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Recent news of Apple killing it with The NPD Group.and holiday spending showing more people was re-confirmed today by market research company
Their numbers show that these fourth-quarter trends actually held true for all of 2011.
According data crunched by NPD, U.S. consumer electronics sales reached $144 billion in 2011, with Apple topping as the No. 1 brand. Additionally, in-store sales fell by 2.5 percent in 2011, while online sales jumped by 7 percent.
The top five categories for electronic spending were PCs, TVs, tablets and e-readers, mobile phones, and video game hardware, which accounted for nearly 60 percent of all sales in 2011, according to NPD.
PCs (notebooks and desktops) generated the most revenue with almost $28 billion, or about 20 percent of sales. However, these numbers are actually down from 2010 by 3 percent. This may be accounted for by the growth of tablets and e-reader spending, which nearly doubled in sales to $15 billion in 2011.
"U.S. hardware sales growth is becoming harder and harder to achieve at the broad industry level," NPD's Stephen Baker said in a statement. "Sales outside of the top five categories fell by 8 percent in 2011 as consumers shifted spending from older technologies to a narrow range of products."
For the second year in a row, Apple led the charge as the leading consumer electronics brand. In fact, among the top five brands it was the only one to increase sales from 2010. Overall, Apple had a 36 percent rise from 2010 and in the fourth quarter it made up 19 percent of all sales dollars--almost twice as much as number two Hewlett-Packard.
At the retail level, it was a repeat of 2010. Best Buy sold the most, followed by Wal-Mart and Apple, with Staples and Amazon tied for fourth place. Online, direct mail, and TV shopping sales accounted for 24 percent of all sales, which is up from 22 percent in 2010.
Although people purchased electronics at a fairly steady rate throughout 2011 and increases were seen in various divisions, overall electronic spending in the U.S. fell 0.5 percent from 2010, according to NPD.


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The Daydream compatibility update has rolled out to users of Samsung's Galaxy S8 giving them far more options for VR than any other phone can deliver right now. The ability to play both Gear VR and Daydream games on one device is huge and delivers access to dozens of new apps and games. However, some folks have run into an issue where their phone asks for Gear VR when you launch a Daydream app.
There are a few ways to deal with this problem if it crops up for you, and we have all the details for you here!
What is happening?
The Daydream update is fairly new, only just arriving in August of 2017. It added compatibility for Daydream to the Galaxy S8, letting you see and download Daydream apps. While there are plenty of games and apps that are exclusive to one headset or another, there are also more than a few that will work on either headset. Essentially what is happening when you launch an app and it asks for Gear VR instead of Daydream is that your phone has confused itself.
There are bound to be a few issues considering how new this update is, and that's what we're looking at. This issue specifically crops up with cross-platform apps and games, because your phone has been hardcoded to launch Gear VR. There are a few ways around this, but hopefully, down the line, we'll see an update from Samsung themselves that solves this pesky issue.
Open your games from VR
One option to deal with this issue is to already have your VR headset on and to launch the game or app you're interested in from there. This doesn't work every time, but in some cases already having your headset up and running seems to cut down on the confusion when your phone opens an app for you.
Uninstall one service
There isn't a hard and fast way to deal with this particular problem, but you can sneak around it. If you don't intend on using your Gear VR for a while thanks to the new Daydream library of games and apps, then you can always just uninstall Gear VR services. Obviously, this isn't ideal because it will involve removing Oculus services from your phone, and everything will need to be reinstalled before you're able to use Gear VR again.
It does solve the problem of your phone asking for the wrong VR headset though. Since some users have reported this problem cropping up even when they launch an app from within the Daydream app.
Have you had issues with your phone asking for the wrong headset when you're ready to jump into VR? Is there another fix you know of that we didn't mention here? Be sure to drop us a line about it in the comments below!
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Essa Kidwell is an expert in all things VR and mobile devices who can always be found with an Oculus Go, a Pixel 2, and an iPhone 7+. They've been taking things apart just to put them back together for quite some time. If you've got a troubleshooting issue with any of your tech, they're the one you want to go to! Find them on Twitter @OriginalSluggo or Instagram @CosmeticChronus.

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Welcome back to another roundup of MMO and MMO-adjacent industry news!
Improbable: Back in January, CNBC did a big story on Improbable, the massive Herman Narula-led company backed by companies from SoftBank to NetEase that’s working on SpatialOS with a goal of rescuing the MMO genre from “nuclear winter.” Apparently, the company saw another year of losses and is “pivoting” to defense contracts. According to the piece, it’s developing “wargaming software” for military simulations for NATO countries, with “several multi-million dollar contracts” with the UK and US militaries. The piece devotes only three sentences to how employees feel about said pivot, referencing one unnamed former employee who said he/she felt “a little bit uncomfortable when the first party game studios started getting pulled into the defense stuff.”
Amazon: With Jeff Bezos stepping down from his role as big boss at Amazon, Andy Jassy is ascending – and he’s expressed support for Amazon Game Studios, which has been weathering some scathing reports about its internal culture this week. Jassy is apparently standing behind AGS head Mike Frazzini. “Some businesses take off in the first year, and others take many years,” Jassy told staff. “Though we haven’t consistently succeeded yet in AGS, I believe we will if we hang in there.”
Steam: The Chinese version of the platform, run by Perfect World, has now been fully localized and approved and is set to launch in the region next week. As VG247 notes, we’re still not sure what’ll happen to the “international” version of Steam in China once this one is rolled out.
Ubisoft: Heads keep rollin’ over at Ubisoft. Ubisoft Toronto managing director and co-founder Alexandre Parizeau has left that role to “focus on personal priorities. Istvan Tajnay will take his place.
Valve: Remember that lawsuit where peripherals-maker SCUF Gaming had claimed Valve infringed its patents with Valve’s now-defunct Steam controller? The jury in the suit agreed and awarded the plaintiff $4M in damages, though the judge may increase that further.
Sony: Following the release of Sony’s investor report this week, the company told investors that while the PS5 is seeing “unprecedented” demand from consumers, it’s selling the platform at a loss – in other words, it costs more to make it than the retail pricetag. That said, the losses have been more than counterbalanced by game revenues and PS4 profits.
Call of Duty: Activision proved it remember where it left its banhammer! It recently cracked down on 60,000 cheaters and hackers in Call of Duty: Warzone, making the total number of permabans from the title up to 300,000 since last March. Bye, jerks!
Among Us: Wired has a fun piece up today discussing the social psychology behind why the game (and others like it) works so well. “This old adage in psychology is that when we’re unsure about something, we look to other people who are similar to us and look at what they’re doing to help determine what we do,” psychologist Dr Jamie Madigan explains in the article. “Confirmatory information bias is another kind of well-trod, well-understood phenomenon in human psychology, where we pay more attention to things that support our beliefs and pay less attention to things that don’t.”
Kakao Games: Don’t feel too bad about Kakao losing the Black Desert contract; it’s apparently replaced that contract with a new one with Crusaders Quest studio LoadComplete.


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Leeds University Business School's Marketing Department is pleased to announce our successful bid to host the SCP Boutique Conference, organised by the Society for Consumer Psychology.
This year, the Business School will be hosting the Northern European Consumer Research Symposium (NECR).
We are excited to announce that the 7th Industrial Marketing Management Summit will be held from 9-12 January 2024 at Leeds University Business School, University of Leeds, UK.
Professor Constantine S. Katsikeas is the recipient of the AMA’s 2023 Significant Contributions to Global Marketing Award.
The Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021 results have been announced, deeming 90% of the Business School’s submitted research as either ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’ overall.


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Harefield businesses can grab a share of cash earmarked to make their shops look tip-top.
Following the success of a scheme in other parts of the borough, Hilllingdon Council’s two-year shop front grants project has now been extended to the village.
It offers businesses the chance to improve the appearance and quality of their shop fronts.
Paul Stone, chairman of Harefield Tenants’ and Residents’ Association, said he thinks it is a great idea.
“I remember when I had a shop and had to get a new sign and it was very expensive – I’m sure it still is,” he said. “So I hope shopkeepers do take up on it. With Tesco coming we need to keep on top of the game.”
A new branch of Tesco is to be built in a vacant plot next to The King’s Arms in Rickmansworth Road.
Applications for improvements to shop fronts, small or large, could include new windows, re-rendering or repainting or replacement of signs.
“Anything that can help shopkeepers is good,” said Mr Stone.
“There are one or two scruffy shop fronts in Harefield, so if they take it up that will make a big difference to the village.”
Atul Sodha, who owns Londis in Moorhall Road, agreed the scheme would help the village, although his parade is outside the zone – it covers the High Street, to a point just south of Merle Avenue, and short stretches of Rickmansworth Road, Breakspear Road North and Northwood Road.
“The beauty of this kind of grant is that it gives shop owners the chance to have a fresh look, which helps business and also adds to the village being more pleasing to the eye,” he said.
“Harefield, being as unique as it is, can benefit from the expertise and financial support to help us be unique.”
The scheme was unveiled at Harefield Library on Thursday, July 31.
High street regeneration specialist company, Designed by Good People, will help to manage the project, and will work with businesses to produce designs and work out costs. Grants are on a sliding scale, based on the contribution the business makes.
Council officers will support businesses that need to make planning applications.
Much of Harefield is a conservation area so extra help and support will be provided at the design stage to ensure plans are in keeping with the character of the area.
Councillor Douglas Mills, cabinet member for community, commerce and regeneration, said: “Traders in other parts of the borough that have already benefited from this scheme have told us how this has boosted business for them. It’s a fantastic scheme that will help the local economy.”
Ruislip Manor and Northwood Hills have already benefited from the scheme.
To apply, go to www.hillingdon.gov.uk/towncentres.


