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pki - News, Features, and Slideshows
Google forgot to renew one of its TLS certificates, leading to service disruption Saturday for people using Gmail through third-party email clients.
By Lucian Constantin | 06 April, 2015 17:15
The Mozilla Foundation plans to reject new digital certificates issued by the China Internet Network Information Center (CNNIC) in its products, but will continue to trust certificates that already exist.
By Lucian Constantin | 03 April, 2015 00:13
Microsoft has blacklisted a subordinate CA certificate that was wrongfully used to issue SSL certificates for several Google websites. The action will prevent those certificates from being used in Google website spoofing attacks against Internet Explorer users.
By Lucian Constantin | 26 March, 2015 00:59
After a security enthusiast discovered a loophole that allowed him to register a valid SSL certificate for Microsoft's live.fi domain, he tried to responsibly disclose the issue. But instead of thanks he got locked out of his email, phone, Xbox and online storage accounts.
By Lucian Constantin | 19 March, 2015 04:52
Microsoft released an update to blacklist an SSL certificate for one of its domain names that was issued to an unauthorized third party.
By Lucian Constantin | 17 March, 2015 22:07
The following report, is based on a global survey of 706 IT and security professionals conducted in the United States, Canada, Germany, United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand. The goal of the survey was to capture data on current attitudes and trends with mobile devices and IT security. This is the third survey on this topic and this report evaluates differences in responses to similar questions asked over the past two years.
Just as we’ve learned to tune out car alarms, so have we become impervious to the headlines of cybercrime. That’s despite cybercriminals stealing over 500 million identities1 in 2014, alone. According to a December 2014 Computer Weekly article2, “The production of malware continues on an industrial scale, with exploit kits and malware services putting sophisticated attack methods in the hands of relatively unskilled cyber criminals.” And unfortunately, ignoring the issue will not make it go away.
- Microsoft developing Cortana app for iOS, Android
- Synology patches serious flaws in its network-attached storage devices
- NHK tries to prime viewers for 8K with interactive features
- Infinit improves its iPad user interface, partners with HTC to speed up file sharing
- Charter Communications confirms bid to buy Time Warner Cable
- The Upload: Your tech news briefing for Tuesday, May 26
- Microsoft implores enterprises to help it test optional Windows 7 updates
- Sony's Xperia Z4 renamned Z3+ outside Japan, goes on sale in June
- Wearables to hit stride in enterprises from 2017: Frost & Sullivan
- Compliance with PCI DSS standards needs improvement: Dell
- IPv4 address exhaustion approaches in US
- ING Direct unveils Apple Watch app
- Woodside engineers to use IBM's Watson platform
- Technology One records half year revenue of $90m
- Charter reportedly close to US$55 billion deal for Time Warner Cable


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Ubisoft runs its own premium subscription service like EA Play and Xbox Game Pass, dubbed Ubisoft+. The company recently announced that it is soon going to release the service on Xbox. Currently, it is only available on PC, Stadia and Amazon Luna priced at Euro 14.99 (approximately Rs 1,260) per month.
Under its game subscription service, the company offers its users access to the latest games on day one, access to over 100 Ubisoft games. The service will also be a home for the upcoming tactical co-op FPS Rainbow Six Extraction. Apart from Ubisoft+, the game will also release on day one on Microsoft’s Game Pass too.
Rainbow Six Extraction is set to release on January 20 globally on all platforms.
“By making Rainbow Six Extraction available to Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass members on the day and date of its launch, we’re demonstrating that we believe in the value and choice that game subscriptions offer to players,” said Chris Early, Ubisoft SVP of strategic partnerships and business development.
“Rainbow Six Extraction for Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass members is just the beginning. Ultimately, we will offer the Ubisoft+ subscription service to Xbox owners so that they can enjoy the full extent of our Ubisoft+ game library, including new releases, on their consoles,” Early added.
The news of Rainbow Six Extraction being made available on Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass comes at a point when there are a lot of rumours regarding Ubisoft+ joining Xbox Game Pass, just like EA Play.
“With Rainbow Six Extraction, Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass members are getting another blockbuster added to their library on the same day the title launches,” said Xbox corporate VP for game creator experience and ecosystem Sarah Bond. “And because Rainbow Six Siege will be on both Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass as well, the Rainbow Six community and fans of tactical shooters will have plenty to look forward to playing together, no matter where they play,” she added.
While you wait for Ubisoft+ to come on Xbox, Microsoft has a better deal for you. Due to the Reserve Bank of India’s new mandates for recurring payments, the company is offering new Game Pass subscribers the service for a duration of 8 months at just Rs 489.
The post Rainbow Six Extraction to release on Xbox Game Pass on Day 1, Ubisoft+ coming soon to Xbox appeared first on BGR India.

domain: news


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One in a series of columns co-written by Tony and Karen Russo, a father-daughter team and former owners of Russo’s in Watertown.
If you drive anywhere near a farm in the next few weeks, you might notice hand-painted signs along the road, displaying the letters PYO. Short for “Pick Your Own,” these signs indicate that our locally grown strawberries are ripe and ready for amateur pickers to descend upon their rows.
So why is this news, you might ask? You can find strawberries all of the time in your grocery store. In fact, we carried them year-round at Russo’s, too.
However, those year-round strawberries come from Florida, the Carolinas, California, Mexico, and even Peru. These strawberries are different. These local strawberries, some of the best in our country, are only available for a few short weeks in June and, if we’re lucky, early July. These strawberries are ethereal and, we believe, should be eaten immediately (or within a day of picking).
At Verrill Farm, a family farm in Concord, the season’s first strawberry crop was picked last week. The variety, Wendy, is a favorite because of its excellent flavor, according to Steve Verrill who has grown strawberries for more than 50 years.
“With everything we plant, the flavor is the primary selection criteria,” said Verrill.
As he walked us through his 5 acres of strawberry fields, Verrill, 87, described how his wife learned to drive a tractor while he walked behind it planting the berries. It was only by chance that his dairy-turned-vegetable farm grows the fruit. His business partner’s brother grew strawberries and he suggested that Steve try it, too. So he did.
Now, Verrill Farm has such an enthusiastic following that it hosts a Strawberry Festival each spring and folks return year after year to pick their own berries. Verrill Farm sells the berries at its farm stand, too, but the real enthusiasm comes when customers pick their own.
These strawberries are picked at the height of their maturity. In order to enjoy their splendor, they should not be stored in the refrigerator. To truly appreciate them, eat them within a day of being harvested.
Over the past 10 years, we noticed that our customers became more aware of the significance of local strawberries. For decades prior, Massachusetts’ berries were overlooked because California’s strawberries, which account for about 90 percent of the American market, peak in April, May, and June. That means they flooded the market at a time when our local berries were approaching perfection in their short season.
To make it more challenging for local growers, the capricious Massachusetts climate does not offer easy growing conditions for the delicate fruit.
Joe Czajkowski, 65, is a grower based in Hadley. A third-generation farmer, Czajkowski has been farming since he was a child and learning alongside his grandfather. He recalls picking asparagus before heading to school.
He said that one of the more challenging parts of strawberry farming is what he calls “frost control,” which is when he wakes up at midnight several times a week to tend to the fields to help prevent the crops from freezing.
Unfortunately, this past February’s record-breaking freeze and 40 mph winds, plus a recent record-breaking springtime freeze destroyed about 70 percent of his strawberry crop. He said that every farmer he knows was injured by this year’s weather, but one of his own fields was particularly exposed to wind and suffered a tremendous loss.
Joe Czajkowski Farm will still offer seven strawberry varieties for Pick Your Own, including the Cabot variety, a flavorful berry that’s “almost the size of a little apple,” he said. This is his farm’s 40th season with PYO for strawberries.
Nothing on the market tastes as good as a local strawberry, he said.
“It is sweet with just a little bit of hardness to it,” said Czajkowski. “It tastes like freshness. This berry did not travel 3,000 miles from California or 9,000 miles from Peru. It travels the length of your arm.”
Some of our favorite strawberries are grown by the husband and wife team of Mark and Ellen Parlee of Parlee Farms in Tyngsborough. Both were engineers when they met. After they were married, Mark told Ellen that he wanted to be a farmer. Now, Mark farms and Ellen runs the business.
When Mark was 12 years old, he learned to grow strawberries from his uncle. More than 50 years later, his strawberries are some of the best we’ve tasted.
Parlee Farm’s PYO strawberry season usually runs from mid-June through July 4. In addition to its spring crop, Parlee Farm offers a unique second strawberry crop, which runs from August to October (although it is not PYO).
We recently spoke with Ellen about growing the finicky strawberry in our fluctuating climate.
“They are pretty sensitive to weather changes,” she said. “They like 70-degree temperatures, they don’t like a lot of rain, they don’t like to be pelted with rain, they don’t like the cold. They are one of our fussiest plants to grow.”
But it’s worth the effort, said Parlee.
“They are very popular and people love them,” she said. “The flavor far exceeds anything you can purchase in a store.”
Karen and Tony Russo can be reached at email@example.com.


