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Popular mobile messaging service WhatsApp has announced that it will be ending support for all versions of BlackBerry OS – including BlackBerry 10 – by the end of 2016.
Just in case you awaken at the brink of 2017 and find out your Whatsapp isn’t working anymore … this is why?
WhatsApp to kill off support for BlackBerry and Nokia platforms by 2017
Other platforms that will be removed from WhatsApp’s support list include Nokia S40, Nokia Symbian S60, Android 2.1, Android 2.2, and Windows Phone 7.1. WhatsApp says it wants to focus on platforms that the vast majority of people use.
Statement on Whatsapp Blog says:
As we look ahead to our next seven years, we want to focus our efforts on the mobile platforms the vast majority of people use. So, by the end of 2016, we will be ending support for WhatsApp Messenger on the following mobile platforms:
- BlackBerry, including BlackBerry 10
- Nokia S40
- Nokia Symbian S60
- Android 2.1 and Android 2.2
- Windows Phone 7.1
While these mobile devices have been an important part of our story, they don’t offer the kind of capabilities we need to expand our app’s features in the future.
This was a tough decision for us to make, but the right one in order to give people better ways to keep in touch with friends, family, and loved ones using WhatsApp. If you use one of these affected mobile devices, we recommend upgrading to a newer Android, iPhone, or Windows Phone before the end of 2016 to continue using WhatsApp.
This chart shows smartphone operating system market share since 2009.
You will find more statistics at Statista
WhatsApp has confirmed that it will cease support for a number of platforms by the end of 2016, including both BlackBerry OS and BlackBerry 10. The Facebook-owned business explained that these platforms don’t offer “the kind of capabilities” it needs to expand.


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Mock-up of a futuristic transportation pod looks a bit like the cabin of an airliner, but with a crucial difference. The Virgin Hyperloop One mock-up has luxury touches but no windows.BMW Designworks. If you’ve ever wondered what the inside of a hyperloop capsule might look like, you’re in luck.
» Currently browsing: Alternative Transportation
Aircraft makers—from multinational giants to garage startups—offer a crazy variety of visions for air taxis that Uber might use. The early days of flight saw a huge variety of designs—featuring oddities like planes with what we now call the “tail” in the front of the vehicle. After a few decades, the industry settled on the […]
If Uber is to get its “flying taxi” service off the ground, it will need dozens of launchpads and landing sites on rooftops around cities as a supportive infrastructure. At the ride-hailing company’s second annual Elevate conference in Los Angeles, six architecture firms presented their winning designs of what these so-called “Skyports” could look like. […]
If you live in a US city, car-sharing services like Lyft and Uber might seem omnipresent. However, the ride-sharing economy still has a ways to go, at least according to consumer sentiment.
Uber is launching a rental car network in partnership with Getaround, the ride-hailing company announced today (April 11). San Francisco-based Getaround lets users find and instantly book vehicles from private car owners, all through a mobile app. The new Uber Rent platform, which is scheduled to launch later this month in San Francisco, will make […]
Two mega trends are coming together: The Collaborative Economy and the Autonomous World, which means shared mobility from self-driving cars. Early this year, we published a research report on the Business Models of Self-Driving Cars, and we’ve presented our findings at a number of industry events. A commonly asked question is: “In the future, will […]
When Elon Musk first unveiled The Boring Company, its plan was to create a network of underground tunnels used to transport vehicles at high speeds to help bypass and eliminate traffic. Now the founder has come out with an updated vision, saying that The Boring Company’s tunnels will first focus on transporting pedestrians and cyclists […]
A 29-minute trip from D.C. to New York may seem too good to be true. And it very well may be. But that isn’t stopping Elon Musk from pushing forward with plans to build a Hyperloop along the eastern corridor.
Slovenia-based Pipistrel has announced series production of the Alpha Electro electric aircraft. The first serially-built unit took its first flight earlier this month.
Revolve was invented and designed by Andrea Mocellin with the aim to be the first modular wheel, which in turn will open new frontiers for the present and future of foldable vehicles.

domain: news


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Google schedules I/O 2015 for late May
Google I/O is a veritable smorgasbord of news for the Android fan. Last year’s conference brought us stuff like the early Android L preview, the launch of Android One, further news of Android Wear, and even the debut of Google Cardboard: not too shabby, all things considered. So of course, we’re eager to learn what’s on the menu this year. We’ve probably got a little while to go before rumors really close-in on what we can expect, but at least we’ve now got a timetable, as Google shares the dates for I/O 2015.
Google I/O will take place this year on May 28 and 29, again at San Francisco’s Moscone Center. Registration is still another month out at this point, opening on March 17. But if you’re intent on going, burn that date into your memory now, as you don’t want to miss your chance to sign up.
It used to be that we’d look forward to a new Nexus 7 at I/O, but between the absence of a new model last year, the lack of further Nexus 7 rumors, and the size of the Nexus 6 encroaching on seven-inch tablet territory already, we’re not particularly anticipating new Nexus hardware. But that doesn’t mean we couldn’t hear more about the next phase of Android One hardware, maybe see some new Android Wear gear, and even learn a little about what (if any) future there is for Google Play edition devices.
Other potential topics include Project Ara, Project Tango, and maybe what’s next for Google Glass. And hell, even if it’s only software and services, we’re still going to be in for a good show.


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Growing anger over Google Street View privacy breach
Anger is growing over Google's Street View privacy breach, with local government leaders adding to the chorus calling for scrutiny of the search giant. On Wednesday, D.C. Council Member Jim Graham (D-Ward 1) joined U.S. lawmakers and European government leaders in calling for an investigation into the online giant's collection of private data from residental WiFi networks.
Graham said Google's actions, disclosed by the company on Friday, "may have exposed countless Washingtonians to a “big brother-like” invasion of privacy.” He called for D.C. Attorney General Peter Nickles and Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs Director Linda Argo to investigate potential violations of law, including any anti-trust violations of the D.C. privacy laws.
Earlier Wednesday, Reps. Edward Markey (D-Mass) and Joe Barton (R-Tex.) sent a letter to the Federal Trade Commission seeking an investigation into what data was collected, who accessed it and how that may have harmed consumers.
Google has said the data was collected by mistake, an error it blamed on an engineering glitch. At a developer conference in San Francisco Wednesday, co-founder Sergey Brin said:
"Let me just say that we screwed up. I’m not going to make any excuses about it. The answer is yes. We do have a lot of internal controls in place but obviously they didn’t prevent this error from occurring. We are putting more internal controls in place and bringing in third parties to work on this issue, as well. Trust is very important to us. We are doing everything we can to preserve that trust."
The privacy breach comes amid increased scrutiny by lawmakers and regulators on how companies like Google and Facebook are handling Internet user data. Facebook has been criticized by lawmakers and consumers for changes in its privacy policies that in some cases left users' profile information exposed to anyone on the Web. The Federal Trade Commission has said it is developing with a framework to guide social networking firms on privacy issues.
Hemu Nigam, an online security expert, said many Silicon Valley companies have grown so quickly that security and privacy became an afterthought. Nigam, who led cybersecurity efforts at Microsoft and News Corp., dropped by The Post on Wednesday and talked about how venture capitalists should urge startups to make privacy and security issues a bigger priority in their business plans.
For example, he said, the backlash against Facebook over recent changes to privacy settings epitomizes the kind of growing pains that exponential growth can bring.
"Companies need to think of privacy holistically and up front so problems don't happen like they did for Facebook," Nigam said. "A venture capitalist that doesn't see privacy and security in a business plan should reject it or make sure that gets in. Because in the end its about good branding and trust and when you lose that, your advertisers bail out and so do customers."
May 20, 2010; 8:00 AM ET
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Sprint S announced Thursday that it will slash the costs of its iPhone Forever plan to just $1 per month for a 16 GB iPhone 6S and $5 per month for the 6S Plus model.
Sprint's iPhone Forever deal gives customers the option to lease iPhones from the company, allowing them to trade-in for the newer versions at a reduced cost. In this case, the customer would need to trade-in an iPhone 6 to qualify for the special price. The regular price for a 22-month iPhone Forever contract is $22 per month.
This news comes in the wake of T-Mobile TMUS cutting the price of its own upgrade deal. T-Mobile's "Jump on Demand" plan was reduced from $25 a month to just $5 a month for an iPhone 6S on Tuesday. Unlike Sprint's iPhone-based package, the Jump on Demand deal allows subscribers to upgrade as many as three times per year, whether they want an iPhone or a different brand of smartphone.
The price competition is heating up throught the wireless carrier market, as the industry leaders have ditched the typical two-year plan model. Switching from one carrier to another is easier than ever as well.


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Deutsche Telekom has announced a strategic partnership with Software AG in order to deliver Internet of Things (IoT) services on a global scale. The operator’s enterprise customer unit, T-Systems, will expand its ‘Cloud of Things’ offering, using Software AG’s Cumulocity IoT platform.
The partnership, announced by Software AG CEO Sanjay Brahmawar and T-Systems chief executive Adel Al-Saleh (above) allows both companies to make a bold play for an emerging multi-billion international market in IoT. By pooling expertise and resources, the two will expand their presence across the US, Germany and wider European markets.
T-Systems will utilise Cumulocity IoT’s connected architecture as the new base for its integrated Cloud of Things IoT platform, the backbone that supports a vast range of mission-critical customer applications, starting small but scaling fast. It enables companies to remotely monitor, manage and control their connected devices and machines, and also provides huge insight that helps cut costs, boost efficiency, increase security and create new value by converting raw data into business intelligence.
Cloud of Things will now operate within a multi-cloud environment, giving it greater ability to scale quickly with customer demand and expand its capabilities with many new functional extensions that include Streaming Analytics, Micro Services and new protocols.
At this year’s MWC event in Barcelona, SK Telecom and Deutsche Telekom signed an MoU to ‘jointly promote the blockchain business’ for identity and verification use cases. The two companies were looking to cooperate by putting together, and eventually commercialising, a digital ID card focusing on identity, access control, as well as other transactions and contracts.
Picture credit: Deutsche Telekom/Software AG
Interested in hearing industry leaders discuss subjects like this? Attend the IoT Tech Expo World Series events with upcoming shows in Silicon Valley, London, and Amsterdam.


