and Optane organizations posted a fourth consecutive yearly loss in 2019, whilst it swung to a financial gain in the to start with half of this 12 months. SK Hynix has also posted losses in its NAND organization.
Analysts explained U.S-China tensions may have affected Intel’s determination to sell its NAND flash memory manufacturing facility in China. The moves arrives a month soon after Kioxia cancelled a prepared original public presenting amid marketplace uncertainty.
Intel’s Dalian manufacturing facility can make chips that contend in the cut-throat commodity memory company the place rates cycle by means of booms and bust that can consume earnings.
“This transaction will allow for us to even further prioritise our investments in differentiated technologies,” Intel CEO Bob Swan reported in a statement.
Swan has explained to investors he designs to divest non-main businesses. The company earlier offered its 5G modem business to Apple Inc .
SK Hynix claimed the firms aimed to receive government approvals in late 2021, and close the offer in March 2025.
The Nand Flash business grew in the April-to-June quarter many thanks to robust need for PCs and servers as the COVID-19 pandemic forces tens of millions of people to do the job from household, according to sector researcher Trendforce.
SK Hynix, which counts Apple and Huawei Systems Co Ltd [HWT.UL] as shoppers, is a distant fourth in the NAND memory chip current market, whilst it ranks 2nd right after Samsung Electronics in DRAM memory product sales.
Samsung is the chief in the NAND flash marketplace with a 31.4% share, adopted by Kioxia with 17.2%, SK Hynix with 11.7%, and Intel and Micron with 11.5% just about every.
With the acquisition, SK Hynix, element of South Korean conglomerate SK Group, will have a market place share of 23.2%.
“While the competitive environment bordering us is not straightforward, we have created a bold final decision to pave the way for our leap toward securing a organization position in the NAND business enterprise as in DRAM,” SK Hynix President and CEO Lee Seok-hee said in a statement.


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UPDATE 5/28/19: A new report from Forbes says that the long-rumored Acura NSX Type R will arrive this fall at the 2019 Tokyo auto show with somewhere around 650 horsepower. It speculates that the Type R will have a stiffer suspension, larger carbon-ceramic brakes, and additional aerodynamic elements along with the extra power. An Acura spokesperson told C/D that the company currently has no announcements about the NSX's future, and said "the original article published on the Forbes contributor network was speculative and did not contain information on sourcing."
Acura desperately wants its new NSX to be taken seriously in the supercar realm, and one measly variant won’t do when Porsche offers upwards of 20 versions of the 911. To that end, both a convertible NSX and a track-ready NSX Type R (illustrated above) might be in the cards, according to a report in Autocar.
This info comes straight from NSX development engineer Nick Robinson, who told Autocar that Honda wants to create a lightweight, hardcore NSX to live up to the hallowed “Type R” badge. This reportedly would involve a use of more exotic materials to cut weight, possible active aerodynamics, and even a reworked drivetrain that could make the car rear-wheel drive.
The standard Acura NSX uses a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V-6 along with three electric motors, two in front and one in the rear, that give the car all-wheel drive. Cutting out the dual front electric motors and their associated batteries would save plenty of pounds, although the rear electric motor likely would remain. There’s even a precedent for a rear-drive NSX (other than the original, of course): One of the modified Acuras set to race the Pikes Peak hill-climb apparently does without the hybrid machinery, and uses a more powerful version of the V-6 with electric superchargers to supplant the twin turbos. Robinson also let on that the existing NSX has a sort of “cheat mode” that disconnects the front motors and turns the car into a “drift machine.” Sounds plenty enticing to us.
As for the topless NSX, Robinson said it was a distinct possibility because the car’s body is so stiff. To minimize the structural changes and mitigate any possible weight gain, an open-roof NSX would most likely feature a removable roof panel in the vein of the Chevrolet Corvette. If you remember back to 2012’s The Avengers, Tony Stark’s NSX convertible [pictured below] might give some indication of what the NSX would look like without a roof, although that car was a one-off concept created specifically for the film.
This article was originally published in March 2016.