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Paycast partners with Marqeta and Mastercard for new marketplace payment solution
By Edlyn Cardoza
Marqeta, the global modern card issuing platform, Mastercard, a leader in global payments, and Paycast (an SPG Company), the marketplace payment engine, recently announced a collaborative partnership to power and launch a digital card product to offer faster and more convenient ways for marketplace sellers to get paid and do business.
Specialising in high-value and time-sensitive transactions, Paycast enables marketplaces to hold funds in escrow between buyers and sellers until the conditions of sale have been verified. The ability for marketplace sellers to access these funds immediately on a virtual card provides more choice and a modern experience for accessing proceeds quickly and securely.
Marqeta is supporting Paycast with its fully-documented open API platform, which enables digital builders such as Paycast to create modern financial products with control and speed. Paycast will leverage Marqeta’s virtual card functionality, which will give Paycast customers the ability to participate in the authorisation process and set rules that can support anti-fraud measures and provide opportunities for loyalty and reward schemes for their sellers. Marqeta and Mastercard have provided strategic funding to SPG to enhance the Paycast proposition.
Mastercard will enable the use of the virtual cards on its global card network, providing industry and functional expertise and collaborating on customer growth initiatives and marketing. Mastercard continues to invest in its comprehensive developer platform, Mastercard Developers, to be the partner of choice for FinTech innovators across Europe, taking a relationship, technology-led and mission-aligned approach to partnering with FinTech companies.
“In the past 12 months we’ve seen a significant growth in online marketplaces, yet at the same time there is a lack of payment options for acquirers, marketplaces and their sellers. Paycast aims to rectify that by bringing to market a new solution that will provide sellers with one single place to manage all their payments,” said Elle Kim, Managing Director of Paycast. “Marqeta is the ideal partner to help us bring our vision to life, thanks to its simple, easy-to-use suite of APIs that we’ve been able to use to launch and quickly scale Paycast, and with our shared global ambitions there’s a strong synergy.”
“We’re excited to support the launch of Paycast, which we think will be an important new payment tool for online marketplaces,” said Ian Johnson, SVP and Managing Director at Marqeta Europe. “Paycast is a great example of the Marqeta platform’s versatility, demonstrating how our platform can deliver on solutions across a range of modern use cases, which can be replicated across different international markets and verticals. We look forward to supporting Paycast in its mission to develop and enrich payment solutions for today’s businesses and consumers.”
“We are thrilled to be supporting Paycast on the next step of their journey, having worked closely with them since their early days in the Mastercard Start Path programme. From our technology and data assets to our global ecosystem of partners and dedicated programs, we are leveraging our tools and expertise to iterate with Paycast at every stage, transforming bold ideas together,” said Scott Abrahams, Senior Vice President, Business Development & Fintech, Mastercard UK & Ireland.
Recently, IBS Intelligence reported that Mastercard announced its completion of the acquisition of Aiia, a leading European open banking technology provider that offers single and secure API access to banks and FinTech companies and enables users to easily perform account-to-account payments.
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Written by: Steve Melito, Industry Blog Writer for FuzeHub
U.S. manufacturers are more optimistic about their own revenue growth than about overall prospects for the U.S. and global economies. According to the Q3 2014 Manufacturing Barometer from PwC US, American industrial manufacturers forecast an average growth rate of 5.6% over the next 12 months. That’s nearly a half-percentage point jump from a year ago (5.2%), and a solid 1.6% increase from 2013.
At the same time, optimism about the U.S. economy fell from 65% in Q2 to 57% in Q3. Although more than half of the survey’s respondents still felt positive about the American economy’s prospects for the next 12 months, that 57% represents the lowest level of confidence in the past six quarters. Growing concerns about legislative and regulatory pressures, lack of demand, and tax policy drove the Q2-to-Q3 decline.
Meanwhile, optimism about the world economy also fell between Q2 and Q3. The 8% drop from 38% to 30% marks U.S. manufacturers’ lowest level of confidence in the global economy during the last eight quarters. According to Bobby Bono of PwC US, “an elevation of geopolitical concerns around the world” is adding “complexity” to manufacturers’ decision-making about cash outlays.
Although most U.S. manufacturers (57%) remain optimistic about their own revenue growth, a significantly smaller percentage (36%) plan to increase capital investments over the 12 months. That 36% also marks a large drop from Q2, when a majority of survey respondents (52%) indicated plans to boost capital outlays. Nevertheless, mean investment as a percentage of sales stayed the same at 5.7%.
To what extent does revenue growth determine your company’s plans for capital investment? If growth exceeds expectations, do domestic and international concerns become less important?
Read original story: U.S. Industrial Manufacturers Forecast Solid Growth
Want more news, updates, and insights about NYS manufacturing? Join the FuzeHub mailing list and begin receiving our free email newsletters. They’re a great source of information, and contain great information like you’re reading now in this article.


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Vietnamís garment and textile sector
witnesses growth in Jan-Apr 2019
textile sector earns US $ 9.4 billion in the first 4 months
This is a 9.8 per cent jump
In April, industry earns an
impressive US $ 2.3 billion
Vietnam has, reportedly, raked in more than US $ 9.4 billion by
exporting apparels and textiles during the period from January
to April 2019.
While confirming this, the Ministry of Industry and Trade said
that the amount earned is a 9.8 per cent increase year-on-year.
In fact, in April alone, the countryís garment and textile
sector generated US $ 2.3 billion from exports, which is a jump
of 7.1 per cent.
The increase hasnít come as a surprise as several garment
companies were booked for the first 6 months of 2019, with some
of them being booked till December 2019. Many industry experts,
therefore, predict that the industry will surpass its projected
apparel and textile export target of US $ 40 billion much before
the year ends.
In 2018 too, the garment and textile export target was revised
to US $ 35 billion in the middle of the year; however, the
country went on to achieve an impressive US $ 36 billion by the
end of 2018.
However, one area where Vietnam still struggles is with its
inability to satisfy the export market with the quality of its
local cloth, which is below average.


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Since our last markets update, cryptocurrencies have been steadily moving sideways as traders are patiently waiting for the next big move. On Wednesday, Oct. 17, bitcoin core has been hovering between $6,400-6,550, while bitcoin cash has been coasting along around $425-500 per coin. The market capitalization of all 2,000+ cryptocurrencies hasn’t budged much over the […]
The post Markets Update: Stable Cryptocurrencies and Unstable Pegged Coins appeared first on Bitcoin News.
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By Jessica Nguyen
Importing pieces directly from Italy, women’s multi-brand clothing retailer Maska Mode continues its Canadian store expansion with plans for several Canadian locations. Given that it carries brands exclusive to them in North America, Maska is also looking to expand into the United States.
The privately-owned, family-run Montreal-based retailer specializes in 'high-end fast fashion' according to a company representative. Trends are addressed quickly, and all merchandise is imported from Italy. Its brands include names such as Gil Santucci, Northland, Imperial Fashion, and Rinascimento, and all stores are corporately owned.
Maska Mode currently operates 21 stores under the Maska, Rinascimento, and Imperial labels. In Quebec, Maska Mode's stores include six Maska stores, five Rinascimento boutiques, and four Imperial locations. In Ontario, the company operates two Maska and two Rinascimento stores - all in the Toronto area. On November 24th, Maska's first Alberta location opened at Calgary's Chinook Centre, measuring about 1,170 square feet.
Maska has just opened two new locations in Vancouver, including a temporary location which opened over the weekend at 2756 Granville Street in Vancouver's tony South Granville shopping district. We say 'temporary' because the store will close at the end of this month for a full-on renovation, prior to re-opening at the end of January, 2015. Maska opened a location last Thursday at Vancouver's Oakridge Centre (1,115 square feet, replacing womenswear retailer Crisca) and in March of 2015, Maska will open a unit at West Vancouver's Park Royal.
Maska has further Canadian expansion plans, including a new location at the CORE in downtown Calgary. An opening date for that location has yet to be set. Maska is investigating opportunities in other Canadian cities, though a representative wouldn't comment on which cities. Maska seeks retail space in the 1,000 to 2,000 square foot range, both in shopping centres and on upscale 'neighbourhood' shopping streets such as Sherbrooke Street in Westmount, Quebec and on Vancouver's South Granville.
Aurora Realty Consultants has been retained to represent Maska Mode across Canada.
Maska also has big plans for the United States. Although the search for store space has yet to begin, the company sees possibly operating stores in cities such as Boston, New York City and Chicago.
We’ll update you when we learn more on Maska Mode’s expansion plans throughout Canada.
Jessica Nguyen is a student at the University of Alberta, as well as a Marketing Intern at the University of Alberta School of Retailing. She's also a classic style enthusiast on Dressing Jessica - an everyday fashion blog for the petite and curvy woman.


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**The Energy Management Module claims it can "rejuvenate a battery" somehow.**
The District of Columbia has signed a $680,000 contract for an impossible-sounding gadget that claims to increase the range of an electric vehicle by 60 percent. The contract was signed in May, but it mostly slipped under the radar until it was picked up by WUSA9 this month.
The gadget in question is called an Energy Management Module, and it's made by a company called Mullen, which has recently been acquiring struggling electric vehicle startups like Bollinger and Electric Last Mile Solutions. In April, Mullen published a press release claiming that fitting the EMM gadget to one of the company's prototype cargo vans "showed more than a 75 percent increase in range for the 42-kWh lithium-ion battery pack."
DC's Department of Public Works became aware of the EMM device at last year's Washington Auto Show, according to WUSA9. "We have been investigating new technology that would extend their life, make us work more efficiently, and keep our maintenance expenses down," the department told the news channel.
The DC government owns more than 100 Chevrolet Bolt EVs as part of its fleet, some of which are used for duties like parking enforcement. It has fitted 40 Bolts with EMM devices at a staggering cost of $14,000 per vehicle, plus an additional $3,000 per EV for "data monitoring."
The device's inventor, Lawrence Hardge, claims that it works by "rejuvenating the battery," which sounds as close to a load of nonsense as I've heard in some time, given the relatively advanced nature of the Bolt's battery management system and the ease with which one can check the battery's health.
WUSA9 found reason to be skeptical of Hardge's claims—which include allegedly being nominated for a Nobel Prize by the University of Michigan—thanks to a fraud conviction in 2001.
There's a pretty long history of bogus gadgets promising ludicrously unrealistic increases in efficiency. From magnets that wrap around your fuel line to a "voltage stabilizer" you plug into a 12 V socket, none have ever actually worked because they invariably defy the laws of physics. Unfortunately, relying on the naïvety of your customers has always been a good way to get paid.
In the case of those internal combustion engine-focused frauds, at least they kept their claims somewhat plausible, usually promising efficiency increases of 10–20 percent. But Mullen's EMM simply defies belief with claims of a 60 percent boost.
Needless to say, it appears that the DC government has been taken for a ride here. Thankfully, someone somewhere down the line was awake—the contract states that DC will only pay the $680,000 once all 40 units have been shown to be working.