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Year-on-year, prices of goods increased by 1.8 percent, slowing from a 2.1 percent rise in the preceding month, as energy prices went up at a softer pace while cost of food grew further. Prices also increased for newspapers and periodicals (5.1 percent), tobacco products (4.6 percent), and pharmaceuticals products (2.6 percent). Meanwhile, cost of consumer electronics fell 1.1 percent.
Energy prices were up 1.3 percent, compared to a 3.7 percent rise in a month earlier. Prices increased mainly for heating oil (4.0 percent) and electricity (2 percent), while consumers paid less for gas (-2.6 percent).
Food and non-alcoholic beverages prices went up by 2.9 percent, compared to a 2.8 percent increase in November. Price increases were observed for most food product groups, especially for edible fats and oils (16.6 percent), dairy products (10.1 percent) and fruit (7.6 percent). Vegetable prices were markedly down (-6.1 percent).
Services inflation edged up to 1.6 percent from 1.5 percent in November, mainly the result of the development of net rents exclusive of heating expenses (1.7 percent). Upward pressure also came from: package holidays (4.2 percent); maintenance and repair of vehicles (3.8 percent); and in-patient health services (3.5 percent). Meantime, consumers paid less for insurance services for transportation (-9 percent) and services of social facilities (-7.6 percent).
On a monthly basis, the consumer price index rose markedly by 0.6 percent in December, after a 0.3 percent gain in November. Prices rose for: package holidays (20.1 percent); air tickets (4.7 percent); rail fares (2.1 percent); and food (0.8 percent). By contrast, cost fell for energy (-0.1 percent), clothing (-2 percent) and footwear (-1 percent).
The harmonised index of consumer prices rose by 1.6 percent from the previous year and by 0.8 percent month-over-month.
Considering 2017, the inflation rate surged to 1.8 percent, compared to 0.5 percent in 2016 mostly boosted by a recovery in cost of energy (3.1 percent vs -5.4 percent in 2016). Also, food prices rose 3 percent (vs 0.8 percent in 2016) and services advanced 1.4 percent (vs 1.3 percent).


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James* works as a courier for four different app-based delivery services, but in 2012, he drove a yellow cab in New York City during Hurricane Sandy. The city imposed restrictions on traffic into Manhattan, but, as he remembers it, the police department issued a bulletin allowing cab drivers to cross onto the island without a passenger.
“What I recall is that I had a cop stop me as I was driving in over the Manhattan Bridge and I’m like, ‘Wait, I can show you this notice from your commissioner,’ and he just didn’t care. He turned me around and I had to go back [to Brooklyn]. Luckily I picked up a fare right away.”
Caviar, one of the delivery services James drives for now, issued drivers a similar notice in New York amid citywide protests and curfew, he said. “If a law enforcement officer or other public official attempts to stop you from providing delivery services, please show them this advisory linked below,” it reads. James describes the advisory as a four-line memo from Caviar and parent company DoorDash stating that delivery workers are exempt from curfew restrictions.
“If you get stopped by one of these officers, it’s a 50-50 chance — or maybe even worse — that they’re even going to care that you’re showing them this notice,” he said.
His suspicion was proven correct on Thursday night. Several videos posted to Twitter show a Caviar delivery worker being detained by police in Manhattan for allegedly breaking curfew. “It tells me on the app I can show you guys something! It tells me I can show you and you can’t arrest me,” he says, clearly distressed as he’s handcuffed.
Protestors in all 50 U.S. states have taken to the streets, speaking out against anti-Black violence and the recent deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery at the hands of police and vigilantes. Forty U.S. cities imposed curfews at some point during the last week, intended, officials say, to prevent rioting, looting, and violence. Though many cities had lifted curfews by the end of the week, they remain in effect in NYC, Philadelphia, and Minneapolis, among other cities.
In many instances, the implementation of curfews this past week has come with little advance notice or vagueness surrounding which “essential workers” — ie, if restaurant employees — would qualify for an exemption. In Seattle, restaurants were allowed to remain open under the truly vague guidance that they would “not be allowed to have customers”; NYC’s initial guidelines were also unclear if restaurant employees were exempt. (After public outcry in response to the Caviar courier’s arrest, Mayor Bill DeBlasio later tweeted a clarification and apology of sorts: “This is NOT acceptable and must stop. Food delivery is essential work and is EXEMPTED from the curfew.”)
For delivery services, which put their drivers on the roads and thus in public spaces where they’re more likely to be confronted by authorities enforcing a curfew, advising employees of the best guidelines seems paramount, especially as, in some places, they continue to process orders in the hours after the curfew’s implementation. Spokespeople from Grubhub, DoorDash, and Uber Eats all confirm that they suspended service in some locations with curfews and maintained it in others, amid guidance from local officials. Each app says it communicates internal guidance with drivers through some combination of email, text messaging, and notifications in the same mobile apps they use to field delivery orders.
DoorDash recently posted a message through its app to Bay Area Dashers — that’s their word for drivers — promising to send updates about area shutdowns and curfew exemptions for delivery workers. It also reassured drivers that they wouldn’t be penalized if a protest or curfew impedes their ability to make deliveries.
“Where possible, DoorDash will remain open should you choose to dash, and we plan to remove any impact to your Acceptance Rate, Completion Rate, Customer Rating that results from this unique situation,” it reads, referring to metrics that it uses as accountability measures for drivers. Dashers need to maintain a customer rating of 4.2 and a completion rate of 70 percent — otherwise they risk being deactivated from the platform. (The completion rate requirement rises to 80 percent on June 20, though the company looks to be making exceptions for drivers who are making fewer deliveries during the pandemic and protests.) The update ends: “As always we hope you will prioritize your safety and security while on the roads.”
Companies say they’re continuing to prioritize driver safety, highlighting already existing features drivers can use in case of emergency. Grubhub and Seamless drivers can contact a “care team” through the app. Uber Eats drivers can share details of their delivery with a friend or family member and access an emergency button through the app. A company spokesperson said Uber had not received reports of any safety-related incidents through its support channels amid the protests.
Shortly after the Thursday night arrest video was posted, a DoorDash representative said the company was alarmed by reports of the arrest. “We are gathering information and are in contact with City officials to determine what transpired. Essential workers must be able to complete their work and feel safe and secure while doing so, and we are prepared to provide them with our support,” the spokesperson said, though did not clarify what sort of support the company would offer.
And although in this instance DoorDash refers to its workers as “essential” within the context of coronavirus restrictions, drivers and couriers for these services are considered independent contractors, not employees. Critics of the practice have long argued that puts vulnerable gig workers at heightened risk: For example, delivery companies are not required to provide benefits like health insurance to drivers. Delivery companies continue to fight for that classification: DoorDash and Uber spent millions of dollars in California to fight a law that reclassifies drivers as employees. A measure proposed by DoorDash, Uber, and Lyft to exempt app-based drivers and couriers from the law received enough public support to land on the November ballot, leaving state voters to decide drivers’ fates.
Drivers who are not given health insurance have to weigh coronavirus and other personal safety considerations while deciding whether or not to go to work. But delivery apps have recorded record usage since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic. On Wednesday, Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said Uber Eats orders showed no signs of slowing in May. The company’s spokesperson declined to share recent order data for cities affected by protests and curfews. Alex Blum, founder and CEO of Relay, a delivery service that operates in New York, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. says he’s seen lower courier turnout in Philadelphia, but not other cities. “In Philadelphia, despite lower turnout, operations have been smooth because many restaurants that were open have temporarily closed and/or are boarded up until things calm down,” he said.
Meanwhile in New York, a June 4 message posted to the Uber Eats driver app again reminded couriers that they are considered essential employees under the citywide curfew. “Your wellbeing is a top priority and we encourage you to prioritize your safety if delivering during this time. Please remember you can cancel a delivery if you feel unsafe at any point.”
The courier arrested on June 4 was eventually released by police when they “verified his credentials.” James, the cab driver turned delivery courier, remembers from his police encounter on the Manhattan Bridge, a note or official exemption isn’t guaranteed protection for workers out after curfew. “You’re stopped by an officer, are they really just going to look at your phone and be like, ‘Okay, carry on?’ You know what I mean?”
Kristen Hawley writes about restaurant operations, technology, and the future of the business from San Francisco. She’s the founder of Expedite, a restaurant technology newsletter that’s existed, in some form, for the last seven years.