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- Gamers can pick up this year’s biggest release, Mass Effect 3 for just £37.97
- Asda expects to sell thousands of copies in the first 24 hours
- On shelf at midnight in selected stores
Over 200 Asda stores will be putting Mass Effect 3 on shelf at midnight on the official launch date of 9 th March, with thousands of eager fans expected to flood into stores to get their hands on this much anticipated game, despite it being the middle of the night.
Andrew Thompson, Head of Games at Asda says: “Mass Effect 3 is set to be a huge hit with the gaming community so we want to make sure it is affordable and available to play as soon as the clock strikes twelve. We are not only stocking the game nine hours ahead of other retailers but we’ll also be selling it for the competitive price of £37.97. With stock not as widely spread for this big release, Asda really is the top destination for games enthusiasts this Friday and for future releases.”
The official worldwide release date is Friday 9 th March, 00:01 and the game will be available in over 390 Asda stores and on www.asda.com.
Further Information: Rosanna Williams Rosanna.Williams@Freud.com or 0203 003 6581
Notes to Editors
About Asda Stores Ltd.
Founded in the 1960s, Asda today is one of Britain’s leading retailers. It has over 180,000 dedicated Asda colleagues serving customers from 515 stores, including 25 ASDA Living stores, 23 depots and eight recycling centres across the UK (Great Britain and Northern Ireland). It has its main home office in Leeds, Yorkshire and its George clothing division based in Lutterworth Leicestershire. Asda serves over 18 million shoppers a week in store and its growing home shopping business serves over 98 per cent of UK homes.
About Chosen By You
Chosen By You is an unprecedented re-launch of Asda’s entire mid-tier own brand range, consisting of over 6,923 products. The launch follows an intense period of quality benchmarking and independent customer taste testing, which means Asda customers are given the very best in terms of quality and value. Every single one of the products has been tested by real customers up and down the country at 836 locations – and only those that get a big thumbs up make it into the range. Chosen By You has rolled out into Free From products and 4,250 tests have been conducted with the help from Coeliac sufferers. Asda have already conducted more than 370,000 blind taste tests involving 63,714 customers, making this the biggest piece of product testing ever done by a supermarket.
About Asda’s Price Guarantee
With Asda’s Price Guarantee customers can be safe in the knowledge that the price they pay at Asda is cheaper than at Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons and Waitrose, otherwise we will refund the difference.


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Breadsmith, northeast Mesa’s go-to spot for fresh-baked breads, scones and coffee cakes, has closed abruptly.
“After eight wonderful years, Breadsmith will be closing our doors on July 31,” the company posted to its Facebook page — on July 31.
Calls to the bakery that day went unanswered. The Facebook message went on to read, “We would like to thank all of our amazing customers who made this such a special place every day.”
Breadsmith is in The Village at Las Sendas shopping center at 2837 N. Power Road, Mesa.


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LG G4 to arrive at T-Mobile on June 2nd?12
The LG G4 will carry a 5.5-inch LCD screen with a 1440 x 2560 resolution. That works out to a pixel desity of 538ppi. The Snapdragon 808 SoC is under the hood with a hexa-core 1.8GHz CPU, and the Adreno 418 GPU. 3GB of RAM is inside and there is 32GB of expandable memory. The 16MP rear camera has an aperture of f/1.8 allowing for quality photos to be snapped under low-light conditions. It also comes with OIS. The 8MP front-facing camera is perfect for selfies and video chat. A 3000mAh removable battery powers the handset, and Android 5.1 is pre-installed.
T-Mobile has been on a nationwide tour promoting the LG G4, which explains the name of the Twitter account. While no U.S. carrier has announced a price or launch date for the handset, both Sprint and U.S. Cellular said that they would have the phone in stores next month. As we told you earlier today, U.S. buyers of the phone will receive a second spare battery, an extra wall charger, and a 32GB microSD card.
source: G4PreviewTour via AndroidCentral


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Cristiano Ronaldo is on Binance with his NFT Collection
Cristiano Ronaldo is on Binance with his NFT collection. The CR7 NFT collection, available only on Binance NFT, will be the first in a series of drops featuring the soccer icon Cristiano Ronaldo.
As part of a special multi-year agreement, the first NFT collection of Cristiano Ronaldo will be made available on Friday, November 18 through Binance, the leading blockchain and cryptocurrency exchange ecosystem. CR7 NFT Collection
A global marketing initiative involving Ronaldo will support the launch and bring Web3 to its millions of subscribers worldwide through NFT.
He Yi, founder and chief trading officer of Binance, said:
“We believe that the metaverse and blockchain are the future of the Internet. We are honored to work with Cristiano to help more people understand blockchain and show how we are building web3 infrastructure for the gaming and entertainment industry. .
The first Cristiano Ronaldo NFT collection, which includes seven anime collections with four levels of rarity – Super Super Rare (SSR), Super Rare (SR), Rare (R) and Normal, will be released on November 18 at 9:00 a.m. morning. UTC. Each NFT collection contains visuals from Ronaldo’s life, from his cycling career to his childhood in Portugal.
Other benefits of owning Cristiano Ronaldo signed CR7 nft
There will be special benefits associated with each level of scarcity, including personal messages from Cristiano Ronaldo, autographed CR7 on Binance merchandise, guaranteed access to future CR7 NFT drops, free CR7 mystery boxes, and VIP access to giveaways and signed merchandise and prizes.
Binance Market Details
The highest value 45 CR7 NFT (5 SSR and 40 SR) will be traded on the Binance NFT market. The NFT will be awarded to the highest bidder after these 24 hours. Prices for SSR and SR grants will start at 10,000 and 1,700 BUSD respectively. The minimum amount of the remaining 6,600 NFT (R600 and N6,000) on Binance will start at 77 BUSD. Additionally, new customers will receive a Cristiano Ronaldo Mystery Box when they join Binance.com (and complete KYC). The Ronaldo NFT edition can be found in these boxes. These CR7 mystery boxes will be made available to the 1.5 million new Binance users who sign up for the RONALDO Referral Program.