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Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness has hit out at the Dublin government for describing cross-border shoppers as “unpatriotic”.
Mr McGuinness made his comments before a meeting of the North-South Ministerial Council in Derry last weekend.
An extraordinary price differential currently exists between stores in the 26 Counties and those north of the border in the Six Counties, with prices an average of 50% higher in the 26 Counties.
A decline in the value of British currency has exacerabated the sitution in recent months, particularly at Christmas, when traffic jams built up on roads crossing the border.
An all-party group from the Dublin parliament visited Dundalk this week to see the effects of the shopping exodus on the town, where Superquinn recently announced it was closing its store.
But Mr McGuinness took Dublin’s Minister for Finance, Brian Lenihan, and Dublin’s Lord Mayor Eibhlin Byrne to task for their “unpatriotic” jibes.
“I think there are a number of very tremendous evils in our society. One is racism, the other is sectarianism and I think an evil also is partitionism,” Mr McGuinness said.
“What we need to recognise is that there is a free will of the people.
“For example whenever I heard the lord mayor of Dublin suggesting that it was unpatriotic of people to go to Newry to shop I said to myself how will this go down with people in Dublin?
“In fact it probably boosted the numbers coming north.”
Meanwhile, a recent survey by the National Consumer Agency found that the apparent greed of retailers in the South was the greatest factor in the price differences between the two parts of Ireland.
NCA chief executive Ann Fitzgerald said its research also showed that retailers had made huge efforts to disguise or scratch out the sterling price where this appeared on goods imported from Britain.
Various excuses had been offered. It was always “someone else’s fault”, she said. The first excuse related to hedging costs on advance purchases, but she said this did not “wash” anymore.
Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Mary Coughlan called on retailers to explain the price differentials between North and South. “While clearly the cost environment in the South is having some impact on retail prices, it does not explain the reality of the magnitude of the North-South price differentials that continue to exist.”


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Lucid the company responsible for designing and creating the stereoscopic point-and-shoot LucidCam camera has announced a partnership with the professional camera manufacturer RED to build next-generation 3D cameras equipped with dual 4K Ultra HD sensors.
The new camera which is currently under development by Lucid and RED is being created to“meets the need of a large, combined audience,” indicating that the camera will be suitable for professionals and enthusiasts looking to create and distribute 180-degree 3D video across a variety of different platforms.
The new 3D camera will also utilised RED’s new holographic smartphone the RED Hydrogen One, enabling users to view 3D and 4V content both live and in post production similar to that of a viewfinder without the need of a virtual reality augmented reality headset.
“This partnership allows us for the first time to deliver the highest-quality 3D capture to our customers, and now they can view the content immediately in 3D/4V without headsets,” said Jin. “At a time when two of the biggest challenges in the industry have been resolution and easy viewing of 3D content, we believe this is the solution everyone has been waiting for.” As more information, specifications, pricing and availability are announced in the near future we will keep you up to speed as always.
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With the rising cost of living and the recent implementation of GST in Malaysia, it is inevitable that many local citizens are feeling the pinch than they already are. This is especially true when it comes to paying for daily necessities. One of them has to do with the internet usage.
According to a press statement from Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) on April 15, Minister of Communications and Multimedia Dato’ Sri Ahmad Shabery Cheek has announced that the price of basic broadband packages will be significantly reduced.
At the moment, the lowest price reduction given for basic mobile broadband package has been set at RM25 per month. With this package, consumers are able to enjoy up to 1GB worth of monthly data quota with a minimum speed of 3G-HSPA. The RM25 package is available for both prepaid and postpaid services. Moreover, the newly-revised price is targeted at an average 14% lower than the current prices. As of now, established telco companies including Maxis, Digi, Celcom and U Mobile are expressing their interest to commit to the new price.
Apart from the lower-priced mobile broadband package, Telekom Malaysia (TM) will also be offering a cheaper basic broadband package for fixed services. Priced at RM38 for a monthly fee, the package will include 1Mbps of free data usage up to 1GB. The new price is around 57% lower than the current package offered by TM, and it is expected to be available from mid-June 2015.
“As Malaysia’s Convergence Champion, we remain committed in our role to provide broadband internet access to all Malaysians. We already have the most comprehensive range of affordable packages to all customer segments nationwide, and continue to look for ongoing opportunities to offer more value-added offerings. This is in line with our aspiration to deliver an integrated digital lifestyle with an enhanced and seamless customer experience beyond technology, products and services and devices; true to our mantra – “Life and Business Made Easier,” said Tan Sri Zamzamzairani Mohd Isa, the CEO of TM Group.
However, TM is not the only one that offers value-for-money RM38 fixed-line broadband package. Another broadband service provider, TIME, has also supported the MCMC’s initiative by introducing a similar RM38 package.


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NEW DELHI: VE Commercial Vehicles reported 7.6 per cent increase in total sales in May at 4,035 units, as against 3,750 units in the same month last year.
Eicher branded trucks and buses have recorded total sales of 3,962 units in May 2015 as compared to 3,685 units in the same month last year, up 7.5 per cent, the company said in a statement.
In the domestic market, Eicher trucks and buses recorded sales of 3,617 units as compared to 3,064 units in the year-ago period, an increase of 18 per cent.
Exports of Eicher trucks and buses stood at 345 units in May as against 621 units in May last year, down 44.4 per cent.
Volvo trucks have recorded sales of 73 units in the month as compared to 65 units in the same month last year, up 12.3 per cent.
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Thursday, April 21, 2011
"While Ethernet has grown in popularity in recent years, the service still lacked the predictability and QoS and CoS elements found in traditional SONET, and later Frame Relay and ATM services. Maintaining Ethernet QoS becomes an even more acute problem when service providers have to go off-net to serve a particular customer location and work with a carrier partner. Such a scenario is a growing reality for both incumbent and even growing competitive service providers that are expanding their focus on medium and large businesses that have multiple locations".
See "Ethernet QoS: Trust, but always verify" - here.


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Fortnite is set to get a pretty big focus at E3 2018, Epic Games has announced, from a dedicated live stream to a huge booth in the Los Angeles Convention Centre.
When the floor plans for E3 2018 appeared online, Epic Games had a pretty big portion of the South Hall and now we know why: Fortnite. Though that revelation is hardly unsurprising, Epic Games has revealed exactly what’s in store for fans of the popular shooter.
From June 12 to June 14 attendees of E3 will be able to play Fortnite and be in with the chance of winning some prizes and fill their face with snacks. In addition, Epic has announced that it’ll be holding a Fortnite Celebrity Pro-Am which will see popular streamers and celebrities team up in a doubles tournament. At the event over $3 million in prize money will be up for grabs, a figure that’s separate from the $100 million Epic Games announced earlier this week.
The $3 million prize pool will be offered to a charity of the winners choosing.
There’ll be a total of 50 professional players and 50 celebrities competing in the event including Ninja and Marshmello, Myth and Paul George, and Markiplier and Joel McHale. The event will be a ticketed event at $10 a pop, though tickets are being sent out as invitations to those who live in Los Angeles. Around 3,000 tickets will be available and will be emailed out in waves.
If that wasn’t enough, Epic Games is holding a “Party Royale” on the evening of June 12. Tickets to this invite-only event will be offered out as prizes to those who visit the Fortnite booth on the show floor.
Fortnite and it’s Battle Royale game mode are still in beta, so there’s a good chance Epic Games may finally be announcing the official release date for its Save the World campaign. Eventually the entire game will be free to play.


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Business banking on Wright Bros. name
DAYTON, Ohio – Entrepreneurs in the Wright Brothers' Ohio hometown are counting on the names of the aviation pioneers to help generate profits — and raise money to help support local historical sites.
Last year, Wright Brothers USA of Dayton became the first business to license retail goods in the name of the Wright Brothers. That started with the blessing of Amanda Wright-Lane, great-grandniece of the Wright brothers, and her brother Stephen Wright.
The company is now using an international website to sell American-made bicycles, aviation jackets, sunglasses and more. American-made bikes and watches under the brand were offered by Michigan's Shinola last year. Those quickly sold out. Now the company is seeking investors to start an e-commerce site and start manufacturing products in Dayton, Florida, California and elsewhere.
The company seeks $750,000 to start the site and another $350,000 to refurbish the Wright Cycle shop, preparing it for bicycle production and hoped-for tourism. They also want to build a park next to the shop commemorating the famous brothers.
The licensing strategy is more than a business move. Revenue from the business also supports the Hawthorn Hill mansion in Oakwood, the former home of Orville Wright, and historical aviation sites around Dayton. The Wright Family Foundation will receive 40 percent of royalties from products sold under the Wright Brothers brand.
The Wilbur Wright Birthplace and Museum is northwest of Hagerstown, near Millville.
The Wright family lived at three different addresses in Richmond between 1881 and 1884. Wilbur was a student at Richmond High School before the family moved to Dayton, Ohio, in 1884.


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It is the first time the 10-year-old brand, which markets itself as a healthier alternative to conventional crisps, will bring US and UK strategy and creative together. 18 Feet & Rising won the business after a competitive pitch.
The UK account was previously held by Lucky Generals, while David & Goliath was the incumbent agency in the US.
Both agencies had been appointed in 2015 and a Lucky Generals spokeswoman said the agency had resigned the business before Popchips called a review.
The new brief will see 18 Feet & Rising take responsibility for brand and creative development across the two markets, with the first campaign to launch in January 2018, with another across the US next summer.
The brand had launched in the UK in 2012 and has employed singer Katy Perry and actor Ashton Kutcher as brand ambassadors.
In 2012 an ad starring Kutcher faced racism claims. The actor spoke in an Indian accent and wore brown face paint as he played a Bollywood movie producer.
Marc Seguin, Popchips’ chief marketing officer, said: "We believe that the long-term strategic vision combined with the creative energy at 18 Feet & Rising will really capture the hearts of consumers in our two largest markets."