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Normally at this time of year I send you the results of our annual Pulse of the Industry Survey. This year, well, let’s just say that the pulse is a little bit hard to read at the moment. Once the patient stabilizes a bit (sorry to torture the metaphor) and there’s more clarity in the marketplace, we’ll survey our industry peers to understand their feelings about business and where it’s going.
In the meantime, I have been speaking to a number of travel advisors about the current state of affairs and thought it worth sharing a few of the common threads I’m hearing. Not surprisingly, everyone wants to talk about the omicron variant and how travelers (and we) are reacting to it. The general consensus: Travelers are feeling anxious and confused, but suppliers feel fairly confident things will pick up as omicron fades.
Here is how I see the current state of affairs and the trends that are taking shape for 2022:
DESTINATIONS. Many places are suffering, whether they’re on lockdown, have intense quarantine regulations (Hong Kong or India, for example), or are seeing widespread cancellations from travelers afraid of contracting the virus or getting stranded. For the first half of the year at least, many consumers are staying close to home. Kimberly Wilson Wetty of Valerie Wilson Travel says her clients are planning domestic trips for winter and Spring Break. Paul Tumpowsky of Skylark reports strong interest in Mexico and the Caribbean. Don’t expect a resurgence in international visits to Asia or India until 2023.
AIRLINES. The recent spate of cancellations — due to weather, labor shortages, the 5G rollout, and other factors — is beginning to disrupt global traffic and has consumers worried. It plays into their primary concern of getting stranded away from home. Service cutbacks, like Cathay Pacific’s drastic recent cuts, aren’t helping matters (though there are also positive signs, such as Singapore Air’s reinstated service to Newark). We should expect mask mandates to continue for some time, but no one thought U.S. airlines would begin requiring vaccinations anytime soon.
HOTELS. On the groups side of the business, cancellations due to COVID are causing pain. So is having to restrict services due to staff shortages caused by illness and recruitment issues (as I have recently covered).
CRUISE. The cruise lines are “most improved” in how they are handling COVID, says Albert Herrera of Internova Travel Group, who adds that they are under enormous scrutiny, unlike most other sectors. But the U.S. CDC’s recent recommendation to avoid cruise travel — followed shortly thereafter by making its COVID protocols optional — sends a confusing message. The financial difficulties facing Crystal Cruises is eroding confidence in the sector’s stability as well. Nonetheless, cruisers will continue to cruise. Olga Placeres of Preferred Travel of Naples, who was sailing Regent Seven Seas in the Caribbean when we spoke, said that while some clients are unsettled, passengers on her ship were already booking their next sailing.
TOUR OPERATORS. Cancellations are taking their toll, and escorted group tours in particular are struggling, according to Wetty. But operators like Micato Safaris that offer “once-in-a-lifetime” experiences are doing well, says Herrera. Antarctica has proven popular as well. “What was a dream trip has become a reality with many options to choose from,” he says.
TRAVEL ADVISORS. Agents are working flat out to get clients where they want to go but are dealing with multiple changes — from airline cancellations, changing restrictions at destinations, and clients testing positive before departing or returning home. With every booking having an issue, the amount of time spent per booking has easily tripled — not counting the time spent reassuring clients.
So what does all this mean? Here’s what the next six to 12 months are going to be all about:
MESSAGING IS CRITICAL: I have written about this before, however communication in every category is going to be vital. It’s all about reassurance and a positive approach. Placeres sent her agents out and about in November and December so they can tell clients they’ve experienced a destination firsthand, which helps set clients’ minds at rest. Nonetheless, she says agents still have to “sell” the same trip two or three times before they book.
THERE IS STILL PENT-UP DEMAND. This is always hard to measure, but as a trend it is right up there. Most travel advisors are expecting growth to pick back up after Q1 but are remaining cautious in their estimates for the full year. Consumers want to travel, but they have so many questions — including whether and how inflation and supply chain issues should impact their purchasing decisions. All of which brings us right back to MESSAGING.
WE MUST PUSH INNOVATION. The old ways won’t necessarily work anymore, so it’s critical to move forward by discovering and creating new ways to operate our businesses. Hotels providing COVID testing is a great example of that, and I like the one-upmanship of resorts like the Bahamas’ Baha Mar, which will provide guests who test positive a free extended stay or private jet home.
Business models need to adapt as well. I’m thinking particularly of travel agencies, which, again, are spending inordinate amounts of time rescheduling trips and hunting down refunds in case of cancellation. I predict we’ll see a few testing out additional fees for rescheduled or canceled trips.
SUSTAINABILITY IS STILL TOP OF MIND. The environmental and cultural impact of travel will continue to be an important discussion in 2022 and will receive more attention. I salute Google for adding carbon emission scores on its flight search results and suspect more such awareness-raising measures, in the absence of actual solutions.
CONSUMER CONFUSION WILL CONTINUE. In the U.S. the CDC’s mixed messages on coronavirus have been a disaster, frankly, and not just in its travel advice. Both traditional and social media are contributing to the muddle. This trend will be with us all year and links back to points 1 and 2. How do we continue to move forward with clarity?
STAFFING PROBLEMS WILL STICK AROUND. Burnout and mental health concerns, recruitment and retention challenges (the subject of my last letter), and just plain old illness will remain huge issues as we enter the third year of the pandemic, and nearly all sectors — airlines, hotels, advisors, destinations — cruises being the exception — are suffering. Creating a safe and caring environment in the office is essential, as is maintaining morale among a remote workforce.
What about you? Where do you see the business heading this quarter and the rest of the year? And what challenges, trends, and rewards do you expect 2022 to bring? Let’s keep the conversation going!


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I remember the sparseness of talent and original thought, and degree of elitism during the formative years of Indian fashion scene. I used to write about that stuff and even as a non-trained, not-really-fashion-writer, it was obvious that there was such a huge chasm between the rest of the world and Indian fashion, despite the claims by many of the then designers. It is exciting to learn about the subtle and modern changes to the act of weaving, traditional crafts and other artisanal work being adopted by the fashion talent coming from little corners of the country.Fashion clearly has come a long way in India.
Julie Zerbo is the twentysomething founder and editor in chief of The Fashion Law, a website dedicated to the field of fashion law and business. She is a vocal critic of fast fashion and dubious industry practices, especially when it relates to fashion media. Introduction The rise of social media has turbocharged global materialism and … Continue reading Julie Zerbo
A freelance writer shares the ridiculous nature of fashion journalism where branded content passed for editorial. Here is how Elle editors ruined a great interview with fashion legend Rei Kawakubo. [The Observer]
The New Yorker just posted my latest piece for them – it is a eulogy for Wilkes Bashford, a clothier and a style maker that put San Francisco on the fashion map. Bashford died recently and his passing in many ways bookends a San Francisco before the Internet. It was ironic that just a few … Continue reading A Eulogy For San Francisco’s Past


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Thursday we reported that T-Mobile's version of the Samsung Galaxy S5 was getting a minor bug fix in the form of a 131 megabyte update. It looks like the cure was worse than the malady, because T-Mobile has abruptly halted the G900TUVU1ANE5 update, putting up a short message on the support page by way of an explanation.
Updated May 23 @ 8:30 PM EST
The Samsung Galaxy S 5 Software update to G900TUVU1ANE5 via OTA or Kies has been paused.
Samsung announced a couple days ago that the gold Galaxy S5 will come to all major US carriers by May 30th, but the phone has already popped up on AT&T's site. There it goes for $199.99 with a two-year contract, various monthly payments with an AT&T Next plan, or $649.99 outright. The name, Copper Gold, sounds like a currency stuck somewhere between a penny and something of actual value*, but it describes the color well.
T-Mobile has announced a software update for its version of the Galaxy S5 that, while nothing exciting, should address an issue some customers have experienced. The change log contains a single item, an improvement that alleviates occasional incoming SMS/MMS failure. Following the update, the S5 should receive messages more reliably, assuming it hasn't worked fine for you thus far. The version number is G900TUVU1ANE5.
The update is 131MB large and is available as an OTA or via Samsung Kies.
Earlier today, T-Mobile announced that it would start selling the gold Galaxy S5 on May 30th. As it turns out, this is the launch date for all of the major carriers in the US. Come the end of this month, a blinged out version of the S5 will be available from the likes of AT&T, Sprint, US Cellular, and Verizon as well.
With a simultaneous release across so many carriers, this isn't about exclusivity.
Starting next week, T-Mobile will bolster its lineup of available Samsung hardware. The big news here is the Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 edition, which will fill the somewhat shallow ranks of T-Mo's tablet selection. Magenta customers will also get access to the Galaxy S5 in Metallic Gold (Gooooooold!) starting on May 30th. The new color variant will be available online and in some retail stores, but only "for a limited time."
Even though Samsung went out of tis way to make the Galaxy S5 water and dust resistant, it seems to think there is still a place for an "Active" variant this time around. The device has shown up in a few videos and it seems to be destined for AT&T in the US.
Just like last year's GS4 Active, this one has physical buttons on the front in place of the capacitive/physical array on Samsung's regular devices.
The Galaxy S5 is a pricey phone, the cost of which the big four American carriers typically offset by pushing consumers towards two-year contracts. They generally also offer the choice to pay for the entire phone upfront, but people who want to own the phone outright and have the several hundred necessary to do so stand to benefit from shopping around for the lowest price, and lowest commitment, option available. Today both Boost Mobile and Virgin Mobile have added their names to the list of providers willing to sell a Galaxy S5, doing so for $599.99 with no contract.
Rumors have been circling of an upgraded version of Samsung's Galaxy S5 flagship for a few months now, including the idea that it will feature the metal body that's been desired by at least some Samsung fans for quite a while. A pair of leaks for the supposed device have surfaced this weekend, one on video and one in a set of photos. And they can't both be right.
The video above shows off what's alleged to be a pre-production phone smuggled out of Samsung.
The Galaxy S5 already has pretty decent battery life, but ZeroLemon wants it to last quite a bit longer. The phone comes with 2800mAh of juice out of the box, but ZeroLemon has an extended battery, case included, that will bump that up to 7500mAh. That's over twice the battery life, and you can now get your hands on it through Amazon for $49.99.
This case will offer your phone some extra protection, but it does have a few drawbacks.
Sprint or Verizon customers in the market for a new Galaxy S5 might want to meander on over to Amazon right about now. Currently the site has the handset available for just $99.99 with a two-year contract, half of the usual upfront fee. This deal is applicable both for new customers and people looking to upgrade to another device.
Verizon users who would prefer to avoid Amazon do have a few options.


