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Google's PR Campaign
Google (GOOG) is facing a rising tide of discontent about its market dominance. Take the ongoing lawsuit over its effort to digitize millions of books. Google reached a tentative settlement with angry book authors and publishers earlier this year, but antitrust enforcers now are considering whether the agreement gives the search giant monopoly rights to commercialize a big chunk of that content.
Separately, advertisers are also up in arms. They say they have no bargaining power because Google controls so much Internet search ad real estate—more than 70%, according to the U.S. Justice Dept. And a lawsuit filed recently in New York complains that Google has used its market power to squash competition from rival search providers.
While companies can become monopolies in the U.S. without breaking any laws, titans like Google often find rivals and regulators banding together to rein them in. Google got a taste of that last November, when the Justice Dept. pressured it to abandon an ad tieup with Yahoo! (YHOO)
To head off further trouble, Google has launched a full-throttle public relations campaign that goes beyond just invoking its "don't be evil" mantra. Company officials are talking to advertisers, reporters, academics, and lawmakers to explain why, despite its commanding position, Google should be loved, not feared.
Part of what's prompting this charm offensive is the view within Google that Microsoft (MSFT) mishandled similar complaints a decade ago. The Justice Dept. sued Microsoft in 1998, claiming it abused its monopoly power to curb competition in operating systems and Internet browsers, and there was talk about busting up the company. Microsoft "didn't take its critics seriously enough," says Dana R. Wagner, Google's top in-house antitrust lawyer. "If you ignore people who are making policy decisions … you can pay a big price."
Nobody expects the Obama Administration to try to break up Google, but antitrust scrutiny will create challenges. "Here's a company that has been very successful, but how do they move forward?" asks Greg Sterling, an Internet analyst in San Francisco. "You're not going to fund your competitors; you're not going to stop pursuing your own interests. What do you do?"
Wagner, a former antitrust enforcer at the Justice Dept., says Google must explain itself better. And the heat is on. In a Feb. 17 complaint, TradeComet.com, operator of a business-to-business Web search site called SourceTool, alleges that Google attempted to "starve nascent competition" from other search sites. A central charge involves the very core of Google's and SourceTool's business model: the sale of keywords that trigger the display of ads, called sponsored links, when a consumer enters those terms. Initially, according to the complaint, TradeComet itself purchased hundreds of thousands of keywords from Google in order to drive traffic to the SourceTool site. But once Google determined TradeComet was a competitive threat, the complaint states, Google raised the price SourceTool had to pay for many keywords 100-fold (from 10¢ a word, for example, to $10). In a short time, TradeComet alleges, SourceTool lost 90% of its monthly traffic from Google and millions of dollars in revenue. Wagner said he can't comment on pending litigation other than to say, "We don't think there's merit to the TradeComet complaint."
Similarly, Google's effort to digitize books has triggered litigation. The proposed settlement would give Google control of a huge volume of so-called orphan books, for which the copyright holder isn't known. The Justice Dept. is concerned because Google alone gets immunity from copyright claims involving those works. Without such protection, no other company will compete with Google to commercially exploit this content, says Peter Brantley, a director at the Internet Archive, a San Francisco nonprofit that has its own book copying program.
In addition to commercializing the books themselves, Brantley notes, Google will be able to extract vast quantities of information through data mining and use it to develop other products. One possibility is an online encyclopedia that could compete with Wikipedia. Brantley's concern reflects a common fear that Google can leverage its monopoly position in one area to create new businesses. He and others say they have spoken to Justice Dept. antitrust attorneys about the proposed settlement and would like the government to oppose it. Wagner responds that Google's book-copying enterprise will produce big benefits for consumers, and he argues that anyone else who wants to do the same is free to strike their own legal deal on copyright. The proposed settlement has yet to be approved by the court, and the Justice Dept. declined to comment.
Wagner is right. Amazon.com (AMZN), Yahoo, or any other large rival is perfectly free to initiate its own book negotiations—although the hurdles are so high that hardly anyone expects them to do so. And for most other criticisms, Google has well-honed replies at the ready. Is the company too powerful on the Web? Well, as Google points out, that's one place where competition is always "just a click away." What about the monopoly in search? Google's dominance is overstated, Wagner claims. Many outfits that look at search traffic tend to focus on dedicated search engines. Wagner says they ignore the countless searches carried out every day on commercial sites such as Amazon, eBay (EBAY), Wikipedia, or iTunes (AAPL).
Still, Google is finding that nearly everything it does is now being scrutinized through the lens of competition. For example, a number of companies in the U.S. and Europe have objected to Google's policy of allowing advertisers to buy a competitor's brand name as a keyword. They claim this is a trademark violation, which Google denies. David Wood, a Brussels-based antitrust attorney, says Google can do this only because of its commanding market share. In effect, according to Wood, Google is telling brand owners how someone else can use their trademark. "It's just extraordinary," he says. Google's ability to do this could be regarded as abuse of its dominant market position, says Wood, who serves as counsel to European media trade group ICOMP (Initiative for a Competitive Online Marketplace), which objects to the practice. ICOMP was founded by, and is funded by, Microsoft, a chief Google rival.
More Scrutiny Is Inevitable
Even the trove of data Google collects on those who use its search, e-mail, and other products can become an antitrust issue. As Google's market share grows, privacy advocates say, would-be rivals who might compete by keeping users' personal data more secure are pushed out of the picture. It was on this basis two years ago, when the Federal Trade Commission reviewed Google's acquisition of Internet ad agency DoubleClick, that FTC Commissioner Pamela Jones Harbor said privacy concerns should be part of an antitrust analysis.
While the FTC approved the DoubleClick deal, it drew far more regulatory attention than Google had expected—leading to the new outreach campaign. "We know that as we grow to a certain size, it's just inevitable that we're going to get more questions from regulators, we're going to have more scrutiny," says spokesman Adam Kovacevich. "Some of that, of course, is fed by competitors, but we know we have to have good answers to these questions."


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Tire Group International Inc. has taken over an additional 70,000 square feet of space in its 250,000-sq.-ft. Miami warehouse during 1994. The 2-year-old tire wholesale import/export company, which now stocks inventory in about 110,000 square feet of the building, is subleasing the remaining portion of the warehouse until it can fill the entire capacity, according to Antonio R. Gonzalez Jr., company co-owner and vice president of marketing.
The wholesaler conducts about 65 percent of its business in the Caribbean, Central American and South American markets.
TGI also has announced it is introducing the Astro private-brand bias and radial commercial tire line only to its export markets in 1995.
The Astro-brand tires are being manufactured in India and China, Mr. Gonzalez said.
Odessa, Texas-based Quality Truck Tires Inc. recently broke ground for its third retail outlet, which will be located in Andrews, Texas.
The 25-year-old company expects the outlet to be in business by the end of April, according to Operations Manager Bob Dickerson.
Two years ago, Quality Truck Tires opened its second outlet in Denver City, Texas.
Both locations, along with a fourth outlet the company plans to open in San Angelo, Texas, in about a year, will focus on retail tire sales and tire-related and front-end service, according to Mr. Dickerson.
Quality Truck Tires has been serving primarily commercial and wholesale accounts within a 100-mile area surrounding Odessa.
``We felt there was a lot of retail business out there that we were missing out on,'' Mr. Dickerson said, in explaining the company's expansion plans.
Scarborough, Maine-based New England Truck Tire Centers Inc. recently upgraded its Bandag retread shop with equipment capable of producing Eclipse retreads, according to co-owner John Stevens.
Bandag's Eclipse retread system uses a curved tread that wraps over the shoulders of the casing, resulting in a new-tire-like product, he explained.
New England Truck Tire, which operates commercial locations in Avon, Maine, and Hudson, N.H., in addition to Scarborough, finished upgrading its retreading equipment in October, Mr. Stevens said.
Tharp Tire in Mesquite, Texas, is beginning to offer automotive repair service beyond the tire-oriented and front-end work it had been performing, according to owner Kathy Tharp.
She bought the dealer-ship-founded in 1955 by her father-from her brother, Danny, in November 1993. On Jan. 1 of this year, she became president of the North Texas Tire Dealers Association, a chapter of the Texas Tire Dealers & Retreaders Association.
Danny Tharp is pursuing other interests, Ms. Tharp said.
The Atlantic Tire Dealers Association inducted three founding members into its Hall of Fame in December, according to Executive Director Charles MacLeod.
Inducted were: Jack Clark, retired owner of Clark Tire Ltd., New Glasgow, Nova Scotia; Sumner Fraser, retired owner of Sumner Tire & Automotive Ltd., Moncton, New Brunswick; and Mel Pickings, retired owner of Goodwear Treaders Ltd., Bridgewater, Nova Scotia.
All three were responsible for founding the ATDA during the early 1970s, Mr. MacLeod said.