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Companies in the News: Metabolife International, Cevena Bioproducts, Inc., Golden Opportunities Fund, Foragen Technologies Limited Partnership, AVAC, Ltd., INS Bioscience Bhd, Solae Co., Glanbia, Danisco, Ocean Nutrition Canada Limited, WILD Flavors Berlin GmbH & Co. KG, Leiner Health Products Inc., GoForLife Labs, Fuji Chemical Industry Co., Ltd., Astavita, Zila, Inc., Ajinomoto, Martek Biosciences Corporation, Cargill Health & Food Technologies.
[6/30/2005] Beleaguered Metabolife Could Seek Bankruptcy
According to an article on SignOnSandiego.com which cites court documents as its source, supplement company Metabolife International might file for bankruptcy as early as today. According to the article, the proposed filing comes after failed attempts to reach a settlement in the multi-million dollar class action lawsuit the company is facing involving its ephedra-based supplement product, and the legal uncertainty is making potential buyers extremely wary.
[6/29/2005] Cevena Bioproducts Announces $6 Million in Financing Funding to Help Launch Key Heart-health Ingredient
Canada-based ingredient company Cevena Bioproducts, Inc. has announced the securing of $6.0 million ($4.8 million USD) in funding for the commercialization of the company's Viscofiber® B-glucan ingredient. According to the release, the Business Development Bank of Canada’s Venture Capital Group led the round and was joined by Golden Opportunities Fund (Saskatoon, Sask) as well as existing investors Foragen Technologies Limited Partnership (Saskatoon, Sask) and AVAC, Ltd. (Calgary, AB).
[6/28/2005] Malaysia's INS Bioscience Eyes China, US, West Asia Markets
According to an article on Bernama.com, Malaysia-based INS Bioscience Bhd, which produces wheatgrass-based health supplements, plans to expand operations into China, the United States and West Asian markets later this year. The company is set to be listed on Bursa Malaysia by the end of next month, and posted 2004 results of revenue of RM20.494 million ($5.4 million USD) and a profit of RM4.59 million($1.2 million USD).
[6/27/2005] Solae Plans Wholly Owned India Subsidiary
According to an article on food Ingredients First, US-based soy products company Solae Co. is in the process of establishing a wholly owned subsidiary in India, Solae Co. India, with an investment of Rs 25 crore (USD $5.8 million).
[6/23/2005] Glanbia Opens New Innovation Center
According to an article on TRE.ie, Ireland-based Glanbia has opened a new innovation center in Kilkenny, Ireland which involves an investment of €15m over five years. According to the article, the center is supported by EnterpriseIreland and employs 42 research scientists with this number to increase to 52 in October when a further 700 sq meter expansion is complete.
[6/22/2005] Danisco Announces Higher Profits, Sales
According to an article on just-food.com, Denmark-based ingredients company Danisco has announced financial results for the year ending April 30 with profits of 1.242bn Danish Kroner (US$203m) versus 1.009bn prior year, on revenues which rose from 16.397bn to 17.835b.
[6/21/2005] Ocean Nutrition Canada Announces Opening of Australian Office, Kevin Krail appointed as General Manager
Canada-based marine ingredient company Ocean Nutrition Canada Limited has announced the opening of a regional office in Sydney, Australia, and the appointment of Kevin Krail to serve as general manager, reporting directly to Robert Orr, president and CEO.
[6/20/2005] WILD Flavors Berlin GmbH & Co. KG: Enhancement of Production and Storage Capacity
Germany-based WILD Flavors Berlin GmbH & Co. KG has announced an expansion of its production and storage capacities in Berlin, Germany, with the addition of a new 6,0000 square meter building, increasing the grounds by approximately 30 percent.
[6/15/2005] Leiner Health Products Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2005 Results
US-based health products manufacturer Leiner Health Products Inc.(LEI) has announced FY05 Q4 and full year results, reporting net sales for the quarter of $174.6 million compared to $168.9 million prior year, while noting higher sales of joint care products and lower sales of Vitamin E in light of negative media. Net income was $6.4 million for the quarter, compared to $16.3 million for the same period in fiscal 2004.
[6/14/2005] GoForLife Labs Announces Name Change to Astavita
US-based supplement company GoForLife Labs, a subsidiary of Fuji Chemical Industry Co., Ltd. has announced that effective immediately, the company's name will be Astavita.
[6/10/2005] Zila, Inc. Announces Its Fiscal 2005 Third Quarter Results
US-based health products company Zila, Inc. (ZILA) has announced FY05 Q3 results, reporting revenues of $14.1 million, compared to $12.7 million prior year. According to the company, nutraceutical revenues were $10.4 million versus $8.4 million the previous year, while gross margins for the nutraceuticals group rose to 70% from 65%, due primarily to lower ascorbic acid costs.
[6/10/2005] Ajinomoto to Construct New R&D Facility
According to an article on Japan's Corporate News Network, food company Ajinomoto (TSE: 2802) is set to invest 5 billion yen ($46 mil) in the construction of a new R & D center on the compound of its Kawasaki plant.
[6/10/2005] 2004 Sports Nutrition & Weight Loss Sales Up 14% to $15.6 billion
US-based Nutrition Business Journal has issued its 2005 Sports Nutrition & Weight Loss Report, reporting that sales in the category grew 14% in 2004 to reach $15.6 billion. The report goes on to forecast that SNWL products will sustain compound annual growth rates of 5-7% the next 8 years, reaching sales of $22.8 billion in 2013.
[6/8/2005] Martek Announces Second Quarter Financial Results
US-based Martek Biosciences Corporation (MATK) has announced FY05 Q2 results, reporting revenues of $55.8 million compared to $41.9 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2004, with income before income taxes of $5.4 million versus $3.4 million prior year.
[6/7/2005] Cargill To Expand OptaFlex(TM) Natural Chondroitin Manufacturing Capabilities in the U.S.
US-based ingredient company Cargill Health & Food Technologies has announced that it has completed engineering for a planned expansion of OptaFlex™ natural chondroitin sulfate manufacturing capabilities at its Denver, Colo., facility within the next few months.


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Pet Project Games reveals new gameplay trailer
for co-op horror FPS Ripout
Explore derelict spaceships teeming with mutants and
take them on with a unique arsenal of sentiment
pet weapon technologies
Belgrade, Serbia – August 13th, 2021 – Independent developer Pet Project Games today released the first gameplay trailer for Ripout. Launching on PC in 2022 and built with Unreal Engine, Ripout is a co-op sci-fi horror FPS with customisable biotech weapon combat, that features the Living Pet Weapon (LPW) that absorbs advanced tech from downed mutants including shield, plasma and teleportation biotech upgrades. Earlier this year Pet Project Games released a teaser showing just a few snippets of gameplay, but now the true Ripout experience is laid bare in the full gameplay trailer:
Ripout is set in the 22nd Century, an era where humanity has reached beyond Earth to conquer the solar system. An interplanetary revolution for humanity began, but it would quickly turn disastrous. This new expansion was greeted with new threats, as Alien forces emerged and threatened this new golden age. Desperate to find a way to keep them at bay, humanity developed a cell that regenerated soldiers’ tissue at superhuman speeds. But the cell turned sentient, causing those soldiers to transform into gruesome and bloodthirsty mutants. With humanity’s saviour now fast becoming their downfall, soldiers are deployed using the latest in biotech weaponry to deal with the mutants that have overtaken its fleet of battleships, turning them into derelict and deadly graveyards…
“We’re extremely excited to be able to fully unveil Ripout to players. The game takes aesthetic and gameplay influences from a load of genres and melds them together into something unique.” said Goran Rajsic, lead game designer at Pet Project Games. “We wanted to offer up a fresh twist on the action horror genre and we think the elements of procedural generation, co-op multiplayer and the awesome biotech weapons deliver an innovative experience that sets Ripout apart from the crowd. We hope everyone is excited for 2022, when we unleash our game to the world!”
Key Features in Ripout:
● Procedurally generated levels: Ripout is a sci-fi procedurally-generated shooter, enabling players to undertake missions that will never be the same.
● Variety of different missions, monsters and objectives: Every mission will offer various objectives to cater to players with different playstyles. Mutants can reconfigure their bodies and assimilate other monsters to become a constantly evolving threat.
●Scalable co-op multiplayer: Featuring intense co-op gameplay, Ripout offers scalable difficulty to ensure teams always have a fun yet challenging experience.
● Sentient weapon companions: Players have their LPWs by their side at all times. They can use them as a weapon to shoot mutants or unleash it to feast on enemies and even harness some of their biotech powers.
● A cozy hub ship: Players can take a break between patrols in their cruiser hub. Hang out with your friends, play some arcade mini games from the 80s and customise your loadout, ready for another randomly generated mission.


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Here’s the fifth edition of AL.com’s Birmingham food news roundup, a newsletter-style rundown of food and drink-related news and culture in the Birmingham metro area. We’ll publish this roundup a few times a week. To read our first four editions, go here.
Chef Rita Bernhardt will host her first wine dinner at Satterfield’s since joining the restaurant
On Monday, July 15, Rita Bernhardt, the new executive chef at Satterfield’s in Cahaba Heights, will helm her first wine dinner since joining the restaurant from New Orleans in April. Berhardt will present a menu paired specifically with handcrafted Napa Valley wines from Buoncristiani Family Winery. Vintner Nate Buoncristiani, who will co-host the dinner, will be on hand to discuss the evening’s selections.
The dinner is $120/per person plus tax and gratuity. Apéritifs are at 6:00 p.m. Guests will be seated for dinner at 6:30 p.m. Seating is limited. For reservations, call Satterfield’s at (205) 969-9690.
In April, Bernhardt’s husband William Barial III also joined the Satterfield’s team as the restaurant’s general manager. The couple ran a pop up dinner series in New Orleans and in 2015, New Orleans Magazine named the couple as one of the city’s People to Watch.
Hip Hop group Nappy Roots will create a limited edition beer in Birmingham with Hop City and Good People Brewing Co.
Yes, you read that headline correctly. Grammy-nominated rap group Nappy Roots is teaming up with Hop City and Good People Brewing Co. for a limited edition beer. The collaboration is for Hop City’s anniversary celebration on Oct. 6. In addition to the limited edition brew, Nappy Roots will also do a pre-anniversary concert at Avondale Brewing the night before.
Hop City made the announcement on Thursday morning. The collaboration isn’t a complete surprise to folks with their ear to the ground in Birmingham’s craft brewing scene. Nappy Roots has been working in the craft beer scene for more than two years. They have a home brewery venture called Atlantucky Brewing, and they’ve long had their eye on Birmingham. Nappy Roots has had a few meetings with Hop City beertender Ralph Marion since his brand Beered Black Man caught the hip hop collective’s eye. The hip hop collective met with Marion and fellow Hop City beertender Annie Good over a month ago, so there have been rumblings that something was brewing (no pun intended).
Looking to make early plans to hang with Nappy Roots while they are in Birmingham? Tickets for the pre-anniversary concert will be available on Friday, July 12 at 10:00 a.m. via Eventbrite.
Earlier this week, Birmingham addressed food desserts with approval of the “Healthy Food Ordinance.”
On Tuesday, the city of Birmingham changed its zoning to limit discount stores and increase access to fresh food. The Birmingham city council voted to approve the Healthy Food Ordinance, restricting discount or “dollar" stores (such as Dollar General). The ordinance will prevent new discount stores from operating within a mile of an existing store. According to city officials, Alabama is in the Top 5 states with the most discount stores per capita, with more than two stores per 10,000 people.
The changes are designed to improve nutrition for 149,000 Birmingham residents --about 69% of the city’s population -- who live in a “food desert,” or a neighborhood where at least one in three people live more than one mile from fresh food and have no access to a car.
In case you missed it: The former Rogue Tavern space has a new tenant
Prominent local chef Tom Saab, the owner of Bistro 218 in downtown Birmingham, plans to open a new restaurant in the former Rogue Tavern space. According to the Birmingham Business Journal, Robert Crook of Birmingham real estate agency Ironvest Partners pitched the space to Saab, who signed a lease on June 1. The concept isn’t finalized yet, but the Business Journal reports that Saab and his team are interviewing builders this week for the build-out.
Do you have food news about the Birmingham metro area? Send us a note. Summer menu? Tell us about it. Restaurant opening? Let us know. Think we suck? Keep it to yourself. Send tips to features writer Shauna Stuart at firstname.lastname@example.org. And remember, this rundown is evolving, so bear with us as it grows.
Also: Do us a solid and like the “I Love Birmingham Food” Facebook page.