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At CES, the big consumer electronics show underway this week in Las Vegas (when the lights are working), TechCrunch has learned that Verizon is working away on a couple of new services that will see the carrier once again trying to grow its business beyond basic broadband and mobile connectivity,
Welcome, friends, to the consumer electronics dead zone. It’s that increasingly brief window between the last of the pre-holiday releases and the CES deluge. It’s rarely home to genuinely exciting announcements, but when you’re a company like Samsung,
Months after a big round, African fintech startup Jumo has pulled in a fresh $12.5 million to add more fuel for its expansion into Asia Pacific. The new investment comes from London-based investment fund Odey Asset Management,
Work-Bench, an early stage enterprise startup venture capital firm based in New York City announced its $47 million Fund II today. It follows their initial $10 million fund. Work-Bench is itself like a venture capital investment startup.
Minted, known for its selection of printed goods, says it's profitable on an EBITDA basis.
San Francisco banned delivery robots because they obstructed pedestrians, so Postmates built one with eyes, turn signals, and a mandate to yield. Serve is Postmates’ new cooler-meet-autonomous-stroller that it hopes can cut costs and speed up deliveries.
Prisma Labs, the startup behind the style transfer craze of a couple of years ago, has a new AI-powered iOS app for retouching selfies. An Android version of the app — which is called Lensa — is slated as coming in January. It bills Lensa as a “one-button Photoshop”,
Stride Health, the consumer healthcare consulting and optimization service, has inked a new partnership with the U.S. government’s healthcare departments to provide “enhanced direct enrollment” to verify tax credit eligibility and process enrollments on its platform.
Nuheara’s new IQBuds Boost headphones exist in a a strange sort of in-between spot. Like the rest of the company’s line, they’re clearly one of countless devices looking to compete in the crowded world of bluetooth earbuds. Like the standard IQBuds before them, however,
We saw a small mountain of cool stuff at CES this week, but this one is still on my mind a few days later.It’s a ring you wear while playing a MIDI keyboard. By wavering your hand or sliding your fingers up the keys, you can change the vibrato or intensity of your notes.
As we noted earlier this week, the mere fact that Blocks was able to bring its modular smartwatch system to market feels like a minor miracle. The company appears to have not taken the easy route in any respect. It could have launched an Android Wear device,
The residents of Bon Temps better start running and hiding from the Hepatitis V virus-infected vampires"They're coming for every goddamn human in this town," Sookie Stackhouse shrieks in the first full trailer for True Blood season seven.See also:
PARIS — French officials have dispatched a military unit to secure the site in restive northern Mali where an Air Algeria plane crashed with 116 people aboard.
香港2014年9月12日电 /美通社/ -- 经过三天紧凑的会议和业界交流活动，第十七届中国国际皮革展于9月5日（星期五）完满结束。
援引Business Korea的最新报道韩国手机厂商LG Display和三星Display都开始为未来的智能手机和平板研发各种新技术。
目前，科学家讨论称，1972 年向外星人发送的图像内容需要更新，之前的裸体人像不合时宜 腾讯太空讯据国外媒体报道，俄罗斯企业家尤里-米尔纳组织了一个名为突破计划的行动框架，利用世界上最好的射电望远镜，对另 .


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Zacks Investment Research Upgrades Calavo Growers, Inc. (CVGW) to Hold
Calavo Growers, Inc. (NASDAQ:CVGW) was upgraded by Zacks Investment Research from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a note issued to investors on Tuesday.
According to Zacks, “Calavo Growers, Inc. engages in the procurement and marketing of avocados and other perishable foods and the preparation and distribution of processed avocado products. Their expertise in marketing and distributing avocado, processed avocado, and other perishable foods allows them to deliver a wide array of fresh and processed food products to food distributors, produce wholesalers, supermarkets, and restaurants on a worldwide basis. “
Several other analysts have also recently weighed in on the stock. BidaskClub upgraded shares of Calavo Growers from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 19th. Stephens reissued an “overweight” rating and issued a $85.00 target price (up from $75.00) on shares of Calavo Growers in a report on Friday, June 9th. Finally, Buckingham Research decreased their target price on shares of Calavo Growers from $83.00 to $82.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Friday, August 18th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the company’s stock. The company has an average rating of “Buy” and an average price target of $79.40.
Calavo Growers (CVGW) opened at 67.95 on Tuesday. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.19 billion, a P/E ratio of 29.56 and a beta of 0.62. Calavo Growers has a 1-year low of $48.75 and a 1-year high of $76.85. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $71.62 and a 200-day moving average price of $65.78.
Calavo Growers (NASDAQ:CVGW) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, June 6th. The company reported $0.74 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.66 by $0.08. Calavo Growers had a net margin of 3.99% and a return on equity of 18.38%. The business had revenue of $270.20 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $259.79 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $0.56 EPS. The business’s revenue was up 22.7% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities research analysts predict that Calavo Growers will post $2.12 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.
ILLEGAL ACTIVITY NOTICE: This report was posted by Daily Political and is the property of of Daily Political. If you are reading this report on another publication, it was copied illegally and republished in violation of US and international trademark and copyright law. The original version of this report can be viewed at https://www.dailypolitical.com/2017/08/31/zacks-investment-research-upgrades-calavo-growers-inc-cvgw-to-hold.html.
In other Calavo Growers news, Director Marc Laurence Brown sold 750 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, June 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $75.10, for a total value of $56,325.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 10,100 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $758,510. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, Director Kathleen M. Holmgren bought 1,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, July 6th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $68.00 per share, for a total transaction of $68,000.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director now owns 2,750 shares in the company, valued at $187,000. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. 9.90% of the stock is owned by company insiders.
A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Teachers Advisors LLC raised its position in Calavo Growers by 13.1% in the fourth quarter. Teachers Advisors LLC now owns 29,079 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,785,000 after buying an additional 3,361 shares in the last quarter. Bank of Montreal Can raised its position in Calavo Growers by 33.9% in the first quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 2,957 shares of the company’s stock valued at $179,000 after buying an additional 748 shares in the last quarter. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System raised its position in Calavo Growers by 1.6% in the first quarter. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System now owns 6,300 shares of the company’s stock valued at $382,000 after buying an additional 100 shares in the last quarter. State of Alaska Department of Revenue raised its position in Calavo Growers by 1.8% in the first quarter. State of Alaska Department of Revenue now owns 1,690 shares of the company’s stock valued at $102,000 after buying an additional 30 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Acadian Asset Management LLC raised its position in Calavo Growers by 251.9% in the first quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC now owns 5,613 shares of the company’s stock valued at $340,000 after buying an additional 4,018 shares in the last quarter. 86.93% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.
About Calavo Growers
Calavo Growers, Inc operates in the avocado industry. The Company provides value-added fresh food. The Company distributes its products both domestically and internationally and internationally. It operates in three business segments: Fresh products, Calavo Foods and Renaissance Food Group, LLC (RFG).
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Indonesia also now tightens its grip on Google Meta, digital news publishers will have to pay
Indonesia Regulation: Competition authorities and courts around the world are currently hearing cases about revenue sharing against Google Meta and similar platforms. Like Australia and Canada, many other nations have made progress in enacting laws.
President Joko Widodo of Indonesia has signed a bill requiring digital news publishers (DNPs) to be paid by tech behemoths like Google and Meta. Indonesia has joined Australia, Canada, and France as the fourth nations to take similar action against tech giants.
On Indonesia's National Journalism Day, Widodo said on the new law that its provisions will come into effect from August. After this, tech giants like Google and Meta will have to pay separately in addition to advertising revenue to display news content on their platforms. Under these rules, transparent agreements can be made regarding payment, licensing, revenue sharing and data sharing. Along with this, there is a provision in the law that technology platforms will prioritise the news content of verified media outlets. They will also contribute to journalist training programs and help curb the spread of fake news in the country.
Widodo said the law aims to resolve long-standing grievances of publishers. Digital publishers say they are losing their share of revenue to tech giants as their content is shown in search results without any compensation. Tech giants benefit from using news content in this way but do not share this profit with them. Widodo said that making rules in this regard was a tedious process, especially as it was very difficult to find a middle ground. Because the major digital platforms had different aspirations.
Platforms like Google Meta are the subject of hearings about revenue sharing before competition authorities and courts across numerous nations. Like Australia and Canada, many other nations have made progress in enacting laws. Regulations to compel Google and Facebook to pay for news are also being developed in Britain, Germany, and Spain.
The Delhi High Court is currently deliberating over a petition filed by DNPA, an association of Indian digital news publishers, against Google. It has been requested that the court launch an inquiry into the claims made against Google regarding the abuse of its monopoly and unequal revenue sharing, and establish a structure that safeguards their interests.
Australia is the first country where tech platforms pay DNP as per the rate set by the government. The Australian Parliament passed the Digital Platform Mandatory Bargaining Code in February 2021.
According to the law passed by the Canadian Parliament in June 2023, tech platforms will have to enter into agreements with digital publishers. They will have to share their global revenues with local companies.