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9 May 2019: 12:43 pm
Business excellence to be recognized in Merton
Entrepreneurs and businesses are being encouraged to enter this year’s Merton Best Business Awards, as the closing date for nominations approaches next month.
Among the 16 categories there are awards on offer for Best Medium Business aimed at firms with between 20 and 100 employees and Entrepreneur of the Year.
Now in its seventh year the awards offer new categories with Best Large Business for those with more than 100 employees and a Top Woman in Business accolade.
The closing date for nominations is June 21 and a shortlist of finalists will be created in July. Winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in September at the All England Lawn Tennis Club in Wimbledon.
To nominate a business for an award visit www.mertonbestbusiness.co.uk or email firstname.lastname@example.org


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SINGAPORE - Deliveroo Singapore will sponsor up to 50 per cent of the cost of a new power-assisted bicycle (PAB) to ease the financial burden of 200 riders looking to upgrade their vehicles.
The food delivery company announced the pilot of this initiative, known as the Power-Assisted Bicycle Upgrading Subsidy Scheme, on Tuesday (Oct 12).
The programme will enable walkers and cyclists to convert their mode of delivery to electric bicycles so that they can increase their earnings by making more deliveries in a shorter time.
In October, 200 riders will be invited to join the scheme. Deliveroo will pay for up to 50 per cent, with a $500 cap, of selected Land Transport Authority-compliant PAB models from two suppliers, Mobot and Falcon PEV.
Mr Ong Zhi Hao, 29, a Deliveroo rider who will be taking part in the subsidy scheme, said he did not have the financial means to purchase an electric bicycle.
"Now, with my savings coupled with Deliveroo's help, I am glad to be able to upgrade to a PAB to deliver more orders to customers and boost my income in a safe manner," he said.
The $100,000 initiative is funded by Deliveroo Singapore's global community fund.
The shortlisted riders will be able to purchase new e-bicycles suitable for food delivery or upgrade from non-powered bicycles. The partner suppliers will offer exclusive discounts and freebies to these riders.
The programme is in line with Singapore's vision to have all vehicles run on cleaner energy by 2040, said Deliveroo in its statement.
Ms Sarah Tan, general manager of Deliveroo Singapore, said: "Depending on the model and specifications, vehicles such as power-assisted bicycles can be expensive and cost about $700 to $1,800. We hope that with this new subsidy scheme, we are able to help our Deliveroo riders ease their financial burden and earn more within the hour through more deliveries fulfilled."


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Apr 7, 2021
On March 30, Ambassador Zhang Ming, Head of the Chinese Mission to the EU, attended the 2021 annual general assembly of China Chamber of Commerce to the EU (CCCEU) and delivered a keynote speech.
Apr 1, 2021
On March 30, 2021, the China Chamber of Commerce to the EU (CCCEU) held its 2021 annual general assembly via video conference, which gave the green light to the appointment of the Chamber’s new chairperson as well as budget and work reports.
Jul 23, 2020
On June 17, 2020, the European Commission released a "White Paper on levelling the playing field as regards foreign subsidies."
Sep 9, 2020
The China Chamber of Commerce to the EU (CCCEU) held its flagship "China-Europe Business Dialogue" in Brussels on Wednesday with the theme "Building Stronger Economic Partnership & Tapping into EU Digital Transformation".
May 25, 2020
Fifty-two members of the China Chamber of Commerce to the European Union recently met online for their first annual assembly since its inauguration last year, pledging to cooperate with their partners in this unprecedented challenging global business environment by enhancing investment and creating more local jobs.
Creating China's "Golden Placard": Premier Li Keqiang inaugurates the China Chamber of Commerce to the EU
Apr 8, 2019
Premier Li Keqiang voiced hopes that the China Chamber of Commerce to the EU (CCCEU) will create a "golden placard" for China as he attended its inauguration ceremony on April 8, 2019.
Oct 20, 2020
On October 16, 2020, Kong Yu, coordinator of the CCCEU digital economy working group, chaired a working meeting with Bin Chuan, deputy coordinator, other members of the working group and colleagues from the Secretariat of CCCEU attending the discussion.