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The Pangu team released an iOS 8 — iOS 8.1 jailbreak earlier today, taking all of us by surprise. The tool is however Windows only, in Chinese and doesn’t include Cydia.
Jailbreak iPod touch 5G, iPod touch 4G
The Pangu team earlier today released a jailbreak for iOS 8 — iOS 8.1, surprising everyone. The jailbreak tool, which is Windows only, was soon taken down following reports of photos being lost. The team has now released an updated version of the Pangu 8 jailbreak tool which solves this bug.
iOS 8 released last month, followed by a couple of minor updates, and today, Apple released iOS 8.1 — the first major update to iOS 8. While Apple added a number of useful, jailbreak inspired features like Quick Reply, widgets etc., there are still a number of reasons to jailbreak, which is why we’ve been keeping a lookout for an iOS 8 jailbreak.
If you’ve a jailbroken iPhone, iPad or iPod touch, and trying to update it to iOS 8 using OTA update, then you are probably seeing the “Checking for Update” screen as you can see above.
The issue is expected behaviour with jailbroken devices, as most modern jailbreaks like evasi0n and Pangu disable OTA updates to ensure jailbreakers don’t accidentally install the update.
Last week, Pangu team released a new version of the Pangu jailbreak, which included bug fixes for the reboot loop issues for iPhone 4s/iPhone 4, sandbox log issue and other improvements.
It also included afc2, which gave jailbreakers full filesystem access.
Pangu 1.2 Jailbreak released with fix for boot loop issue, includes AFC2 and other improvements [Updated]
While I have been jailbreaking for close to seven years, there are others that are newer to the scene. If you are planning on jailbreaking your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch, or even if you have just recently jailbroken, there are several good practices to follow to avoid problems and ensure that your device remains in proper working order. Read ahead for some useful jailbreaking advice to keep in mind.
Apple just released iOS 7.1.2 for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch for bug fixes and security updates.


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American Alphabet Company, which Google belongs to, has terminated its cooperation with Starbucks. The case concerns the Wing Project, which plans to create a service that provides customers with coffee with drones.
Drones are still used mainly for entertainment, but there are already several initiatives where unmanned airborne vehicles are also used for work. One such idea is called Project Wing and is being implemented by the American concern Alphabet, which belongs to Google.
The Alphabet is aiming to launch an air delivery service, but not all of the ideas involved will be realized. One of the company’s designs was to use drones to carry drugs as well as medical devices such as defibrillators. Dron would quickly provide such a defibrillator to the scene of the accident, which would help to save his victim’s life. This idea was, however, abandoned. Identical to the idea of working with Starbucks.
Alphabet wanted to work with a well-known cafes network, offering coffee to customers with unmanned coffee. This idea is also unsuccessful to realize. The bone of contention became apparently access to customer data.…
Solar Impulse 2, an electric plane that set off on a journey around the world, is ready to go further. After several months of repairing the equipment and carrying out several test flights, it was considered that it was fully safe and could go further.
Solar Impulse 2 is a solar powered airplane that last year set out on a journey around the world to show everyone that electric planes are the future of the aerospace industry.
However, the plan failed and during the next stage of the trip from Japan to Hawaii, which set the record for the longest flight of 4 days and 21 hours, the machine has suffered a major crash. Such a long journey caused the batteries to be destroyed as a result of their overheating and Solar Impulse 2 was grounded.
After nine months of refurbishments and a dozen or so test flights checking the functionality of all systems, the machine is ready to continue the journey. Aircraft designers not only replaced the batteries with new ones, but they also improved the cooling system to prevent overheating of the batteries.
The launch date of the next flight is not yet known, as the team waits for weather conditions that would not harm the delicate photovoltaic engine. There are no plans for a plane yet, as there are four possible locations for pilots, such as Phoenix, San Francisco, Los Angeles or Vancouver. Their choice will depend on the current weather, giving the pilots the option to change the route if the conditions were unfavorable.…
At the Tokyo Motor Show, we had the opportunity to see many new models as well as concept cars. The latter category also includes the Nissan IDS, a futuristic vehicle equipped with state-of-the-art technology.
The Nissan IDS is a stand-alone electric vehicle that is not yet another electric vehicle. It’s a concept of the future, created specifically to adapt to the individual needs of the driver. Auto allows not only to drive in autonomous mode, allowing him to relax in the back seat, but if necessary, allows the driver to take full control, using the manual steering mode.
The manufacturer ensures that the vehicle matches the driving style and preferences of the driver. Knowing our day schedule, you can offer a departure time, set a route to reach a certain time, and even offer restaurants you can go to for dinner on the way.
The interior is of course very futuristic and filled with liquid crystal screens. There is no traditional steering wheel, but a lighter, more like the steering wheel of the iconic Knight Rider. Instruments and clocks replaced the display of the most important information. Interestingly, in autonomous mode, the steering wheel and dashboard are hiding, giving passengers more space and replacing them with a small tablet.
The most important information is shown on the head-up display, while the multimedia system is controlled by Artificial Intelligence controlled gestures and voice commands.
The Nissan IDS is powered by an electrically powered 60 kWh battery. Although the manufacturer does not give official coverage, but one can expect that on one load the car will pass some 480 km.…
Choiix Wave Stand is a convenient tablet and e-reader stand that can easily be used with iPad, Galapagos, Playbook, GalaxyTabem or eBook reader.
The stand construction allows the user to tilt the screen according to the user’s needs – from landscape orientation to vertical (0-135 °). This makes it easy to watch movies or use your tablet as a multimedia photo frame. The middle arm is hinged to allow the tablet to be positioned at the desired angle, and the robust design ensures that even with frequent use, the mechanism will not be damaged.
Once the tablet is positioned in the desired position, the anti-skid pads firmly hold it in place without the risk of falling or shifting. Thanks to its moving arm, small dimensions and aluminum construction, the Choiix Wave Stand is exceptionally light and uncomfortable in transport. The original design and shape referring to the wave are its additional advantages.…
The live translation function implemented in the Skype Communicator has been added to another language. Microsoft engineers have just added Russian support. He joined the other eight languages supported by this popular application.
In the middle of last year, Microsoft introduced a feature called automatic translation to Skype, which is run by someone who speaks a language other than ours. This makes it much more convenient to communicate with people from all over the world, because we no longer have to use a foreign language well enough to understand what they are saying.
Skype has served eight languages during the talks, namely English, Spanish, French, German, Mandarin, Italian and Arabic, but Microsoft has just added another. This time, Russian was added, so that we can easily communicate with friends from across the eastern border.
Of course, if we do not make video calls, but we only communicate by text, then we can talk to people from almost all over the world. In this case, the communicator supports up to 50 different languages at that time.…
The task of hands-free kits or virtual assistants such as Siri, should theoretically be to make sure that the driver while driving will focus his full attention on the road. Meanwhile, it turns out that it is completely different, and Apple’s Siri assistant was ranked first in the list of elements of the most distracting drivers.
According to a recent survey conducted by the AAA Foundation, driving and using voice-based devices is causing more distraction than we might think. The study was conducted on 45 drivers, asking them to perform different tasks using different voice control systems. Their result turned out to be surprising, as Siri distracted most of the other devices, causing the driver to miss the signs or the lights.
Apparently, Siri is a complex technology and less intuitive compared to other voice assistants. Researchers measured the level of interaction with Siri when sending and receiving text messages, emails, and status updates on social networking sites.
The reason for the attention of drivers is that Siri reacts very differently to the same commands. An assistant needs to say the exact phrase to complete specific tasks and only slight deviations cause the task not to execute properly. The driver needs to repeat them and instead of the road, he focuses his attention on the phone.…
Until recently, the Western media was able to mock the Chinese Army equipment, but it is getting better and better every year. And it can not be ruled out that it will soon match the quality of Western armaments.
The latest Chinese submarine of the SNN class, whose design has just been completed, will certainly help to improve the combat effectiveness of the Chinese army. The message was confirmed by Tan Zuojun, the former CEO of China State Shipbuilding Corporation.
According to NATO terminology, SSN class ships are nuclear-powered submarines, whose main purpose is to destroy submarine submarines. In addition to attacks on vessels, such ships can be used for routine intelligence tasks and for destroying land targets with onboard maneuvers.
The new unit has been significantly improved compared to previous versions. First and foremost, the increased power of destruction, this multi-purpose ship, in addition to combating underwater and surface targets, will also be able to effectively target ground targets.
Its biggest advantage will be the low sound level, which will become more difficult to detect by the opponent’s sonar. To achieve this level, the machine has been equipped with a quiet drive as well as the latest in hull muting.
Of course, the completion of an individual project does not mean that it will soon enter the service. The road to it is still very far and it will take a long time before it is built.…