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The Economic Times | 31 May 2016
India chasing free trade agreements with Israel, Gulf & Eurasia
NEW DELHI: India is eyeing trade deals with the European Union, Israel , Gulf countries and Eurasian region to deepen its trading engagement and revive exports, commerce and industry minister Nirmala Sitharaman has said. Highlighting her ministry’s achievements in the last two years.
Sitharaman also said the government had ensured equal opportunity for Indian farmers against developed world farmers at the World Trade Organization. "Our farmers
were at a disadvantage and after Nairobi (WTO ministerial conference ), we have achieved level playing field making developed countries to withdraw their export subsidies," she said at a conference on Monday.
She also allayed fears on any threat to the country’s public distribution system, minimum
support price and food security. The minister said India is working to ink new free trade
agreements (FTAs) with Israel, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and Eurasian
Economic Union . Among those in progress are Bilateral Trade and Investment
Agreement with the EU and an FTA with Australia. The cabinet has approved expansion
of preferential trade agreement with Chile.
Sitharaman said the EU is waiting for a decision on the Brexit (possible British exit from
EU) and dates to resume negotiations for the long-stalled proposed trade agreement are
yet to be finalised. "We want to work with the EU. We want to sign that agreement. We
shall move forward and talk. Of course, the dates are still not given," she said and added
that Australia is going through elections.
She said a framework is being drafted for the proposed India-Iran preferential trade
agreement while the country is actively moving forward on other trade pacts including the
Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, Israel and GCC.
A joint study group has been set for a pact between India and the Eurasian union,
comprising Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan, and the first draft report is ready. With Peru,
Sitharaman said a joint study group has been set up to explore the possibility of entering
into a free trade agreement. The government is also reviewing its trade pacts with Asean
and Sri Lanka.
Asked about losses in revenue when trade agreements are signed, the minister said, "We
are talking to finance (ministry) to understand if, eventually whether in a plurilateral or
bilateral agreement, duties have to come down. We meet finance (ministry) to tell us as to what are the implications in terms of revenue loss."
Commenting on the burgeoning trade deficit with China, she said the government is
collecting data from industry to bring in safeguard duties and anti-dumping duties to stop
imports causing injury to the local industry.
Trade deficit with China swelled to $44.7 billion during April-January period of 2015-16.
India’s exports to China stood at $7.56 billion during the period whereas imports jumped
to $52.26 billion. In 2014-15, the deficit was aggregated at $48.48 billion.
India has so far initiated 322 anti-dumping cases out of which 177 cases involve China.


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Las Vegas, Sin City or whatever you want to call it, it’s a place that you simply must see.
Set in the state of Nevada this illustrious town is famed for its gambling, nightlife and all round craziness. 697 more words
Shares in Caesars Entertainment shed 16% on Monday after a U.S. judge cleared the way for $11.4 billion in lawsuits against the casino group, which Caesars had warned could plunge it into bankruptcy alongside its operating unit. 143 more words
A Chinese consortium that includes game developer Shanghai Giant Network Technology and e-commerce company Alibaba Group founder Jack Ma has agreed to acquire Caesars Interactive Entertainment’s online games unit for $4.4 billion in cash, the companies said. 516 more words


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For this Spring iVogue has launched a new series of iPhone cases called the Frosted iPhone 4 Case.
ivogue.co.uk rel=“nofollow> is a London based website, known for selling mobile accessories. It has launched a new series of accessories called Frosted iPhone 4 Case. This stylish, lightweight cases give maximum protection to iPhones, as they are built with high – grade polymer. iVogue claims that these cases are easy to handle and they can protect the phones from everyday bumps and scratches.
Tim Wilton owner of iVogue said, “This really is the ideal case for anyone after lightweight stylish protection, and available in eight stunning colours to suit all tastes”. At present Frosted iPhone case is available in Black, Red, Green, Blue, Orange, Magenta, Purple and Clear.


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Bitcoin Exchanges & Wallets Bitcoin Revente Consignment 11 May 2020. The idea of cryptocurrency is still relatively new in the music industry. But artists like Lupe Fiasco, Gramatik, Pitbull, and Imogen Heap have all. The busted consignment contained 1,500 kilos of illicit drugs, he.said,
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Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the.
Interest in cryptocurrencies has surged as bitcoin has ridden a roller coaster of.
The first bitcoin miners were able to earn coins relatively quickly just using what.
Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks.


text:
All new BMW’s low-slung X6 is the first ever coupe-SUV crossover, which has created a new segment in the market that, will soon be lined up with competitors creations. After an i
The World’s Most Advanced Supercar is here! Undeniably a Masterpiece the BMW i8 Hybrid Supercar comes straight from the future!
BMW’s i8 is a high-tech stunner and is set to be the most expensive and rare plug-in hybrid electric car at the price tag of $140,000. This masterpiece has the acceleration of a


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Grindr, which is the only company becoming known as in most three problems, mentioned in a statement: a€?user confidentiality and information security was, and constantly are going to be, a high priority,a€? including so it has now modified their confidentiality procedures and it is in the process of boosting the consent management procedures to give consumers more control over how her private data is put.
a€?We acceptance the opportunity to feel a little component in a larger dialogue exactly how we are able to jointly evolve Columbia SC escort reviews the ways of mobile publishers and always supply users with the means to access a choice of a no cost program,a€? it stated.
Twitter, including a good many different enterprises known as from inside the states and the GDPR grievances, said it really is reviewing their steps and privacy plans and handles in light with the document and also handicapped Grindra€™s MoPub levels.
Professionals are not astonished adtech enterprises could be damaging the laws, especially since the nature of tech start-ups will be a€?move fast and split products.a€?
Adam Penman, an employment attorney within the London company at worldwide firm McGuireWoods, states a€?it looks that app firms answer issues which struck them hard commercially, while keeping a low-level quasi compliance structure which does not restrict capitalizing on promotion opportunities. Are basically activated [to complaints] just will pay a lot more dividends than being hands-on about compliance.a€?
a€?Big technology will be reactive to legislation. Obtained monetary bonuses to react like that,a€? claims Chad McDonald, vice president of visitors experience at Arxan, a technology organization that specializes in app safety. a€?The companies involved posses their particular entire business model built around revealing really personal information. They usually have a tremendously powerful monetary motivation to drive the limits as much as capable, as soon as possible, until legislators and/or community push back. Regrettably, the pushback usually uses the horse keeps bolted.a€?
Most feel regulators need a proactive role in engaging utilizing the industry and publicizing what’s best rehearse.
a€?While moves are increasingly being made to incorporate positive guidelines so enterprises know very well what accomplish, there are still gaping holes on how they ought to approach information confidentiality and also the tools and operations which they should incorporate,a€? states Adrian Barrett, president and Chief Executive Officer of data protection development company Exonar. a€?There will be the hope of a a€?kite-marka€™ for companies that can illustrate compliance with GDPR which cannot happen in no time,a€? the guy brings.
Penman states in the place of fines as well as other a€?sticksa€? to motivate conformity, supervisory body should artwork a€?carrotsa€? assuring compliance generates commercial pros, including by giving respected a€?seals of approvala€? for several apps or internet based providers so consumers and customers become secure in making use of that item.
a€?The anxiety about corporate fines cannot seem to be operating, despite their own probably high value,a€? claims Penman. a€?But reducing the confidence between a consumer as well as the product/company they’re making use of will struck tech companiesa€™ long-term commercial welfare.a€?
Most generally speaking, but experts think enforcement needs to be more arduous and there ought to be much better coordination between EU facts supervisors about how precisely they should stamp out and discipline illegal and unjust tactics.
Camilla Winlo, manager of consultancy DQM GRC, an information coverage and confidentiality consultancy, thinks that if tech firms you should never a€?clean the house,a€? brand new sanctions are going to come into force. a€?Many nations bring legislation that allow individuals in management spots to get fined or imprisoned for confidentiality failings. The EU keeps didn’t get that much, but I would personallyna€™t getting after all amazed if it changes in the future. Globally, the pattern do seem to be towards individual accountability,a€? she says.
Aaminah Khan, a barrister specializing in data and information rules at St. Johna€™s structures, says if enforcement will likely be a highly effective discouraging factor, firms need certainly to feel the threat of a superb that means 4 % of global return are going to be used.
She also believes a€?the relative lack of scrutiny and enforcement by regulators to date in respect of compliance issues in areas such as tracking in the adtech industry has resulted in some companies viewing a loose approach to GDPR compliance as a commercial risk worth taking.a€?
Khan says while fines bring her place, there are a selection of equipment regulators have at their disposal underneath the GDPR that can be used together with fines. For instance giving evaluation notices, where the regulator can examine whether processing is certified, and administration notices, the spot where the regulator can purchase a business enterprise to do something to treat any problems to follow. a€?These is probably wide-ranging influence that may rectify compliance dilemmas, if used suitably,a€? she says.
She states the GDPR is truly successful, a€?data regulators have to take an accompanied up, matched way of regulation across European countries,a€? provided these services are used by people throughout numerous jurisdictions.
a€?Although this is how GDPR is envisioned to be effective, we’re but observe much proof of this joint method doing his thing,a€? claims Khan.