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Tom Eastman Nov 27, 2020
[Conway Daily Sun]
CONWAY — First, the good news: North Conway was named by readers of USA Today as the “No. 1 Ski Town in North America” (and the Jackson Ski Touring Foundation was ranked fifth in a list of the top 10 cross-country ski resorts).
But the question remains in this “new normal” of pandemic times: What will COVID-19 do to the joy of skiing?
After shutting down last spring, New Hampshire’s ski areas are taking the governor’s new safety guidelines to heart.
The big message from Ski NH, ski resorts and touring centers is knowledge is key.
“You need to know before you go what policies and procedures are in place,” said Shannon Dunfey-Ball, business manager for Ski NH of Conway.
“New Hampshire has its ski area guidelines in place, and all New Hampshire ski areas will be abiding by those — but exactly how each ski area abides by those totally depends on the makeup of their ski area and their own operations,” she said. There’s no one-size fits all policies for the specifics.
She said Ski NH is asking everyone to consult the web pages for the ski resort or lodging establishment they intend to utilize. She added that most customers should expect to buy their lift tickets and passes online before leaving home.
“There are going to be some small ski areas that don’t have the ability to allow people to buy passes online — in those cases, people should make sure they go online to the ski area website to find out what the ski area ticketing policy is,” said Dunfey-Ball. “Or pick up the phone to learn the ski area’s various policies.
“At the larger areas, you are going to have to buy your pass or ticket online in advance, and at some of them, you will not even have the opportunity to buy a day ticket. It might not just be an everyday thing,” she added. “It might be for those weekends and holiday periods due to capacity.
“So, again, it’s best for everyone to assume they need to buy a ticket online well before their arrival or do their research online to see if they ought to buy a ticket prior to their arrival,” she said.
As for using the parking lot as your base of operations, Dunfey-Ball said that is being encouraged, too.
“We’re asking people to ‘boot up’ in their cars and not expect to be able to spend a lot of time in the lodges,” she said.
“Nor should guests leave their boot bags in the lodges because the indoor facilities are going to be very much monitored for capacity,” said Dunfey-Ball.
What about bathrooms? “There are going to be facilities for use indoors, and some will be porta-potties outside, to make sure there enough opportunities for that,” she replied.
In terms of refueling, Gunstock and Cranmore, to name a few, are planning on having outside food trucks as an alternative to the traditional indoor dining options.
“Food trucks are going to be something that people are going to see, just because indoor dining options will be offered, but limited,” Dunfey-Ball said.
“Some may just offer grab-and-go for basic items like a bag of chips, a cookie and a cup of coffee. Others, like Cranmore with Zip’s Pub, will offer sit-down dining experiences.
“But to be able to go to that indoor dining experience, you’re going to have to go online and book a reservation for a time slot to be able to go to the restaurant. So that whole ‘know before you go’ and book online is not just true for lift tickets — it’s also for rentals and dining,” said Dunfey-Ball.
Some ski areas may locate the food trucks in their parking areas; others, such as Cranmore, may have them in the general base area for a ski-in, ski-out type of food delivery, she said.
If alcohol is being served, the state requires a space for people to sit down, so there will be areas where one can get a drink, but customers will not be able to walk around with open containers — nor will people be able to drink in their parking lot vehicle base stations.
“Nor will patrons be able to overnight park their RVs or to have open fires in the lots,” Dunfey-Ball said.
Base lodges like restaurants will offer cleaning stations. And face masks are now mandated by Gov. Chris Sununu to be worn everywhere in public, including at ski areas.
On the lifts? Social distancing, masks — and riding with your group only.
“Basically, when you are in the queue to ride the lift, everyone will be wearing masks and maintaining safe social distance,” Dunfey-Ball said. “We will have ‘ghost lanes,’ with some empty space in between so there is space in front of you and behind you and also 6 feet to the left and right of you.”
On the chairlifts, people will be asked to stick with their “pod” — the family-friends group with whom they traveled to the resort.
“Right now, the guidance is no lift riding with strangers. We are working on that guidance, and there may be some edits to that,” Dunfey Ball added. “For updates, follow the SkiNH.com website.”
Ski schools and programs will vary from area to area, so it’s best to check their websites. As Bretton Woods Director of Marketing Craig Clemmer noted, “It’s an evolving world, but to start out with, anyway, we are limiting lessons to individuals rather than groups.”
Added Cranmore General Manager and President Ben Wilcox, “We will have private and semi-private lessons to ‘like’ parties who came to the mountain together, but no group lessons. So that is a change this year.”
As for apres-ski live entertainment, it may have to wait until outdoor venues in the spring due to social distancing concerns, officials note.
Dunfey-Ball said the industry is expecting a strong season, with increased demand, based on what the outdoor recreation sector saw throughout New England this past summer.
People who own second homes or are able to rent vacation homes in the mountains to work remotely may spend the entire ski season here, skiing midweek, thus helping ski areas.
Local ski shops have noticed such trends for parents from “away” renting ski packages for their kids this season, noting they are staying in the valley at rented or second homes, working and studying remotely.
Some have predicted that sports such as cross-country skiing and snowshoeing may see as much as a 30 percent increase, given what was seen this past summer for hiking and cycling.
Similarly, Tyler Ray of Granite Backcountry Alliance is predicting a substantial increase in the number of backcountry skiers testing the snow beyond the boundaries of resorts this season.
“What we are seeing are increases in backcountry equipment sales. That indicates that we will see a substantial volume in skiers in GBA backcountry zones,” he said.
“Toward promoting ethical backcountry use, we have developed and are promoting a backcountry code of conduct to help mitigate any backcountry harm — we encourage everyone to check out ‘skikind.org,'” said Ray.
Ski NH’s COVID-19 guidelines site says the two-week self-quarantine has been lifted for those traveling to New Hampshire from surrounding New England states (Maine, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island).
People coming for an extended period from outside New England are still asked to quarantine for a two-week period.
Paula Tracy of InDepthNH.org recently wrote that neighboring Vermont has essentially shut down all out-of-state skiing for now, due to the fact that it has lower coronavirus numbers than the rest of the country.
Vermont has twice the annual skier visits as New Hampshire.
Dunfey-Ball said Massachusetts changed its rules for residents heading out of state Nov. 20, requiring them to undergo a 14-day quarantine upon their return.
“I think New Hampshire will see some stronger numbers this year and maybe some new skiers that traditionally would have gone to Vermont,” she said. “However, as these guidelines are being adapted on a state-to-state level, what we will end up seeing is still not known.”
The summit of 6,288-foot Mount Washington is snow-covered, always a harbinger of the season, and snow guns are out, starting to lay down the base at local areas.
“As for opening dates for ski areas this year, it is definitely a little more fluid,” said Dunfey-Ball.
“Ski areas are trying very hard to get open, and we want to stay open. So make sure you know before you go — and mask up,” she advised.


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Fisker last week unveiled three finalized prototypes of new electric vehicle models it plans to bring to market in addition to the existing Ocean SUV.
The Pear compact hatchback is arguably the most important of the three, as it has the greatest sales potential for the brand. We're talking a sub-$30,000 EV that Fisker expects to put into production in the first half of 2025 at Foxconn's Lordstown assembly plant in Ohio.
However, Fisker founder and CEO Henrik Fisker revealed in an interview with TechCrunch that the deal with Taiwanese iPhone maker Foxconn to build the Pear hasn't been finalized, despite the fact it was announced more than two years ago. "In the Foxconn deal specifically, we don't yet have a final conclusion to this deal," Henrik Fisker said, adding that he is still confident it will come together.
The memorandum of understanding signed by Foxconn and Fisker in February 2021 included a production goal of 250,000 vehicles annually, although details about the vehicle weren't announced at the time.
The deal came together relatively quickly following the announcement of the MoU, and by May 2021, the two parties had a signed agreement. A few months later, Foxconn made a separate deal with Lordstown Motors that included buying its factory in Ohio and helping the EV startup build its Endurance electric pickup truck.
Then in May 2022, Fisker announced it reached an agreement with Foxconn to build the PEAR EV at the Lordstown plant.
Gallery: Fisker Pear Livestream Debut
Fisker maintains that plans to build the Pear at Foxconn's facility in Ohio are still on track and have nothing to do with the fact the Taiwanese company is having legal issues with Lordstown Motors after the EV startup declared bankruptcy in June 2023 and sued Foxconn for "bad faith" and "broken promises."
According to a Fisker spokesperson, the ongoing suit between Foxconn and Lordstown Motors won't prevent Fisker from building the Pear at the Lordstown plant at this point. Still, Henrik Fisker said during the company's Q2 earnings call on August 4 that the Foxconn deal was not yet secured.
"The PEAR will be built here, [in the U.S.], but we are still in final talks with Foxconn. When you deal with contract manufacturing, it's a little different because you have to go through all the details of each vehicle to understand the exact cost of assembly," the executive said. Later in the call, he noted that he expected the deal to be finalized in the next three months.
In addition, Fisker told TechCrunch that the Pear assembly line needs to be adapted to the compact EV’s construction that requires 35 percent fewer parts than today's typical EV.
Fisker executives said the company wants to eventually build up to 1 million Pear EVs per year, at plants around the world, including in the US, Europe, China, and India. The company is already taking pre-orders for the Pear, which is priced at $29,900 before incentives and tax rebates. After incentives, the price drops to $22,400, according to Fisker.