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Coincheck, one of many largest cryptocurrency exchanges in Japan, is increasing its push into non-fungible tokens, or NFTs, with a brand new partnership with the developer of CryptoKitties.
Based on an Oct. 6 announcement, Coincheck has partnered with Dapper Labs, which developed one of many world’s hottest decentralized purposes launched on the Ethereum blockchain.
Coincheck stated that the brand new partnership will deliver NFTs to a mainstream Japanese viewers by offering publicity to hundreds of thousands of its customers. Coincheck plans to combine the CryptoKitties app into its upcoming NFT market. The alternate can be contemplating implementing the Dapper Labs-founded Movement blockchain, which is anticipated to launch by the top of 2020.
Based on an announcement by Dapper Labs, Coincheck’s upcoming NFT will probably be itemizing “solely essentially the most respected NFTs,” beginning with CryptoKitties on the brand new Movement blockchain. Dapper Labs CBO and co-founder Mik Naayem stated that the agency may also be working with Coincheck to introduce plenty of different apps like crypto artwork.
In mid-September 2020, Coincheck introduced its plans to arrange its personal NFT market. The upcoming market will probably be backed by a plugin from the blockchain startup EnjinCraft, which is able to make it playable in choose Minecraft servers.
In August 2020, Coincheck introduced plans to conduct an preliminary alternate providing on the Ethereum blockchain platform Palette. Palette helps NFT tokens for quite a lot of purchases associated to Japanese manga comics, sports activities and music.
Credit score: Source link


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Apple has announced its all-new iPad Mini. It features a new enclosure with narrower bezels and rounded corners.
The iPad Mini is currently Apple’s smallest tablet, even with the bump in size. Apple was rumored to have been considering a Mini LED display on the new iPad, similar to that of its largest iPad Pro. Those appear to have missed the mark; the new Mini sports a regular Liquid Retina display.
The iPad Mini’s design has remained largely consistent since its 2012 debut. The new model is something of a shake-up to the traditional build, featuring slimmer bezels than the iPad Mini 5 and new color options. The new tablet also features a USB-C port and supports 5G, with download speeds up to 3.5 gigabits per second.


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You have searched for JK Tourism Department
LAST UPDATED : Sep 22, 2017, 10.38AM IST
- Tourism department to recognize, help artisans
Around 1.12 crore small artisans have registered themselves with the Union ministry of tourism, which has come out with a policy to not only provide identity cards to artisans but will also recognize them according to state, national, or international levels, said Union minister of state for tourism, Mahesh Sharma, on Sunday.
- In coalition era, tourism department regains lost powers
The Cabinet on Wednesday gave nod to modify GTDC’s work ambit. Now, promotion and marketing services will no longer remain in its domain. The State Level Marketing Committee, which was aiding it in its marketing efforts, will be entirely handled by the tourism department.
- Tourism department to beef up security
The tourism department is set to beef up safety at the Arippara waterfalls, one of the most sought after tourism destinations in the district, in the wake of repeated accidents at the spot. According to figures available, as many as 20 persons have lost life at the waterfalls since 2010.


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Africa has faced several limitations on the availability of credible consumer data in its markets, with most data being gathered using traditional research techniques that give the continent a delayed outlook of consumer sentiments and needs.
But with the Fourth Industrial Revolution happening in a rapid pace, African brands are rethinking their future as global competition increases, and shifting consumer behaviour becomes the nucleus around which key marketing decisions are made.
Brand experts say using technology and building digital skills to connect marketers to customers and new markets is a key driver to building the stature of African brands, in the process unlocking the untapped potential of the region’s products and services.
Big Data expert and chief executive of Predictive Analytics Lab, Timothy Oriedo says the use of data to predict consumer trends is gaining momentum across the world, and Africa should not be left out.
“Data is the new oil, if you process it well, you’re likely to get the right insights and make informed decisions,” he remarks.
The use of real-time targeted marketing, he notes, has the potential to spur growth in Africa as brands reach their intended consumers.
Vikas Mehta, chief executive of Ogilvy Africa told Digital Business that brands and marketers need to be innovative to connect with the ever shifting needs of customers. Technology, he notes, holds the key to brands staying ahead of competition and keeping pace with the dynamic needs of customers, particularly millennials.
“In today’s environment when the trending topics on Twitter can change by the hour, it creates a gap in every marketer’s ability to connect with people in real-time,” says Mr Mehta.
As a key player in marketing and building profile of brands, Ogilvy has come up with an innovation dubbed Feed that it says offers social intelligence, data analytics, community management and content innovations “in a unified offering”.
Mr Mehta says the innovation seeks to connect brands to popular culture and millennials whose consumerism dynamics are changing in tandem with emerging technologies.
“With Feed, we’ve created a unique solution through a variety of data sets and tools, that can provide a reasonably credible picture of consumer sentiment, as it evolves,” Mr Mehta notes.
The platform, he says, has been built with Africa in mind, labelling it a potential game-changer for several local and multinational brands. The solution is being rolled out across Africa in phases.
The biggest value that the software brings to brands, Mr Mehta says is the ability to become a part of contemporary culture and shape the narrative with consumers.
“Advertising in its best form can only spark a social conversation. When you add Feed to a marketer’s arsenal, their brands can become a voice in people’s conversations. Backed by social intelligence, this ability can take a brand’s relevance to a whole new level,” Mr Mehta notes.
“Brands have recognised the importance of having their finger on the consumer’s pulse for decades now, and there are several offerings in the market to serve different aspects of that opportunity.”
Yash Ranga of Jaipur Rugs says technology enables industries to move up the value and access a wider market.
“Technology isn’t necessarily about changing the industries people are in, but rather about empowering them to move up the value chain by gaining access to a broader market of consumers,” says Yash Ranga of Jaipur Rugs.
Alexandra van der Ploeg, global head of SAP corporate social responsibility, says the world is looking to technology to help create sustainable solutions that help to improve people’s lives.
“While technology cannot replace brand culture ... it can definitely accelerate its impact. You don’t have to be a social entrepreneur to practice social entrepreneurship,” he says.


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A little-publicized provision in a U.S. government budget resolution that largely prohibits four agencies from using Chinese-made IT products could backfire, several tech trade groups said.
Semiconductor Industry Association
Increased sales of electronics and new forms of computing devices will drive the worldwide semiconductor market to growth this year after a slowdown in 2012, the nonprofit organization World Semiconductor Trade Statistics said on Monday.
After several days of gains, tech stocks dropped Thursday as markets declined on disappointing news from Europe, where government officials are meeting to try to solve the sovereign debt crisis afflicting several countries in the euro area.
U.S. exchanges were volatile Friday after suffering their worst drop in more than two years Thursday, taking IT companies' shares down along with stocks in just about every other sector of the economy.
Despite an unusual earnings miss Thursday by Internet bellwether Google, continuing geopolitical turmoil and disappointing news for the PC market, IT is demonstrating continuing resilience as tech stocks in certain sectors moved higher Friday.
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Samarkand to host International Travel Bazaar 2023
7 February 2023, 20:43
ASTANA. KAZINFORM Samarkand will host the International Travel Bazaar 2023 Tourism Forum on 10-11 February, Kazinform learned from UzA.
The event will be organized with the support of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
According to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the forum is the event of the year for travel creators and tourism service suppliers in Central Asia focused on development, cooperation and the search for new solutions. It will be attended by 40 speakers from 9 countries and more than 200 participants, including tour operators and guides, restaurateurs, hoteliers and representatives of the creative industries and the public sector


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Swedish workers are uniting against Tesla. From tomorrow, cleaners will stop cleaning Tesla showrooms, electricians won’t fix the company’s charging points, and dockworkers will refuse to unload Tesla cargo at all Swedish ports. What started as a strike by Tesla mechanics is spreading, in something Swedish unions describe as an existential battle between Elon Musk’s carmaker and the conventions they say make the country’s labor market fair and efficient.
The standoff in Sweden is the biggest union action the company has faced anywhere in the world. Sweden doesn’t have laws that set working conditions, such as a minimum wage. Instead these rules are dictated by collective agreements, a type of contract that defines the benefits employees are entitled to, such as wages and working hours. For five years, industrial workers’ union IF Metall, which represents Tesla mechanics, has been trying to persuade the company to sign a collective agreement. When Tesla refused, the mechanics decided to strike at the end of October. Then they asked fellow Swedish unions to join them.
“Collective agreements form the backbone of the Swedish labor market model,” says Mikael Pettersson, head of negotiations at the electricians’ union, which plans to join the blockade tomorrow. “Fighting for the Swedish model becomes even more crucial when it involves such a large company as Tesla.” Negotiations are currently at a standstill. IF Metall spokesperson Jesper Pettersson told WIRED that there are no ongoing talks with Tesla as of Wednesday.
Tesla didn’t respond to multiple requests for comment.
Some unions that joined the blockade are expanding their actions in an effort to be more effective. Since November 7, union members working at four Swedish ports have been refusing to unload Tesla cargo. Tomorrow, the blockade will be extended to all ports in Sweden. “We don’t want to unload any Tesla cars,” says Jimmy Åström, who is president of the dockworkers’ branch of Sweden’s transport union and works at Gävle port. “We are going to allow every other car [to dock], but the Tesla cars, they will stay on the ship.”
He hopes Tesla will understand how important this issue is for workers in the country. “Not just dockworkers but for all workers in Sweden.”
The Swedish Building Maintenance Workers’ Union will also join the Tesla blockade on Friday at 12 pm local time, “simply because the [IF] Metall Workers Trade Union asked us to,” says ombudsman Torbjörn Jonsson, adding that the union has around 50 members who clean Tesla locations. Four showrooms and service centers will be affected—three around Stockholm and one in the city of Umeå. “Their workshops and showrooms will not be cleaned.”