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Paris, 28 May 2003 – Three students from Singapore Nanyang Technological University demonstrated their potential as future creative brand managers when they were named winners of the L’Oréal Marketing Award international final. The team came up with an innovative customized line of hair-care called ‘Garnier -Younique’. The innovation resides in the fact that every consumer can add specific essential oil capsules to his/her ‘Younique’ shampoo, thus, allying cosmetics to well-being virtues, suited to his / her needs. The team was also given the best communication prize awarded by Publicis.
Launched in 1993, the L'Oréal Marketing Award is celebrating this year its 10th anniversary. Since its creation, the competition has brought together close to 12 000 students worldwide. For the first time this year, a country from Asia won the international competition.
The winning team from Singapore, as well as Switzerland (second winner), Spain and Germany (third winners) presented their brands and their communication and business strategies to an executive judging panel which included some of L’Oréal’s most senior management: Patrick Rabain, Senior Vice-President in charge of the Consumer Products Division, François Vachey, Senior Vice-President in charge of Human Resources, Jacques Challes, International Director of Garnier, as well as Maurice Levy, C.E.O of Publicis.
The L'Oréal Marketing Award provides students with the opportunity to be a creative cosmetic brand manager; taking up the challenge in teams of three. This year, 18 countries were represented at the final. Their challenge was to come-up with a new hair-care brand for Garnier, a very appealing brand for young consumers.
Further information on Marketing Award available at: www.loreal-marketing-award.com
Further information on L’Oreal available at: www.loreal.com
Noëlle CAMILLERI: [email protected]


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There’s still a year to go before the European Union's Single-Use Plastics directive concerning tethered caps comes into force. Intermarché, one of the most popular retail chains in France, however, believes in getting ahead of the game.
In an announcement July 6, the company said that it would replace the closures on its fruit juice carton packs with SIG SwiftCap Linked closures — one of the tethered cap models developed by the Swiss packaging solutions provider, SIG — on SIG’s carton packs.
Intermarché said the move covered its entire private label juice portfolio of around 20 SKUs, or stock keeping units, and included both the Paquito and the MERCI! brands carried by the retail outlets.
Intermarché also said it planned to switch to cartons made from a packaging material from the SIG Terra portfolio, contributing to a significant reduction in the utilization of fossil-fuel-based plastics. The SIG Terra portfolio offers a range of more sustainable packaging alternatives, including options without an aluminum layer, or incorporating forest-sourced renewable materials and even recycled materials.
SIG uses tall oil, a by-product of the paper industry as a forest-based raw material for the production of the polymers used to produce the cartons in the Terra portfolio. The polymers, produced via the mass balance approach, are certified according to the certification scheme ISCC Plus. The cartons incorporate an ultra-thin aluminum layer to protect the contents of the carton from light and oxygen, which is certified against ASI (Aluminium Stewardship Initiative) standards.
The EU directive in question - no. 2019/2024 - requires single-use plastic beverage bottles up to 3 liters in size to be fitted with caps that remain on the container throughout its service life. The goal is to prevent closures from ending up in the environment or being lost for recycling.
The tethered caps requirement takes effect in July 2024.
“We want to help Intermarché meet regulatory requirements and the growing consumer demand for sustainable packaging,” Mélanie Révolte, marketing manager France, BeNeLux at SIG
The tethered caps developed by SIG are sturdy, convenient, can be easily disposed of and recycled with the rest of the carton pack. Importantly, they are also compatible with existing SIG filling machines and closure applicators. This means no major investment is required on the part of the company’s existing customers and creates more security about the continued use of these systems in the future.
According to Arnaud Allain, adhérent-strategy and development director Agromouquetaires in Montgiscard, the producer behind the Paquito brand, replacing plastic with renewable materials is a priority and part of Agromouquetaires’ targeted and committed sustainable development strategy.
“We have defined ambitious CSR objectives that we are determined to achieve. By being the first in France to adopt SIG's tethered closures, and by switching to an SIG Terra packaging material, we are helping to reduce the consumption of fossil resources and lower the impact on the environment,” he said


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Middlebury, Ind-based RV manufacturer Grand Design recently announced two new initiatives that will expand on the company’s digital transformation efforts to dealers and customers. This summer, the company launched its new GDRV4Life Marketplace app to owners and its GDRV4Dealers app resource to its dealer base.
The GDRV4Life Marketplace is a free service for Grand Design owners to post ads for all types of camping-related items. It was developed in response to owners looking for outlets to sell their lightly used items to other Grand Design Family members.
Additionally, GDRV4Dealers is a new platform that enables Grand Design dealer sales professionals to have the tools necessary to sell Grand Design products at their fingertips. The new app allows dealers to track sales, download sales tools and stay up to date on company news. The new Academy portion of the app will develop into the central digital and interactive training hub for all Grand Design RV brands.
“We always strive to get important information to our Grand Design Family in the fastest and most efficient way,” said Tommy Hall, director of marketing. “This past year has taught and presented us with the opportunity to take the lead and drive more of our customer outreach and dealer relations in a digital way. We have many exciting projects on the horizon, and these two platforms are just the start of where we want to go.”


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About London Tech Week
London Tech Week provides the tech eco-system with a platform to come together to drive change. Our mission is to build a better, more inclusive, digital world by gathering the world’s most inspirational founders, global leaders, senior investors and rising stars to collaborate and discuss the vital role of technology on society.
Key topics for 2022 included:
- Tech for good
- Tech investment
- Digital sustainability
- Tech transformation
- Impactful innovation at scale
- Visions of Web3
- Metaverse and opportunities
- From start-ups to unicorns
- Tech Talents
For press enquiries please click here.
Our Core Themes
Leaders & Innovation connects innovators and entrepreneurs to accelerate growth and drive positive change to ensure tech is for everyone and impactful innovation thrives.
Investment explores the entire ecosystem of funding & investment in technology through flagship start-up programmes to the world’s biggest Tech Festivals.
Knowledge & Skills contributes to creating a digital nation of significance through upskilling opportunities, discussing challenges and opportunities for technology across education and new ways of working.
Global Impact looks to not only tackle era-defining questions, but to highlight and accelerate the positive impact technology can have for the global ecosystem.
Diversity & Inclusion addresses under representation in the technology industry and creating positive movements to change.
Digital Enterprise highlights how traditional business practice is being put to the test through the adoption of digital strategies to help organisations meet the ever-changing demands of the consumer.
London Tech Week Anchor Events
Informa Tech and Founders Forum entered into a joint venture partnership to celebrate the strength and diversity of tech in the UK, and London as the epicentre of tech in Europe, by combining Informa Tech’s world class events and heritage of London Tech Week with the convening power of Founders Forum.
This joint venture welcomes EQL:Her and Founders of the Future brands into London Tech Week, alongside sector specific events including the Climate Summit, HealthTech Summit and Elevating Founders. Our portfolio provides opportunities for the talent of today and tomorrow to connect and collaborate on a global scale, during London Tech Week and beyond.
Check out the 2021 highlights
2020 was a truly unique, disruptive and exciting year for UK technology, and the festival explored the biggest trends this year, with 750+ top industry experts and inspiring leaders and purposeful content tackling the biggest challenges. We hosted an incredible 20,000+ attendees from across the globe for our first ever virtual London Tech Week. Check out the highlights video to relive the fantastic week and get a taste of what's to come this year!
We welcome brands from across all industries to London Tech Week, to showcase their brand, products and insight to the tech community by hosting at event during London Tech Week. Alongside the agenda and anchor events, there will be numerous Fringe Events hosted physically and across London and online through workshops, activations, roundtables and more!
Placing Your Safety at the Heart of London Tech Week
London Tech Week will be organised in accordance with Informa’s AllSecure health and safety standard. As the world’s leading events’ organiser, Informa has developed a detailed set of enhanced measures to provide the highest levels of hygiene and safety at its events, providing everyone with reassurance and confidence they are participating in a safe and controlled environment.When you join our event, you can expect to see that health and safety is a priority, and that a range of measures are in place to ensure everyone involved is able to enjoy a safe, hygienic, productive and high-quality organised event experience.
All Informa events will be run according to official government and local authority guidance in the first instance, as well as any venue or location-specific regulations. In addition, all Informa events will follow the ten Informa AllSecure priority commitments.
Our Virtual Platform
We have teamed up with Swapcard, one of the smartest platforms for virtual events. With advanced functionalities, we can deliver great value to our community and empower meaningful encounters from across industries worldwide.
- Hours of premium content delivered by inspirational leaders, live streamed or on-demand
- f2f interactions through video, Q&A sessions, roundtables and live polls
- Virtual Resource Hub with cutting edge industry report, surveys, interviews and more
- AI-powered matchmaking, connect with like-minded industry players from across the continent and beyond.
- A larger and more diverse audience than ever before
Our Commitment to Sustainability
London Tech Week’s purpose is to showcase how tech is transforming both business and society by driving important conversations around transformation, diversity and innovation. We unite the global tech ecosystem to inspire impactful innovation, building a better digital world for both business and society.
Our festival bring together the best of the world’s founders, enterprises, investors, policy makers and innovative thinkers to discover the latest trends, build global connections and drive the power of tech as a force for good. Our focus areas are inspiring sustainable development, running an environmentally socially responsible event and running a socially responsible event.


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The UK and European markets are traditionally the most important markets for South African produce and, despite current currency uncertainties and political turmoil, this will remain the case at least for now, although many exporters are looking at spreading the risk by sending more produce to Russia, and the Middle and Far Eastern markets.
“The fresh produce business is by nature a volatile business as it is based on demand and supply,” explains Wibo van den Ende from SAFE. “The Asian markets are growing and are logistically a natural trading partner for South Africa. We mainly focus on retail customers within Asia and, with a transit time of between 18-26 days, we have an advantage over other Southern Hemisphere suppliers who take longer to get there.”
“The UK is a supermarket orientated market, so those programs should be fine despite current issues – we have our retail contacts both in the UK and in Europe set. We aim for 50/60% to Europe and the UK and 30/40% to Asian markets and 10% to other markets, such as Russia and Middle East,” said Wibo.
As for the student riots and the Finance Minister being accused of fraud, making the South African political situation volatile and causing the Rand to lose ground again, Wibo said that South Africa has always been “a bit unstable”.
“But if you look after your markets, are reliable and operate your business to global standards, you will do well. On the upside South Africa is always exciting and never a boring place to do business!”
SAFE has eleven farms in the Northern and Western Capes, three of which are Fairtrade accredited, which makes them the only company which can cover the whole season with Fairtrade grapes.
“All is looking positive in the Northern Cape at the moment, the berries are a very good size and growing conditions have been good so far, but it is still early days,” cautions Wibo. “We are fortunate not to suffer from the impact of the drought, as we have a good water supply from the bore holes and our dams.”