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The move to digital technology creates an immense amount of opportunity for companies in areas like IoT, customer engagement management, and business analytics.
It also creates new risks that those companies will have to learn to address– and quickly.
Recent Gartner research showed that 77% of survey respondents agreed with the statement: “The digital world is creating new types and levels of risk for our business,” and 65% felt that “Investment in risk management practices is not keeping up with new and higher levels of risk.”
“CEOs are right to be concerned,” said Mark Raskino, vice president and Gartner fellow. “As products and services become digital, they add far greater utility for the customer but also far greater power for those dark forces who might usurp digital control. CEOs and CIOs should collaborate to jolt the executive team out of cyber-risk complacency.”
All of this points to 2016 being a year of revised risk management practices for corporate executives.
There are a few ways companies can go about this.
Financial service executives will continue to shock or stress test their loan and investment portfolios for risk due to extreme but plausible events. They will also have to factor in the risks of greater cyber data breaches, fraud, cyber financial losses–and rising insurance premiums for covering those losses.
Corporate communications are often overlooked in disaster recovery plans. If a breach occurs, who is responsible for informing customers, stakeholder, and investors? What can the company do to mitigate the damage to its image? And equally important as who should be talking, is who shouldn’t be.
Companies should have a plan in place– strategizing damage control in the middle of a crisis is dangerous in itself.
It’s vital for manufacturers and distributors to ensure that the right people in the organization have the right permissions to access the right data.
It sounds simple, but it can get complicated when dealing with not only every individual in an organization, but individuals at organizations with which the company does business, all over the world.
Otherwise, risks include the theft of intellectual pretty, pricing information, and other data that a company wishes not to disclose, particularly in industries that have moved to cloud-based supply chain management.
These information access clearances should be regularly revisited and updated as needed.
And whatsmore, corporate security analysts should also vet the cloud providers of these supply chain exchanges to ensure that their security governance and technology standards–and the rigor of their business continuation and disaster recovery plans– meet or exceed those of the corporation itself.
Finally, education should be conducted in corporate marketing on how to defend against disparaging and even libelous remarks made about the company and its products over social media.
This is another instance where a company should have a communications plan in place that specifies not only how to respond (if at all), but also which individuals or departments need to be looped in, depending on the severity and reach of the remark.
What does this all portend for risk management?
In 2016, corporate CEOs and other CXO staff will need to broaden their thinking about risk– because new technologies introduce new risks. Loss insurers, likewise, will be revising their policies and coverages.


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Smaller bites may lead to smaller waistline
Published 5:30 am, Tuesday, June 1, 2004
Well, shut my mouth — slightly.
The latest weight-loss scheme is neither a diet nor a pill but a custom-made insert that reduces the size of the mouth, forcing diners to take smaller bites, eat more slowly and, presumably, feel satisfied with less food.
The DDS System, a product of Atlanta-based Scientific Intake, closely resembles an orthodontic retainer, although it "drops down a couple of millimeters into the oral cavity," according to Dr. Lois Rinehimer, a Hartford, Conn., dentist who will begin offering the device to her patients next month. She said the gadget — which has just hit the market — costs between $400 and $500.
Getting a DDS System appliance will require at least two dental appointments. Dentists will take an impression of the upper mouth that will be used to create a custom-fitting insert.
The idea behind DDS is that people who eat more slowly will trigger the body's natural satiety, or fullness, signal before they've overeaten.
Psychologist Kelly D. Brownell, director of the Yale Center for Eating and Weight Disorders, is identified in a Scientific Intake press release as "a compensated member of the scientific advisory board of Scientific Intake."
Brownell said that people often report that when they slow their eating, they tend to be satisfied with less and enjoy their food more. "Any approach that helps people moderate their food intake, such as helping them to slow eating, could have a very positive impact," he said, but he added that further research will be needed to evaluate the system's effect on weight loss. In one small study, those using the insert ate about 25 percent less food than a similar group with unfettered mouths.