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News that Jaguar Land Rover will shut its Solihull plant for two weeks is a sign of the pressure being faced by the UK's leading car producer.
The two-week shut down from October 22 will affect production of the firm's most profitable cars, including the Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, Range Rover Velar and the Jaguar F-Pace.
It comes just a few weeks after the firm announced that its Castle Bromwich plant would switch to a three-day week.
The move will be felt keenly in a supply chain already being affected negatively by lower production volumes and will affect around 10,000 workers at the Solihull plant or almost a quarter of JLR's workforce.
JLR said that it took the decision after reporting a 46 per cent fall in September sales in China.
The firm had highlighted the situation in China as a key driver in its £264 million loss in the three months to the end of June, with the firm having to offer higher incentives to buyers delaying car purchases ahead of a big cut in import duties by the Chinese government.
Chief commercial officer Felix Bräutigamm said: "Customer demand in China in particular has struggled to recover following changes in import tariffs in July and intensifying competition on price while ongoing global negotiations on potential trade agreements have dampened purchase considerations."
Quite why sales haven't bounced back for JLR isn't at all clear - Audi meanwhile has been chalking up records in China, with sales up 13 per cent in September.
Is it JLR's product mix? Is it the dealership network? It's not at all clear.
JLR itself said that it still expected lower tariffs on China's imports of UK-made goods to be beneficial over the full year.
A JLR spokesman said that "as part of the company's continued strategy for profitable growth, Jaguar Land Rover is focused on achieving operational efficiencies and will align supply to reflect fluctuating demand globally as required… Customer orders in the system will not be impacted and employees affected will be paid for the duration of the shutdown".
The slump in Chinese sales, plus a seven per cent drop in sales in North America (which had shown signs of softening earlier in the year), dragged overall JLR sales for September down by 12 per cent to 57,114 cars.
My own back-of-an-envelope calculations suggest that the two-week shut down could see 14-15,000 fewer vehicles being made, indicating that JLR must have built up considerable stock levels as demand slackened.
These are models with big premiums so expect a hit of over £600 million on the firm's revenues for the year and as much as more than £100 million on the bottom line.
JLR sales had held up reasonably well in the UK in September (down just one per cent) and Europe (down five per cent) despite big overall falls in both markets (down 21 per cent in the UK and 31 per cent in Germany for example), in large part linked to the introduction of a new real-world testing regime, reduced demand for diesels and, in the UK's case, Brexit uncertainty.
JLR's chief executive Rath Speth had previously stressed uncertainty over Brexit and confusion over government policy on diesel engines as big factors in job losses at Solihull and the move to a three-day week at Castle Bromwich.
Most recently, he warned that tens of thousands of jobs would be at risk in the event of a no deal on Brexit, with the latter potentially costing the firm £1.2 billion.
Speaking in Birmingham recently, Mr Speth said: "Currently, I do not even know if any of our manufacturing facilities in the UK will be able to function on March 30.
"Bluntly, we will not be able to build cars if the motorway to and from Dover becomes a car park where the vehicle carrying parts is stationary."
The firm also said it would have to reconsider £80 billion of UK investment over five years in the event of a messy, no-deal Brexit as access to the single market would be hindered and the flow of car part imports disrupted.
In the wake of the Solihull news, Unite the Union slammed a "triple whammy" of government incompetence over Brexit, diesels and half-hearted support for electric vehicles.
On the latter, rumours are circulating that Chancellor Philip Hammond might scrap or scale back subsidies of purchases of electric cars owing to austerity.
That's despite the urgency of the need to reduce carbon emissions and Prime Minister May's claim last week in Birmingham that austerity was over.
Scrapping subsidies, plus the end of UK electric car sales counting towards European emissions targets, could effectively kill off a fledging electric car market in the UK even before it gets properly charged up.
Meanwhile, JLR is yet to say where it will assemble a new range of electric cars.
A big worry here is that the industry is about to transform itself away from internal combustion engine technology to autonomous, connected electric cars over the next decade and this investment could be lost from the UK in the event of a hard Brexit.
The firm recently said it would move Discovery production to Slovakia.
I had expected to hear what new models would come to Solihull in its wake but no news has been forthcoming.
Nor have we heard what new models will go into Castle Bromwich or whether a mooted battery production facility will go ahead in the region.
The fear is that UK investment is stalling at the firm.
But, as Mr Speth noted a few weeks ago, "at the end of the day we're in a cycle plan that means I have to make a decision. I can't just wait, wait, wait, wait".
Notwithstanding the uncertainty in China, the UK government needs to pull its finger out to end uncertainty here - notably on Brexit and the policy on diesels - and in better supporting the take up of electric cars.
Otherwise, the UK risks losing a wave of investment and, with it, a raft of new technologies.
Professor David Bailey works at the Aston Business School


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Today Huawei announced that Honor 7 has started receiving Android 6.0 Marshmallow in EU. Update will available over-the-air (OTA).
Tweet of Huawei:
— HonorEU (@HonorEU) March 25, 2016
Huawei Honor 7 smartphone was launched in June 2015. The Huawei Honor 7 is powered by 2.2GHz octa-core Hisilicon Kirin 935 processor and it comes with 3GB of RAM. It also features 5.2-inch HD display.
You can see full Android 6.0 update eligible devices list & update release dates By clicking here.


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Microsoft has revealed that they are planning on releasing the new Edge browser, which is based on Chromium, early next year, alongside a new look and logo. January 15th is the targeted release date for consumers and business users. The browser will be available on Windows 7, Windows 8 and macOS. It will be built into Windows 10.
The public release will come nearly a year after Microsoft began testing the new Edge browser with developers and selected members of the public who wished to try it out, in either a beta, developer or ‘canary’ form.
The new Microsoft Edge will ship with a new design, similar that used in Google Chrome, along with passwords, history, settings and favourites sync across devices. There’s also built in tracking protection and a mode for businesses to access their old dashboards.
Microsoft also revealed a new look logo for the reformed browser, separating it from the days of Internet Explorer. After twenty years of nearly the same logo that represents the letter ‘e’, the company has gone for a completely different approach of representing the ability to surf the web – hence the gradient wave in the new logo.
You can download the ‘release candidate’ version of the browser for macOS and Windows by going to this link. Make sure you select ‘Beta’ to use a stable version without many bugs.


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Tuesday, Peet's Coffee and Tea announced they had acquired ownership of Stumptown Coffee. This is big news, and great news for Stumptown. Yet, the coffee company that has spurred much of the independent growth in the industry is now owned by one of the largest.
What does it all mean? So far, it looks like Peet's will allow Stumptown to proceed as it has, but with a greater amount of support.
The sudden announcement has spurred much chatter, and we decided to sit down for an episode of Coffee Lovers Radio and mull over the potential consequences and effects of the acquisition, along with some of our general thoughts and observations on the trends in the industry over the past year or two.
Please subscribe, rate, and review our show on iTunes!
For more direct information on the acquisition, check out these news sources:
Also here's a much more informed / educated analysis of the acquisition from our friend Kevin Sinnott of CoffeeCon


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Marijuana use is technically legal in Japan, although possession is punishable by jail time
With its zero-tolerance cannabis laws, deep social prejudices against the drug, and attempts to toughen consumption rules, Japan is no paradise for cannabis smokers.
Japan's CBD industry was worth an estimated $59 million in 2019, up from $3 million in 2015, according to Tokyo-based research firm Visiongraph. But despite its burgeoning interest in the plant's health benefits, the country isn't softening on illegal use, with cannabis-related arrests breaking records every year.
But you wouldn't guess it, just watch Ai Takahashi and his friends dancing, having fun and lighting up a joint to the weed anthem "Young Wild & Free" in a crowded little club from Tokyo.
"When I was a kid, I was taught in school and everywhere else that marijuana was absolutely forbidden, and that's what I believed too," said declared Takahashi.
The 33-year-old dancer then became interested in CBD, which is legal in Japan if extracted from the seeds or fully mature stems of the plant, but not other parts like the leaves. When Ms Takahashi encouraged her mother, who was suffering from depression, to try CBD, it made a big difference, she says.
"Don't smoke outside"
This curious contrast led Norihiko Hayashi, who sells products containing cannabinoids like CBD and CBN in sleek black and silver packaging, to advise discretion. Hayashi thinks Japan may one day legalize medical marijuana.
A growing number of countries, from Canada to South Africa and, more recently, Thailand, are taking a more relaxed approach to weed. Only 1,4% of people say they have tried marijuana, compared to more than 40% in France and around half in the United States.
"The internet is flooded with false information saying that cannabis is not dangerous or not addictive," Masashi Yamane, an official with the AFP, told AFP. Ministry of Health.
This means that marijuana use is technically legal in Japan, although possession carries a penalty of up to five years in prison. Japan's cannabis control law was introduced in 1948, during the post-war American occupation. So, "those draconian laws against a drug that was not really a problem remained in force", she explains to theAFP.
But the country is no exception in Asia, where harsh penalties for drug use are the norm, even though Thailand now allows users to possess and grow cannabis under complicated new guidelines that still prohibit recreational use. “Cannabis is still considered a product favored by outlaws”…