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This Singaporean company hopes to disrupt mobile advertising in India by bypassing the need for Internet connectivity
- Novosol is a Singapore-based
mobile advertisingplatform company that uses a platform called moLotus to deliver media rich messages to consumers without being dependent on data or another application.
- Brands like HDFC, Standard Chartered, Samsung and HSBC are already using the moLotus platform.
- With their new round of funding, the company is planning to expand their operations in India as well as penetrate new Asian markets like Indonesia.
Novosol, an Singapore-based mobile advertising platform company just landed $7 million to drive market growth, and expand internationally. And their plans include disrupting the $2 billion direct marketing using their, moLotus — powered by by a proprietary technology it calls mGram.
The new platform and the technology that we’re hoping to penetrate the Indian market and disrupt the Indian $2 billion direct marketing spend in the same way digital advertising is disrupting media.
Lokhandwala explains that the moLotus platform is a mobile advertising platform that can integrate video, images, text and links into one message and deliver it to consumers SMS inbox without having to use data or an application.
We are also planning to partner Indian operators and the funding will be used for market development and expansion.
So, essentially, in expanding their partnerships with Indian telecom operators, brands — like Samsung, HDFC, Panasonic, Standard Chartered, HSBC, LÓreal and Tata who are already using moLotus — will be able to acquire new consumers and increase consumer engagement with existing ones.
The company claims that moLotus has the potential to disrupt the direct marketing market in the same way digital advertising is disrupting media.
moLotus platform has potential to disrupt the $300 billion direct marketing market and also eying the emerging $1.3 trillion digitalization and 5G opportunity - a large global and high margin revenue opportunity.
Novosol started its India operations in 2011, and the company has already collaborated with top telecom operators in several countries to generate a large and new high-margin revenue stream with minimal capital expenditure and operating expenditure for them.
While the company is based in Singapore, they also have fully operational offices in Malaysia and India as well. The funding acquired will be used to expand operations in all three markets, while allowing Novosol to penetrate new markets in Asia — like Indonesia, Philippines, etc.
Mobile ad fraud continues to surge as scammers get smarter - with in-app fraud increasing by as much as 800% this year
Facebook ‘hits the street’ to verify political ads in India — but that might not be enough
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German inflation picks up to hit 16-month high
- Top 10 News for 12/2: Crude Rips on OPEC Cut; Starbucks' Schultz Steps Down; Nonfarm Payrolls Flat in Nov.
- Unemployment Rate Drops to 4.6%
- Bond yields slip on U.S. jobs data, euro steady before Italy vote
- Alibaba (BABA) Founder Jack Ma Discuss Plans to Retire; 'I Don't Want to Die at the Office'
- Starbucks Coffee (SBUX) CEO Howard Schultz to Step Down, Appointed Executive Chairman; Kevin Johnson New CEO
General view inside the shopping mall 'Pasing Arcaden' in Munich, Germany, August 18, 2016. REUTERS/Michaela Rehle/File Photo
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BERLIN (Reuters) - German annual inflation accelerated in September, hitting its highest level in 16 months, preliminary data showed on Thursday, in an encouraging sign for the European Central Bank that its ultra-loose monetary policy is working.
German consumer prices, harmonized to compare with other European countries (HICP), rose by 0.5 percent on the year after an increase of 0.3 percent in August, the Federal Statistics Office said. This was the highest rate since May 2015 and in line with a Reuters consensus forecast.
On a non-harmonized basis, German annual inflation picked up to 0.7 percent after 0.4 percent in August, the Statistics Office said. This was also the highest level since May 2015.
Energy prices remained the main drag on the headline figure, but they fell less sharply than in the previous months, a breakdown of the non-harmonized data showed. Costs for rents increased faster than in August while food inflation slowed.
(Reporting by Berlin Newsroom)
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Volkswagen is going to be “more emotional” on E-MobilityOctober 3, 2016
At the Paris Motor Show Volkswagen company offers “more emotional“ brand strategy that will affect its future business decisions.
The campaign will be built around a new advertising slogan – “Think anew” – and intended for re setting the company Volkswagen after the scandal Dieselgate, which has worsened its position in the global market. Signaling a new, more emotional brand positioning, Head of Sales and Marketing Jürgen Stackmann promised that VW will restore the connection with its huge customer base and reoriented the global middle class. He said: “We have 40 million customers worldwide, and it is our greatest asset. We want to stay warm and close to our customers. We could make technological breakthroughs, but we do not want to be cold and technical brand.”
The slogan “Think new” will be associated with the strategy of VW in developing and expanding the production of electric vehicles, starting with the recently presented ID, and the Beetle and Golf Mk1.
“Think new is not fixed brand position rather a beacon to the course, which is directed and will adhere to our company,” said Stackmann. «Volkswagen always improving and changing. The transition from the Beetle to the Golf was revealing. VW in Paris showed a new feature of the company. Now we are changing in favor of electric cars. This is also significant.”
VW builds its new marketing strategy around six new “promises customers“: reasonable stability, human excitement, intuitive usability, connected community, always up to date and safe choice.
Marketing department of VW, working on strategy since late last year when Stackmann moved from head of sales and marketing for Seat at Volkswagen.


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By Beting Laygo Dolor, Contributing Editor
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) expects the Philippines to post the worst economic performance among Southeast Asian nations in 2020.
In its latest outlook, released to local media last week, the ADB again reduced its growth forecast for the Philippines in light of continued sluggish household consumption as well as weak investments.
The ADB now expects the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) to shrink by 8.5 percent as against 7.3 percent projected in September.
On the plus side, the Philippine economy is expected to recover next year, with growth expected at 6.5 percent but based on the assumption that “public investment picks up and the global economy recovers.”
The country’s projected recovery next year will be the second fastest in the region, behind Malaysia’s expected seven percent growth.
Based on its Asian Development Outlook Supplement report, the revised forecast falls under the lower end of the 8.5 percent to 9.5 percent shrinkage projected by the Duterte administration’s economic team.
According to the ADB, “The GDP forecast for 2020 is downgraded to 8.5 percent contraction because household consumption and investment have fallen more than expected.”
Among Southeast Asian nations, the country’s drastic GDP fall will be behind Thailand’s 7.8 percent drop, Singapore’s 6.2 percent fall, Malaysia’s 6 percent shrinkage, and Indonesia’s 2.2 percent retreat.
Only Vietnam is seen to grow this year at 2.3 percent GDP, an upgrade from the original projection of 1.8 percent growth.
Indonesia and Malaysia also saw their outlooks downgraded from -2.2 percent to -1 percent and from -6 percent to -5 percent, respectively.
According to the ADB report, “the Philippine economy contracted by 10 percent in January-September 2020, reflecting muted consumer and business activity and confidence under the pandemic.”
Despite imposing what is generally considered as among the world’s toughest lockdown and quarantine rules, the Philippines still had the second highest total of Covid-19 cases in the region. Indonesia recorded the highest number in recent months.
As of December 12, the country had recorded a total of 448,331 coronavirus cases, with 409,433 recoveries and 8,730 fatalities.
For a group of 45 nations in the Asian Pacific region referred to as Developing Asia, combined shrinkage for the year is seen at 0.4 percent, according to the ADB. And while “prospects diverge within the region,” the Bank said it expects growth in the group to rebound to 6.8 percent in 2021.
Said ADB chief economist Yasuyuki Sawada, “A prolonged pandemic remains the primary risk, but recent developments in the vaccine front are tempering this. Safe, effective, and timely vaccine delivery in developing economies will be critical to support the reopening of economies and the recovery of growth in the region.”
Also noted as a potential risk to the region’s growth outlook was the worsening tension between China and the US over trade and technology issues. It is not clear if the incoming Biden presidency will result in any improvement on the strained relations between the two economic superpowers.
The ADB lowered its 2020 GDP forecast for Southeast Asia to -4.4 percent, from the previous -3.8 percent. Growth outlook for next year was likewise reduced to 5.2 percent from the previously projected 5.5 percent.
For this year, the ADB also slightly raised its inflation forecast for the Philippines to 2.5 percent from the original 2.4 percent it stated in September.
The inflation outlook for 2021 remained at 2.6 percent.


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New York — Tech21 has extended its Impactology line of smartphone and tablet protection products with the new Impact Shield, a multi-layer screen film that
Old Lyme, Conn. — Sennheiser announced it has been named the official audio supplier for Infiniti Red Bull Racing.
As a result of the partnership,
Brisbane, Calif. — Monster announced it has teamed with Grammy Award-winner Emilio Estefan for its latest headphones line.
Two models make up the Sound
Wayne, N.J. — JVC has begun shipping the three newest additions to its Xtreme Xplosives series of headphones.
All of the headphones were first shown
North Andover, Mass. — InstallerNet announced it has partnered with Kryptonite, an Ingersoll Rand brand that provides action sport security products.
Secaucus, N.J. — Panasonic Consumer Marketing Company of North America added three new DECT 6.0 phone series to its lineup.
All three series —
Cumberland, R.I. — Ion announced that the SynthX app is now compatible with its All-Star Guitar.
The All-Star Guitar is a full-size guitar controller
Mountain View, Calif. — Speck Products is suing Katinkas USA for
Newark, Calif. — Logitech has added two Bluetooth keyboards to its lineup: the Keyboard Folio and Keyboard Folio Mini, designed for the iPad and iPad Mini,
Costa Mesa, Calif. — Xpal has begun shipping what it’s calling the first nearfield communication (NFC)-enabled battery case for the BlackBerry Z10.
By Lisa Johnston
New products on display at the American International Toy Fair, held in N
New York — The Anti-Defamation League’s National Consumer Technology Industry divisio
Los Angeles — Fifteen industry leaders were inducted into the Consumer Electronics Hall of
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- Wednesday 29 September 2021
- Professor Neil Pollock, Chair in Innovation and Social Informatics, University of Edinburgh Business School (Chair)
- Nicola Anderson, CEO of FinTech Scotland
- Stephen O'Neill, Head of Digital Economy and Data Driven Business, the Scottish Government
- Joseph Twigg, CEO of Aveni
- Roy Saadon, CEO and Co-Founder, AccessFintech
Edinburgh has one of Europe's strongest entrepreneurial ecosystems, propelled by the number of 'unicorn' startups, world leading universities, highly skilled workers, and the availability of early stage investors and mentors.
This, linked with a world renowned finance services sector and a growing strength in Big Data, means that the local FinTech entrepreneurial space is flourishing. However, one challenge to the community, highlighted in a recent report commissioned by the Scottish Government, Scottish Technology Ecosystem Review, is that of scaling.
The report talks of the need for the ecosystem to reach a 'tipping point' in its development where virtuous network effects strengthen the ecosystem and provide the conditions for start-ups to scale. To reach the 'tipping point' requires interventions in the areas of education, infrastructure, and funding.
Professor Neil Pollock, Chair in Innovation and Social Informatics and Nicola Anderson, CEO of FinTech Scotland head up a panel to discuss the dynamics of our local FinTech entrepreneurial ecosystem and the contribution of the Logan report to the challenges of scaling.
This event takes place during FinTech Scotland's annual festival and is being held jointly with the Edinburgh Futures Institute (EFI), which connects researchers and practitioners from a range of disciplines, to address major industry challenges with a particular focus on Financial Services and FinTech sector.