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Microsoft has again uploaded, or made available the files for the Spring Update for Windows 8.1. We have the links for the 6 kb updates intended for x86, x64 and ARM versions inside.
Hands-on with the Microsoft Surface Book and Surface Pro 4
Review: Tesoro Excalibur Spectrum, a colorful Mechanical keyboard
Hands-on: Lumia 950, 950 XL, 550 and the Continuum Dock
lumia 950 xl
Here's the recap for Microsoft's Windows 10 Devices event in NYC
Editorial: Surface Pro 4 excites but leaves room for improvement
surface pro 4
Windows 8.1 spring update
The Windows 8.1 Spring update has reportedly reached RTM at build 17031 and has already been handed over to OEMs according to WZor, who also says a leak is likely to happen.
Microsoft has now officially announced the update to Windows 8.1 which will arrive in the Spring. The update adds a ton of features for mouse and keyboard users with modern apps.
A video of Microsoft's upcoming spring update to Windows 8.1 has been posted to YouTube and it hits on all of the new features that are coming to the platform.
Over the past few days we have seen a number of leaks around the upcoming Windows 8.1 spring update and all signs are now pointing to windowed modern apps.
If you love screenshots of leaked builds, make the jump to see the latest Windows 8.1 spring update shot that pushes us closer to a full leaked build.


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Wednesday, November 28, 2012 1 Comment
In this week’s video, we offer up a fun proposition, and L.E. expounds his thoughts on Halo 4. Yes, he’s taking his Halo 4 to video. Why? Because there’s just way too much to cover in just 100 words. So click the link to watch!
Thursday, October 25, 2012 No Comments
We knew this game was coming. Even when all the folks from Bungie and Microsoft said that the Halo story was done, did anybody really believe them? Yeah, that’s what I thought. And so, this Tuesday, video game journalists from across the GTA, myself included, attended the Toronto media launch event for Halo 4. The […]
Wednesday, April 28, 2010 1 Comment
Halo 2 starts off after Master Chief has destroyed Halo, stopping the Covenant from getting their hands on a super-weapon that could end all life across the universe. But nothing is that simple, and he gets a wake up call in the form of more Halo rings, and the rapidly expanding Flood. The storytelling continues […]


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Nottingham drinkers have a new pub – despite the city losing 85 since 2000.
The wave of pub closures has been blamed of changing drinking habits, higher taxes on alcohol and cheap supermarket drink
Now the Hockley Rebel in Nottingham’s Lace Market is opening its doors after a £90,000 investment.
It’s described as a “traditional” pub and will specialise in real ales & craft beer. There is also an upstairs cocktail bar called ‘Club Tiki’.
Since the turn of the century, the number of pubs in the UK has decreased by 17%, with 10,500 shutting
“People who are failing need too look at keeping up with the times”
Jason Norton, Co-owner of HOCKLEY REBEL
Jason Norton feels that owners of pubs that have had to close were struggling to remain relevant and keep upgrading to hold the interest of punters.


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United Kingdom – The textiles recycling market is showing no signs of turning for the better and prices could continue to fall given ongoing pressure from, for example, cheap clothing of Chinese origin, delegates have suggested at the annual general meeting of the UK Textile Recycling Association (TRA).
Their comments follow the observation from TRA director Alan Wheeler at last October′s BIR Convention in Paris that the value of UK used clothing had fallen ′around 40%′ over the previous 12 months. Specific concerns aired at the recent TRA gathering in London included substantial currency depreciation in Africa and Eastern Europe as well as significant devaluation of the Euro in relation to the pound, thus making UK exports more expensive while also ′slowing down payments from abroad′.
Furthermore, civil unrest in Ukraine/sub-Saharan Africa and the Ebola outbreak in West Africa have restricted goods transport across these regions. Ian Woods of Next Best Clothing is to succeed Ross Barry as TRA president. In his final report in the role, Barry recalled how a business course lecturer had once insisted that, without a doubt, textiles recycling was ′the most complicated and inherently risky′ business he had encountered in his 30 years working with companies of all sizes.
For more information, visit: www.textile-recycling.co.uk


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Devices such as the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive have been out for a few weeks now and the early reports are definitely exciting. The age of virtual reality has officially arrived, though it hasn’t quite received the fanfare many futurists might have expected. It seems as though both devices are still currently looking for that essential “killer app” that will force fans to rush to the shelves. However, the promise and potential that’s apparent with the new technology is already here, and many games are hinting at the new world of possibilities.
A wide variety of games will take advantage of the new technology and they run the gamut from first-person shooters to role-playing games to flight simulators. They include space combat title EVE: Valkyrie in addition to RPG title Chronos, both for the Oculus Rift. These original games come alongside the release of classic games repurposed for the new systems like Valve’s popular multiplayer shooter, Team Fortress 2. In fact, Kotaku reports that one of the games that has adapted to VR the most successfully has actually been Minecraft. This shows that some of the best applications of VR might be breathing new life into your existing library of video games.
Developers trying to incorporate more interactivity and realism into their games is nothing new. In fact, some of the most forward-thinking innovations have been the use of live dealers in games such as roulette and blackjack. As seen amongst Gala Casino’s live options, these games allow players to interact with real dealers. This gives the whole gaming experience the “feel” of sitting at an actual casino table with the ability to speak and interact with your dealer and other players in real time. As VR becomes more of the norm in different forms of entertainment, we only expect this level of interactivity to increase.
Sony will be the next company making the foray into the world of VR gaming with its own version of the technology developed for the Playstation hitting shelves this October. An article by Popular Science notes that Sony boasts an established user base that has eclipsed 36 million units in the market, giving it a pre-existing audience not available to the Rift or Vive. In addition to cross-platform titles such as the aforementioned EVE: Valkyrie, the launch of PS VR is expected to include more than 50 games. It could also be the necessary push to make virtual reality a household staple rather than a novelty for the more wealthy gamers out there.
Only time will tell what the future will hold for virtual reality. As more games are released, though, we only expect developers to continue to push the boundaries of what is possible with the new technology. The potential for greatness is there and we can’t wait to see what’s in store.


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The iconic rooftop venue may soon open its second Middle East site to the public.
According to insiders with direct knowledge of the situation who spoke to Arabian Business, CÉ LA VI, an elite contemporary Asian restaurant that doubles as a nightclub in the Address Sky View Hotel in Dubai, plans to open their newest location in NEOM.
When contacted for comment, CÉ LA VI Director of Growth and Development David Lescarret stated, “During the previous two years, we have received various requests for expansion in the Middle East from investors and operators, but at this time, we haven’t verified any location.”
The $500 billion NEOM megaproject in Saudi Arabia has announced a number of foreign hotel chains and brands that will operate in the area, with some of them beginning to accept guests as early as this year.
The flagship location of CÉ LA VI
The flagship CÉ LA VI location is in Singapore, and there are similarities between that location and the one in Dubai. In the Middle East, the NEOM location would be second. Tokyo and Taipei are a couple of their other locales.
In an interview with Arabian Business in 2020, Mark Bedingham stated that he was content to keep Cé La Vi’s arrival into the Middle East exclusive. This was in reference to the launch of the Dubai branch.
We basically claim to be a three-in-one model, which is obviously quite similar to Singapore. We want to have exceptional food, a wonderful wine list, a great selection of cocktails, great music, but we also want a great view. They are both stunning during the day and spectacular at night, according to Bedingham.
The Dubai location is well-known for its iconic swing with a view of the Burj Khalifa. It is also well-known for its Michelin-starred meals, Champagne brunches, DJs, live entertainment, and drink menu.


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Despite a slew of antitrust cases and stiffer rules in some markets, Apple released new numbers today that show record App Store growth in 2021. In a press release, Apple stated that it has paid out more than $260 billion to app developers since the App Store first appeared in 2008, an increase from the $200 billion it disclosed at the end of 2020 — implying that Apple paid app developers at least $60 billion in 2021 alone.
That number is significantly higher than previous years’ awards.
Until comparison, Apple had paid developers a total of $155 billion since the launch of the App Store by the end of 2019. It had previously stated that the figure was around $120 billion. If you read between the lines, that means developer payouts increased by $35 million from 2018 to 2019, and then increased again by $45 billion from 2019 to 2020.
Unfortunately, because the percentages paid by individual apps will fluctuate, the payments statistic Apple published no longer helps to provide insight into the status of the App Store’s economy.
Following increased regulatory scrutiny of its App Store business practises, antitrust charges, and litigation — including the continuing dispute with Epic Games, which is now on appeal — Apple has modified its commission system to limit its own cut of developer revenue.
With the debut of Apple’s Small Business Program in November 2020, the firm cut its commission on qualified apps (those earning up to $1 million per year) from 30% to 15%. If news publishers choose to participate in Apple’s Apple News Partner Program, commissions for their applications will be eliminated in 2021. Apple hasn’t said how many developers and publishers have taken advantage of these chances, only that the “vast majority” of apps would be eligible for the small business business discount.
Apple appears to be toeing a thin line between its usual self-promotion and not drawing too much attention to its outsized gains in announcing another App Store record. Customers on the App Store spent “more than ever” between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve in 2021, according to the business, resulting in double-digit growth from the previous year.
However, unlike last year, when it said consumers spent $1.8 billion on digital products and services over the week between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve 2020, fueled mostly by game purchases, Apple did not provide any actual data to record this milestone.
The results released today come after an otherwise transitional year for the App Store.
Developer backlash has increased as a result of App Store frauds, which were the subject of a Congressional hearing, as well as ongoing issues with the App Review process. As a result of the Epic lawsuit verdict, Apple was required to make App Store adjustments that would have allowed links to third-party payment choices this year, but was later granted a last-minute reprieve from the court order while the case is appealed. Apple, on the other hand, has had to reduce its grip on the App Store in other areas, such as Japan and South Korea, where regulators urged Apple to allow links to external websites and take other steps to rein in its dominance.
Apple also provided updates on its other services companies, including Apple Arcade, Apple Fitness+, Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple News+, Apple Podcasts, Apple Books, Apple Pay and Wallet, Apple Maps, and iCloud+, in addition to its App Store data.
Apple TV+ has won 190 industry awards, Apple Fitness+ has grown to include nearly 2,000 sessions of workout content, Apple News remains the No. 1 news app everywhere it’s available, Apple Pay has reached nearly 60 countries and regions, and customers used 30 million NFC tickets in Apple Wallet in 2021.
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Whale of a Sale — “Delaware’s largest garage sale” and a time-honored fundraiser for the Junior League of Wilmington since 1980 — will return from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 9 at Second Chances Farm, 3030 Bowers St., Wilmington.
The 2019 Whale of a Sale will feature an expanded boutique area, with high-quality and designer items including new clothing, accessories, formalwear and bridal gowns contributed by local businesses. The furniture section will include gently used pieces as well as items that have been rehabbed. Other finds include holiday items, children’s clothing, equipment and sporting goods, housewares, books and art.
Proceeds benefit the JLW’s mission of developing the leadership potential of its members and the league’s community programming. In addition to its annual Women’s Leadership Summit and Young Women’s Leadership Summit, the league’s current community impact campaign is Stand Up. Period. This initiative focuses on menstrual equity in Delaware and aims to ensure affordable access to period supplies.
The Sale will be held at Second Chances Farm, which nurtures plants and people, and the planet, by providing returning citizens with mentorship programs and green collar jobs at hydroponic, indoor, vertical farms. Attendees may park in the lot at East Side Charter School. There is on-street parking nearby and accessible parking adjacent to the site. The site is easily accessible from downtown and Interstate 495.
The JLW will accept community donations for the sale and drop-off dates will be advertised on Facebook — facebook.com/whaleofasalejlw— as they are scheduled. Sponsorship opportunities are available; email firstname.lastname@example.org or email@example.com. Cash and credit cards are accepted at the sale.
For more, visit jlwilmington.org or call 652-0544.