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Flipkart Big Billion Day vs Amazon Indian Great Festival Sale
The great Indian festival season is not far away, which could only mean one thing – a renewed war for dominance among India’s biggest ecommerce players. India’s two biggest online marketplaces Flipkart and Amazon are at it again, fighting for leadership in the hotly contested ecommerce space with flagship sales this October.
Flipkart’s Big Billion Day sale is expected to start on October 3, 2016. But Amazon’s Indian Great Festival Sale starts on October 1, 2016, a couple of days earlier. Will the early start give Amazon an edge in the Big Billion Day vs. Great Festival Sale battle?
Amazon India plans to outspend Flipkart by two to three times in marketing and advertising. Flipkart, on the other hand, intends to focus on providing a great experience to all buyers.
Flipkart has an edge over Amazon, which is its very loyal customer base, which has stuck to it for the better part of the last decade. The Big Billion Day is Flipkart’s flagship event and it is expected to be really massive this year as well.
Flipkart expects to spend Rs. 30 crore on advertising and marketing on the Big Billion Day. The sale will be managed by a very senior Flipkart executive, Kalyan Krishnamurthy, who was earlier with Tiger Global Management.
What’s new with Big Billion Day? Well, Myntra is expected to participate in the Big Billion Day this year, for the very first time. Myntra, as you would know was acquired by Flipkart in 2014 and is today the leader in the online fashion segment. Myntra is also bigger than ever before, having acquired Jabong in July this year.
What about Amazon? Amazon’s Great Festival Sale will run from October 1 to 5. It will have a much bigger marketing spend than Flipkart, at Rs. 130 crore. Amazon had actually planned to start the sale from October 15, but was decided to hold it earlier in order to compete with Flipkart.
Mind you, there is no official confirmation over the dates given by us on either Amazon Indian Great Festival Sale or Flipkart Big Billion Day as both companies have declined to be drawn into the specifics. Our projections are based on information given by insiders in the industry. Once there is an official confirmation on the two big days, we will be sure to update you quickly.
A spokesperson from Amazon did speak the Economic Times, one of India’s top business newspapers and said, “We do not comment on future plans. However, we remain committed to ensuring that our customers get the most exciting and widespread offers and selections. We continue to enable sellers from across the country to offer their products to customers in India as well as globally, building a richer customer experience, helping develop the online ecosystem and thus help spread festive cheer across the value chain.”
That’s fair. But before one gets lost in this battle – Flipkart Big Billion Day vs. Amazon Indian Great Festival Sale – it would help to have a look at the current state of Indian ecommerce.
Analysts say that ecommerce companies in India have had a sluggish growth in 2016, with gross merchandise value declining by 7% to $13 billion this quarter. For all Indian online retailers, sales pick up in the last quarter of the year, as that’s when you have most of the festivals, such as Diwali, Navratri, Christmas and New Year.
This is true not just in India, but in the rest of the world as well. So, at the time of this writing – 13th September – we are entering the most crucial phase of the year for online retailers in India. How each company – Amazon, Flipkart, Snapdeal and hundreds of others –perform during this period will decide their future in Indian ecommerce.
The race for dominance in Indian ecommerce is very much on. The question is who rises to the occasion and latches on to the opportunity. Will it be Flipkart, or will it be Amazon? Don’t count Snapdeal out, as they are coming up with their own special sale.
But why wait for Big Billion Day or the Great Indian Festival Sale, you can always save money, any day of the year, by shopping at Flipkart, Amazon and Snapdeal via Cashfat, India’s #1 cashback and coupon website. Have fun shopping!


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Apple Happy as Pie
Apple's quarterly figures have staggered the mobile industry, primarily by doing really, really well despite less-than-expected iPad sales. This one weak point was due to buyers first waiting for the iPad 2, hitting iPad 1 sales, despite the price drops, and then having limited supplies of the new model tablet.
The company now sees over 50% of its profit come from the iPhone and makes a staggering US$ 660 on each iPhone compared to around US$ 300 for a RIM BlackBerry device. The overall figures showed the company earned almost US$ 25 billion in revenue (in the quarter -- the actual figure is US$ 24.67 billion) on sales of 4.69 million iPads, 18.65 million iPhones and 3.76 million Macs.
This was the first time that Apple's Q1 figures have beaten its Q4 figures which include the vital Christmas season, another reason that financial types were so staggered by the performance. The next quarter's predictions are a little lower, but expect things to go ballistic again when the iPhone 5 launches in September.
Nokia Not That Off
While Apple gets excited about its billion dollar cash pile, no one should write off Nokia which is still the world's largest maker of mobile phones. While profit dropped by 1.4%, sales were on the rise at 10.4 billion euros (US$ 15.1 billion) and with the Microsoft deal in the bag, it will be hoping for big things in the future.
The big difference between the two companies is the average Nokia phone sells for US$ 65, way way down on what most smartphones sell for, and what are people buying these days? Even though Nokia's basic and features phones are big sellers in emerging markets, they have to sell lots and lots of them to recoup what Apple makes from an iPhone sale, and Nokia doesn't make money on the apps/music and media side.
Nokia Loves Windows
The pressure is on Nokia to start delivering Windows Phone 7 devices as soon as possible to revive both companies' fortunes in the smartphone market. When it arrives, it will offer Nokia's smart mapping features and come with Bing search, to demonstrate that the partnership is picking the best features of each ecosystem.
Will these devices boost their fortunes? We will have to see but with Apple and Android rocketing in the smartphone market and RIM entering the tablet market with the launch of its PlayBook, there are immense challenges for two mid-field runners to overcome.


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In The News
Politics And Gaming:
Former President Barack Obama does not care about Pokémon. He also wants you to vote. Which you should, if you care about voting. Please don’t just fill in bubbles if you prefer the 4th or 18th letter of the alphabet.
Ubisoft Massive COO Alf Condelius thinks being political in video games is “bad for business,” GI.biz’s Haydn Taylor reports. “Ubisoft Massive tries to remove itself from the political interpretations people may have of its games … ‘But people like to put politics into that, and we back away from those interpretations as much as we can.’”
Rockstar Games gave the green light for employees to speak out about work conditions, and more than a few have come out to defend their employer. Tools programmers Vivianne Langdon and Zoë Sams, Rockstar North’s Martin and a “number of anonymous [Rockstar] developers” all spoke favorably.
Xbox and Taco Bell (all hail Taco Time) are partnering “to give fans the chance to win limited-edition Xbox One X consoles each time they buy a $5 Double Chalupa Box starting October 18 through November 21, 2018,” according to a press release.
Don’t expect epic Diablo news at BlizzCon 2018, according to Blizzard’s “Diablo At BlizzCon 2018” post.
Valve’s going to start revealing “the exact odds of receiving” rare loot in Dota 2 “based on how many you’ve already opened.”
Looks like Steam has over 30 million users in China, Niko Partners’ Daniel Ahmad tweeted. “It initially gained popularity due to DOTA 2, but has grown due to more localised games, regional pricing, local payment methods + wide variety of games banned/blocked in China.”
Tencent has fallen out of “the world’s 10 biggest companies” due to “China’s crackdown on video games,” CNN’s Jordan Valinsky reports.
Fighting Esports Group “has closed on a $15 million Series A funding round led by China Sports Capital,” GI.biz’s Rebekah Valentine reports.
Loot Crate and Chrono.gg are partnering to “launch of a new subscription service called Loot Play that brings subscribers five ‘high quality, highly curated’ indie games each month,” PC Gamer’s Andy Chalk reports.
Ukie and Intel are partnering to “host a UK parliamentary esports event,” TEO’s Trent Murray reports.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 came in 1st for most hours watched on Twitch Oct. 12-16 with an impressive 21.93 million, TEO reports.
Reddit AMA: Skybound Games CEO Ian Howe.
Extra Esports News:
Arena of Valor’s International Championship is getting a “$600,000 prize pool,” Pocket Gamer’s Cameron Bald reports.
Toronto Maple Leafs’ Zach Hyman is launching his own esports team called Eleven Gaming, NHL.com’s Pat Pickens writes.
Thomas Schmidt, formerly of UEFA Champions League, joined ESL “and will assist in securing sponsorships for ESL’s esports leagues and tournaments,” Unikrn’s Dustin Steiner reports.
ESL and Mercedes-Benz are partnering, Esports Insider’s Adam Fitch reports. “This expanded deal lasts until December 31st 2020, with Mercedes-Benz becoming the global mobility partner of ESL moving forward.”
QYOU Media and FansUnite are partnering “for its esports show Heads Up Daily,” Esports Insider’s Melany Moncav reports.
Interviews: Former NFL player Chris Kluwe (GameCrate).
Happy birthday Jayson “Fireburner” Nunez!


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12 companies have just been awarded exclusive membership in a club with almost 1 Billion constituents.
On Thursday, September 20th, Facebook awarded the 12 best social marketing tool and service providers with a new title of “Strategic Preferred Marketing Developer,” like a membership to an exclusive online marketing fraternity. The 12 content manager companies in this club will be the first marketing companies brands go to when sorting through the Preferred Marketing Developer (also known as the PMD) directory of 300 B2Bs to find trusted Facebook Page and Ads optimization providers. Along with the exclusive sPMD title, member companies will also receive a spot on the sPMD council, early access to Facebook products and extra support from different teams at Facebook, making membership both lucrative and honorary.
Companies on the sPMD Council
The following companies are part of the 12 member Strategic Preferred Marketing council:
Alchemy Social / Techlightenment
All of these 12 sPMD companies will offer everything from advertising, applications, insights and pages to the community manager of each brand’s Facebook page, among other types of useful marketing advice.
What This Means for sPMD Companies
Being included in this exclusive club is a huge accomplishment for all of these companies and is an incredibly smart strategic partnership for Facebook. First, these 12 companies are all poised to gain a number of clients by being on this list, due in part to the honor of being on the list, but also because they will be one of the first B2Bs that clients coming to Facebook for marketing will see. They will also get the first crack at offering and perfecting new marketing opportunities for Facebook’s new clients. As they are being supported by Facebook directly, the sPMD companies will also have their products protected or quickly fixed when the social media juggernaut makes internal changes. In short all the companies with the sPMD status will be cashing in over the next year, if not longer, assuming they can maintain this exclusive status.
What This Means for Facebook
For Facebook, these 12 top-tier Strategic Marketing Developers keeps their appeal to brands as high as ever, encouraging a constant stream of advertising and marketing via the Facebook platform. Community managers and content managers at Facebook know that good marketing drives up traffic and vice versa, which will help Facebook to maintain it’s appeal to both advertisers and it’s billions of users. However, this exclusive club of top tier sPMD companies also show the biggest advertisers that they will get nothing short of the best online marketing minds working on their products or services if they do business with Facebook. While most big brands are already doing business with Facebook, this new, elite club of marketing companies may convince them to spend even more of their marketing budgets on the social media site.