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Steam Deck release date is delayed by two months due to ‘material shortages’
Valve’s upcoming gaming hardware, Steam Deck, is the latest tech product to be delayed because of the ongoing supply chain shortages. Instead of being released this year, shipments are now anticipated to begin in early 2022.
The company announced the Steam Deck delay in a blog post on Thursday, confirming that the launch has been pushed by two months. It can be recalled that the first shipments of the portable PC gaming device were expected to be delivered sometime in December. But the recent announcement means it is no longer expected to start until February 2022.
“We’re sorry about this—we did our best to work around the global supply chain issues, but due to material shortages, components aren’t reaching our manufacturing facilities in time for us to meet our initial launch dates,” Valve wrote. Customers who were able to secure their place in the Steam Deck reservation queue are assured that they get to keep it despite the delay.
Those who got reservations for the supposed December shipments can now expect their Steam Deck to arrive in February. “All reservation holders keep their place in line but dates will shift back accordingly,” the company added.
Gaming fans who are just checking out Steam Deck now will have to wait longer. The official page for Steam Deck currently indicates that new reservations for customers in the United States are anticipated to be available “after Q2 2022.” That applies to all three variants of Steam Deck. Meanwhile, it is unclear how the recent delay will affect Steam Deck’s launch worldwide. Valve is currently only accepting reservations from customers in select regions.
Steam Deck will be powered by an AMD Zen 2 APU with a CPU clocked at 2.4-3.5GHz. It also has a standard 16GB LPDDR5 RAM. It will feature a 7-inch IPS LCD with a 16:10 aspect ratio and 1280 x 800 resolution. But it can also be connected to external monitors through its official dock, which will be sold separately.
As mentioned, the Steam Deck will be available in three variants, starting with a $399 model with 64GB eMMC storage. Gamers can also opt for units with NVMe SSD with 256GB and 512GB configurations for $529 and $649, respectively.