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Dining with the living legends of the world is on everyone’s wishlist. Over the years, fans of Berkshire Hathaway CEO Warren Buffett have aimed to grab the opportunity of lunching with the 91-year-old billionaire. Like most good things, even this opportunity isn’t free though it is admittedly laced with worth for time and money. More than twenty years ago, Warren Buffett’s first wife, Susie, initiated the idea of a charity lunch with her husband with the money going to support GLIDE. This program helps people out of poverty and homelessness. That first lunch, in 2000, went for $25,000.
Since then, many millionaires have grabbed this opportunity to be in the esteemed company of the Oracle of Omaha. According to the Glide Foundation, the endeavor raised more than $34 million. After a two-year hiatus, thanks to the Covid-19 pandemic, Buffett is gearing for a buffet; only this, he says, will be the final one. The venue is set- New York’s Smith & Wollensky, one of Buffett’s favorite places where he hosted the lunch since the first auction in 2000.
“Warren Buffett’s friendship and generosity over the past 22 years have been invaluable in deepening Glide’s impact on the systems that drive poverty and inequity,” said the organization’s president and CEO, Karen. “His legacy will have a lasting positive impact on Glide and the clients we serve.” In 2019, the lunch date went for a record-breaking $4.6 million to Justin Yuchen Sun, founder of the blockchain platform TRON.
This year’s winner can bring up to seven guests but only after winning the auction that commences on June 12. “With Warren Buffett’s final Power Lunch, we anticipate another record-setting auction with all proceeds supporting Glide—an organization that aligns with our mission and values by empowering people, promoting equality, and creating economic opportunity,” eBay’s CEO, Jamie Iannone, said in a statement shared by Barrons. The “Power of One” auction will run from June 12-17 on eBay and last five days, with bids starting at $25,000.


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New PWS Expansion in Tennessee
PWS, Your Bag and Packaging Source, announces significant capacity expansion to better serve East Coast and Midwest customers by officially opening up their new production and shipping facility in Portland, Tennessee on January 1, 2017. This expansion will allow PWS to take on new customers at both of their locations in California and Tennessee. Both new and existing customers will benefit from faster shipping times and lower freight costs on orders that can now ship from their new Tennessee facility.
PWS’ goal is to streamline logistics by expanding into a brand new 60,000-square foot facility in Tennessee. CEO of PWS, Lyndsey Tidwell, predicts double-digit growth and assures that the same level of quality and service will continue from their new facility. “Our print production team is second to none and we now have the opportunity to show our superior quality to a wider audience,” says Tidwell.
With two shipping locations; one on each coast, PWS has positioned itself to be the “go-to” bag and packaging supplier to distributors nationwide. Marty Kelley, V.P. of Sales, agrees that "the new location enables PWS to service new East Coast markets and distributors will benefit from our extensive product offering and quality printing capabilities." With expanded customer service business hours starting at 8am EST, 2-3 business day shipping timelines and increased inventory, the company is sending a clear message to distributors nationwide that PWS is committed to their success.


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LeBron James and his SpringHill Entertainment company have signed a production deal with Warner Bros. to develop movies, TV shows and digital content for the studio, Warner Bros. announced on Wednesday.
James created SpringHill Entertainment with his business partner, Maverick Carter. The company is behind the television show Survivor's Remorse, of which James is an executive producer.
“LeBron James has one of the most powerful, well-known brands in the world and we are excited to be in business with him and his partner, Maverick Carter, and SpringHill Entertainment,” said Kevin Tsujihara, the chairman and CEO of Warner Bros. “The combination of LeBron's global media presence and Warner Bros.' unmatched production and distribution expertise is a big win for fans everywhere.”
James recently showed off his acting skills in the Judd Apatow-directed and Amy Schumer-written movie Trainwreck, for which he is getting rave reviews.
In January, SpringHill Entertainment announced that it is making a game show.
- Molly Geary


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RANDLEMAN, N.C. -- Petty's Garage is the place to be for car fans this weekend.
The car show featured hundreds of exotic cars, including some of the rarest Ferraris on Earth.
"The Ferrari Enzo, there's 300 of those cars made in the world, so there's one of those here," said Jeff Francisco, general manager at Foreign Cars Italia. "We've got a Speciale Aperta that we're bringing that's one of 499 in the world, we've got an F12 TDF that's one of 799 in the world, and we have the F12 70th Anniversary car which is one of one. It's the only car built like it in the world."
PHOTOS | Petty's Garage Celebration of Speed Car Show
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The car show was from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday at Petty's Garage on Branson Mill Rd. in Randleman.
The cost to enter a car is $35, which also includes two spectator passes. General admission is $10 and free for kids ages 10 and younger.
Proceeds from the car show go to the Petty Family Foundation.


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The Romanian AI Wellness-Tech Hyperhuman Raises its First €500k Investment
After the Christmas holidays are over and with them the time of guilt-free indulgence and all-day-long relaxation, it is time to start thinking about our fitness routines again. And the most typical thing to do when we are looking for external fitness motivation is to turn to personal trainers, or why not to an AI trainer…or a combination of both?
With the mission to improve online workouts for both trainers and trainees, the Romanian wellness-tech startup Hyperhuman for AI customized fitness content, recently received €500k investment from the early-stage VCs Early Game Ventures and Sparking Capital, and the private investment vehicle Simple Capital. All three of the VCs are based in Romania and invest in tech startups with disruptive business models and the potential to quickly scale internationally.
Since the AI fitness product of Hyperhuman is currently in private beta version, the newly-raised capital will be used to develop their platform and mobile app and enable more trainers to produce, distribute, and monetize video workouts.
Dan Calugareanu, one of the partners of Early Game Venture, highlights: “2021 will be a booming year for fitness applications. At EGV we saw a lot of applications from various startups, but now we also found huge differentiators to invest in: a super-professional team led by Bogdan Predusca and a new approach based on understanding and processing video content with the help of AI.”
AI that redefines digital fitness
The unique feature of Hyperhuman is that it uses AI technology to allow fitness trainers to produce highly-personalized content that adapts to the goals, biometrics, and training environment of its users in real-time. The startup also makes it easier for trainers to create high-quality video workouts fast and without the need for complex and lofty processes of production and editing. Trainers can record their videos with the key moves of the workouts and the AI technology does the rest of the process for them – everything from generating the video to coming up with social media teasers. Put in more technical terms, their solution extracts the information and metadata from the recorded video content and transforms it into reusable components that can be customized according to the needs of each user.
The team behind Hyperhuman
Before starting Hyperscale, all three Romanian co-founders – Bogdan Paul Predusca, David Teodorescu, and Dan Nica, had a proven track record of building and developing digital products in the wellness sector. Predusca was the CEO and the co-founder of GetFitter – a web and mobile platform for connecting users to health coaches, and the Product Manager in Vector Watch and Fitbit, while Teodorescu was the Senior Product Designer in Fitbit and Dan was the Product Manager of GetFitter. According to Predusca, even though fitness hardware and software solutions are proliferating as demand for “train anywhere, anytime” products is growing, it is still expensive and difficult for trainers to produce quality content. He highlights that this gap creates a lack of diversity and personalization in online training and ultimately results in lost customers.
“Dan, David, and I experienced these challenges over the years both as fitness enthusiasts and also from our past experiences at Fitbit, Vector Watch, and our former fitness start-up getFittter. Our proprietary video AI technology solves this difficult industry problem,” shares Bogdan Predusca, the CEO and Co-founder of Hyperhuman.
The next go-to product for trainers?
With the current round of investment, the startup plans to build and commercialize its video AI technology, launch its product to the public by the end of spring 2021, and gain a significant user base. In the longer-term future, Hyperhuman has bold visions and aims to become the go-to product for fitness trainers and a key player in the fitness industry on a global level.