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Sandwich bonanza: Capriotti's, Jersey Mike's both opening in D.C.
D.C. will be getting two new sandwich options in the coming weeks: Capriotti's, the Delaware-based Italian hoagie chain will open Thursday and Jersey Mike's, a "Jersey Shore-style sub shop" will open its first D.C. location Dec. 4.
Capriotti's, which is a favorite of Vice President Joe Biden, opens at 1800 M St. NW. The shop features hot and cold subs and house specialties such as "The Bobbie" — turkey, cranberry sauce, stuffing and mayo — and the "Cole Turkey" with turkey, provolone, russian dressing, mayo and cole slaw.
The local franchisee for Capriotti's, George Vincent, Jr., is hoping to open several stores around D.C.; he's looking at sites in Rosslyn, Georgetown, Capitol Hill and College Park.
Jersey Mike's, from franchisee Sean Schoonover, is at the Rhode Island Row development above the Rhode Island Avenue Metro stop in Northeast D.C. Although the chain has 19 locations in the D.C. area, this will be the first in the District.
Jersey Mike's menu also includes hot and cold subs, including a variety of cheesesteaks, from the chipotle cheesesteak to the "Big Kahuna" cheesesteak.
Schoonover is hoping to help the Jersey Mike's empire grow to 140 stores in the D.C. region and is currently scouting his next District location, according to a press release.
Rebecca Cooper covers retail, restaurants, tourism and the arts.
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E! re-dresses celebs with Naked Fashion
Canwest's all-entertainment net has a new show that applies a bit of tech - and a bit of Go Fug Yourself - to the art and arguments of fashion criticism.
Canwest’s E! is set to launch Naked Fashion on Saturday, March 29 at 7:30 pm. The show’s panelists freeze footage of celebs like Mariah Carey, Hillary Swank and Pamela Anderson to argue over what they should have been wearing. Then they change up the footage by using technology to re-dress the celebs onscreen and set them back in motion – walking the red carpet or posing for the paparazzi.
The show is hosted by Myleene Klass (Popstars). Panelists include Paula Reed (Project Catwalk), star stylist Michael Schaeble and celebrity fashion bloggers Jessica Morgan and Heather Cocks (a.k.a. ‘The Fug Girls’ – pictured). The Fug Girls are famous for their fashion reviews on www.gofugyourself.com, which attracts about four million viewers per month.
Naked Fashion will mix the makeovers with fashion tips, trends and celeb news. The show, a Canwest co-production with Cineflix-Media, ‘blends innovative CGI and insider celeb fashion gossip to create a new global style brand,’ says Cineflix head of factual entertainment Rob Carey.
Cineflix has offices in Montreal, Toronto, Dublin and London and production centres in Toronto and London.


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Last Updated on July 31, 2022
Just 10% of the previous SEGA Genesis Mini devices will be available with the relese of the SEGA Genesis Mini 2.
This unfortunate news may explain why no release date has yet been announced for the SEGA Mega Drive Mini 2 in the UK and Europe.
This information was uncovered by Ars Technica, during their investigation into who was manufacturing the SEGA Mega Drive Mini 2 and SEGA Genesis Mini 2.
“My questions about Genesis Mini 2 shipments were forwarded to Sega of Japan’s corporate office, which eventually confirmed that the new miniaturized console was a “Japan-only project” for the company. “The Sega Genesis Mini 2 could only be produced in small numbers due to the global semiconductor shortage,” reads a letter from the Sega president’s office, so the company opted to produce a small Western batch of Genesis Mini 2s alongside its order of Mega Drive Mini 2s. “The number of units for this project makes up around one-tenth of the total for the previous Genesis Mini,” the letter states.
So far, the SEGA Mega Drive Mini 2 has been announced for Japan and North America. In addition, a replica of the Cyber Stick, a rare controller back in the day outside of Japan, has also been revealed for simultaneous release.
But none of this explicitly explains the lack of details for any European and UK release. Of course the worst case scenario is that the console will not be released on these shores at all. Most likely is a very limited run for the SEGA Mega Drive 2 Mini 2 outside of Japan and North America.
Gaming since 1984, retro gaming since 2004. Contributes to Linux Format magazine and MakeUseOf.com.


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India’s cotton-export ban is not applicable for consignments for which Let Export Orders had been issued up to midnight on March 4, the Commerce Ministry said.
The customs authority sends export data daily to a department in the Commerce Ministry generated out of its trade reports, which are based on Let Export Orders issued that day, the ministry said. Any consignment for which an LEO has been issued is reported as having been exported, it said. So consignments for which LEOs had been issued up to midnight on March 4 are outside the ban, it said.
To contact the editor responsible for this story: James Poole at firstname.lastname@example.org


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As a part of its filter assortment, video conferencing service Zoom has launched digital avatars into beta worldwide.
Asserting (opens in new tab) the brand new function on its weblog, Zoom mentioned that the avatars would make conferences “extra versatile and enjoyable”, permitting customers to “show [their] ‘digital you’”.
The “authentic and enjoyable” function comes comparatively scorching on the heels of Microsoft Groups including related, albeit higher trying avatars to customers within the Technical Entry Program in October 2022, that in flip are paying homage to these seen in Meta’s Horizon Workrooms office metaverse.
In its submit, Zoom claims that avatars assist folks seem current and engaged, permit them to current “extra dynamically”, and allow “enjoyable actions” within the hybrid office.
Whereas its attainable that customers of the service preferring to maintain their cameras off would possibly discover avatars an acceptable center floor, others extra ambivalent to the idea of “office enjoyable” would possibly wrestle.
Determining methods to make conferences extra painful appears to be a high precedence for the biggest collaboration instrument suppliers on the market.
In December 2022, TechRadar Professional reported that Google Meet deemed three weird face filters prepared for human consumption, following Zoom’s personal reveal of comparable filters in March that 12 months.
Nevertheless, improvements to video calling might pose way more harmful issues than embarrassing filters. As TechRadar Professional reported in November 2022, Zoom introduced at its annual Zoomtopia occasion that the app was introduced to be coming to “all new Tesla fashions quickly”.
Avatars for Zoom have been simply one in all 4 options not too long ago introduced by the corporate. Following within the footsteps of Groups Premium, it now provides customizable setting templates for conferences based mostly on measurement and state of affairs, together with massive conferences and lecture rooms, to make organising conferences simpler.
Threaded conversations, a staple of Slack (and now additionally Google Chat) at the moment are additionally out there, alongside a roll out of the Q&A function, beforehand reserved for webinars, to all conferences, if enabled by an administrator.
Supply By https://www.techradar.com/information/this-divisive-microsoft-teams-feature-is-coming-to-zoom


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A stunning new advertising campaign, shot by leading photographer Julia Fullerton-Batten, and featuring real online shoppers, showcases some of the 100,000 items available at the Oxfam Online Shop.
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© 2017. Oxfam is a registered charity in England and Wales (no 202918) and Scotland (SC039042).
Oxfam GB is a member of the international confederation Oxfam.


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If you run your own home-based business, there’s still room for you to sign up for the Home-based Business Expo taking place Friday, Oct. 17 at the Adventure Inn here.
Running from noon-8 p.m., the expo is sort of like a trade show, said Angela Halvorsen, one of the organizing committee members.
As of last week, about two-thirds of spots were still available, she noted.
“A lot of times, there’s a lot of difficulty with marketing a home-based business because of visibility, location, and that sort of thing,” Halvorsen explained.
As such, the expo hopes to help business owners showcase and promote their products and services to the general public.
For more information about the expo, including an exhibitor’s guide, visit the Rainy River Future Development Corp.’s website at www.rrfdc.ca or call 274-3276.


text: November 22, 2017 | Procter & Gamble announces its first-ever P&G European IT Hackathon in the area of voice recognition. The hackathon will take place simultaneously in 10 countries, including Israel. Winners will have the chance to win prizes and pitch their idea to European IT leaders including the head of global innovation at Procter & Gamble, with a flight and a visit to the company headquarters in Europe. The Israel hackathon, led by the Innovation Desk of Procter & Gamble, will be held on Thursday and Friday, November 23 and 24, will be held at the consumer goods corporation’s offices in Tel Aviv. The hackathon will include students, startups, and voice recognition experts who have knowledge in areas of software development, product management, digital marketing, UX-UI design, and more. The participants will work on developing unique ventures concerning Amazon’s Alexa voice recognition system. Judges for this hackathon in Israel include Ofir Gutman, CEO of Procter & Gamble Israel, Uri Adoni, Partner at Jerusalem Venture Partners (JVP), Amit Harel, Head of Innovation at Deloitte, Eitan Sela, Alexa expert, Boaz Ziniman, a cloud technology expert at AWS Israel. Procter & Gamble is a multinational consumer goods corporation founded in 1837 with headquarters in Cincinnati, Ohio.


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As Japan enters rainy season, wearing a face mask can become quite uncomfortable with the rising temperatures and higher humidity. Shibutani Shoten, a car-seat manufacturer in Okayama prefecture, started producing face masks back in late March, and has come up with a more breathable version for the hot and humid summer months.
The colourful masks are made from mesh fabric that’s enclosed by cotton on the outside and silk fabric on the inside, a combination that reduces stuffiness.
For residents of Kurashiki in Okayama prefecture, the masks are available from a neighbourhood vending machine located along the city’s Kojima Jeans Street. Since the vending machine usually sells cold drinks, the masks are even refrigerated when you buy them.
There are four types available, including a kids version (9cm x 13cm) and larger sizes for adults, all ranging between ¥400 and ¥850 per mask. The masks come in five different colours, are all hand-dyed and can be used repeatedly – the company recommends washing the mask by hand after each use.
If you’re not a Kurashiki resident, you can get yours online (Japanese only).
For advice on how to go out safely in Tokyo, or anywhere for that matter, visit here.