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As energy storage technology has continued to advance, the applications for the use of batteries simultaneously grow. Improved efficiency in energy storage has translated to smaller batteries packing the same powerful punch as behemoths of old.
Moder-day batteries are becoming particularly valuable as a tool for moving towards green energy solutions. Batteries are now powering everything from electric vehicles to sustainable power grids.
However, while batteries provide an incredible opportunity for capturing and storing green energy, there are also increasing concerns about the sustainability of manufacturing batteries. Current manufacturing processes require the use of a complex array of materials, many of which are heavy metals and precious minerals with limited global availability. This has contributed to an increase in mining, often impacting local environments negatively.
Lithium extraction alone has led to an increasing concern about its ongoing effects on the environment. Often, the process of extracting lithium leads to water shortages and toxic overflow into the nearby soil.
Beyond the process of mining materials necessary for batteries, there is an increasing concern about the proper disposal of batteries. When batteries are thrown into landfills, they can further contribute to the toxic contamination of soil and watersheds. Not only that, but in some cases, these batteries can lead to dangerous landfill fires.
It is for this reason that many are turning to large-scale battery recycling as the solution for creating a more sustainable energy future. However, battery recycling is also plagued with a unique set of challenges that are currently limiting the number of materials repurposed.
To better understand the future of large-scale battery recycling and how to resolve the challenges this industry is facing, let’s begin with a look at current trends.
An Increasing Demand for Batteries
Batteries have long played an important role in the energy storage sector. However, as the technology for rechargeable batteries has improved, that demand has only grown. Today, lithium-ion batteries, in particular, are poised to assist in the global movement away from fossil fuels and toward sustainable energy solutions.
However, as a more sustainable energy grid is built, questions remain about how environmentally friendly the components of these grids actually are.
Along with large-scale energy grid storage, the increase in battery demand is being driven by the explosive growth of the electric vehicle market. With countries around the globe committing to the transition toward electric vehicle adoption, landfills are facing an increased risk of becoming overrun with spent lithium-ion batteries. In fact, industry analysts have predicted that by 2030, the worldwide amount of lithium-ion battery waste could hit 2 million metric tons per year.
The demand for batteries does not look to slow down anytime soon, which is why many government regulating bodies and environmental activists are turning their focus to improving large-scale battery recycling.
Present-Day Battery Recycling Habits
The good news is that batteries can be recycled, and much of the material found in batteries can be processed and cleaned. From here, these materials can be repurposed into future batteries or other products.
However, currently, battery recycling habits are limited, particularly in relation to lithium-ion batteries. Recent data indicates that in the European Union and the U.S., less than 5% of lithium-ion batteries are recycled. Faring worse is the Australian market, where only 2-3% of lithium-ion batteries are collected and sent for recycling.
If batteries can be recycled and the valuable materials within batteries extracted, what is causing this lag in the adoption of recycling? This is in part due to the incredible complexities and challenges that face the recycling landscape. Unlike simple plastics or papers, batteries require complicated processes in order to safely transport, extract, and process materials.
To understand this further, it is imperative to recognize the unique challenges facing battery recycling.
A Challenging Landscape for Battery Recycling
When it comes to recycling batteries, historically, there has been a large amount of success seen in relation to recycling lead-acid batteries. From a lead-acid battery, 100% of the lead from within the battery can be recycled and reused. This creates a high level of profitability for recycling lead-acid batteries.
However, current trends are moving away from the use of lead-acid batteries to lithium-ion batteries due to the superior technology of lithium-ion batteries. Lithium-ion batteries offer greater efficiency, longer lifespans, and higher power density. In fact, lithium-ion batteries can achieve a power density of 125-600+ Wh/L versus 50-90 Wh/L for lead acid batteries. This means to achieve the same power, lead acid batteries will take up far more space and weigh more. This is one of the reasons that lithium-ion batteries are seeing such a widescale use in the electric vehicle, mobile devices, and small electronic markets.
Much of the challenges faced in large-scale battery recycling, therefore, revolve around the complexities of recycling lithium-ion.
In a recent interview with Manufacturing, Zachary Baum, an expert in lithium-ion recycling plants working for Information Technology and Service CAS, explains three key issues facing the battery landscaping environment.
- Safe transportation to and from facilities
- The ability to maximize the economic value of the recycled materials
- The complexities in the design variability of batteries
While each of these issues is a key concern, the third issue relating to the complex and varied designs of lithium batteries is perhaps one of the largest hurdles for recycling facilities to overcome.
While all lithium-ion batteries utilize the same basic technology, they vary in their exact chemistry and makeup. Some lithium-ion batteries implement lithium cobalt oxide, some lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide, and other lithium nickel cobalt aluminum oxide. Additionally, the exact proportion of each component is not constant, varying from manufacturer to manufacturer.
This leads to incredible challenges for recycling facilities. Batteries must be sorted and separated by composition, which in turn raises costs and limits the speed at which recycling can occur.
Not only does the composition of the minerals used within lithium-ion batteries dramatically differ from battery to battery, but the actual structure of these batteries is also not standardized. This means that disassembly cannot follow a systemized process. It also means that much of the recycling process is still manual, requiring the tedious labor of human workers.
Large battery packs can also include additional components depending on their use. In the application of electric vehicles, for example, the battery pack might include safety devices and sensors. These, too, must be disassembled safely and in a manner that allows for the clean processing of all materials.
Growing Research into Recycling Technology
While there is no doubt that large-scale battery recycling is facing numerous challenges, particularly as the industry sees a rise in the use of lithium-ion batteries, there is hope on the horizon. As the global fervor around sustainability increases, researchers are shifting their focus to improving recycling technology.
For example, in 2019, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) launched the first DOE lithium-ion battery recycling R&D center, the Recell Center. The ReCell center is focused on making lithium-ion battery recycling more profitable and aims to help reduce the countries’ dependency on foreign sources of battery materials.
Millions of dollars have been invested into the ReCell center, where researchers from industry, academia, and national laboratories all collaborate together to help increase the efficiencies of battery recycling.
The DOE has also launched the Lithium-Ion Battery Recycling Prize. According to the DOE, the goal of this $5 million prize is to focus “on identifying innovative solutions for collecting, sorting, storing, and transporting spent and discarded lithium-ion batteries — from electric vehicle (EV), consumer electronics, industrial, and stationary applications — for eventual recycling and materials recovery.”
A Multi-Faceted Recycling Strategy
At the same time as funding is being poured into improved battery recycling technology, many recycling advocates are also looking toward a multi-faceted strategy to help mitigate the waste produced by an increasing reliance upon batteries.
One example of this is found in the repurposing or cascade utilization of electric vehicle batteries. The goal of this strategy is to take a battery pack that has fallen beneath 80% of its original nominal capacity and repurposes it for use in lower-powered applications or in a reconfiguration for grid energy storage. This concept is demonstrated in the figure below.
Repurposing is just one of the many creative solutions being explored as the recycling industry looks for innovative methods for increasing the long-term use of existing batteries.
The Future of Solving Large-Scale Battery Recycling Challenges
As the production of electric vehicles ramps up and as new energy storage demands increase, the future must involve a renewed focus on overcoming the current challenges facing large-scale battery recycling.
In the published paper “Current Challenges in Efficient Lithium-Ion Batteries’ Recycling: A Perspective,” researchers propose three key areas of improvement that will help contribute to a more promising future of large-scale battery recycling.
First, the paper proposes that new recycling technologies must be developed that focus on increasing the value of recycled materials. Paired with this focus is a recommendation that new batteries should be designed and manufactured in such a way that they are easier to recycle. For example, through the standardization of cell construction, many of the issues facing the battery recycling industry could be more easily overcome.
Secondly, the paper points out the necessity of governmental policy and funding. While the U.S. and other global leaders are beginning to dedicate funding toward improved recycling technology, there is a call for further focus to be placed on this critical sustainability measure.
Finally, economic and ecological considerations must be evaluated. It is necessary to find ways to improve the economic efficiency of recycling, including a reduction in transportation costs and mitigation of the negative impacts of primary material extraction on the planet.
In the U.S., these focuses have recently been backed by an incredible increase in funding. A huge portion of this funding is due to the Bipartisan Infrascturue Law, with the DOE heading up the implementation of $335 million in investments toward lithium-ion battery recycling programs.
Contribute to a Sustainable Future: Sign Up for Battery Recycling
As the global demand for batteries continues to increase, businesses can do their part in contributing to a more sustainable future by signing up for battery recycling. Though there are many unique challenges facing large-scale battery recycling, technology is marching forward with new innovations paving the way for improved recycling practices.
If your company is interested in learning more about how you can take part in large-scale battery recycling, our team is here to help. At Battery Recyclers of America, we offer convenient pickup services that are available as soon as the next day. Our goal is to handle all of the hard work for you, allowing you to efficiently and safely recycle batteries of almost any type.
Additionally, we use EPA-approved facilities to make sure you’re always compliant with state and federal laws and regulations. And we offer competitive pricing, helping you turn your batteries into an additional revenue stream.
As the battery recycling industry continues to push forward, we will be here to help connect you with the latest in recycling solutions. Our goal is to contribute to a more sustainable future in which batteries can be efficiently, safely, and profitably recycled and repurposed.
To learn more, feel free to fill out our online form or give our team a call at 866-399-4322. We look forward to becoming your trusted partner for battery recycling.