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AccuWeather and Samsung bring users all over the world the weather they need wherever they go
AccuWeather Global Weather Center - February 26, 2014 - AccuWeather is pleased to announce it is working with Samsung to provide a pre-loaded weather app on the newly announced Samsung Galaxy S5. This is the latest step in a strong relationship between the two companies, providing weather with Superior Accuracy™ and the best possible user experience.
"Samsung has delivered some of the most successful and celebrated mobile devices on the market to date and AccuWeather is proud to provide weather for the exciting, new Galaxy S5," said Steve Smith, Chief Digital Officer for AccuWeather. "Working with leading global partners like Samsung, AccuWeather seeks to provide the weather forecasts people need to make decisions and improve their lives."
AccuWeather and Samsung have a long-standing relationship, with AccuWeather's content and applications pre-loaded and made available on a wide range of Samsung mobile devices including the bestselling Galaxy S handsets and Note tablets. The latest version of the AccuWeather widget provides Samsung's Galaxy S4 users with weather on their home screens, as well as global 7-day forecasts, sky conditions, high and low temperatures, satellite images, and AccuWeather's patented RealFeel temperature index. Samsung users will always have access to the most accurate and up-to-date weather.
Samsung users who click through to the AccuWeather.com mobile site can take advantage of newly launched MinuteCast, providing Minute by Minute forecasts for every location in the U.S. and Canada.
In 2014, the company will launch the AccuWeather Channel, an "All Weather, All the Time™" multi-platform national channel for forecasts with Superior Accuracy.
About AccuWeather, Inc. and AccuWeather.com Every day over a billion people worldwide rely on AccuWeather to help them plan their lives, protect their businesses, and get more from their day. AccuWeather provides hourly and Minute by Minute™ forecasts with Superior Accuracy™ for nearly 3 million locations worldwide, with customized content and engaging video presentations available on smart phones, tablets, free wired and mobile internet sites, connected TVs, and Internet appliances, as well as via radio, television, and newspapers. Founded in 1962 by Dr. Joel N. Myers - a Fellow of the American Meteorological Society who was recognized as one of the top entrepreneurs in American history by Entrepreneur Magazine's Encyclopedia of Entrepreneurs - AccuWeather also delivers a wide range of highly-customized enterprise solutions to media, business, government, and institutions, as well as news, weather content, and video for more than 72,000 third-party websites. Visit www.AccuWeather.com for additional information.
About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in technology, opening new possibilities for people everywhere. Through relentless innovation and discovery, we are transforming the worlds of TVs, smartphones, tablets, PCs, cameras, home appliances, printers, LTE systems, medical devices, semiconductors and LED solutions. We employ 286,000 people across 80 countries with annual sales of US$216.7 billion. To discover more, please visit www.samsung.com.
AccuWeather, the global leader in weather information and digital media, today announced the AccuWeather Digital Content Partner Program, providing exclusive, interactive digital content to participating partners. AccuWeather launched the new collaboration at the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) Show this week, with information available at Booth #SL6816.
AccuWeather, the global leader in weather information and digital media, today announced significant innovations in StoryTeller(r), the only complete, interactive touchscreen solution. AccuWeather demonstrates the wide range of industry-leading advancements available in StoryTeller, essential for local television stations to stay ahead of the competition and increase viewership, at the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) Show, Booth #SL6816.
AccuWeather, the global leader in weather information and digital media, today announced new advancements in StormDirector+, the industry-leading interactive weather system that will transform and revolutionize local weather presentations, demonstrated at the 2017 National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) Show at booth #SL6816. StormDirector+ has taken the best interactive capabilities of AccuWeather’s unique StoryTeller and combined them with the best data and weather presentation capabilities. This unprecedented combination sets StormDirector+ apart from its competitors.
AccuWeather, the global leader in weather information and digital media, applauds the passing of H.R. 353 – Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017, and the signing of the bill into law by President Trump.
AccuWeather, the global leader in weather information and digital media, today recognized the instrumental leadership of Bill Boss, Director of Product Development, Display Systems and Services, for the successful development and launch of StormDirector+(tm), a necessity for local television stations to beat the competition and win in their markets.
AccuWeather, the global leader in weather information and digital media, has strengthened its mission of saving lives, protecting property, and helping people prosper with the launch of AccuWeather Ready – the year-round weather preparedness program that focuses on keeping people informed and safe. New safety information for the Spring season is now available at www.accuweather.com/ready, helping users prepare for possible tornadoes, flooding, and more.
AccuWeather, the global leader in weather information and digital media, today announced the launch of the new virtual reality application, AccuWeather - Weather for Life for Samsung Gear VR, allowing users to experience and interact with exclusive 360-degree video content, weather information, and updates in revolutionary new ways. The new app gives users an additional platform to access the most personalized, localized weather information with Superior Accuracy™ from AccuWeather, available worldwide through award-winning AccuWeather apps, free wired and mobile Internet sites via AccuWeather.com, connected TVs, wearables, smart homes, connected cars, and more.
AccuWeather, the global leader in weather information and digital media, today announced exclusive product innovations in StormDirector+®, the industry-leading interactive weather system that will transform and revolutionize local weather presentations, to be demonstrated live at the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) Show held April 22-27 at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, NV.
AccuWeather, the global leader in weather information and digital media, has announced the launch of new data and analytics solutions in Google’s Commercial Dataset program. Newly integrated on Google Cloud Platform, leaders can view the impacts of weather on business performance to make data driven decisions that drive results.
AccuWeather, the global leader in weather information and digital media, and Microsoft Corp. continue their strong collaboration with the release of Winter Warrior Winter, an online challenge between two individuals to prove who had the worst winter and recognize the true Winter Warrior.


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If you travel by plane, there are some confusing laws. The TSA’s screening procedures are security-focused. If they find CBD products during their search, they may call security if they feel you’re carrying cannabis.
There are well over a hundred different cannabinoids in the marijuana plant. It is understood that CBD is the non-intoxicating relative of THC. CBD is also one of the most useful cannabinoids in terms of pain relief and other forms of medicinal therapy.
That said, the state has come a long way regarding the legalities around the MMJ. This is no doubt great news for thousands of suffering individuals.
Yet despite all the rules that seem to point in the direction of legal CBD, lawmakers in the state have tried their hardest to make things complicated.
Can You Buy CBD Oil Legally in Michigan?
Several months before the legalization of cannabis in the state, on May 11, 2018, Michigan’s Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) frightened CBD sellers. It published an Advisory Bulletin that adopted a hard-hitting stance on all forms of CBD oil sold in the state.
Furthermore, Michigan has legalized recreational cannabis, so adults aged 21+ have nothing to fear if they buy a legal amount.
A majority of states now legalize marijuana in some form or another. This is incredible when you stop and think about it. Until recently, Michigan residents were not sure if CBD oil was legal in their state. Even today, it isn’t set in stone. Nonetheless, the state widely tolerates CBD sale and use. Also, Michigan now permits the sale of recreational cannabis.
CBD: The Non-Intoxicating Cannabinoid
The law firm said that LARA hoped to ‘encourage’ more individuals to apply for their MMJ card and buy from licensed dispensaries, which MMFLA licensees’ tax. More application fees and more tax from licensed dispensaries mean more money for the state.
If you are concerned about whether CBD is legal in Michigan, you should note that the Farm Bill doesn’t legalize the cannabinoid. However, it does permit the growth of industrial hemp with a maximum of 0.3% THC. Purchase CBD products that meet these criteria, and you should be fine. Also, Michigan law enforcement has no interest in arresting people for using CBD.
While there are no specified limits for CBD derived from cannabis, there are limits for cannabis possession. First-time offenders in possession of more than 2.5 ounces and up to 5 ounces may be charged with a civil infraction and fined up to $500. First-time offenders in possession of more than five ounces may be charged with a misdemeanor and fined up to $500.
This legislation also established a state licensing program through the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) for industrial hemp growers, processors, and handlers. However, Michigan’s proposed licensing program has yet to be approved by the USDA. In the meantime, those who wish to grow, process or handle hemp must participate in Michigan’s existing Industrial Hemp Ag-Pilot Program for the 2020 growing season to meet state and federal expectations.
CBD derived from cannabis is also legal in Michigan for all residents. Cannabis became legal for medical purposes in 2008 under the Michigan Compassionate Care Initiative. Michigan also legalized cannabis for individuals 21 or older in November 2018 under The Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marihuana Act.
Under Michigan’s Industrial Hemp Ag-Pilot Program, interested parties will be able to apply for either a grower license or a processor/handler license. Growers who also wish to sell industrial hemp will need to apply for a processor/handler license. Applicants cannot have any felony drug convictions in the past ten years.
Michigan CBD possession limits
To date, researchers have identified a number of potential applications linked to CBD, including anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-anxiety, and anti-seizure properties. Further, the chemical has shown promise in treating numerous health conditions, including seizure disorders, mood disorders such as depression, anxiety, and psychosis, chronic pain, and many more.
Cannabis became legal for medical purposes in 2008 under the Michigan Compassionate Care Initiative. Michigan also legalized cannabis for adult use in November 2018 under The Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marihuana Act. CBD derived from cannabis is legal for all Michigan residents, although it is subject to regulations.
According to guidelines recently released by Michigan Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, CBD products produced from marijuana will not be regulated as marijuana if the THC content is below 0.3%. Products derived from industrial hemp with a THC concentration above 0.3% are classified as marijuana and regulated under the laws that apply to those products through the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs.
Michigan CBD laws
CBD is a non-intoxicating cannabinoid found in cannabis and the second-most prominent in the plant after THC, which is mostly responsible for producing an intoxicating high. CBD can be sourced either from marijuana or hemp plants and has a wide range of potential therapeutic benefits.
Under current legislation, growers must submit samples of their industrial hemp harvest for testing. If the crop tests above 0.3% THC concentration, the grower may elect to test the crop an additional two times. If, after three tests, the harvest still shows THC levels in excess of 0.3% concentration, the crop will be confiscated and destroyed.


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"Given the unprecedented challenges the COVID-19 pandemic has placed on all of us, we are preparing early to deliver a great holiday season for our customers and selling partners—building out capacity as quickly as we can so we can deliver products customers need and want directly to their doorsteps and help you continue to grow your business," the company said.
An Amazon spokesperson told FOX Business the move will "help ensure all sellers using Fulfillment by Amazon have space for their products" and that sellers can replenish their inventory at any time.
Amazon will now enforce strict quantity limits for all third-party merchants that store goods in its U.S. warehouses. All product categories are impacted by the change, with quantities differing on a product-by-product basis.
According to the company, merchants who use Amazon's warehouses will be given enough space for over three months of sales. The company said sellers store an average of 1.5 months of inventory.
The company will also raise the threshold for its Inventory Performance Index requirement, a metric based on how well sellers "balance inventory levels and sales, fix listing problems that make your inventory unavailable for purchase, and keep popular products in stock," to ensure all products have space available during the holiday season. Sellers who fall below the new 500 minimum score will be subject to storage limits effective Aug. 16 through the end of the year.
In addition, Amazon will waive inventory removal fees starting Tuesday for any products that have not been selling.
"While no one has a perfect playbook for how to respond to COVID-19, our commitment to supporting your business has never been more steadfast," the company added. "We will continue to make adjustments to best support your business and keep you informed along the way. We appreciate your partnership as we improve the efficiency of our fulfillment network to prepare all selling partners for a successful peak season."
Since the coronavirus pandemic hit, Amazon said it has had to make "fast adjustments," including hiring more than 175,000 employees. The company also plans to invest approximately $4 billion on COVID-related initiatives to meet the surge in online demand during the pandemic and protect the health of its employees.
The company has also reportedly pushed back its annual Prime Day to October in response to the pandemic's impact on Amazon's supply chains.
In Amazon's note to sellers, the company said it is on track to open 33 new fulfillment centers in the US this year, which will increase storage capacity by nearly 35 million cubic feet compared to last year. The company also plans to have invested more than $30 billion to build capacity, tools, services and programs for sellers by the end of 2020.
The announcement noted that selling partners continue to account for more than half of all items sold in Amazon’s stores globally.