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Like-minded creative entrepreneurs join forces to support growth of restaurant chain
(Manchester, NH, February 4, 2020) — GYK Antler, a fiercely independent modern marketing agency, announced today it has been named the lead agency for Wahlburgers, a Boston-based chain of casual dining burger restaurants and bars owned by chef Paul Wahlberg and his brothers, actors Donnie Wahlberg and Mark Wahlberg. The first campaign to come out of this new partnership will feature a refreshed brand platform to support Wahlburgers as it continues to expand both domestically and internationally.
“Wahlburgers appreciated that we’re a family-owned, independent agency with roots in their hometown of Boston,” said Mark Battista, Managing Director, GYK Antler. “From day one we felt like family. We had shared values and shared work ethic. Both teams want to work faster, better, and to be held accountable. That’s just part of our DNA. As a result, we are able to create big ideas and strategically bring them to market unlike any other mid-sized agency. But, of course, we’re going to have some fun along the way.”
The family-owned business which has more than 34 restaurants in North America, the UK and Europe and recently concluded a 10-year run as the subject of an Emmy-nominated reality television show that aired on A&E has also hired a new SVP, Marketing & Innovation. Prior to joining Wahlburgers, Dan Wheeler spent almost 10 years at Dunkin’ Brands in various executive roles. Wheeler is charged with continuing to build the Wahlburgers brand, lead digital transformation and supporting franchisees in their efforts to grow sales and develop in their local markets.
“There are not a lot of creative agencies like GYK Antler,” said Dan Wheeler, SVP, Marketing & Innovation, Wahlburgers. “They’re large enough to offer all the services a brand needs like social, content and display. But unlike larger holding companies, those services are not siloed. Instead they’re fully integrated. Modern creativity requires integration and bringing specialists from strategy, creative and media to the table from the very beginning. We could immediately tell that approach was core to who they are as an agency.”
This is the most high profile win for GYK Antler since announcing it was officially a part of the York Creative Collective (YCC) in November 2019.
“We believe that creativity is a key business differentiator,” said Pam Hamlin, President, YCC. “In addition to making great food, the team behind Wahlburgers are creative entrepreneurs, just like us. With our clients we’re not just a partner, we look at ourselves as co-owners. We look forward to working closely with the Wahlburgers’ team and creating exceptional campaigns that bring the brand and business to new heights.”
This partnership kicked off at the first of the year with work to debut in February 2020. For more information on GYK Antler, visit gykantler.com.


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Costa Coffee will launch the RTD version of three of its most popular variants – Americano, Latte, and Caramel Latte in the UK later this month, followed by launches in Poland and China. The drink will come in a 250ml can, which is 100% recyclable.
Just after six months of Coca-Cola’s acquisition of Costa, the new launch of RTD coffee is believed to be a move that Coca-Cola continues to expand its collections and ranges of drinks for its worldwide customers. “Our teams at Coca-Cola and Costa Coffee have been working around-the-clock to make our shared vision of Costa Coffee ready-to-drink coffee a reality,” said Jennifer Mann, Senior Vice President and President of Global Ventures for Coca-Cola.
It’s interesting that each 250ml can contains a double shot of espresso with about 15-108 calories, which is said to have 30 percent less sugar than most other competitors on the RTD coffee market in the UK. It seems that the UK has been a pilot zone for Coca-Cola’s innovative drinks: Energy and Signature Mixers and Aquarius earlier this year. As the country’s NO.1 Coffee Chain, Costa Coffee boasts over 2,600 coffee shops and more than 8,000 Costa Express self-serve machines in the country.
According to Mordor Intelligence reports, the North American RTD coffee industry was valued at US$2.5 billion in 2018 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 2.7 percent to about US$2.65 billion by 2023.
When will the Costa Coffee RTD be available in the States remains unknown. But surely, more and more drink brands, not only big names but also startups, are turning to the RTD segment this year.
* All photos from the Internet.


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A PRESCOT firm has won backing for its ‘Made in Britain’ campaign from Labour leader Ed Miliband.
Cooker manufacturer Stoves want to sign the standard marque on British goods to install pride in our manufacturing industry.
Mr Miliband told a recent industry conference the scheme would help British business succeed.
Stoves chief executive Denver Hewlett said: “We have been overwhelmed by the response to the Made in Britain campaign so far and there is clearly an appetite out there for a standard marque.
“We are now contacting other manufacturers to see how they would like to proceed, as although this may have been our idea, we think every UK manufacturer should have a say in how this goes forward.”
Stoves’ campaign followed research which should about half of the buying public are confused about which brands could claim to be British.
The findings also revealed that two-thirds (67 per cent) wanted an official seal of approval to show products made in Britain and the majority (52 per cent) thought British brands should bring manufacturing back to the UK.
Stoves’ ‘Made in Britain’ logo was created by Cynthia Lee from Nottingham University as part of a national design competition, and was made freely available on the Stoves website to be used by British manufacturers.
Around 350 UK manufacturers have signed up to use the marque, including Roman Showers and Samuel Heath.


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Advisers need to grasp the “Facebook era” of clients who will praise or damn them online in the blink of an eye, according to discretionary investment management comparison service Discus.
Abbie Knight, director of marketing and community at Discus, told advisers gathered at an FTAdviser roadshow in Guildford today (16 March) that the marketing techniques of old are not what will attract and retain clients today.
Speaking at the FTAdviser Redefining Safe Havens roadshow, in association with fud house Gam, Ms Knight said: “We are in a new world disorder – clients are changing and as a result your marketing needs to change as well.
“Ten years ago, smart phones did not exist as they do today.
“Product development can now happen in real time. People give feedback on products in real-time. This is really the Facebook era. We are hostile to long-term investment and have a resistance to permanency. This presents a challenge to business.
“We are in a smart phone society. What we are seeing in the UK is four out of five people have a smart phone. In 2005 mobile searches overtook desktop searches.
“A third of those searching for a local service use a smart phone as the primary tool to seek advice. Eight out of 10 people searching online will take action based on what they find online.”
Ms Knight pointed out Google’s algorithm favour LinkedIn over an adviser’s own company website.
As a result, Ms Knight said advisers need to make sure contact details, a professional headshot and expectations for the client are clearly spelt out on this social media channel.
Instead of using the marketing practices of old, pushing out information and hoping it sticks, Ms Knight said advisers need to understand people now look for information through their personal connections on social media.
Ms Knight said advisers must therefore look at how to draw your clients’ connections in to your business.
Advisers gathered at the event at Holiday Inn, Guildford, were told to consider influencer marketing, which is very similar to strategies they have already used.
In the digital age, Ms Knight said this is where brands are finding people with a strong social media following and paying to be part of their stream.
Ms Knight said: “These people are brand advocates. Even though there is #ad people still buy into it.”
Another approach Ms Knight recommended is marketing automation.
She said marketing automation creates a funnel for your marketing material – such as a thought leadership paper on what you need to do to invest tax efficiently – and often starts by registering people who want to receive such a paper.
The system then sends follow-up emails to check people received it and whether they wish to take action.
As the emails are heavily personalised, Ms Knight said people do not realise these emails are automated.
Omnichannel engagement is also important, she added.
According to Ms Knight some firms, recognising email inboxes are overflowing, now use WhatsApp to set up meetings.


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SEATTLE, June 17, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SteppIR Communication Systems, a global provider of communication products and services, today announced the launch of the company’s commercial division named “SteppIR Commercial”. SteppIR Commercial reflects an increased investment in the high-frequency communication industry for the company, particularly for enterprise and business-to-business solutions and comes as the global demand for high-frequency communication products and services continues to accelerate. The division will be led directly by John Mertel, President and CEO of SteppIR Communication Systems and will be an extension of the company’s focus on amateur ham radio products.
“It is clear to us that the market for SteppIR products and services for commercial applications is significant, and one that we fully intend to address with our broad portfolio of intellectual property and global business operations,” said Mr. Mertel. “From the growth of remote data access via Internet of Things technology to new public sector and emergency management requirements to new financial services industry scenarios, we are committed to delivering what our customers and our new markets need from us to achieve their business goals. This investment is an extension of our amateur ham radio business – a business we will continue to serve with the same passion we have since we started SteppIR.”
The global market for high-frequency communication systems continues to grow at unprecedented rates. Across all industries – financial services, military and defense, agriculture and forestry, public sector and more – the need to communicate effectively, access information quickly and share data seamlessly is growing in importance. To address these new opportunities, the company today also announced a new line-up of product offerings: the SY Series, SD Series and SV Series of products. The company also announced an expansion of service offerings, including managed services, custom product engineering, installation and maintenance, and health monitoring and reporting.
“I couldn’t be more excited for SteppIR to take this step in their growth and expansion,” said Martti Laine, Advisor at SteppIR Communication Systems. “The company truly pioneered new thinking and new engineering in the HF-communication industry, and I expect nothing less from them as they expand their offerings with SteppIR Commercial.”
To learn more about the new commercial division and product offerings, please visit https://www.steppir.com/.
About SteppIR Communication Systems
Founded in 2001, SteppIR Communication Systems is a global provider of state-of-the-art communication systems and services. Based on patented technology and powered by a passion for great service, the company provides best-of-class products, services and offerings across commercial and amateur antennas, controllers, optimizers and more. Learn more at https://www.steppir.com/.
President and CEO


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The demand for electric vehicles (EVs) is set to skyrocket across Europe by 2025, according to the latest car buyer survey on EV uptake.
The study, which was carried out by Element Energy and released today by the Platform for Electromobility, polled 14,000 people across seven countries – France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Spain and the UK. These countries make up approximately 80% of total new passenger car registrations in the EU, EFTA and UK combined.
The results reveal a profound change in consumer preference, with more than two-thirds of respondents indicating that they already own or have considered buying an EV.
While the level of uptake will differ from country to country, overall consumer demand for battery electric vehicles (BEVs) – which was approximately 5% of total demand in 2020 – is expected to become greater than that of any other powertrain by 2025.
Demand for BEVs will increase substantially over the next decade, driven by falling battery prices which both reduce upfront costs and improve range. Upfront cost was identified as the most influential factor in consumer powertrain decision, with running cost, driving range, and access to charging being secondary factors.
The study also shows that access to charging is not currently seen as a barrier to EV demand. Although consumers without home-charging access are on average 12% less likely to buy a BEV than those with home charging, 85% of new car buyers have access to off-street parking, with 59% having access to private off-street parking. As the market develops, deployment of public charge points will have to keep pace to ensure a successful switch to electromobility.
For detailed information, read the full report and/or press release from the Platform for Electromobility. To arrange an interview with Amelie Pans, Chair of the Platform for Electromobility, please contact email@example.com.