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Plunge in Customer Satisfaction May Spell Trouble for the Economy
ANN ARBOR, Mich. After two years of steady increases, customer satisfaction with goods and services in the United States has taken a dramatic downturn, the latest American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) shows.
The ACSI for the fourth quarter 2004 stands at 73.6, down from 74.3, the largest decline since 1997. The drop is due mostly to waning satisfaction with retail customer service, high gas prices and a glut of user-traffic on e-commerce Web sites.
Claes Fornell, director of the ACSI and professor at the Stephen M. Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan, says that declining customer satisfaction may have a significant impact on the future health of the economy.
"Customer dissatisfaction with the quality of goods and services offered in the marketplace is more than a nuisance," he said. "The U.S. economy is heavily dependent on increases in consumer spending. Such increases are hard to come by when consumers become less satisfied."
According to Fornell, even a slight change in the overall ACSI in one quarter has historically signaled a shift in consumer spending the following quarter. He says that consumer spending, which represents nearly 70 percent of Gross Domestic Product, grows at an annual rate of about 3.8 percent. But when customer satisfaction drops by 0.3 points or more, average consumer spending growth declines to 3.2 percenta difference of roughly $46 billion on an annual basis.
"Based on the ACSI alone, and not considering other factors, such as oil prices, interest rates, consumer sentiment and income, the deterioration in the ACSI predicts that consumer spending will grow no more than 2.3 to 2.7 percent in the first quarter of 2005," Fornell said.
Record-High Gasoline Prices, Challenging Holiday Season for Retailers Drive Deterioration
Customer satisfaction with retail gasoline outlets is at an all-time low of 70down 7 percent from a year ago. Because gasoline is such a large industry, this is a significant factor in the overall decline in the ACSI, according to Jack West, past president of the American Society for Quality, a co-sponsor of the ACSI.
"Satisfaction with gasoline is highly price-sensitive," West said. "With prices at record-highs throughout 2004, it is not surprising that satisfaction with retail gasoline stations is at a record-low."
But declining satisfaction with retailers is also partly to blame for the downturn in the ACSI. Retail sales were sluggish at the beginning of the holiday shopping season, but picked up as a result of heavy discounting by retailers, Fornell says.
Discounting came with cost-cutting as well, and when resources to serve increasing demand were lacking, the result was crowding, longer lines and slower service, he says. Although discounting brought more customers into the stores, customer satisfaction with retail overall dropped 3 percent from a year ago.
"In some cases, retailers try to generate repeat business largely through more and deeper price cuts, while others such as Kohl's, Costco and Target seem to be delivering a more sustainable mix of quality, service and price and, therefore, are not dependent solely on lowering prices to win customers," Fornell said. "Wal-Mart may be an exception, however. Even though the company does not do as good a job of creating satisfied customers as some of its competitors, as long as super-low prices make people buy its merchandise and as long as it can keep costs down, it is likely to be successful."
Banks Stable, High Costs Hurt Insurers
The customer satisfaction score for banks stands at 75, matching its highest level achieved a year ago. Satisfaction with smaller banks has actually improved slightly, but among the larger banks, J.P. Morgan Chase is unchanged at 70, while Bank of America has declined by 3 percent to 72. Both companies acquired smaller banks over the past year, which may explain their failure to keep pace with the rest of the industry.
"Mergers and acquisitions often lead to deteriorating customer satisfaction as companies reduce costs," Fornell said. "This was the case for banks in the late 1990s when there was considerable merger activity. It remains to be seen if history will repeat itself, but the data suggest that the recent mergers are not contributing to improved customer satisfaction."
Satisfaction for insurance has dropped from a year ago, particularly for health insurance, where rising costs are a major concern, Fornell says. The industry is down 4 percent to 67, an all-time low. Among the big insurers, both Aetna and Blue Cross/Blue Shield have declined by 5 percent and 3 percent, respectively, while rising costs have affected satisfaction with smaller carriers even more (down 7 percent).
Higher costs also have driven down satisfaction with life and property insurers as premiums have risen, Fornell says. But a few companies have managed to avoid the downturn. Prudential improved 6 percent to 77, the first time in 10 years the company has been above the industry average.
"As changes in customer satisfaction and stock performance tend to go hand-in-hand, it is not surprising that Prudential's stock price is up 30 percent over a year ago, compared with an average increase of 5 percent for the life insurance industry," Fornell said.
E-Commerce: Satisfaction Slips for Amazon and eBay
The ACSI score for e-commerce is down 3 percent to 78.6 and satisfaction with each of the measured categoriesonline retail, auction, travel and brokerage siteshas declined. Increased traffic to these sites has made it more difficult to service customers well, says Larry Freed, an online satisfaction expert and CEO of ForeSee Results.
Among individual companies, Amazon.com, one of the highest scoring of all companies in the ACSI over the past few years, fell 5 percent to 84 and is no longer the leader among online retailers---a position now held by Barnes and Noble's Web site. The reason for Amazon.com's decline may well be expansion from its core business of selling books, music and videos, Freed says.
"Amazon has moved well beyond books and music and has morphed into an online shopping mall, selling everything from garden appliances and apparel to electronics and used books. But bigger isn't always better from a customer's viewpoint," Freed said. "Barnes and Noble stayed true to its business model and product offering, which makes it easier to service demand well and sustain higher levels of customer satisfaction."
Another ACSI stalwart, eBay, is also now struggling with customer satisfaction, falling 5 percent to 80, Freed says.
"eBay is beginning to lose some of its uniqueness and appeal as it is becoming a marketplace of its own," Freed said. "eBay's success has also attracted more competition from auction sites, such as merchandise liquidator Overstock.com, Yahoo Auctions and even Amazon."
Increased competition also has brought financial pressures, Freed says. Even though revenue growth in the fourth quarter was strong, the company failed to meet market expectations and eBay's stock has been tumbling since the end of the quarter.
About the ACSI
The ACSI is a national economic indicator of customer evaluations of the quality of products and services available to household consumers in the United States. It is updated each quarter with new measures for different sectors of the economy replacing data from the prior year. The overall ACSI score for a given quarter factors in scores from more than 200 companies in 41 industries and from government agencies over the previous four quarters.
The index is produced by the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan in partnership with the American Society for Quality and CFI Group, and is supported in part by ForeSee Results, corporate sponsor for the e-commerce and e-business measurements.
Company scores and other information about the ACSI can be found on the ACSI Web site:
For more information, contact:
Phone: (734) 936-1015 or 647-1847


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Because of the scope and severity of last years drought most food analysts had projected that food prices would average 4 1/2% to 6 1/2% higher in 2013. So far that has not happened, at least for most commodities. Now because of demand and the drought induced liquidations we've seen in the beef industry, beef prices have been up this year. However all other commodities have not risen at the rate that had been expected and according to a recent USDA report it looks like food prices may actually run below average inflation level of 3 1/2% this year
Commodity groups hope this news will lead to better retail sales for the last quarter of the year and y will result in stronger producer returns. That coupled with projected lower input costs especially on the feed side could improve producer and grower margin beyond the modest level they have been for the first half of the year.


text: TreeHugger is the web's leading website for cutting edge news and ideas about everything green. PlanetGreen.com is the online arm of Discovery Communication's multi-platform network, which launched a 24-hour green lifestyle programming last June. Both sites are dedicated to driving sustainability mainstream. After traveling throughout America, with a long stopover on Maui, Meaghan landed in New York City in 2000, where she began her career in magazine journalism. While working for Interior Design, she became inspired by the tremendous boom that was happening in eco-design and sustainable architecture, which led her to help launch TreeHugger. In addition to helping launch TreeHugger.com in 2004, Meghan has contributed to publications as diverse as Men's Journal, Teen Vogue and Slate.com. She is also co-author of the book Ready, Set, Green: Eight Weeks to Modern Eco-Living, and says The Eglu home chicken coop tops her Christmas list.