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Acer's chief executive Gianfranco Lanci expressed in a recent interview that he feels that there is too much competition in the PC market. More specifically, he believes that fewer players in the PC making market would lead to greater profits.
While that may sound like Business 101, Lanci took his insight further by saying that companies such as Acer need to look at buying out other computer companies in order to become more profitable.
"This can be a very good industry in terms of making profits if you think about there being four or five players instead of seven or eight as you see today," Mr. Lanci said to the New York Times. "There is not enough profit in the chain to maintain all these players today."
Lanci's logic is that though acquisitions, companies will become larger and thus be able to negotiate for better prices for computer components from suppliers and builders Quanta and Compal.
Acer's already played the buying game with its acquisitions of eMachines, Gateway and Packard Bell, which may have played a part in the company's rise now to rival Dell for the number two spot worldwide, behind Hewlett-Packard.
One thing is for certain, and that is Acer's not afraid to manage different brands it acquires as long as it's the same force pulling the strings in the background.
Lanci said in a previous interview, "One brand is almost impossible, if you want the right product and precision for the right customer profile."
From the sound of the Lanci's statements, Acer isn't finished yet on its mergers and acquisitions roll. While he wouldn't confirm what the company's next move may be, he did add, "I think we need to be part of this consolidation in some way."
ANTI-COMPETETIVE! Get 'em EU!
LOL! Well that answers my question about who the EU will go after once they are done with M$.
I'm pretty sure 99% of the world would like even more companies to drive prices even lower.
In my opinion no one company should control more than 10% of ANY MARKET. If so, split them up. This 'Too big to fail' garbage we got fed by the government is ridiculous. Never let any company get too big to fail.


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But China has invested more than $130 billion into its solar industry this year, the analysis said, and will bring more than a terrawatt of solar wafer, cell and panel capacity online by 2024. That’s enough to meet annual global demand through 2032.
The aggressive capacity expansion has already forced solar panel prices down dramatically this year and is prompting concern among U.S. producers that are banking on a government-backed domestic manufacturing boom.
The United States and India combined have announced more than 200 gigawatts of module capacity plans since 2022, Wood Mackenzie said.
“Despite strong government initiatives for developing local manufacturing in overseas markets, China will still dominate the global solar supply chain and continue to widen the technology and cost gap with competitors,” Huaiyan Sun, the author of the report, said in a statement.


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The Tesla Model S was initially released in 2012 and proved to be one of the most popular electric sedans. In 2021, it is now undergoing a major revamp and has come out with some fresh designs and exciting features that have left potential buyers swooning. Model S will come out in 3 options; Long Range, Plaid, and Plaid+ hoping that it stays ahead of the Porsche Taycan.
Tesla announced that the latest Model S would go into production in the early quarter of 2021 and become public in Spring. Recently, CEO of Tesla, Elon Musk, tweeted a picture of the Plaid Model S's gorgeous interior, declaring in the caption that it would be shipped out the next month (February). "It is really a tremendous improvement over the prior version," Musk commented on the earnings call. The Long Range comes out at the same time, while the Plaid+ comes out later in 2022.
Starting from the exterior, the modifications sport a sleeker hood, a more streamlined look, and a broader, more aggressive build, seemingly giving the vehicle an elegant yet powerful aesthetic. The standard glass roof is a staple of Tesla and remains incorporated in the new model.
When it comes to the interior, the changes are much more drastic. The older portrait touchscreen has been replaced by a larger, 17-inch unit similar to Model Y and 3. The most notable difference is, hands-off, the steering wheel, which is now a rectangular-shaped yoke-styled. Interestingly, The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has come out with safety concerns over the steering and plans to speak to Tesla about the modification.
Tesla has always been an advocate for entertainment in a car and has incorporated a screen in the center console to support passengers' video streaming and gaming.
The visuals were not the only thing that Tesla worked on. They announced an upgrade in battery technology, a new 96--watt speaker with active noise canceling, parallel parking, and changing of lanes without the driver's input, and claims to have the ability to charge laptops along with everyone's mobile phones fully.
The Long Range gets a 412-mile range and retails at $79,990. The Plaid S offers 390 miles with sub-2 second 0–60 time and starts at $119,000. The Plaid+ has topped headlines and is the most speculated trim, and the monstrous beauty is capable of 520 miles per charge and starts at $139,000.
The hardest decision for buyers to purchase the initial Long-range or Plaid S options when they drop or wait an additional year for the Plaid+ will prove to be a difficult decision for already enthusiastic buyers.
For more on auto news and trends, take a closer look at the Jeep Wrangler 4x4e.
Image via Tesla


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Insurance is going to cost more, and BlueCross wants you to know why
BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee is launching a targeted digital media campaign this week to help consumers better understand where their health insurance premium dollars go — and why they’ll inevitably be paying more come Jan. 1, 2014.
The initiative is centered around a website (www.KnowTheCostTN.com) that gives visual breakdowns of the average premium dollar and cost trends for health care over time. BlueCross officials indicated the initiative stemmed from focus groups the organization held in February.
“What we found was that people didn’t understand why health care reform was going to have an impact on their premiums,” said Roy Vaughn, vice president of corporate communications for BlueCross. “We wanted to provide straightforward information about how expansion of coverage and benefits affects their premiums.”
Vaughn indicated the ad campaign will target web users geographically, a strategy that helped contain costs to a “reasonable” level. Consumers should expect to see ads on social media as well as on local, statewide and national news media.
Triple-digit increases have been predicted by executives at some of the largest insurers in the country, while a recent study by the Society of Actuaries projected claims costs would rise by about 32 percent nationally; in Tennessee, the group estimated claims costs would grow 40-50 percent by 2017.
To put things in perspective, BlueCross applied the growth rate of health care costs since 1945 to staple products: a dozen oranges would cost $145, for example.
The not-for-profit private insurer is the largest in the state.
Cole Epley covers banking and finance; health care; law; insurance; and economic development. Contact him at firstname.lastname@example.org.
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The idea of a cashless society certainly isn’t new, but recent developments including COVID-19 and the Russia/Ukraine conflict have forced rapid innovation in this area. This against a backdrop of traditional bricks-and-mortar banks investing significantly in digital transformation, with many closing physical branches and upgrading their online offering as they look to repel growing threats from agile fintechs.
In the UK, more than a quarter of adults now have an account with a digital-only bank and an estimated 93% of the population will use some form of online banking this year. According to Barclays, 88.6% of eligible payments made in 2020 were contactless. It seems, for the UK at least, cash has had its day.
Not so, says FCA Clea Evagorou, who advises her clients on the regulatory implications of digital technology in her role as Risk Advisory Leader at Deloitte Cyprus. Speaking at a recent Member Spotlight event, she warned that, despite rapid digital innovations, many changes must still be made before a cashless society can become a reality.
“As more initiatives are pushed towards digitalisation, there is a thought in regulators’ minds about what that means for the disadvantaged,” she says. “Just because most people now have a mobile phone, it doesn’t mean they can use it to access money.”
While around 90% of adults living in high-income countries have bank accounts, that falls to around 45% in medium-income countries and just over 20% in low-income countries, according to the World Bank Global Findex database.
“Countries wishing to shift to cashless societies should ensure that all segments of the population have access to electronic payment means and are educated sufficiently to be able to use them,” Evagorou says. “To achieve this, a combination of regulatory and industry initiatives around financial literacy and managing branch and ATM closures are imperative.”
Moving to digital currencies
With the concerning lack of regulation around cryptocurrencies, a key development to move money safely into the digital space would be to introduce state-issued digital currencies. There is already talk of a digital Euro, which would live alongside cash, and consultations on this initiative are due to conclude in 2023. “Currently most countries can only issue paper notes and not digital currency, so that needs to be addressed. Such a shift would create more stability as we see more and more digital payments being made,” she says.
Moving money internally is one thing, but to support fluid transactions between countries there is much work to be done on aligning regulation. “At the very least, regulators would need to intensify their coordination efforts to make sure the supervision of digital transactions is not hindered by regulatory deviations between jurisdictions.”
Initiatives such as the Capital Markets Union could help ease the transition within the EU, but managing transactions between disparate countries remains a significant challenge.
On the idea of a global currency, Evagorou commented: “I think it would be difficult to move to a global currency. There are legal implications and there still needs to be a way to measure value. We’d need to start with a more gradual shift.”
“Shifting to a cashless society would require significant technological investments from all stakeholders in the ecosystem: banks, payment institutions and the regulators themselves. The current infrastructure is not geared towards such a large scale of transactions, nor is it equipped to support real time payments,” she says.
As well as the large financial investment required, she also called out the need for increased online security and operational resilience, as the threat of cybercrime grows daily.
Business model changes
Banks and other financial institutions currently make money by applying fees to customer transactions. In a cashless society there would be no cash payments and, therefore, these charges would no longer exist. As a result, the sector as a whole would need to relook at its business model.
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China’s underwhelming economic data is still weighing on global markets, raising concerns about the country’s post-COVID-19 recovery and its impact on the world’s second-largest economy. As Europe wakes up, investors are grappling with the anaemic Chinese recovery, which has particularly significant implications for European sectors like consumer, technology, industrials, and materials, all of which have substantial exposure to China. This uncertainty is likely to result in a mixed appetite for European stocks.
Luxury firms in Europe, in particular, are under scrutiny following disappointing earnings from Richemont, the owner of Cartier. On Monday, this news dragged down the pan-European STOXX 600 index. Furthermore, China’s faltering economy in the second quarter has intensified pressure on policymakers to implement additional stimulus measures. In response, China recently announced a series of measures aimed at boosting the consumption of household consumer goods and services.
In the currency market, there are speculations about the pound’s strength, with hedge funds and investors warning that it may not be sustainable due to unchecked inflation and weak growth. As the euro touched a 17-month high and the pound approached a 15-month peak, traders anticipate more interest rate hikes from the European Central Bank and the Bank of England to combat inflation, while believing that the Federal Reserve is nearing the end of its hiking cycle.
Investors will also be monitoring Danone, as the French dairy group is reportedly reviewing its legal options after the Russian government took control of its subsidiary in the country. Meanwhile, China and the United States are holding meetings in Beijing this week to explore collaboration in domestic policy and international trade, with a specific focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This dialogue is occurring as regions around the world, including Asia, Europe, and the U.S., grapple with soaring temperatures.
Some key developments expected on Tuesday include earnings reports from Morgan Stanley, Bank of America, Charles Schwab, and Hasbro. These financial releases will be closely watched by investors for insights into the performance of these major companies.
Overall, the lingering concerns over China’s economic recovery and its implications for global markets have created a mixed appetite for European stocks. The performance of luxury firms, the strength of the pound, and geopolitical developments between China, the United States, and Russia will continue to influence market sentiment. As major earnings reports are anticipated, investors are eager to see how these companies have fared in the current economic climate.