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Media Alert: BrainChip Discusses Impact of AI with Marc Staimer on Latest ‘This is our Mission’ Podcast
Laguna Hills, Calif. – May 29, 2022 – BrainChip Holdings Ltd (ASX: BRN, OTCQX: BRCHF, ADR: BCHPY), the world’s first commercial producer of neuromorphic AI IP, today announced that Marc Staimer, founder, president and CDS of Dragon Slayer Consulting, is the featured guest on the latest “This is our Mission” podcast. Staimer joins BrainChip Vice President of Worldwide Sales, Rob Telson to discuss how AI is impacting people’s daily lives now and into the future. The podcast will be available Tuesday, May 31, 2022, at 4:00 PDT on BrainChip’s website and across popular podcast platforms.
Staimer is well known for his in-depth and keen understanding of user problems, especially with storage, networking, applications, cloud services, data protection, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and virtualization. He has published thousands of technology articles and tips from the user perspective for internationally renowned online trades including many of TechTarget’s websites and Network Computing and GigaOM. Staimer has additionally delivered hundreds of white papers, webinars, and seminars to many well- known industry giants.
“I invited Marc to be a part of our ‘This is our Mission’ podcast because he not only has spent over four decades tracking every technology in the data center but because of his sharp knowledge of AI at the edge,” said Telson. “This podcast showcases that knowledge as we discuss everything from the most interesting aspects of AI to where it will be felt most in everyone’s daily lives to areas where AI is most beneficial.”
The “This is Our Mission” podcast provides AI industry insight to listeners including users, developers, analysts, technical and financial press, and investors. Past episodes are available at https://brainchipinc.com/brainchip-podcasts.
About BrainChip Holdings Ltd (ASX: BRN, OTCQX: BRCHF, ADR: BCHPY)
BrainChip is the worldwide leader in edge AI on-chip processing and learning. The company’s first-to-market neuromorphic processor, AkidaTM, mimics the human brain to analyze only essential sensor inputs at the point of acquisition, processing data with unparalleled efficiency, precision, and economy of energy. Keeping machine learning local to the chip, independent of the cloud, also dramatically reduces latency while improving privacy and data security. In enabling effective edge compute to be universally deployable across real world applications such as connected cars, consumer electronics, and industrial IoT, BrainChip is proving that on-chip AI, close to the sensor, is the future, for its customers’ products, as well as the planet. Explore the benefits of Essential AI at www.brainchip.com.
Follow BrainChip on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/BrainChip_inc
Follow BrainChip on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/7792006


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WHEELING - Job-sustaining businesses mixed with revenue-generating attractions is typically the formula to a thriving downtown.
As industry declined in the Ohio Valley, along with both the residential and business population, it left empty storefronts and little need for entertainment outlets.
Some cities, such as Wheeling, are taking measures to beautify their downtowns with green space and entertainment while others leave their hopes for more commerce to one man: Lou Stein.
The city of Wheeling plans to purchase additional buildings and tear down the entire 1100 block of Main and Market streets, from the Horne’s Building south, to help revitalize downtown.
As executive director of Valley Ventures of Weirton, Stein seems to have his finger in almost every local downtown pot.
Valley Ventures is a private, nonprofit business that helps existing businesses expand through marketing, management assistance, or facility or equipment acquisition.
For municipalities, Stein said that he draws a "master plan" for a particular downtown area to establish a "lifestyle center" where residents can live, shop and eat.
What is the future for downtown areas such as those in Wheeling, Steubenville and Weirton?
Uncertain, to say the least, as empty buildings dominate the landscape. Local leaders are hoping a turnaround in the economy can help lead downtowns to a new future.
Stein noted that all development is privately funded. In creating master plans, only Follansbee invested public funds toward Valley Ventures' services.
Near his headquarters, Stein pulled a few new businesses into Weirton's downtown. For example, he helped seal a deal last September to purchase the former Dunbar School to open Krazy 'Bout Sportz and also the groundbreaking for the Kwik King convenience store in 2009.
He also helped launch a Valley Commerce Center in late 2009 in the former Magnone building at 3300 Main St.
In that 20,000-square-foot structure, he leased the bottom floor to five tenants while the top is a "business office incubator" that could house 15 to 18 new businesses and bring in 50 new jobs.
Steubenville was another commerce project for Stein. In September 2009, the Steubenville Revitalization Group started work with Valley Ventures to form a three-year plan for downtown development.
Since that time, Steubenville saw the first store openings in about two years.
While Stein noted 48 empty storefronts when he started, 25 have been converted into a new business or have started development. Of those 25, Stein said 18 had been empty anywhere from three to 15 years.
Stein also has been a force in Follansbee. Valley Ventures facilitated the opening of such locations as a teen dance club, clothing stores and an ice cream parlor. He said that Follansbee City Council acquired his services in April to draw a master plan for a 12-block stretch of W.Va. 2.
Spotting 18 vacancies, he has filled or has committed tenants to fill eight of those. Seven of those buildings have been empty for more than three years.
Going south, he began working with the Wheeling Downtown Business Association to develop a downtown plan using only private funding. The WDBA started discussions with Valley Ventures in August and signed the contract three months later.
With some plans - such as the "Victorian Outlet Mall" from almost a decade ago and the "Wheeling 2020 Plan" formed in 2008 - falling through the cracks, Stein said that he realizes many may be skeptical of his approach.
Stein's development plan for Wheeling still sits on the drawing board, but the plan will include new living quarters, restaurants, specialty shops and entertainment options. His plan should be complete in 30 to 45 days, he said.
Since the contract was signed, Stein said he has been working with building and business owners, city officials and Wheeling National Heritage Area Corp. officials "to ensure we do not duplicate efforts."
While work continues in the aforementioned areas, Stein began working with the Wetzel County Chamber of Commerce for various areas around New Martinsville in January. He said his plan there will highlight development in the historic downtown section, redevelopment in the industrial park and a travel and tourism center at the riverfront. This contract will also last for three years.
While Stein and Valley Ventures continue to push a possible business boom in the Ohio Valley, some public agencies are moving forward with development of their own.
Wheeling officials are working toward a series of beautification projects, such as the completed Pocket Park, soon-to-be-developed Heritage Port Gateway Plaza at the former Waterbed Warehouse location and a revitalization of the Market Street Plaza.
In Mayor Andy McKenzie's State of the City address, he said that about $1 million could be directed to the plaza. McKenzie also said buildings in the 1100 block of Main and Market streets would be torn down.
The resulting vacant lots would allow interested businesses to start fresh on empty ground without needing to invest in bringing the structures up to code.
St. Clairsville had seen a halt in downtown revitalization because of the city's poor financial situation and in light of the Clarendon Hotel project termination, said Public Works Director Dennis Bigler.
On the private side, Stein also has a plan to expand the commercial area by about 100 acres near the Lowe's and Sam's Club shopping center in the Ohio Valley Plaza, an existing space he helped build in the 1990s.


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By Patrick Avenell
SYDNEY, NSW: Nintendo Australia might be keen on getting free publicity to promote how popular its DS models are but it’s not as eager to provide answers to these same consumers who make its consoles so popular.
After last week’s mammoth price gouging debate, Current.com.au forwarded a list of questions to Nintendo seeking clarification on exactly why there was a $100 price difference between the US and Australian recommended prices. After not receiving any response to these questions, we then asked Nintendo if we should expect a response – not even that basic question was deemed worthy of reply.
It would seem that Nintendo is a company that only likes to talk about how many consumers it has, rather than talking to them about its policies.
For the record, Nintendo has today reported that combined sales of its four Nintendo DS products (DS, DS Lite, DSi and DSi XL) totalled 520,000 units during 2010. This figure makes the DS the best selling console on the Australian market, according to Nintendo citing GfK figures.
Furthermore, the Nintendo Wii has now sold 2 million units since its original launch. During 2010, 420,000 Wii units were sold.


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A new development in modified atmosphere packaging promises to take case-ready meat into a new era of extended freshness, taste, and visual appeal. The FreshPax® CR is a low-cost, low-oxygen packaging system that maintains refrigerated meat in pristine condition for 15 to 30 days, on average. FreshPax CR is designed to decrease waste and reduce cost at retail locations and provide consumers with fresh and visually appealing beef, pork, lamb, and value-added meat products.
Shelf-life breakthrough for case-ready meat
Jan 3, 2008


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Jamba Inc. today announced consumers will soon be able to bypass the line at stores nationwide by using the new Jamba mobile order-ahead app. The new smartphone tool, designed to meet the needs of today’s time-constrained consumer, will be available by mid-November on the Jamba Juice app and will be supported by over 600 Jamba stores across the U.S.
The Jamba mobile order-ahead app will reduce wait times for guests and continue the brand’s ongoing commitment to enhance the in-store experience. The company continues to remain ahead of the curve in the use of technology as consumers increasingly turn to mobile technology for their retail transactions.
“The nationwide launch of the order ahead app will allow Jamba to compete effectively for the on-the-go consumer in the QSR space where consumers increasingly engage with brands on different platforms at different stages of the path to purchase,” says Julie S. Washington, Jamba chief marketing and innovation officer. “Mobile has become a part of doing business that guests expect from Jamba, and the mobile app will provide us with additional data about app users and their purchase behavior which will enable us to provide more targeted messaging and drive increased revenue.”
Digital commerce in the Jamba mobile order-ahead application was developed by Olo, a leader in online ordering.
"We are thrilled to help Jamba Juice bring digital hospitality to their loyal guests," says Noah Glass, founder and CEO of Olo. "Mobile restaurant customers love the ease of ordering and paying for their favorite orders in a few taps on their smartphone."
The Jamba app was launched earlier this year. Mobile order-ahead is one of several new features Jamba plans to incorporate during the following year.