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Thousands of developers from all over the world attend Apple’s annual developer conference expecting developer centric content. Even this year, the enthusiasm of developers was quite high. Ironically there was nothing of substance for the developer community. Apple CEO Tim Cook opened the conference by talking about developers for the first 79 seconds then it was all about Apple products like the new Mac OS, iOS and other hardware updates. Cook said, "We are so inspired by the millions of incredible Apple developers around the world. You make the world a better place, and that is why we’re here this morning.”
Even the WWDC 2019 tickets were so difficult to get for developers, with prices as high as $1599. Some school and college-going attendees were lucky to have got these tickets for free, in addition to the ones who had won Apple Sponsorship.
Few were lucky to have met the Apple CEO as is evident from this video:
In two such past editions i.e. WWDC 2017 and WWDC 2018, Tim Cook had spent considerable time appreciating the efforts of iOS developers. He even acknowledged some of the developers that made apps for iOS. This year, there was no praise for the developer community closely associated with the iOS ecosystem.
Developers who attended the event expressed enthusiasm over several new Apple announcements. One popular feature that developers appreciated was Sign in With Apple, which allowed internet users to sign-in to third-party apps without the need to share their private information like e-mail addresses. The event also saw more clarity on the new programming framework, SwiftUI which reduces the amount of boilerplate code required to write a new app. SwiftUI is still in an early stage.


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GENEVA — The European Union's textile and apparel sector lost 165,000 jobs in 2007, or 6.4 percent of the workforce, compared with the prior year, according to a report from the European Apparel & Textile Organization.
"The sector lost more than 10,000 companies, or more than 29 companies per day, in great majority of very small size," the Euratex report said.
Despite witnessing one of the biggest shedding of jobs in a decade, the industry managed to post an 8 percent increase in apparel exports but flat textile exports.
The U.S. remained the top destination for the second straight year, although exports declined in value and volume, while solid increases were notched in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, China, Brazil, Vietnam, Serbia, Albania and Kuwait.
As for exports to China, the report notes they are "only a fraction of what it's sending to the EU."
The study surmises the high value of the euro against the dollar has not allowed EU exporters in the last few years to fully benefit from the positive developments in world demand. The study noted that in the first quarter of 2008, new orders for man-made fibers and textiles declined compared with the same quarter a year ago.
However, Francesco Marchi, Euratex director of economic affairs and author of the study compiled for the group's 150,000 member companies, noted that incoming orders for apparel posted nearly a 7 percent increase from the year-ago period.
Industry volume reached 211.3 billion euros, or about $331.9 billion at current exchange, and investments rose by 5.9 billion euros, or $9.3 billion, in 2007, with exports outside the EU increasing and accounting for nearly 20 percent of volume.
On the import front, the report noted that four suppliers of textiles and apparel — China, Turkey, India and Bangladesh — accounted for 64 percent of imports in value terms and 59 percent of the volume.
China posted the biggest growth rates, accounting for a 34 percent share of value of textile and apparel imports, and 31 percent of the volume. This was followed by Turkey, with 16 percent value share and 13 percent of volume; India, with 8 percent of value and 9 percent of volume, and Bangladesh with 6 percent of each category.By the end of April, the report indicated that China's exports of textiles and apparel to the EU grew 24 percent in value terms. But in eight categories that were under quota between mid-2005 and the end of 2007 — T-shirts, sweatshirts, trousers, bras, dresses, shirts, home textiles and flax yarns — the increase was 54 percent.
Euratex estimated retail sales of textiles and apparel in the EU last year edged up 5.1 percent in value and 4.7 percent in volume, but sales growth in 2008 so far has "turned negative."
In his new book “Hollywood Royale,” Andy Warhol’s Protégé Matthew Rolston celebrates the Eighties revival of Hollywood glamour. Featuring more than 100 portraits taken by Rolston from 1977 to 1993, the book contains photos of icons like Michael Jackson, Cyndi Lauper, and @drewbarrymore, pictured here in 1991. “Hollywood Royale,” out today, will be accompanied by an exhibition opening at Los Angeles’ Fahey/Klein Gallery on March 1. #wwdeye
"Nowadays when life is not so happy with everything going on in the world, I think people come to me for a little bit of whimsy and color and fun." - Designer Rebecca De Ravenel on her cult-favorite jewelry line. (📸 : @vsteves) #wwd40
“Everyone is talking about how the retail industry is struggling, but I think it’s an incredible time because brands who are doing something different and innovative are setting themselves up for the future,” said @adamgoldston, who founded the luxury athletic brand @apl with his brother @ryangoldsten. The Goldston’s are part of WWD’s 40 under 40: a group of industry notables. See the rest of the list on WWD.com. (📷: @vsteves) #wwd40
@eyeswoon blogger Athena Calderone debuted her first-ever cookbook, “Cook Beautiful,” which is heavily centered on the presentation and visual expression of food. Pictured here are her miso glazed carrots from the book. Get the recipe on WWD.com. (📷: @johnny_miller_) #wwdeye
“It’s passion that helps get anybody to a certain point and it’s what’s propelled me,” said Kith founder @ronniefieg, one of WWD’s 40 under 40: a group of industry notables who are changing the face of retail, fashion and beauty. Fieg, who opened a Manhattan flagship on October 7, began his career at age 13 as a stock boy and salesman for footwear chain David Z. “I think staying true to [my] beliefs, hard work and passion have gotten me to where [Kith] is today.” See the rest of the 40 at WWD.com. (📷: @vsteves) #wwd40
25-year-old @samweaving is about to break out this fall, starring in Netflix’s horror film “The Babysitter,” fittingly out today on Friday the 13th. That’s not the only place you’ll be seeing her, though — Weaving’s got a role Showtime’s “SMILF” and another alongside Frances McDormand and Woody Harrelson in “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.” Though she’s got a full plate at the moment, there’s one role she’s got her eye on: Marilyn Monroe. “I’m a little too young at the moment, but it’s on my bucket list,” the actress told WWD (📷: @dandoperalski) #wwdeye
BFF's Poppy Jamie and Suki Waterhouse celebrated the launch of their bag line Pop x Suki at Nordstrom last night. "The line is really about our friendship, and how we are so different but complement each other," said Waterhouse. 👯 (📷: Katie Jones) #wwdeye
After designing the new @louisvuitton and @bulgariofficial flagships and a @chanelofficial boutique opening in Japan, @petermarinoarchitect has another project on his plate: The Lobster Club. Located in the Seagram Building, it’s the famed architect’s first restaurant project in New York, serving up modern Japanese brasserie-style cuisine. Bronze hues, bespoke material detailing, blush and chartreuse tones and a heavy emphasis on Picasso can be seen throughout. Mark your calendars for Nov. 1 for the much-anticipated opening. (📷: @clint_spaulding) #wwdeye
Did you know: @carlychaikin of "Mr. Robot" has been painting for about a decade? The actress, who plays Darlene on the show, is a self-taught artist who lists Salvador Dalí and Chuck Close as some of her idols. Chaikin told WWD that painting is a form of meditation for her — A much-needed one given the intensity of "Mr. Robot." See a piece Chaikin is working on at WWD.com (📷: @jilliansollazzo) #wwdeye


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Disney+ app now available to download on iPhone, iPad and Apple TV
The Disney+ app is now available in the App Store: download it here. On Apple TV, search for ‘Disney+’ in the App Store app. (App Store servers are still propagating for some people at this time but others have confirmed they have been able to successfully download and install the app. If the direct link doesn’t work, try searching the App Store for ‘Disney+’ and scrolling down for the app listing.)
You can get the app now, sign up to Disney’s new streaming service, and start streaming its extensive back-catalog as well as start streaming The Mandalorian.
The post Disney+ app now available to download on iPhone, iPad and Apple TV appeared first on 9to5Mac.


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Google just can’t keep Android (News - Alert) in one place. After hitting the market on smartphones, and eventually tablets, the mobile platform has been seen in set-top-boxes, smart TVs, wearable devices and more. However, it hasn’t made much headway outside of the smartphone space. But a new initiative by Google (News - Alert) may change this.
The industry that Google has set its sights on this time is that of connected cars, an area that Android is no stranger to — it has been appearing in in-vehicle infotainment systems since as early as 2011, after all. However, with the forming of the Open Automotive Alliance (OAA), it’s clear that Google wants Android to become a common part of dashboards the world over.
In typical Google fashion, the OAA has a good deal of support right out of the gate with technology and automotive companies like General Motors (News - Alert), Honda, Audi, Hyundai and Nvidia on board. These companies are all looking to customize Android for use in vehicles, giving technology partners the chance to place their offerings in hundreds of millions of cars, while allowing automakers to modernize their vehicles’ software.
Traditionally, car companies have avoided the new and flashy in favor of stable, proven technology. After all, vehicles need to provide a certain level of safety and reliability above all. That said, the rapid evolution and proliferation of smart mobile devices has threatened to make in-vehicle systems obsolete. Some automakers have tried to fight this, usually by opting for a variant of Linux, or BlackBerry’s (News - Alert) QNX platform, but the result is a fragmented collection of ecosystems that are costly to develop for.
With the OAA, car manufacturers can avoid this since Android is such a huge presence in the smartphone space. In other words, Android provides manufacturers with access to new, better technology and a well-established app ecosystem. More importantly, a concentrated effort by industry experts should help make Android as reliable as automakers need it to be.
Edited by Cassandra Tucker


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If you enjoy using Facebook, then we are bringing some great news for you today. The developers who are in charge of Facebook are constantly pushing out software updates that are designed to take the social media app’s performances to the next level and a brand-new one has just arrived. Therefore, today we are going to check out the latest update for Facebook and present everything there is to know about it.
New Facebook Update
The first thing that we want to note about Facebook’s latest update is that it is currently being rolled out via OTA (over the air) channels. However, there is a catch. The update is available only for beta users which means that Facebook users who want to make sure that they get access to the new software tweaks and bug fixes that the update brings will need to enroll in the beta program. Luckily, becoming a beta user for Facebook is fairly simple and everyone uses an Android-powered smartphone can do it.
Nonetheless, the new update is changing Facebook’s build number to 188.8.131.52.112 beta and we are advising all beta users to download it as soon as it pops up in their notifications panel. The reason behind this is that the new update introduces a handful of bug fixes that take care of various issues.
We need to mention that the new update can also be downloaded by Facebook users who are not enrolled in the beta program. The trick to making this work is to manually download the update in the form of APK (Android Package Kit). Furthermore, this type of updates can only be installed on Android-powered smartphones that have the “Unknown Sources” option enabled. In addition, the option can be found in the Settings panel.
Juana loves to cover the tech and gaming industry, she always stays on the first row of CES conference and reports live from there.