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The U.S. Supreme Court appears to be at cross-purposes again with the Federal Circuit on patent law.
The high court took up its fourth patent case of the term Friday, agreeing to decide whether the first sale of a product exhausts the patent owner’s rights in it.
Impression Products v. Lexmark International is fundamentally about whether Lexmark International Inc. can use patent law to block the recycling and reselling of used Lexmark printer cartridges. But the technology industry is interested for another reason. It's looking for assurance that manufacturers of electronics components sold and then assembled abroad can't assert their patents when the finished product is sold in the United States.
"When buying components, amici must be sure that they are securing freedom to operate for both themselves and their customers," Intel Corp. and Vizio Inc. stated in an amicus brief supporting certiorari filed by Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe partner Mark Davies.
The en banc U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit ruled earlier this year in Lexmark International v. Impression Products that patent owners may control subsequent uses through "a single-use/no-resale restriction that is lawful and clearly communicated to the purchaser."
That goes both for products sold first in the United States or abroad, Judge Richard Taranto held for the court in a 99-page opinion. His decision reaffirmed the Federal Circuit's 1992 holding in Mallinckrodt v. Medipart on domestic patent exhaustion and its 2001 international counterpart, Jazz Photo v. International Trade Commission.
The Supreme Court seemed to cast doubt on those precedents eight years ago with its Quanta Computer decision on patent exhaustion.
"We exceed our role as a subordinate court by declining to follow the explicit domestic exhaustion rule announced by the Supreme Court," Federal Circuit Judge Timothy Dyk wrote in dissent from the en banc decision.
The Supreme Court also applied the first-sale doctrine overseas in a copyright case in 2013.
"Once again the Supreme Court has granted cert in a case where the Federal Circuit drew a distinction between patent and copyright law," said Kirkland & Ellis partner John O'Quinn, referring to the laches case currently pending before the court. "The Supreme Court's decision to review the case shows that at least some on the court believe, as a presumptive matter, that where they address similar issues patent and copyright law should be interpreted to reach the same result," said O'Quinn, who's not involved in Lexmark.
Impression Products involves ink cartridges that Lexmark International Inc. sells on the condition they be used only once. Impression Products Inc. collects used cartridges, refills them with toner, switches out microchips that prevent them from being reused, and resells the cartridges. Impression moved to dismiss Lexmark's suit, saying that once Lexmark sold its cartridges, it no longer enjoyed patent protection over the product.
U.S. District Judge Michael Barrett of Ohio ruled that the Supreme Court had implicitly overruled Mallinckrodt in Quanta Computer, but that Jazz Photo remained good law. The upshot was that Lexmark could sue only over the cartridges that were first sold in foreign markets.
At the Federal Circuit, tech companies including Google Inc., Quanta Computer Inc. and Texas Instruments Inc. urged the court to loosen reuse restrictions for overseas sales as well. International exhaustion is "critical to the modern economy" because supply chains for products like smartphones can include hundreds of suppliers and sub-manufacturers based all over the world, Google and others argued.
Medical-device manufacturers opposed on the ground that many of their products are designed for single use for reasons of patient safety. The Mallinckrodt line of cases is "an important tool to protect public safety and health, and also enforce their patent rights against third-party reprocessors," they argued.
Chip designers Qualcomm Technologies Inc. and InterDigital Inc. also cautioned against overruling the court's exhaustion case law.
The Supreme Court had asked for the views of the solicitor general, which in October urged the court to grant cert on both the domestic and foreign first-sale issues.
Mayer Brown partner Andrew Pincus is principal counsel for Impression. Sidley Austin partner Constantine Trela Jr. represents Lexmark.
REPRINTED WITH PERMISSION FROM THE DECEMBER 5, 2016 EDITION OF THE AMERICAN LAWYER © 2016 ALM MEDIA INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. FURTHER DUPLICATION WITHOUT PERMISSION IS PROHIBITED


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KYOTO, Japan — Video game giant Nintendo has recently filed a copyright claim on the country of Italy, according to a company press conference.
“It is after much deliberation and discussion that Nintendo has come to the conclusion that we will be filing a copyright claim against Italy,” Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa said during a pre-recorded address uploaded to the official company YouTube channel. “The clear instances of infringement, such as adding ‘-a’ to the end of words, growing mustaches, and eating mushrooms, that have been occurring within Italy have gone unchecked for too long. It is our job to protect the hard work of our staff and executives.”
Ian Wright, a member of a Nintendo fan community, stood by the company’s decision.
“Everyone likes to shit on Nintendo for being super litigious, but I’m all for it. IP theft is so common these days, and as an up-and-coming game designer myself, I personally say ‘good for them’ for protecting their assets,” Wright said, neglecting to mention he had yet to have a game published. “Italy has been pushing it for years. It’s time Nintendo got some sort of settlement from all of this. I’m sure their profits have taken a hit, and again, as a businessman and creative, I can totally relate to that fear,” Wright continued, looking around the room for validation.
Dominic Casciato, an 80-year-old resident of Milan, was quick to express his confusion.
“I’m just sitting here, having my morning espresso, yes?” Casciato began, using the aid of a translator and gesticulating excessively, “and I hear this company in Japan, they make video games for children and adults too attached to nostalgia, they try to say my country is infringing on their intellectual property. Ridiculous! I don’t even know what games this Nintendo makes. Is it the plumber man with the horrible accent? It is? He is an offensive caricature! You know what I tell these men — who make this joke called ‘Mario?’ Afanabla! There. You go give them a piece of Italy’s mind,” Casciato added, taking a long drag of a cigar and grimacing with disdain.
Furukawa ended his speech by outlining Nintendo’s intent to apply for a patent on denim overalls.


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It is obvious that Melania Trump and Hillary Clinton have completely different styles and not just when it comes to politics. On multiple occasions, their styles have been compared and it has left many pondering the question, Who Wore it Better? Well, that question might be more obvious that you think but some people’s opinions might surprise you.
Melania’s fashion choices have been highly scrutinized recently by the left and mainstream media and they are always looking for hidden meanings behind what she chooses to wear. Rather than just looking at her style as being classic and chic they rip her fashion choices apart when in all reality, she is not the one who should be judged by what she chooses to wear.
In my opinion, Hillary Clinton is not seen as a fashion role model like Melania is. In fact, their styles could not be more opposite especially as of recent with Hillary’s choices of strange “drapes,” after her pantsuit obsession throughout the election. Melania always looks like a classic beauty and Hillary looks, well, not like a classic beauty. The majority of the time Hillary wears clothing that is way too big and made from drab, unappealing fabric. Far too often now she has shown up to events looking uncharacteristic to her campaign apparel that’s left many people wondering what’s going on.
Recently, Clinton showed up to OzyFest in New York wearing what looked like a mixture of a tent and hospital gown. Of course while she was there she made it a point to bash the president instead of apologizing to everyone there for her awful fashion choices. Many even weighed in on her horrendous fashion choice and just how overall she looked like hell.
Although Melania and Hillary couldn’t be more different in pretty much every way, the two ladies have had comparisons done because they had a couple style similarities and designer preferences. Pretty much the only thing they have in common is their fondness for American designer Ralph Lauren, but who can blame them, as well as a tendency to wear white. Both women love showing their support for American designers and wear them as much as possible.
The Daily Caller reported, The “office” of first lady has often been highly visible and scrutinized by the media. One of such tenants of a first lady’s media presence is her fashion sense, something highly praised and criticized at different points for both ladies.
When Melania initially wore this white pantsuit, many thought she was trying to poke fun at Hillary, given Clinton’s propensity toward wearing the color. Many also wondered if it was a subtle dig towards Pelosi’s #WomenWearWhite campaign. Neither of these claims were addressed by the first lady.
Since the end of the election when Hillary Clinton famously lost to Donald Trump, it’s no secret that she was utterly devastated by the outcome. Her post-presidential look seems to reflect that, along with what some have speculated as designed to hide a medical condition or device. Any reason for Hillary’s sudden style shift has not been formally addressed by her or anyone on her behalf. However, many wonder what happened from the time Hillary actually pulled off a pretty decent pantsuit for once, to now, where she’s often seen in a so-called tent dress or the like?
Just as Melania has been accused of a hidden message in her attire, one could ask the same of Hillary in her polished white pantsuit and now in her unseasonable clothes that some speculate are designed or worn to hide something.
Which of these two first ladies would you prefer to dress like? Which first lady overall would you say is the biggest fashion icon?