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HATTIESBURG, Miss. (WDAM) - A Petal animal shelter benefited from some of the proceeds from an annual flea market in Hattiesburg Saturday.
The money from booth rentals for the Spring Flea Market at Cook Portable Warehouses was donated to the New Hope Animal Rescue Center.
The animal shelter also had a booth at the event, which sold various foods donated by local residents.
“It’s amazing that people are so generous and then support our cause,” said Jessie Cardona, executive director of the New Hope Animal Rescue Center. “We can’t do it without people like this reaching out to donate.”
Cardona said fees from the booth rentals brought in about $450 for the animal shelter.


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Air Force Surgeon General Issued NOTAM On Ephedra Risks. The Air Force Surgeon General has issued a “Notice to Airmen” on the potential risks associated with dietary supplements that contain ephedra, following the death of a young Air Force member in early November.
NOTAMs are released by the Clinical Quality Management Division of the Air Force Medical Operations Agency to disseminate lessons learned from medical incident investigations and other pertinent events.
“What we know is that this young man took dietary supplements, including ephedra,” said Royal Air Force Wing Commander (Dr.) Victor Wallace, of the Aerospace Medicine Division at the Air Force Medical Operations Agency. “Although there was insufficient evidence to be causal, the changes seen in this young man’s cardiovascular system can be associated with ephedra use.”
Purpose of The NOTAM
“The purpose of the NOTAM is to ensure that Air Force personnel and their attending medical staff remain alert to the risks and can provide appropriate advice and education,” said Wallace, an RAF exchange officer.
The Air Force Surgeon General issued a revised policy covering dietary supplements containing ephedra on Sept. 5, 2002, that strongly discouraged the use of such supplements and highlighted associated risk factors.
The revised AFSG policy was followed by a memorandum from the Air Force Services Agency, which called for services activities to remove such supplements from their resale inventories.
“Since ephedra and its alkaloids have several different names, products should be evaluated by [major command] and base-level dietitians to ensure all items known to include this herb/ingredient are identified and removed from your operations,” the services memo read.
In late August, the Army and Air Force Exchange Service also removed the products from its inventories.
According to a statement issued from AAFES headquarters in Dallas: “Due to health and safety concerns, AAFES has replaced all ‘performance enhancing’ dietary supplements that contain ephedra with ephedra-free products. All products with ephedra have been removed from AAFES’ stores, along with those operated by AAFES concessionaires. Signs have been posted to encourage customers to carefully read the labels of all dietary supplements to help them make informed choices.”
Air Force Surgeon General officials have repeatedly “strongly advised” people to contact their physicians or health care providers before taking dietary supplements containing Ma Huang, ephedra or ephedra alkaloids.
“Consultation is especially necessary if an individual has pre-existing medical problems, is taking other medications or exercises vigorously as part of (his or her) occupation or fitness program,” Wallace said.
Such supplements, which include so-called energy boosters, over-the-counter diet pills and bodybuilding drinks or mixes, may pose health and occupational risks even for those not taking other prescribed drugs, Wallace said.
Today, at least 20 states and the National Football League are among those who have banned or restricted use of ephedrine products.


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The Christmas spending season is well under way and audio visual companies are pulling out all the stops to encourage people to buy the latest that technology has to offer.
The 1981 Audio Visual Show at the RDS in Dublin offers customers the opportunity to try and buy the latest technology offerings from hundreds of companies and all under one roof.
From video games to computerised car stereo systems there is a wide variety of products on offer. The biggest boom has been in video. Consumers can now buy their own video cameras which record on to tape and can be played back immediately through a television. However, they don't come cheap and can cost around £2,000.
The most popular technological development of all for the home comes in the form a the video recorder which allows the viewer to record something on TV while watching something else. It is estimated that in 1981 more than 30,000 new video recorders will make their way into Irish homes. Again they don't come cheap costing anything from £600 to £1,200.
Salesman Gerry Murphy describes the video recorder as a
Truly wonderful product.
The boom in video recorders and films on video cassettes will have broader implications for the cinema industry.
The video industry is an unstoppable force.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 27 November 1981.


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Yesterday, in tandem with the start of All-Star Weekend in New Orleans, Air Jordan opened a store in the heart of the city's French Quarter neighborhood. Located at 221 Chartres St., the shop is just a few blocks away from Bourbon Street—a street that's known as much for its debauchery as it is for its jazz. And this weekend has been particularly bonkers in NOLA considering it's also the start of Mardis Gras. But a few
hundred thousand daiquiri-slurping tourists and pouring rain couldn't stop sneakerheads from dominating the block by turning out to check out the Jordan pop-up, which was chock full of exclusive gear, from New Orleans-themed T-shirts to Air Jordan sneakers that won't hit other retailers for another month.
Specifically, the sneaker most people turned up for was the Air Jordan 1 "All-Star," an iridescent take on the classic style. But those went quick, so there were others to be had too—like the iridescent Air Jordan 6 or the Frankensteined, red, white, black, and blue Air Jordan 1s that have been flooding city streets for weeks.
But the biggest surprise the store had to offer was the early release of the Air Jordan 4 "Motorsports," (seen above), a sneaker which pays homage to MJ's personal motorsports team. But more importantly (at least as far as aesthetics are concerned), the sneaker features the tried-and-true color combo of white, black, and blue. (Which according to our records has never made an Air Jordan look worse.) The kicks also got their own line of matching hoodies, shorts, and tees.
Though the Motorsports 4s won't drop until March 26 for $190, the NOLA-inspired Air Jordan 1s are set to drop tomorrow at stores like RuVilla with a price of $140, just in time for the big game.


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A little over two months ago, XDA discovered a new Chrome device in the works that some suspected could be another Kaby Lake-powered Chromebox or perhaps even a new Chromebit if you can stretch your imagination that far. The platform, codenamed ‘Kalista’, has since been given the new device name ‘Karma’ and now we know beyond any shadow of a doubt that it will be a Chromebase all-in-one desktop machine.
Currently, the USB device will be categorized as the external input device. However, karma (a chromebase project) uses the USB touchscreen controller to support large screen monitor (for example 23.8″). As a result, we need to add the udev rules to whitelist the USB touchscreen as the internal device. This patch also adds a rule to enable the touchscreen wakeup event.
Not surprisingly, the Chromebase will offer up USB-C ports that are currently being tested to charger external devices including phones and Chromebooks.
Karma: Enable 3A power supply over USB-C port
Verify 5V,3A supplied to Samus, Pixel phone, and Sona.
As noted in my previous article, the ‘Kalist’ project is being headed up by the ODM Quanta Computers. This is the same company that gave us the #MadeByGoole Pixelbook and Pixel Slate. Sadly, they also produce products from companies such as Dell, HP and Lenovo so we aren’t any closer to knowing who’s behind the desktop Chrome OS device.
I have a theory as to what brand will find itself on the new Chromebase so make sure you check back tomorrow for more on ‘Kalista’ and ‘Karma’. If my instincts are correct, it could have a major impact on the entire Chrome OS landscape. I would love to say we could find out more next month at CES but I suspect this Chromebase won’t break cover for a few more months. I/O, maybe? We shall see.


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Union Minister of Road Transport Nitin Gadkari has urged US-based electric car major Tesla to make India as their Asia manufacturing hub.
The minister visited Tesla factory near San Francisco in USA yesterday.
Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways and Shipping Nitin Gadkari visits the Tesla electric car manufacturing unit, in San Francisco on Friday. PTI
Further, Gadkari said the Indian Government was committed to encouraging alternate pollution free transport in the country and offered to promote joint ventures.
The minister said India is interested to promote joint ventures between the global leaders in electric car manufacturing and the Indian automobile companies.
He also offered Tesla land near major Indian ports to facilitate export of their vehicles to South and South East Asian countries.
Tesla senior executive admitted that their manufacturing hub has to be outside the US for markets in rest of the world and appreciated the Indian offer of cooperation which they said will certainly be considered at the appropriate time in future.