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Posts Tagged «kindle fire»
Kindle users can now borrow books for free (with Amazon Prime) November 3, 2011 at 9:35 am
With an Amazon Prime subscription — the tidy sum of $79 per year — you can now borrow your favorite e-books from the Kindle Owners’ Lending Library for as long as you like.
What Amazon’s strict Kindle Fire app guidelines mean for users October 12, 2011 at 12:00 pm
Amazon’s new Kindle Fire developer guidelines make it clear that the application experience will be highly curated, and controlled by the retailer.
Amazon Silk’s fast new web: Is it safe and should you use it? October 5, 2011 at 11:00 am
Amazon has packaged a set of technologies in its new Silk browser to speed up the web experience on the Kindle Fire. But they come at a cost in reduced privacy. Are they worth the price?
Where is the Kindle Fire 3G with free music, TV, and movie streaming? September 30, 2011 at 12:00 pm
What if Kindle Fire 3G, when it eventually arrives, lets you stream movies, TV, and music, and download apps, for free?
Canoodling Kindle: Understanding Amazon’s Kindle Fire and e-book reader lineup September 30, 2011 at 9:50 am
With four new models on the market, Amazon now offers seven Kindles. We explain the differences.
5 ways Kindle Fire beats the iPad September 29, 2011 at 11:57 am
Instead of heralding the demise of the world’s most popular tablet and the crowning of a child prodigy that isn’t even on the market yet, we’re simply going to tell you the five ways in which the Kindle Fire beats the iPad.
Kindle Fire and Windows 8 will kill the iPad September 28, 2011 at 4:50 pm
With the Kindle Fire at $200, and Windows 8 tablets are $800… what purpose does the $500 iPad serve?
Amazon Silk: Bridging the gap between desktop and mobile web browsers September 28, 2011 at 12:15 pm
Along with three new e-ink readers (Kindle Classic, Kindle Touch, Kindle Touch 3G) and a new, 7-inch, Android-based Kindle Fire, Amazon has also announced the introduction of a web browser — Amazon Silk — that uses the power of Amazon’s Elastic Compute cloud to produce a desktop-like browsing experience on its Kindle Fire tablet.
The birth of the Kindle Fire and the death of the public library September 26, 2011 at 2:39 pm
Amazon is about to release the Kinde Tablet — and it might release a flat-rate digital library, too.
Amazon’s Kindle Fire will make or break Android August 29, 2011 at 11:50 am
Amazon is readying to release a Kindle Fire running its own version of Android — but is that a good thing or bad thing?


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Microsoft’s president Brad Smith has criticized the UK Competition and Markets Authority’s (CMA) decision to block the tech giant’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard, stating that it had “shaken confidence” in the UK as a destination for tech businesses. The CMA blocked the acquisition on Wednesday, citing concerns about its impact on competition in the nascent cloud gaming market.
In response, Smith said that the decision was “probably the darkest day in our four decades in Britain,” and that it sent the wrong message to the global tech industry about the UK. He argued that if the UK government wants to attract investment and create jobs, it needs to look hard at the role of the CMA and the regulatory structure in the UK. Smith also criticized the CMA’s handling of the matter, claiming that Microsoft had answered the regulator’s questions and had told them to come back with any more concerns, but had received no response.
A spokesman for British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak pushed back against Smith’s comments, stating that the UK has an extremely attractive tech sector and a growing games market, and that the government will continue to engage proactively with Microsoft and other companies.
CMA Chief Executive Sarah Cardell defended the regulator’s decision, stating that its role was to ensure that the UK remained a competitive environment for businesses to grow and thrive. She also noted that the US Federal Trade Commission was also pushing for the deal to be blocked on competition grounds.
Microsoft has said that it will appeal the decision, with “aggressive” support from Activision. Appeals against CMA rulings are heard by the Competition Appeals Tribunal, which makes a judgment on the merits of the decision, but does not provide an opportunity for Microsoft to submit new remedies.
The decision to block the acquisition highlights the ongoing tensions between tech giants and regulators around the world, as governments seek to ensure that the tech sector operates in a fair and competitive environment.


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Backlash over 'Pocahottie' and 'Fat Girl' Halloween costumes
Published Wednesday, October 29, 2014 2:12PM EDT
A Manitoba store is getting negative attention for selling several First Nations costumes that mimic traditional aboriginal regalia and clothing. The backlash comes days after Wal-Mart was slammed for calling a section of its retail website "Fat Girl Costumes."
The Winnipeg store Spirit Halloween sells several First Nations costumes with names like "Reservation Royalty," “Pow Wow Princess" and "Pocahottie.” Accompanying the costumes are photos of women wearing skimpy outfits.
Greg Monks, a professor of anthropology at the University of Manitoba, said the costumes stereotype aboriginal women.
"To sell or wear the costumes seems highly culturally insensitive and inappropriate," he told CTV Winnipeg. "How many aboriginal women are missing and brutalized, and yet we're depicting them as sexually objectified people by these costumes."
Customer Tracy Clegg told CTV Winnipeg that not only are the costumes are insulting, they’re also inaccurate.
"Naturally, that's not how (First Nations) wear them when they are in suit. They aren't short and skimpy little outfits that they wear," she said.
But not everyone feels that the costumes are offensive. Kerry Hogan, owner of the local store Gags Unlimited, said that while the costume names are "tacky," the costumes are actually celebrating First Nations culture.
"If I want to wear a Native American headdress, I want to wear it because it's nice," he said.
An employee at Spirit Halloween said the costumes are meant to reflect aboriginal culture in a positive way.
Wal-Mart under fire for 'Fat Girl Costumes'
Meanwhile, Wal-Mart came under fire this week because a section of its website selling plus-sized Halloween costumes was labelled "Fat Girl Costumes."
The company apologized for the insulting label, noting that it was not clear how the wording ended up online. The label has since been removed.
Jamie Newransky is the manager of Sue's, a women's clothing store that sells apparel in sizes ranging from 12 to 24. Newransky said she tries her hardest to avoid using the label "Plus Size," because labels are hurtful.
"Using a label such as fat, is generally derogatory in our society and it doesn't have to be, but certainly here we don't ascribe to labels in general," she said.


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Thursday’s groundbreaking agreement will unify under one umbrella Tapestry’s collection of more accessible luxury brands, namely Kate Spade and Stuart Weitzman, with Capri’s esteemed labels including Jimmy Choo and Versace.
Coach parent company Tapestry has embarked on a transformative journey by striking an $8.5 billion deal to acquire Michael Kors owner Capri Holdings. This strategic move is set to create a robust U.S. fashion force, poised to challenge its larger European counterparts for an enhanced stake in the global luxury market.
The disparity in scale has long hindered American luxury brands from competing effectively against their European rivals. Notably, Paris-listed LVMH boasts an impressive portfolio of 75 brands, which includes prominent names like Tiffany, Louis Vuitton, and Dior.
Highlighting the rationale behind this strategic move, Morningstar analyst Jelena Sokolova emphasized the increasing significance of scale in the luxury sector. Larger conglomerates possess substantial resources to nurture their smaller brands, thus underscoring the allure of scale in the current luxury landscape.
The combined entity reported a remarkable global annual sales figure surpassing $12 billion in the preceding fiscal year, according to Tapestry. In comparison, LVMH achieved approximately $87 billion in revenue last year, while European competitor Kering (PRTP.PA) generated around $23 billion.
In this monumental transaction, Tapestry has agreed to pay Capri shareholders $57 per share in cash, a premium of nearly 65%. The calculated equity value of the deal stands at $6.69 billion, based on Reuters’ calculations.
Capri’s shares surged to $54.50 during early trading on Thursday, contrasting with a 8% dip in Tapestry’s stock. Investor hesitation stemmed from concerns over the $8 billion bridge loan secured by Tapestry for the acquisition.
Beyond its financial implications, this acquisition serves as a strategic buffer against potential headwinds arising from waning luxury goods demand in the U.S. Persistent inflation has prompted consumers to curtail discretionary spending, necessitating new growth avenues.
GlobalData Managing Director Neil Saunders elaborated on this, affirming that both Tapestry and Capri are diversifying their growth strategies by targeting international markets. The merger offers a sense of security as these two luxury titans embark on an ambitious global expansion.
This transformative deal also promises to revitalize Capri’s Michael Kors brand, which has faced lackluster sales in recent quarters. Analysts anticipate improved management under Tapestry’s guidance to reignite the brand’s appeal.
Both Tapestry and Capri have demonstrated a penchant for growth through strategic acquisitions. In 2017, Tapestry (then Coach) acquired Kate Spade for $2.4 billion, while Capri (formerly Michael Kors) made waves by purchasing British shoemaker Jimmy Choo for $1.2 billion. A year later, Capri added Versace to its portfolio for $2.2 billion.
During a conference call discussing the deal, Tapestry’s CEO Joanne Crevoiserat emphasized the company’s intent to broaden and diversify its customer base. She articulated how this move would deepen their connection with luxury consumers and various market segments.
Notably, this acquisition could herald a resurgence of deal-making in the U.S. luxury domain, as European powerhouses continue to acquire premium brands. Recent examples include Kering’s investment in Valentino and LVMH’s substantial acquisition of Tiffany.
Anticipated to contribute positively to Tapestry’s adjusted profit from the outset, the acquisition of Capri is slated for completion in 2024. Furthermore, the deal is projected to yield cost savings exceeding $200 million within three years of finalization, according to statements from both companies.