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The Hong Kong Trade Development Council is going to hold five major events at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) next week.
The events are the Business of IP Asia Forum (BIP Asia Forum), HKTDC SmartBiz Expo, Asian E-tailing Summit, HKTDC Hong Kong International Franchising Show and DesignInspire.
“Despite the current internal and external challenges facing Hong Kong, HKTDC will continue to run its exhibitions and events as scheduled, working to support Hong Kong enterprises with new business opportunities,” says Stephen Liang, assistant executive director at HKTDC.
Held on December 4-5, the Asian E-tailing Summit will feature the latest trends in e-tailing and business opportunities and solutions across Asia and the mainland. Inside Retail Asia readers are entitled to 70-per-cent discount to purchase the Asian E-tailing Summit tickets by clicking here.
The third HKTDC SmartBiz Expo will be held from December 4-6 with tagline “Smart Tech Makes Great Business”, featuring three main business areas including Smart City, Smart Living and Smart Commerce. The event is predicted to attract more than 400 exhibitors from 30 countries and regions.
Co-organised by the HKSAR Government and Hong Kong Design Centre, the 9th BIP Asia Forum will be held from December 5-6, featuring more than 70 international IP experts and business leaders to share the latest industry trends.
Meanwhile, the fifth Hong Kong International Franchising Show will attract more than 100 exhibitors from 14 countries and regions, providing a platform for sharing trade insights, connecting with new business partners and finding opportunities in new markets.
Under the theme “Co-create Sustainable Cities”, DesignInspire will be held from December 5-7 to showcase outstanding designs and projects, promoting the sustainable development of the urban as well as commercial environment and the importance of preserving aspects of traditional culture.
“The five December events aim to help SMEs identify new opportunities and markets, find supply chain solutions, streamline processes for raw materials procurement, manufacturing and sales, enhance their brand image and sharpen their competitive edge,” said Liang.
“We are also promoting the financial support funds by the HKSAR government and providing the latest information on Sino-US tariff measures, enabling SMEs to plan ahead and make better-informed business decisions.”


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02-27-2013, 09:28 PM #1
- Join Date
- Apr 2011
Apparently, BlackBerry Z10 Is Outselling iPhone 5 And Samsung Galaxy S3 In Canada
BlackBerry launched the Z10 last month with efforts to come back into the smartphone race. It didn’t really do much, but it was definitely a step up from previous BlackBerry 7 devices. However, according to a major retailer in Canada, the BlackBerry Z10 outsold the iPhone 5 and the Galaxy S3.
The Globe and Mail is reporting that Glentel Inc., based in Burnaby, B.C., sold more BlackBerry Z10′s than the iPhone 5 and Galaxy S3 from the time the device hit the market. There’s no specific number yet, but that doesn’t really matter when it comes from a retailer.
In a statement released on Monday, Burnaby, B.C.-based Glentel Inc., said the new Z10 model was “the leading smartphone” sold within its 330 Canadian Wirelesswave and Wave sans Fils retail stores since the device’s launch on Feb. 5.
RIM is obviously not going to sell more Z10′s than its rivals, because let’s be honest, both the iPhone 5 and Galaxy S3 have been around for sometime and have had amazing sales. The Z10 is new and will take a long time to sell millions of units like its rivals. It is, however, far better than previous BlackBerry phones, and RIM has done a very good job with the new BlackBerry 10 OS as well. The retailer didn’t provide any actual sales figure for the Z10.
We will have to wait for RIM to announce its financial results for Q4 2012, only then we’ll know how many Z10′s did they actually ship. RIM is said to announce the results on March 28th. The company had previously stated that BlackBerry Z10′s launch was the biggest ever BlackBerry product launch.


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Japanese Financial Service Agency (FSA) is currently considering the application of Line corporation to launch a cryptocurrency exchange. If events turn out positive, Bitmax, as the crypto exchange is called may be launched in Q3 of 2019.
Line Corporation is Japan’s most popular messaging app with a user base of around 80 million local users. According to a report from undisclosed persons in close connection with the corporation, the license may even be issued before the end of June. This will allow about 80 million people to exchange cryptocurrencies on Bitmax.
Japan’s Involvement In Blockchain
Japan has severally hit the headlines regarding issues related to blockchain and cryptocurrency developments. The nation took a decentralization turn as a way of improving its economy and attracted international investors from regions which are known to consistently ban cryptos.
Japan is one of the biggest crypto economies in the world and its regulations have encouraged the development of the blockchain generally. The nation is now home to many crypto exchanges which provide exchange services for bitcoin and a wide range of other digital currencies on an international level scale.
More Development Inbound
As Line corporation pressed forward in their acquisition of a license of operation for their proposed cryptocurrency exchange(Bitmax), there happen to exist a long list of other platforms currently in the review process of the nation’s FSA. Among those already approved are Fisco cryptocurrency Exchange and SBI virtual currencies, both of which obtained their respective approvals Sept. 2018, Huobi Japan approved in Sept. 2018, and recently, both Rakuten Wallet and Coincheck obtained their licenses in Q1 of 2019.


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Digital marketing services firm Datran Media has acquired social news site Allvoices, it said May 4. The deal will let Datran license the site’s proprietary crowd-sourcing technology to its clients, said Patrick Vogt, chairman and CEO of Datran.
The Allvoices site, which lets consumers post news content through an online platform, will continue to operate in its current form, and Datran will retain all Allvoices employees. The marketing services firm named Allvoices founder and CEO Amra Tareen the SVP of strategy at Datran, reporting to Vogt. Allvoices CMO Aki Hashmi was named general manager of the site, leading its day-to-day operations.
Vogt said the goal of the acquisition is to expand Datran’s technological capabilities by providing clients with a platform to develop, execute and manage crowd-sourced sites.
“Our goal here is to own the technology [and] provide the [crowd-sourcing platform], if needed, for those customers in the enterprise solutions group” who will be able to license the technology, said Vogt.
He added that Datran’s clients will be able to market to the Allvoices audience through the site’s content distribution system. Vogt said the company will expand the site’s categories beyond news to those relevant to its clients.
Vogt said Datran’s clients will not have access to Allvoices members’ information and will not be able to market to those consumers outside of distributing brand- or agency-generated content on the Allvoices site.
Financial terms of the deal, which closed April 29, were not disclosed.


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Today, Chinese manufacturing giant, Xiaomi, officially announced that its first-ever MIUI device to obtain the TÜV Rheinland certification will be announced soon. According to Redmi product director, Wang Teng, the MIUI we are looking forward to is here. This sparks speculations that the MIUI 12 is closer than we know. As of now, the next big thing from MIUI is the MIUI 12. Wang Teng is most likely referring to the MIUI 12 UI. However, this certification may not be a software, it could also be an MIUI-wielding device.
What is TÜV Rheinland certification?
For those who do not know, the TUV Rheinland Certificates certify the safety standard compliance and qualifications of products, management systems, manufacturing processes, and personnel. TÜV Rheinland certificates are really not easy to get and the organization has its headquarters in Cologne, Germany. It also has additional offices in Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas. The TÜV Rheinland Group has made a name for itself and its standards extremely high. If TÜV Rheinland certifies a product, you can be sure that it is top-notch in quality.
Gizchina News of the week
MIUI 12 speculations
A few weeks ago, Chinese manufacturing giant, Xiaomi, announced that it has stopped the development of the MIUI 11 system. This sparked speculations that the MIUI 12 is already on the way. In recent times, there have been numerous leaks and speculations regarding the MIUI 12 system. First, we saw a long list of Xiaomi/Redmi/Poco phones which are scheduled to get this update. There is even an unofficial app which users use to check if their device is eligible for the MIUI 12 update. However, a moderator on Xiaomi forum recently said that MIUI 12 just started development and there is absolutely no report about it.
Furthermore, XDA Developers recently showed a series of screenshots that give us a first look at the changes in Xiaomi’s upcoming MIUI UI. It is an itinerary for Xiaomi to upload beta versions of its various apps to the Chinese MIUI Community forums. In a new set of uploads, the MiSettings APK is quite different from the older versions. XDA has reasons to believe that these new settings are most likely what we will see on Xiaomi’s upcoming system.
The leak shows that Xiaomi made changes to the design of its refresh rate, focus mode, screen time and advance settings. Furthermore, Xiaomi’s new system design seems generally darker than previous generations. It appears that Xiaomi is working on a system-wide dark mode for its latest system.


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Posted: Thursday, April 28, 2022. 10:24 am CST.
By Aaron Humes: Belize has exported $44.7 million in products in March of 2022, up $11.1 million from March of 2021, and $90 million through the first quarter, an increase of over nine million.
Meanwhile, imports are at $223 million for the month of March and more than $622 million for January through March of 2022.
Leading the way are sugar (up $4.5 million); animal feed (up $1.5 million) and marine products (up $1 million, mostly lobster meat) as well as a surprising returnee in crude petroleum (well up from just $0.02 million last March). Bananas were the only major export to see a decline in earnings for the month, with revenues from this commodity falling slightly from $6.9 million in March 2021 to $6.4 million in March 2022.
Increases in imports for the month of March, up nearly $49 million from last year, were particularly striking in the categories of chemical products (up $12 million due to obtaining more fertilizer); mineral fuels, and lubricants (up $11.5 million due to imports of more gasoline fuel at higher prices) and machinery and transport equipment (up $9.3 million, including phone parts and steam sterilizers.
There were also increases in imports of goods for the commercial free-zone; medical supplies, auto parts, furniture, meat seasonings, cured pork tails, and baking powder.
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