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LOTS ON THE LOT: There are bargains to be had if you're looking for a new or used truck. The tricky part is recovering the
MISSISSAUGA, Ont. –In this topsy-turvy world of ours, it’s difficult to make heads or tails about the impact the surging loonie is having on equipment pricing.
On one hand, the rise of the Canuck-buck has been favourable, driving down the price of new trucks and mitigating the increased costs of new-emission engines. But on the flip side, come trade-in time, owner/operators may have lost all the equity they were counting on having built-up in their existing ride.
“A lot of people that bought trucks a few years ago, bought them at an exchange rate when our dollar was at 65 cents and they bring them in today and if the truck was worth $140,000- $145,000 five years ago, it’s worth $110,000-$115,000 today,” explained John Nelligan, dealer principal with Harper Ontario Truck Centres, a Sterling and Western Star dealer in Mississauga. “They owe more than it’s worth. They’re kind of in a crunch right now and they can’t get out of the truck for what they have in it.”
That creates a double-edged sword for owner/operators and small fleets. For one, they may not be able to take advantage of the bargains that are out there on the market today. And at the same time, they may see no alternative to extending the life-cycle of their current truck, which will inevitably result in higher maintenance costs.
“It’s a good time to buy,” said Barry Dzikowski, a salesman with Kenworth Truck Centres. He noted for every penny the Canadian loonie increases, the cost of a new truck drops about $1,000. “But the thing that overshadows this is that the highway market is dead, regardless of the better pricing. Guys that financed in 04-05 are trying to get a whole lot more money than the market will pay right now. So they’re electing to hold onto them and put more miles on them when they should be trading in and getting into a new warranty.”
Dennis Sheehan of Sheehan Truck Centre warned some self-serving dealers are taking the opportunity to prey on these owner/operators and allowing them to roll the outstanding amount owing on their current truck into the financing of a new one.
“Some dealers are doing creative financing and burying these guys in their trade-ins,” Sheehan said. “If they owe $50,000 on a trade that’s worth $40,000 and they roll that extra $10,000 into the new one, these guys are getting upside down.”
He advised owner/operators not to get sucked into that trap and to hold off purchasing until a down payment has been saved.
“You have to pay for it eventually, why not put it down up-front?” he suggested.
Canadian Class 8 truck sales are forecast to remain weak this year, with some projections at about 20,000 units. Many trucks ordered by dealers to meet demand during the 2006 pre-buy are still sitting on dealer lots. That’s exacerbated by the fact the US economy is slowing and freight volumes are softening, especially in north-south lanes.
Meanwhile, imports of used Class 8 trucks from the US more than doubled last year as bargain hunters looked south to find better deals, according to Kenny Vieth, a partner with A. C. T. Research.
However, dealers Truck News spoke with downplayed any effect an increase in used truck imports may be having.
“We’re not seeing a lot of used US trucks come here because usu- ally they’re not spec’d right for Canada. They’re not heavy enough for the weights that we haul,” pointed out Nelligan.
And Sheehan added “A lot of US trucks don’t have block heaters and most don’t have the insulation packages we have up here. When we order new trucks, they’re built to Canadian standards, coolant good to -40 C, block heaters, insulation packages and daytime running lights. The US guys don’t think of that. They’d freeze in the winter.”
Canadian owner/operators and fleets also tend to spec’ higher horsepower engines and 13-speed transmissions compared to the 10-speeds favoured south of the border. Another trend in the truck market today is that the value proposition for purchasing new rather than used trucks is evolving.
The 2006 pre-buy was aimed largely at delaying the higher purchase prices of 2007 engines, which in the US increased costs by up to $10,000 per truck. Here at home, however, new trucks with 07 engines have actually decreased by about that same amount, thanks to the strength of the dollar.
“Today you’re paying about the same for a new tractor as you did three to four years ago, and that’s incorporating all the model year changes and price increases over the years,” said Denis Legault, general manager of Cambrian Truck Centre in Sudbury.
Now that 07 engines have been on the road for some time with no widespread reports of reliability or fuel consumption issues, dealers we spoke with say customers are more inclined to buy new trucks with the latest generation of engines under the hood.
“If you’re talking just a few dollars more for a new-emission truck, it’s a choice to make,” said Nelligan.
For dealers, much like for fleets and owner/operators, times are tough. However, the vocational market has remained strong and
investment you’ve made in your current rig, dealers explain.
there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Owner/operators can’t hang onto their current trucks forever.
“There’s going to be a balancing point eventually as they cost more to maintain,” Dzikowski said. “Right now we don’t see it, but repair costs will factor in there and that will get it back on-side.”
Nelligan expects the market to rebound later this year and hopes some balance is restored to the market.
“It’s going to be a slower year until we get into August and September. By the time we go into September, I think the combination of a US election and the US hopefully getting out of its doldrums a little bit will get us moving,” predicted Nelligan. “I think there will be a pretty quick up-cycle to 2009. I’m not sure how much of a pre-buy there will be this time. A lot of fleets bought trucks last time and a lot of dealers bought a lot of trucks, and a lot of those trucks are still around.”
For those owner/operators who are frustrated because they’re stuck in a truck that was due for a trade-in, the dealers we spoke with didn’t have any simple solutions to offer. Perhaps the best words of advice are to take good care of your equipment and keep a close eye on market conditions. Most of all, don’t bury yourself with a financing arrangement you can’t afford.


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Your favorite Joe's Crab Shack might not be open anymore.
The seafood restaurant chain has abruptly closed at least 41 locations across 19 states since Friday.
Among the reported closures includes every location in several states, including Indiana, Michigan and Oklahoma.
Click here to see a full list of Joe's Crab Shack locations that have closed, according to Consumerist.
RELATED: Joe's Crab Shack joins 'no tipping' movement
Clint Davis is a reporter for the Scripps National Desk. Follow him on Twitter @MrClintDavis. Keep up to date with the latest news by following @ScrippsNational on Twitter.


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THE hit quiz show “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” has been sold for nearly $200 million.
A Dutch media company, 2waytraffic, bought the rights to the show – a worldwide sensation – from the company that originated the show, Celador, after an intense auction.
The American version of the show, hosted by Meredith Vieira, will likely not be affected by the sale.
But the eye-popping price for the rights to sell the game show all over the world underscores just what a big business the sale of formats has become.
There are 80 local versions of “Millionaire” internationally, generating about $27 million a year in format rights.
The host of the British version of the shown – where the phenomenon got started – headed one of the groups of investors that was outbid.


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Government to begin review of UK digital radio sector
The government is set to conduct a root-and-branch review of UK digital radio, including the state of advertising.
During her keynote address to London's Radio Festival, minister for digital and the creative industries Margot James said the review will begin in the coming weeks, and will conclude by the middle of next year.
As Advanced Television reports, setting out the government's reasoning for the review James said: "The market is more competitive than ever, with competition from podcasts and music streaming services.
"Six million people listen to podcasts each week in the UK – and many of them are younger people, who are increasingly seeing podcasts as their default way of getting audio content.
"Alongside this change in consumption habits, digital advertising is become more prominent, which can create challenges around how to gain value from content.”
During the review the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) will work with broadcasters and others in the radio supply chain to assess the state of the sector and to lay the groundwork for a "healthy and vibrant digital future for UK radio," James added.
As we reported this morning, elsewhere at the Radio Festival the BBC announced the launch of a "public service algorithm" for content recommendation, to help users of its Sounds app to escape virtual 'echo chambers'.
BBC director of radio and education James Purnell told attendees: "“This is not an algorithm that just gives you more of the same, but an algorithm built to surprise you, to direct your attention to new information, to different points of view, to pop your bubble.


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The US Food and Drug Administration said on Thursday that Global Pharma Healthcare is recalling its Artificial Tears Lubricant Eye Drops owing to suspected contamination. The eye drops were sold by EzriCare and Delsam Pharma.
Multidose vials of the drops were offered online in the United States. Those who have used them should cease and contact the FDA about any negative effects.
There have been 55 complaints of illnesses, including one death, in 12 different states that may be related to the items, and the CDC is now investigating.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) claims it has received reports of corneal, intraocular fluid, respiratory, urinary tract, and systemic sepsis infections. One person died, while many others were hospitalized or suffered lifelong visual loss.
According to the agency’s findings, EzriCare’s artificial tears were the most often reported brand among the more than 10 used by persons with illnesses. You shouldn’t worry about any germs growing in these eye drops since they don’t include any preservatives.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa, germs resistant to several antibiotics, were found in opened EzriCare bottles. The CDC speculates that the germs were introduced either during usage or during production. Not yet opened bottles are being tested.
Located in New Jersey After learning of the investigation on January 20, EzriCare claimed in a statement that it promptly took measures to halt the distribution and sale of EzriCare Artificial Tears. We have been trying to reach as many people as possible to warn them against using the product.
Pseudomonas bacteria are widespread in the natural world and may be found in a variety of habitats. The CDC reports that Pseudomonas aeruginosa is often disseminated in hospitals and is becoming more difficult to treat due to drug resistance. More than 32,000 hospitalized patients in the United States contracted it in 2017, leading to roughly 2,700 fatalities.


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Amazon secures movie rights for Alafair Burke’s thriller ‘The Wife’
Amazon Studios is ramping up its efforts in the streaming space lately in a push to focus on bigger movies and television shows. The company hired NBC's Jennifer Salke as its new head executive to take the place of the disgraced Roy Price, and has picked up some high-profile content, like Ian M. Banks' well-regarded Culture novels for a television series. Now Amazon won the rights to Alafair Burke's novel The Wife, which is heavily influenced by the current #MeToo zeitgeist.
According to Deadline, Amazon was one of five bidders for the novel, which is Burke's 13th novel. She's also set to write the movie script in a deal that reportedly reached seven figures. Burke is a graduate of Stanford Law, former prosecutor, a professor of criminal law and the daughter of crime novelist James Lee Burke. The Wife came out last month, and revolves around a woman named Angela Po...
Read more news from Engadget


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Azania Mosaka spoke to Boston City Campus and Business School wellness counsellor Natalie Rabson.
The Azania Mosaka Show
Azania Mosaka brings her style and charm to early afternoons.
The Azania Mosaka Show deals mainly with contemporary lifestyle issues.
Azania also has a unique way of tackling burning issues such as university protests and has brought her own take to the ongoing discussions about higher education transformation.
Some of the features on her show include the Masterclass feature, which in line with our stated intention of opening minds, is a class given by an expert in a particular field to enlighten listeners about topics such as mastering mathematics, unpacking The Bible, a closer look at world football governing body FIFA.
Follow @Azania_ on Twitter
Email Azania's producer Jonathan Fairbairn on firstname.lastname@example.org
The Healthy Lifestyle Feature, with Azania Mosaka
In this healthy lifestyle feature, Azania Mosaka takes a look at the world of health and wellness.
Aza's Car Feature
In this car feature, Azania Mosaka gets to share her passion for cars with some of 702's motorheads.
Radio designed to enlighten and enthrall... and it delivers!
In this food feature, Azania Mosaka explores what's cooking in the culinary world.
Every Friday, Azania Mosaka winds down the week by sharing the life stories of incredible newsmakers.
The Best of Azania Mosaka Show
Azania Mosaka brings her style and charm to early afternoons... Catch the highlights of the Azania Mosaka show.
Good to Know with Wendy Knowler
Consumer journalist, Wendy Knowler shares her expert advice on those things consumers really need insights on.
Lebo Mogoma tells Azania Mosaka that was also inspired by Cheslin Kolbe who, even though is a small player, has a big heart.
Two separate concerts are set to take place next week in Johannesburg and Cape Town.
Naked scientist Chris Smith explains the disease and why it should be a priority.
Africa Check researchers Cailey Clifford and Kate Wilkinson take a look at the claims made in a recent address on SA's progress.
Old Mutual will be flying gogo Kezia and her daughter to go see her sister whom she hasn't seen in 15 years.
The jazz musician joined Azania Mosaka in studio for this week's #702Unplugged.
Azania Mosaka speaks to brand specialists on why brands sponsored the KFC couples and not other projects.
Education expert Natasha Madhav says parents need to investigate the career paths their children tell them about.