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(Gossip-Grind) Tyga Signs With Kanye West’s G.O.O.D. Music
Tyga’s Kardashian connections have really been paying off for him lately. Last week the rapper’s girlfriend, Kylie Jenner, surprised him with a new Bentley truck after his Ferrari got repossessed. Now the Kardashian clan has pulled a few strings and gotten Tyga a record deal. Kanye introduced Tyga as the newest member of G.O.O.D. Music, during his New York fashion show.
Tyga has close ties to Kanye on a personal level—the Kylie Jenner and Kim Kardashian connection, obviously—but also on a musical level as Tyga said ‘Ye executive produced his 2015 album The Gold Album: 18th Dynasty. That project wasreleased independently on Tyga’s Last Kings label after he severed ties with YMCMB. For what it’s worth, Tyga is still listed as an artist on the official Young Money and Cash Money websites, respectively, and it’s been like that for some time.(Complex)


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It's safe to say the
The $5 billion project is coming to life outside Reno, Nevada. It is set to produce battery packs for future Tesla cars as well as Tesla's new home and business batteries, which the company announced last month.
What can we tell about the gigafactory from the video?
1) Construction is moving quickly, at least for this section of the project. The roof is already on, and there seems to be a series of solar panels in one corner, or at least the racks that will hold them.
That would fit with Tesla's vow that the factory will run on renewable energy. The company is aiming for an accelerated time table. It initially was aiming for a 2017 start to production, but now it is planning to begin building the packs in 2016.
2) The gigafactory is far from finished. Tesla CEO Elon Musk tweeted.
This is not the full Gigafactory, it is just the pilot plant (1/4 size) https://t.co/gz2EmJkYtm
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 19, 2015
In manufacturing terms, the pilot plant is the first section where initial testing will take place. No doubt Tesla wants to test out its concept before it ramps up the rest of the 10 million square foot gigafactory.
With so much at stake, it's far better to solve any glitches in a quarter-sized factory than risk problems once the massive plant is finished.
3) It's hard to get a sense of scale. The drone video was shot when workers were away, and the drone couldn't fly inside the structure. There's no way to judge whether any production equipment is inside yet.
But, if this much work has been done, it's likely that the construction crew knows where the equipment will be placed on the factory floor. I got inside the skeleton of the Toyota factory in Blue Springs, Miss., a couple of years before it opened. Even unfinished, it was still possible to tell where stamping equipment would go, and where the assembly line would be.
Eventually, the gigafactory is set to employ 6,500 people, and will be the largest processor of lithium-ion batteries in the world. So, what's happening outside Reno won't stay a secret that much longer.


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Beau’s Turns to Fans to Help Choose Brews for Holiday Pack
On June 14, 2012 At 12:15 pm
Responses : Comments are off for this post
VANKLEEK HILL, ON – Beau’s All Natural Brewing has announced plans to release a special Best of Beau’s mixed pack to LCBO stores for the winter holiday season, and fans of the brewery are being asked to help pick the brews that will be featured in the package.
From now until June 30th, Beau’s drinkers can vote online or in person at the brewery store to choose their favourite from the beers Beau’s has brewed since it was founded six years ago. Several collaborative and aged beers that can’t be recreated are not on the list, but otherwise, voters can select from the many seasonal and one-off beers that Beau’s has created over the years, and the top 4 will be brewed again for this special release.
The winning beers will be announced in early July, and the Best of Beau’s mixed 4-pack featuring 600 ml bottles of the winners will be in stores in the winter, with an expected retail price of $24.


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By Whitsunday Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Allan Milostic
AS THE clock ticks down to the end of the year, businesses are charging ahead at capacity.
Retail is strong, building experiencing the usual rush, and hospitality has had a great few weeks with the Airlie Beach Music Festival, followed by schoolies bringing plenty of visitors.
With an unexpected cruise ship visit last weekend, Airlie Beach was literally heaving with people!
Business preparation – are you ready for the silly season?
No matter what business you’re in, now is the time to prepare for the next few months.
Regular staff may be away – is your staffing mix right? Do you have a plan for stock and deliveries?
Are you prepared for extreme weather events, disaster, or disruption? Always worth a rethink and review.
It is also a time of closing off the calendar year. A time to say thanks to your team, customers, and the local community for its support.
Vision for the Whitsundays – what does the Whitsundays of the future look like?
What are the current major drivers of change and points of resistance? What do we need to do now, to future proof tomorrow?
We are tackling these questions in our ‘Vision for the Whitsundays’ project. Formal submissions and the quick online survey must close December 1, 2023.
Next events – see you at our final Pop-up Chamber for 2023 from 7.30am, on Wednesday, November 29, 2023, in Proserpine.
Come on down and meet the chamber team, other business owners, and grab a coffee to start your day.
Please also join us for the ultimate end-of-year celebration for the Whitsundays business community – a joint chamber and Tourism Whitsundays networking event, from 6pm, on Thursday, November 30, 2023, at the Reef Gateway Hotel, Cannonvale.


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Apple is finishing 2022 by releasing major software updates for its devices. The upgrades are headlined by iOS 16.2, which should be particularly useful for the security-conscious. The new version adds an Advanced Data Protection option that brings end-to-end encryption to more of your iCloud data, including device backups, Messages content, notes and photos. And like it or not, Apple is limiting AirDrop sharing — you'll now have 10 minutes to swap files with "everyone" before the feature reverts to contacts-only. The restriction first arrived in China, allegedly in a bid to appease officials trying to stymie protests, but may be useful if you're worried someone might push unwanted content to your device.
This is also a particularly important update if you're an iPhone 14 Pro or Pro Max owner. You can now hide your wallpaper and notifications when the 14 Pro's always-on display kicks in. Yes, that makes it behave more like some Android phones, but it could also reduce distractions (some say it still looks like the phone is awake with the wallpaper on) and bolster privacy. Live Activities are now available for MLB, NBA and Premier League games on all iPhones courtesy of the TV app, although you'll need one of the 14 Pro models to see them on your home screen through the Dynamic Island.
Other improvements largely focus on new apps and expected revisions. The long-promised Freeform digital whiteboard app is finally here, offering a visual collaboration tool for brainstorming sessions and meetings. Apple Music's karaoke mode is now available and the Weather app now includes a news section. If you use your iPhone to control a smart household, you'll be glad to know that Apple has given the Home app with a new architecture that promises to be faster and more reliable. This may be helpful now that Matter devices are ready (Apple added Matter support in iOS 16.1).
The company has simultaneously released iPadOS 16.2 and macOS Ventura 13.1. Not surprisingly, these bring cross-platform feature additions like Advanced Data Protection, Freeform and the revised Home app. WatchOS 9.2, meanwhile, adds the Home update as a workout for cyclists and runners wanting to improve their performance on a previously-completed route. These updates won't offer as many conspicuous changes as on the iPhone, but they should still be worthwhile if you're immersed in Apple's ecosystem.


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O.K., so it can’t be said that Loehmann’s, the popular off-price department store famed for clothing stylish city-goers in bargain-priced designer brands for decades and frequently featured on The Nanny, will actually be selling Michael Kors shoes for $20, but that isn’t too much of a stretch from the sales that will start Thursday at the chain’s going-out-of-business sale.
That’s right—“The Backroom” is no more, but there is still a chance to catch some steals at both New York City locations, as well as all other Loehmann’s stores nationwide. Customers have been asking, but what exactly will be on sale and for how much has yet to be determined. Sales are likely to include everything from blue jeans to shirts to fancy shoes. Additionally, there will be reductions of 30 and 40 percent on red and blue clearance items, according to a Loehmann’s representative.
After almost 93 years in business, the chain’s final blowout follows their official filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Dec. 15—a grim and inevitable fate after filing twice previously. It seems big department stores are taking a hit, with Daffy’s already gone and Macy’s announcement that it will lay off 2,500 employees.
So get out there and buy yourself something snazzy. But don’t fight too hard over that handbag, even if it is the cheapest place you’ll find one other than eBay.